🎙️ Episode Title: “What’s Your Coconut?”

Hi everybody, you’re listening to the Mindset Matters podcast, I’m your host, Riley Jensen, and today, we are talking about coconuts.

Let me start this podcast like I always do, with a question.

What’s the one thing you’re holding on to right now… that’s holding you back?

It might feel important, even necessary—but what if that thing is actually your trap?

We live in a world where pressure is everywhere—notifications, deadlines, family drama, politics, uncertainty, comparison.

And when we’re feeling pressure, we try to control everything. It feels safer that way, right?

But ironically, control is often the very thing that keeps us stuck.

Let me explain.

There’s this old story that’s been told in villages across parts of Asia and South America—

A story about how they trap monkeys.

Here’s how it works:

A farmer cuts a hole into a coconut. Just big enough for a monkey to slip its hand through.

He ties the coconut to a tree, fills it with nuts, berries, maybe even something sweet.

The monkey comes along, curious and hungry, and slips its hand inside.

Grabs a big ol' fistful of the loot.

But here’s the trap: it can’t pull its hand out while holding on to everything.

The hole is only big enough for an open hand.

And even as the farmer walks up—

Even as danger gets closer—

The monkey doesn’t let go.

It simply won’t let go.

Now, here’s the rub:

You and I? We do the same thing.

We clutch tightly to things—control, perfection, our reputation, that one opinion someone had of us in 2003—

Even when they’re hurting us.

Even when they’re keeping us stuck.

So here's the question for today:

What’s your coconut?

Is it needing to always be right?

Is it a version of success that no longer fits your life?

Is it someone else’s approval?

Think about it.

What's that one thing you're clinging to, believing it'll keep you safe or successful—

But it's actually costing you peace… freedom… maybe even joy?

(Pause for effect)

To help combat this mentality, I ask my clients to use a simple tool called The Control Circle:

Draw a circle.

Inside the circle, write down everything you can control—your attitude, your actions, your energy, your preparation, and your response to things.

Outside the circle? Write the stuff you can’t—other people’s opinions, past mistakes, outcomes, the weather, politics, the market.

And then—

Let. It. Go.

Because freedom comes when we stop fighting battles we were never meant to win.

So today—

Open your hand.

Let go of what’s keeping you stuck.

And walk away free.

You’ve got the Pure Unadulterated Guts you need to do it. .

Now it’s time to use it.

Optional Listener Prompt:

🎯 DM me or tag me with your answer to this question:

What’s your coconut?

I’d love to hear what you’re working to release.