E112: The One Phone Call You Don't Want to Make

What if the decisions you're making… aren't actually yours? In this episode, we unpack a question that exposes the hidden forces shaping your life: 👉 "If you failed… what's the one phone call you wouldn't want to make?" Because behind your ambition, hesitation, and even your success…there may be a voice you've never confronted. We explore: Why most people are driven by voices they don't even recognize How fear disguises itself as ambition, caution, or even humilityThe story of a CEO whose decisions were being shaped by something deeperWhy high performers still feel stuck or paralyzed under pressureHow past experiences quietly control present decisions This is a deep dive into: Identity vs. conditioning Awareness vs. autopilotTruth vs. internal narratives We also unpack: The "echo" inside your mind and how it formsWhy self-awareness is the foundation of leadershipHow to separate your voice from fear, trauma, and expectationThe cost of not doing internal workAnd why clarity starts with asking better questions 🧠 The Exercise Take 10–15 minutes. No distractions. Ask yourself: 👉 "If I failed… who is the one person I wouldn't want to call?" Then go deeper: Why them?What would they think?When did that fear start?How has it shaped my decisions? This is where the work begins. Pre-Order the Book This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – The question that exposes everything 00:20 – Intro + Oscars conversation 02:30 – Ambition vs ego 05:30 – Authenticity vs image 08:00 – Discipline behind greatness 11:00 – Enter "The Chisel" 12:00 – The one phone call question 13:30 – The CEO story (breakdown moment) 16:00 – Pressure, identity, and leadership 18:00 – Perfection vs uncertainty 20:00 – The hidden voice behind decisions 22:30 – Most people aren't aware of it 24:00 – Becoming self-aware 26:00 – Fear, shame, and past experiences 27:30 – What's actually shaping you 30:00 – Personal example (father + identity) 31:30 – The "echo" in your mind 33:00 – Why success requires emptying yourself 36:00 – The truth about sacrifice 38:00 – How to separate your voice 40:00 – The exercise explained 43:00 – This isn't about blame 45:00 – Clarity and alignment 47:30 – Final challenge