Should You Work Over The Holidays?
It’s definitely November.Lots of people are feeling the year wind down and are thinking about taking time off.The holidays are right around the corner and the cost of ads are going up exponentially.As you feel the year wind down and the market wind up, keep one thing in mind:
You are what you continually do.
All of our decisions count and we don’t get “time off” for the last few weeks of the year.If you’re working towards a goal, this isn’t necessarily the time to slow down.Take the time if you need to reflect.Take the time if you need the rest.Take the time to prioritize your family.And remember that you need those things across your day-to-day life, too.They’re not just for the holidays.If you’re starved for any of these things, you may need to take a look at why and how to adjust.Any major deficit will lead to a binge—and that’s not a sustainable habit,
2 Minute Action
What are the things you binge on while on vacation or during a holiday?How can you get more of that during your regular habits?“TV” isn’t a good answer. “Rest and relaxation” or “time away from making decisions” are better examples, because that’s really what you’re getting at.Take 2 minutes to reflect on this and create a list.After you’ve got a list, you’re now set to take actionThat part is up to you.
Why No One Cares About Iowa, And Why Everyone Should Be Like Iowa
No one cares about Iowa.Specifically, I'm talking about the University.And specifically, I'm talking about people who aren't interested in the neuroscience program.And, of course, specifically, I'm talking about people who aren't interested in the neuroscience of decision-making.Because it was here, at The University of Iowa, that the Iowa Gambling Task was developed.But truly, who cares about all that? Few people even know what that is!Without going into the mechanics of the experiments, it's important to note that no one cared . . . unless you were a very specific kind of person interested in a specific kind of thing.
It's not for everyone, it's just for some.
And Bechara, and the Damasios, and the other researchers at The University of Iowa didn't want everyone.They only wanted a specific, small group of people who cared intensely about the neuroscience of decision-making.What do you care about?Does anyone else care?Who else might care?Where might you find someone like that?
This is a principle.
You can use this idea in your marketing, in the way you talk to the people you love, or the way you find your passion.
2 Minute Action:
Choose your own future.Pick one of these three questions to answer in the next 2 minutes:
- What's something specific and small you can do to move you toward a goal you have?
- What's something specific that would make you more valuable to your field or your team?
- What's something specific that would turn away those who aren't obsessed with the same specific thing you are?
Okay, the rest is up to you.You've got this.
Why You Should Be As Disloyal As Possible
I stole this tip from Derek Sivers.*I've heard Sivers say "be as disloyal as possible" and to "only be loyal when disloyalty is not possible."What he's saying is that the world doesn't always have your back. Your company is going to make the best business decision it can, regardless of how many years you've worked for them.It's one of these interesting beliefs that is the opposite of how we operate in our personal lives.Many people are taught to be loyal to family, friends, and partners--and I don't know anyone who's been taught the opposite.In order to succeed in our careers, being disloyal, opportunistic, and focused on our career's impact on the greater good is the optimal route.I'm not saying you should break up with your projects or your job. I'm also not saying that you should betray, deceive, or lie.I believe in being honest, trustworthy, and transparent.I'm saying scandals, corruption, and decision-making that's not aligned with your mission should be on your radar. It's up to you to stay awake enough to detect it around you when it happens.By being disloyal at default, you're positioning yourself to reality-check the decisions of others around you without blindly following.Trust is important to build over time--but loyalty should be avoided as much as possible.
2 Minute Action
When was the last time you felt loyal to something?Chances are it already happened today.
- Maybe to your country?
- Maybe to your company?
- How about to a fraternity or a sorority?
Take 1 minute and list a few things to which you're loyal.Next, take 1 more minute and list a few things those people/organizations would have to do to lose your loyalty.If you have 5 or more things for each, that's great.If you have one or two for each, you're in danger. (*Derek Sivers is a favorite author and entrepreneur of mine. He started CDBaby.com which was the first place to buy music online. He sold his company for somewhere around 21 million dollars and then gave it all away to charity.)