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.

The Unintuitive Way A Brick Wall Can Show The Future

Lots of people can have a difficult conversation.Lots of people can go for a 4 mile run.Lots of people can overcome a fear.That’s all great.Those experiences tell us what we’re capable of.But what happens next is truly important.

What happens next is how consistently we do these things.

When we conquer new fears everyday, we build a powerful confidence that lets us approach what was once unapproachable.When we run everyday, running becomes easy and we are on to the next challenge.When we are consistently assertive and kind, we develop a reputation of respect and dependability that helps us with later endeavors.

Our daily actions are investments in our future.

Every second counts and every decision matters.My old high-school track coach used to say:“Every practice is like one brick and at the end of the season, you’ll have a brick wall. If you miss one practice, it probably won’t make a difference, but if you make a habit of it, the whole wall will be full of gaps.”

Every day is a brick.

Either you show up and make it happen, or you leave the gap.

2 Minute Action

It takes 2 minutes to visualize your day.Walk through how it will go and rehearse your actions.Prepare for battle!This is your time to suit up and commit to a day of purpose.Pick one brick to lay and make it happen.

There's No Secret To Waking Up Motivated--But This Gets Me Close

"Motivation doesn't last. Neither does a shower." - Zig Ziglar

2 quick ways to kill motivation?

Obligation and guilt.Do it because you care.Do it because you want to.That's way more powerful.And it turns out, it's way more sustainable.The only trick is that you'll need to remind yourself that you care.iOS reminders. Letters to yourself. A time capsule. Post-its on the bathroom mirror.There are a million ways--but you have to make it happen.You don't have to know all the answers right now.You don't have to have some giant epiphany.You just have to start reflecting on your values and interests.What do you like and what do you think is important?What do you find yourself NOT being able to stop doing?Start there and good things will happen.

2 Minute Action

It will take you 1 minute to write down 3 things you care about.It will take you less than 1 minute to ask Siri/Alexa/etc. to remind you about these in 3 months or to text a friend to check in on your progress in 6 weeks.The secret is that big things are actually made up of lots of small, actionable things.Everyone has 2 minutes. You can do this.