The days between Christmas and New Year’s have always been extremely important to me.
A former life kept my tail on fire between Thanksgiving and Christmas for 27 straight years, but even then, those precious five days that followed (assuming I could secure them) were unlike any other.
Those five days were mine. Everything was purposely slowed down. If it could be completely shut down? Even better. Do it. I follow the same blueprint today.
I don’t know about you, but my mind never stops. The thoughts and ideas ebb via a well turned faucet and drip it does not. Any chance I get to slow things down and channel the flow toward a smaller goal…I will gladly do so.
So what exactly does that mean?
It varies I am sure based on the individual but for me, this time of year, it means no planned activities. No to-do lists, no deadlines, no deferrals.
I am free to let my mind do…whatever it needs to do. Unwind. Unravel. Untangle.
Ultimately…
Reflect.
In the past I would spend this time planning and outlining multiple goals, each one more ambitious than previous. I would review any shortcomings this year and “resolve” (famous last words) to change things going forward.
I would also usually fail and I realize looking back I was just making it much harder than it truly needed to be.
A SIMPLE FORMULA
Today I use a combination of advice from several of the same books you will find in my Off Duty Pursuits section, along with a few of my own priorities.
These words are written on the first inside page of my Moleskine weekly planner:
TRUE SELF leaning toward BEST SELF making deposits on FUTURE SELF.
It’s really that simple and the only reminder I need.
Stay true to myself, know what the worst version looks like and just try to avoid it. Better yet know what the best version looks like and don’t try to get there tomorrow, just make sure something you do today LEANS in that direction.
Notice I said something, not everything. When I sense any perfectionism or OCD kicking in, I remind myself to relax. LEAN toward Best and the rest will take care of itself.
The deposit portion is also very simple. Choices, decisions, something I do today is either making deposits towards or taking withdrawals from my future. Working out? Deposit. Skip dessert? Deposit. Stressing out? Withdrawal. Unwarranted anger? Withdrawal.
A few more of my favorite “reminders”:
- Treat negative thoughts like static on a TV. You wouldn’t sit and watch a channel with nothing on it but static and noise (or at least I hope). You’d change the channel or just turn it off.
- An alternative option, treat negative thoughts like a passing parade. You have two choices. 1) You can get caught up in it and swept away in the noise or 2) you can separate yourself from it, pick a nice spot in the distance to acknowledge it, wave at it and simply watch it go by. Pretty soon it will be the same quiet street it once was.
- Watch, Read, Listen with a very wide funnel and a very narrow exit. I seek perspective but over the years I have become very astute at recognizing noise, fluff, hidden agendas and BS. I may intently read or listen to 20 opinions but my decisions are my own. Many may knock, very few will enter.
I think that’s enough rambling but I hope you get my point. Keep it simple.
You can still achieve success however you define it in whatever you are doing or measuring without the sabotage that usually accompanies trying to be perfect or something (or someone) you are not.
TWO NEW YEAR READS
Outlive is a great pick for anyone interested in taking a look at preventative medicine. One key premise is how to be proactive instead of reactive once a serious illness hits. This is not your typical “exercise and eat right” health book, the author digs much deeper and if you are a numbers person, he gets into the weeds into what those numbers on your lab work actually mean. One key takeaway for me was the new term Healthspan, which I learned is much much different than Lifespan.
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to … mention”. When I see the word Regret I think of Frank Sinatra and those famous lines. Bottom line we all have them whether we want to admit it or not. I’m a big fan of Pink’s well researched books, I have several and like his writing style. I also like titles that challenge me and force me to reflect, relive and ultimately use it for fuel to move forward.
Happy New Year and thanks for reading.
The Finance Stance 