Hey Reader, I want to start today by sharing a little secret I’ve picked up over the years. Here’s the secret: Though the frameworks I share may look easy to implement as you’re reading, the truth is, these practices are incredibly difficult to apply when life is going full speed. That’s why in every edition of the Pulse this year, I’ve encouraged you to ease up on yourself, celebrate your victories, and really look at the challenges getting in the way of your big goals and dreams. I...
about 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, The question of what to do when your team isn't building and shipping fast enough (or right enough) comes up a lot in work with my clients, and sometimes on my own team. The question I ask first is always: Well, what have you put in the way that's keeping them from building and shipping? It's a good inversion. We've got to remember most of the people who joined the teams we're talking about here, came to do the building, shipping, and doing, because they love it. So if they're not...
over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Most people balk at the idea of a mid-month check-in because we tend to convince ourselves we haven’t made progress and don’t want to come to terms with that reality. This, my friend, is exactly why you need a mid-month review. Taking stock reveals progress we forgot about, or dismissed. You learn to objectively celebrate, assess, and recalibrate – without disparaging yourself. If you’ve been making a practice of the daily check-in and check-out process we talked about a few weeks...
over 2 years ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, If you’re like most humans, you’re probably down on yourself because 2023 so far isn’t at all what you planned. Be easy on yourself. This is only Week 2 of 2023! I hope you’ve already started practicing the 10/15 Split — the morning check-in and evening check-out technique from last week’s email. As you continue this daily practice, you’ll start to see how your day-to-day reality matches up (or doesn’t) with your goals and plans. If you find you’re checking items off your daily...
over 2 years ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, As we kick off a new year full of promise and potential, I wanted to take this moment to thank you for being here and a part of this journey with us. We have big plans for 2023 and are excited to move them forward. I intentionally used the word “plans” above because it’s that time of year that social media is littered with New Year’s resolutions that likely won’t last into next month. Not due to a lack of desire or will power, but because in order for our dreams to become reality...
over 2 years ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, As we shift to the new year this week, I want you to think about what it means to be still. Many of us rush straight through wrapping up end-of-year projects into new year goals and habits. How would your time, energy, and attention be served if you gave yourself permission for some “fallow” time? 🧑🌾 Connecting Farming and Creativity When a farmer lets a plot of land lie fallow, it means the land is intentionally resting. This period of rest following a harvest allows the soil to...
over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, This is the time of year I find it most valuable to conduct my annual reflection. It’s easy to think “I have more to do to wrap up the year” — and that may be true. But reflecting on the year puts a single week in context. It will also help you be more intentional and realistic in setting plans and goals for the new year (we will talk about that more in the coming weeks). 🗓️ Conducting Your Annual Reflection The annual reflection isn’t a valuable practice because it’s easy or fun....
over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, We’re in the final full work week of the year and I want you to think about what it means to finish your year strong. Do you want to spend your precious time, energy, and attention focused on checking everything off your list or on making real progress on what’s most important to you? If you went through the project cagematch process I shared last week then you’re ahead of the game. From your cagematch you should have a list of priority projects. Take a few minutes to review your...
over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hello and Happy December Reader, Before we dive into what is coming at Productive Flourishing during 2023, I want to start by sharing my gratitude for and with each of you who are on this journey with us. We get to do this amazing work because we are in partnership with you, our community, and our audience. And, we have the honor of continuing to grow as individuals, as leaders, in relationship, and in reach and impact through your support and sharing. Thank you. 🙏 As you’ve seen, we spent...
over 2 years ago • 4 min read