| I have to be real with you, I experience the winter blues. It’s tough for me to admit, but this time of year I am not my best. My biggest challenge is the withdrawal I feel from being on the go. Once mid-January hits I’m moving fast. For the next month I will experience some downtime. If the past is any indication, this time will be hard for me. I feel guilty for saying this. Shouldn’t I be excited about the holiday’s? What about the increased time at home….shouldn’t I be happy for more time with my kids? The great thing about increasing self-awareness is you begin to understand who you are. I’m also lucky to have a spouse that also understands and supports me. In order to combat the winter blues I planned ahead this year. Here’s how I am going to attack the next month and focus on winning days. Be Intentional with Time: I made a list of things I plan to accomplish. Next, I printed out a calendar from December 15-January 15. I began filling in the dates with different activities and task. This simple exercise helped tremendously. Think Week: I once read how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs would take a week and do nothing but consume content. I’ve tried this, albeit on a much smaller scale, a few summers ago. This year, I’m going to begin a think week on 12/29. I won’t be able to go into full isolation like Gates did, but I will spend a considerable amount of time focused on knowledge acquisition. Health and Fitness: I’m going to prioritize my wellness over the next month. History will show that I am in my worst physical and mental shape in January. I’ve signed up for a month at a hot yoga studio from 12/17-1/17. I’ve experimented with hot yoga and I really enjoyed it. In addition, I’m resuming intermittent fasting. Peak Family Moments: Instead of just being physically present, I want to be more engaged when I am around my kids. I’m guilty of watching TV, checking my phone, reading emails, and succumbing to many other disruptors. One of my favorite days is when I take our four kids shopping for our family. I love seeing their joy in giving and not just receiving. Eat Some Frogs: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first”- Mark Twain. I have some things that I’ve been putting off doing. I want to get those “frogs” taken care of before things get moving fast. I’ve learned that within every challenge lies an opportunity. History shows that I’m less than my best this time of year. I’m making some changes. After reading this, my hope is you help me stay accountable. |
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