Around this time of year, as Thanksgiving approaches, I always sense that “annual review season” is upon us.
I feel it as a subtle tension in my body and soul. I notice that I’m slowly drifting out of alignment with my values.
The grand plans I made at the beginning of the year no longer completely make sense. New interests and sources of meaning have arisen that I haven’t been able to pursue because I’m still working toward the old ones!
I also feel a rising sense of anticipation and excitement.
The new year is fast approaching like a high-powered freight train, laden with tons of goodies I can’t even predict. I’m already looking forward to wiping the slate clean, licking my wounds, and shifting into a lower gear after a manic, chaotic year.
These conflicting, almost paradoxical feelings – dread and hope, weariness and elation – will build up over the coming weeks, and that’s perfect.
Because I want that tension as my fuel when I finally sit down at the end of December to open Pandora’s Box. Like a spring-loaded lever, that tension will drive me as I dig into my life determined to find uncomfortable, yet powerful truths.
If you’d like to join me as I walk you through every step of the process I’ve developed, we’re kicking off the live Annual Review 2025 program on Dec. 5th.
Enrollment opens on Nov. 25th! If you’re curious, you can already find out more about the program here.
ECNT: My 4-Step System to Make Sure Nothing Slips Through the Cracks
When it comes to keeping track of everything—commitments, tasks, and all the tiny details—it can be easy to get lost.
To stay on top of it all, I follow a simple mnemonic: Every Commitment Needs Tracking (ECNT).
It stands for the four key areas where I manage my responsibilities: email, calendar, notes, and tasks. Here’s a quick look at my process:
- Email: I start by reviewing my inbox. I check for anything that needs to go on my calendar, save resources to my notes, and tasks that require action to my to-do list. This first step lets me pull essential information from my emails into my downward systems.
- Calendar: Next, I review my upcoming week. Any meetings or deadlines I need to prep for get turned into tasks. This way, my calendar and to-do list stay aligned.
- Notes: Moving down the ladder, I review my note-taking app (Evernote) to catch any ideas or project notes that need action. Anything relevant gets added to my task list, ensuring no loose ideas or insights are overlooked.
- Tasks: Finally, I pull it all together in my task manager (Things). This is where everything actionable lives. I prioritize my day and week here, choosing what’s urgent and what can wait.
By following this routine—usually several times a week and especially during my Weekly Review—I gain clarity on what’s on my plate and prioritize with confidence.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this sequence. By processing each source of information in order, you’ll capture everything you need to move forward with clarity and focus.
A Quest for Self-Knowledge: From Self-Help to Somatic Healing (Part II – Feeling My Heart)
What happens when intellect alone stops serving your deepest needs?
In part two of my blog series recounting my quest for self-knowledge, I share the turning point when I realized that mindset shifts and productivity tools weren’t enough to bring the vibrancy I craved into my life.
My journey took me to unexpected places—Burning Man, where psychedelics helped me unlock years of unprocessed emotions, and then into a mentorship with Joe Hudson, a coach who taught me to listen to my heart.
Join me as I dive into how connecting with my emotions reshaped my work, my relationships, and ultimately, my purpose.
Reflect & Reset: Free 2-Day Live Journaling Weekend
I want to extend an invitation by Jo Franco to a free journaling weekend on Nov. 23-24.
Jo is the founder of the global journaling movement JoClub, a polyglot, a Netflix Travel Host, and a speaker at the Second Brain Summit.
This free weekend-long event will help you to learn foundational techniques and discover how journaling can enhance both your personal growth and language learning journey.
- Nov. 23 at 12 pm EST - Journaling 101: Discover the essentials of journaling to unlock personal insights and foster self-expression.
- Nov. 24 at 12 pm EST - Language Journaling 101: Learn new techniques to enhance your language learning journey through the power of journaling.
If you are curious about journaling and enjoy meeting people around the world, you’ll be in great company. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions about journaling and JoClub.
“How Can I Create a Successful Newsletter?”
If “starting a newsletter” has been on your to-do list for a while, I highly recommend checking out Category Newsletter Creator by my friends, Dickie Bush and Nicolas Cole from Ship 30 for 30.
Their new course has everything you can possibly need to create a Category Newsletter with the potential to reach 6 (maybe even 7) figures in annual revenue in 2025. It’s going live on Monday, November 25th.
(We’re affiliates of Ship 30 for 30. That means when you click the link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
