Is it too late to wish you a Happy New Year? Larry David, one of my favorite curmudgeons, would say yes — I have surpassed the HNY statute of limitations.

While the “new year, new you” energy is still fresh, I invite you to conduct a calendar audit: What are your shiny shoulds? The coulds? The so goods?

Today I’m sharing a crossover from the Free Time podcast and book about one of the most popular topics that readers ask me about most: Sailing the Sea of Shiny Shoulds. This also ties into one of the Pivot Paradoxes I share in the Pilot stage of Pivot: The Fauxspiration Foe.

If you haven’t already, grab your copy of Free Time—winner of six book awards!—and subscribe to the w3 award-winning podcast wherever you listen »

You’re invited! I would love for you to join us in BFF, my private community for small Heart-Based business owners. If you want accountability, support, and strategies to stop sailing the sea of shiny shoulds so you can set more time free to do your best work. Visit itsfreetime.com/bff, and enter promo code PODCAST at checkout for a discount.

🌟Key Takeaway: If you want to dabble in something that might be a Shiny Should, treat it like an experiment. Set rules for engagement that respect your time, including firm start and end dates, then evaluate the impact on your energy and your business. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

✅ Action Step: Observe your calendar and projects for the next two weeks: What is most energizing? What’s most draining? Within the most energizing people and projects, conduct a second audit (you can do this by drawing three columns on a blank piece of paper or digital note): What are your shiny shoulds? The coulds? The so goods?

📘Books Mentioned:

🔗Resources Mentioned:

🎧Related Podcast Episodes

JB episodes on SPARKED with Jonathan Fields

Pivot:

Free Time:

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