Focus on This

Would you plant flowers in December—or plan a ski trip in June? Probably not. But many of us do the equivalent with our goals: we try to force outcomes that don’t match our actual capacity, energy, or reality. In this episode, Marissa and Joel walk through five “seasons” you may find yourself in—sowing, fallow, tending, pruning, and harvest—plus the hidden danger in each one and the most effective response. You’ll also learn seven distinct kinds of rest and how to use the Weekly Preview to identify your season and take the right next step.Key TakeawaysThe Year is Full of Seasons. There’s a natural ebb and flow to life, not just nature. Acting like it’s spring when you’re actually in winter won’t help you. Name the season you’re in and orient around what’s true right now, not what the New Year says.Sowing Season: Choose Focus Over Frenzy. When you’re ready to start new opportunities, the danger is starting too many things while motivation is high. The fix: pick one or two goals that actually move the needle and let the rest wait.Fallow Season: Rest on Purpose. After a sprint (or a crisis), your system needs recovery. Choose the kind of rest you actually need—physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional, social, or spiritual.Tending Season: Reconnect to Vision. Don’t let “business as usual” make you forget why you started. Keep your why in view so you don’t drift off course.Pruning Season: Prevent Ineffectiveness. Just like plants, we become less fruitful when we’re trying to do too much at once. Pruning helps you create margin and center your energy where it can have the greatest effect.Harvest Season: Choose Boundaries (Fight FOMO). Momentum is great—overextension isn’t. Decide what must happen now, what can wait, and when the sprint ends.Align Your Plans and Your Season. During your Weekly Preview, name your season, watch for its danger signs, and plan your week accordingly. Work with the grain, and you’ll get fewer splinters.Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/QpzDeHQIjmwThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

The hosts dive into the importance of year-end reflection, focusing on what worked and what didn’t over the past months. They discuss leveraging personal wins and acknowledging disappointments while completing the stress cycle. Techniques like using photos to jog memories and understanding avoidance as a clue for change are highlighted. Regret is reframed as a chance for do-overs, and listeners are encouraged to carry valuable lessons into the new year. Ultimately, self-compassion is emphasized in the journey of reflection and growth.

Feeling overwhelmed by the holidays? Discover how to lighten your load with four actionable strategies! Start by defining your non-negotiables and eliminating nonessential tasks. Learn to say no to social events without guilt and creatively delegate responsibilities at home and work. Embrace procrastination strategically by pushing deadlines to January. Simplify self-care with small habits and curate a Not-To-Do list for clarity. This holiday season, focus on what truly matters and create breathing room for yourself!

Explore the transformative power of gratitude as Joel and Marissa discuss how it can broaden your perspective and strengthen relationships. Hear about A.J. Jacobs' eye-opening gratitude experiment related to your morning coffee. Discover the stark contrast between scarcity and abundance mindsets, and how simple scripts can elevate everyday interactions. Learn to use gratitude as a tool for patience, growth, and team morale, while even reframing frustrations into positive experiences. Embrace gratitude to change your environment for the better!

Explore the science behind interruptions that hit every 3–11 minutes, costing you valuable focus time. Discover the crucial difference between external interruptions and internal distractions. Learn practical tips like cutting nonessential notifications and setting up 'Do Not Disturb' modes. Understand the value of deep work windows and how to communicate them with your team. Finally, embrace focused work sprints paired with intentional breaks to enhance productivity and combat temptations that derail your progress.

As the holidays approach, the pressure mounts from deadlines and social commitments. Discover effective boundary-setting techniques, like not checking emails during evenings or weekends. Learn to say ‘no’ gracefully with a simple script that keeps you aligned with your priorities. Understand how to enlist support from leaders when facing new demands. Protect your daily rituals to maintain your energy and focus, and refine your ideal week to account for the season’s unique challenges. Finally, remember to be gentle with yourself amidst the hustle.

Long to-do lists can be overwhelming and stressful. Discover how to prioritize your day by selecting three impactful tasks, reducing mental clutter. Learn to evaluate your priorities using the 'if nothing else' test for clarity. The hosts discuss decision fatigue and the importance of focusing on what truly matters for productivity. Adopting this simple strategy can lead you to peace and consistent progress in achieving your goals.

The conversation dives into achieving a refined work-life harmony, where flourishing takes precedence over mere balance. Generational differences in prioritizing work and life are explored, with millennials often leaning towards personal fulfillment. Six practical practices are shared to enhance joy and purpose, including self-care, meaningful work, and connecting with others. The hosts emphasize the importance of presence, advocating for small, intentional actions to cultivate a sense of delight both at home and work.

Tired of the Sunday scaries? Discover how to combat dread by embracing a Weekly Preview ritual. Learn why clarity reduces anxiety and boosts confidence for Mondays. Celebrating wins from the past week fosters gratitude and positivity. Lists can declutter commitments, focusing on what truly matters. Track your habits and rejuvenate to safeguard self-care amidst a busy week. Sharing plans keeps you aligned and helps maintain calm energy for the week ahead. Transform your Mondays from chaotic to purposeful with this insightful approach!

As Q4 looms, the hosts discuss strategies to navigate calendar compression and maintain balance. They introduce six practices of flourishing to enhance well-being and encourage small, consistent actions over all-or-nothing mindsets. Listeners will learn how to decompress their calendars by reassessing commitments and creating a Not-This-Year list. There are tips for renegotiating obligations gracefully and using focused goals to guide decisions. Simple self-care rituals are highlighted as essential for maintaining presence amid the chaos.