A gentle close to the week

With 7 things that made life better / Issue 1,355

Oh, hi friends! 

What happened this week?

“I’m so tired” seems to be the consensus among friends (and myself).

I had this moment of asking…

Why am I doing any of these things? 
Am I repeating the same words and patterns over and over again?

But instead of going faster or working harder, I pared back.

• Stopped writing the newsletter for a few days. (Sorry!)

• Put three things on my to-do list instead of 16. 

• Let myself read the book when I wanted to read the book. 

• Got one major project monkey off my back. 

• Knocked off one big errand.

• Found a future event to look forward to.

• Slept so so much.

And guess what? It worked.

Resting and rejuvenating sometimes looks like naps. 

But sometimes it looks like letting fewer and more deliberate inputs into your world.

You already have a full life.

Choose carefully what you add to it.

The monkey was so pleased after he was gently removed from my back!

7 Things That Made Life Better This Week

• I caught up with my dear friend Emily. She was literally running to Target, I was walking the reservoir. We agreed to call each other without the whole “when will you be free?” game. You’re free, you answer. You’re not, you don’t — and it’s OK!

• A quick reminder to my freelance folks to file your invoice — and then check in on your invoice — and then check in again. Close those money loops and get paid before the end of the year!

• Speaking of money, So Money host and journalist Farnoosh Torabi wrote a new book called A Healthy State of Panic. I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading it two nights in a row. This book is SO smart, funny, enlightening, and will reframe the way you think about your fears. Absolutely loved it. (Amazon, Bookshop)

• Some pals and I started an accountability thread this week. We emailed the big things we’re doing that day and followed up later when we’ve done them. Simple. Useful. If you’re having a hard time focusing, try it with a friend. This also turned my entire week around.

• I wrote a pilot last year and then promptly forgot it existed. Instead of never opening the file again (which I have done…many times), I hired my brother Eric Cotti to read it and give me notes and direction for moving forward. And thanks to his brilliance, now I know exactly what to do next. Best money I’ve spent all year! He’s available for script consulting for pilots, features, and plays. Ask me and I’ll connect you. 

• Signed up for a 5K (and coerced friends to join) in January!!

• Finally, you know what I love? Answering a quiz that tells me more about myself! According to this test, I’m a “motivated systems builder” and an Enneagram type 3. Apparently, I like DOING and then seeing a job well done. Correct. And I dislike having work disrupted or delayed. Also correct. Take it here for some Friday fun. I’d love to hear your results!

And In Case You Missed It

Monday’s post: Let’s start the week together

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The Latest from the Podcast

Deadlifts, Bone Broth & More Secrets of Giants with Alyssa Ages
Apple | Spotify | My site

Activating Your Dreams with Aransas Savas
Apple | Spotify | My site

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PSA for Holiday Shoppers

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Do It For Yourself is great for someone who’s starting a project or life change.

Do It Today is for someone who needs encouragement to keep persisting.

Do It (or Don’t) is for someone who needs to learn to say “no” more often to others so they can say “yes” to themselves.

Buy all three for $25.47! Or if you ask, I’ll send you Do It (or Don’t) as a holiday gift for reading to the end of this newsletter. ;)

I am a HORRIBLE saleswoman lol.