It's that T.I.M.E of the week again!

The newsletter with actionable life lessons for a wealthier, healthier, and happier future.

The Art of Not Doing

It’s the end of January!

How are those New Year’s resolutions looking? Crushed it? Barely started? Or maybe you're wondering why you set them in the first place?

Earlier this month I shared my Rule of Three and the power of Vision Boards, which helped me tick off some big wins.

But here’s the thing: achieving goals isn’t just about what you do. It’s also about what you don’t do. 

That’s where Anti-Goals come in, a game-changer if you’re tired of burning out or losing steam by February.

Think of Anti-Goals as the flip side of traditional goal-setting. Instead of only deciding what you want to achieve, you also define the behaviors, habits, or patterns you absolutely want to avoid.

It’s a way to steer clear of distractions and energy drains that keep you from hitting those big, shiny milestones.

For example:

For my Ironman training, my Anti-Goals included:

• No more late nights: Ensuring I get enough rest to wake up early for training sessions.

• Quit alcohol: Maintaining peak fitness by avoiding substances that could hinder performance.

• Listen to my body: No matter what training session I need to get done, If my body says no, listen and rest.

James Clear once said, “You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” And He’s spot on.

Goals are great, but systems (and Anti-Goals!) keep you moving forward without the burnout, frustration, or dreaded “meh” feeling halfway through.

So, as you look back on your January wins and lessons, try this:

1. Write down one goal you want to achieve in February.

2. Now write down three Anti-Goals to help you stay on track to hit that goal.

3. Stick to your Anti-Goals with your big monthly goal in mind.

Sometimes, knowing what not to do is the smartest move of all.

Have you ever not attempted something because you were scared of what other people might think?

Here’s a powerful reminder from Tim Ferriss, “What is ordinary to you is extraordinary to someone else.”

The truth is, you’ll never know the outcome until you take that first step. Even more importantly, you’ll never know how the impact you could have on someone else’s life by simply sharing what you already know.

• Sign up for that race

• Start creating the content

• Have that difficult conversation

• Start writing that book

• Reach out to someone you’ve been meaning to reconnect with

• Learn that new skill and share what you learned

• Say yes to the opportunity that scares you.

Everything you are looking for is in the action you are avoiding.

The worst-case scenario? You learn something valuable. The best-case scenario? You inspire, uplift, and create ripples of change.

Your move.

This is a stark reminder to follow through with what you say you will do in life.

Practice what you preach.

If you commit, show up.

No one likes a flake.

When last did you took a step back from the busyness of life and just sat and had time to think and reflect?

Bill Gates is well known for his reflection strategy of “Think Weeks”, however, I love this twist on the idea of a “Think Day” by Sahil Bloom.

At the of every month, he asks himself 5 key questions to take stock of where he is now and what he needs to do to get to where he needs to be.

Pick one day each month to pause, reflect, and refocus.

Here’s how to do it:

• Disconnect: Find an inspiring space away from your usual surroundings, perhaps in nature or a quiet coffee shop, and leave the digital distractions behind.

• Simplify: Bring only a journal and pen to capture your thoughts and ideas.

• Think Big: Use this time to journal and address thought-provoking prompts that help zoom out and evaluate the bigger picture.

Sahil uses these 5 powerful prompts:

1. If I repeated my current day for 100 days, would I be better or worse off?
   Reflect on how your daily habits compound over time and whether they align with your long-term goals.

2. If someone observed my actions for a week, what would they say my priorities are?
   Examine the gap between the priorities you claim to have and the ones your actions reveal.

3. If I were the main character in a movie of my life, what would the audience be screaming at me to do?
   Gain perspective on your choices by imagining how others might view your situation.

4. Am I hunting antelope or chasing field mice?
   Are you focusing on high-value, meaningful tasks (the antelope), or wasting energy on trivial ones (the field mice)?

5. What are my strongest beliefs, and what would it take to change my mind?
   Challenge yourself to embrace new information and rethink entrenched ideas to find deeper truths.

I am busy experimenting with a few different strategies for my very own “Think Day” but this one is a great start.

More of that in the future.

Happy Thinking!

Ambitious Question

If you could write a guidebook for avoiding your personal pitfalls, what would the first chapter be about?

In case you missed last week's newsletter, I wrote about:

TEACH: The Four Pillars of Trust—Trust is built on Competence, Reliability, Empathy, and Integrity. Strengthen each pillar with actionable steps like improving skills, keeping promises, listening actively, and aligning actions with your values.

INSIGHTS: Accountability is the ultimate power move. Owning your role in every situation gives you control over your life. Reflect on Confucius’ wisdom: “The person who blames no one has arrived.”

MOTIVATION: “Just because you lost me as a friend doesn’t mean you gained me as an enemy.” Tupac reminds us to let go of grudges, appreciate life’s lessons, and cherish the people who stay for a lifetime.

EXPLORE: Challenge of the Week—Stretch yourself without breaking. Whether it’s a tech-free night, a gratitude challenge, or learning a new skill, small wins lead to big changes. What will you challenge yourself with this week?

Ambitious Question: What one area of your life would improve if you strengthened trust in yourself or others?

Check it out here.

Feel free to share this if you gained any value from it. Feedback is also welcome.

THANKS FOR READING LEGENDS!