A spotter looks ahead at dawn for racers at Indy. Photo by D. Paul Graham

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 281 and 85 …..

It’s Q4 of 2024. With a modicum of disbelief, that means it’s been 281 days from a night of popping champagne corks and that we only have 85 days left in the year. That’s 85 days of potential, momentum, realignment, and quite possibly 85 days of scrambling to finish what we started this year, to which yours truly may be guilty as charged. This morning’s M5T considers what we can do to focus on making every day of the next 85 a formidable finish toward the end of 2024.

1. FINISH THE UNFINISHED.  Endings are important. They can impact how we feel about ourselves. Close the loop on what you need to finish before year end. Finishing goes beyond wanting.  Procrastination fosters a mindset of wanting. Wanting doesn’t change anything. Finishing comes down to what you are willing to do with the time you have. What you are willing to do will be driven by the decisions you make. Actions will be driven by what you are willing to do. Choose action over excuses. What are you procrastinating about? What’s unfinished in your life?  What decisions will you make and what actions will you take for the next 85 days to finish your year strong?

2. STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS. Stay in the moment. put your phone down, stop multitasking, and give your full attention to whomever you are with. Listen. Actively and with focus. Show your love and gratitude. Communicate openly and lovingly, especially about the difficult things that come up in your relationships. Recognize the little things, the details, and efforts that others make to positively impact your life. Make time to reconnect with the important people in your life that you’ve lost touch with.

3. DECLUTTER. Decluttering parts of your life can enrich your calmness and productivity. Free up personal space by clearing up those items you don’t use or need. Let go of protracted worries and stresses that you have no ability to change or impact by focusing on the things you can change. Recognize the difference between the two. Detach yourself from toxic, negative people. Surround yourself with people who uplift and genuinely support you.  Learn to say no to the demands of others on your time that aren’t aligned with your priorities and to what is most important to you. Create more emotional and physical bandwidth by streamlining your digital life. Declutter your browser and social media. Organize files, put your phone down more often, streamline accounts by deleting and unfollowing accounts that no longer inspire you.  Check your email on your schedule not whenever the email bell chimes on your phone or computer. Learn to use your “do not disturb” setting on your devices. Decluttering will have positive impacts on the physical, financial, mental, and emotional bases of your life.

4. TAKE THE RISK. Taking risks, knowing that failure could happen, cultivates a mindset of growth. Risks allow you to embrace challenges, and lead to improving yourself. Risks allow you to acknowledge both success and failure, keeping you accountable to yourself, building confidence and momentum, and fosters honesty about your progress toward your goals. Accepting both success and failure keeps you grounded, encourages resilience, motivates you to keep pushing forward, and balances your perspective. And throughout the risks, for next 85 days, make sure to celebrate your wins and appreciate lessons learned from your failures, no matter how big or small both may be.

5. RECONNECT AND REALIGN. No matter what you’ve done (or haven’t done) for the past 281 days, use the next 85 to reconnect and realign with your values and with what fulfills you most. Reflect on your core beliefs, passions, and purpose in life. Take time to understand where you may be out of sync and adjust as necessary. Use the next 85 days to reignite your confidence, focus on your strongest capabilities, and take the necessary actions to unleash the hounds of momentum. Where were you and what was your mindset 281 days ago? What needs more attention? What have you ignored? What have you been afraid to finish? What excuses have clouded your decisions? What will you do with your time and energy for the next 85 days to finish 2024 solidly and position yourself for a strong start in 2025.

Here’s to using your next 85 with clarity, focus, reflection, and discipline to stay connected and act on your goals, dreams, and values.

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T™.  He continues to focus on running the good race to the finish.

© 2024 D. Paul Graham.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com

“Monday 5 Things” ™ and M5T™ are trademarks of D. Paul Graham