Last Month, Best Month

Good morning & happy December 1. Today marks the last month of 2023.

There’s a saying in exercise that I love - “last one, best one.”

Whether it’s a rep, set, or mile, this motto encourages you to apply intention to the final bout and finish strong.

But what if we were to apply this mindset to the year as a whole?

How might we make December, the last month, the best month?

Let’s explore.

December = Friday of the Year?

I saw a sign the other day that read, “December is the Friday of the year.”

In a way, this illustrates the problem at hand - how eleven months into the year, many of us are simply waiting to turn the page and begin the new year.

As the days grow shorter, and the cold settles in, have you found yourself struggling to focus? Or maybe even - just getting out of bed?

If so, rest assured, you’re not alone. This is completely natural.

As we approach the Winter Equinox (the shortest/darkest day of the year), our biological clocks & circadian rhythms are saying “slow down.”

So how can we honor that natural urge for spaciousness, while also showing up at our best, making meaningful contributions to our work & relationships?

Here lies the interesting paradox… despite the perception that December is a time to wind down or “let loose,” it often emerges as the most pivotal month in Capitalist America.

For businesses, it's the grand finale - a sprint to the finish line of the financial year. 

For families, it's a precious time of togetherness. 

And for individuals, it’s a season that demands attention - both to spending habits and the thoughtful process of gift-giving.

For these reasons (& many more), December might just be the month we need to show up at our best, despite the inner yearning for slowness.

Allow me to share how I am currently navigating that balance…

Last week, I wrapped up a project that started in the summer of 2022.

And I finally pulled the trigger on a decision I’d been putting off for nearly a year— I joined a co-working space called Venture X.

Mentioning these things isn't to celebrate, but rather, shine a light on the transformative power that comes with finishing what we intended.

As humans, we inherently dislike open loops - things that begin but do not close.

This is why missing the ending of a movie is so uncomfortable.

Closure gives us contentment.

Here’s the big idea - accomplishing or at least attempting the things we set out for ourselves this year, is a huge victory. 

The effort, irrespective of outcome, often comes with growth, gratitude, and more often than not - lessons that can be brought forward into next year & beyond.

So, here's a thought experiment: 

• What were your biggest intentions and/or goals heading into 2023?

• How might you feel if you finished or even attempted those things?

• What kind of momentum might you carry forward into 2024?

Here’s the part of the newsletter, where we’ll cover the approaches & practices that have helped me slow down & speed up, all at the same time.

Getting Rid of Distractions:

Deleting Instagram & Facebook is consistently the most accessible & impactful decision I can make.

In just the past week, my screen time is down >30% and I’m already feeling immense relief.

This not only accelerates my productivity, but also gives me the opportunity to genuinely relax & restore.

The persistent inner voice nudging me to mindlessly scroll is gradually fading into the background.

Leaning on Focus Tools, like Forest:

Among the myriad of apps designed to enhance focus, one of my favorites is Forest.

Whenever you want to be present, the app plants a tree, and your tree will grow while you stay off your phone. Leave the app, your tree dies.

Beyond fostering deep work, the beauty of Fest lies in its partnership with Trees for the Future, an organization dedicated to planting real trees on Earth.

Blocking Time:

Effectively managing time is a crucial step to overcoming Parkinson’s Law, which states that “work expands so as to fill the time which is available for its completion.”

I’ve previously shared insights about the power of time blocking, below.

But today, we’re going to introduce a fresh perspective, from the CEO of Levels, Sam Corcos.

In an interview with Tim Ferris, Sam shares how he & his team have reimagined the to-do list.

Instead of making a list of things to do - schedule those things on your calendar.

This ensures that you have time for the biggest priorities and encourages you to stay focused on those things.

Over time, this process becomes more & more efficient & effective.

Check out the video below for Sam’s compelling case to ditch the to-do lists.

Breathing with Intention: 

We’ll close with another practice that’s high impact x high access.

You can do it anytime & anywhere you are.

Breathwork one of the fast-growing trends in the health space, which is funny because it’s been around for thousands of years— first emerging from ancient spiritual traditions.

Here’s my favorite YouTube channel for guided breathwork practices.

Thank You for Reading

What came up in your thought experiment? Any practices you’re excited to try?

Wishing you a December filled with space, celebration, growth, and gratitude.

Be well,

Aidan