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Hey friend!

A couple of years ago, I took on my first half marathon. I'm no seasoned runner—far from it—but I craved the experience. So, on a brisk November morning, I willingly rose at the crack of dawn, ready to take my place at the starting line.

Armed with a strategy, my plan was simple: jog a bit, walk a bit, rinse, and repeat until I reached the finish line. Three hours later, I found myself approaching the race's finish.

As I drew nearer to the end, the cheers from the crowd intensified, urging me to run.

"Race to the finish!"

"Pick up the pace. You're so close!"

"Come on, finish strong!"

Here's the thing—my intention wasn't to conclude the race with a sprint. I was content with my pace, so I continued walking right across the finish line. It wasn't a dramatic, photo-worthy ending. But I did exactly what I set out to do—finish the race on my terms and without feeling wiped out.

What's interesting is that people without insight into my goals or what I experienced during the race thought I needed to "end the race strong."

This made me realize that even when the race is solely against you, even if you're satisfied with the sustainable pace you've set, external voices will attempt to pressure you into a sprint for that dramatic finish.

The end of the year echoes a similar sentiment. How often are we bombarded with the phrase "end the year strong"? It's practically the anthem of December.

But pause for a moment. Why aim to finish the year strong? Only to find ourselves back at the starting line on January 1st, ready to start again? That is exhausting.

You get to define what a victorious year-end looks like for you. It's not just about ticking off to-dos; it's about feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically complete. It's about acknowledging the journey, the hurdles faced, and the lessons learned.

This year, I'm choosing a different path. Rather than striving for a robust finish, I aim to conclude the year feeling whole, nourished, rested, and content with my progress. That's my mantra—no more, no less.

Consider this your reminder to nurture yourself. Getting caught up in the hustle and forgetting to feed your soul is easy. Take the time for what replenishes you—whether it's a quiet evening with a good book, a walk in nature, or indulging in a guilty pleasure without guilt.

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🌟 Links & Highlights 🌟

📚 My friend Justin Shiels's new book, The Reset Workbook: A Guide to Finding Your Inner Magic, was recently published. A great tool as we think ahead to 2024.

💻 If you're Notion curious, this Daily Notes System may be exactly what you need to get stuff done consistently.

🎧 I recently stumbled upon the How to Keep Time podcast, where the hosts explore our relationship with time and how to reclaim it. Add this to your podcast library.

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Dream big and act boldly,

Monique

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📚 Order a copy of my book Don't Let Fear Have All The Fun​

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☕️ Buy me a coffee​

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