138: ⛵️ Stop Sailing the Sea of Shiny Shoulds

Today I’m sharing a section from Free Time about one of the topics interviewers ask me about most: Sailing the Sea of Shiny Shoulds. You’ll hear why I’m such an advocate for writing permission slips to do the things we really want to and dropping the things we don’t.

🌟Key Takeaway

If you want to dabble in something that might be a Shiny Should, treat it like an experiment. Set rules for engagement that respect your time, including firm start and end dates, then evaluate the impact on your energy and your business. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

📝Permission

Stop sailing the sea of shiny shoulds!

✅Do (or Delegate) This Next

Observe your calendar, projects, and primary revenue streams for the next two weeks: What is most energizing? What’s most draining? Within the most energizing streams of income, conduct a second audit (you can do this by drawing three columns on a blank piece of paper or digital note): What are your shiny shoulds? The coulds? The so goods?

📘Books Mentioned

• Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business 

• Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One 

• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

• The Genius Habit: How One Habit Can Radically Change Your Work and Your Life by Laura Garnett

• Find Your Zone of Genius: Break Free from Burnout, Reduce Career Anxiety, and Make the Work Your Doing Matter by Making Your Job The Right Job for You by Laura Garnett

🔗Resources Mentioned

• Article: NYT Workologist feature: Climbing Down the Corporate Ladder Without Alarming Your Boss 

• Strategic Social Media Experimenter: Stephanie Huston

• Podcast: SPARKED by Jonathan Fields

🎧Related Episodes

• JB on SPARKED with Jonathan Fields: How to Choose Freedom Over Familial Responsibility, How to Scale While Staying True to Yourself, and How to Know When to Jump Into Your Side Hustle

• 134: How I Prepare for In-Person Speaking Engagements 

• 075: Coaching Through the Free Time Framework with Wade Brill

• 012: Generating Personal MBA Momentum with Josh Kaufman

• Pivot 292: True Fun vs Fake Fun with Catherine Price

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