Michael Hyatt

Monday Mentions 8.9.21

It seems like I’m hearing more and more people talk about intentionally designing their lives by creating and adhering to a rule for life. A rule for life is essentially a set of habits, behaviors, and boundaries you establish for yourself to guide your days and decisions.

I am only a few pages in to this book. I am really looking forward to reading it and seeing what I can apply to my life. I don’t know about you, but I feel like August is a great time to refocus my habits and routines.

From Amazon:

Habits form us more than we form them.

The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. We yearn for the freedom and peace of the gospel, but remain addicted to our technology, shackled by our screens, and exhausted by our routines. But because our habits are the water we swim in, they are almost invisible to us.

What can we do about it?

The answer to our contemporary chaos is to practice a rule of life that aligns our habits to our beliefs. The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend.

These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose. As you embark on these life-giving practices, you will find the freedom and rest for your soul that comes from aligning belief in Jesus with the practices of Jesus.

A Lesson I’m Learning

It is easy to drift and live from a place of distraction instead of design. August is a great time to revisit your dreams, goals, and desires. With schools starting back, it feels like a new year … turning over a new leaf. It is a great time to get back to the basics to strengthen the foundation of your life as you launch into this next season.

Here are some areas I’m thinking about:

My relationship with God
My relationship with Laura
My work and those I serve with
My family and friends
My health goals
My financial goals
How I rejuvenate

A Podcast Episode I’m Listening To: Focus on This Episode 101

Black, Courtney, and Marissa do a great job reminding us of the basics of the Full Focus Planner. The Full Focus Planner is my favorite paper planner. Even if you don’t use the planner, I think you’ll get a lot from this episode of the podcast.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Habits form much more than our schedules: they form our hearts.” — Justin Whitmel Early

Monday Mentions 4.26.21

A Book I’m Reading – Win at Work & Succeed at Life

I am grateful Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller have written this book about what they call The Double Win™. For years I burned the candle at both ends. I think I found some of my worth and identity in being busy. Once I got married, I realized that needed to change.

I’ve benefited from sitting under Michael & Megan’s teaching. My life is substantially better from learning and applying The Double Win™. If you have ever felt like you are sacrificing relationships and high-impact opportunities due to being too busy, I’d definitely recommend you check out this book. There is a way to win at work AND succeed at life. Michael & Megan are the perfect guides to help you (us) get there.

From Amazon:

Great leaders are driven to win. Yet career wins can come at great cost to your health, relationships, and personal well-being. Why does it seem impossible to both win at work and succeed at life?

Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller know we can do better because he’s seen it in his more than four decades as a successful executive and a loving and present husband and father. Today Michael and his daughter, Megan Hyatt Miller, coach leaders to live the double win. Backed by scholarly research from organizational science and psychology, and illustrated with eye-opening case studies from across the business spectrum and their own coaching clients, Win at Work and Succeed at Life is their manifesto on how you can achieve work-life balance and restore your sanity.

With clarity, humor, and plenty of motivation, Win at Work and Succeed at Life gives you
– an understanding of the historical and cultural forces that have led to overworking
– 5 principles to rethink work and productivity from the ground up
– simple but proven practices that enable you to slow down and reclaim your life
– and more

Refuse the false choice of career versus family. You can achieve the double win in life.

A Music App for Focus – [email protected]

Music helps me focus while I’m working. I’ve often put a single song on repeat for hours just to stay in a groove. Just by playing music, I can sense my focus increase.

[email protected] is a website and app that plays scientifically optimized music to help you focus. I like that you can select from several styles and energy levels.

My Favorite Restaurant on the Lake – Fish Tales

I love eating at restaurants on the lake. It feels like you are on vacation even though you’re just 10 minutes from home. The view of the boats and water brings my stress levels down.

If you are near Lake Lanier, I’d suggest checking out Fish Tales. Their firecracker shrimp and frickles (fried pickles) are both great appetizers. Everything on the menu is fantastic but you certainly can’t go wrong with Fish Tales (their version of fish and chips).

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

There is a big difference between having meaningful work and having a meaninful life.” – Michael Hyatt

3 Actions to Combat Overwhelm

Bobby McGraw - August 19, 2020

3 Ways to Combat Overwhelm

From Series: "Productivity"

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Monday Mentions 4.20.20

My Favorite (Healthy?) Energy Drink – Zevia Energy Drink

Everybody needs a little pick-me-up from time to time, right? A lot of energy drinks contain something that triggers headaches for me. The Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink works great for me. It is sweetened with stevia and has a similar amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. There are several flavors available. Kola is my favorite.

Workout from Home – Whatafit Resistance Bands Set

I love working out at an actual gym, but until the current stay at home order lifts, I am committed to home workouts. The Whatafit Resistance Bands Set is a great addition to any home gym.

My Nightly Relaxation Drink – Calm Magnesium Drink

I have found a lot of benefits by adding a magnesium supplement to my daily regime. I’ve tried a lot of capsules in the past but now really enjoy the Calm Drink Mix. I mix 2 teaspoons in a glass of water before bed each night.

An App that Helps Maintain Perspective – Day One Journaling App

I’ve found journaling to be a great way to maintain (or gain) perspective. I recommend checking out the Day One App. The app has a beautiful design, which makes it a joy to write in. It surfaces past entries, so you can revisit your memories.

I have a template of questions I use to prompt my entries each day. Drop me a note if you’d like the template, I’d be happy to send it to you.

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

Monday Mentions 4.13.20

A Great Book: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchhill

From Amazon:

Winston Churchill was one of the most extraordinary leaders of the twentieth century. What enabled him to stand so steadfastly when all those around him seemed to turn back in fear? What enabled him to inspire whole nations to endure the unendurable and to achieve the unachievable when all those around him had already surrendered all hope? The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill is a remarkable study of Churchill’s leadership skill and answers these questions and more. The result is an account that is no less inspiring today than it was three-quarters of a century ago when the great man’s shadow fell large across the world stage. According to Henry Kissinger, “Our age finds it difficult to come to grips with Churchill. The political leaders with whom we are familiar generally aspire to be superstars rather than heroes. The distinction is crucial. Superstars strive for approbation; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the … future they see it as their task to bring about. Superstars seek success as a technique for eliciting support; heroes pursue success as the outgrowth of their inner values.” Winston Churchill was a hero.

My Favorite Planner – The Full Focus Planner

The Full Focus Planner has been a game-changer for me. In the past, I’ve tried to be more productive by trying the latest apps or reading more books about the subject. While some have helped, I found it was a fancy way for me to procrastinate.

The Focus Planner helps me in a lot of ways. Here are a few:

The Daily Pages help me identify the most important tasks for me to complete each day.
The Weekly Preview helps me connect my weekly actions to my quarterly and annual goals.
The Quarterly Preview helps me re-evaluate my progress and move forward in a purposeful way.

If you’re looking for a planner that will help you accomplish big things while feeling less overwhelmed, I’d encourage you to give this planner a try!

A Custom Journal from Bibles and Rebinds

My friend Jay of Memphis Bibles and Rebinds recently created a custom leather journal that is gorgeous. This journal is moleskin-style and is perfect for a journal, notebook, or Bible study notes.

I loved them so much I ordered 3 of them. I am giving one away this week. In order to enter to win:

Follow my account on Instagram.
Like today’s corresponding post.
Tag a friend in the comments of the Instagram post that you think would like this journal.

I’ll pick a winner next Monday.

A Quote I’m Thinking About

If the day [Jesus] died was, in time, called ‘Good’, then maybe one day, our hardest days can be called ‘good’ too.”

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
– Romans 8:28 (NASB)

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

Monday Mentions 8.9.21

Monday Mentions 4.26.21