“Leadership is not a license to do less; it is a responsibility to do more.”
― Simon Sinek

Do a little more.

Improve your skills a little more. Move a little closer to your goals. Go a little faster. Run a little further. Work a little harder. Study a little longer. Write a little more.

Do a little more today than you did yesterday.

You don’t get to the top of the mountain in a single leap. You ascend the mountain step by step. So do a little more, and don’t stop.

“What if I told you there was a work approach that allowed you to have fewer meetings, solved your time zone issues, and allowed you to get more done uninterrupted? This is the magic of asynchronous work.”
― Marissa Goldberg

Asynchronous work is starting to catch on in more and more businesses. It complements remote work beautifully, and it’s the natural next step. These are just a few of the benefits async workers are already experiencing:

Increased Productivity

Async work allows employees to work during their most productive hours, which don’t always align with traditional working hours. This leads to higher quality work and increased productivity, since employees work when they’re most energized and focused.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Asynchronous work enables employees to balance their work and personal lives. Subtle exta benefit: An async workplace allows you to hire from a larger talent pool.

Enhanced Collaboration

Contrary to popular belief, asynchronous work often enhances collaboration. Async tools like Slack, Basecamp, or even good old email, employees can communicate more thoughtfully and effectively. In turn, this improves teamwork and decision-making.

“Technology now allows people to connect anytime, anywhere, to anyone in the world, from almost any device. This is dramatically changing the way people work, facilitating 24/7 collaboration with colleagues who are dispersed across time zones, countries and continents.”
― Michael Dell

I keep hearing about more and more companies requiring their employees to return to the office. Oh, it’s not because of any performance reason. It’s because somebody got the idea their building looks too empty. Or perhaps they feel like they’re wasting an elaborate space they used to brag about to their friends. Maybe they don’t feel comfortable running a distributed team. Perhaps they don’t trust their people.

Whatever the reason, if you force people to work in an office when they could work from anywhere, you’re bound to run into downsides.

Here are the seven biggest negatives of forcing your people to come into the office:

1. Missing out on top talent. If you’re not hiring remote workers, you’ll miss out on top talent. There are great people who can’t or won’t work in an office.
2. Higher attrition. People who are not given the freedom to work when and where they are most productive are more likely to look for a job elsewhere.
3. Lost productivity. Long commutes, distractions, and office politics all add up to less effective employees.
4. Poor morale. When people feel their employer doesn’t trust them morale plummets.
5. Increased stress. Limiting time and location flexibility increases employee stress as they try to balance work and home life.
6. Increased costs. More people in the office means more overhead for space, utilities, furniture, and office supplies.
7. Lower employee engagement. When employees aren’t given the freedom to work where choose, they end up disconnected from their team and their work.

“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.”
― Tony Robbins

We all experience low energy at times. Good sleep and a healthy diet always help, but sometimes, you still need a quick pick-me-up.

Here are my three go-to methods for quickly boosting energy:

1. Move: Try a few stretches or jumping jacks. A little movement will help increase blood flow and increase your heart rate.

2. Hydrate: I’m always amazed by how much a glass of water can help. Dehydration can cause fatigue and headaches, so staying hydrated is essential.

3. Go outside: A bit of fresh air will help you feel energized and refreshed. And even a few minutes of natural light can improve energy levels.

“Great things never came from comfort zones.”
― Neil Strauss

Was it worth the time?

Was it worth the money?

Was it worth the effort?

Show me the results.

Did you do a good job?

Did you properly prepare?

Did you handle your emotions?

Show me the results.

Are you a good leader?

Are you a good person?

Show me the results.

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
― Marcus Aurelius

❌ I want to make more money.
✅ I must make more money.

❌ I want to lose weight.
✅ I must lose weight.

❌ I want to gain strength.
✅ I must gain strength.

❌ I want to see the world.
✅ I must see the world.

❌ I want to learn this new technology.
✅ I must learn this new technology.

❌ I want to spend more time with my family.
✅ I must spend more time with my family.

Turn your “want to” into “must do.”

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”
― Vince Lombardi

It doesn’t matter who you are. Do what you need to do.

It doesn’t matter what you want. Do what you need to do.

It doesn’t matter where you live. Do what you need to do.

It doesn’t matter when you work. Do what you need to do.

It doesn’t matter why you do it. Do what you need to do.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love — then make that day count!”
― Steve Maraboli

Be grateful for the bed you slept in.

Be grateful for the cool water you’re drinking and the hot water in your shower.

Be grateful for the coffee, tea, or whatever’s helping you wake up.

Be grateful for the eggs you’re preparing to eat.

Be grateful for the phone you’re not checking Twitter on, but you are using for morning prayer and meditation.

Be grateful for the pull-up bar and the weights.

Be grateful for the work you’re about to start.

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
― Babe Ruth

You don’t fear failure. You fear other people seeing your failure. You fear public embarrassment. You fear shame.

I mean, think about it. It’s easy to try a crazy dance move when nobody’s looking. It’s embarrassing to ask a dumb question in a business meeting.

Fear of shame holds you back. Fear of shame stops you from trying something different or taking a risk.

And why are you afraid of shame? That’s your ego, once again, getting in the way. Don’t fall into the trap.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
― Plato

May you and those you love be blessed during this new year!