There’s no denying that this year, more than ever, we are craving community. And while we still aren’t able to gather in real life just yet, the virtual world is alive and thriving. Creating community is such an important part of the pillars of success for leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives like … [Read more...] about Join Our Community in the Virtual Start Finishing Book Club
Finishing Strong Part 4: How to Make Your Next Project Easier, Better, and More Fun
This final part of our Finishing Strong series takes what you’ve learned from all your hard work on your current project or season, and applies it to the next big thing you’ll work on. Whether it’s at the end of a project, the end of a quarter, or the end of a year, we are big fans of AARs … [Read more...] about Finishing Strong Part 4: How to Make Your Next Project Easier, Better, and More Fun
Finishing Strong Part 3: Clean-Up on Aisle…
Last time, I talked about the importance of taking a pause between projects, and the important between-project work that needs doing: from just getting rest, to catching up with people, to enjoying parts of your life you’ve put aside to get this work over the finish line. One of those things we … [Read more...] about Finishing Strong Part 3: Clean-Up on Aisle…
Finishing Strong Part 2: Make Space and Time to Transition Between Projects
Today’s post in the Finishing Strong series encourages us to take a pause... and be sure to check out part 1 of the series to get the full scoop. There’s a natural tendency to want to start the next project right after finishing a major project, or at least plan that that’s what you’re going to … [Read more...] about Finishing Strong Part 2: Make Space and Time to Transition Between Projects
Finishing Strong Part 1: Run a Victory Lap
Whether it’s a tough project, a tough race, or a tough year, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of taking a victory lap and crossing the finish line. It’s an exhilarating rush of ecstasy, relief, surprise, and pride. You have to lose yourself in the project only to find you’re a different person … [Read more...] about Finishing Strong Part 1: Run a Victory Lap
How to Mindfully Avoid Morning Distractions
For more tips and strategies to help you be your productive best, pick up a copy of Charlie’s book Start Finishing, winner of the 2020 Productivity Book of the Year. Available on Amazon and other favorite booksellers. Picture this: You’ve got your day planned out, time blocks in check, deadlines … [Read more...] about How to Mindfully Avoid Morning Distractions
#ThanksCOVID Part 6: Introducing Our New CMO, Cory Huff
In the previous post of our #ThanksCOVID/BigNews series, I shared that the pressures of COVID-19 kept us in startup mode long enough for us to see that it was time to develop the app — and that we could do it. But for us to trade up so that we can explore our full breadth of topics, develop a new … [Read more...] about #ThanksCOVID Part 6: Introducing Our New CMO, Cory Huff
#ThanksCOVID Part 5: The App Is on the Way
Yes, you read that right. An app is on the way! I feel like I heard a few thousand people collectively sigh and say, “About Time!” and a few others yell, “NOOO, what about the planners!” In this fifth part of the #ThanksCOVID/BigNews series, I’m excited to share that we’re in the development … [Read more...] about #ThanksCOVID Part 5: The App Is on the Way
#ThanksCOVID Part 3: From Foundations to Working Together
This is Part 3 of the #ThanksCOVID/BigNews series. In the first part, we discussed how the Academy made it clear we needed more help, and in the second part, we discussed the past and future of the Anchor. In Part 2, I discussed that the Anchor created some tension about what were Anchors and … [Read more...] about #ThanksCOVID Part 3: From Foundations to Working Together
Our 2020 Year in Review, aka #ThanksCOVID (First of a Series)
2020 has been quite the year here at PF. In the midst of a pandemic, we’ve had what’s turning out to be our best year, in both results and in evolution. (Tweet this.) As I was making a list of the highlights and news, it dawned on me that, rather than having one epically long post, it’d be better to … [Read more...] about Our 2020 Year in Review, aka #ThanksCOVID (First of a Series)
Start Finishing’s First Anniversary
September 24, 2020, marked the one-year anniversary of the release of Start Finishing. As I’ve reflected over that milestone during the past several weeks, I can’t shake the feeling that it feels like it's been much, much longer than a year, and so much of that has nothing to do with the … [Read more...] about Start Finishing’s First Anniversary
Turning “How” Problems into “Who” Solutions
The first question most people ask when they have a problem is “How will I solve this?” We’re conditioned to go it alone, to figure out how to do everything ourselves, and to ask for help only after we’ve exhausted our own resources and capabilities. That mentality is overwhelming, and it’s … [Read more...] about Turning “How” Problems into “Who” Solutions
How to Use the Five Keys to Overcome the Air Sandwich
This is the third post in our three-part series covering the air sandwich. You can read part 1, “The Air Sandwich: Why Your Big Picture and Day-to-Day Reality Don’t Link Up,”, and part 2, "The Five Keys to Overcoming the Air Sandwich". In the first post in the series, I covered the five … [Read more...] about How to Use the Five Keys to Overcome the Air Sandwich
The Five Keys to Overcoming the Air Sandwich
This is the second post in our three-part series covering the air sandwich. Be sure to read part 1, “The Air Sandwich: Why Your Big Picture and Day-to-Day Reality Don’t Link Up." In today’s post, I address the five keys — the foundational virtues and habits — that are necessary for us to truly … [Read more...] about The Five Keys to Overcoming the Air Sandwich
The Air Sandwich: Why Your Big Picture and Day-to-Day Reality Don’t Link Up
One of the reasons your best work might not be getting done is that your day-to-day life doesn’t align with your vision and goals. You feel strain when you’re doing a lot of things — when you’re “accomplishing” a lot (read: checking off to-do list items) — but yet you don’t feel accomplished, … [Read more...] about The Air Sandwich: Why Your Big Picture and Day-to-Day Reality Don’t Link Up
Your Morning Routine: Start Small and Stack
I was talking to an Academy member the other day, who was needing some help figuring out how to chunk and sequence her 12-week project. Instead of focusing on a "work" project, she made the excellent and hard choice to focus on "getting herself together" (her words), since the last year has been a … [Read more...] about Your Morning Routine: Start Small and Stack
4 Practices to Balance Your Solo and Collaborative Work
Over the last few weeks, I've felt that I was in an "I've fallen and can't get up" spiral when it comes to writing. I was on a great streak of drafting posts every day and then I stopped. This isn't the first time a daily blogging stint has expired after about a month. In fact, it's actually more … [Read more...] about 4 Practices to Balance Your Solo and Collaborative Work
Make Some Old Friends
I stumbled upon "Old Friends" by Ben Rector this morning and had tears of joyful nostalgia. It made me think of the many teenage moments I shared with old friends, especially Scott: The time he shot me in the groin with a BB gun. The time he fell through the hole in my grandma's house. … [Read more...] about Make Some Old Friends