Thanksgiving was great this year.
Super laid back. Time with my family doing the simple things. Good conversation. Taking time to enjoy prepping food. Slowing down.
Man, I need more of this.
There was still some stress with my kids fighting a bit, and the grocery store crowd was insane. But when you slow down, it’s all manageable. It’s easy. It’s a welcomed part of life.
But only when I make paying attention to what matters intentional.
It’s funny how as you get older, the simple things become so enjoyable. But we spend most of our time managing and stressing, just trying to keep things together.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
But, for so many of us after vacation…
It’s back to “reality”.
You wake up and face that same story each day:
“What am I doing? And why do I feel this way?”
It’s not just you. We’re running on old programming.
Doing what we think we should be doing. Working hard. Managing our days instead of living them.
“I’m so goddamn tired. I just want to feel like myself again. I don’t even know who that is anymore.”
If that thought has crossed your mind this week, you’re not alone.
And there’s nothing wrong with you.
Here’s what’s actually happening:
You’re not tired from working too hard.
You’re tired from holding it all together.
Tired from performing at work. Managing everyone’s emotions at home. Keeping all the things in your head straight. Never letting anyone see that you’re barely keeping your head above water.
That’s not just exhaustion.
That’s a losing strategy.
Why the old way doesn’t work:
The old playbook of “push harder, try and rest more, then take a vacation” doesn’t fix it.
Because you’re not running out of energy. You’re running a pattern that costs you energy just to maintain.
It’s like trying to stay in shape just to barely enjoy your workout.
What changes when you stop running the pattern:
You don’t need more discipline.
You don’t need another strategy.
You get your energy back.
You remember who you are.
And you start taking control of your life again without “trying harder” to do it.
What’s coming:
I’m opening a new program in early 2026 for men who are done grinding themselves into the ground.
More coming.
Reply to this and let me know if you’re interested.
I read every response.
I hope your holiday was a great one.
The “15 Questions Every Man Should Answer.”
Designed for men who are successful on paper but exhausted inside. Who are tired of spending all their energy maintaining and ready to start investing in what matters.
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You don’t need more discipline. You need more clarity.
Start there.
I’ll talk to you soon,
John
What are your thoughts?