I have written the least amount of messages here in the past month, than I have in over 2+ years.

Why?

A few reasons.

One, I wanted to test to see how much I was writing "for me" vs. writing because I felt like I had to show up and write every morning.

Two, for the first time since I stepped foot into the "working world" I fully took some time "off" to spend with friends/family.

REALITY WAS

I enjoyed having my parents spend 17 days living with Erin and I in December.

That experience > feeling the need to write every morning.

Over the years I have taken vacations, and numerous sporadic times of trying to be "off," yet I never found myself being able to turn the switch fully into off mode.

*When I say off, I don't mean I physically took time off. I have taken plenty of time off in this way*

What I mean is it is so hard for me to let my brain take a vacation.

And this can be overwhelming to me.

Especially as Erin and I continue to work hard on our endeavors and find ourselves attracting more opportunities.

So today's topic I feel compelled to write about is....

a feeling that I think many of you might be able to relate to: feeling overwhelmed with opportunities and choices about which direction to take in life.

It's a common theme I've noticed in conversations with friends, family and colleagues: the feeling of being pulled in multiple directions, with so many options and possibilities laid out before you, it's hard to know which path to choose.

On one hand, having options is a good thing – it means you have the freedom to pursue your dreams and make your own choices.

But on the other hand, it can also feel overwhelming, as you try to weigh the pros and cons of each decision and figure out what's best for you.

So, how do you navigate this feeling of overwhelm and make choices that align with your goals and values?

Here are a few thoughts:

• Take a step back and assess your priorities. Before you can make a decision about which direction to take, it's helpful to have a clear understanding of what matters most to you. What are your values, and what are your long-term goals? When faced with a choice, ask yourself if it aligns with your priorities. This can help you narrow down your options and make a decision that feels more authentic and meaningful to you.

• Remember that it's okay to say no. It's easy to feel like you have to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but often times that is not the best decision for you to make. What's best for others is not what is best for you!!! It's important to remember that it's okay to say no, and that it's okay to prioritize your own well-being and goals. If an opportunity doesn't align with your priorities or feels like it would be too much of a stretch, not only is it okay to decline, YOU MUST DECLINE and say no. You are only hurting both parties by saying yes too much.

• Seek out guidance and support. Making big decisions can be tough, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. Seeking out guidance and support from trusted friends, family, or mentors can be really helpful in these situations. They can provide a fresh perspective and offer valuable advice based on their own experiences. Pro tip: seek advice from people who you know will have differing opinions. Leave no rock unturned! Then make your decision based off of having a full 180 degrees of "advice" that was given to you.

• Try not to get too caught up in the details. WHEN IN DOUBT, SCOPE OUT. It's easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of each decision, but sometimes it's helpful to take a step back and look at the bigger picture aka scope out. What are your long-term goals, and how does each choice fit into that larger plan? This can help you make a decision that feels more aligned with your overall direction, rather than getting stuck in the details of one particular opportunity.

• Don't be afraid to pivot. Finally, it's important to remember that it's okay to change your mind. Life is full of twists and turns, and it's natural to reassess your goals and priorities as you go along. If you find that a particular path isn't working out, don't be afraid to pivot and try something else. Some of the best experiences and opportunities in my life have come from "pivoting" from my original idea/direction ... and I am sure you might be able to say the same thing.

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As for me, the time "off" was really nice.

This year is a huge year for me with Erin and I soon to be welcoming our first child into the world.

I am ready to take our lives, and my work, to the next level.

And doing this exercise of understanding how to best approach and navigate overwhelm has been very helpful to me.

I hope it can serve you and be helpful to your journey as well.

Remember to be kind to yourself and take things one step at a time.

And above all, trust yourself – you know yourself better than anyone else.

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#thriveon

CJ

p.s. today I am grateful for the neighborhood house warming party my neighbor hosted on Saturday. It was so nice to get to meet so many people in our area.