1/12/2026 - Our life's tank can be empty, not because we've been working so long and hard, but because the work we're doing does not truly inspire and challenge us. Similarly, the tank of our romantic and family lives can be empty because we fail to engage in the kind of new, stimulating activities that keep relationships fresh. When Margie and I felt overloaded with our responsibilities, we didn't automatically assume that we needed rest. In fact, many times those occasions led us to travel to interesting locations, whether it be a tour of Iceland, a small boat trip to the glaciers surrounding Alaska, or a drive down Italy's Amalfi coast. Recharging meant making new and different efforts and sharing fresh activities--even if it was just going to a new creperie or looking for cats to rescue.
The answer to burnout is often not to do less, but to do different. At some point, routine becomes deadening. Our challenge amidst life's routines is to always pursue activities that energize us, challenge us, and stimulate us. Work-life balance is great, but what is most important is ensuring that the "life" part of that equation truly gives us life. Burnout does not come from too much work, but too little rejuvenation.
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1/11/2026 - A great life is the culmination of individual days, weeks, months, and years lived greatly. Can we lead a meaningful life if we aren't doing things meaningfully on a regular basis? Can we lead a productive life if productivity isn't our norm? Such an important question is: What can I do today that will move me forward toward my goals for the new year and for my life?
I recently tried on a sport coat that I had not worn in quite a while. In the jacket pocket, I found notes in a diary that I wrote in preparation for a talk to a hedge fund in NYC. The notes were headed "Questions to Consider" and the first item was as follows:
If every day was like this day:
a) How would that impact my physical health/wellbeing?
b) How would that impact my emotional wellness?
c) How would that impact my significant relationships?
Today is not a toss away trade. Today is an investment in the future. What are you doing today that will pay off manyfold in the days to come?
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1/9/2026 - It is very easy--particularly for driven, achievement-oriented people--to work so hard and push so persistently for success that they stop taking proper care of themselves and the people that matter to them. If we think of our lives as gardens--and our friends, family, and colleagues as the flowers and plants of the garden--then we can ask ourselves how often we're fertilizing, planting, watering, and weeding. Or, to use another analogy, our relationships are essential sources of emotional and spiritual fuel. We can work so hard that we burn out and run out of fuel.Great questions for self-assessment are: During this past week, how often did I connect meaningfully with people I care about? How often did I engage in activities that are fun and enjoyable? That are fresh and stimulating? Essential to an energized mind state is variety. That includes activities that work us out physically, that grow us intellectually, that inspire us spiritually, and connect us socially. When we care for ourselves, we keep ourselves in peak creative condition and peak focus.
If athletes spent all their time working out and playing competitively, their bodies would break down and their performance would suffer. Perfect performance never comes from perfectionism.
How we spend our time shapes the value of our life's efforts. Drive hard and refuel often.
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