Focus on This

Your Essential Year-End Reset

2025 probably didn’t go according to plan—and that’s exactly why it’s worth paying attention to. In this episode, Marissa and Joel walk you through a simple reflection process for the last 11 months: naming what worked, facing what hurt, and deciding what you actually want to carry into 2026. You’ll learn how to work with your brain’s negativity bias, complete the stress cycle in your body, reframe regret as a helpful signal, and distill the year into a handful of lessons you can build on. Key Takeaways * Start with What Worked. Brain dump the last 11 months and name your wins—at work and at home. Use your camera roll and planner as prompts to remember moments you’d otherwise overlook. Let those checkmarks and snapshots remind you: it wasn’t all bad. * Don’t Waste the Bruises. List what didn’t go well—disappointments, losses, and the “mixed bag” moments. Instead of reliving them, acknowledge what happened, name the emotions, and ask what still needs to be grieved or processed so you’re not dragging raw hurt into 2026. * Pay Attention to Avoidance. Notice the projects, tasks, or conversations you kept procrastinating. Treat that dread as data: Is this a skills gap, a misfit task you shouldn’t own, or something that needs to be rethought entirely? Avoidance is often a clue about what needs to change next year. * Let Regret Invite a Do-Over. Treat regret as an “open loop,” not a verdict. If something from 2025 still nags at you, ask, “What unfinished business is this pointing to?” Look for one concrete action—an apology, a boundary, a new habit—that lets you close the loop instead of carrying it forward. * Distill the Year into a Few Core Lessons. Turn all of this into simple statements you can act on, like: “My days go best when I start with a plan,” or “I can’t love well when I’m out of balance.” Those lessons become your guardrails and fuel as you design your goals and rhythms for 2026. Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/hdmL3mfAyrc [https://youtu.be/hdmL3mfAyrc] This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Do Less and Enjoy More During the Holidays

The holidays can feel like a sprint with a suitcase. Marissa and Joel show you how to lighten the load with four concrete moves: define non-negotiables, eliminate what doesn’t matter, delegate what doesn’t require you, and (yes) procrastinate strategically. You’ll get scripts, shortcuts, and a Not-To-Do list for creating breathing room—at work and at home. Key Takeaways * Name Your Non-Negotiables. Brain dump everything for December, then identify the items that truly must happen. Accept that not everything will get done—and choose what will. * Run the “Everything Must Go” Sweep. Cancel or reschedule recurring meetings, low-value check-ins, and nice-to-have socials. If it can be an email (or nothing), make it one. * Resign as Chief Everything Officer. At home: potluck the menu, batch one meaningful gift for everyone, use gift bags, outsource a couple dishes, trade childcare. At work: hand off distinct slices of projects, hire a contractor for time-sinks, and coach for skill—not constant review. * Procrastinate on Purpose. Push arbitrary deadlines to January. Ask, “What part truly must happen now—and what can wait?” Renegotiate timelines for excellence, not exhaustion. * Keep Self-Care Simple. Downshift to minimums that maintain energy (a 20-minute walk, earlier lights-out, simplified meals). Save the “perfect routine” for January. Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/dQpOs_bTd9g [https://youtu.be/dQpOs_bTd9g] This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

The Gratitude Advantage

As we head into Thanksgiving (in the United States), Joel and Marissa get practical about gratitude—the tiny habit that expands your perspective, steadies your pace, and strengthens relationships. From a coffee-cup thought experiment to a one-line script you can use today, you’ll learn how gratitude fuels goal-pursuit, patience, and team trust. Key Takeaways * See the Hidden Team. AJ Jacobs’ experiment widens your lens for the work that goes into a single cup of coffee, from baristas to farmers, drivers, even road-line painters. Gratitude makes interdependence visible—fast. * Scarcity Shrinks, Gratitude Expands. Scarcity tightens and isolates. Gratitude opens possibility and connection. Choose the bigger frame. * Use the Script. Turn everyday encounters into bright spots by acknowledging the importance of the work of those serving you. Try: “Thank you for choosing your profession.” You’ll change the atmosphere (and often the outcome). * Make It a Planner Habit. Use the Weekly Preview’s blank pages for a running gratitude list. Log “wins” and your Daily Win through a gratitude lens—not just achievement. * Results You Can Feel.  Gratitude has a measurable impact on our success and relationships. It boosts engagement, trust, and goal progress—and even increases financial patience. * Practice in Real Time. Shouldering something inconvenient? Reframe with gratitude (“What might this be protecting me from?”) and watch your state shift. Resources: * Thanks a Thousand [https://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Thousand-Gratitude-Journey-TED/dp/1471156052/] by AJ Jacobs Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/fAfPHbnoANw [https://youtu.be/fAfPHbnoANw] This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Time Wasters Stealing Your Focus

Most stalled days aren’t about willpower—they’re about constant context-switching. In this episode, Marissa Hyatt and Joel Miller break down the science of interruptions, how internal distractions amplify them, and practical ways to protect your best hours. Expect notification triage, deep-work tactics, and a saner way to take breaks that actually refuel you. Key Takeaways * Name the Real Culprit. It’s not laziness—it’s interruptions. Expect hits that derail you every 3–11 minutes, costing 20–30 minutes to fully refocus. How will you plan accordingly? * The Difference Matters. Interruptions are external; distractions are internal. You can’t stop every ping, but you can stop taking the bait. * Cut Notifications Ruthlessly. Turn off non-essential alerts across phone and laptop. Use Focus/Do Not Disturb so only true emergencies break through. * Signal Deep Work Windows. Tell people when you’re dark and when you’re back: set Slack/Teams status (e.g., “Deep Work — back at 1:00 pm”) and stick to it. * Remove Temptation. Delete or block high-hook apps/sites during work blocks (tools like Freedom help). Make distraction harder than staying on task. * Sprint, Then Breathe. Work in focused sprints and replace “digital smoke breaks” with 3–5 minutes outside to reset your brain without derailing momentum. * Protect Uphill Work. Tackle your Big 3 (creative/strategic) when you’re freshest; save downhill tasks like email/Slack for lower-energy windows. Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/TIPbksG9_wI [https://youtu.be/TIPbksG9_wI] This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

How To Protect Your Priorities Before The Holidays Hit

Deadlines stack up. Daylight shrinks. Invitations multiply. In this episode, Marissa Hyatt and Joel Miller show you how to defend what matters—at work and at home—so you can enjoy the season and finish the year well. You’ll get boundary scripts, simple rituals, and a right-sized Ideal Week you can start using today. Key Takeaways * Practice Self-Advocacy. Be militantly on your own side. Set and communicate clear boundaries—no evening or weekend emails, true sick time, and real OOO when you travel. * Say “No” Without Drama. Use a simple “yes-and-priorities” script: affirm the request → “Based on prior commitments, I can’t take this on right now.” → offer an alternate timeline or resource. * Enlist Help in Reprioritizing. Are your leaders piling on new priorities? Rather than saying “no,” enlist their help in deciding what shifts. Say: “Here’s my current slate—what should I sideline to make room for this?” * Protect Your Rituals. Your Morning, Evening, Workday Startup, and Workday Shutdown rituals keep you grounded. Simplify if needed, but uphold them to protect your energy and self-care. * Refine Your Ideal Week. Budget your time on paper first—work blocks, family events, recovery, errands—then mirror it to your digital calendar. Adjust for the season’s unique constraints and commitments. Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/WUzUEVKA8Ls [https://youtu.be/WUzUEVKA8Ls] This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound