I’ve got a problem, and I think you might too.

Actually, this week, I don’t.

I mean, I do - and I’m sure you might have the same ones as I - but I don’t want to share another tool with you today.

Sometimes, slowing things down and taking in what’s already going on is better than adding more.

I had a conversation with a buddy on Tuesday and he brought up pace. The pace of work, the pace of friendships, of relationships, just the pace of life itself.

Things move fast, and most of us never have enough time to implement something new, much less test it out consistently.

Instead of spotlighting a new problem/system this week, I think the best thing I can do (for me, tbh) is take an issue off.

I always want to improve my surroundings. My situation.

Whether its making more money, taking better care of myself/my partner, improving BetterLife, or something else I could act on, there’s always something I know I could do to improve my situation.

For the most part, it’s a helpful way to operate. I get a ton done and thinking this way helps me intend to act as the best “Caleb” possible.

It’s also exhausting.

For example, I couldn’t just enjoy a movie the other night because a recent goal of mine is to start adding a separate day of stretching to my gym routine. 3 days of resistance training and I’d been meaning to add a fourth day just for mobility. I turned off the movie, got to the gym, stretched for a bit, went home, and straight to bed.

Productive? Yes. But was it the best decision for Caleb? I don’t think so.

I’m in the midst of moving between states and 1 month into my new job. In hindsight, adding another day to the gym routine and removing even more of the few remaining quiet evenings I have is probably a top reason why June’s felt so draining.

It’s less of the actual effort of stretching and more of my internal dialogue taking place before I go to the gym that’s exhausting.

That debate in my head. The guilt of knowing I have something more productive I could be doing. It wears on me.

And that' started because I wanted to add more.

I know my example’s a little hardcore, but it’s a great connection to these BetterLife issues.

Sometimes you’re in a spot in life where adding more isn’t the right call.

Maybe it is at a later time. But not right now.

At least for me, things have been moving so fast I couldn’t figure that out on my own. I needed my buddy to help me see.

“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear”

-Rumi

These issues are here to help you. Maybe even inspire you.

But my intention is never to overwhelm.

I recognize how fast our lives are these days, and I’m just as susceptible to adding too much to my plate as anyone else is.

Instead of adding something else, how ‘bout we focus on the meal that’s already been served.

For the next two weeks, I challenge you to focus on what’s already in front of you.

Don’t add anything else to your day-to-day. Really hone in on how you’re handling everything you already have going on.

If things are slow, then maybe give some more time to an existing tool that’s resonated with you :)

The pace of life is already so fast. Sometimes, we need more time to handle what we already got going on.

Evan, I really appreciate you highlighting that for me on Tuesday dude ❤️

What does healthy productvity look like to you?

I hope you leave this five minutes a little lighter than when you started.

-Cal

P.S. If you want to maybe get a shoutout in the next issue, I’d love to have a conversation. Just reply to this email!

I’m always curious to learn, and would love to hear how BetterLife’s impacted you.