Howdy Reader!

The joys of live streaming, right?

Sometimes the wheels come off. Streams crash. Tech melts down. Guests lose their voice, and unfortunately, there is no show today. Fridays are usually one of my favorite parts of the week because I get to spend them with you, but today I am sitting here in the middle of December feeling like I am making a list and checking it twice with nothing to show for it.

When I can't go live, it feels like an open loop in my head that I can’t close, and that bugs me. There is an upside, though. Unexpected margin gives me time to think, catch my breath, and remember that even when the weather outside is frightful, I can still use the space.

Instead of filling the empty hour with frantic work, I decided to slow down for a minute and actually think about how I want to show up. That reflection brought me back to a book I finished recently by Nathalie Nixon, PhD, titled Move, Think, Rest. (affiliate link)

I am a sucker for creativity books, but this one is packed with things you can actually use. Every section ends with questions for individuals, teams, and leaders. I will talk more about it later, but two ideas jumped out:

“Creativity is the engine for innovation.”

And:

“What would you change in your work if you measured impact rather than just output?”

That combination hit me. As creators, we love output. Content. Consistency. Shipping. It is our version of trying to repeat the sounding joy. But if we zoom out and measure impact instead of quantity, things get interesting.

I believe we were created by the Creator to be creative. That means the work does not start with metrics; it starts with imagination. The more we tap into that, the more innovative we become and the less we feel chained to constant production.

Nixon’s premise is simple:

• We need space to think.
• We need movement, even on a day when baby, it's cold outside.
• We need rest, not as a reward but as part of the process.

Good timing, because we are entering the most rest-themed but least restful stretch of the year. We try to create the perfect holiday, keep everyone happy, wrap the gifts, bake the cookies, and before long, we are losing the chance at all is calm, all is bright.

So what is a stressed-out creator supposed to do?

If you are like me, rest is hard. I love this work. I love this community. Through the years, we all will be together replaying the conversations that matter most in our family and friend group. When you love what you do, stepping away can give you a sinking feeling in your stomach, like telling yourself you will not be home for Christmas. But every time I unplug, I come back sharper, more grateful, and more creative.

Here are three simple ways to actively rest over the holiday break:

Read.
​Pick up something that has nothing to do with your business. Fiction. A mystery. A book you bought years ago and never opened because you felt guilty reading anything that was not productive. Grab a book that brings a little joy to the world, even if it is only for a chapter.

Build.
​Do something with your hands. Whittle. Knit. Fold paper airplanes. Build a bird feeder. Do something small that reminds your brain it can make things without monetizing them. Put one foot in front of the other and make something for the fun of it.

Go outside.
​Fifteen minutes counts. Yes, even when it's cold outside, and cheeks are nice and rosy. Step into the yard when the sky is clear and a star is dancing in the night. Look around. Notice the rising of the sun and the running of the deer. Marvel at creation and the Creator who put you in it.

If you want a bonus challenge, try to go when there is only one more sleep till Christmas.

Hit all three, and you get a gold star. Do one, and it is still a win.

Reply and tell me what you tried. Let it bring us good cheer to hear from each other. I bet you start next week feeling lighter and more inspired, ready to deck the halls of your content calendar.

See you around the interwebs,

-Jeff

P.S. One of my favorite creativity tools is Ecamm. It turns my computer into a full streaming studio for live interviews, presentations, and YouTube videos. Use code JEFF15 to save 15 percent on your first purchase.

Holiday bonus: if you use that code and send me a screenshot, I’ll hop on a 1-on-1 call to help you get it running and answer any questions.

Extra fun: I sprinkled Christmas song lyrics into this email. How many can you spot? Closest guess wins bragging rights and maybe tidings of comfort and joy.

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