Building an Ideal Day

Approaching July 2, aka Halfway Day, I always get more introspective. Somehow this week or early next, I'll set aside some time to do my Quarterly Review which is a key practice for trying to keep from feeling just like I feel right now all year long. You see, I'm overwhelmed. It's overwhelm in the best possible sense of the word. I've got projects I’m enjoying with people I love and lots of things on the horizon that I can't wait to get to.

As I was driving home from Richmond yesterday afternoon (see today's video for why), I was thinking about the advice amongst productivity folks is to plan your ideal week. The idea is simple and I teach it when I do my quarterly review course. You grab a template that has the seven days of the week on one axis and each hour of the day on the other axis and you plan what you want your week to look like. The theory is that you can then start to make small adjustments from what your actual weeks look like towards this ideal version.

Nearly all of us that teach this, start at the week. The belief is that the day is too small of a chunk to see real change. As I was thinking about this on my drive home, I think that's just ridiculous. If you have any chance of changing from how your weeks look today to your ideal version, it all starts at the day. We live our lives in moment by moment increments where we're constantly making decisions around whether to guard our time or let the moment guide our time in different directions. It's this constant push and pull between allowing the guard and guide that forms our days over and over again.

It's at that day unit - and even at the moment level - that we ask the question that a monk or serious religious would think of as a rule of life. A rule of life is a structured set of practices designed to guard your habits and guide your life. It asks two questions: what do I want to cultivate? And what do I want to keep out?

So, as we approach halfway day and ponder what's ahead in the second half of 2026, what do you want to cultivate and what do you want to keep out? I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an email if you're reading this in email or post a response in Circle.

Some Other Things You Might Find Interesting

What I Published This Week

As I mentioned last week, I've been working on some BIG things behind the scenes and I'm thrilled to announce one of those is available for sign up now. I'm launching a new class - Off The Clock, On Purpose. This course is all about preparing for life after the world of work. It goes beyond the number to building a plan based in your identity and values about what you want life to look when you reach financial independence and no longer need to work in the traditional workforce.

I'm so excited about this course. It is an eight week course and begins on August 3. This initial cohort I'm running for just $99 per person and you get lifetime access to the course. Learn more or join the course today.

What's Coming Up?

There are a lot of things happening this summer and fall in the I Wanna Be Me When I Grow Up community. We have free and paid events (including the new Off the Clock, On Purpose class!) Join me!

July 2, 2026 Obsidian Office Hours

July 02, 2026 09:00 (Eastern Time (US & Canada))

Join us for the bi-weekly Obsidian Office Hours Session. Office Hours are a time to ask questions about Obsidian. If you have a question, reply to the event with your questions - or attend live and you can get your question answered in the session. When appropriate, office hours sessions will be recorded and the recording posted here.

Facts of Life Book Power Hour - July 8, 2026

July 08, 2026 09:00 (Eastern Time (US & Canada))

Need to "get organized"? Avoiding making calls to doctors, lawyers, insurance, or others? Need to get prepared for taxes? Come join us for a Facts of Life Book Power Hour. Log on at the start time, declare your intention, and then I'll put on some music (breakout rooms will be available for those who prefer to work in silence) and we'll all work for about 50 minutes. At the end of the hour, celebrate your progress with others.

July 2026 Financial Date - Budget With Me & YNAB Office Hours

July 15, 2026 10:00 (Eastern Time (US & Canada))

Do you want to get a better handle on your finances? If so, join me for a free one hour workshop to talk all things money. This is a great time to hold your own financial date with yourself (which I talk about in the Facts of Life Book Course). Get financial questions answered, see software tools like YNAB in action, or just chat about money. This is a judgment free zone so come with your questions.

Two Way Welcome

Yesterday, I had the privilege to preach again at Central United Methodist Church. This is my dad's church and a group of people I deeply love. It's a good day when you get to hug and visit with two of your elementary school teachers - and many other dear friends! Their church is in the midst of a pastoral change and so this sermon was written through that lens.

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