Why joy is the new business metric

Ever found yourself in the thick of a never-ending Zoom call marathon, daydreaming of going off-grid and starting a goat farm? 🐐

Yeah, me too.

In the spirit of pondering how we spend our precious time… I'm here to tell you that my Christmas tree went up on November 1st.

No apologies. No regrets.

This edition isn't just about decking the halls early or my family's borderline excessive celebration habits…

It's about reimagining the use of our time and the margin we create for joy, especially when the days grow short and the nights long.

Breaking the holiday norm might just be the key to unlocking a season filled with more gratitude, more abundance…

And yes, more joy.

Let's redefine the holidays on our own terms, shall we?

Today in 4 minutes or less:

✔️ The power of partying

✔️ How to prioritize joy at work

THE POWER OF PARTYING

Let me introduce you to a little something I've come to call Celebration Expansion.

It's not just about extending the festivities—it's about enhancing our emotional well-being through the strategic elongation of joy.

Growing up, holidays in my family were like a blip on the radar. They’re here one moment, gone the next. We did the bare minimum.

It was almost like we were checking off an item on a to-do list:

Do the “holiday thing” ✔️

…and then, just like that, we were back to the usual grind.

Compare that with my wife Erica's family… a bunch whose holiday spirit could probably power all the Christmas lights in a small town. 🎄 

For them, celebrations aren't just events; they're seasons in their own right.

When her sister turned 30, we didn't just toast to another decade. No, we turned the entire month into a jubilation. Each day, a mini-celebration, each moment, an opportunity for joy.

This concept goes beyond party planning. It's about creating an emotional buffer against the daily grind…

A sustained period of positive reinforcement that strengthens the fabric of our social bonds.

By choosing to stretch out the festivities, we're not just enjoying the moment; we're building an arsenal of joy that can fortify us when times get tough.

When we began to deck our halls on November 1st, skeptics raised their eyebrows…

But as the days grew shorter and the nights colder, our spirits stayed bright, warmed by the glow of Christmas lights and the anticipation of moments still to come.

So, while this tradition might be a pet peeve for some, its authority comes from a simple truth:

The more margin we create for joy in our lives, the richer and more resilient our lives become. 

Consider this your invitation to let that joy in.

HOW TO PRIORITIZE JOY AT WORK

Let's cut through the fluff. Celebration Expansion isn't about streamers and balloons cramping up your workspace.

It's about an attitude adjustment, a strategic pivot in how you run the entrepreneurial marathon.

Even if you don’t want to hang tinsel at Thanksgiving, you can bring celebration into your hustle and cultivate more margin for joy. Here’s how:

1. Rebel Against Routine

Routines are essential, but mind-numbing predictability is a creativity killer. Introduce intentional pauses — think of them as the equivalent of stretching your legs on a long-haul flight. You’re ensuring you don't cramp up when it's time to sprint. Mine? Brewing a cup of loose-leaf tea. Every day.

Find places to slow down and revel in the pauses.

2. Prioritize Profitable Pleasures

List the aspects of your business that are actually profitable and, surprise, enjoyable. Prioritize them ruthlessly. This isn't just about making work fun; it's about leveraging what works well and what you do well — that's where the gold mines lie.

3. Create a Resilience Reserve

Compartmentalize your wins, stockpile that client praise, and those moments of "I nailed it." This isn't for an ego trip; it's your war chest for when times get tough. Your emotional equity is just as vital as your bank balance. These are a great place to find joy on your journey.

4. Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate!

Combine the spirit of celebration with the brass tacks of your business operations. Celebrate closing that new client like a mini-holiday. Rejoice in the end of a successful project like it’s New Year’s Eve — because in the world of entrepreneurship, victories are your milestones, and they deserve their due recognition.

This is how you actively craft a work life that is as joyful as it is productive.

After all, why should celebrations be confined to calendars when they can be a dynamic part of our daily lives?

Let's redefine the entrepreneurial spirit – one that doesn't just chase success but also celebrates it, every step of the way.

Think about it: In the rush for success, we’ve turned our backs on the joys that make the hustle worthwhile.

We chase the big payout, the passive income, but what about the thrill of the ride? The shared victories?

Here's the thing: Real entrepreneurs don’t just chase zeros in their bank accounts. They craft legacies and savor every win, big or small.

So, I put up my Christmas tree early.

Why? Because life's too short for "shoulds" and "supposed tos." It’s a stand for joy amid the daily grind.

Here's to building businesses that aren't just profitable but joyful, too.

Cheers to that. 🥂

To profiting more and working less. 💸 

-Matt

News you want to read...

🥸 As for now, it’s a “no.” It’s been 117 days since actors went on strike. The studios delivered what they called their “Last, best & final” offer a few days ago, yet SAG-AFTRA is ready to negotiate more.

🤖 OpenAI’s first developer conference went down yesterday. Visit The Verge for coverage on what the AI company unveiled.

🎱 What late night show is your favorite? The Late Show? The Late Late Show? Late Night? Well, if you’ve been missing James Corden, you’re in luck: Find him in his new podcast.

👑GOLDEN NUGGET OF THE WEEK 👑

Though it’s already Christmas in my book…

There’s another holiday that should be on your radar by now.

With Black Friday a little over 2 weeks away, you have the chance to crush your revenue goals this year.

… If only you had the winning playbook strategies in place.

Join me this Friday at 11 am PT for my Black Friday Bootcamp.

I’ll share my process for shaping, launching, and dominating Black Friday offers.

This is the hands-on approach you need to show up confidently this holiday shopping season.

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