Welcome to this issue of the WISER Newsletter!

This is the newsletter where you’ll receive Wise Insights Shared by Email Regularly.

I’m glad that we can get WISER together!

🎁 Print Giveaway! 🖼️

Before we dive into this week’s topic, I want to treat one of you to a print!

I’ve had a 6”x4” print made of one of my most popular visuals made using archival grade giclée ink on premium textured paper.

All you have to do for a chance to win it is fill out this simple, 3-question form!

The winner will be announced in the next issue of the WISER Newsletter which will be released on Saturday 4th February 2023.

Best of luck!

⏳ Keep Calm, You have the Time! ⌛️

I have given great thought into the time we have. Or more specifically the lack of it. Or at least the illusion that we are in short supply of it.

Every person that is alive today, experiences life within the same timeline.

We all have mornings, afternoons, evenings and nights.

Yet, when we look at those who inspire us, we as humans often fall into the habit of seeing them as different to us; that somehow, they appear to have more time than anyone else. That they have some unattainable ability to work through tasks and simply get them done.

How is it that successful people are able to balance so many plates each day and yet also have the same amount of time as anyone else?

Let's explore this together!

⌛️ Tasks Keep Stacking, Time is Lacking!

Recently, I have struggled with time management.

Tasks seem to be piling upon one another, and with new opportunities presenting themselves, I’ve found it challenging to make room for them in my schedule.

I have felt constricted by the time I have each day.

It’s been impossible to stay focused on specific tasks with the weight of other tasks looming over me.

Constantly looking at the clock doubting whether I will even achieve my deadlines.

Sound familiar?

It’s an obstacle we all face no matter who we are! We can overcome this challenge by adopting life-changing habits that seem small, but when combined, conditions us into productivity masters!

Here are two strategies many successful people incorporate in their lives to get stuff done.

🙅‍♂️ Say “No” more to the inessentials.

Cutting out the unnecessary is necessary.

Arguably one of the most important steps that have been adopted by countless successful figures.

Throughout my life as a young adult, I was encouraged to say “yes” more than I say “no”. In order to succeed, one must be prepared to put themselves out there, to not shy away from hurdles or obstacles no matter how challenging they may be, right?

But when we apply this way of thinking in the real world, when we say “yes” despite already being lumbered by a seemingly unlimited quantity of tasks, this mentality no longer seems productive.

“Most of what we do is not essential” - Marcus Aurelius  

We must evaluate which tasks are essential and focus on these. Start saying “no” to unnecessary tasks and give yourself more time to do the important things better.

Pareto’s Law is a concept which I believe summarises the outcomes of prioritisation nicely - highlighting how a small quantity of the tasks you complete usually equate to the highest output!

Let’s look at another useful strategy!

🐸 Eat the Frog First.

Picture this, you are working on a project expected to last the duration of a couple months. Let’s use the development of a new application in the tech industry as an example.

During your first week you have both:

MAJOR Tasks and SUB Tasks 

The completion of major tasks are essential for the overall success of the project and are usually the most challenging to complete.

Sub-tasks are insubstantial to the main goal of the project, but can positively impact the success of the project.

Examples of major tasks could include:

• The curation of quantifiable secondary or primary research to support with the development of the application

• Creation of prototypes

• The creation of the application itself

Sub-task examples could include:

• Regular mind mapping sessions exploring additional features that could be installed prior to the actual creation of the original application itself

• The consumption of online material to encourage original thinking and new ideas

It can be tempting to focus on the easier, more adventurous tasks first. But while you are working through these sub-tasks, you may feel anxiety or pressure knowing deep down, your time could be better spent completing the more immediate tasks at hand.

This is where the frog technique comes in:

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning (…) If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first” - Mark Twain

By eating the frog first, it will reduce your stress, improve your overall experience and give you time left over to focus on the more adventurous and easier sub-tasks of the day with a free mind.

By completing what you may consider the worst task of your day, you can relax knowing that “nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day”.

I have at least another 4 tips that I’ll be sharing about how I’m trying to make the most of my time. I’ll be sharing these in future issues, but for now…

❓ What Are Your Thoughts on These 2 Strategies?

• Have you incorporated either of these strategies already? If so, how effective were they for you?

• Has there been a time where you have said “yes” but you should have said “no”?

• Can you think of any frogs that need eating now?

✍️ Consider journalling through the above questions yourself.

💬 Also, if you want to chat about this, email or DM me! I’d love to hear from you!

Recommendations

Last week I started this section of this newsletter and you loved it! Thanks for your support!

1️⃣  My first recommendation this week will be a book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

This book is the philosophical journal of the last of the five good emperors of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, his reign lasting between 161 - 180 CE. Meditations is a book in accordance with the philosophy Stoicism.

While dealing with immense obstacles, life-threatening circumstances and maintaining an empire, Aurelius discusses the importance of maintaining rational thinking to overcome hardship.

I would recommend reading the new translation by Gregory Hays. Consider picking up a copy for yourself by clicking here.

* Please note that this is an affiliation link. Purchasing through this link would support with the growth of Wisdom Made Easy.

2️⃣ The second recommendation for this week is a good friend of mine offering you an exciting opportunity: E Mendez.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you might of seen me share some of E’s visuals on Instagram, or even a collaboration that I did with him a couple months ago.

E is now embarking on an exciting new venture by offering coaching. When he first told me that he was going to become a coach, I couldn’t help but fist-pump the air! It’s a classic example of someone doing something that they were made to do.

This week he announced that is offering some FREE mindset coaching. If you’re interested in enhancing your mindset, consider reaching out to him on Instagram here:

Alternatively, you can find him on LinkedIn by clicking here.

✍️ What I’m Working On

2023 has been busy, right?! It feel like its been non-stop!

It’s all good stuff though! I’ve nearly finished all my client work for January, so I’m moving my attention back to finishing my e-book The Wise Guide to Journalling. I’m still aiming to release it by the end of March!

One of the most exciting things from this week is that I’ve had a meeting with someone who is likely to be joining the Wisdom Made Easy team! It’s exciting to think that this could finally become more than just me. I’ll keep you updated, but it’s safe to say that I am delighted by how this could help encourage more of you to join us in getting wiser.

Even though it’s not related to Wisdom Made Easy, I wanted to share something with you that I’ve spent some time doing over the last couple of weeks. I’ve been hosting some Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Groups with my local church.

Kintsugi Hope is an awesome national charity that’s passionate about equipping people whilst celebrating how we’re all still beautiful despite the various scars we might have.

If you want to learn more about this awesome charity, please consider checking out their website here:

😊 Thank You!

Thanks for checking out this issue of the WISER Newsletter. If you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it!

Simply reply to this email, and I’ll get back to you.

Alternatively, just DM me on social media. You can find me here:

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• 🔴 Youtube

Catch you in the next issue!

Thanks,

Michael