Jack's Journal (8/22)

^{Weekly Trivia}

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

^Recalibrate

Each year I intentionally blocked off two random days. I don’t have a cool or clever name for them, but let’s go with semi-annual personal reflection days.

The day(s) include a combo of physical exercise, goal setting, theorizing about the future, reflecting on the past, but the bulk of the time is a combination of deep thinking, talking things through to myself and journaling.

And contrary to what you might think, I’ve done these in coffee shops, airport lounges (during long layovers), my bedroom, you name it. This time I went to a nearby forest preserve.

The point is to write some shit down so I can look at it later.

Wednesday, August 21st

Make fun of me all you want, but journaling is the coolest thing. You essentially are creating a time capsule.

Back in the early days of email when the “schedule send” feature just rolled out, I’d send tons of emails to be sent months or even years in advance. They included predictions or common stresses of a young teenager. Nonetheless, I always found myself laughing at my former self.

It’s no different than the cringy feeling of an old Facebook post.

I’m no philosopher but…

So over the years, here’s what I’ve gathered:

• Goals beyond 6 months are almost irrelevant or stale.

• Journaling is not a recommendation but a prescription.

• There’s nothing wrong with overthinking.

• 1-2 things will happen (to you) per year that’s just totally outside of your control and you have to make peace with it.

• Most things in life whisper at us over time, they don’t shout.

• Don’t be afraid to make big, bold goals. You may surprise yourself.

• Your time is better spent connecting the dots looking back than stressing on how to connect them looking forward.

• Most things work out for the better if you just give it time.

• Whatever your so anxious and nervous about today legit won’t cross your mind a year from now.

So yesterday I rolled up to this nature preserve and sorta strolled around a few times. Once I found a couple cool spots to sit down, here’s what I dove into.

• Reviewed my goals from January (candidly a few didn’t matter anymore or no longer made much sense).

• Set some goals for next week, next month, and things I wanted to see through before the start of 2025.

• Began the draft of my officiant remarks for two of my favorite people in the world who are getting marrried next month.

• Talked to myself about some personal struggles & events.

• Wrote down goals for Habits over the next 2-3mo.

• Read ~30ish pages of 1984.

• Made some last minute plans to see some childhood friends on Saturday.

Send this to someone who needs to hear it

If you’re looking for a key takeaway, the whole point of this blog is to make sure you find a way to recalibrate yourself.

We’re constantly influenced by social media, co-workers, family, friends, significant others, etc…

So make sure to check in on yourself from time to time or at least try to.

^{Find Your Financial Advisor}

These semi-annual personal reflection days are a lot like what my quarterly 30min meeting with my advisor is like. We review, plan, chat through shit, and couldn’t recommend it enough.

If you’re somebody on the sidelines or are not sure if a financial advisor makes sense for you or your family, just shoot me an email at [email protected].

Thanks for reading, Habits fam. See you back here next week for more.

-JB