168 Hours

Carpe diem. Win the day. Win the moment.

I’ve adapted all of those mantras at different times in my life. And while they helped me then, I find them less helpful now. Further, perhaps you have read articles, books, and listened to podcasts about why dominating the morning sets you up for success. As someone who struggles in the morning, despite loving what I do for a living, I have always felt that I was less-than because I was sluggish in the AM. So, I would often beat myself up for not seizing the day or crushing my mornings. I found that shame to be extremely unhelpful. So, how am I thinking about “winning” now?

As I type this article, on Monday June 21st, I am thinking about how I can “Win the Week.” Here’s the rationale behind my thinking.

A day is limiting. A moment is fleeting. And while we can certainly string together a series of great moments, mornings, or days, the pressure of doing so can feel like an elephant on our shoulders. That elephant often doesn’t help; rather, it hinders. Additionally, we need to rest. Religion gets plenty wrong, but almost every religion bakes rest into their traditions. With that in mind, I have found focusing on winning a week gives me the autonomy I crave with the discipline needed to thrive. Below is an example of how I think about winning 168 hours (7 days). While I certainly don’t accomplish all of it in a week, I strive to fill these buckets since they greatly impact my well-being. I’d encourage you to make your own list and start thinking about what winning the week looks like for you. The number of actions doesn’t matter. Go ahead and see what makes you feel alive.

Achievement in 168 Hours

  1. Exercise 4+ days

  2. 5 Days of 8+ hours of sleep

  3. A great meal

  4. Family

  5. Friends

  6. Sing

  7. Dance

  8. Smile

  9. Read

  10. Write

  11. Network

  12. Meditate

  13. Express gratitude

  14. Record a podcast or listen to a podcast

  15. Explore

  16. Coach/Teach

  17. Play a sport

  18. Compete

  19. Create

  20. Alone time with partner/spouse

  21. Enjoy a good bottle of wine

  22. Feel chills

  23. Watch a great show or movie

  24. Help someone

  25. Visualize/Dream


Now it’s your turn. Let me know what winning the week looks like for you.

Brian Levenson