Choosing What Matters
One Question That Cuts Through the Chaos
Hi Friends,
Iโm back in Provence, and wow, has life been a whirlwind lately? Are you feeling it, too? Thereโs an adage that says we often experience the very lessons we are trying to teach just as we are teaching them! As if November and December arenโt busy enough, here I am, a month out from finishing my book, and just as the finish line is in sight, life has handed me a bunch of crazy challengesโmy dogโs cancer diagnosis being one of the biggest.
In the middle of all this, to keep myself grounded and focused and handling the competing priorities with as much grace as possible, I find myself coming back to one grounding question:
Does this align with what truly matters to me?
This simple question has been my North Star lately, guiding me to focus on what truly matters and drives my healthy high achievement. Itโs not about doing everything but about doing the right thingsโthe ones that align not just with the priorities at hand but also with my values, energy, and long-term aspirations.
Like many of you, I had a full slate of plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yearโs Eve. Some of thoseโlike my recent trip to Moab with my (grown) childrenโstayed in place, while others were canceled to create the time and space I needed to be home. When I feel tempted to power through my writing or other demands without pause, this question invites me to step back and make choices that support my well-being while keeping me on track for my goals.
Sometimes, the answer is yes, and sometimes, itโs no. Either way, asking the question brings clarity and calm and helps me stay in alignment with my Opus.
This practice is essential to high performance; itโs not about doing it all but what matters most to help sustain you and the life youโre building.
Iโd love to hear from you:
How do you stay aligned with what matters most when life feels out of control?
Do you have a question, a practice, or even a mantra that helps you navigate these moments? Iโd be grateful if youโd share it with me. Just drop a comment below or hit reply to this emailโI read every note, and often, your wisdom stays with me long after.
As we close out this year and look ahead to 2025, I hope you find a moment to pause and reflect on what truly matters to youโbecause thatโs where healthy high achievement begins.
Iโm Janine Mathรณ, and Iโm writing Live Your Opus, a book for ambitious people who crave deeper meaning, fulfillment, and direction but sometimes struggle to break through (forthcoming 2025). You can sign up here to be first in line to receive a copy of my book. As always, thanks for being on this journey with me. If my work resonates with you, please share this letter with others who might benefit. Thank you!
Until next time, be well!
I publish on Substack twice weekly, on Mondays & Thursdays, and LinkedIn on Thursdays. The format of this letter is evolving as I write my book, so I look forward to your comments and input. Subscribe and join 600+ people reading my letters. You can learn more about me and my work here.
**Please reach out if you are interested in working with me as your coach in 2025 or would like to discuss how I might be able to support your organization.
๐ค Work 1:1 with me. I have a rare opening for an executive client beginning January 2025. Please email me at hello@janinematho.com should you wish to explore executive coaching with me.
๐ Join the waitlist for the second cohort of Project Opusโan invitation-only program for entrepreneurially-minded women.