making the most of this course

Welcome to your Workbook, the place where the magic happens. Why? Because like everything else in this life - the more you give - the more you get. And it’s here, in the workbook, where most of your “giving” will happen.

In our attempt to meet you where you are, we’ve given you a choice. If you like to work digitally - then we’ve got your workbook all laid out, by module, with the appropriate exercises.

If you’re a pen and paper sort of person - then there is a printable workbook PDF. It’s already in grayscale (we’re not trying to waste your ink! We’re trying to help you live the retirement of your dreams!) and laid out as a single document.

Use whichever works best for you and make sure you’ve got your workbook with you as you proceed through the course.

AIRPLANE MODE

Distractions are the enemy of deep work and focus. And, I hate to break it to you, but that’s the type of work you’ll be doing.

The more distractions you can eliminate (ie. your phone, notifications, email alerts, etc.) the better. You don’t have to go dark, abandoning your loved ones for untold hours each day. We simply ask you to carve out a smidgen of time where you do your best to avoid interruptions.

(Hey, look - we appreciate the modern world is going to do everything in it’s power to prevent you from doing this. Just do your best….)

YOUR THINKING PLACE

We do this first because it’s the step that unlocks the rest. We are creatures of habit. Finding your Thinking Place is about creating a good habit to help you with this course.

Your Thinking Place is, as you might have guessed, a place where you’ve got the time and space to think. For some of you it’s going to be a busy place like a coffee shop or restaurant. For others it’s going to be a quiet public place like a library or park. Then there are those of you who, like Max, find places with other people entirely too distracting.

If you already know, or have a hunch where Your Thinking Place is - go there if you can. If you’re stumped - what physical spaces make you feel good and relaxed?

These are good places to start. Now that you’ve got a spot or two in mind - it’s time to go over ground rules. There’s only one. I guess it should have been ground rule…

SETTING THE MOOD

Now that you’ve got your Thinking Place, it’s time to add a little ambiance…. The goal is to add as many things as you can to your Thinking Place that will help you relax and think.

Like Max mentioned, if your Thinking Place is a public space - like a coffee shop or library - some of these methods might be out of your control and/or possibly illegal.

(If a glass of wine is something that helps you relax and think - please, please, please - don’t bring your glass of wine to the library.)

But, even if your Thinking Place is a public space, there are still plenty of ways you can set the mood.

Is there something you can listen to, favorite piece of music/album/song/ playlist/genre that you can use to help set the mood?

What are a few things you could have on hand to eat (a sweet or salty treat) or drink ( coffee, tea, beer, wine, old fashioned, etc.) that could help?

Do you have a piece of art, a photograph or painting, that always brings a smile to your face?

What about scents? Is there are particular smell you enjoy? Would it be possible to add this to your Thinking Place?

Lastly - physical comfort - if it’s chilly, have a layer or a jacket handy. It can be hard to concentrate and focus if you’re too cold or too hot.

YOUR REFLECTION TOOL

Here again, you’ve got a choice. Go with whichever one seems the easiest - because the easier it is - the more likely you’re going to use it. One isn’t better than the other. All we want to know is: Are you a writer or a talker?

Are you going to get the most of out this course by writing/typing your answers or by speaking them aloud to voice memo app on your phone?

REMINDERS

Remember what Gary said during the class. Some days his Thinking Place is a crowded coffee shop and on others it’s a quieter setting. So, when you get to your Thinking Place on a given day and it’s not working out - try some place else.

Same goes for all the ambiance when you Set The Mood.

And, if one day you feel like talking instead of writing or writing instead of talking - that’s fine too.

INSIGHTS

If you are human, leave this field blank.