Is it just me, or is the end of the year tough? So many times, we hit a point in the fourth quarter where we feel we’ll limp across the finish line. Ending not with a bang but a whimper. If you’re like me, you really can’t stand that feeling. We want to finish strong!

But if you are feeling this way, take heart. End-of-year burnout is a common challenge as we juggle wrapping up projects, setting next year’s goals, and managing personal holiday commitments. The good news? Because it’s common, there are plenty of proven strategies to pull from to mitigate and avoid those year-end woes.

Any movement is good movement. But if I’m taking the time and effort to carve out time for a serious workout, I want to see results. Fitness efforts build over time – I’m not talking about some magical way to see instant abs. But if you want to have an efficient workout – the “most bang for your buck,” so to speak – you must be intentional about it.

Believe it or not, how you prepare and approach your workout determines your results as much as the exercise. Here are seven rules to follow to get the most out of your workout, whether you’re hitting the gym or the running trails.

Most of us aren’t haunted by ghosts or ghouls. The number one thing that “haunts” human beings? Our failures. Our mistakes. Those moments when we came up short – when we took a swing and totally whiffed it. The ol’ swing and a miss. 

I know I’ve had times when thinking about failures didn’t result in a simple “cringe” moment. I just couldn’t let those mistakes go, no matter how long it had been or how far I’d come from the person I was.

Leadership is a funny thing that’s hard to define. What does it really mean to be a leader? I’ve seen so many “flavors” of leadership that it can be challenging to quantify. Ultimately, I don’t think good leadership is about telling people what to do or calling the shots. I don’t think it’s just being the guy at the top of the pyramid. I don’t even think it’s about being the smartest person in the room. 

Authentic leadership – effective, lasting, and good – is both inspirational and aspirational. Let’s unpack what I mean.