Deadlines stack up. Daylight shrinks. Invitations multiply. In this episode, Marissa Hyatt and Joel Miller show you how to defend what matters—at work and at home—so you can enjoy the season and finish the year well. You’ll get boundary scripts, simple rituals, and a right-sized Ideal Week you can start using today.

Key Takeaways

• Practice Self-Advocacy. Be militantly on your own side. Set and communicate clear boundaries—no evening or weekend emails, true sick time, and real OOO when you travel.
• Say “No” Without Drama. Use a simple “yes-and-priorities” script: affirm the request → “Based on prior commitments, I can’t take this on right now.” → offer an alternate timeline or resource.
• Enlist Help in Reprioritizing. Are your leaders piling on new priorities? Rather than saying “no,” enlist their help in deciding what shifts. Say: “Here’s my current slate—what should I sideline to make room for this?”
• Protect Your Rituals. Your Morning, Evening, Workday Startup, and Workday Shutdown rituals keep you grounded. Simplify if needed, but uphold them to protect your energy and self-care.
• Refine Your Ideal Week. Budget your time on paper first—work blocks, family events, recovery, errands—then mirror it to your digital calendar. Adjust for the season’s unique constraints and commitments.

Watch on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/WUzUEVKA8Ls

This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound