Hello you.
This newsletter is a little later than normal because I was in London for a few days, and I decided not to take my laptop with me. I was practising what I encourage all my clients to do – take some time out, guilt-free, and spend it doing something that lights you up. I was away with my husband and had lots of lovely things planned. I didn’t want my mind to be elsewhere; no matter how much I love coaching, I wanted to be completely present and enjoy the break. So that’s what I did.
If you’ve not done something like this recently, spent time doing something or with someone that truly makes you happy, how can you make it happen? Even for a couple of hours.
13 weekend habits of highly effective people
Weekends are a golden opportunity to recharge and set yourself up for success. This month, I learned about the 13 weekend habits of highly productive people. And it really made me think.
They are:
- Spend time outdoors.
- Disconnect from work notifications.
- Try a new hobby or creative activity.
- Exercise to boost energy.
- Plan and prepare healthy meals.
- Get quality 8+ hours of sleep to reset.
- Connect with loved ones.
- Read a book or listen to podcasts.
- Reflect on the week’s achievements.
- Explore new places.
- Take a digital detox day.
- Enjoy time without a strict schedule.
- Do more self-care routines.
How many of these do you already do? And which ones could you add to your weekends?
For me, I know number 11 is a tough one, and I hardly ever do it myself. But it made me think and that’s why I left my laptop at home when we went away.
Will this take me closer to my goals and where I want to be?
I came across this beautifully simple post on Threads by Michell C Clark:
“At some point you
gotta be real with
yourself about the
gap between the life
you want to live and
the life that your
daily habits are
leading you towards”.
It aligns really closely with something I also often share with my clients. When you do something, ask yourself: Will this take me closer to my goals and where I want to be?
- If the answer is yes, then do it.
- If the answer is no, then you’ve got to think carefully about the choice you’re making.
Book recommendation
If you’re looking to dive deeper into self-growth, try Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck. It’s an empowering read on the importance of perspective and learning.
Activate your parasympathetic nervous system
Let’s try alternate nostril breathing, a calming and centring technique:
- Sit comfortably with your spine straight.
- Place your right thumb on your right nostril and gently close it.
- Inhale deeply through your left nostril.
- Close your left nostril using your ring finger, release your right nostril, and exhale through the right.
- Inhale through the right nostril, then close it, and exhale through the left.
- Repeat this pattern for 5-10 rounds, keeping your breath slow and steady.
This practice can help bring balance to your nervous system and make you feel more grounded. It takes a little practice, and looks a little more complicated written out than it is, but it really helps to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, the rest and digest, and restore calm.
Small steps = Big changes!
Here’s your reminder that small steps truly add up. Start with just one or two changes -like a daily gratitude journal or alternate nostril breathing – and get good at them. Once they’ve become habits you hardly need to think about, add another positive change.
Tiny 1% improvements every day will create extraordinary results. After one month, those 1% daily gains compound to about a 35% improvement in one month. And in one year, you’ll see incredible improvements of over 38 times. It doesn’t need to be huge or perfect. Imperfect action and small daily shifts can completely transform anything over time. Anything from confidence and health to joy and well-being.
What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to a life you’ll truly love?
Reflect on this, and let it guide your growth for the rest of the month. Remember, having a growth mindset is key – believing you can improve and learn helps you face challenges with courage and curiosity.
Share the love 💛
If you’ve found this newsletter helpful, please share it with your friends or on social media. They can subscribe by visiting my website (gillybaker.com) and adding their name and email address at the bottom of any page. They can also find me on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s keep growing our community and keep the positivity flowing.
Celebrate the little wins and keep moving forward. You’ve got this – and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!
With love from
Gilly
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