> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #218 - Start... Ping! - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/218-start-ping/ - Published: 2024-12-16T05:56:50.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-16T05:56:49.000Z - Description: It's time to finish the work year with a burst of flow productivity, and then tap into Ernest Hemingway to finish anything you start. I look at some great tips for living better, and challenge you to open the microwave door at the right time! - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter 💡 ****Build your Best Year** \- Thanks to everyone that has [joined my free challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/byby/). Seven days of simple exercises that will deliver your best year ever. [Just 15/20 minutes a day that will yield huge impact. Join us!](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/byby/) ### The Stuff that MattRs **Monday Motivation**. Let this week be the one where you finish the year by clearing down that to-do list. I’m a [big fan of the Pomodoro Technique](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/boost-your-focus-with-the-pomodoro-technique/) for kickstarting AND maximising output. For deeper work, y[ou might want to try Pomodoro 2.0\. ](https://lifehacker.com/work/try-pomodoro-20-to-focus-on-deep-work?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) However you choose to get through the list, there’s only one thing to do - [List one task, do it, cross it out. ](https://www.oliverburkeman.com/onething?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Career**. [Eight Linkedin Profile mistakes that will reduce your chances of getting a new job.](https://theeverygirl.com/linkedin-profile-mistakes/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Don’t fall for any of these simple mistakes. *Bonus Stuff/.* [*Seth Godin talks about the technology and the wider job market.*](https://seths.blog/2024/12/thinking-about-jobs/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Flow**. [Tap into the ‘Hemingway Effect’ to finish what you start.](https://bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/the-hemingway-effect/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Hemingway used to stop projects at “an interesting place” and when “you know what’s going to happen next.” There was sound psychology behind this tactic. **Management**. [How to get closer to your team, without overstepping the mark](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypercy/2024/02/12/how-to-get-closer-to-your-team--without-overstepping-the-line/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). Some practical advice to help you build better relationships with your team members. *Bonus Stuff.* [*Five tips for becoming a better manager.*](https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/five-tips-effective-manager?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *#1, #4 and #5 are super important.* **Standards**. [You are what you tolerate.](https://www.justinwelsh.me/newsletter/you-are-what-you-tolerate?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) If you don’t set some uncompromising standards, you’ll compromise. ✍️ ****Random Journal Prompt:** How has dealing with ambiguity shaped my personal or professional growth? [From my prompts for Ambiguity.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journal-prompts-for-ambiguity/) ****Bonus Stuff.** [Try my 30 day Journalling Challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journalling/). ![brown track and field](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1534185372994-55f9e64235c4?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDZ8fHN0YXJ0fGVufDB8fHx8MTczNDI2MTUzNXww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Adi Goldstein](https://unsplash.com/@adigold1?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) **Start**. [You’ve got a thing, it’s time to start it. Today.](https://fortheinterested.com/start-today/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Life**. [12 obvious (and not so obvious) tips for living better.](https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2024/09/15/12-obvious-foundations/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Scott Young shares a great list for a better life, including some oblique advice. **Joy**. [How to deal with loneliness and find space for small moments of joy.](https://community.thriveglobal.com/how-to-deal-with-loneliness-and-make-space-for-small-moments-of-joy/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) From the late & fantastic Dr Ruth Westheimer - I **love** the concept of indulging yourself as a way of tackling loneliness. If you are looking for joy, [here are 100 glimmers you might see this week.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/glimmer-100/) **Love**. [99 Ways To Show Love Besides Gifts This Holiday Season.](https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/how-to-show-love/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I’ve deliberately steered away from gift guides, but this is a lovely list of ways to appreciate those around you. **Finally**. [Open the Microwave door as close to 0 as possible.](https://microwave.vercel.app/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) My Record is 8650. 🎵 Have you tried ****FlowStuff**? It's my ever growing and changing playlist of music for concentration and relaxation. 35 hours of mostly beatless and wordless music. [You can follow along here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rXoop87aCB6oe1HBERtyn?si=f38e9657e468481c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### 🔈 My week in Music... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/12/snow-3.jpeg) My recommendation this week is an amazing holiday season playlist, with some classy holiday tunes to keep you company... [Read My Week In Music here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/mwim-3/) ### Stuff Someone Said (feel free to share) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/12/_Stuff--218-1.png)