Maybe yours too.

Algorithms shifted. Strategies that worked in January flopped by June. The numbers that made sense suddenly didn't.

And when that happens, the instinct is to push harder.

More tests. More hours. More "I just need to figure this out."

I get it. I've been there.

Laptop open at 10pm. Mind racing at 2am unable to sleep (and if you're like me, dreaming of spreadsheets – I kid you not). Telling yourself it's necessary. Telling yourself you'll rest once you've cracked it.

But here's what I've learned:

Sometimes the answer isn't more.

The Shower Thought

Some of my best breakthroughs this year came when I wasn't working at all.

You know the feeling. You've been ramming your head against a brick wall for hours – an ads problem, a business challenge, a scene you've written yourself into a corner with. Nothing's clicking.

Then you step away. Go for a walk. Take a shower. Drive to the shops.

And somewhere between shampooing your hair and reaching for the conditioner... the answer appears.

That's not luck. That's your subconscious doing the work your conscious mind couldn't.

It needs space to do that. Space you don't give it when you're staring at a screen until midnight.

The rest is the work that isn't given the credit it's due.

My Challenge To You

This holiday season, try to have a few days where the laptop stays closed.

Where emails don't get checked.

Where social media apps don't get opened.

Just... be.

Be present. Be still. Be with the people who matter most.

I know what you're thinking. "But what if something happens? What if I miss something important?"

You won't.

Your author business isn't going to collapse because you didn't check your Facebook Ads dashboard for a few days, or even a week. The campaigns will still be there. The data will still be there. Everything will be fine.

You just have to be okay with that.

A Work In Progress

I know "being ok with that" is harder than it sounds.

I've struggled with this more than I'd like to admit. Even now, I'm not perfect – not by a long shot. It's a work in progress. Probably always will be.

But it's getting better.

A few weeks ago, I deleted the mail app from my phone.

That's it. Just... deleted it.

And honestly? The weight that lifted surprised me. I didn't realise how much of a hold it had over me. Checking emails had become a reflex. An addiction, really. Which is a sad thing to admit when I think about it.

I have my wife and my three children right here. Right in front of me.

They should be my addiction. Not my inbox.

And whoever you have around you – they should be yours too.

Thank You

This is my last newsletter of the 2025.

Thank you for being here. For reading. For trusting me with your Saturday mornings. It means more than you know.

Whatever you're celebrating this season – or even if you're not – I hope you get some rest, some joy, and some time with the people who matter most.

See you in 2026.

To Your Success
– Matt