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Solo Field Notes, a newsletter to help solopreneurs stand out

The Urgency You’re Feeling Is a Lie

Published about 12 hours ago • 2 min read

Hey, Reader —

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Holiday weeks feel like they stretch attention in a dozen directions.

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Lists grow longer, people need more from you, and business keeps whispering that you must do more right now.

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Here’s a simple reminder you might not hear elsewhere:
Not everything needs your attention right now.

This is one of those weeks when the best thing you can do is hold steady. A simple filter might help:
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If something doesn’t require a decision before January, won’t meaningfully change outcomes if put on hold, or isn’t blocking real progress, it can wait.

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That includes:

  • refining ideas
  • improving systems
  • making things “just a bit better”

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None of that urgency is real this week.

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Strong solo businesses aren’t built by pushing at the same pace every week of the year. They’re built by knowing when to act, when to pause, and when to trust what’s already in place.

This is a week for holding.

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You’re not losing momentum. You’re preserving energy.

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If it helps, consider this your official permission to:

  • leave things unfinished
  • trust what you’ve already built
  • return when your attention is fully yours again

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We’ll pick things up again next week.

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For now, this is enough. Enjoy this season and all it brings.

I have 3 more items to share with you this week. One will improve your visual literacy in geography. The other two will enhance your holiday.

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The True Size Of...​
Maps feel neutral, but they’re powerful visual statements. This interactive tool lets you drag country shapes around the globe and see how familiar map projections distort our sense of scale, especially near the poles.

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Spend a few minutes and discover how your thinking about the size of nations differs from reality. For example, the land mass of the United States, China, and India can all fit inside Africa, with room left over! This tool is fun, engaging, and a sharp reminder of how visuals shape perception.

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WPIX Yule Log​
For many, it wouldn’t be Christmas without the fireplace Yule Log video playing softly in the background. While plenty of copycats exist, the original dates back to 1966, when WPIX-TV filmed a crackling fire at Gracie Mansion, then the home of New York City’s mayor, John Lindsay.

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Over the years, the Yule Log has evolved from 16mm film to 35mm, then to digital video, while keeping the same simple premise. You can watch the iconic shorter version on the WPIX site, along with a later hour-long edition. Or, settle in with a four-hour version on YouTube and enjoy a fire that never needs tending.

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​Windham Hill Christmas 1982–2005​
If your idea of holiday music leans calm and contemplative, this Spotify playlist is a gift. With 287 songs spanning more than 17 hours, it brings together winter and Christmas recordings from Windham Hill Records, the influential label founded by guitarist William Ackerman and known for its acoustic, instrumental sound and understated production.

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Mostly instrumental, with a few gentle vocal tracks, it’s music designed to accompany a moment, not dominate it. Curated by Chris Andrews, it’s been my favorite companion during the holidays for years. It's perfect for reading, cooking, or letting a day unfold at its own pace. Enjoy.

May you have a festive and joyful holiday!

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Until next week: Stay small. Play big.

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Terri

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P.S. When you’re ready for more, here are a few resources from the Solo Business School:

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Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read (and respond to) my email.

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #094.

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Solo Field Notes, a newsletter to help solopreneurs stand out

Solo Field Notes is your weekly design and visibility lab — part of the Solo Business School, and dedicated to helping solopreneurs stand out with smart systems, sharp visuals, and AI that unlocks your edge. Each week, you get fresh ideas to help you stay small and play big.

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