In partnership with
Happy Boxing Day to all that celebrate.
“Intimacy can be an unbearable burden for those who, first experiencing it after a lifetime of proud self-sufficiency, suddenly realize it makes their world complete. Finding bliss becomes one with the fear of losing it. They doubt their right to hold someone else accountable for their happiness; they worry that their loved one may find their reverence tedious; they fear their yearning may have distorted their features in ways they cannot see. Thus, as the weight of all these questions and concerns bends them inward, their newfound joy in companionship turns into a deeper expression of the solitude they thought they had left behind.”
The passage above from Trust by Hernan Diaz was my favorite piece of writing this year. Even though it’s framed around personal relationships, it hits on that unspoken elephant in the room so many founders feel during the holidays. In a career that requires one to become self sufficient, giving yourself the grace to relax can feel like taking your hands off the wheel. This creates the feeling of losing control of our future, the very thing that drove us to become entrepreneurs to begin with.
Many founders live in a constant state of fight or flight. We are always hunting the next deal, the next launch, the next proof point that we are not wasting our talent. Even when we achieve our dream goal, it is hard to pat ourselves on the back. There is always a bigger hill to climb or a new invisible enemy whispering in your ear that you must prove wrong. Ironically, the chip on your shoulder that helped you build the business also makes it almost impossible to rest.
The holidays expose this tension.
On one hand, you owe your family and yourself a break. The space to remember why you started this journey in the first place. On the other hand, the grind voice in your head keeps whispering about next quarter, the pipeline, the extra work you could squeeze in while everyone else is on the couch.
Even the king of the "grindset" mentality, Alex Hormozi, is publicly talking about taking time off now:
If he is willing to step back, maybe you and I can too.
When I started writing about founder fitness, I wanted a different way to talk about “work life balance.” I hate that phrase. It sounds like a seesaw you are supposed to somehow keep perfectly level. What I care about is something simpler. Can you build something great without sacrificing your health, your relationships, or your sense of self in the process.
This week’s essay digs into that question through the lens of this passage. How do we stop living in permanent fight or flight, and start building a life that can actually hold the success we are working so hard to create.
Clear communicators aren't lucky. They have a system.
Here's an uncomfortable truth: your readers give you about 26 seconds.
Smart Brevity is the methodology born in the Axios newsroom — rooted in deep respect for people's time and attention. It works just as well for internal comms, executive updates, and change management as it does for news.
We've bundled six free resources — checklists, workbooks, and more — so you can start applying it immediately.
The goal isn't shorter. It's clearer. And clearer gets results.
idea of the week 💡
credit: ideabrowser.com
Problem: Christmas morning is a logistics nightmare. Missing batteries, blunt scissors, dead devices, overflowing trash, and zero caffeine turn a magical day into a stress test for parents.
Idea: Christmas Morning in a Box — a pre‑packed “chaos‑free morning kit” parents pre‑order in October and stash in a closet. Before the kids wake up, they crack it open to find batteries in every size, sharp scissors for impossible packaging, device chargers and backup cables, coffee pods, snacks, trash bags, emergency gift wrap and tape, plus a simple repair kit for toys that break before breakfast.
How it makes money: Core box priced around $60–80, with a $99 premium version that includes higher‑quality tools and more coffee. Layer in corporate gifting for companies with parent employees and subscriptions that auto‑ship a fresh box every November.
Why it might win: The pain is universal, emotional, and happens at the exact same time every year. Parents vividly remember last year’s chaos, so the timing trigger is built in. A single brand that “owns” calm Christmas mornings can expand into birthday party kits, road trip boxes, and first‑day‑of‑school packs—anywhere parents usually scramble.
friday fitness
at‑home workout
This workout is great if you’re back in your childhood bedroom while visiting your parents for the holidays lol
Complete 5 rounds:
15 squats
10 push‑ups
10 reverse lunges (each leg)
20 mountain climbers (each leg)
Goal: Move continuously. Rest 30–45 seconds between rounds.
hotel workout
Great if you are back in your childhood bedroom or staying in a hotel with limited equipment.
Complete 4 rounds:
12 squats
8 incline push‑ups (hands on bed or desk)
12 glute bridges
20 seconds of fast mountain climbers
Goal: Keep your heart rate up. Rest 30 seconds between rounds.
outdoor workout
For time:
400m easy jog or brisk walk
20 push‑ups (elevate hands on a bench if needed)
30 air squats
20 walking lunges (each leg)
30‑second sprint or fast uphill walk
Rest 2–3 minutes (until your heart rate settles), then repeat 2–3 rounds.
tweet of the week
😂 😂
blog of the week
Most founders default to, “If I ever start something again, I’ll build it from scratch.” But for a lot of people, buying a small business is a faster, less risky way to get where they want to go.
This week’s blog, “Buy a Business or Start One? Why Buying Often Wins,” breaks down:
The real math on risk, time, and cash required to start vs. acquire
When it actually makes sense to buy instead of build
How to think about valuation, financing, and your first 100 days as an owner
If you are sitting on cash, skills, or operator experience and wondering whether to launch a new idea or take over something already working, this is a great place to start.
Read the full blog here: https://www.breakwaterma.com/blog/buy-vs-start-a-business
my plugs
Schedule a confidential call to discuss selling your business.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
Subscribe to Main Street Memo for the best tips on buying small businesses.
every second counts