# Getting Right for What's to Come By [The Slow Hunch by Nick Grossman](https://paragraph.com/@nickgrossman) ยท 2020-01-02 milestones, personal --- [Fred](http://twitter.com/fredwilson) and [Albert](http://twitter.com/albertwenger) just posted their annual posts on [predictions](https://avc.com/2020/01/what-will-happen-in-the-2020s/) and [issues to tackle](https://continuations.com/post/189997132065/an-agenda-for-the-2020s-inventing-the-knowledge) for the coming decade. Both are great, and thinking about all that we will need to do to in the coming decade is both inspiring and intimidating. Before I can even think about those kinds of things and how to approach them, I need to look on the personal side and check in to make sure that I have as strong a foundation as possible, like [putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others](https://braveacorn.com/airplane-oxygen-mask-analogy-for-self-care/): ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/795f5bdf8b7551ad3326574ab0a5c670.png) Everyone has their own challenges and issues to work on, so here I will just note some resources that have been helpful to me, in no particular order: 1. Getting professional help. I have [written before](https://www.nickgrossman.xyz/2017/getting-help/) that one of the breakthrough moments for me was when I realized I could seek and get help where I needed it. In my case, it was a great therapist and a great accountant. But the big idea is that it's ok to get help. You deserve it. 2. [Dry January](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19546096/dry-january/). For the past few years I have quit alcohol for the month of January and it always feels great. The holidays can be a bit much, and a lot of us consume more than we should anyway. Dry January is, at the very least, a good opportunity to explore the role of alcohol (or lack of it) in your life. 3. This [NYT piece on procrastination](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/smarter-living/why-you-procrastinate-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-self-control.html) is great. I have always struggled with this, and I completely agree with the main idea here which is that procrastination is an emotional issue (avoiding unpleasant feelings, self doubt, etc) not a discipline or self control issue. 4. [James Clear](https://twitter.com/jamesclear) and Atomic Habits. I've only skimmed James' book [Atomic Habits](http://atomichabits.com), but he's great on twitter and seems spot-on to me with his analysis of how to create positive habits. 5. [Work Clean](https://www.forbes.com/sites/shawnsetaro/2016/04/27/work-clean/) by [Dan Charnas](https://twitter.com/dancharnas). In this book, Dan studies how great chefs manage their workspaces and apply those lessons to other forms of work. 6. [Alex Iskold](https://twitter.com/alexiskold)'s [Self-care: 8 Tips for Founders to take care of themselves](https://alexiskold.net/2018/09/06/self-care-8-tips-for-founders-to-take-care-of-themselves/) - great lessons here and Alex talks about this stuff from a place of real personal honesty and empathy. 7. The [Volt Planner](https://inkandvolt.com/collections/planners) by [Kate Matsudaira](https://twitter.com/katemats). For the past 4 years I have used the Volt Planner, which guides you though yearly, monthly and weekly goal setting. I have found it to be supremely helpful in a world where there are a lot of things competing for your attention and it can be hard to focus. 8. [Brad Feld](https://twitter.com/bfeld)'s mantra to [Simply Begin Again](https://feld.com/archives/2020/01/simply-begin-again.html) - simple and really helpful. Whatever issue you are tackling, I hope you can find the resources to help. As I look out at the new year and the coming decade, I want to have all the energy and leverage I can to make good things happen, and that starts at home with building a strong foundation, whatever that means to you. [A little better every day](https://www.nickgrossman.xyz/2017/a-little-better-every-day/). --- *Originally published on [The Slow Hunch by Nick Grossman](https://paragraph.com/@nickgrossman/getting-right-for-whats-to-come)*