Labor & Rest
"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black
I've always struggled with rest. Naps? Not my thing. Sitting still and being idle? Even harder. Most of my adult life I've thrived on moving at Mach speed, hair on fire, tackling everything that comes my way. But recently, I’ve learned that sometimes the most productive thing I can do is rest. I’ve realized that I can't serve from an empty cup, and properly filling that cup requires intentional rest.
In our industry, we're surrounded by high drivers who value growth, progress, and being on call 24/7. Taking days off, not answering the phone, or disconnecting can feel almost taboo. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that rest is for the lazy or the faint of heart. But the truth is, intentional rest and setting boundaries around our workday are essential. It’s what will make you happier and more productive in the long run. Rest kills the chaos monkey. It’s a gift, and we need to use it wisely.
Max Lucado puts it perfectly: rest is a gift from God, a powerful tool that the enemy hates because it disrupts the stress and busyness he thrives on.
Labor Day is a great day to remind ourselves of the value of intentional rest. Use this weekend as a chance to recharge and find balance. And take a moment to pencil in your daily time boundaries (see timeboxing ideas below) and intentional days of rest. You will thank yourself for it.
Enjoy & Happy Labor Day!
Notes that Resonated
Count your wins (we all too often only look at our losses)
Take the risk or lose the chance
Companies move at the speed of the leaders
You must scale yourself before you can scale your team
You can’t ask someone for directions to a place they’ve never been
Pressure is a privilege it means things are expected of you
Not all discomfort is a curse…God is not punishing you; he’s pushing you
What are the barriers within you that need to be broken?
The right time was yesterday. The best time is now (FS BRAINFOOD)
Market Update: Will Rates Drop this Month?
With the Fed expected to lower rates in September, many borrowers and agents are naturally curious about what this means for mortgage rates. As you know, the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, and a rate drop in September is unlikely to have much effect on the 30-year mortgage rate. Why? Because that change is already "baked in."
The bond market tends to move ahead of the Fed, reacting to economic data, especially information that influences inflation. Consider this: mortgage rates have already dipped by 1.5% since late 2023, even though the Fed funds rate has stayed the same over the same period.
To understand where the bond market is going, we pay close attention to what the Federal Reserve says about inflation. Inflation is the largest driver in moving investor activity and mortgage bonds. When inflation pressures increase, mortgage rates typically follow. As inflation rises, the value of mortgage bonds drops, leading to higher mortgage rates. On the flip side, when inflation eases, rates tend to come down as well.
In short, understanding the Fed's position on inflation can provide valuable insights into where mortgage rates might be headed. If we have additional negative economic data released over the next few weeks and the Fed projects a bearish tone, then rates will decline further. If the data is flat and the Fed’s tone stay cautious and continues the higher for longer rhetoric, we may see no decline. The upcoming jobs reports this week will give us a good sense of what could happen next.
Next week’s economic data releases:
Top Quotes
If you want to change the world, go home, and love your family. - Mother Teresa
Marcus Aurelius once said: “To live well, one must first know what is worth wanting."
You are what you do, not what you say you will do - Carl Jung
Productivity
Try a technology Shabbat. (Shabbat—the day of rest.). The idea is that one day a week, you need to get your mind in a different mode, you need to not work. Every week, your brain—and your soul—needs to be reset.
Videos to Watch: (Time boxing)
Food & Drink
Breaking bread and sharing meals with the people around you are one of the best ways to connect and show love for them. With the holidays and big gatherings around the corner this book has some great ideas on good food to share with friends and family.
Cool Stuff
Cool gadget for the end of summer fun:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9IWbd7oYG9/?igsh=eDRrNmh3bmt3Ymhv