National Short Film Day – Focusing Your Vision for the New Year

⚙️ National Short Film Day – Focusing Your Vision for the New Year

Happy December 28th!

We are now deep in the week between Christmas and New Year's—a critical time for reflection and re-focus. Today brings a sharp reminder of the power of brevity and clarity with National Short Film Day and Pledge of Allegiance Day.

A short film forces the creator to hone their focus, tell a powerful story efficiently, and cut out all distractions. The Pledge of Allegiance is a commitment—a powerful declaration of loyalty to principles.

Let’s use this theme to commit to editing your life, defining your core principles, and focusing your Passion, Pleasure, and Purpose for 2026.

1. The Short Film Principle: Editing Your Purpose

A successful short film is compelling because it leaves nothing extraneous. Every scene, every line, and every detail must serve the central plot.

Your Purpose for 2026 needs this rigorous editing. You must identify and cut the activities and commitments that are time-consuming but don't advance your main story.

🔑 The Action: The Cut List

Review your schedule and commitments from the past month. Identify one "scene" (a habit, meeting, or recurring task) that consumed significant time but had minimal impact on your core goals.

Self-Love Tip (Purpose): Write down that item and commit to drastically reducing or eliminating it in the new year. This is your "cut list."

Example: "I will cut down aimless social media scrolling by 50%." "I will cut out weekly obligatory calls that bring me no joy."

Commitment: Ruthless clarity is a form of self-love. Editing your life frees up massive energy for the activities that truly matter.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance: Declaring Your Principles

Pledge of Allegiance Day reminds us that life is guided by core principles and declarations. Before you dive into a new year's resolution list, you must decide what principles you are loyal to.

Your Passion is best fueled when it is guided by unwavering internal values.

🔑 The Action: The Personal Pledge

Write a brief "Pledge of Allegiance" to yourself for 2026. This isn't a to-do list; it's a declaration of who you intend to be.

Self-Love Tip (Passion): This can be short:

"I pledge to honor my boundaries."

"I pledge to show up for my creative work before all else."

"I pledge to choose compassion over self-criticism."

The Result: This declaration creates a powerful inner compass. When decisions get tough, your allegiance to your principles guides your Passion.

3. Focused Enjoyment: Maximizing Pleasure

The power of a short film is its intense focus on a brief, potent experience. Your Pleasure should also be focused and potent, rather than diluted by multitasking or distraction.

🔑 The Action: The Potent Pause

Schedule a three-minute, zero-distraction self-care pause today.

Self-Love Tip (Pleasure): During this time, you must only engage in one single, restorative activity—a sip of water, a stretch, or closing your eyes. No phone, no music, no planning.

The Goal: By focusing your Pleasure into a potent, short burst, you maximize its restorative power, proving that self-care doesn't require a lot of time, just dedicated presence.

This December 28th, embrace the power of brevity. Edit your life, declare your guiding principles, and focus your energy on the potent, meaningful story you want to create in 2026.

What is the one commitment (your "Pledge") you will make to yourself for the new year?