Holiday Survival Systems - Your December Non-Negotiables Checklist

Your December Non-Negotiables Framework

Here's what a non-negotiable actually is: it's a behaviour that reinforces who you are at your core.

This is your competitive advantage. When everyone else is operating from a place of "I should" or "I have to," you're operating from "this is who I am." That's the difference between grinding through December and moving through it with purpose.

Your task: identify three non-negotiables for December. Not five. Not "as many as possible." Three.

These should be the behaviours that, when you maintain them, allow you to walk into January knowing you stayed true to yourself and built momentum regardless of what unfolded around you.

For some of you, it's training 4 days per week, minimum, because that's when you perform at your best. For others, it's hitting your protein target daily because you know that foundation supports everything else. For others, it's about maintaining your morning routine because that's your launchpad for peak performance.

The Three-Question Filter

Before you commit to something as non-negotiable, run it through this filter:

1. Evidence question: What data do I have that this behaviour is essential to how I show up at my best? Look at your actual track record, not what sounds good on paper.

2. Identity question: Does this behaviour reinforce who I'm committed to being? Be specific here. Some things feel important but aren't actually core to your identity.

3. Execution question: Can I maintain this behaviour even on a high-complexity December day? If yes, it's truly non-negotiable. If no, it might be important, but it's not your foundation.

Strategic Sequencing, Not Settling

Here's what makes this powerful: by choosing three non-negotiables, you're not lowering your standards. You're being strategic about sequencing.

You're not abandoning your other goals. You're acknowledging that personal excellence means knowing when to focus on depth versus breadth. You're building from a position of strength, which means you'll actually be set up to pursue everything else more effectively in January.

This is what raising the bar looks like. Not trying to do everything at 80% simultaneously. Doing the most important things at 100% so you have a foundation to build from.

Your Next Step

Pick three. Write them down. Put them somewhere visible. And use them as your filter for every decision this month.

Everything else isn't being abandoned. It's being sequenced strategically.

When you're clear on your non-negotiables, you're not surviving December. You're using it to reinforce exactly who you are.

Ready to get clear on what actually matters? Reply to this email with your current December priorities, and I'll help you identify your true non-negotiables.

Stay Strong,

Paul Oneid, MS. MS. CSCS

Founder and Head Coach