The Glitter, The Pressure - and the Pitch

It is December 12th.

Take a look around. The malls are packed, the shipping deadlines are looming, and if you are anything like me, your mental load is at maximum capacity.

We are less than two weeks away from Christmas. The pressure to create the "perfect" holiday—the food, the gifts, the memories—is at an all-time high. But have you noticed what else is happening right alongside the toy commercials and the festive recipes?

The "New Year, New You" machine is waking up.

Just as we are drowning in wrapping paper, the algorithms are shifting. Suddenly, your feed isn't just about stocking stuffers; it's about fixing yourself.

• The Health Pitch: "Shed the holiday weight in 30 days!" (Because apparently, enjoying Christmas dinner is a crime we need to atone for).

• The Wealth Pitch: "Fire your boss and make six figures by March!" (Because your steady job is suddenly painted as a failure).

• The Career Pitch: "Unlock your true potential with this exclusive certification!"

It is loud. It is shiny. And frankly, it is incredibly seductive.

When we are tired, stressed, and looking for a light at the end of the tunnel, we become vulnerable. We look at our bank accounts after Christmas shopping, or we look in the mirror after a month of holiday parties, and we feel a little "less than."

That creates a gap. And unfortunately, there is an entire industry waiting to fill that gap with expensive promises.

The AI Illusion

Here is the gentle reality check we need to have: It has never been easier to fake expertise.

In the past, writing a comprehensive course or a persuasive sales page took years of knowledge. Today? It takes about 20 minutes and a good prompt into an AI engine.

We are seeing a flood of "mentors" and "gurus" who sound incredible. Their websites are polished, their emails are empathetic, and their promises hit every single pain point you have.

But you have to ask yourself: Is this marketing copy, or is this mentorship?

With AI, anyone can sound like a seasoned expert. They can give you the textbook definition of how to build a business or lose weight. But AI cannot replicate the "battle scars." It cannot replicate the wisdom that comes from failing, getting back up, and navigating the messy, human reality of life.

The FOMO Trap

So, how do they get us? If we paused to think, we might realize the person promising us the moon has only been in business for six months.

That is why they don't let you pause. They use False Urgency.

You know the tactics. They are designed to bypass your logical brain and hit your emotional panic button:

• "Only 3 spots left at this price!"

• "Doors close at midnight forever!"

• "If you don't sign up now, you aren't committed to your future."

That last one is the most manipulative of all. They weaponize your own desire for growth against you. They make you feel like hesitation is weakness.

Reclaiming Your Intuition

Here is the truth: Hesitation is not weakness. Hesitation is data.

That little voice in your gut? The one saying, "Wait, can I actually afford this?" or "Does this person actually know what they're talking about?" or "Why does this feel icky?"

That is your intuition. That is your built-in protection system.

In the noise of the holidays and the panic of the New Year, we tend to silence that voice. We hand our agency over to the person with the loudest megaphone because we want to be told what to do.

But true self-advocacy means trusting yourself more than the sales page.

If a mentor is pressuring you to make a life-altering financial decision in 24 hours without letting you sleep on it? That is a red flag.

If the promise sounds too good to be true—"lose 20 pounds without diet" or "make $10k without work"—it is because it is.

The Permission to Pause

I am not saying "don't get help." I am a huge believer in mentorship. I believe we all need guides, especially when we are tackling big goals like our health or our businesses.

I am simply saying: Pause.

Real mentorship is built on relationships, not pressure. A true expert wants you to join them because you are ready, not because you were panicked.

So, here is my challenge to you for the rest of December:

Put the credit card away. Enjoy your holidays. Hug your family. Eat the cookies without guilt.

Let the "New Year Hype" wash over you without knocking you down.

We will talk about how to find the right kind of help—the kind with integrity, grit, and real-world experience—in January.

For now, give yourself the gift of discernment.