Condense

WORK

Take a look at your business or work life and try to imagine where you could be more efficient and productive. Though we know it’s unnecessary to achieve superhero–scale results, we can always find ways to become better at what we do. At the end of the day, though, it’s not about doing more; we all have the same amount of hours provided to us, and these are, after all, finite.

The improvement we need, then, is of a different kind. Sometimes it’s coming up with a schedule where you can complete multiple projects in a row, capitalizing on their similarities. Or it’s picking certain days of the week to isolate for work only, leaving full days for play. Maybe the improvement you need is scheduling a day of phone calls close together. You may even consider hiring a helper one day a week to get you through all the hard tasks at once.

The theme here: condensing your efforts. Condensing isn’t about cutting corners — it’s about setting aside a deeply concentrated work time that can have beautiful results. It could even lead to a deeper connection with your work that your clientele will notice.

While these concentrated blocks of work may require extra energy (remember: preparation will be required), the rest of your week may be lighter, freer and just a bit more fun.

LIFE

In my experience the end of February often turns into “crunch time.” Even though my mother’s birthday is in the first week of March, it always sneaks up on me. Always. (Sorry, Mom!)

I wouldn’t be surprised if you and some of your friends feel it, too: that “wait, March 1st is when?” feeling and the accompanying hustle to make things come together in time.

Here are some strategies that help me cope:

• I use a digital calendar that scrolls through the weeks rather than leaving gaps between months.
• I put an auto-reminder in my calendar on February 22nd (23rd on a leap year) that March is just a week away (wow, see? that seems mid-month, not at the end).
• I pay all of my bills further ahead (those March 1st due dates can come as quite a surprise!).
• I set little reminders to email the people I’m meeting the day before we meet to confirm.
• I get outside and clear my head for a bit. When time feels constricted, we need a little fresh air.

While there’s no need to fear time pressures, you do want to look back in mid-March and be glad you got through it without the madness taking over.

INSPIRATION

“It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.”

― Lou Holtz

TAKE ACTION

Out of several suggestions above, which one would help you the most? Try taking that step to not feel as hurried at the end of this month.

Originally published at Your Vibrant Journey: A Journal by Beneficial Studio.