There is something special about September. In the USA it represents back to school energy and the media and magazines share themes like ‘new you, new me’ and fresh start — it’s a change of seasons.
To me, and the CEOs of luxury and legacy brands that I work with, it represents a sense of urgency on how to finish the year strong.
These organizations want to be exceptional, so they are hyper focused for the 100-day sprint until the end of the year to make the numbers work, set up budgets for the next year, and finalize employee engagement surveys and performance reviews. In the last quarter we are reminded of everything we want to achieve before the end of the year and that the time to accomplish it is now! It can be very overwhelming, and we often start cutting the attention from ourselves and our well-being in pursuit of those goals.
If you know me well, you know I love creating systems. And I love to elevate systems.
Systems create freedom. Systems allow my brain more space to think about more important things. If you are staring down the next 100 days and wondering how you can be more effective and efficient — without loosing your own well-being along the way. Why not try a few systems that I use with my coaching clients that you too might consider to finish your year strong?
Schedule recovery
Let’s start with this one. We spend way too much time in meetings, Zoom calls, team calls for everyone else, and we sometimes forget to schedule ourselves. I recently spent two days visiting with my crazy talented and smarty pants friend Tamsen. We played in her gorgeous city of Boston, celebrated her latest book, Say What they Can’t Unhear, and I stayed in the gorgeous Langham Hotel Boston and was totally spoiled (a highlight was afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Boston — truly one of the best I have ever experienced!).
Over both days we walked and walked and walked and I wasn’t on my phone or laptop or social media and I honestly don’t remember the last time I did that — it was glorious. I came out of the weekend feeling refreshed and focused. Sometimes we need to slow down to be able to speed up and finish this year with the focus and attention it needs.
In the latest issue of Real Simple they call this a “Ferris Bueller day off” — that appealed to me (and no Ferraris were harmed in the marking of my day off!). According to Angela Theisen, a therapist with the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, even a single day off can reduce burnout, increase feelings of gratitude and positively and prevent a mental health crisis — that had my attention.
So, get like Ferris and plan your next day off — or even your next vacation (and reach out to your favorite Virtuoso Luxury Travel advisor to help plan it!).
Find more time
We all get 1,440 minutes in a day — how are you choosing to spend yours? Perhaps start small by focusing on how you can best spend 15 minutes. Our 15-minute system encourages clients to view time differently by focusing on 15-minute increments to achieve your goals. It may feel like no time at all, but think of how each 15 minute chunk of time can help you move forward. Perhaps you take a walk in nature, cross a few things off your list, sit down to enjoy your lunch (just not at your desk because that sends a signal to the world that you are out of control and you can’t even afford a few minutes to eat!). You can’t do it all, all the time — but the act of doing something for 15 minutes will show you how much more productive you can be.
Set things free
Have you ever found yourself distracted by wanting to organize or rearrange instead of focusing on the things you need to do on your task list? You’re not alone, so let’s make the best use of that time. This time of year is a great opportunity to donate those clothes you don’t wear to others who could use them, clear out the fridge of items that are expired, or you don’t enjoy, and set free that book you started but just aren’t enjoying. It’s really easy for me to give away a book that doesn’t grab me (there was a time I used to feel guilty for that and push through, nope, not anymore). Start a corporate library and donate your books for the team to enjoy. Once the things you’re not using are set free, you can focus on putting that distracting energy back where it belongs — accomplishing your goals.
Schedule dates
With friends, loved ones, your kids — put these important dates on the calendar. Make the effort. I know how hard it can be to fit in dinners, or even happy hours. Don’t cancel because you are just too tired, (I have been guilty of that) we all get tired. Invest in your friendships. My bestie, Michael demonstrates this by always connecting with people when he travels and making the most of those moments. Sometimes I would retreat to my hotel and try to catch up on projects, but he inspires me to connect while traveling. Spending time with people you care about helps refresh your perspective.
Fuel your body, fuel your mind
You need to be your best in the sprint to the finish line, and that starts with taking care of yourself. Increase your protein at breakfast. JJ of JMethod is always insisting I up my protein daily so I start the day with the energy my body and my brain need — trust me on this one!
And if you want to feel ready to go in the morning you need to set yourself up for great sleeping conditions at night. Get the right lighting (no phone for at least 30 minutes before bed — I find this the hardest!), and start a bedtime routine. Invest in that skincare plan. Read a book. Allocating the time to wind down for the day works wonders to make sure you’re making the most of the recovery time you need at night. Listen to something fun — that can be your favorite music (I listen to Riopy when trying to focus, he designs music specifically for this reason), or podcasts that are educational or inspirational. Buy tickets to a concert or a show you have always wanted to see — something that makes you smile and your heart full.
Learn phrases to say “no” nicely
There’s no way around it, sometimes you have to cut and prioritize when you’re allocating your time, and that means saying “no.” You have heard me say a gazillion times, “No is a complete sentence.” Say no to things that you are unable to support right now in this last quarter. You might say “I am at capacity right now.” — that’s my favorite. When people ask me how I am doing you might hear me say “life is very full right now.” I will never say “I am busy.” or “Too busy.” I hate those phrases because if someone says they are “too busy” what they are really saying is “I am too busy for you.” and no one wants to be on the receiving end of that. You might say “I have another commitment.” instead of saying yes — the commitment might be with your pillow, they don’t know! There is also value for you in framing life as a positive “full” and not negative “busy.” When life is full, you’re making the most of every moment!
Be grateful
For several years I’ve taken to writing in a gratitude journal for the first few minutes after I wake up and I find it really helpful to set up the day this way. Another helpful way to show gratitude is handwritten thank you notes. I love to write them. I love to get them. They symbolize care and concern. It means someone took the time to hand-write a note, find your address, put a stamp on it and post it — all that trouble when they could have easily sent a two word text or email. There is something old fashioned and lovely about thank you cards. The University of Pennsylvaia shared that when people wrote and personally delivered thank you notes, they immediately reported an increase in happiness — and it lasted a month! Think of how happy you can make people feel for the rest of the year by only writing three thank you notes!
In your last 100 day sprint to the end of 2024 what would help you feel like you can finish strong and be proud of an exceptional 2024?
