Explore effective strategies for managing your busy calendar during the holiday rush. Discover a four-step framework that helps you cut unnecessary commitments and prioritize what truly matters. Learn the benefits of deferring non-urgent tasks to the new year and how batching similar activities can enhance your productivity. Don’t forget to protect your self-care with essentials like sleep and exercise to stay energized and healthy this season.
Eliminating unnecessary meetings during the holiday season allows for a more focused schedule and enhances overall productivity.
Deferring non-urgent tasks to the new year significantly alleviates stress and frees up time for essential priorities and self-care.
Deep dives
Cut the Inessential
To simplify personal calendars during the busy holiday season, it is crucial to eliminate non-essential commitments that can be removed or postponed. Evaluating recurring meetings and questioning their necessity at this time of year can lead to significant time savings. For example, a professional might discover that some weekly team meetings can be reduced to bi-weekly or removed from the schedule altogether. Being ruthless in this assessment allows individuals to reclaim time for more pressing tasks or personal rejuvenation.
Defer When Possible
Not every task or meeting has to take place immediately, so deferring less urgent items to the new year can alleviate stress during the hectic holiday season. Many calendar entries are not time-sensitive, and asking to postpone them often results in relief on both ends. For instance, project-based meetings or vendor check-ins that aren’t critical can be pushed to January, allowing for a more manageable schedule in December. This practice not only reduces pressure but also opens up valuable time for essential activities.
Batching for Efficiency
Grouping similar tasks together, or batching, enhances productivity by maintaining focus and reducing time wasted on transitioning between different types of activities. Using tools like the Ideal Week planner can aid in organizing these batching sessions effectively. For example, dedicating specific days to certain types of meetings or tasks, such as a no-meeting day for deep work, ensures that there’s ample time devoted to achieving specific goals without interruption. This strategy not only streamlines workflow but also fosters a more efficient use of time throughout the week.
The holiday season is here, and with it comes packed schedules and mounting demands. In this solo episode, host Marissa Hyatt shares her four-step framework for performing a calendar triage that clears your schedule, reduces stress, and makes space for what matters most.
Key Takeaways
Cut the Inessential: Say goodbye to unnecessary meetings and obligations.
Defer When Possible: Push non-urgent tasks into the new year.
Batching is Your Friend: Group similar tasks together for peak productivity.
Protect Self-Care: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and downtime to stay healthy and energized.