UPDATED MARCH 1, 2022
I created this page to help me allocate the right amount of time and energy to what I need and want to do. I will update this page regularly as I fine-tune its mandate. I’m striving for better harmony in my life and taking on too much puts the focus I need to work on the above in jeopardy.
I’m also focused on deep work (as described by my friend Cal Newport) going forward, which lines up well with my personal productivity philosophy. I’ll be writing more about this in my weekly ATTN: email. (You can also check out some of my writing over at Medium.)
MY DAILY THEMES
Here are my Daily Themes. Every day has one so that it triggers my overarching focus for that particular day of the week. My Daily Themes are defined as follows (with my week starting on Sunday), with dates established for those themes in parentheses:
- SUNDAY: Planning/Family Day (April 2020)
- MONDAY: Maintenance Day (May 2021)
- TUESDAY: Training Day (May 2021)
- WEDNESDAY: Media Day (September 2021)
- THURSDAY: Triage Day (January 2022)
- FRIDAY: THEMELESS (December 2021)
- SATURDAY: Family/Planning Day (April 2020)
(Note: Giving a day a theme doesn’t mean I only do things related to that theme on that day, but those activities/types of work receive my overarching focus.)
MY MONTHLY THEME
My Monthly Themes act in the same manner as my Daily Themes. Some months I’ll have what I call a “hybrid” Monthly Theme, named as such because the theme will apply to both my personal and professional life.
This month is an example of a hybrid themed month. I’m giving my overarching focus — both personally and professionally— to Relationships. I’m spending a good chunk of March away from home with family and friends. Since that was mapped out a while ago, I decided that the rest of the month should focus on fostering relationships that are both personal and professional. Case in point: I texted someone I hadn’t in ages today and will be devoting a lot more of my time, energy, and attention to the Circle community in TimeCrafting Trust. I am really looking forward to what connections (and reconnections) I’ll have this month. If it goes the way I believe and intend, this month might be the month that i focus on relationships every calendar year going forward.
MY ANNUAL AXIOM FOR 2022
After using Chris Brogan’s “3 Words” approach to the new year for the past several years, I’m shifting to something I’ve developed for TimeCrafting: The Annual Axiom.
Essentially, it’s a phrase or mantra that represents my aim in all facets of my life for the next twelve months. I liken to what sports teams use in their locker rooms every season to help them strive to be the best they can be, game in and game out.
My Annual Axiom for the next twelve months is an initialism for the following phrase: Whatever it takes, no matter what. (I’ve shortened it to WIT NMW.) The concept behind it is that whatever I commit to doing, I’ll approach it with a “whatever it takes, no matter what” mentality.
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
I have episodes booked through to September 2022 for A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy and I will not be conducting further interviews for the show until April 2022. If you are looking to be on the podcast, please know that even if you are interviewed in the first half of 2022 that your episode won’t likely air until laterin the calendar year.
OTHER POINTS OF NOTE
I am not currently reviewing any products (apps, books, etc.) other than those I’ve already committed to reviewing.
SPEAKING
I am always willing to look at in-person and virtual speaking engagements – both keynote talks and workshops. Check out my speaking page to learn more.
This page was inspired by Derek Sivers.