The Best Strategy For Getting Things Done
I’m always reading, researching, and looking for ways to be more efficient and productive. Over the years, I have come across so many different theories about the absolute best way to get more done.
Morning Routines
Batching
4 Hour Workdays
Cycle Syncing
4 Day Workweeks, etc., etc.
Different things work for different people because we all have varying life circumstances. Kids, jobs, family obligations, personality types, mental and physical health, financial resources, geographical restraints… they all play a big role in what will work best for us as individuals.
Generally, the conclusion I have come to is that the best strategy is the one that works for YOU.
For example- there is no best way to plan. Some people need the good old visceral experience of putting pen to paper to order their days and calm their minds.
Others need a digital calendar that suits their on-the-go lifestyle.
Still others, like me, need some combination of both.
And some people resent plans with every fiber of their being; these folks live better lives without planning at all.
In my coaching and education work, I’ve always recommended that people try a lot of different systems and strategies until they find one that works.
Then get consistent with it- and stick to that method.
A New Condition
Interestingly, as I grow and evolve, I’ve started to realize that there is a key element to this whole process that I missed for all these years.
It’s not just “Do what works best for you.”
Rather, it must be “Do what works best for you in this season.”
Permitting yourself to flex with the ebb and flow of life is essential, especially in busy or chaotic periods.
As a perfectionist, it’s easy for me to fall into the trap of “I need to do it X way for it to be right.”
But that’s simply not how life works. And I write this today to lovingly remind you that there isn’t a right way to move through this upcoming holiday season.
There’s only the right way for right now.
A Different Approach
If you’ve been following my writing for the past month or so, you know that I started this season feeling behind before I even started.
Anxiety about the holidays started creeping in early in October and I knew that I was going to have to try to do something different this year if I was to have any hope of savoring the season.
My usual method is to plan, plan, plan. I write lists and schedule days to accomplish tasks. I try to get as much done as I can early in the season and I block off entire days to dedicate to tasks like cookie baking, home decorating, etc.
Both the planning and the execution of these days have been enjoyable for me in the past. But this year, for whatever reason, I just don’t have it in me.
So I’m taking a different approach. I’m admitting that what has worked for me in the past doesn’t feel like it fits this year and I’m going to permit myself to let things be different.
What I’m Doing Instead
I’m guessing you’ve heard this old joke.
(Well, maybe it’s not a joke. Is it a colloquialism? A saying? Not sure what to call it now that I think about it…)
Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time.
I think about this a lot, and I remind my kids of it often. But I’m really leaning into it right now. Because slow and steady feels right.
When it comes to my holiday workload (both mental and physical), I am chipping away at things day by day, one bite at a time.
Here’s What This Looks Like For Me In Practice:
Christmas Decorating
Old Way: Decorate the whole house from top to bottom the day after Thanksgiving.
New Way: I started in early November doing one small (1 Hour or Less) task every few days.
So far I have:
Put Away Fall/Halloween Decor (1 hour)
Cleaned off Porch (20 minutes)
Put Up Kids’ Trees (15 minutes)
Brought Up Faux Trees (No decorations - 30 minutes)
Unpacked Holiday Shelf Decor (1 Hour)
Styled Shelves (30 minutes)
Styled Mantle (30 minutes)
Not quite done conquering the list, but doing one thing at a time as it feels good to do so has felt very manageable to me. All of the tasks that I normally reserve for Black Friday are done. It’s not hanging over my head anymore. And now I can use that day to relax or get even further ahead when that day rolls around.
Simplification: Additionally, I have eliminated decorating an entire level of our house this year (the basement) because no one went down there last year and I determined it wasn’t worth my time. I left it to my kids to decorate their rooms to their liking, but I’m not messing with it. Sometimes it’s not just about how can you simplify- it’s what can you eliminate.
Gift Giving
Old Way: Marathon shopping days with pressure to cross everyone off the list.
New Way: Buying things here and there and throwing them into a corner in my office closet until a TBD wrapping session.
Simplification: We’re focusing on selecting a few “big-ticket” gifts and less trinkety stuff for the kids. Less to buy, less to wrap. Less to manage, clean-up and maintain in the coming year.
Meal Planning
Old Way: Planning a December menu a whole month out in advance.
New Way: Taking it one week at a time (or even one day at a time).
Simplification: Allowing leftovers to be an acceptable dinner option and not trying to win any chef-of-the-year awards. Tacos. Spaghetti. Soup. Steak. Chicken of some sort. Pizza night. Repeat.
Daily Routine
Old Way: Stick to it. This is the time when people slide! Don’t break your habits!
New Way: Do what must be done, one day at a time. Looking at the whole filled-in calendar is feeling overwhelming to me. So just look at today (a week at most). I’m listen to your body that’s telling me it needs rest and avoiding overscheduling my days.
Simplification: This time of year, more than ever, I have to stick to the mantra, “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.” This might mean feeling some guilt at RSVPing no to a party so that I can stay home and watch the Santa Claus in my pajamas. It might mean disappointing a family member who wants me to attend an event that drains me. But they’ll get over it. The world will not come to an end, no matter how much my people-pleasing inner critic tries to tell you otherwise. Same goes for you.
The Takeaway
If you walk away with one understanding from this post, I hope it’s this:
You have permission to approach this holiday season in the way that works best for you.
It may look similar to years past (but it’s also ok if it doesn’t). You can do exactly the same things you’ve always done - in a different way. Or, you can choose to scale back in the areas that aren’t giving you life.
Whatever is right for you in this season is what’s right.
Proceed accordingly.
xoxo
