How are you ICING your summer?

As I’ve written about before, time design is a critical skill for executives and leaders. In my last note, I encouraged readers to try designing their time during the summer. It’s a great time to practice building skills and learn what works for you.

A big part of how we design our time is connected to our mindset and therefore how we approach our time. The most success I see with executives, leaders, and teams is when they change the way they think about their time and therefore their relationship with time.

Here are a few guiding principles to consider, if you want to start transforming your relationship with time.

They conveniently spell out a fun theme: I-C-I-N-G:

The ICING framework

I: Imagine your calendar as something that you can craft and curate (even if there are only small pieces of white space).

C: Choose to move away from the language of “busy.” "Busy" is a loaded, overused term that often implies a lack of agency or free will. Instead, consider words like: bustling, fast-paced, immersed, committed, engaged, dedicated and invested.

I: Identify a spot to collect your insights; whether in a journal, a Google doc or a PowerPoint or something else that works for you.

N: Notice (without judgement) how you think about time, is it positive, negative or neutral? Is there a narrative you are telling yourself, such as “I’m terrible with time”, “I waste so much time” or “I never have enough time”?

G: Get curious about the insights your schedule can offer you by asking: what works well and what does not? Capture the insights for your future calendar design times.

I'm curious to hear what ICING you're going to put on your summer.

Until next time,
Maya