Hey friends! Is it really already October?! This year just flew by in the blink of an eye, at least that’s what it felt like to me. It was probably one of the most challenging years of my life too. A lot of those challenges came with my fast-paced and busy work schedule. Being busy is great and I’m grateful to be able to work on projects I love, but I feel like I just really couldn’t enjoy life this year. In due time, I would love to share more about the line of work I do and what my company does, but it’s a lot to share on one post.
I then reflected on my weekly schedules, daily life, and priorities. I recently read this book which helped me a lot: 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse, where he reminds us that we only have 1,440 minutes in a day. To make the most of them, we need to discover our values, focus on our priorities, and factor in our changing habits.
One of the most valuable quotes that I recall from this book is, “We can never get time back again. Unlike money, it is irreplaceable. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.” Which is so true. So I’ve cut back on a lot of unnecessary meetings and tried making conference calls more effective by preparing the necessary questions beforehand, and only discussing the points that need to be covered. I’ve also had to decline dinner dates with friends and family to focus on the things that are either (a) going to make an impact on my life (b) lead to a positive result. I know that sounds a bit selfish, but time is precious and right now I value my time greatly. I have outsourced tasks that can be outsourced, and delegated some of my workload to employees who I know will do the job, if not better than what I could have done on my own.
The truth is, I suffer from a damaging habit, called micromanagement. It’s probably the worst personality trait to have as a business owner. And I feel like it’s the main reason why I’m constantly tired, stressed, anxious, and why my company isn’t growing as fast as I would like it to. The topic of micromanagement was actually one of the things I read about in the book by Kevin Kruse, and learning about the reasons behind it and how to overcome it has really helped me. I now feel a sense of freedom, which has helped a lot with my overall stress levels.
Managing stress and having a healthy, more efficient work schedule is something I’m currently practicing, so once I establish a good work-flow and succeed in my newly organized life, I will share my practices in a future post.
Before summer is officially over and I prepare for the changes that come with Fall, I’d like to also remember the happier moments of this past season, starting with a tribute to my all-time favorite summer outfit, which brings back many wonderful memories. I wore this pretty ensemble on two joyous occasions – once at a bridal shower and another at a summer party. I had so much fun and received plenty of compliments on both events!
This dress has been my go-to summer item this year, made by Alice McCall. Her meticulous attention to detail, playful sensibility, and keen eye for fabrication are what make her one of my favorite Australian designers. I paired the dress with an adorable white basket bag by an upcoming designer in LA, called Donatienne. I love how it perfectly complements the delicate floral appliqués on the dress.
It’s flowy, lightweight, and just perfect to wear to any summer event. That’s what I love most about Alice McCall’s pieces: they are always unique and make you feel great.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a positive and productive day!
