Hey there!
Vince here, coming to you fresh off a holiday season filled with family, fun, and a little too much food (but hey, that’s what New Year’s resolutions are for, right?).
It’s been a pretty eventful start to the New Year already, hasn’t it?
Especially here in Canada…
Looks like the inevitable finally happened, and it appears Canadians will be heading to the polls in 2025.
That is… unless we become the 51st state of the United States before that happens… smh!
Wild what’s happening, isn’t it? Comical and scary, both at the same time.
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to avoid getting caught up in the drama of this kind of garbage…
But boy am I ever getting tested right out of the gates!
Enough about that… this will be going on for quite some time, so let’s save politics for another day.
Instead, in the spirit of the new year and resolutions, I thought I would write about a task I challenged myself to complete in between Christmas and New Year’s.
In between all the holiday festivities, I carved out time for a powerful exercise that I believe will make 2025 my best year yet: The Annual Calendar Audit.
I first picked up this idea from leadership legend John C. Maxwell, and let me tell you, I can see that it’s going to be a total game-changer.
The concept is simple but profound: Review your previous year’s calendar, week by week, and categorize each activity as “Worth It,” “Not Worth It,” or “Self-Care & Fun.”
Easy peasy, right? Not so fast.
When I did this audit, I had some serious “aha” moments. I realized I was spending way too much time on things that weren’t moving the needle in my business or life. Cue the facepalm.
But on a positive note, I also saw opportunities to double down on the activities that really made a difference (hello, 80/20 rule) and to prioritize some much-needed self-care (because let’s be real, burnout is so last year).
Another simpler key takeaway was that I need to be active with my calendar, and also more conscious about how much time I allocate to a meeting/event etc.
In total, this exercise took me a good 4 hours to complete.
It was actually a very enjoyable 4 hours.
I got to the office early, poured myself big cup of coffee, closed my door, shut off my phone, and put on some relaxing music.
Since it was the period between Christmas and New Year’s, it was a lot easier to get 4 hours of uninterrupted time, to pull this off.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Vince, I’m too busy to add another thing to my plate!”
But here’s the thing: this exercise isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most. It’s about being intentional with your time and energy, so you can show up as your best self in all areas of your life.
It’s still early, but since implementing the insights from my audit, I’ve already seen a noticeable uptick in my productivity, and my overall sense of fulfillment at the end of a day.
So, want to try this transformative exercise for yourself? Here’s a quick-and-dirty guide:
- Grab your calendar and a notebook.
- Block off 2-4 hours of uninterrupted time.
- Go through your calendar week by week, categorizing each activity.
- Identify patterns and apply the 80/20 rule.
- Create your ideal calendar for the year ahead.
- Reflect and adjust regularly.
Trust me, this process is a game-changer. It’s not about cramming more into your schedule; it’s about being intentional with your time and energy. Because at the end of the day, how we spend our time is how we spend our lives. Mic drop.
So, my friend, are you ready to make 2025 a year for the books? Then try doing the Annual Calendar Audit.
And if you need a little extra motivation, just remember: Every “no” to a time-waster is a “yes” to something that truly matters.
And of course, if you need any support navigating the wild world of mortgages, you know where to find me. My team and I are always here to help you crush your financial goals.
Let’s make this year one for the highlight reel!
To your success,
Vince
P.S. I scheduled time in my calendar to allow myself to catch up on the politics of the day. I’m almost certain that when I do my Annual Calendar Audit next year, I will categorize this as a “Not Worth It”, but what can I say… it’s one of my guilty pleasures.
