Ask an Expert: How to Take Back Your Time and Get More Out of Your Days Without Running Yourself Ragged
Nix those low-value tasks from your to-do list.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
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Start believing that you actually deserve to be happy, regardless of whether or not everything on your to-do list gets done.”
—Whitney A. White, Creator of Take Back Your Time
We've all been known to “rise and grind,” but as we’ve had to learn the hard way, activity is not the same thing as productivity—it's time to bid adieu to the "I'm so busy" mantra. More often than not, attempting to tackle a never-ending to-do list just leads to feeling stressed, burnt out, and, ultimately, unfulfilled.
In this installment of our Ask an Expert series, we asked Whitney A. White, the creator of Take Back Your Time, to share her expert time management tips. Ahead, she breaks down four critical mistakes that are holding you back from living the life that you want and the actionable steps you can take to break these bad habits and get more out of your days.
Scroll on for her tried-and-true tips for maximizing your time, honing your focus, and avoiding burnout. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
Mistake #1: Taking pride in being busy.
“Stop thinking that working like crazy and being exhausted is some kind of badge of honor.”
“When you’re on the verge of burnout, you’re less efficient, less effective, and way more prone to mistakes. You are juggling so many different balls that, at any moment, they could all come crashing down.”
“If you keep doing this, you’ll be trapped in the anxious feeling that everything could fall apart at any moment.”
Step #1: Prioritize outcome over activity.
“Focus on outcomes over activity. When you get off that hamster wheel and focus on outcomes, you can stop being busy and getting the most important things done.”
“Prioritize achieving the goals that really matter and taking pride in accomplishing what you truly want to do.”
Mistake #2: Trying to tackle to never-ending to-do lists.
“Stop feeling like you need to do every single thing that ends up on your to-do list.”
“We all intuitively know that some things are more important than others, but when we’re trapped in the realm of the never-ending to-do list, getting anything done feels like an accomplishment.”
Step #2: Nix low-value tasks.
“Not everything on your to-do list absolutely has to get done. You want to be investing your precious time in the tasks that are truly most important in your life.”
“This will give you the brain space to focus on high priorities that really matter. You will start to feel empowered. Remember, you have a choice in what you do with your time.”
Mistake #3: Thinking only you can.
“Get over feeling like no one else can do as good of a job as you can.”
“Because you think no one else can do as good of a job as you can, you’re afraid to let go. You end up convincing yourself that you have to do everything yourself.”
“By making this mistake, you walk around with the weight of so many responsibilities on your shoulders.”
Step #3: Delegate, delegate, delegate.
“You are not the only competent person on the planet.”
“When you delegate, you can reap the benefits of applying laser-like focus to the tasks that truly matter to you.”
“True focus feels like you are operating at your peak level and you know that nothing can get in your way.”
Mistake #4: Sacrificing what you can’t get back
“Stop believing that you have to sacrifice your health, wellness, and happiness in the present in order to get where you want to go in the future.”
“When we over-index in one aspect of our lives and neglect the others, we end up feeling unfulfilled because there are parts of ourselves that we’re not letting flourish.”
Step #4: Give yourself permission to prioritize your own happiness.
“Start believing that you actually deserve to be happy, regardless of whether or not everything on your to-do list gets done.”
“Enjoy your life today in the here and now. Invest your time in the ways that you really want to—you don’t want to be grinding all the time just to feel unfulfilled.”
“That feeling of freedom and personal fulfillment is truly priceless.”
About the Expert: Whitney A. White is the founder of Afara Global, an organization that helps startups, corporate innovation teams, and nonprofits launch and scale new products and services. She is also the creator of Take Back Your Time, a transformational coaching program designed to help business leaders get on a clear path to achieving the goals that matter to them most. Follow her on Instagram.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
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How Your Own Language Can Make or Break 2019
Your language is as on purpose as your success.
Language is powerful. As we enter 2019, would you believe that the outcome of your year may ultimately reflect the words you use to describe your experiences throughout it? As many people set goals and become more mindful of their habits, there’s no better time to make a conscious effort to become more aware of your language.
Words were my first love. Now, as a communications professional, they are the foundation of my professional living. As I’ve spent time around other entrepreneurs and successful business people, I’ve become aware of a common thread among them: their language is as on purpose as their success.
Consider making these three changes to begin experiencing the benefits of an immediate, more positive perspective and, ultimately, a more successful life.
“Have to” versus “get to”
How often do you hear colleagues talk about how they have to complete a project by a certain deadline or they have to get to work early for a big meeting? While the reality of those circumstances may be true, their characterization is disempowering.
Instead, imagine if your colleague said that they get to do those things. This phrasing reframes the commitments as opportunities instead of chores. Beyond changing the way other people experience the description of your obligations, it also reinforces a more positive perspective about your own commitments. The effect of this change is that you become more grateful for the plans you have, making them more enjoyable, instead of feeling burdened by tasks.
“Should” versus “will” versus “excited to”
The word “should” implies that the action is unlikely to happen and lacks urgency and significance. “I should start writing that book,” or “I should ask for a promotion” begins to sound like you’re giving yourself a pass to forego the leap between action and outcome. Changing “should” to “will” immediately conveys commitment and a stronger belief in yourself and from others that you’ll follow through.
Want to take it step further? Add a word that describes how you want the action to make you feel, and you’ll set yourself up to experience it that way. “I’m excited to have this conversation with my boss,” or “I’m grateful to have been chosen for this assignment.” Immediately, you’re in a position to feel the way you’ve described.
“Challenge” versus “opportunity”
What if the situations that most challenge you are actually opportunities for betterment? A business owner may be challenged when an employee leaves to pursue a new opportunity, and the inclination may be to simmer in frustration or feel daunted by the process of filling the role.
But what if this change is an opportunity to bring on someone with fresh ideas who’s even better equipped to support your work and grow your business? If you believe that’s the case, you’re more likely to focus on and find the person that meets those expectations. By changing the language you use, you can adjust your vantage point on a challenging situation and gain more control over the outcome.
This year, challenge yourself to make an intentional choice to find opportunities for growth and positive momentum that can result from encountering difficult situations. Making these changes may not come naturally at first and will take practice. Like any goal, the key is to stick with it.
After all, the outcome may depend on it.
Julia Bonner is the founder and president of Pierce Public Relations, a national public relations agency that helps individuals and brands accomplish their business goals through strategic PR programs. She frequently writes about communication, leadership and personal branding and has been published in outlets such as Fast Company, The Muse and The Nashville Business Journal.
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Why You Need a Mid-Year Check In
Don’t be stressed AF.
We see you, working on that self-improvement. It’s not only for New Year’s resolutions. It’s a process and it takes time. So if it’s time for a mid-year check-in-- you know, the spring cleaning of the body and the mind, we have some good news.
We’ve got the boost you need. Supermodel Elle Macpherson developed the Welleco superfood and protein powders with her partner, nutritionist Dr Simone Laubscher.
Not surprisingly there has been growing popularity around the Welleco Super Elixir and the Welleco Nourishing Protein, the brand’s hero products. In part, because the benefits are numerous. But also because combining the two products can boost your metabolism and kick-start healthy living. Which, is exactly what every busy working woman needs.
A little about both products: The Welleco Super Elixir is an alkalizing green mixture with four different probiotics that focuses on a healthy gut. It’s made using cold-pressed bio live ingredients and has a whopping other 45 key ingredients, such as kelp, pomegranate, turmeric, that help restore your body’s pH levels.
The Welleco Nourishing Protein is an organic protein powder made with sprouted brown rice, pea protein, and Peruvian cacao. It's vegan but contains all nine essential amino acids like those found in red meat, eggs, chicken, and fish.
Everything is backed by science, and driven by nature.
11 Benefits of this Super Elixir
1. Reduce Stress
Who doesn’t want that? All of us. There are so many reason you should reduce your stress, but we’re going to focus on one. Stress levels increase cortisol levels. And if you have high cortisol, you have some stress reduction to do. Unfortunately, cortisol levels are highest in the AM, right around the time you have your 8:00AM coffee. And coffee happens to contribute to high levels of cortisol. Replacing your morning coffee with a Super Elixir shake will not only release your stress, but it also might keep you from reaching for the coffee pot.
2. Fight Off Fatigue
Is that a yawn we see? We know we just told you about cortisol and caffeine, but don’t fret yet. The Super Elixir can provide energy for your brain and body body. Plus, the 9 essential amino acids in the Nourishing Protein are essential for ramping-up endurance and energy.
3. Blast Bloat
The pre and probiotic boost in both the Super Elixir and the Nourishing Protein help keep your intestinal tract healthy, which in turn keeps that belly from bloating.
4. Help Sort Skin Issues
Many Super Elixir drinkers have reported that their skin has improved after a week+ of incorporating the Super Elixir into their routine. The truth is stress affects your skin and your collagen production. So, in reducing your stress, you’re also improving your skin. Glow on girl. Plus, the nourishing protein has skin-boosting nutrients, vitamin C from Rosehip to boost collagen and acai and pomegranate for antioxidants.
5. Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is brought on by stress (stress increases cortisol which increases inflammation), environmental factors (smoke, pollution, sun), diet, lack of sleep (when you are not getting good sleep your body is fatigued, which puts pressure on your organs resulting in inflammation). The Super Elixir hits all of these pain points. Specifically, its turmeric ingredient is high in curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Balance the Body pH Level
Our bodies are pretty great at maintaining the pH of our blood. But outside factors like poor diet, alcohol, and pollution can affect the acid-blood balance of our blood. Keeping a good pH in the body is crucial to feeling good. And the Super Elixir has both whole food and superfood ingredients formulated to nourish our bodies at the cellular level. Its alkalizing proprietary green blend supports pH balance.
Speaking of feeling good…
7. General Feel-Goods
Between the digestive enzymes in the Nourishing Protein which help support metabolism when combined with diet and exercise. Plus it’s packed with pre and probiotics which help keep our guts balanced and plush with the right kind of friendly bacteria. And f your gut feels good, the rest of you follows.
8. Maintain Your Immune System
You don’t have time to get sick. When combined, the maitake and shiitake mushrooms in the Super Elixir help maintain your immune system. And when you’re shaking new hands and making deals happen all day, you want to stay healthy. Turmeric also has immune boosting properties and the ability to combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
9. Get Yourself a Brain Boost
The Omega 3s in the Super Elixir assist in cognitive function. So instead of hitting the coffee bar for your 3pm slump, try to eliminate the slump altogether.
10. It’s a Slump Buster!
Feeling groggy and in a slump? Dandelion Leaf is often used as a caffeine-free coffee option. Which means it can bump you right out of that slump. It also contains vitamins A, C, and K, plus a dose of calcium and potassium.
11. Digestion Aid
Psyllium husk is a non-soluble fibre that aids digestion. It is also responsible for helping lower cholesterol levels in the body and lowering glucose levels too. Moreover, it will keep ya regular. (Which reminds us about an important article we wrote on that very topic.)
ENTER TO WIN!
So now that you’ve read about the benefits, it’s time to try it yourself. And guess what? We are teaming up WelleCo so you can win 90 Days of WelleCo Super Elixir greens. Click here to enter to WIN.
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Beauty Game Musts this Festival Season
Six ways to look fresh and fierce.
Let’s be honest: do you love festival season for the music, or for the fabulous beauty looks? If you said both, you’re a Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails kind of girl. You know that the looks debuted in Palm Springs this month set the tone for summer beauty trends, and you know that taking care of your hair, skin and nails will create a healthy foundation from within for your latest creative look!
This past weekend, Nature’s Bounty joined us at the Create & Cultivate Desert Pop Up Event in Palm Springs, where we had a day full of fun, food, beauty and conversation, not to mention, guests got some super chic pink manicures with adorable festival-inspired stickers to kick off festival season the right way.
Thanks to our friends and partners at Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails, we’ve put together five beauty routine “musts” to prep for festival season, and one beauty challenge, should you accept it.
GET YOURSELF A SETTING POWDER
We all know that festival season brings out the heat, and a sweaty debut isn’t our favorite look. Purchase a setting powder with SPF (yes that Palm Springs sun is no joke) that mattifies, shines and sets makeup. Key for long days in the desert. Its sweat-resistant formula will also smooth your skin’s appearance and reduce shine. Plus, it’s easy to re-apply through the day.
MANI GALORE
We all know un-manicured nails are no fun (re: boring). Spice up your look with a fun splash of color, and make sure your nail game is strong. The best part about festival season is that you have free reign to be bold and daring! So show us what you got!
GUMMY POWER
If you want to look and feel the part this festival season, it’s important to remember that beauty starts from within! While of course doing things like applying your daily moisturizer and sunscreen will always be key, don’t forget to nurture your inner beauty as well.
Nature’s Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies are a delicious addition to your beauty game! These gummy vitamins work from within to support lustrous hair, healthy nails and vibrant skin.*
If you’re new to taking vitamins and supplements and want to test things out first before adding to your beauty routine, check out the Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge, which is a great way to try Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies or Softgels for one month, risk-free. By providing the vital nutrients your body needs everyday including Biotin, Vitamin C and E, Nature's Bounty is helping you look and feel your best*. Consider it an essential part of anyone’s festival prep routine (you can thank us later)!
UNDER EYE MASK IT
If you want a fresh-face with your braid, but you don’t have time to get up on the zzz’s, a gel eye mask can really do wonders. Eye masks can hydrate and moisturize the delicate eye area for an immediate de-puff effect. With a cooling effect, skin under the eyes is left feeling comforted and refreshed whilst arnica extract helps reduce appearance of baggy eyes and puffiness for an instantly brighter eyed appearance. A gel eye mask treatment is a great idea to prep the under eye area before a big event.
NO MASCARA, NO PROBLEM
If you want to be able to hop from pool party to pool party without reapplying mascara (or, le sigh, having it run down your face) take a hour pre-festival and get your lashes done. There are plenty of spots where you can nab a full or half set of mink lashes. They last for up to six weeks and will actually have people asking, "Did you wake up like that?"
IF YOU’RE FLYING IN
Make sure to hydrate. A lack of fluids can leave you looking tired after a long flight-- and that’s the last thing you want. Plus, the more you hydrate, the more you glow.
What are your beauty tips for festival season? Share in the comments below! And be sure to take the Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
photo credit: Becki Smith House Photo
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