This Spring, Work With Time, Not Against It
Right now, we are moving through a messy middle - it’s not the new year, it’s not summer, and the end of the year seems like a galaxy far away. March and April are full of transition. We get more invitations, both personal and business. Activities pick up with our children and our families. But time can seem like it’s speeding up, which can trigger us to be more reactive if we haven’t prepped for this. Although we seem to have more energy and daylight, we also have to choose what we do with it, and work with time, not against it.
Navigating Seasonal Shifts
I live in New England, where we have a “real” winter - temps in the 20s, snow to your knees, wind that can take down your electricity, and - god forbid - the internet. It’s darker, and we move at a slower pace.
After hunkering down with blankets and soup, most of us are yearning to get outside to walk, hike, or meet a friend for coffee on a patio somewhere. Daylight increases, and with that, energy. There are more activities and things to do.
And we like it.
We are ready to be outside, to connect, to enjoy the seasonal shifts. My son works at a restaurant that has outdoor seating and outdoor live music in the warmer months. I love going there, but I especially love that first time of the season. Being outside in the warm air with the sun shining. It feels like a sacred passage from hibernation to stepping back out into the action.
Why Do I Feel Like I Need Running Shoes?
Even if your schedule doesn’t technically change, time feels different. We go from inward existence to external. Time fills with different opportunities, at different times of day, and more frequently. If you don’t plan ahead for these changes and aren’t intentional about how you spend your time, you will become reactive. And interestingly, this isn’t just a mindset shift — it’s something productivity experts actually recommend leaning into. One suggestion is to intentionally bring your work into the season — taking a walking meeting, stepping outside for a quick break, or adjusting your schedule slightly to include time outdoors. The point isn’t to fight the pull of the season, but to work with it.
If you have children, you will have to consider:
outdoor sports
school concerts
conferences
talent nights
graduations
The events themselves take time as does the prep and any celebrations connected to them. Don’t forget about these same events your extended family will invite you to.
For business owners, discernment is key
There will be more invitations for coffee chats and networking events in-person. If they’re outside that will be more enticing. Other business owners will have this same energy, and the motivation to move forward in their business by hiring people like you. This all leads to us feeling like time is speeding up.
For me, as soon as that temperature hits 50, I cannot stay inside all day. For many years, I spent a lot of time at track meets, watching my boys run and coach. I had built in outdoor time for myself. My youngest started college this year, so this will be the first time in ages I won’t have that built in, and I have to come up with a new plan.
Just like trading your parka for hoodies, or your couch for the bleachers, you need to make adjustments for pacing, expectations, and focus.
Here’s a checklist of things to ask yourself:
What’s happening in your life in the next 12 weeks?
What’s on the docket for your kids and family members?
How do you want to spend your time, both personally and for work?
What do you want to accomplish for yourself and/or your business?
CEO Hour® has you paying attention to these answers on a weekly basis. It grounds you, brings you back, and makes you check in. Changes to your schedule, deadlines, and shifting priorities, so you can make adjustments.
This is not a new phenomenon. It happens every year at this time. But being aware and having foresight will help you plan successfully. By scheduling a non-negotiable CEO Hour once a week, you can create the necessary breathing room needed to enjoy this seasonal change. The weekly structure is what changes how time feels.
This Spring, set yourself up for a calm and productive spring quarter. Sign up for the CEO Hour course.
FAQs
How do I plan for things that aren’t officially on my calendar yet?
You can estimate based on previous seasonal transitions. And schedule “wiggle room” - time blocks reserved for the overflow of schedule changes.
This sounds like more work. How do I do it without feeling overwhelmed?
It starts with intention and routine. Manageable quarterly goals rather than out of focus annual goals. A weekly CEO Hour to keep things moving and make necessary adjustments.