Tag: goal-setting

Why Productivity Advice Doesn’t Always Apply to People in Consulting (And That’s Okay)

Every time I watch a productivity video on YouTube, I notice a pattern: most creators showcase beautifully minimalist calendars with one or two meetings per day. They have spacious blocks for deep work, creative thinking, gym sessions, or even long walks to “reset the mind.”

I admire their discipline. But I also can’t help but think, What world are they living in?

Because in mine—the world of IT consulting—it’s not uncommon to have 5, 7, or even 10 meetings in a single day.

So… am I doing something wrong?

The Consulting Reality

In consulting, especially in tech, the environment moves fast. We work across multiple teams, clients, time zones, and technologies. Communication is part of the product we deliver.

Many of us work in complex implementations. That alone involves developers, architects, QA, UX designers, clients, and internal stakeholders—each with their own expectations and timelines.

And so, the calendar fills up. Quickly.

The Myth of “One-Meeting-a-Day” Productivity

A lot of productivity advice is based on individual contributor roles or solopreneur lifestyles. These creators often have full control over their schedules. They can say “no” freely. They can disappear for hours to do deep work.

That’s not always the case in consulting. We work in environments where alignment and collaboration are essential—and that often translates into meetings.

But Does That Mean We’re Doomed?

Not at all. But it does mean we have to define productivity differently.

For us, being productive might look like:

  • Facilitating clarity across stakeholders
  • Making a key decision during a call that unblocks an entire team
  • Managing to create 30 minutes of quiet focus amidst the chaos
  • Ending the day knowing your clients, teams, and timelines are aligned

And yes, some days will still feel overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean you failed—it just means the nature of your role requires flexibility and resilience.

What Helps Me

  • I try to limit myself to three meaningful meetings per day. I don’t always succeed, but this goal helps me stay aware of my energy.
  • I time-block focus time the night before—just like I would a client call.
  • I promote async updates when possible. Not everything needs a meeting.

Final Thought

If you’re in consulting and feel guilty for not living up to the productivity standards you see online—please stop. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just playing a different game.

The key is to find your own definition of productivity, based on the realities of your work, your energy, and your goals.

Because in the end, productivity isn’t about copying someone else’s routine—

it’s about creating a rhythm that works in your world.

Why Reviews Matter: From Agile Sprints to Personal Growth

One of the most powerful habits I’ve learned from my work in project management—and that I now apply to my personal life—is the art of the review.

In Agile methodologies, we have daily stand-ups to check in on progress, clear blockers, and keep everyone aligned. We also have weekly or biweekly sprint reviews to assess what’s been done, what needs improvement, and what we’ve learned. These moments of reflection are not just rituals; they are rhythm-setting tools that keep the project moving in the right direction.

But the concept of reviewing isn’t limited to teams or tech projects. It shows up in productivity systems like David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) too. GTD emphasizes regular review: checking your daily to-do list, updating your priorities, and setting aside time—ideally weekly—to reflect on open loops, completed tasks, and upcoming responsibilities. Without the review process, the whole system can break down.

This made me realize: whether it’s a client project or a personal goal, reviewing is how we stay on track. Without reviewing, we risk falling into the trap of being busy without being intentional.

The Power of One Weekly Goal

Lately, I’ve adopted the habit of setting a weekly goal—just one. I ask myself, “What would make this week feel like a win?” It could be something work-related, a step in my PhD research, or even something personal like organizing my closet or calling a friend I’ve been thinking about. That one goal becomes my anchor, and the review at the end of the week helps me see whether I honored it—or what got in the way if I didn’t.

And here’s something I’ve noticed: that weekly goal doesn’t have to be something big. In fact, sometimes the most meaningful progress comes from finally tackling something I’ve been procrastinating on. Often, I’ve found that the reason I was avoiding the task wasn’t laziness or poor time management—it was lack of clarity. I didn’t have all the necessary information, or the next step wasn’t clear enough. Once I take a moment to write down exactly what’s missing, the resistance starts to fade.

So now, part of my weekly review includes asking myself:

  • What am I avoiding?
  • Why?
  • Is it truly difficult, or just undefined?

This small habit has helped me turn stuck tasks into finished ones—and reduce the mental clutter that comes with carrying them around week after week.

The Reviews That Matter Most

Here are the types of reviews I’ve found most helpful, both in my professional and personal life:

  • Daily Review: A quick check-in to see what’s on your plate, adjust priorities, and clear any mental clutter. It helps you stay grounded and realistic about what can actually get done today. I often do this the night before, reviewing my calendar and time-blocking focus time so I’m set up for a productive morning.
  • Weekly Review: This is where the magic happens. It’s a deeper reflection on what worked, what didn’t, and what needs attention next. From this weekly review, three key outcomes emerge:
    1. Define a Weekly Goal – Just one. Something meaningful that, if completed, would make the week feel like a win.
    2. Clarify Next Actions – Break down lingering tasks or open loops into specific, doable steps. This reduces friction and makes execution easier.
    3. Review Upcoming Meetings – Look at your schedule to mentally prepare for the week and ensure your time is aligned with your priorities. Sometimes this helps me reschedule, cancel, or better prepare for what’s ahead.

These reviews don’t have to be lengthy, but they can transform how you experience your week—turning chaos into clarity, and busyness into intentional progress.

A Final Reflection

In the end, whether it’s Agile, GTD, or just your own way of staying organized, the common thread is reflection. Reviews help us slow down, spot what’s working, and gently course-correct when it’s not. By setting one clear weekly goal, checking in with ourselves, and examining the reasons behind procrastination, we create a rhythm that supports real progress—both professionally and personally.

Whether you’re managing a product launch or managing your own life, reviews give you perspective. They help you adjust, recalibrate, and move forward with intention.

So here’s your invitation: What would make this week feel like a win?

I Plan My Days Like This — And It Keeps Me 10x More Focused (and Balanced)

When you’re balancing work, studies, leadership roles, and personal growth, managing your time well becomes essential. Over the years, I’ve tried different productivity tools, but one simple habit has made the biggest difference: using my calendar intentionally. Whether it’s for work or personal life, my calendar has become a key tool for designing days that are balanced, productive, and meaningful.

Why I Rely on My Calendar

There are many calendar apps available — and honestly, which one you use matters less than how you use it. What matters most is building a system where your calendar reflects your priorities, protects your focus, and helps you navigate the week with clarity.

For me, a good calendar setup is simple, accessible across all my devices, and flexible enough to adapt as my plans evolve. I don’t just use it for meetings — I use it as a framework for my entire day.

How I Organize My Calendar

One of the biggest changes I made was introducing a priority-based system. Instead of organizing by life areas like “work” or “personal,” I categorize events based on how important or time-sensitive they are.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how I use color-coding:

  • High Priority (critical meetings, deadlines, must-do activities, school classes, social time)
  • Low Priority (optional activities, flexible events, things that can be rescheduled if needed)
  • Tasks (work tasks, project steps, study assignments that I schedule time to complete)
  • Personal Well-Being (exercise, lunch, rest, self-care, planning)

Each evening, I take a few minutes to review my calendar for the next day. During this review, I timeblock dedicated spaces for productive focus time — those important windows where I can work on tasks without interruptions. This habit ensures that my most important work has protected space, rather than getting squeezed between meetings and distractions.

I also rely on recurring events to create structure: team meetings, classes, exercise sessions, and deep work blocks are already scheduled. This reduces decision fatigue and brings stability to my schedule.

Key Practices That Keep Me on Track

  • Time Blocking: I reserve specific blocks of time for meetings, deep work, learning, and personal activities — and adjust them each evening based on my priorities.
  • Buffer Time: I always leave small gaps between meetings and tasks to reset and prepare calmly for the next activity.
  • Three Meetings Rule: I try to limit myself to no more than three meetings a day to protect my focus and energy. Of course, this isn’t always possible — I’ve had seasons where I’ve sat through 35 meetings in a week. But I’ve learned that when I stick to just three, I end the day feeling more productive, balanced, and in control of my time.
  • Reminders and Alerts: I set up reminders not just for meetings, but for important work sessions too, helping me transition without feeling rushed.

Tips for Making Any Calendar Work for You

  • Update your calendar daily — treat it as a living document, not a static one.
  • Review your calendar the night before and timeblock focused work periods.
  • Schedule personal priorities alongside professional ones — both matter equally.
  • Leave open spaces — creativity and reflection need room too.
  • Stay flexible — plans change, and your calendar should be able to change with you.

Final Thoughts

Using my calendar intentionally has transformed the way I live and work. It’s not about filling every moment or working nonstop — it’s about giving the things that matter most the time and space they deserve.

Whatever calendar app you use, the real magic happens when you stop seeing it as a tool for appointments, and start using it as a tool for designing a better, more meaningful day.