7 Ways to Work Smarter, Better, and Happier
1. Meet Your Superpower Self.
It’s time to think bigger—now, next quarter, and the next 5 to 10 years. What does your future self need from you today? What is he/she standing there saying, “Let’s get this done already! I’m ready.”
What are your stretch goals—the ones that push you but still feel possible?
Now break it down. What does that version of you do in a day? What routines fuel your energy, move your work forward, and keep your life on track? Also—what is your future self telling you to not waste time on?
Build your schedule around that version of you. Make it focused. Make it sustainable.
We don’t rise to the level of our vision—we rise to the strength of our systems.
2. Create (and Stick to) a Routine.
Humans thrive in rhythm. A good routine isn’t rigid—it’s reliable. Share your schedule with your family. Ask them to do the same after reflecting on their Superpower Self. Build a system of support, not silence. Whether you’re single or married with kids- This routine is the roadmap for what comes next. You have agency- Let’s use it.
3. Time Block Like a Pro.
Time blocking isn’t just for work. This is where your Superpower Self’s routine gets plugged in—meals, workouts, writing time, professional development, thinking time, actual lunch breaks. If you work at home- Leaving your home at least twice a day for sunshine to avoid burnout is vital. Bottom line- If it matters, it gets a block. No more “when I get around to it.”
4. Make Every Deadline 36 Hours Early.
Deadlines aren’t suggestions. And deadlines ignored or procrastined is chaos created. Whether it’s a board presentation or doing laundry, if it’s due Wednesday—it’s done by Monday night. Give yourself breathing room. Chaos is often just poor planning dressed up in urgency with you paying the price.
5. Plan Everything. Yes, Everything.
Grocery shopping to Q4 budgets. Vacation to client onboarding. Strategic planning to date night. If it matters, it deserves a spot on your calendar. Stop negotiating with the clock. Low performers plan the day, mid performers plan the week. High performers plan the year and honor it. Day-to-day planning keeps you afloat. Weekly planning keeps you on track. Yearly planning, honored with discipline, sets you apart.
6. Know the Value of Your Time.
If it takes time—and especially if you don’t enjoy it—ask yourself: what’s your time worth, and what’s the ROI on outsourcing it?
When I launched my firm, I was living in a two-bedroom apartment in San Diego with three kids and built the business in 45 days. It was intense, but I stayed focused. My middle school sons helped source resumes and prep files—giving them early exposure to work habits while helping me stay on track. My 9-year-old daughter got hooked on Top Chef and turned lunchtime into a creative break for all of us. (She eventually worked at a Top Chef restaurant before heading to Columbia. University).
As the firm grew, I outsourced housekeeping, grocery runs, (before Instacart), and yard work. The goal wasn’t just efficiency—it was about being present. Forward-thinking leadership at work and at home means making smart decisions about your time, so you can show up where it counts most.
7. Backward Planning - Forward Thinking
So let’s fast forward. It’s January 31, 2026. You’re standing in your kitchen, coffee in hand. Maybe the snow has just melted or the fireplace is still warm from the night before. It’s calm. Your calendar isn’t crushing you. You’re healthy. You’re focused. Your work has rhythm. Your finances are not just stable but thriving. Your family is happy, healthy, and whole. Your life feels spacious. Full of opportunities that you can create, navigate, and capture.
Now rewind.
What had to happen to get there?
What routines did you stick to?
What habits did you finally let go of?
What projects moved the needle?
What were your best professional moments?
What moments did you protect—from fitness to family dinners to uninterrupted thinking time to have agency over your life?
That version of you isn’t far off—but it won’t happen by accident. It starts now. Not with a perfect plan, but a clear one.
Build your Superpower Self. Open your calendar. Schedule what matters. Create a routine that pushes you but doesn’t burn you out. Block time for what drives results and keeps you sharp.
The life you want in winter depends on how you move through spring.
Spring is for planting, summer for growing, fall for harvesting—and every season, including winter, should be a season for living well.
Let’s stop reacting and start running the calendar.
Put January 2026 on the map now—because the version of you you’re aiming for is counting on this one to get serious.
The Edge is taking a break for the Easter and Passover holidays.
Wishing you a meaningful holiday—whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, or simply welcoming spring. We’ll be back Sunday, April 27th.
