The lazy days of Summer are here, but you wouldn’t know it by the office vibe. Hustle culture has taken hold, with everyone rushing out the door for the last gasp of vacation or prepping for the first day of school.
Hustle culture has its place. Ideally, it’s productivity powered by optimism and energy. But it can have a darker side, where you find yourself madly running in all directions at once, trying to get something to stick. That behavior matters because there can be a spillover effect. Time can be the boss of you, where you’re pushing yourself at work, at home, and even when you’re doing something fun on a day off!
However, there’s a quick way to burst the bubble of toxic hustle culture: Ground yourself with a simple daily practice. Let me tell you how an award-winning host uses rituals to set up her day for success.
Samantha Brown travels the world for a living, and with her jam-packed schedule, you might think slowing down is the last thing on her mind. But her go-to tactic to save her sanity is to create a ritual wherever she travels.
Samantha chooses a local spot within an easy walk from her hotel for a morning coffee or afternoon snack. It’s a way to get to know the neighborhood and experience local culture, but there’s a purpose, too. Taking a few minutes out of a busy day makes her feel present. And being in the moment is when ultimate travel memories occur.
Brown applies the same philosophy on her off-camera days. She takes charge of her schedule with intention instead of being bullied by time. The productivity results speak for themselves: “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” has received five Emmy nominations with two wins, including one for Outstanding Host.
You don’t have to postpone Samantha Brown’s advice until your next vacation. You can use soft skill How tactics like discernment and compassion right now. Start your day with whatever ritual makes you feel centered, grounded, and present. For instance, a wise choice could look like:
* Blocking focus time on your calendar, so you know there’s a moment to catch your breath
* Taking time for a nourishing breakfast, so you don’t hit the vending machine or home snacks mid-morning
* Bullet journaling three things you will accomplish by 5PM
In the August series, Self-Care, One Step at a Time, we’ve discussed small changes you can make to have a big impact on maintaining emotional, intellectual, and physical wellness. Previously you may have passed on self-care because you thought you didn’t have the time. However, if you take simple actions daily, those actions can lower stress, tension, and pressure, helping you stay at your best.
Soft skills aren’t tricky or complicated—they’re as easy as 1, 2, 3! Here’s a recap of the three ways we’ve learned along with the breakdown of soft skill How techniques:
Here’s a secret no one tells you about self-care: It’s a path to developing empathy. Sometimes compassion takes practice. So, learn firsthand the benefits of taking a day off—you’ll encourage others to do the same. Or tend to your mental and emotional health—you’ll be able to go deep with a colleague who needs a heart-to-heart.
Respect your time, emotions, and health. Instead of letting hustle culture push you around, act like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss. Develop your personal self-care practice one step at a time.