Hey Leader,
(Since we have a lot of new subscribers (woohoo!), I’m bringing back a story from a few months back that was super popular!)
You’ve probably heard people say “figure out when you do your best work” or some variation of it. The key message is: build your schedule in ways that allow you to work with your natural rhythm.
My issue?
I do my best work early in the morning, and as a Managing Director, my direct reports were 3 hours ahead of me. So, every morning I felt like I had to check my email & Slack first thing… and then I’d go down a rabbit hole instead of starting my day with my most valuable work.
And then my coach asked me: “Alli, why not ignore Slack and email for the first hour or two of your day?”
My reaction [with wide eyes]: “I could never?!”
I didn’t know I was playing into an “always available” and “highly responsive” script that I could question, tweak, change, and model.
That’s when I realized: I was the one getting in the way of that deep morning flow. So I promised to try it for a week (even though it felt super uncomfortable).
I gave my team a heads-up that I was going to ignore Slack & email for the first 1-2 hours a day, shared why, and told them to text or call if they needed something during that time (I knew they would because we had that type of relationship).
And lo and behold… nothing broke, nothing burned down… I did some of my best work… and it’s one of my FAVORITE changes I made as a leader.
Not all constraints are self-created, but some are, and those are powerful places to start.
What’s one work rule you’ve never thought to question, but could?
Lead boldly, live fully, & don’t forget to breathe.
In your corner,
Scroll-Stoppers
This week’s most valuable scroll-worthy stuff, from tools to truth bombs!
For women, female peer groups are crucial for career advancement. This Yale Insights article breaks it down.
A year-long 4-day workweek trial in Scotland just wrapped — and it was a win. The results might surprise you.
6 things productivity experts do when they come back to work after vacation. Steal one for your post-PTO reset.
Try This Today
Quick experiments for calmer inboxes, lighter loads, and more human leadership.
Pick one “default” you want to challenge this week.
Start with something small but sticky, like “I always reply right away,” or “I take the first meeting slot available.”Declare your experiment.
Tell your team (or even just yourself): “I’m testing a new rhythm this week, [insert what you're shifting]. If you need me, here’s how to reach me.”Observe what doesn’t happen.
What didn’t break? What didn’t burn down? What still got done? That’s the real data.
Your Power Reframe
Because what you believe shapes how you live & lead.
Just because you’ve always done it this way doesn’t mean you still have to. I was FLOORED at the idea of not checking email or Slack for the first hour of my day. It went against everything I’d been taught about leadership.
And yet, it’s exactly what I needed.
This Sparked Something
Little joys, leadership sparks, & random things we’re loving this week!
Celebrating: Today is my husband's & my 18-year (dating) anniversary! High school Alli’s mind would be blown that we’re still together, own a house, and have a fur baby named Moose. ~Alli
Line we underlined twice: “Whenever you’re tempted to judge someone’s mistakes, remember your own. Offer them the same grace you give yourself.”— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (via The Daily Stoic, Aug 31) ~Pau
Currently on repeat: Pau shared this song with me earlier in the week, and I love it! ~Alli
Mini permission slip: You don’t have to turn every challenge into a win overnight. ~Pau
Currently binge watching: Blindspot on Netflix!! ~Alli