Coordinating between work and home

Someone asked how I coordinate planning systems between work and home. I asked what systems they use now and they wrote, “I currently use the Cozi app for family stuff and Outlook for work. I love a paper planner but have cycled through countless formats and can’t seem to use them effectively or consistently.”

Here’s my task and schedule systems stack. This is intentionally set up so I have access to my systems from my phone (i.e., no matter where I am):

• Todoist: This is where I capture to-do’s at a granular level (here’s an episode on how I use Todoist).

• Google Calendar: I have multiple calendars that all feed into my central calendar, color coded for easy scanning.

• Google Docs: In the next two sections I will share the weekly and monthly command center I use to keep an eye on priorities.

This is not a solution if you are a paper person, but my handwriting is a disaster and I easy access has always been a priority so digital is the right option for me.

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Weekly Workstream View

People asked for a visual of the system I described in the June 29 Mini Edit about a system to reduce weekly overwhelm. I created a Google docs template version that you are welcome to copy and customize. Page 1 shows the weekly view. I included sample text so you can see how I split out my high-level workstreams and then sub-projects nested under each workstream. As I mentioned in the episode, as I populate my week, I also add specific drop dates if applicable, which makes daily scanning easier for me.

My one edit after several weeks of usage: I changed the last row from “Personal” to “Travel.” The rationale is that this document is work oriented and I don’t want my personal life to be a workstream; whereas travel could be personal or work and it definitely impacts my workstreams so having trips on my radar is helpful.

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Holistic Monthly View

Here is another relevant comment that came in with one of the questions above: “I love the idea of seasonal planning (though I just learned about quintiles). I am currently reading The Garden Within and started to map out yearly goals into 3 dimensions of Relationships, Purpose, and Legacy. I also like good visual aesthetics to keep me motivated.”

This isn’t aesthetically beautiful, but I talked about the monthly planning system I developed and shared about in this episode from the beginning of the year. On page 2 of the Google doc you can see the monthly view I use. The idea is to have an easy way to visualize five holistic priorities:

• Family: My immediate crew of Jon, Laurel, Violet, and James

• Other core relationships: Everything outside of my immediate crew

• Professional: Major work anchors (e.g., travel, big projects)

• Home: Home projects that I want to tackle

• Hobbies/Fun: Fun things to pursue

This grid makes it really easy to see when you need to, for example, add a little more fun to your life!

❤️ Christine

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

It can be hard to find your voice in this noisy world. I chatted with Meredith Walker about how to help teens unlearn the rules and find their voice, values, and purpose.

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We all have the capacity to encourage others to prioritize preventative care. You certainly don’t have to do it via a public platform like I do, but we need to keep talking, especially about things that might seem taboo or awkward.

(I grew up with plenty of conversational stigma and I am over it.)

Today’s homework includes two options:

1. Book a medical appointment you’ve been putting off.

2. If your appointments are already set up, figure out if there’s a way to reduce friction.

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I think about friction every time I go to routine visits (e.g., PCP, dentist, mammogram), as well as when I need to book periodic appointments like bloodwork or a colonoscopy. I’ve said this many times before, but friction kills. Sometimes this is a good thing, like creating friction between you and your phone usage, but other times, friction gets in the way of routine maintenance that’s important to prioritize. Here are the ways I have reduced friction related to healthcare appointments.

Book providers close to home

Many years ago I went on a mission to move all of my healthcare providers as close to home as possible. Yes, I live adjacent to a city (Boston) that is abundant with stellar medical care options. But my needs so far in life are pretty basic (e.g., I’m not on any meds and don’t require any specialty care). So for things like my PCP, dentist, and mammograms, I booked right in my city. This means that, for example, when I went to get my mammogram on Tuesday, the whole thing was 40 minutes round trip, and that included the 15-minute early arrival time since I’m a rule follower.

Book early morning appointments

I will forever be the person who asks for an early morning appointment to reduce the risk of being part of appointment backlog. It’s the best!

Schedule your next appointment before you leave

Many practitioners routinely book the next visit before you go, but if that is not offered to you, ask. If the practice is not ready to book as far out as you need it, ask when the earliest you can book is, and add a reminder on your calendar.

Space out appointments

As you schedule your appointment, make sure you do a quick scan of your week before saying yes to the first option offered. If you end up having more than one appointment stacked in a week (I once had three consecutive days of healthcare-related adulting appointments and, well, LESSON LEARNED), it increases the likelihood you might cancel one, which then kicks into motion a chain of needs re: rescheduling (more friction!).

You’ve got this!

❤️ Christine

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

Finances are central to life and the learning largely needs to happen at home. In this episode brought forth from the locked archive, Asha and I share 9 ways to teach kids about money.

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Once a person turns 18, they are legally independent. Ensuring that their healthcare proxy, power of attorney, and HIPAA paperwork is in place enables parents/guardians to make medical and financial decisions in case of an emergency.

I know this is a tough topic to think about, but also, it’s better to be prepared. Laurel was 17 when she started college (she’s an early September birthday), and not long after she turned 18 one of my top priorities was getting this paperwork done. When we went to a local bank to get the paperwork notarized, the notary said, “Wow, we rarely see people come in for this.”

Indeed, whenever I have shared about this process, people often respond, “Wait, I need to do that?!”

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This topic resurfaced for me because last week I remembered that I needed to update this paperwork since Laurel will be shipping off to medical school in a state that is different from her undergraduate state.

If you have an attorney you already work with, great. But much like when I set up my first will 21 years ago, I used an online service for Laurel’s power of attorney documents — in this case Mama Bear Legal Forms (this referral link will get you 20% off). Kind of a silly name, but it is reputable. It only costs $89 for the Young Adult Power of Attorney package and it is super easy to set up to set up a primary (home) state + add a second state (e.g., if your kid is going to school in a different state).

It only took a couple of minutes to switch Laurel’s second state paperwork in my account. The most onerous part is getting the documents notarized, though you can usually do that at local banks. (Call first to be sure your local bank has a notary on staff.)

I hope this post moves you to take care of this paperwork if you have a kid over 18.

Meanwhile, I also have thoughts about setting up a will (for you, the adult), which is really freaking important. But I wanted to start with the young adult adulting paperwork because: 1) many parents prioritize things for their kids ahead of their own needs so why not take advantage of this reality (lol), and 2) in my opinion, getting young adult power of attorney documentation set up is emotionally way less complicated than dealing with big questions like, “who will take care of my kids if I get hit by a meteor?”

You’ve got this!

❤️ Christine

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week:

Setbacks are a part of life but that doesn’t make them any less painful. Listen to this conversation with the wonderful .

P. S. Also in the realm of adulting, last weekend I added Laurel to my Costco executive membership. What a moment!

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But as I’m sure everyone has experienced at some point, it’s not always easy to fall asleep, even if your day was busy and you feel tired. There are many factors that impact sleep.

I loved exploring these factors during a conversation with Dr. Natalie Dautovich. She makes an excellent case for prioritizing sleep — for both biological and psychological reasons. Hit play on the below clip for a snippet:

And be sure to listen to the full episode. In addition to excellent translation of sleep science for everyday people, there’s lots of practical advice for how to take small steps in various domains of life in service of better sleep.

Speaking of practical advice. Dr. Dautovich and I talked about key recommendations for better sleep from the National Sleep Foundation. A nuanced tip jumped out at me. Dr. Dautovich talked about the importance of light, given that light is the dominant biological cue that helps set the circadian rhythm. I’ve always thought about light and sleep in terms of how I want it to be pitch black for bedtime and that morning light cues make it easier or harder to get out of bed.

The nuance Dr. Dautovich shared is, getting outdoor light exposure — even on a cloudy day — is important to signal to our bodies that we’re awake, alert, and that it’s daytime. And that setting up these cues during the day helps our bodies achieve optimum sleepiness at night.

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So your homework? Give yourself the gift of outdoor light in the morning.

A couple of days ago I followed up with Dr. Dautovich to ask if there was a quantifiable recommendations related to outdoor light exposure. She shared:

“Aiming for 20-30 minutes of bright outdoor light, preferably in the morning, is recommended for best sleep outcomes. However, if the day is very overcast, more time outside would likely be required to get the same effect. There’s an interaction between time of day of exposure and the intensity of the light. Getting brighter light exposure at the start of the day and avoiding bright light before bed are both associated with better sleep outcomes.”

We could all use at least 20-30 minutes outside in morning light, right? I tend to get my dose during my morning dog walks (thanks, James!), but here are a few other ways you could build it in:

• Do a local errand on foot

• Enjoy your morning coffee, tea, and/or breakfast outside

• If you have little kids who are up early (like mine were!), hit the park or take a walk/bike ride in the morning. The light + movement will be beneficial to everyone’s sleep!

• Do some outdoor chores (e.g., weeding/gardening) in the morning

• Take a meeting outside

❤️ Christine

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

Digital boundaries FTW!

And speaking of boundaries, sometimes you need to take an intentional pause or initiate an intentional end.

As in, “Why are my grown children still asking me what’s for dinner?” or “Why is the assumption always that I’m going to make dinner?”

These are valid questions.

Whether or not you enjoy cooking, mealtimes — especially if you are coming off a busy work day and still need to walk your dog, help your kids navigate homework or a sticky social situation, and/or deal with any number of adulting tasks — can feel like a grind some days.

This week’s homework may feel difficult, but I want you to go for it! Choose a day where you don’t make dinner and do something fun of your choosing instead. To address a few potential objections up front:

• If you are partnered, ideally there would not be the expectation that you are always responsible for mealtimes, but if that’s the dynamic, tell them you’re off for the night.

• If your kids are younger and they ask about dinner, direct them to easy options like cereal (total valid for dinner), toast with cheese (low risk of setting things on fire), or pasta (if they are comfortable using the stove).

• If your kids are teens or legal adults it is totally valid to say, “Cooking is an essential life skill. See what you come up with!”

The reality is, if you keep making dinner — grumpily or not — no one is going to learn how to fend for themselves.

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If you need further inspiration to commit to this homework, here are some fun, nourishing things you could do with a non-dinner making hour:

• Take a walk (alone or with a friend)

• Call and catch up with a friend

• Read a book

• Watch a show

• Flip through a magazine

• Enjoy a beverage and/or snack at a cafe or restaurant bar

• Visit that local business you’ve been wanting to pop into for months

• Create something (e.g., words in a journal, something crafty)

• Work on a puzzle

• Play a game

Meanwhile, I’ll share an example from last week. I am someone who enjoys cooking and is skilled at putting together a quick dinner, but one night I was just over it. I didn’t even want to think about it. To my family’s credit, even though I cook a lot of meals, they are unphased on the days where I don’t cook or just make my own meal.

Ironically, in that moment the fun thing I wanted to do instead of make dinner was still in the kitchen but it was a creative not functional act.

I wanted to try making brookies.

Violet had made brookies a few weeks ago to great success but she wasn’t around to ask for the recipe. So I made these NYT brookies. The act of unwinding and being creative through baking was just what I needed. We all agreed that we needed a comparison to Violet’s recipe soon since most of her batch went to school with her. The recipe she used was from Butternut Bakery and I plan on making a batch this weekend.

Fun!

❤️ Christine

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

Looking to get a better night of sleep? Sleep impacts more than you might think. Christine chats with Dr. Natalie Dautovich about the micro events that impact macro factors related to sleep and wellness in general.

That said, of the five recommendations I shared, #5 has the immediate friction of needing to obtain something you might not already own. So, in line with this week’s homework (buy a clock), I want to reduce that friction and share five clock recommendations, fitting different budgets and niches.

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Super Affordable Pick: Sharp Table Alarm Clock ($10)

It’s almost as if Target knew I was about to release this recommendations roundup. It’ll be tough to beat the $10 price tag on this cute little clock. And the white casing with gold accents looks simple yet classy.

Quirky Pick: Kikkerland Retro Alarm Clock ($22.50)

If you’d like a little retro flair at a reasonable price, the Kikkerland retro alarm clock comes in red, green, and blue.

Minimalist Pick: OCT17 Wooden Clock ($26.99)

This OCT17 clock has a minimalist vibe but packs a lot of punch in terms of features. (Also, sorry I am linking to Amazon here; I couldn’t find a direct manufacturer website.)

Reliable Pick: Braun Classic ($39.99)

This Braun Classic Analog clock is a newer model of the one Violet uses in her bedroom. (The no phones next to the bed rule is also critical for teens!) It’s compact, easy to use, and has that sometimes dreaded but useful crescendo beep function.

Fancy Pick: Hatch Restore ($169.99)

Hatch sent me their Restore when they were a podcast sponsor so I could test it out. It’s aesthetically pleasing and also a useful device if you want to integrate different sounds and light cues into your routine — this is especially helpful in the dead of winter when it’s brutally dark in the morning. I have also used the ocean waves mode to help me fall asleep. Also noteworthy: this device is controlled by an app, which makes it easy to set up and disable alarms no matter where you are.

Analog clocks are awesome. Go get one. Your brain will thank you later!

❤️ Christine

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This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

Four juicy reads anchored in ghosts and secrets.

If you’re dreading (or already amidst) summer screen time battles, listen to this episode.

Hit play on this video for more context, but a mic drop stat Deb shares is that people who hold a positive mindset on aging live 7.5 years longer.

If you view aging as a time of decline, your homework this week is to shift your mindset on aging. That might sound like a big task, but here’s a simple way to do it, courtesy of Deb.

Think about someone older who you admire. It could be someone you know, or someone you don’t — a person in your community or a public figure. Think about the qualities that brought them to mind for you.

What you likely will find is that their age is not connected to those qualities. I will offer an example via my personal adulting muse, my 89-year-old mother Rachel Koh.

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She is powered by curiosity

My mom has been propelled by curiosity her entire life, whether it’s learning another language (she has learned three), experimenting in the kitchen (e.g., new techniques, Western dishes), or new hobbies. Through her church, she is taking ukulele lessons and is on the Harmonica Team (OMG LOVE). Seeing her perform over the holidays was a serious mood boost (see photo below). Be sure to listen to our conversation on the power of curiosity!

She is bright spirited

This is one of the most frequent ways I describe my mom. I have never met anyone so bright of spirit, and this woman has lived through many challenges.

She is funny

I actually love being on the receiving end of what I refer to as my mom’s Asian burns. A recent example:

• Mom: “Wow, you looked so great in those graduation photos Christine!”

• Me: “Oh that’s so nice of you, thanks!”

• Mom: “I mean, really. I was wondering. Do you not have sun spots? Your skin really looks great.”

• Me: “I definitely have sun spots.”

• Mom: “Well, you look really great in the photos.” [pause] “But you know, I haven’t seen you in a while so I don’t know if you look that good in person.”

• Me: “Wow, OK solid burn mom. Let’s look at the calendar and figure out a time to get together!”

LOL.

She is generous

My mom has always retained a lens of sharing whatever she has, even in times of scarcity. There are so many examples from my childhood but in present day, whenever she goes to HMART, she asks if Violet needs more mandu. She drives her sister around to medical appointments. When she knows I’m going to be traveling she offers to take me to the airport. If she picks up extra produce at a farm stand, it’s not uncommon for her to drop a bag at my door. She makes donations when possible. She is just generous through and through.

She is thoughtful

This is related to the generosity piece, but there’s a specific thing I think of when I think of the word thoughtful and it is a lesson I have carried forward. I remember as a kid we had workers come to replace our roof. It was a brutally hot day and the workers were up there sweating in the blazing sun. My mom went out to what was then Brigham’s and bought individual sundae cups so each worker would have their own cold treat. Recently, there was construction on her street and she called Town Hall to ask who was managing the project so she could offer the workers refreshments. To this day whenever someone comes to fix something at our house, I offer refreshments.

She understands the power of connecting people around a table

My mom is never the chattiest at a table; she doesn’t need to be the center of a conversation. But she sure does love bringing people together and I have definitely gleaned this quality from her and value it deeply.

She prioritizes community

I am sure a key to my mom’s longevity and vibrancy is her deep connection to her church community. It’s such a gift.

None of these qualities have anything to do with aging and everything to do with living well.

❤️ Christine

P.S. I wrote this piece for Boston Globe Magazine a couple of years ago and it hit a nerve for many people: An ageist incident at work made my blood boil. Then I realized something essential.

This week’s episodes

If you aren’t yet subscribed to Edit Your Life, search “edit your life” wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, or you can hit the play button in the embeddable players at the Edit Your Life website or below. Here’s what went live this week.

I loved these four romance novels.

Be sure to listen to the full conversation with Dr. Deb Whitman!

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