Diane Vallere’s Post

Here’s how I escaped the 'too busy' trap to improve my quality of work & life. Six years ago, I felt like I was drowning. Meetings kept piling up. Notifications wouldn’t stop. I had no energy, and my days flew by with nothing to show for it. I was zoned out at the lunch table when the guy next to me said  “Dude, what kind of sandwich is that? Where’s the MEAT?” I was like “Where’s the MEAT?” dang! I’ve gotta evaluate my MEAT. So I started tracking my Money, Energy, Attention, and Time for a week. It was messy, but it helped me see what was really happening. Here’s the simple system I used to turn things around immediately: 💵 Money — Automated savings, canceled stuff I didn’t use, and made a plan. ⚡️ Energy  — Blocked 15 minutes between meetings to breathe & refocus. 📵 Attention — Shut off notifications, Slack, email, all of it. 🗓️ Time — Blocked one hour a day to work on what mattered most. My aha! One focused hour beats three messy ones. It’s all about quality! The results? My stress dropped.  My focus improved. And for the first time in years, I finished work with more energy and didn’t touch my laptop at night. I’ve managed to keep this practice. The lesson... Having quality MEAT isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for survival. What’s one small step you can start today to improve the quality of your MEAT? Could you try a 15-minute break or turning off notifications? I’d love to hear about it. Small steps. Big results. Hey, if you are a dude in tech, inspect the quality of your MEAT. 🥩 If your MEAT isn't at the quality you desire and deserve, I can help you make PEA size changes - easy-PEAsy... LFG!!

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It's Sunday, and it's all about relaxing. We need it—our bodies need it, our minds need it, and our families need it. But if you find yourself browsing here this weekend or squeezing in some extra work, something might be off with your weekday routine. Maybe your productivity is suffering, or you're finding it hard to deliver on time. If you're feeling stuck and unsure of your next step, let my newsletter help. It’s filled with tips, tools, and strategies to help you become a better version of yourself. Sign up using the link below!

The holidays are here, and one of the most common things I hear from agents is: "Coach, I’m overwhelmed. I’m drained. I feel burned out." Here’s my go-to technique for sorting it out, and trust me, it works every time: Turn off all your devices. Go to bed, turn off the light, and close your eyes. From here, one of two things will happen: You’ll fall asleep. That means you’re actually exhausted. And guess what? It’s okay to rest. Take a nap, recharge, and come back full of energy. You’ll feel the urge to grab your phone, check recipes, or clean the room. If this happens, you’re not tired — you’re just bored. Time to stop procrastinating and get back to work.

Reclaiming My Evenings: Time Blocking and Taking Control (Part 1) Reclaiming my time has been a crucial part of regaining my agency. It’s not just about managing tasks but about taking control of how I spend my hours and where I direct my energy. 👣The first step was limiting distractions: cutting out television and social media during specific hours. By doing that, I began to regain control over my time and energy—taking back my power in how I navigate my day. 👣The next step is time blocking. Setting aside specific blocks of time for each task not only eliminates decision fatigue but also keeps me focused. I came across a breakdown from username Duffstoic on Discord that changed how I see time blocking, helping me understand the psychological aspect behind it. To implement time blocking effectively, a few key habits are necessary: 🧱 The ability to start doing what you’ve committed to right away. 🧱 The ability to begin tasks on delayed schedules (as planned). 🧱 The ability to maintain focus on a task for a set period without interruption. Time blocking, for me, is about more than productivity- it’s about honoring the commitments I make to myself, whether that’s starting on time, scheduling with intention, or staying focused when it counts. In my next post, I’ll share how I am training myself in these key habits and the tools I’ve used to strengthen my time-blocking practice. Stay tuned! (source used: Duffstoic Discord)

You know those times where you're working on one thing but some tech glitch gets in your way and your time gets hijacked? And it's so frustrating because you really want to get the main thing done.... Argh. I had one of those tech interruptions again this morning. I have a feeling this is a universal thing so you'll get it too. So then I have to ask, why do I still get frustrated? Shouldn't I expect this by now? Actually, yes I should expect it. This too is part of life. Not just technology glitches, but any kind of "interruption." Sick days, friend needs your help, mishaps, can't find your keys. Some of these "interruptions" are even blessings, like the ability to connect with a friend during their hard moment. It deepens the connection. So I'm renewing my determination to embrace the so-called interruptions as part of life. And this is part of why not having a tight schedule is an essential ingredient for a happy life. When I don't cram things, I am more at ease and more able to roll with the so-called unexpected - which is actually *expected*. Leaving room for real life. Who knew. #worklifeharmony #balance #unexpected #techfrustration

A single piece of paper keeps me accountable for my entire day. 📝 Journaling my next day, hour by hour, has completely transformed how on stay on track and feel productive. Every night before bed, I journal everything I want to accomplish the next day: • What time will I wake up? • What will I have for breakfast? • When am I gonna engage on LinkedIn?  • When will I work on my clients’ projects? • When will I climb my 150 stairs? • When will I skip rope? • When will I pray? I time-block even the smallest tasks, like reading my tasbeeh. This nighttime routine helps me unwind, and get rid of any lingering stress. The next morning? I know everything is planned, all I have to do is act on it. Simple as that. Of course, there are days when I miss a time block or don’t show up as planned. But I don’t let that derail the rest of my day. I just shift the missed task as a priority item for the next day - no guilt. I’ve only been doing this for nine days, but I already feel more accountable and focused. My productivity and mental clarity have improved so much in such a short time. I challenge you to try time-blocking for a week. See how it impacts your productivity and peace of mind. P.S. How do you plan your day? Do you use the good old pen-and-paper method, or do you prefer an app? Let me know below. #productivity #journaling #goals

Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? Let’s talk about time blocking. 🕒 Time blocking is about giving every task a set amount of time on your calendar, helping you control your day instead of it controlling you. If you set aside 10-15 minutes first thing in the morning to plan out your blocks, you’ll be playing with house money the rest of the day. Here’s how to try it: 1️⃣ Choose Your Priorities: Think about the three most important things that need your attention today. By focusing on what really matters, you’re more likely to end the day feeling productive, not stressed. 2️⃣ Block the Time: Assign each task a specific slot on your calendar. Be realistic—don’t cram. Give each task enough time, and add small breaks to recharge (I personally like to leverage the “Pomodoro Technique for this!). 3️⃣ Stick to It: Treat each block like an appointment. Need to adjust? No problem, but aim to stick with the schedule as much as possible. This simple technique can shift you from survival mode to a steady rhythm where you feel in control, focused, and ready for what’s next. Give time blocking a try and watch the stress start to fade.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y #reflection 💫 …. …. or have you ever #notice how some #workplaces can feel like a #balancing act between a #toxic vibe and something… a little more stylish? Let’s talk more about the difference between toxic and #toxcido in any work #environment. 💼 TOXIC - You walk into a #meeting, and Stina from accounting is already rolling her eyes. There’s a silent #tension in the air thicker than last quarter’s spreadsheets. Every #suggestion is met with a passive-aggressive “That’s interesting.” 🤵♂️ TOXCIDO - Stefan from IT shows up to the same meeting… in a tuxedo. Totally #unnecessary, but he brings #donuts and an espresso machine. Suddenly, everyone’s too #caffeinated to care about Stina’s eye rolls, and the mood goes from #awkward to James Bond-level #smooth. 💡 In the end, it’s all about those small, extra #efforts that can #transform a long meeting day. A small investment whether it’s snacks, good #vibes, or #energy, goes a long way and it’s something I always try to keep up, but it’s surprising how few actually #focus on it. Trust me, the return on that investment is higher energy, better #collaboration, and a lot more smiles! 😎☕️ 🍐 🍌 #WorkplaceVibes #LessToxicMoreToxcido #InvestInEnergy #LinkedIn #Motivation #Saturday

The 5-Minute Rule for Stress-Free Mornings: My Story A few years ago, my mornings were a mess. I'd wake up, grab my phone, and before I knew it, my day was already spiraling out of control with emails, notifications, and endless tasks. I’d hit noon, feeling overwhelmed and behind. That’s when I decided to try something different, a 5-minute routine I’d heard successful CEOs were using. One morning, instead of diving straight into work, I set my phone aside. I spent 2 minutes focusing on my breathing, clearing my mind from the chaos that usually hit me first thing. Then, I grabbed a notepad and spent the next 3 minutes listing my top three priorities for the day. The results were almost instant. I felt calmer, more in control, and surprisingly, more productive. By noon, I was ahead, not behind. It wasn’t magic, just clarity. Every day since, this 5-minute rule has been my go-to. It's simple, but it's been a game-changer in keeping my mornings stress-free and my focus sharp. If it worked for me, it can work for you too. Try it out tomorrow, and watch how your mornings transform! What’s the first thing you do in the morning, and how is it shaping your day? I am Adedoyin Ogunsanya a dedicated Virtual Assistant ready to help streamline your business operations and boost growth. Let’s collaborate to achieve your goals and take your business to the next level!"