Since the beginning of the pandemic, it feels like time has sped up. Most people I speak to feel the same way. Life is just moving faster.
Looking ahead to 2024, I’m setting a goal to slow things down a bit. Admittedly, with Schnizzfest coming up at the end of the month, it’s not the easiest start. I’m committed to making it the best Schnizzfest ever. However, there are a few things I’m considering for 2024.
I plan to protect my schedule and time more carefully, both in business and personal aspects. For me, this involves declining more offers. It also means scheduling workouts, reading, dog walking, and lunch breaks.
I want to be more disciplined in communicating with others and how they communicate with me. It’s about encouraging people to maintain a ‘Gary list’ and to arrange a 10-minute meeting with me when it accumulates instead of calling me multiple times a day as issues arise. I plan to adopt a similar approach to those I interact with regularly.
Next, I will be more intentional about spending quality time with family and friends. This means having gatherings that aren’t necessarily centered around an event or activity. Growing up, my parents frequently took me to visit my aunts and uncles, and they visited us, too. We would gather around the kitchen table, enjoying coffee and dessert while chatting. So, in 2024, I’m looking forward to visiting some family and friends.
I’m also starting to spend more time away from my devices. I often find myself with a phone, an iPad, or a computer, maybe even more than necessary.
I’m not saying that everyone should do exactly as I do; we’re all in different stages of our lives. But, I’ve found that taking steps to decelerate the pace of our lives and becoming more present can be beneficial.
