Time is stretchy… make memories + bend productivity.

Merry (early) Christmas if you celebrate!

Last week our house got taken out with a head cold *and* toddler teething molars (oy!), but we’re back in full holiday swing! And with a side of sexy raspy voice for me, ha. My team and coaching clients are loving it. ;)

In said sexy raspy voice… I’ve got a secret…

In the coming weeks, I’m rolling out some massive things in my business — requested for over a decade, marinating for years, and disrupting the way things are done in business, leadership & wealth for women. Soul fully lit up. If it could be conveyed in emojis: 🏹🍯🍓🔥✌🏻 (+ disco ball, but the computer won’t let me…)

‘Launch’ time used to be packed and stressful… kinda like holidays can be for some. So, whether you run your own business, a team, a home, or yourself…

Today’s letter is a reminder that living your *juicy* life will only make your work (and marriage, parenting, leadership, mind, holidays) better, even 10x better. (Note: restoration mode vs. relief mode is key.)

With love,
to us, from me.

P.S. I feel like today’s letter is a special cheat code for life and especially babes in business. Try it on + enjoy!

If you’ve been with me a bit, there are a lot of “rules” that I just don’t think have to apply… to me, to you, to us. (Like seriously, why? And, why not? at the same time).

Time is one of those “rules”.

Before, in certain seasons of life… I’d find myself saying things like, “I don’t have enough time.” Or, “time is flying by.” Annnnd in the same month… saying, “This is taking me forever. I’m going so slow. Can I just hurry this up?”

Like I/we had no control over it.

I mean, yes… we know we can work on saying no and not overcommitting ourselves, but we can’t actually change time.

Until… I learned we can.

We can make time stretchy.

Stretchy for your goals, your love, your joy, your memories, your work & purpose.

Slow it down. Speed it up. You can make it work for *you*.

Time is usually thought and talked about in linear + finite ways… but Einstein believed + coined it differently. The theory of relativity: the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference.

We can collapse the time needed for work & creation when we get in flow. (i.e. get the same project done in 2 hours that would have taken 8 hours — oh hi, quantum leap).

*And*, we can make time and the length of our lives feel more abundant, stretchy, and meaningful when we experience novelty.

First fun example:

Last week, I was ‘scheduled’ to work for a few hours in the morning. Buuuuut then, an opportunity presented itself (cough, a bare fridge) to instead go out for brunch with my little fam.

I debated. I should’ed myself. Time is limited and linear, right? I should be “responsible.” I have deadlines. I argued for my limitations instead of what was lighting up my soul. But that’s not how we live in KDO land. ☕️🥐 So…

I threw out the rules, decided, and went to brunch. We met other family + friends, had a magical brunch, great conversations, a beautiful environment and Christmas decor… my soul was relaxed, my heart grateful, a full belly and inspiration ignited. i.e. it sharpened my axe.

“Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree
and I will spend the first 4 sharpening my axe.”
— Abraham Lincoln

I worked later that afternoon for ½ the amount of time and got 3x the amount of work done. And it felt easy, good, and natural… like breathing.

Just like professional athletes have game days and recovery days, our mind, body & hearts need it too in order to play full out. Filling my cup + sharpening my axe made my productivity, clarity, alignment, and flow so much more peaceful and thus powerful. Plus, way better work.

Time is stretchy.

But it's up to you/us to uncover + own what truly sharpens your axe (different for everyone and even different in different seasons of life).

What if it doesn’t have to be so hard? What if we could let it be easier by being more of ourselves and filling out cups?

Proof for me: Almost every brilliant + wildly successful idea I’ve had in business (and many in life) was thought up and decided on while on vacation and playing. 🎿🌴🇸🇪 There’s a reason for sabbaticals.

The key with these trips, the brunch last week, and “taking time to LIVE” is that there’s a difference between restoration that feeds your soul vs. relief which escapes your life and leaves you in the same place you were, sometimes feeling worse about yourself.

Note: It’s not about *doing* more. It’s about knowing how to *be / being* more of yourself and tap into that to fuel everything.

2nd fun example:

A few years ago, we had a newborn — blurred days, a slight baptism by fire with nursing/sleep challenges, and putting on cute clothes for the day was a BIG win.

And then, on my birthday, my mother-in-law and husband surprised me with an outdoor bathtub to soak in and moon bathe. Eeee!

I think I actually squealed with glee.

In that blurred moment, it jolted me into remembering something so key about time and designing our lives vs. defaulting.

NOVELTY.

Choosing to turn ordinary moments into extra-ordinary simply by doing something new.

Novelty (especially doing something for the first time) helps our brains to form more vivid memories. By creating (positive) memories, you perceive your time as more abundant, stretchy, and meaningful.

We have the power to make time feel abundant + life feel more meaningful.

Time *is* stretchy.

Note: Novelty doesn’t mean it has to be big, complicated, time consuming, or $$$.

It can be as simple as…

++ candlelit Christmas Eve dinner
++ a 1-off salsa class
++ sprinkles in your pancakes
++ a fluffy fort on the ground for movie night vs. the couch
++ playing at a new park
++ dancing in the rain
++ trying sardines (lol, just me?)

It’s taking a tiny bit of extra time to design life vs. default into the ruts and routines.

Again, taking time to live your life will only improve your everything.

And, (important!) not letting ourselves get sucked into the, “When I __, then I’ll ___.” trap.

WHEN I… have more money, lose weight/get fit, have more time, get more sleep, finish this busy season…

THEN I’ll… <insert the life you actually desire to live.>

I now aim to choose 1 family memory making adventure each week: Christmas train, flower farm, botanical gardens, longboard skateboarding, new coffee shop, Easter egg hunt, kids bookstore, wine bar downtown, first trip to the ocean (with a baby).

I’ve hit maybe 50% of what I set out, but that’s 50% more than I would have and I can remember every single one.

By doing something memorable, you create more memories.

If you want life to slow down (in the best ways), make more meaning + memories, and truly LIVE (not just exist)… novelty is the secret sauce.

What’s 1 new thing you can do this week? This month?

Dream it. Schedule it. Then do it.

Create an unforgettable life. It's more do-able than you think.

Time *is* stretchy.

(Kinda like the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, but way better).

Cheers to more meaning, magic & flow, less Groundhog Day.

with love,
from me to us. xx

P.S. Something epic is coming… I can’t wait to invite you in soon. Until then, bend time, savor the holidays, fill your cup and get ready to write a whole new chapter in 2025. Cheers, babes.

P.P.S. This series is archived on Substack here. You’ll get my emails + the Lioness Letters delivered to you email inbox just like we always have. But, if you’re looking for an archive, on-the-go app (I’m obsessed!), or to connect with me/us, Substack just takes us to the next level and it’s free. Leave me a note or a ♥️ below!