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Reclaim Your Time: Use Calendar Blocking To Conquer Your Daily Schedule
Many of us have heard the popular adage, "You have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé." However, between chasing dreams, securing the bag, and living your best life, maintaining a productive and balanced schedule can be a downright challenge. In a world of meetings, deadlines, and endless emails, it can be difficult to utilize your working hours in the most efficient way. To make the most of your to-do list, try a technique called calendar blocking (also known as time blocking).
Calendar blocking is a simple, yet effective productivity method that helps to organize your daily schedule.
This time management tool includes taking each of your tasks and purposefully scheduling or "blocking" them on your calendar for a set period of time. Calendar blocking was not only designed to increase your focus, it also helps to hinder any nagging distractions and helps to take your daily organization to the next level.
The beauty of calendar blocking is that it can work for anyone, from a boss businesswoman to a stay-at-home mom. The value of blocking your time is that it helps to build your day around important priorities, and by scheduling your time in advance, you're able to avoid non-priorities, decreasing stress and anxiety. Are you ready to master the art of calendar blocking?
If so, here's an easy step-by-step process that will help you maximize each moment of your day:
1. Evaluate Your Energy Level
Focus on when your energy levels are the highest. Are you more of a morning person or more of a night owl? Do your creative juices flow most in the afternoon? Understand your physical and mental energy levels and then structure your day around your tasks and your time. Recognizing your performance capacity will help to build self-awareness and efficiency in your work.
2. Free Your Mind
Like many of us, there are probably a million and one things whirling around in your mind. According to studies, the average human tends to have 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day. That's a lot to think about!
Grab a pen and a sheet of paper–it's time to go old-school. Get your thoughts in order by writing them down. This includes routine items such as meetings and deadlines as well as future projects and plans. It's equally important to pencil in your daily rituals such as morning prayer or meditation, an afternoon workout, or your evening commute back home.
3. Identify What's Important
Once you've jotted all of your thoughts on paper, ask yourself, "What are the most critical items on my to-do list?" Think of everything you'd like to accomplish in a timely manner and then take note of any urgent and important deadlines. Knowing what you're going to work on ahead of time encourages you to make conscious work decisions. In addition, when you acknowledge your high-level priorities and goals, that will determine what your calendar will look like and how you will block out your time.
4. Time to Throw A Party... A Block Party, That Is
Now, it's finally time to build those blocks. Figure out the best day to do your blocking. Some prefer to do a weekly blocking schedule the Friday before or the Sunday of the upcoming week, while others recommend a daily practice that only blocks out the next day.
Once you've decided your best mode of action, place the items you've planned to do into specific blocks of time on your calendar.
Feel free to get as detailed as you like and make sure to allot yourself enough time to fully complete your tasks. Fill your day with designated times for meetings, creative work, or errands.
Here Are Some Additional Tips On Maximizing Your Calendar Blocking:
Reserve time for breaks, buffers, and the unexpected. While organizing your calendar is the ultimate goal of this activity, it's important to keep your schedule flexible to accommodate unexpected happenings and avoid overcommitting. Also, be sure to add buffers to certain items to give yourself extra time to work on an assignment in case you need it. Lastly, set aside time to rest and recharge.
Dump the distractions. Ditch anything that prevents you from fully focusing on your work. If it's your cellphone, try silencing your ringtone and/or your notifications whenever you need to concentrate on your projects.
Allow yourself to revise and reorganize. Take time to reflect on your productivity. Recognize what blocks worked in your schedule and what blocks didn't. In the upcoming weeks, try to maneuver some blocks around to learn which changes are advantageous and which aren't.
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Featured Image Via Shutterstock
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This New Scalp Care Line Is Exactly What Your Wash Days Need
This post is in partnership with SheaMoisture.
When it comes to healthy hair care, there are a few things that will help you achieve healthy strands: a healthy hair care regime, hydration, consistent treatments, and scalp care. While scalp care is one of the most neglected practices, it is also one of the most important. Why? Because it helps promote healthy hair growth, clear hair follicles, and remove build-up.
When it comes to creating a healthy scalp routine, it helps to know exactly what you’re up against so you know how to specifically treat it. Two of the most common concerns are dandruff and dry scalp. It can be tough to decipher which is which, but here’s a quick breakdown: dry scalp is caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, while dandruff is caused by an excess of oil and yeast buildup on the scalp. Knowing that both of these are big concerns, SheaMoisture released two separate product lines to address both issues: the Scalp Moisture collection and the Anti-Dandruff collection.
Needless to say, if you tend to experience dandruff then I’d recommend you try the Anti-Dandruff collection. However, my biggest concern has always been dry scalp. A lack of moisture on the scalp can be caused by several factors like weather, age, and hair products to name a few. I’ve noticed that when I use certain gels or skip out on a deep scalp cleanse, my roots feel itchy and dry nonstop, which is uncomfortable.
The only way to relieve the discomfort is to properly wash and moisturize my roots, so I tried the Scalp Moisture collection and this is what I thought.
Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
First, What’s In The Collection?
The Scalp Moisture collection is a four-product line that includes a pre-wash masque, a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and a moisturizing scalp cream. Each product uses moisturizing and strengthening ingredients like aloe butter and vitamin B3 as active ingredients to provide eight times the moisture. Together, aloe butter and vitamin B3 work to restore dry and brittle hair, as well as add relief to the scalp.
Now, let’s break down each product…
Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
Scalp Moisture Pre-Wash Masque
The SheaMoisture Scalp Moisture Pre-Wash Masque may actually be the all-star of the collection. Using this deep conditioning masque is one of the best ways to target your dry scalp, restore hydration, and nourish your strands before shampooing.
I started by completely saturating my hair and scalp with water, then making small sections to apply the masque directly to the root. For my girls who have experience with relaxers and perms, it helps to apply the masque to your roots just like you would do with a relaxer. This way you can make sure you’ve covered as much of your scalp as possible while minimizing any breakage.
Pro tip: you can also use a color application brush to make this step easier.
After I completely covered my scalp, I massaged the product into my roots, used any excess on my strands, then left the masque in for 30 minutes. I was shocked by how moisturizing and clarifying my scalp and hair felt. One of the things that I love about the masque is the slip and how much softer it made my hair. While this is marketed as a scalp care product, it can completely transform your hair from dry and parched to completely hydrated.
In my opinion, the downside of this masque is that the quantity is too small for my liking. Truth be told, naturals go through deep conditioners faster than any other product (especially when it’s this good.) So SheaMoisture, if you’re reading this, we’d love a bigger jar.
Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
Scalp Moisture Shampoo
The SheaMoisture Scalp Moisture Shampoo is a gentle cleanser packed with the same moisture as the masque. The pearl-colored shampoo is lightweight with a serum-like consistency and a light and clean scent. The smell is pleasant, subtle, and not overbearing. When I applied the shampoo, I noticed immediately that it foams and lathers up very quickly, so less is more.
After applying the shampoo, I parted my hair and started at the roots to target as much of my scalp as possible. I recommend really taking the time to work the product and massage your scalp as much as possible.
Pro tip: using a scalp massager makes it easier and it feels amazing.
Once you start to massage your hair you’ll feel the product start to work. There’s a tingling sensation that might catch you off guard if you’re not used to it, but it’s not nearly as strong as other scalp products I’ve tried. I know some may not appreciate the sensation, but I loved it! My scalp felt clean, light, and breathable.
Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
Scalp Moisture Conditioner
Like the shampoo, the SheaMoisture Scalp Moisture Conditioner shares that pearly color and serum-like feel. It applies very easily while softening and moisturizing your hair. When I applied it to my hand, it gave my hands a lotion-like feel, which speaks volumes about its hydration capabilities. I also loved that the conditioner comes with a pump, instead of having to squeeze the product out – to me, it makes application easier.
I typically apply my conditioner to the ends first but because this is a scalp care product I started at the root and worked my way down to my ends. I did leave the conditioner in for ten minutes, although the bottle recommends leaving it in for three. The conditioner also provides that same breathable feel to your scalp. I honestly loved the relief.
Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
Scalp Moisture Cream
The SheaMoisture Scalp Moisture Cream is more of a daily relief product for your roots rather than your overall hair. It’s great for providing moisture and immediate relief to a dry and itchy scalp. Just like most of the collection, it gives a light and breathable feel – without the tingle. The applicator bottle targets specific parts of your scalp and makes applying easier.
Pro tip: I typically just squeeze the bottle to wherever I need the relief and use the tip to massage it into my scalp so it doesn’t mess up the hairstyle.
Overall, SheaMoisture’s scalp care line lives up to its claims – it moisturizes, strengthens, and provides immediate scalp relief. I definitely recommend trying the Scalp Moisture collection for an affordable way to treat itchy and dry scalp.
Featured image by Krissy Lewis for xoNecole
Usher first captivated millions of hearts everywhere following the release of his second studio album, My Way, over two decades ago.
Over the years, the singer became a household name and left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry after dropping two chart-topping albums, 8701 andConfessions, respectively, in 2001 and 2004. Both of which have earned countless awards. Since then, Usher would release four more studio albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide.
To date, Usher, who is considered one of the best-selling artists of all time, is currently performing all his hits and more at his widely popular Las Vegas residency. With nearly 30 years in the industry, aside from his success, many often wonder how Usher keeps his ageless appearance at 44-years-old.
In Vogue's Beauty Secrets, a YouTube series, Usher shared how he maintained his physical appearance and the products he used for his daily skincare routine.
Hot Washcloth
Vogue/ YouTube
At the start of the video, Usher revealed that he begins his everyday skincare routine by wiping his face with a hot washcloth. The singer also shared that during this process, he is cautious not to mess up his hairline.
"I start everyday prep with a hot rag. You know, Black men, we’re really are specific about our hairlines. So, I'mma be really, really careful. It's almost like paint, this work of art," he said.
Further into the clip, Usher disclosed that he incorporated a hot washcloth into his regimen because before developing a more thorough skincare routine and getting other products that worked well with his face, he only used the rag.
"I learned this technique by not having access to any of this s--t, to be honest. A hot rag will get you a long way," he stated. "But you do have to be very careful of what you put on your skin. What it does, it actually exfoliates."
Hand Sanitizer and Facial Spray
Vogue/ YouTube
In the next step, the "My Way" crooner cleans his hands with Jao sanitizer and sprinkles Mario Badescu facial spray containing aloe, herbs, and Rosewater throughout his skin.
The benefits of using aloe include acne reduction, slow signs of aging, skin hydration, etc. At the same time, Rosewater shares some similar properties as aloe. It can also help individuals balance their natural oils and promote a smoother appearance.
Cleanser
Vogue/ YouTube
Following the facial spray, Usher uses Acne Expert Skincare's cleanser to remove any excess dirt on his face. The father of four revealed that this particular product is one of his favorites because of the cleanser's lather.
"When you use cleansers that don't necessarily lather. You almost feel like you're not really cleansing your skin," he said.
Usher added that another benefit of using the cleanser was that it was easy to use and keep up with after struggling with acne for many years.
"I went through a great deal of really, really bad acne as a kid," he explained. "I mean my face broke out so bad I had to find something that was simple enough to be able to keep up."
Eye Mask
Vogue/ YouTube
In the fifth step, the "Burn" vocalist shares how he maintains his ageless appearance. Usher reveals that he likes to use Peter Thomas Roth eye masks when he has extra time for a more detailed skincare routine.
"If you have enough time, which today we happen to, I'm getting calls. They're trying to pull me away because they didn't want me to share this incredible life-changing experience for you to keep you looking young like I do forever. These are really cool because they are like golden. Peter Thomas Roth eye mask," he said.
While removing the mask and massaging his eyes, Usher opened up about why individuals need to find time to take care of themselves, whether through a daily skincare regimen, meditation, or prayer.
"This whole purpose and point of taking a moment for you. Some people choose to meditate. Some people choose to say a prayer," he stated. "Whatever it is, you got to take care of you in order to be able to take care of anybody else. You gotta straighten your own mask before you get anyone else's straight."
Vitamin C Serum
Vogue/ YouTube
Following his advice, Usher used a rejuvenating toner before applying Acne Expert Skincare's vitamin C serum with a brush. The "Superstar" singer disclosed he uses a brush instead of his hands to preserve his hairline.
"This is a daily [vitamin] c antioxidant serum that I use for my skin. Now this is a personal moment. I said I was going to let you in on the secret. I use a brush for my face," he said. "Most people, they use their [hands]. Ain't nothing wrong with you using it. I'm particular about my [hair] line. I just really can't mess with this [hair] line."
Moisturizer
Vogue/ YouTube
Toward the end of the video, the "You Remind Me" songster explained some of the products he uses are beneficial for different seasons, including Acne Expert Skincare's moisturizer.
"Summertime, you do know that you are going to sweat or perspire a little bit more. So there is a difference in terms of how much product you use and what type of products you use on your skin," he stated. "Typically, I use what is called a calming moisturizing gel...It has like cooling properties inside of it that actually chills the skin out."
Usher continued the conversation by expressing how much he enjoys taking care of himself.
"I really like to take care of my face. I like to take care of myself. Can I say I'm vain? Yeah, because I care about myself. I care about my skin. I care about how I look. This thing, I'm preserving for you," he said.
After applying the moisturizer, Usher proceeds to do face exercises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The "My Boo" crooner wraps up his skincare routine by spraying Caudalie face mist on his skin, applying La Mer and Jack Black lip balm on his lips, and Chanel La Créme Main on his hands before heading out to the venue where he performs his residency.
Usher's Pre-Show Skin Care and Wellness Routine | Beauty Secrets | Vogue
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Feature image by Vogue/ YouTube