Last year, I missed my daughter Fleur’s university graduation. It was originally scheduled for March but got postponed to later in the year. By the time we finally received the new date in September, I’d already committed to an important client event—and it was too late to change. I can’t tell you how frustrated I was.
In this video, I want to share a few simple tips to help you protect the important dates in your life, so work doesn’t always take over.
I work with leaders all over the world, and I often hear the same frustration. One leader told me about the time he missed a big moment with his daughter. He’d even blocked the time in his calendar, but a last-minute crisis popped up, and he felt obligated to step in. The guilt and frustration were all too familiar.
Every year, my wife TK and I sit down for what we call our Dinner with a Pen and Paper. We grab a meal, pull out a notebook, and go through the year ahead. We mark down key dates—holidays, birthdays, school events, family gatherings—and then I transfer these into a yearly calendar. Here’s how you can do the same:
1. Plan It
After our dinner, I create a yearly calendar just for personal events. I use a simple Excel template from calendarpedia.com (yearly calendar / Excel / Template 8, if you’re curious—it shows the whole year at a glance!). On this calendar, I block out school holidays, family events, and any must-attend moments.
2. Block It
Once the calendar is ready, I transfer those dates into my digital calendar. That way, when someone requests a meeting or when my assistant, Jilord, schedules appointments, they’ll see those dates already marked as unavailable.
3. Update It
Life changes, and so do plans. I regularly review and update the calendar as new events pop up or dates shift. It’s not foolproof—after all, I still missed Fleur’s graduation—but it helps me protect those moments about 80% of the time.
Sure, work is important. But those key life events? They’re irreplaceable. And while I couldn’t be there for Fleur’s big day, knowing I did everything I could helped ease the disappointment.
So, my question to you is: Do you create a yearly calendar for your personal life? Do you block out those key dates before your work calendar fills up?
If not, I highly recommend giving it a go. It might just save you from missing a moment you’ll never get back.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Hope you have a lovely day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
