We usually ignore transition time.

• Between types of meetings.
• Between technical vs social tasks.
• Between work days and weekends.
• Between phases of the day.
• Between roles, levels, or sets of expectations.

If your focus needs to transition, make space for that. “Managing your time well” doesn’t mean playing Tetris with your schedule to wring every grain of productivity from your day. It’s reducing how many transitions you need and being mindful of giving yourself enough buffer to make them successfully and completely.

As we wind down the year, you may feel pressure to optimize and choreograph every moment. Every app in the world is sending you a “year in review” email or montage to show you how “engaged” you were this year and encourage you to do even more next year. You may feel even more pressure to “hit the ground running” on 2 January and execute on a new plan, personally or professionally.

Pour yourself a cup of tea and stare out the window a bit longer instead. Reflect on what you want to do less of next year. Reflect on what transitions need more breathing room.

If you make more space for transitions, your time isn’t just better spent, it feels better too.