My three interesting things for you this month…
1. Mastering Leverage: Why Doing More Isn’t Always Better
A lot of productivity advice tells you how to do more – fit more into your calendar, tick more off the list, respond to more people faster.
But as Sam Altman puts it, the most successful people aren’t the ones working the longest hours. They’re the ones applying the most leverage.
In finance, leverage looks like this:
- Spending more time on the “so what”, not just the “what” or “why.”
- Zooming out and thinking strategically before thinking about execution.
- Prioritising one game-changing analysis over churning out a bunch of reports.
One client of mine recently took a long look at his team’s recurring tasks and cut weekly workload by ten hours, all with one simple question:
“What are we doing out of habit, not value?”
That approach helped them cut low-impact work, giving the team valuable time back to focus on insight and action.
Leverage isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing fewer things, better. The kind of things that shape decisions, not just describe them.
Here’s your prompt this month: What’s the one thing on your calendar that would have the biggest impact if you did it brilliantly?
Start there. Then start trimming the rest.
Interested in the rest of what Sam says? You can read the full article here.
2. Managing Energy and Momentum: How to Get Unstuck Fast
You’ve probably had those days where you stare at a spreadsheet or project plan and nothing seems to move. That’s not a productivity problem – it’s an energy problem.
This is where a lot of us fall into the trap of trying to push through. We think that if we just sit with it longer, something will click. But in my experience, and in Sam Altman’s view, that approach rarely works.
You don’t create traction by staring at the same thing for hours on end. You create it by changing gears.
Altman’s advice is simple: don’t go through the motions. Switch things up. When momentum is low, don’t try to push harder. Shift directions.
Work on something different that still builds progress.
Respond to some short emails. Approve some POs. Review a draft presentation from the team. Sketch out a plan. Build movement.
These aren’t your most strategic tasks – but they’re not filler either. They’re progress. And when you’re feeling stuck, progress matters more than perfection.
A finance director I coach recently started using “10-minute resets” – a list of quick, high-value tasks he can jump into when energy dips. He found that completing these tasks gave him enough momentum to come back to the harder task with a clearer head. His output improved. So did his motivation.
The goal here isn’t to distract yourself – it’s to reset your rhythm. To find a way back into motion when your focus is off.
Sometimes, the best productivity tool isn’t a planner. It’s permission to pivot.
3. Schedule Like a CEO: Why Guarding Your Time is Non-Negotiable
It’s easy to wear busyness like a badge of honour. A packed calendar, back-to-back meetings, barely enough time to grab lunch – it can all feel like a sign of importance. But more often than not, it’s just a sign that your time is being spent by default, not by design.
The most effective leaders I know treat their calendars like investment portfolios. Every slot is evaluated for return. Time is allocated where it delivers the most value, and the rest is cut without hesitation.
Altman takes it a step further: actively seek free time.
Don’t cram every gap. Leave space to think, reflect and recalibrate. That’s where real strategy happens. And in finance leadership, that space isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
Without it, you’re stuck firefighting, constantly reacting to others’ priorities. You might be busy, but that doesn’t mean you’re being effective.
Here’s one thing to try: zero-based scheduling. For one week, instead of auto-accepting meetings and routines, rebuild your calendar from scratch.
Ask yourself: if I had no existing commitments, what should I actually be spending time on this week?
What requires thinking time? What needs deeper focus? Where can I add the most value?
A single daily block of quiet, focused time can unlock sharper thinking. It helps you stay intentional, so your calendar reflects your role, your priorities and the leader you want to be.
Give zero-based scheduling a go. You might be surprised by what falls away. And even more surprised by what finally gets the space it needs.
Because when your calendar starts working for you, not the other way around, you’ll feel the shift.
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