make your workday work for you.
It’s sunny in Amsterdam, which feels like such a treat. And honestly, I’d much rather stroll to my favorite pastry spot than hang out on LinkedIn—but here we are, being responsible.
I told myself I’d get some admin work done today, maybe even clean out my inbox, before sessions start in the afternoon.
But the fact that I could, in theory, just close my laptop and go outside still makes me very happy.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have dared to leave my Slack unattended long enough to grab a snack. Now, I get to plan my workday around the sunshine. I feel very spoiled.
Most people can’t just tweak their hours to match their energy or step away to refill their cup before showing up again.
And sure, some jobs need fixed schedules, but plenty would benefit from more flexibility.
If you have even a little wiggle room, maybe today’s the day to take advantage of it—just because you can.
And if not, or you’re not sure, here’s something to chew on (preferably with a pastry in hand):
Do your most productive hours and your actual work hours match up?
How much of your schedule is based on habit rather than real necessity?
When was the last time you intentionally took a break instead of waiting until you were exhausted?
If you had complete control over your schedule for a week, what’s the first thing you’d change?
What’s one small tweak that could make your workday feel a little more like yours?
Not everyone gets the opportunity to tweak their schedule, but sometimes, the smallest shift can make a difference.
Maybe it’s reclaiming five minutes for a real break. Maybe it’s moving one task to a time that actually works for you.
It’s not about turning everything upside down—it’s about taking ownership where you can.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
