October is here.

But the fall weather hasn't quite arrived in Charlotte, NC yet. But as someone who now resides in Charlotte, NC, I have seen and been around a lot of people who have friends and family struggling through the effects of Hurricane Helene. So, I wanted to use this space to list out some links for donations:

Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/

Baptist On Mission: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene/Donations

NC State Donations: https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations

Every penny counts, and believe me, they are in need of anything right now. Now, let’s get into this week's Four For Friday!

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Setting Realistic Deadlines

If you’re setting deadlines like “Yeah, I’ll knock this out by tomorrow” and then find yourself still staring at it three days later, it’s time to change your plan. Setting realistic deadlines means actually planning how long shit takes. Once you do that, the stress of any unmet expectations disappears. You can meet those deadlines and feel like an absolute boss for getting your shit done on time.

Actionable Tip:
For your next project, add 20% more time than you think you’ll need. Also, I highly recommend a project management tool. Use Notion! Notion has been a savior for managing all of the projects on my plate. Give a try, it’s free.

HEALTH INSIGHT

The Sleep Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed

Alright, mouth-taping sounds weird as hell, but trust me, it's a game changer. I’ve been doing it for a while now, and my sleep has been next level. It forces you to breathe through your nose, which leads to deeper, more restful sleep. Also, no more waking up with a dry mouth like I just trekked through a desert. I used Whoop and did an A/B test on myself. One night with no tape, the other with tape. I was shocked to see the amount of wake moments I had with no tape on. I will continue to A/B test this, but I am fully on the bandwagon.

Actionable Tip:
Just give it a try. Either find some surgical tape at home or even duct tape (RIP your lips) and slap it on right before you head to bed. You can also get comfortable mouth tape from Amazon. That’s what I did. Don’t be scared, you will naturally continue to breathe through your nose. See if you notice a better sleep.

PERSONAL GROWTH

Limiting Screen Time

My phone has been frying my brain with constant notifications, so I decided to use Opal to block distractions. It’s been a game changer for productivity. We all know endless scrolling is a soul-sucker, and limiting screen time has made me more focused, more present, and generally less of a walking zombie. Now I do think that your phone can be a tool, so can social media. So the way I use Opal is that I set time blocks that I know I need to grind. The morning is my grind time, the least amount of time I want to spend on my phone. Then during lunch, the app unlocks all my apps for an hour. Then I have anohter lock from 1-5 to focus and close out the day. I also can set custom locks and bedtime locks. This is not an ad! I just love the app.

Actionable Tip:
Download Opal or use your phone’s built-in screen time limiter. Start by blocking out two solid hours during the day where you won’t look at your phone unless the house is burning down.

BONUS INSIGHT

Routine is My Adderall

Routine is what keeps me focused and sane. It’s the structure that powers everything else. It’s simple: build a routine, stick to it, and watch how much more productive and more balanced you become.

Actionable Tip:
Set your daily routine—workouts, work, breaks—and stick to it like your life depends on it. Spoiler: It kinda does.

Have your own tip or strategy to share? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you stay focused, grow, or improve in your own way.