Every so often, when I hop on a call with someone, they’ll say:
“I know you’re busy. I feel bad taking your time.”
And every time, I respond with:
Of course I’m busy. Of course I have a lot of important things to work on. And no, we didn’t plan this call.
But here’s the thing: I’m mindful of my time. I know how to spend it. I choose how I spend it.
And right now, being here with you — talking to you — is the most important thing I can do.
And I mean it.
Showing up
Even if they’re not on my project. (Especially if they’re not on my project.)
Because if I can help someone — really help them — it matters.
- If I can stop them from spiraling.
- If I can give them clarity.
- If I can help them feel supported when they’re frustrated or alone.
- If I can save them 3 hours by doing a 10-minute thing.
Then I know they’ll show up to their work better.
And when that happens, the chances of success — for their project, their team, their work stream — all increase.
When they win, we all do.
Checking in...
Some of these meetings are planned. Many are spontaneous.
They start with a check-in — often a casual “Haiii” — or a quiet sense that someone’s not okay.
So I ask, “Are you okay?”
And we talk. And I listen.
For as long as they need. As long as my calendar allows.
Sometimes it’s 15 minutes. Sometimes it’s 2 hours.
Whatever they need. Whatever I can give.
My work
People often ask, “What about your own project work?”
And sure, I think about that too.
I’ve done this enough times, alongside delivering major projects, to know I can manage my time.
I can do both.
At the heart of it, productivity — getting stuff done — isn’t about optimizing every second. It’s about understanding and choosing where your attention matters most.
So when I choose to spend my time like this — on an unscheduled call, with someone I may have never spoken to before — I’m not wasting it.
I’m doing the most important thing I can do, right now.