After weeks of a relatively quiet work environment during the holiday season, the rhythm of the workday is about to accelerate once again. Much like Mrs. Dalloway hearing Big Ben striking, the passage of time is inevitable.

It’s easy to feel helpless as you look at a jam-packed agenda filled with meetings and an ever-growing to-do list. You might even find yourself splitting your focus—your body is present in one place, but your mind is somewhere else entirely. Days pass, and you may find solace in lengthy meetings, like a two-hour all-hands with the CEO, because they bring you closer to the end of the day.

But if you had the chance to reflect during the recent quieter period, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your approach. Instead of defaulting to "quiet quitting," consider becoming more intentional about how you spend your work hours. Here’s how:

• Say No to Unnecessary Meetings: Politely decline meetings where your presence doesn’t add tangible value. This gives you more time to focus on impactful work.
• Create Focus Blocks: Dedicate specific time slots in your day for deep, uninterrupted work to produce meaningful results.
• Be Present and Engaged: When you are in a meeting or working on a task, commit fully to the moment. Dividing your attention may feel efficient, but it often results in mediocrity.

Remember, just like Big Ben will relentlessly mark the passing hours, time will move on regardless of your choices. The key is deciding how you want to spend those hours and optimizing your effort to make them count.