The sh!t that's wasting your time, plus other life lessons from our favorite entrepreneurs

2020 has been an insanely crazy year, even crazier than my 2019, you remember that story right? And now that it’s nearly over and we are in another quasi lockdown, it’s given me even more time to reflect. It’s forced all of us to re-evaluate our lives and in many instances, completely change our life perspectives. It’s been a reset for so many us. I asked several of my favorite entrepreneurs to weigh in on what they learned this year, in the hopes I can learn from them.

What habit did you develop that you will carry into 2021?

“Spending less time in the office and more time binge watching TV shows. Life’s short — I think we all needed to take it down a notch. “ - Bobbi Brown of Jones Road and Evolution 18, beauty and wellness maven

"Whiteboarding (but on my home mirrors). At first I really missed going into the office, so I purchased dry erase markers and started mapping out my day and my week on my bathroom and bedroom mirrors. I love it." - Robin Levine Shobin, Halo, Charlotte's Book, Sex and Good

“Eating red meat! I didn’t eat red meat prior to Covid. And now I’m a steak and burger loving fiend. Also, I never in a million years thought I would say this: working out at home. Once I settled into my groove of long outdoor runs for endurance and online workouts for strengthening, I realized how efficient my life is this way." -Emily Parr of Holifrog

"That I actually love being at home, it’s so cozy. And that although time feels slow sometimes, it actually moves so fast. It’s the simple things and moments that have meaning. My gratitude list has skyrocketed." – Amy Rosoff Davis of Amy Rosoff Davis

“Execution. I had an idea to write a journal, Being in quarantine gave me the time and I did it. It's now for sale on Amazon and it is doing awesome. Now I’m in the process of writing 2 other journals. Have an idea, do it. Find the time.” - Hugh Simson of Sex and Good

What did you realize is a complete waste of your time?

“Sending out crazy amounts of influencer packages tied with ribbons. We launched Jones Road without any of that and nothing changed. It was a great reminder of authenticity or what I’ve always called “being scrappy.” -Bobbi Brown of Jones Road and Evolution 18, beauty and wellness maven

"Worrying or comparing myself." – Amy Rosoff Davis of Amy Rosoff Davis

“Press events and meetings. I’ve always limited my participation in in-person meetings, but press events were kind of unavoidable in my business. Covid taught, hopefully the whole beauty industry, that we can certainly scale back the amount of launch activations. They’re time-consuming, costly and wasteful!" -Emily Parr of Holifrog

"Social Media, while it’s fun to laugh at memes which I love… I only follow those accounts that make me laugh or inspire me with some personal development. I have detoxed my social media and learned how to use “mute” on IG. It's freed up time and made me more productive.” - Hugh Simson of Sex and Good

What did you really learn about yourself during lockdown?

“I’ve learned that I’m not great at laundry but I’m pretty good at housekeeping and organizing. I’ve also learned that I can launch a brand from home, which has been so cool and exciting. I miss people and traveling more than anything but have learned to enjoy quiet time and being alone. “ -Bobbi Brown of Jones Road and Evolution 18, beauty and wellness maven

"I’ve been living in New York City for 15 years and never envisioned myself not living here. However, spending the first 6 months of the lockdown on Martha’s Vineyard taught me that I’m actually a nature-loving recluse! I realized that I don’t care for the "scene" that really identifies New York: 5 star restaurants, bars, theaters, concerts, etc. I never relished those elements of New York pre-covid. A hike on the nature trails and a grilled burger in the backyard is much more my style than making dinner reservations at the hottest new spot in town." -Emily Parr of Holifrog

"That I actually love being at home, it’s so cozy. And that although time feels slow sometimes, it actually moves so fast. It’s the simple things and moments that have meaning. My gratitude list has skyrocketed." – Amy Rosoff Davis of Amy Rosoff Davis

"I realized that I don't need a gym and bulky gym equipment to be strong and fit. You can accomplish a lot with your own body weight and a great YouTube video. YouTube is a wealth of video content. I learned that YouTube can teach you to do and be anything! In addition to workouts, I used YouTube to learn how to make sushi, make cheesecake from scratch, coconut flan, and a lot more. Now I am not only fitter after COVID, I am a master chef. " -Hugh Simson of Sex and Good

What's your best tip for "winter covid" lockdown?

"Boost your at-home fitness routine. There are so many amazing virtual platforms that make working out an easier add to your everyday routine. Take advantage of the time and flexibility…even if it’s just doing a plank in your bedroom while watching TV. Something is better than nothing." -Bobbi Brown of Jones Road and Evolution 18, beauty and wellness maven

“Engage in a home project that you’ve been putting off; it will pass some time and make you enjoy your space more. For me, I’m going to have a tin ceiling put in my NYC kitchen.” -Emily Parr of Holifrog

"Keep warm, keep healthy, keep grateful and CARRY ON! This too shall pass and it's a chapter in all of our lives. So, let’s make the best of it. Life is still happening all around us!" – Amy Rosoff Davis of Amy Rosoff Davis

"Schedule (virtual) workouts with your friends and stick to it. It's hard not being able to socialize in the 'normal' ways, especially during winter. Rather than a wine zoom date, schedule a shared workout date. Just pick a great YouTube video and share your screen. It will keep you on a fitness schedule and make you feel like you are taking a workout class with your bestie." -Robin Levine Shobin, Halo, Charlotte's Book, Sex and Good

“Try intermittent fasting if you haven’t already. It keeps the quarantine weight off. It’s pretty much calorie deficit eating and it works.” -Hugh Simson of Sex and Good

Photo credit: The image is from Bridget Jones's Diary. Need we explain any more?