#Time Management Matrix

[employeetrackpro]

Secrets To Success Unlocking Productivity With The Time Management Matrix

In today's fast-paced world, managing our time effectively is more critical than ever. With endless tasks and constant demands on our attention, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, mastering the art of time management can significantly enhance our productivity and reduce stress. One powerful tool that can help us achieve this is the Task Prioritization Grid. This blog will explore how the Time Management Matrix can unlock productivity secrets and lead us to success.

Understanding The Task Prioritization Grid

The time management matrix, popularized by Stephen Covey in his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," is a simple yet powerful tool for prioritizing tasks. The matrix is divided into four quadrants, each representing different types of activities based on their urgency and importance:

Quadrant I: Urgent and Important

Tasks that require immediate attention and are critical to achieving significant goals.

Examples: Crises, deadlines, urgent problems.

Quadrant II: Not Urgent but Important

Activities that are crucial for long-term success and personal growth but do not require immediate action.

Examples: workforce Planning, relationship building, personal development.

Quadrant III: Urgent but Not Important

Tasks that demand immediate attention but do not contribute significantly to our goals.

Examples: Interruptions, some meetings, most phone calls.

Quadrant IV: Not Urgent and Not Important

Activities that are neither urgent nor important and often serve as distractions.

Examples: Mindless browsing, excessive TV watching, trivial activities.

The Power Of Prioritization

The key to unlocking productivity lies in our ability to prioritize effectively. The Task Prioritization Grid helps us focus on what truly matters by encouraging us to spend more time in Quadrant II. This quadrant, although not urgent, contains activities that contribute most to our long-term success and well-being. By investing time in planning, goal-setting, and personal development, we can prevent crises and reduce the time spent in Quadrant I.

Strategies For Effective Time Management

Identify Your Priorities

Start by listing all your tasks and categorizing them into the four quadrants. This will give you a clear picture of where you are currently spending your time and where adjustments are needed.

Focus on Quadrant II

Dedicate a significant portion of your time to activities in Quadrant II. Schedule regular planning sessions, set long-term goals, and invest in personal development. This proactive approach will help you stay ahead of deadlines and prevent emergencies.

Delegate and Eliminate

Delegate tasks in Quadrant III and eliminate those in Quadrant IV. This will free up your time for more important activities. Learn to say no to non-essential tasks and distractions that do not align with your goals.

Use Tools and Techniques

Utilize workload management tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to stay organized and on track. Techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique (working in focused intervals) can also enhance productivity.

Regularly Review and Adjust

Periodically review your tasks and priorities. Life is dynamic, and your priorities may change over time. Regular reviews ensure that you stay aligned with your long-term goals and can adjust your plans accordingly.

Benefits Of The Time Productivity Matrix

Implementing the Productivity Matrix into your daily routine offers numerous benefits:

Increased Productivity: By focusing on important tasks, you achieve more in less time.

Reduced Stress: Proactive planning minimizes last-minute rushes and crises.

Improved Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing important but non-urgent activities allows for better personal and professional growth.

Enhanced Decision-Making: Clear prioritization aids in making informed and effective decisions.

You can also watch: EmpMonitor: Manage Remote Work Easily

Conclusion

Unlocking productivity and achieving success requires a strategic approach to managing our time. The time management matrix is an invaluable tool that helps us prioritize tasks and focus on what truly matters. By spending more time on important activities and reducing distractions, we can enhance our productivity, reduce stress, and achieve our long-term goals. Start using the Productivity Matrix today and unlock the secrets to your success.

[teamtrackmaster]

The Matrix For All: Adapting The Time Management Matrix To Different Work Styles

Managing your time is essential. And time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between various activities to maximize efficiency and productivity. Effective time management enables individuals to accomplish more in a shorter period, reduces stress, and leads to career success. Key strategies for effective time management include setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, and breaking large projects into manageable chunks. 

Using tools like to-do lists, calendars, and time-tracking apps can help keep tasks organized and deadlines in check. It's also essential to eliminate distractions and delegate tasks when possible. Additionally, scheduling breaks and leisure time is crucial to maintain focus and avoid burnout. By mastering time management, individuals can improve their work-life balance, enhance productivity, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

So, in this article, we will get to know about the Time Management Matrix. Let’s know more about it!

What Is This Matrix?

It is introduced by Stephen Covey in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," is a strategic framework for prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants: Quadrant I includes urgent and important tasks like crises and pressing deadlines; Quadrant II consists of important but not urgent tasks such as planning, relationship building, and personal growth, which are crucial for long-term success; Quadrant III contains urgent but not important tasks, often distractions or interruptions that demand immediate attention but do not contribute significantly to long-term goals. 

And Quadrant IV comprises neither urgent nor important tasks, such as trivial activities or excessive social media use, which do not enhance productivity. Effective time management involves focusing primarily on Quadrant II to proactively address important goals and reduce the occurrence of last-minute cruises in Quadrant I, while minimizing time spent on tasks in Quadrants III and IV. This approach fosters a more balanced, productive, and fulfilling work life by emphasizing long-term planning and prioritizing meaningful activities.

Employee Productivity Monitoring 

Employee productivity monitoring involves tracking and assessing employees' work performance and efficiency using various tools and methods. This practice aims to identify strengths and areas for improvement to boost overall productivity. Techniques can range from software that monitors computer usage and task completion to regular performance reviews and feedback sessions.

Effective employee productivity monitoring offers several benefits. It can help managers understand workload distribution, identify bottlenecks, and ensure that resources are being used efficiently. 

Additionally, it provides insights into employee performance, helping to recognize high performers and address issues with underperforming staff. However, it's crucial to balance monitoring with respect for employee privacy and autonomy. Transparent communication about the purpose and methods of monitoring can help build trust and acceptance among employees. Also you may use the employee performance tracker to know your employee’s productivity.

When implemented thoughtfully, productivity monitoring can lead to increased efficiency, better resource management, and improved employee performance. It should be part of a broader strategy that includes clear goal setting, regular feedback, and support for professional development, ensuring that monitoring contributes positively to both employee satisfaction and organizational success.

Tips For Task Prioritisation

Prioritizing tasks effectively is essential for managing your time efficiently and achieving your goals. Here are some tips for task prioritization:

Use The Eisenhower Matrix - Divide tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Focus on important tasks first. This also works for Remote Employees.

Identify Your Goals - Clearly define your short-term and long-term goals. Prioritize tasks that align with these goals and contribute significantly to your progress.

Create A To-Do List - Write down all the tasks you need to complete. Organize them by priority and check them off as you go to keep track of your progress.

Assess Deadlines And Consequences - Consider the deadlines and potential consequences of not completing a task. Tasks with imminent deadlines and significant consequences should take precedence.

Break Down Large Tasks - Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable parts. This makes them less overwhelming and easier to prioritize and tackle. Also Watch: Leading Employee Engagement and Workforce Productivity Tool

Winding Up!

In conclusion, the Time Management Matrix is an invaluable tool for prioritizing tasks and improving productivity. By categorizing tasks based on their urgency and importance, individuals can focus on what truly matters, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing stress. 

Emphasizing Quadrant II activities—important but not urgent tasks—helps in proactive planning and long-term goal achievement, minimizing the frequency of crises and urgent tasks in Quadrant I. Meanwhile, limiting time spent on less significant tasks in Quadrants III and IV ensures that energy and resources are directed towards meaningful activities. Mastering the Time Management Matrix enables individuals to achieve a more balanced and productive life, ultimately leading to greater personal and professional success.

[themindofastrid]

Five time management tips + resources useful for you (and me)

Image by rawpixel.com

1️⃣ Start small (make a to-do list).

I know being productive can seem really hard and stressful sometimes, especially if you have a thousand things to do. But the best way to start decluttering your mind is to write down absolutely everything you need to do, aka, a to-do list. You can keep a monthly to-do list, and then break it down into a weekly to-do list, to finally turn it into a daily to-do list. Lastly, you can keep a master to-do list, which combines the three types of to-do lists mentioned before. I personally use Microsoft To-Do.

2️⃣ Prioritize (classify your tasks).

After you have your daily to-do list ready (preferably, however you can do this with your monthly, weekly or master to-do list if you would like to), what will help you identify what should your next step be is assigning a level of importance to each task, aka, prioritizing. To classify the tasks you can assign numbers (i.e. 1-10, 1 being the most important and 10 being the least), letters (i.e. A for most important, and Z for the least), the Eat that Frog method (classify the tasks by starting with the most important and bigger one first, and then doing the next most important one, and so on). I personally prefer the Eisenhower matrix, which is a very simple way to classify tasks by urgency and importance. It basically consists in creating four categories or quadrants: urgent-important, urgent-not important, not urgent-important and not urgent-not important, and assigning one to each one of your tasks. It should look like the image below.

Source: Pinterest. Find two more prioritization techniques on this Pinterest post.

3️⃣Make the time (schedule each task).

After you have a clear vision of which task you should start with, the next step should be assigning it a specific date, time and duration, aka, calendar blocking. Your calendar or schedule works like a vision board but for your tasks. It will give you a clear idea of which tasks, in which order and for how long you should work. I like to use a physical desk calendar for monthly tasks, and a digital calendar for weekly/daily tasks. If you would like to know more about calendar blocking, check this video, and if you would like to have an aesthetic Google calendar, check this video.

4️⃣Break 'em down (break big tasks into small chunks).

If a big task still feels overwhelming and terrifying, a technique that can really help is breaking it down into a step-by-step plan, aka, turning it into small chunks of work. In his book Eat That Frog, Brian Tracy explains it like this: "Break large, complex tasks down into bite-sized pieces, and then do just one small part of the task to get started." To make it even easier, you can assign a Pomodoro timer to get started with your first small chunk, or you can apply the 10 (or 5) minute rule.

5️⃣Create a system (find what works for you).

At this point, I am pretty sure you ended that daunting task, you completed your most urgent and important tasks, and you feel like you can do anything; and, of course, you're completely right! Now that you have the key to your productivity success, then turn it into a system; find what methods, tools, schedules and setups work for you and stick with them. Remember, isn't about what works for others, it's about a system that serves you. How to start? Check this video on creating systems by Rowena Tsai.

Further readings:

Plan and Organize your Life by Beatrice Naujalyte. Best Time Management Tips by Intelligent Change. Warren Buffett’s “20 Slot” Rule by James Clear. 9 Proven Time Management Techniques and Tools by USAHS. Declassified School Survival Guide by Notion.

[online1drer]

5 Ways Successful Entrepreneurs Manage Time Well

By practicing effective time management, you can optimize your productivity, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Introduction As an entrepreneur, time is your most valuable resource, and managing it effectively is crucial for success. Proper time management lets you focus on critical tasks, increase productivity, and balance work and personal life.  In this article, we will discuss five ways successful entrepreneurs manage their time, including prioritizing tasks, creating a structured schedule,…

[asrarblog]

Managing Time in 2024 – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #895

[usunezukoinezu]

''Seen through the lens of entropy, your time, if left unmanaged, will start to go to random, largely reactionary activities. You will get pulled into the chaotic systems that surround you. Instead, you need to manage your time so that it is in a state of lower entropy. When you are able to make time for important activities, you are more easily able to adapt to your changing environment because you have the ability to allocate time to a particular important activity when needed.''

-Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann, Super Thinking

[billa-billa007]

How To Get Over Your Analysis Paralysis

Analysis paralysis is a term used to describe a situation in which an individual or group overthinks or overanalyzes a decision or problem to the point that no decision or action is taken. This state of indecision can result from having too much information, conflicting information, fear of making the wrong choice, or simply getting stuck in a cycle of analysis without reaching a conclusion.

[employeetrackpro]

Balancing Time Management Matrix With Employee Productivity Monitoring

Effective time management is crucial for productivity and success in the workplace. One powerful tool for managing time is the Time Management, popularized by Stephen Covey in his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." This matrix helps individuals and organizations prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. When combined with employee productivity monitoring, the Time Management Matrix can be even more effective in optimizing productivity and ensuring that both individual and organizational goals are met. In this blog, we will explore how to balance the Time Management with employee productivity monitoring to create a harmonious and efficient work environment.

Understanding the Time Allocation Matrix

The Task Sorting Matrix, also known as the Eisenhower Matrix, divides tasks into four quadrants:

Quadrant I: Urgent and Important - Tasks that require immediate attention and are critical to achieving significant goals. Examples include crisis management and pressing deadlines.

Quadrant II: Not Urgent but Important - Tasks that are crucial for long-term success but do not require immediate action. Examples include strategic planning, relationship building, and personal development.

Quadrant III: Urgent but Not Important - Tasks that demand immediate attention but are not crucial for long-term success. Examples include interruptions, some meetings, and most emails.

Quadrant IV: Not Urgent and Not Important - Tasks that are neither time-sensitive nor crucial. Examples include trivial activities and time-wasters.

Balancing these quadrants effectively can significantly enhance productivity and reduce stress.

Integrating Productivity Monitoring with the Time Allocation Matrix

Identifying Priorities

Employee productivity monitoring can help identify which tasks employees are spending their time on and how those tasks align with the Time Management. By analyzing productivity data, managers can determine if employees are focusing on Quadrant I and Quadrant II activities, which are essential for success, or if they are getting bogged down by Quadrant III and Quadrant IV tasks.

Encouraging Focus on Quadrant II

One of the main challenges in time management is ensuring that important but not urgent tasks (Quadrant II) are given adequate attention. These tasks are critical for long-term growth and development. Productivity monitoring tools can track the time spent on various activities and help managers encourage employees to allocate more time to Quadrant II tasks. Regular reviews and feedback can reinforce the importance of these tasks and help employees prioritize them.

Reducing Time Wasters

Quadrant IV activities are the biggest time-wasters and can significantly hamper productivity. By using productivity monitoring, managers can identify patterns of unproductive behavior and address them proactively. For example, if an employee is spending excessive time on non-work-related websites or social media, this can be addressed through constructive feedback and setting clear expectations.

Balancing Workloads

Productivity monitoring can also help in balancing workloads across teams. If some employees are overloaded with urgent and important tasks (Quadrant I), it can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. By monitoring workloads, managers can redistribute tasks more evenly, ensuring that no one is overwhelmed and that important tasks are completed efficiently.

Providing Training and Development

Monitoring productivity data can reveal areas where employees may need additional training or support. For example, if an employee is struggling to manage their time effectively, targeted training on time management techniques and the use of the Time Allocation Matrix can be provided. This not only improves individual productivity but also contributes to overall organizational efficiency.

Implementing Best Practices

To successfully balance the Time Allocation Matrix with employee productivity monitoring, consider the following best practices:

Set Clear Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for employees and align them with the quadrants of the Management Matrix. Ensure that employees understand the importance of focusing on Quadrant II activities.

Regular Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of productivity data and provide feedback to employees. Use these reviews to adjust priorities and address any issues that may arise.

Encourage Breaks: Encourage employees to take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Short breaks can improve focus and productivity.

Foster a Supportive Culture: Create a work environment that supports time management and productivity. Encourage open communication and collaboration among team members.

Leverage Technology: Utilize productivity monitoring tools and software to gather data and provide insights. Ensure that these tools are user-friendly and integrate seamlessly with existing workflows.

You can also watch: EmpMonitor: Manage Remote Work Easily

Final Verdict

In conclusion, balancing the Time Management Matrix with employee productivity monitoring can significantly enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace. By prioritizing tasks effectively, reducing time-wasters, and providing support and training, organizations can create a harmonious and productive work environment. Implementing these strategies will not only improve individual performance but also contribute to the overall success of the organization.

[bocceclub]

you all may be living in 2023 but I'm living in 1999 (just got back from seeing the original Matrix in theater)

[pubbamoon]

Your Ideal Partner In Your Destiny Matrix Chart

Hi! I haven't been there for a while, 'cause I needed some sort of a break. Thanks for your understanding in advance. We can go further with spiritual content now. This time, I'm going to make a post about how and where you can look for your ideal partner in your Destiny Matrix chart. If you're single and do not exactly know which type of partner is the right one for you, I hope that this post might help you in any way, shape or form. But as always, take things as they resonate with you, do not force anything if it doesn't fully align with you. So, without a further delay, let's get into it.

If you did read my first post (the intro) about the Matrix of Destiny, you might know that there is a love line which is formed by three numbers and it talks about our relationships style, its struggles, partner etc. The second number in this love line is a number which is placed the closest to the heart icon/emoji, represents our ideal partner and the characteristics of our partner.

Here is the example of that. I marked the adequate number with the black color, so you can see it clearly. This is my Destiny Matrix chart and the number I have close to the heart icon/emoji is number 7, so my partner could have characteristics of this number and arcana, which is The Chariot in this case. I hope it's understandable.

I'm going to describe each numbers and possible characteristics of your partner now.

1 (The Magician) - If you have number 1 close to the heart icon/emoji, then it means that your partner may have natural leaderships qualities. Your partner might be confident, independent and even powerful. He or she might also inspire you to live your own life however you want and will definitely give you freedom. With The Magician card being present here, you can basically manifest any partner you want, 'cause this card is about manifestations.

2 (The High Priestess) - This partner may likely be an emotional and empathetic type of person. You might seek for a partner who can take care of your and who wants to build a family with you, since number 2 is ruled by the Moon, which does represent family. Your partner might be in tune with the feminine side, no matter if this person is male of female.

3 (The Empress) - Your partner might be very beautiful and good-looking, even wealthy. This partner may also be creative and interested in artistic fields. You can experience a lot of joyful moments and you can have fun a lot with your partner in general. You may find comfort, pleasure and even luxury in your relationships.

4 (The Emperor) - There is a strong masculine energy in this arcana. Your partner could be a natural leader and logical, which are the characteristics of a divine masculine energy. I wouldn't be surprised if you married some kind of a CEO or a manager with this arcana. This partner might also be controlling, so be aware of that.

5 (The Hierophant) - Another arcana which radiates some kind of masculine energy. This arcana is mostly about traditions, conformity and religion, so your partner might have a traditional and religious beliefs and might be someone who likes the order. Number 5 is associated with communication, which means that your partner might be communicative and adventurous, obviously.

6 (The Lovers) - This arcana is basically about relationships and love, so having this arcana in your love line could be a jackpot for you, but take it as it resonates, please. Your partner may give you emotional support and may buy you a lot of expansive things to impress you. The communication with your partner might be on point, unless your partner is negative and judgmental.

7 (The Chariot) - Your partner is likely to be strong-willed, ambitious and disciplined with an active lifestyle. There is also a spiritual side of your partner, since number 7 represents spirituality. The Chariot card is related to Cancer sign, so you can have a family with your partner. This also tells me that your partner should have a balance between spiritual and material world.

8 (Justice) - Your partner might be a balanced, organized and responsible individual, 'cause number 8 is ruled by Saturn. He or she could be a lawyer too. Your relationships may be dealt with a lot of conflict, aggression or you may simply deal with karmic relationships. You might need a partner who can calm things down and put things together.

9 (The Hermit) - This arcana is all about solitude, introspection and reflection and it might be hard to have this arcana in your love line. If you struggle with your relationships or you constantly feel lonely, know that it's quite normal with this arcana. Your ideal partner might be someone who is wise, mature, compassionate, empathetic and who can guide you through spiritual world. It can also indicate starting relationships later in life.

10 (Wheel of Fortune) - This position might be very lucky in terms of your relationships. You can basically hang out with almost everyone, but don't always rely on luck when it comes to your relationships. Meeting your ideal partner might seem like some fated event you cannot control. Your relationships may also seem like cycles and if your relationship is negative or toxic, that cycle needs to be ended.

11 (Strength) - Your partner might be strong, courageous, energetic and optimistic, according to the Strength card. Number 11 is a very spiritual number and is associated with intuition. It takes courage and accountability to follow intuition. I sense that you might need a partner that you can count on. Watch our for an aggressive nature of your partner.

12 (The Hanged Man) - This tells me that your partner could be caring, creative, smart, even selfless. You might need the type of partner who will take care of you, support you, sacrifice for you and who'll give you different perspective of life. Be careful not to be too attached to your partner and to make some boundaries in your relationships.

13 (Death) - Your relationships might be transformative period of your life where you can shift your mentality and a view of your whole life. Your partner might come across as mysterious, unpredictable or even shady. This person could also be adaptable into almost every situation. Make sure to hang out with people you can change and progress with.

14 (Temperance) - Your partner might be balanced, emotional and mature. This can be an indicator of a normal and moderate kind of relationships. Sometimes you should be patient for your partner to come in. This partner might have an artistic or healing abilities and can inspire or help you to see the bright side of life.

15 (The Devil) - This arcana can indicate having a toxic relationships and being with over materialistic partner. Your partner might be someone who embraces his or her dark side. You can date someone who deals with addictions, who is charismatic, energetic and passionate. There can be a strong bondage between you and your partner as well.

16 (The Tower) - Your partner and overall relationships might be so chaotic that you can experience whether mental breakdown or spiritual awakening. This number/arcana represents an intense partner who may go into the extremes (violence, aggression, attachments) or a spiritual and intelligent partner who may lead you into the spiritual growth.

17 (The Star) - After previous arcana, where everything falls apart, then comes a healing journey, according to The Star card. You might experience more positive things with your partner or in overall relationships. Your partner is likely charming, sensitive or even popular person everyone knows about. You can share some unique moments with your partner.

18 (The Moon) - You may date someone who is deeply imaginative, mysterious and intuitive. This arcana represents illusions, which means that your partner might be in his or her own world a lot or you can fantasize about your relationships a lot. Your partner might also be creative and artistic, which relates to this arcana.

19 (The Sun) - I feel that you need a partner who will give you joy and positivity into your life. Your relationships could be filled with optimism and celebration, meaning that you may go to the parties with your partner a lot. There's a chance for you to have a happy and fulfilled relationships and you can benefit from your relationships, but it can indicate being depressive after breaking up.

20 (Judgment) - This arcana relates to the family and ancestors, so you may need a type of partner who wants to build a family with you. Your partner might be spiritual, intuitive, mystical who may guide you to live your life differently, but this partner could also be very judgmental to you. It can indicate being in the karmic relationships.

21 (The World) - Your partner might be an open-minded individual who has a natural diplomatic abilities and who can hang out with people easily. This arcana may indicate having a partner from abroad or from a more different culture than yours. You could meet your partner in your work environment, but it doesn't mean that will be the case of everyone.

22 (The Fool) - I sense that your partner might be spontaneous, adventurous, explorative and free-spirited. You could experience really fun and unpredictable moments with your partner. Your relationships might seem like an adventure, basically. The problem is that this could lead into disorganization and irresponsibility into your life, especially if you're someone who needs some kind of a structure in your own life.

Okay, I think that would be all for today. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. For me, it was great to come back after not posting anything for a week. Comment what you want to see next on my astrology blog if you want to. I wish you all had a beautiful day ahead. See you!

Best regards,

Paky McGee

[thatgirlie-diaries]

Quck list of soft productivity tips

Hello girlies, welcome to another blog! On this one I will write down quickly all the productivity tips that have helped me to have an consistent lifestyle in a soft and more femenine focused way.

We are femenine beings, our energy levels aren't like the ones of men, so we have to stop managing our life like them (same energy everyday, be quick, focus on achieving, etc..) and do it in a way that let's us do our tasks based on our necesities and letting our energy be free!

My tips

Plan your day according to your energy levels

Prioritize the hardest tasks + Use the Eisenhower matrix

Make a to-do list, focused on 3 mainly tasks

Reward yourself

Positive and clean environment

Get rid of distractions

Take breaks

2 minute rule - It takes less than 2 minutes? Do it

5 minute rule - Apply a timer and do that task for 5 minutes

Apply deadlines for yourself

Create systems to keep track

Already working on something? Try to do something else (for future ease and saving time)

Extras

Switch mindset: Discipline < Devotion

Good mood changes everything. Things will be easier and faster and you'll be more focused.

Good health transforms you. Without it, there's nothing

Focus on the positive to attract good things

Focus on what causes and impact in your life

Let yourself prioritize time to have fun and rest

Take things easy and slowly

Live in the present moment

Let's be succesful by grace! See you in my next blog 𑄽𑄺ྀ

[wlntrsldler]

bad for business | luke castellan

warnings: loser!luke agenda is strong with this one, insecure!luke because of reader's judgmental siblings but they get over it later on, suggestive content but nothing explicit, luke being happy and in love (we need more of this; i'm pointing the finger at myself, i need to write happy luke fics) aphrodite!reader x luke, in an alternate universe where the betrayal didn't happen

based on bad for business by sabrina carpenter

i. he's good for my heart, but he's bad for business.

"she's probably going to dump him soon, anyway."

"she's just doing it for the tradition, obviously."

"she's too good for him."

sometimes luke just wanted to tell them to shut up, but he's already on thin ice with-- well, everyone at camp. they weren't a fan of the smell of cigarettes that lingered on his clothes, or the ugly scar on his face (this, wasn't his fault though. if anything, they should hate his fucking dad for giving him the quest in the first place), or the fact that he's somehow dating the most popular, gorgeous, and brilliant girl at camp.

you, y/n y/l/n, the favorite daughter of aphrodite. at first luke thought that you'd be just like the rest of the aphrodite girls (he's not one to perpetuate stereotypes, being the victim of it all his life, but the aphrodite kids always turned their noses up at him so he didn't feel too bad dishing it out), but then you smiled at him with your pretty, pink lips and luke knew he was a goner. he didn't stand a chance (not like he fought it too hard anyway)

you made an effort to remember his name, say hello to him when you passed by him, and you even went as far as asking him for his opinion on things.

"what do you think of this strategy, luke?" you asked, staring at him directly. the entire blue team was arguing loudly (luke thought their strategy fucking sucked and was a sure way for the ares cabin to, once again, demolish all of you, but he was going to keep that to himself) before your soft voice broke the noise. everyone stopped in their tracks because why the hell were you talking to him? asking him for his opinion?

he blinked, even looking behind him in case there was some other kid named luke that he didn't know about. when he finally realized that you were talking to him, he managed to stutter out that the plan was fine. you looked at him skeptically, penetrating the persona he put up with everyone, but decided not to push him anymore and simply nodded.

when the red team, led by the ares cabin, of course, handed your asses to you on a silver platter, you found luke at dinner and sat directly in front of him. chris, who was just as starstruck as luke that you were sitting with them, immediately scrambled off his seat and mumbled some half-hearted excuse to leave the two of you alone.

"so, spill," you said, planting your tray of food on the table. "what did you really think of the strategy?"

your conversation went from strategy to your life to his life to everything and anything until you two were the last two people left. he was glad when people finally got tired of gawking at you and him. (many in disbelief, all in jealousy that you decided to sit with him) you didn't seem to mind the stares, though, luke figured it was because you were used to it. it was hard not to stare at you.

luke thought that dinner was just a glitch in the matrix, that it was just some weird anomaly that would never happen again. he was just thankful that it happened; but then the next day, your perfectly manicured hand knocked on the hermes cabin door and you stood in front of luke with a timid smile on your face to ask him to train you in sword fighting.

luke got dressed at record speed. chris woke up after the third time luke hit his head under his bed when he was trying to find a semi-decent shirt to wear to your sparring session (maybe one that didn't smell too much like cigarettes). chris sat up on his bed, eyebrow quirked, with a teasing smile on his face.

as luke was racing out the door, he looked at chris, "don't start.''

chris threw his head back laughing, "i didn't say anything."

luke threw a pillow at chris with an oomph before rushing out to meet you.

the training sessions slowly morphed into sitting next to each other daily during meals, then into hanging out at campfires, until it got to the point when there wouldn't be a second of free time where the two of you wouldn't be together. luke could feel your siblings shooting daggers at him whenever he was alone, like a warning to stay away from you, but it's not like he was the one initiating things.

sure, he would follow you around the ends of the world if you asked (or even if you didn't, let's be honest here) but luke didn't want to test his luck so he just went with the flow. sometimes, he just wanted to talk to your siblings to set the record straight.

"look, i'm just as fucking confused as you are," he would say, "i don't know why she's hanging out with me either."

as much as he enjoyed your moments together, a piece of him still worried that you were just being nice. maybe you were this way with everyone. maybe he just likes you so much that he's making up these scenarios in his head.

he tried to talk to chris about it, but that proved to be the wrong decision because it's not like the boy had any experience either; he was pining over clarisse. the blind leading the blind, truly.

and then one day, while you and luke were sitting beside the water, after a long day of training, you looked over at him with an unreadable expression.

panicked, luke immediately straightened his back and twisted his body to face you. he wanted to reach for your hand to comfort you, but decided against it. he didn't want to make you uncomfortable. he cleared his throat, "what's wrong?"

"why haven't you asked me out?"

you would've thought percy summoned a cold wave to crash into luke with the way he was sitting there frozen. luke was looking at you blankly, like his brain was short-circuiting. it was a habit of his to blink and tilt his head to the side whenever he was shocked.

"huh?"

you were frowning now, "do you not like me? i'm sorry, i guess i was just reading the situation wrong."

"woah, pause," luke leaned in closer, inspecting your face to see if there was a punchline about to drop like it was a gotcha! moment and all of your siblings would come out from behind the trees to laugh at him. he found no sign of such a thing. "do you like me?"

"luke, i've been so obvious," there was a hint of embarrassment in your voice and luke wanted to kiss it away. your cheeks were dusted with the lightest shade of red as you chewed on your bottom lip. "i thought maybe you liked me too, but i guess it was all in my head. i'm sorry-- forget i even said anything."

"yeah, i don't want to forget it," luke shook his head, now stumbling over his words. his brain was working again, sort of. "i like you, too. like really like you. sorry, you just caught me off guard for a sec."

"you do?"

"gods, i really really do."

you beamed at him and luke was so thankful that he was sitting because his knees would've buckled at your reaction and humiliated himself by falling face-first in the water if he was standing. he was especially thankful that he was sitting when you climbed onto his lap to make out with him until both of your lips were bruised.

ii. i'm mad for you, it's sad but true, and you know it. you're on my mind, you stole my life and it's showing.

word traveled fast after that. when you walked into breakfast with luke's arm around your waist, the whispers started. luke thought the staring before was bad, but this was on a new level. he felt the other aphrodite kids following his every move, poison in their eyes.

when you sat next to luke, impossibly close to him, chris' eyebrows rose in glee. he motioned to the both of you with his spoon, flicking drops of milk with the motion, "what's going on here?"

"i'm luke's girlfriend now."

luke nearly choked on the apple he was eating when he heard the words leave your lips. yes, he knew that you were dating now (his pathetically hoarse voice saying, "will you be my girlfriend?" after the hours-long makeout session the night before haunted his dreams last night; he wanted to keep his cool so bad, but it just wasn't possible when you were sitting on his lap, all pretty with your thighs on either side of his, lips glossy with his saliva instead of your typical lipgloss), but it was the first time he heard you refer to yourself as his girlfriend. his girlfriend.

"nice," chris raised his hand up for a high-five, which luke was about to complete, but chris pulled his hand away, "not for you, dude."

you giggled and high-fived chris, making luke look between the two of you in bewilderment.

"what the fuck was that?" luke asked. when did you and chris get close?

"this is embarrassing," you started, looking down at your plate of food. you were dragging your spoon across the blob of oatmeal, "but i talked to chris about you last week because i was so sad that you haven't made a move yet. i just wanted to hear his opinion on things in case i was just being stupid."

"why didn't you tell me this?"

"i tried!" chris argued, laughing a bit when luke's face turned red, "plus, i didn't want to tell you that me and y/n had a conversation because i had faith that you'd make a move! i obviously bet on the wrong horse, though, because y/n made the move."

"oh my gods, i'm a loser." luke groaned, tossing the apple on his tray. he lost his appetite. "you mean we could've been together this entire time?"

you placed a hand on his thigh, making him turn his attention to you. you gave him a comforting smile that he quickly reciprocated. you gave his thigh a soft squeeze, "it's okay, luke. we can make up for lost time."

luke smirked at you, "tonight?"

"dude, i'm trying to fucking eat."

luke threw up the middle finger to chris' face before connecting your lips.

to luke's surprise, your relationship didn't really change much after putting a label on it. (the changes that did occur were that now he can kiss you freely, which he was thankful for, and that you were even more touchy with him, which he was extremely thankful for because he loved having you next to him at all times. he was so smitten with you.) he realized then how blind he'd been the entire time because you were so very obvious about your feelings for him, he was just too stuck in his own head to notice it.

he started being outwardly affectionate with you, gaining more confidence while he was on your arm. his favorite thing to do was to wrap his arms around your torso and bury his face into the crook of your neck. he loved hearing you erupt in giggles when his curls tickled your skin. he was drunk on you and you didn't mind one bit.

you even said that you were more attached to him than he was to you (he looked at you like you had three heads because it couldn't have been further from the truth.)

he took you on little picnic dates and made you jewelry that you wore proudly, and you wore his clothes (he would be lying if he said that his heart didn't skip a beat when you walked out of the aphrodite cabin sporting his hermes sweater) but above all, luke loved the way he could talk to you about everything. he told you about his mom, his dad, his doubts and his insecurities, and you listened. you would sit there, hands in his hair, while he laid on your chest. he didn't know the last time he felt safe, but with you, he always did.

iii. all of my friends think i've gone crazy, but they don't know me like my baby.

luke tried to ignore the fact that there were running bets from campers about how long you two would last, but it was getting to him. he'd heard it all; a week, two weeks, three months. he fought the urge to roll his eyes when he heard the jingling of drachmas being passed around when you and him were seen together after someone lost their bet.

it's been two months but people still believed that you two were going to break up soon. the idea of it made luke feel sick. he couldn't imagine a life without being yours anymore. truth be told, he was wholly yours the minute he met you, but after every kiss, every hug, every second with you, he was just falling deeper in love with you.

it was a little scary.

"hiya, baby," you greeted him, wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders.

you started calling him the pet name a few days into dating and luke actually whimpered when you did it the first time. you loved getting these reactions from luke and his little sounds (both innocent and not-so-innocent) only spurred you on. when he's with you, luke turned into this mush, always wanting to be held by you or touching you in some way.

"hi," he mumbled, leaning up to place a quick kiss on your lips.

you hummed happily before resting your hands on his back, "baby, you're tense. are you okay?"

"yeah," luke replied, but his furrowed eyebrows said differently.

"no you're not," you walked in front of him, wrapping your arms around his torso, "what's going on?"

luke sighed, "everyone thinks we're gonna break up-- or more specifically, everyone thinks you're gonna break up with me."

"do you believe that i'll break up with you?" you frowned, loosening your hold on him. "did i do something that made you think that?"

"no, no," he said, quickly. he pulled you closer to him, not wanting you to let go of him. "i just-- i dunno. everyone says i'm not good enough for you, and i know i'm not, and it's getting to my head a little bit."

you looked up at him, removing your hands from around him to reach for his face. you brought his face down closer to yours to pepper kisses all over it; his cheeks, his lips, his scar, his jaw. "i think you're perfect."

"you have to say that 'cause you're my girlfriend," he playfully rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop a goofy smile from forming on his face due to your kisses.

"yeah, i am your girlfriend," you reminded him, placing a longer kiss on his lips now. your lips moved together, making luke's hands wander to your lower back to push you closer to him. you pulled away, breathless, "listen to your girlfriend, baby. i'm not going anywhere so don't worry your pretty little head about it."

there were still moments when the voices of the other campers bounced around in luke's head, but you were always there to quiet them with your reassurance and your love for him.

eventually, people stopped talking about you and luke and accepted that you two weren't breaking up anytime soon (they were about six months too late, in luke's opinion). he even managed to win over your siblings later on (kind of; they still don't talk to him unless they have to but they smile at him now, but luke isn't picky; a win is a win)

luke was happy and in love and it was all thanks to you.

[chanranghaeys]

🥛 just like a tattoo

Waking up was always something you looked forward to, especially if the first sight in the morning is Vernon and his hidden little secrets, and maybe his cute chocolate milk carton.

pairing: idol!tattooed!vernon x gn!reader, reader is identified to be female word count: 1.3k tags: slice of life, fluff first thing in the morning, vernon has multiple tattoos (in my head) listed in detail warnings: slight sexual overtones, pg-13 at most 😇

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ masterlist . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

The light burns through your eyes, waking you from a dreamless slumber. Looking around, you find the source of the almost blinding glare: the patch of sun bleeding through the curtains of the already-lightened room. You glance at the clock hanging from the wall across you. It was 8 am on a Sunday—a perfect reason to sleep in.

You slowly move around the bed and find that you are already wearing a slightly loose shirt and panties. Memories of last night flood your mind and you close your eyes again almost as if in bliss. It’s been a good two weeks since you two spent the night together, and while you both maybe kinda slightly expected it, both of you were still surprised at how deep the need was for one another, as evidenced by the slight ache in your thighs and back while you moved. Nothing you couldn’t manage, but definitely more reason to just stay in bed.

When you turn again, you see his slim figure leaning against the door frame and you wonder how long he’d been watching you toss and turn. He had no shirt on because you realized that you had his shirt on your back, and his boxers were slung dangerously low as if haphazardly thrown on. And while you’ve marveled at this sight too many times than you can count, you still can’t help but look at his body in awe.

People could say he had a sleeper bod, and you agreed, but it wasn’t something he cared for. If he was healthy and able to move about, he was content with that. But with all the activity his job demanded, his body followed suit. He wasn’t all muscle or all skin, but he was built sturdily and toned in the places that got the most use—that is to say, his arms, thighs, and core. His naturally light skin tone almost looked sallow in the places that didn’t get much sun, but it only enhanced what he permitted only your, and very few other, eyes to see.

Strokes of black both thick and thin were scattered across his torso in a most curated manner. They weren’t a lot, but you knew that his tattoos were his most well-kept secret from the K-pop industry, and you knew it was the deepest privilege to be able to even have a glimpse of one, much less all that can be hidden behind a shirt. You’ve memorized all of them at this point.

On his right chest near his lower rib was a simple line of text in all caps inspired by a line from “The Matrix”: SEE IT FOR YOURSELF. Another text tattoo lined the left side of his torso, this time a vertical stack of letters spelling out MELODY—once a temporary tattoo for a concert, now permanent to forever honor his mother.

There was one tattoo that he knew people were aware of and didn’t mind much, and that was the small star tattoo at the back of his right ear’s helix, but little did people know that it was only one of a series, with the rest of the small stardust sparkles smattering his back near his right shoulder blade. Specifically, there were five of them, one representing each member of his tight-knit family, including Jazzy and Leo Chwe.

Amidst the minimalist tattoos was one that stood out as more realistic than others—a medium-sized sunflower head on his left hip, its petals you could see right now peeking from the top band of his boxers. People knew of his sister Sofia’s own sunflower tattoo down her left thigh, but fewer people knew that when she was 17 and he was 23, they both talked about how they’d get matching sibling tattoos and their discussion landed on sunflowers. While Vernon wished he could place it in a more prominent spot, he knew better than to do such a thing.

“Did you sleep well, baby?” His deep morning voice broke your reverie as you finally settled on his eyes, his gaze forever the most piercing one you never could break. You gave him a lazy, mischief-laden smile.

“The best sleep I’ve had in weeks. I guess I have someone to thank for making sure I was knocked out last night.”

He let out a light-hearted scoff and drank from his chocolate milk carton. “You know that I was just following your lead, right? I asked you what you wanted, I just gave it to you.”

“I know.” You rolled your eyes, recalling how you were practically begging him with tears in your eyes—the utter hold he had on you was intoxicating. It was those clear brown eyes, you swore so. “I hate you.”

“I love you, too.” At that, he gave you the softest smile and his gaze eventually followed suit.

“I love you more.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I hate you.”

He laughed again and shifted his weight off the door frame and moved toward you. You sat up to meet him in an embrace, your head resting on his warm chest as he kissed your head.

“Can we stay in, Nonie? Please? Pleaseeeeeee?” You look up at his raised eyebrow and pursed lips, swearing you will never get tired of his expressions that said exactly what he was thinking. Right now it obviously said, “Are you kidding me right now?”

“What if…” You trailed off mid-sentence as you lowered your hands to the waistband of his boxers, brushing your thumb over the sunflower’s petals suggestively. At that, he drew in a sharp breath and stepped away. He knew what you were capable of, so he had to stop it right there.

“Easy, young lady. You know we won’t get anywhere with that attitude of yours. We’ll be late if you keep that up.” The scene was comical, his serious expression and pointed finger at you in warning just did not suit the fact that his other hand held an unfinished milk carton.

You grab the carton from his hand and take a generous sip, grateful for the cool and sweet liquid down your parched throat. “Fine. But could you at least make me coffee? Or something that will wake me up more than this chocolate milk of yours?”

“It’s in the kitchen. I also made French toast!” His smile as he said this was so bright, it was the gummy smile you so loved from him. But it was what he said that made you stop mid-sip of milk.

“You what?”

“I made French toast. And bacon and eggs because it was the easiest after the French toast, which was not as easy as it looked when I did it with you.”

“And you made coffee?”

He shrugged. “I knew you were gonna wake up late,” finishing with a smirk. “Now come on. And give me back my milk carton before you finish it all.” He took back his drink and did not leave your side until you finally stood your lazy ass up. “There’s my good girl,” he says, followed by him slapping said ass teasingly, then walking out of the room with a final grin.

When he faced his back to you, you saw the most recent tattoo he got: a minimalist rendition of a rock with googly eyes on the small corner of its lower left. You remember watching “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” in the cinema with him, the last full show of the day, and he would not shut up about it. You got it though, you truly did, and you’d both talk for hours on end about the film. So it was decided: it was the first matching tattoo you got together.

Could love really be this easy? You thought to yourself, as you smiled and got ready for payback.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

a/n: frickin’ vernon and his damn hip tattoo living rent-free in my headcanons. i blame my friends for planting this idea in my head and as a result, this came to be. i shall now leave you all with this mental image so i do not suffer alone HEHE

[daportalpractitioner]

capricorn degrees in the natal chart (10°, 22°)

10° = daddy issues. awareness of your purpose. taking responsibility. abandonment wounds, especially from father. laziness. stagnancy. stuck in the "matrix". knew what you wanted to do since young age. eldest child syndrome. narcissism. trustworthy + reliable. responsibility projected onto you. try hard. working overtime. lack of feminine energy embodiment. need for time management. dealing with being overwhelmed. letting society run you. pick me energy. low self-esteem. a need to be disciplined. don't give up on yourself. no handouts. invest in your purpose. natural professional.

22° = trusting in your purpose. do or die. crucial accountability. overcoming imposter syndrome. denial. toxic masculinity. mastering discipline. a gateway to break free from the hell you created. self-sabotage. to kill or be killed. poverty consciousness. fear of failure. health issues due to stress levels. believe in your success. going in circles. taking responsibility over your own life + what you want for yourself. self-reliance. self-support. the devil card in tarot. learning to put your hard work into something meaningful. life will be shaping you up thru experience. dust yourself off and try again. longevity. breaking stubborn generational curses. ultimate warrior energy. unfuckwittable.

[yesokayiknow]

i think it'd be fun if while the master was on gallifrey and messing around in the matrix he found about abt the confession dial. not the sanitised story that twelve might've told missy during the vault but the actual real 4.5 billion years of the time lords using twelve's own will and testament as a torture chamber story. and he loses it. and he burns gallifrey. except he can't ADMIT that's why he did that he'd look SENTIMENTAL he'd look like an IDIOT so instead he makes up a story about how he found something in the matrix something so horrifying and awful and unbelievable that he HAD to destroy the time lords. and then thirteen ends up on gallifrey and digs a little deeper than he had and manages to reconstruct some of the missing files and when she runs back into him she's like i finally found out why you burned gallifrey and i can't believe they did this to me i can't believe they wiped my whole life and experimented on me and built the time lords from my stolen dna and the master's like yeah while mentally he's like hm i'm sorry they fucking what