Why Luxurious Amounts of Time Matter Right Now

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, yet for many leaders they feel rushed, chaotic, and exhausting. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of adults report increased stress during the holiday season, with time pressure listed as one of the top contributors.

This isn’t a time management problem.
It’s a design problem.

High-performing professionals know how to plan strategy, manage complex projects, and execute under pressure at work. But very few apply that same level of intention to their personal lives. The result is a packed calendar filled with obligations and very little space to actually enjoy the season.

Here in Austin, the end of the year often amplifies this. Between social events, travel, hosting, kids’ schedules, and year-end work deadlines, the holidays can disappear in a blur. Without intention, January arrives and you’re already depleted.

Luxurious amounts of time are not accidental.
They are created on purpose.

The 5% Way to Create Luxurious Amounts of Time

What It Is

Luxurious amounts of time means having enough space to be unrushed, present, and grounded during moments that matter most. It’s not about empty calendars or disengaging from life. It’s about choosing what matters and building your time around that.

Instead of trying to “do the holidays right,” you decide what actually matters to you and let everything else be optional.

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Why It Works

Research consistently shows that presence, not perfection, drives long-term happiness and relationship satisfaction. A Harvard study on adult development found that meaningful relationships and shared moments—not achievements—are the strongest predictors of life satisfaction.

In my coaching work, leaders who intentionally slow down during the holidays report:

• Lower stress and emotional reactivity
• Better connection with their partners and children
• More clarity and energy entering the new year

Rest is not a reward.
It’s a performance strategy.

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How to Apply It (Quick Tactical Checklist)

To create luxurious amounts of time this holiday season:

• Choose one to three memory makers for the entire season
• Schedule buffer time before and after those moments
• Prepare early to eliminate last-minute rushing
• Release the need for perfection
• Build intentional “nothingness” into your calendar
• Say no to anything that isn’t a clear yes

When you protect the moments that matter, everything else becomes flexible.

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Who Benefits?

This approach is ideal for:

• Executives and senior leaders
• Working parents
• High-performing professionals who feel stretched thin
• Anyone whose life looks successful but feels draining

If your calendar is full but your cup feels empty, this shift is for you.

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Where Does This Exist?

The concept of luxurious amounts of time is core to the 5% philosophy—the idea that the most successful people are not just productive, but intentional.

It’s also a foundational principle in my Epic planning process, where leaders design strategies not just for work goals, but for joy, memories, rest, and meaning.

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
How to Slow Down and Create Luxurious Amounts of Time This Holiday Season

Local Austin Examples of Luxurious Amounts of Time

Creating luxurious amounts of time doesn’t require extravagant plans. Here are a few Austin-style examples:

• Lady Bird Lake: A slow morning walk instead of rushing into errands
• Downtown Austin / Four Seasons: Ice skating or fireside s’mores as a single intentional family memory
• At home: A pajama movie night with no agenda and nowhere else to be

The activity itself doesn’t matter.
The presence does.

Common Questions About Luxurious Amounts of Time

Is this realistic during the holidays?
Yes. In fact, it’s most important during busy seasons when stress and overcommitment are highest.

How many events should I say yes to?
Use this litmus test: if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.

What if I disappoint people by saying no?
Temporary disappointment is far less costly than long-term burnout.

Does rest really improve performance?
Absolutely. Rested leaders make clearer decisions, regulate emotions better, and show up with stronger presence.

What if I feel guilty slowing down?
Guilt often comes from outdated beliefs about productivity. Rest is not laziness—it’s leadership.

30-Day Action Plan for Luxurious Amounts of Time

Identify your top 1–3 holiday memory makers

Remove at least one obligation that doesn’t matter

Add buffer time around important events

Schedule two blocks of intentional rest or nothingness

Practice saying no without explanation

Enter January rested instead of depleted

If your life looks successful but doesn’t feel good, it’s time to design it differently.

Join the waitlist at ShaylaKing.com to be the first to know about upcoming opportunities to work together, including Epic 2026 and the Performance + Happiness Lab.

Epic 2026 kicks off January 18th, and you don’t want to miss this. Learn more here.

You don’t need another productivity system.
You need a life that actually feels good to live.

About Shayla King
Shayla King is a former C-suite executive, executive coach, and creator of the Performance + Happiness Formula. She helps high-performing leaders build careers and lives they actually enjoy. Based in Austin, Texas.