Business Operations

Ratio Reads : February Picks – Rethinking Productivity & Flow

March 16, 2025

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February may be the shortest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean we need to cram more into it. This month’s Ratio Reads is all about doing less, doing it smarter, and actually working with our natural rhythms instead of against them.

📖 Do Less by Kate Northrup challenges the idea that success comes from constant hustle and instead introduces a framework for working more intentionally (without burning out).
📖 The Plan by Kendra Adachi builds on this by helping us create flexible, life-giving plans that don’t feel like a straightjacket.
📖 In the Flo by Alisa Vitti takes it a step further, showing how our biological cycles impact productivity, creativity, and energy—and how we can sync our schedules to work with our bodies, not against them.

February was all about leaning into the idea that rest is productive, planning doesn’t have to be rigid, and we don’t have to push through exhaustion to be successful. Here’s what I learned:


📖 Do Less by Kate Northrup

Key Quotes:

  • “When you rest, you receive. When you hustle, you repel.”
  • “You are inherently valuable. Not because of how much you do, but because of who you are.”

Core Principles:
✅ Work in alignment with natural energy cycles
✅ Prioritize what truly moves the needle
✅ Let go of unnecessary busyness
✅ Trust that slowing down can create better results

I’ll admit it—letting go of doing all the things is tough when you’re juggling business, family, and about 4,000 tasks at once. But this book is a wake-up call: doing less doesn’t mean achieving less—it means achieving the right things, with more ease.

How this applies to my business? I’ve started auditing my weekly workload, eliminating unnecessary meetings, and building in more space for deep work (aka actually designing, writing, and strategizing instead of just answering emails).

✨ Try This: What’s one thing you can stop doing this month that isn’t truly moving the needle?


📖 The Plan by Kendra Adachi

Key Quotes:

  • “A good plan makes space for what matters, not just what’s next.”
  • “Plan your steps, not your life.”

Core Principles:
✅ Break planning into manageable steps
✅ Create flexible routines instead of rigid schedules
✅ Build a framework that supports—not restricts—you
✅ Make space for rest and creativity

Kendra Adachi is back, and if you loved The Lazy Genius Way, you’ll love The Plan. This book is a game-changer for anyone who has felt overwhelmed by traditional planning methods (me, constantly). Instead of rigid schedules, she teaches a more adaptable, life-friendly approach to getting things done.

For me, this book reinforced that good planning isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a system that works for you. I’ve been reworking my project management in Asana to reflect this, building more buffer time into deadlines and allowing flexibility in my schedule.

✨ Try This: Instead of planning your whole week, try planning just your next step. What’s one thing you can do today that will make tomorrow easier?


📖 In the Flo by Alisa Vitti

Key Quotes:

  • “Women are not meant to operate in a 24-hour cycle. We are built for a 28-day rhythm.”
  • “You are not broken. Your body is trying to communicate with you—are you listening?”

Core Principles:
✅ Sync your schedule with your body’s natural cycles
✅ Optimize work, workouts, and nutrition based on your cycle
✅ Stop pushing through exhaustion and start working with your energy
✅ Embrace cyclical living for better productivity and well-being

I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of science, wellness, and business, and In the Flo delivers on all three. The biggest takeaway? We weren’t designed to be in hustle mode 24/7. Unlike men, who operate on a 24-hour cycle, women function on a 28-day cycle—which means our energy, focus, and productivity naturally fluctuate throughout the month.

Since reading this book, I’ve been more intentional about matching my workload to my energy levels—batching deep-focus tasks when I feel sharp and giving myself more grace during lower-energy days.

✨ Try This: Start tracking your energy levels throughout the month. Are there natural highs and lows? What patterns do you notice?


Bringing It All Together

This month’s books share a powerful theme: Success doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing the right things, at the right time, in a way that actually supports you.

  • Do Less reminds us that we don’t have to prove our worth through constant productivity.
  • The Plan helps us create structure that supports our goals without suffocating us.
  • In the Flo shows us how to sync our schedules with our natural rhythms for better energy and ease.

💡 What’s one change you’re making this month to work smarter, not harder? Drop a comment — I’d love to hear!


Next on My Nightstand…

For March, I’m diving into a new set of reads focused on working smarter, leading better, and optimizing time and energy. This month’s theme is all about running a business that doesn’t run you.

📖 Essentialism by Greg McKeown – A must-read for anyone feeling stretched too thin. This book is all about cutting through the noise and focusing on what truly matters—because doing less but better is the real key to success.

📖 Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz – If you’ve ever felt like your business would fall apart without you, this book is for you. It walks through how to build systems that allow your firm to run smoothly—even when you step away.

📖 Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman – A reality check on productivity, this book reminds us that we’ll never “catch up” on everything, so we might as well prioritize what actually matters and let the rest go.

📖 Radical Candor by Kim Scott – Great leadership isn’t about being “nice” or “tough”—it’s about clear, honest, and kind communication. This book dives into how to lead a team with confidence and clarity while building strong relationships.

Each of these books brings a fresh perspective on how to work smarter, lead better, and create a business that fuels your life—not the other way around. I can’t wait to dive in and share my takeaways with you next month!

P.S. Some links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. I only recommend books I genuinely love and use in my own life and business.

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