#boost creativity

[productiveandfree]

6 Tips to Boost Productivity for Business Leaders

Business leaders and successful entrepreneurs are renowned for their ability to achieve more in less time. They often seem naturally good at being productive and accomplishing their goals.

Besides discipline, what other measures can you take to boost productivity?

Some people hold themselves responsible by reading blogs and books for inspirational productivity quotes. Others log their work on productivity apps.

Regardless of your preferred motivation method, you will occasionally need productivity tips to move forward.

Let's explore some of the best tips to boost productivity for business leaders to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Read on.

The Importance of Productivity for Business Leaders

First, let's understand what productivity is and why it matters.

Being productive increases output and minimizes the time needed to complete a task. It involves striking a balance between the two to enhance performance.

Productivity is vital whether you're a beginner or an experienced entrepreneur.

Here's why it matters.

●     Inspirational Leadership: As a business leader, maintaining high productivity sets a positive example for your team. It fosters a culture of high performance, which encourages your employees to adopt similar behaviors. Ultimately, this boosts your business' overall performance whether you’re managing a team or planning a corporate event.

●     Informed Decision-Making: A productive leader can make informed decisions quickly. This keeps the business agile and reduces risks while exploiting opportunities.

●     Efficient Goal Achievement: Your productivity will ensure the organization moves forward with purpose and direction. This will lead to sustained growth and long-lasting success.

Top 6 Tips to Boost Productivity for Business Leaders

Here are some productivity tips to help you accomplish things faster. If you’re looking for productivity tips for employees, then read this blog post by Attrock.

1. Prioritize & Delegate Tasks

Use a planner or a checklist, then prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance.

This will help you focus on the most critical tasks and curb time wastage. You can aim for three priority tasks daily and not do anything else until you complete them.

This is especially beneficial for those who want to manage their time efficiently and increase productivity as a freelancer.

Being a productive leader also means recognizing when to delegate tasks and not do everything yourself.

Delegating tasks to people who are best suited for them helps boost productivity and tap into the specialized skills of your team members. It also frees your time and lets you concentrate on strategic initiatives and overall business growth.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, created a "two-pizza team" rule to ensure the appropriate delegation of tasks. The idea was to make small, autonomous teams that you could feed with two pizzas. The approach enabled the company to innovate rapidly and maintain high productivity across multiple projects.

Here's a video of Bezos explaining how the strategy impacted productivity and efficiency.

2. Leverage Technology & Automation

A productive business owner understands the value of leveraging technology. Using the right tools can help you optimize processes without sacrificing quality standards.

For example, you may use an ecommerce analytics software solution rather than manually following and analyzing the market. That means you can track your products' price and availability and monitor your competitors' promotional activities.

You may also need to learn to use a digital business card to improve your professional engagements and networking efficiency.

3. Encourage Transparent Communication

Effective communication is crucial for boosting productivity. So, ensure you create a work environment where transparent communication thrives.

A policy of openness and routine check-ins promotes the culture of sharing ideas and concerns. This helps prevent unforeseen circumstances by addressing issues before they escalate into significant concerns.

Besides helping address issues promptly, open communication fosters innovation and collaboration. It also saves time, minimizes misunderstandings, and keeps projects on track.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, applies this strategy. He transformed the company's culture by encouraging transparent communication and a growth mindset.

In the following interview, Nadella speaks of encouraging employees to share feedback and ideas openly. This cultural shift resulted in enhanced innovation and collaboration.

Here's the interview.

4. Time Blocking

Time blocking is an effective productivity tactic embraced by many successful business leaders. It involves assigning specific blocks of time for different activities or tasks throughout your day.

You can reduce distractions and optimize your productivity by scheduling dedicated time slots for meetings, managing email, focusing on work, and engaging in personal activities. This technique helps prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently, ensuring that essential tasks receive the most attention.

Elon Musk applies this technique to manage his hectic schedule. He usually allocates five-minute slots to various tasks throughout the day. This strategy has significantly enhanced his productivity by enabling him to concentrate on one task at a time without interruptions.

Here's a video of Musk sharing how he applies time blocking to manage his time effectively.

5. Healthy Habits & Self-Care

Maintaining healthy habits and practicing self-care are crucial for sustaining high productivity levels. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices.

These habits boost physical and mental health, improving focus, energy, and resilience. For example, you can include a morning workout, a nutritious breakfast, and meditation in your morning routine to start your day right.

The founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington, emphasizes the significance of sleep and self-care. She once collapsed from exhaustion, after which she changed her lifestyle and started prioritizing sleep. Besides improving her well-being, this shift boosted her creativity and productivity.

Here's a short talk of Arianna sharing the power of a good night's sleep. She highlights how this can enhance productivity, happiness, and more thoughtful decision-making.

6. Reflect & Evaluate

Regular self-reflection and evaluation help assess progress and identify areas for improvement. So set aside some time to review completed tasks, analyze outcomes, and adjust your approach. Reflect on successes and failures to learn and grow.

Bill Gates understands the value of this approach as he takes "Think Weeks" twice a year. He retreats to a quiet place where he reads and reflects on his life and work. This practice has been beneficial in generating new ideas, contributing significantly to his productivity and success.

Here's a short animated video about this strategy.

Key Takeaway

Productivity is essential for business leaders to make informed decisions, achieve organizational goals, and inspire their teams.

Adopt these productivity tactics and incorporate them into your life. You'll also need to learn to develop the right habits to unleash your potential as a productive entrepreneur.

Good luck!

Reena Aggarwal

Reena is Director of Operations and Sales at Attrock, a result-driven digital marketing company. With 10+ years of sales and operations experience in the field of e-commerce and digital marketing, she is quite an industry expert. She is a people person and considers the human resources as the most valuable asset of a company. In her free time, you would find her spending quality time with her brilliant, almost teenage daughter and watching her grow in this digital, fast-paced era.

LinkedIn, Twitter, Gravatar Email ID

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[wyldsolhealing]

639 HZ Solfeggio Frequency Pure Tone • Heal Heart Chakra • Anahata • Self Love • Miracle Tone

Heart Chakra Healing • Self Love Attract Love • Miracle Tone • Boost Creativity and Intuition.

Key Aspects of the Heart Chakra: • Location: Center of the chest • Color: Green (sometimes pink is also associated with it) • Element: Air • Theme: Love, compassion, forgiveness, emotional healing, and relationships • Mantra: “Yam”

When the Heart Chakra is Balanced: • You feel love and compassion for yourself and others without conditions. • You experience a deep sense of inner peace, contentment, and emotional stability. • Your relationships are harmonious, balanced, and filled with empathy. • You are open to giving and receiving love, and you practice forgiveness. • Emotional healing flows easily, allowing you to let go of past hurts and live with a sense of openness.

When the Heart Chakra is Blocked or Imbalanced: • You may experience difficulty forming or maintaining relationships. • Feelings of jealousy, bitterness, or fear of rejection may arise. • You might struggle to forgive yourself or others, holding onto resentment. • Emotional numbness, isolation, or lack of empathy could manifest. • Physical symptoms such as heart problems, respiratory issues, or upper back and shoulder pain may occur.

639 Hz Frequency & Its Role in Heart Chakra Activation: • Harmony in Relationships: 639 Hz resonates with the energy of love, fostering balance and harmony in relationships. It helps in improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening connections with others by enhancing understanding and compassion. • Emotional Healing: This frequency is particularly useful for healing old emotional wounds, enabling the release of past hurts and allowing for forgiveness and love to flow. It assists in dissolving feelings of bitterness, anger, or resentment, making space for empathy and kindness. • Connection and Unity: 639 Hz helps cultivate a sense of unity and interconnectedness, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. It supports the feeling of being connected to the world and the people around us on a deeper emotional level. • Enhancing Compassion: Listening to 639 Hz is thought to stimulate the heart’s natural energy of compassion, making it easier to understand and feel empathy for others. It fosters a loving and peaceful attitude towards all living beings.

Benefits of Listening to 639 Hz: 1. Healing and Releasing Emotional Wounds: Helps in releasing past emotional pain, promoting forgiveness and emotional freedom. 2. Harmonizing Relationships: Fosters better communication, understanding, and harmony in personal and interpersonal relationships. 3. Inner Peace and Love: Encourages self-love, acceptance, and inner emotional balance, leading to feelings of peace and contentment. 4. Opening the Heart: Expands your capacity for compassion, kindness, and empathy, enhancing your ability to connect deeply with others. 5. Strengthening Bonds: Supports the development of meaningful and lasting relationships by opening the channels of love and connection.

How to Use 639 Hz for Heart Chakra Healing: • Meditation: Listen to 639 Hz frequency music while meditating, focusing on your heart center. Visualize a green or pink light radiating from your heart, expanding outwards and filling you with love and compassion. • Affirmations: Combine listening to 639 Hz with affirmations like “I love and accept myself” or “I am open to giving and receiving love” to enhance its effects. • Sound Therapy: Use tuning forks, singing bowls, or chimes tuned to 639 Hz during sound healing sessions to harmonize the Heart Chakra. • Emotional Reflection: After listening to 639 Hz, take time to reflect on any emotions or memories that surface. This can be an opportunity to release past hurts and embrace forgiveness. • Visualization: As you listen, visualize your heart chakra opening, allowing love to flow in and out, creating a sense of peace and balance in your emotional body.

Signs of Heart Chakra Activation at 639 Hz: • You feel more love, compassion, and empathy for yourself and others. • Relationships improve, with more open and harmonious communication. • Emotional healing occurs, leading to a greater sense of peace and contentment. • You are able to forgive past hurts and release emotional blockages. • A deeper connection to nature, animals, or the world around you is experienced. • Physical symptoms related to the heart or chest area may improve.

[inhousedstudio]

Office Color Palette: Choosing the Best Colors for Productivity and Creativity

The design of your office is more than just about aesthetics. Choosing the right office color palette can dramatically influence productivity, mood, and overall workplace energy. Whether you’re considering modern office colors or looking for calming office colors to create a serene environment, your choice of office paint colors can impact how people feel and perform within the space.

In this blog, we’ll explore the psychology of colors in office design, practical tips for selecting color schemes, and recommendations for professional office colors that suit different industries and workplace needs.

Understanding Color Psychology in the Workplace

1.1 The Role of Colors in Productivity and Mood

Colors in an office environment influence more than just its visual appeal. Color psychology explains how different shades can evoke emotions and behaviors.

Blue: Boosts focus and create a calm workspace, perfect for business office colors in tech and finance sectors.

Green: Encourages a sense of balance and is often seen as the most calming office color for spaces with long hours of work.

Yellow: Sparks creativity and optimism, making it a top choice for creative office colors in the design and media industries.

Red: Increases energy, suitable for collaborative spaces but less ideal for focus zones.

Neutral office colors: Timeless shades like white, beige, and gray provide a clean slate that balances bolder accents.

1.2 The Science Behind Modern Office Colors

Research shows that incorporating the right office interior colors can reduce stress, enhance focus, and foster team collaboration. For example, a combination of neutral tones with bright accent colors can create a professional yet vibrant atmosphere.

Choosing the Right Office Color Design

2.1 Factors to Consider

When selecting colors for your office, consider the following:

Nature of the Business: Creative industries might opt for trendy office colors, while law firms benefit from professional office colors like navy and gray.

Office Layout and Lighting: Small spaces can appear larger with light neutral colors, while larger offices can handle darker, more dramatic shades.

Employee Preferences: Engaging employees in choosing office decor colors ensures that the environment resonates with the team.

2.2 Popular Color Schemes for Offices

Here are some effective color schemes:

Monochromatic Palettes: Variations of a single color create a soothing office color scheme.

Complementary Colors: Pairs like blue and orange add energy without overwhelming.

Neutral Bases with Bright Accents: Balance neutral office colors with energizing pops like yellow or red.

Designing an INHOUSE Studio with Optimal Office Colors

For interior design studio or INHOUSE design teams, creating a space that promotes creativity and focus is crucial.

Use focus colors for office zones, such as greens and blues, in workstations.

Opt for energizing office colors like orange in collaborative spaces to spark discussions.

Add trendy office colors such as terracotta or muted pink for a modern touch.

Trendy and Timeless Office Color Schemes

4.1 Current Trends in Office Color Design

Earthy Tones: Shades like terracotta, sage, and mustard are popular for their soothing properties.

Minimalist Neutrals: Neutral office colors such as beige and white are timeless choices for a professional look.

Bold Accents: Adding bright colors like coral or teal as accents make the space lively.

4.2 Combining Aesthetics with Functionality

While trendy business office colors are appealing, ensure that they serve their purpose. For example, too much red can increase stress, while too much white may feel sterile. Strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics by layering professional office colors with pops of bright colors.

Inspiration from Interior Architecture Companies

Top interior design companies emphasize the power of color schemes in crafting both creative and professional office spaces.

5.1 Case Study: Interior Design Firms in Cape Town

Interior design firms in Cape Town focus on blending modern office colors with elements of local art and nature, resulting in a balanced workspace.

Calming palettes: Soft greens and blues are paired with wood textures.

Neutral palettes: Beige walls with sleek black furniture create a professional yet approachable environment.

5.2 Inspiration for Home and Office Spaces

If you’re working on a house interior, consider using versatile neutral office colors to merge home and workspace seamlessly.

Tips for Selecting Office Paint Colors

6.1 Testing Paint Colors

Before committing to a color scheme, test swatches under different lighting conditions. This ensures the chosen office colors work well throughout the day.

6.2 Hiring Professionals

When it comes to creating a productive and visually appealing office space, engaging the expertise of a professional interior design firm or an interior design architect can make a significant difference. Here’s why hiring professionals is a worthwhile investment:

Tailored Office Design Solutions

Professional designers have the expertise to translate your brand identity into a cohesive and functional office color scheme. They ensure that every element, from office paint colors to furniture placement, aligns with your company’s ethos and enhances employee productivity.

Access to Unique Resources

Interior design professionals often have access to high-quality materials, exclusive design studio resources, and the latest trends in office interior colors. This ensures your space is modern, durable, and visually striking.

Efficient Use of Space

For offices with limited square footage, professionals can maximize the area by incorporating smart layouts and multi-functional furniture. By using the right color psychology in office design, they can make small spaces appear larger and more inviting.

Expertise in Color Psychology

An experienced interior design company understands the subtle nuances of color psychology. They can recommend the best shades to boost focus, encourage collaboration, or create a sense of calm. For instance, combining neutral office colors with bright accents in common areas can foster creativity and energy.

Time and Cost Efficiency

While hiring a professional involves an initial investment, it often saves money in the long run. With their knowledge of sourcing materials and avoiding costly mistakes, designers ensure the project stays on budget and on schedule.

Trend-Driven Office Spaces

If you want a workspace that feels fresh and current, professional designers stay ahead of trends in modern office colors and layouts. They integrate elements like trendy office colors, ergonomic designs, and eco-friendly materials for a workspace that stands out.

Compliance and Safety

Professional firms ensure that all designs comply with building codes, safety standards, and regulations. They also incorporate elements like proper lighting, ventilation, and acoustics to create a healthy work environment.

Enhanced Employee Satisfaction

A thoughtfully designed office boosts employee morale and productivity. By blending aesthetics with functionality, professionals create a space where employees feel motivated and engaged.

Collaboration with Leading Interior Design Firms

If you’re located in area with a thriving design scene, like Cape Town, consider collaborating with renowned interior design companies or interior decorators. They bring a wealth of experience and a local touch to the project, ensuring the design resonates with cultural and regional aesthetics.

Conclusion

The right office color palette can transform your workspace into a hub of productivity, creativity, and professionalism. Whether you opt for soothing office colors or bold accents, the key is to choose colors that reflect your brand and enhance the office environment. Designing with purpose, especially with the expertise of an interior design studio, ensures a positive impact on both employees and clients, making your office not just a place to work but a place to thrive.

[trendoptimizer]

Automate repetitive tasks with AI and reclaim your creative time! 🤖✨ Let AI handle the mundane so you can focus on innovation, storytelling, and bringing your vision to life. Work smarter, not harder, with AI! 🚀🎨 Click this link : https://tinyurl.com/3tyr7c8x

[phoenix-radio]

What Happens to Your Body When You Meditate Every Day?

I’ve been practicing meditation regularly for quite some time now, and I can confidently say it has transformed both my mind and body in ways I never anticipated. If you’re curious about what happens to your body when you meditate consistently, you’re in the right place. Let me walk you through the changes you can expect—both physical and mental—when you make meditation part of your daily…

[bluebuddhacanada]

In the vibrant city of Vancouver, British Columbia, a new wave of accessibility has emerged, allowing residents to explore natural remedies conveniently and discreetly. The rise of online platforms has transformed access to wellness solutions, providing an easy way to acquire magic mushrooms and premium cannabis. Let’s explore the magic mushrooms in Vancouver, British Columbia and discover our offerings.

[clouvu]

Cooking up an older Clervie outfit design so I don't have to keep drawing her looking like her child self but Long

[theramenphase]

How many of these are you currently doing?

Any that you'd like to adopt?

[swordy-da-goat]

I'd be cool to see Giant whale boat/ship mimic

Masterpost

[bunnyswritings]

Saying "I love you" without saying "I love you" — some ways your otp can silently express affection

Forehead kisses, and smiling through the kiss

Resting their forehead on the other’s after a kiss

Tucking strands of loose hair behind their ears, with a thumb caressing their cheek

Interlacing their fingers with the other’s when they least expect it

Sleepy back hugs when the other person is busy whipping up breakfast in the kitchen, catching them by surprise

Just doing their own things in the same space; being so comfortable around the other even in their pyjamas

Holding both their hands while holding their gaze gently, just before leaning in for a kiss

Switching positions with the other when walking down a busy sidewalk because your feel the need to keep the other safe

Being playfully clingy in the mornings when one has an off day and the other has to rush to work

Getting them something from the store when they only mentioned it in passing

When one is overseas for a work trip and everything they see reminds them of the other person (bonus: whenever it happens, they take a picture and drop the other person a text.)

Squeezing their hand reassuringly and holding their hand throughout an intense social situation (eg. a large school reunion which the more introverted person is dreading)

Kissing away their tears

^ and letting the other cry on their shoulder even when their t-shirt gets soaked from their tears

Meeting them where they are, mentally and emotionally; never forcing them to do anything they aren’t comfortable with

Wholeheartedly supporting their dreams, and putting that into action by making concrete plans for it to happen

Dropping the other person an encouraging text before an important interview/event

Surprising the other with flowers just because; no occasion and no reason needed

Picking the other person up from work when it’s getting late, and walking them right to their doorstep after

Good morning and goodnight texts

Making the other person a Spotify playlist with songs that remind them of their relationship and growth

Remembering the littlest of things — activities they like and dislike, favourite brands of stationery, go-to ice cream flavour, choice of popcorn

Writing little notes on post-its and leaving them in random pages of their textbook, so that they will get a little endorphin boost when studying

[heartitout-posts]

Our bodies and minds need downtime! Regular breaks are a must - not only for our health but to supercharge ourselves.

A few moments of relaxation can help reduce stress, boost creativity, refocus the mind and even increase productivity in the long run. So don't hesitate to take a break today and get ready to tackle that next project with full force! ✨

[saltpepperbeard]

This is the life...Now boop, or die.

[xxnghtclls]

Divine.

[heavydistraction]

[secretficblogs]

"First Date Jitters" Divorced David "Deacon" Kay x School Counselor! Reader

Summary: Your date with Deacon gets derailed but you still find a way to make the most of it.

What to expect: 4K words, Light mention of divorce, Canon warnings (hostage situation, robbery, light mention of gore/guns), drinking, descriptions of being cut, flirting, fluff, comfort

A/N: I blushed so hard when yall asked for a part 2, I didn't really proofread btw

You could feel the seconds ticking away as you sat at your meeting. Why did school counselors need to sit in on district meetings, anyway? You glanced at the clock on the wall, 4:47.  Your leg was bouncing underneath the table, a representation of your nervousness. It was your first date in god knows how long. You still needed to run home, change, and meet your date, but you were stuck with what could've been an email. You looked again, 4:48, oh my god.

“Would you be for or against this change, (Y/N)?” Your boss shook you from your thoughts, leaving you to look at the schedule change in front of you. 

“I-I think this looks… great. I don’t have any suggestions.” You slide the paper to the center of the table, glancing back up at the clock. 4:52. 

“Alright well, if that concludes things… I'll let you guys get going. Thanks for hanging back for a bit.” The staff began to stand and file out of the room. The English teacher, you knew her as Jane pulled you aside.

“So, spill! What are you so keen on leaving for?” She rubbed her hands together, leaving you to roll your eyes.

“I’m going out on a date.” You answered, throwing on your cardigan. Jane danced around you and let her noises of excitement draw attention to the two of you. 

“Alright, alright,” you laughed. “I don't even know if it will go anywhere. Just nice to get back out there, I guess.” You rubbed your arm, as you made your way out of the conference room. 

“I'm just so happy for you! It's about time. You have the best time tonight, okay? Stay safe, and call me if you need a lifeline!” She shouted your way as you both made your way towards your respective cars. You thanked her before closing your door.  You made quick work of the dinner rush and ran up the stairs to your apartment. Quickly locking yourself inside, you immediately started changing into the semi-formal dress you had set out last night. You glanced up at yourself in the mirror, deciding a touch-up would do you good. You grabbed out a darker lipstick, one you wouldn't wear to the school. You looked at your phone, 5:19. You rushed to get your heels on and grab your purse, taking one final look at yourself in the mirror. 

“Okay, (Y/N), let's get back in the game.” You ruffled your hair and made your way back down to your car. You peeled out of the parking garage. Your fingers tapped against the steering wheel praying for the light to change. The drive felt longer than it was, and the counselor in you told you to breathe before you left your car. 

David sat in his car rubbing his hands on his thighs, nervously. He recognized you in the car that pulled up across the parking lot. He watched you fix your hair in the rearview, and step out of your car to straighten your dress. David’s nerves were calmed once he noticed you were anxious too. He stepped out and made his way to the door, trying to pretend he hadn't noticed.

You walked towards the door and saw him waiting in the lobby. He met you with a smile and you immediately felt your knees weaken. Together you walked up to the host station and told the young girl the name of your reservation. She quickly led the two of you to your table and took your drink order. You both ordered wine and began making small talk about the restaurant you chose. 

“So did your interest in international food lead to your love for travel, or was it the other way around?” He asked, watching you take a sip of your drink.

“They are not mutually exclusive. My mom’s a professional chef, so I grew up trying all of her experiments. That's how I ended up in LA. She found better business here than Oregon.” You rambled. You couldn't tell where the feeling came from but you wanted him to know everything about you. 

“How old were you when you moved here?” David questioned. He seemed genuinely interested, which you liked. 

“I was 12. I wasn't too happy to leave the humidity. It took a while for my asthma to get somewhat used to the lack of moisture.” You folded your hands in your lap, smiling back at him. He nodded and you could see him commit the fact that you have asthma to memory. 

“How about you, did you grow up here?” You felt he was at an unfair advantage, knowing so much about you from your office.

“Yeah, born and raised.” He nodded.

“Nice, do you travel much?” 

“Not as much now, with the kids, but occasionally I'll find myself in neat places for work.” David felt his heart race a bit at the mention of his kids. He knew the entire reason they met was because of his kids,  but he knew many single parents’ kids scare partners off. 

That feeling quickly dissolved when he looked up from his glass to see your smile. He went to say something but your waitress came over. You both chuckled, realizing you hadn't looked over the menu much. Fortunately, you were both able to make a quick decision and get your food ordered. Your waitress refilled your glasses and left you to continue talking. 

“You said you had a meeting today, right? That go well?” He broke the silence. 

“Oh, yeah, it wasn't too bad. I really didn't need to be there. I was just excited to go home and get ready.” You looked away, shy to admit you were looking forward to your date.

“I’m glad. This is all I’ve talked about all day,” You looked up at him, shocked. “My team was so sick of me that they sent me home early.” David chuckled, leaving you to smile dumbfoundedly. 

“That makes me feel better, I wondered if you'd get bored tonight…” You sheepishly mutter.

“Why would you think that?” David's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“...Well, I don't have the most interesting life. I mean, you're a SWAT sergeant. I'm sure you get invitations for dates all the time.” You trailed off, taking a sip of your wine to stop your rambling. 

“I don't usually entertain that. I don't really enjoy being hit on. Most people just like the uniform anyway.” He tried to make you feel a bit better. “Also, you're insanely cool. I mean your office is decorated with so many interesting things. I gotta know more about that.” He folded his hands on the table.

“Well, ask away.” You grinned feeling warm from his words.

“The paintings on the walls didn't look like prints. Did you paint them?” David questioned. You began to answer, but your waitress brought out your dishes, set them down, and asked if you needed anything. You both ordered another drink and turned back to each other.

“The portraits are mine, but there are a couple of landscape paintings, sculptures, and trinkets that I got from friends and vendors.” You took a bite of your dish after speaking.

“Your paintings are amazing. Did you consider going into art before counseling?” 

“No, no. It's always just been something I did on my own time.” You gently shook your head. “There have been times where I've illustrated for friends and small startups, but not enough to go full time with it. Moreso just to help out small businesses.” You explained.

The two of you continued asking each other questions and eating in between. Time seemed to stop for the night. The only thing you and David were concerned about was each other. As the sunset turned into a dark sky, you sat across from David, captivated by him. You could tell he knew it, too. He would hold your eye contact for slightly longer than normal, and whenever your hands were on the table, he would make it his mission to rest his hand atop yours. 

The drinks didn't help either. Neither of you wanted to get drunk on your first date, but you definitely felt tipsy. The alcohol made both of you more brave, light touches turned to hand-holding, and your conversations became more personal. You both talked about your parents and how they felt about your jobs. You talked about your time as a therapist and he talked about some of his more significant cases. 

“I tried to be a therapist for the elderly because I thought it would be less pressure. David, I was so wrong.” You laughed, shaking your head. He chuckled as you recalled getting harassed by old men and women for 40 hours a week.

“Deacon.” He interjected.

“What was that?” You tilted your head to the side, confused.

“Call me Deacon. That’s what my team calls me.” He just wanted to hear you say it.

“Well, alright. Deacon.” You smiled, feeling your cheeks begin to hurt. His heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. You stared at each other, enjoying just being together. Your romantic staring contest was broken by your waitress dropping off your check. You reached for it, but Deacon was too quick.

“Deacon. Come on.” You reached your hand out, silently asking for the receipt. 

“No, no. I asked you out. And, I'm honored you accepted, despite not knowing me.” He nestled his card in the tin and set it aside, turning his attention back to you.

“I get the feeling you're not going to budge on this, so thank you.” You folded your arms across each other and set them down in front of you. 

“It was nice getting out, it's been a while since I did the whole ‘first date’ thing” Deacon allowed himself to be honest.

“I completely agree. It's more awkward than I remember.” You laughed. 

You and your date continued talking long after your drinks ran out. You felt so warm with him, and the wine didn't encourage you to leave him either. You continued flirting and getting to know each other before a commotion was heard a couple of tables behind you. You took your eyes off Deacon to turn around finding a group of people dressed in dark informal clothing. One of them held his hand underneath his jacket which made you whip your head back to Deacon. His once soft expression was replaced with a look of concern. 

“Um- Deac? I- Do you think somethings wrong?” Your hand made its way to the back of your neck in an attempt to rub away the rising tension. He didn't respond, looking down into his lap. You worked at a school, so it wasn't hard to tell he was texting someone. Your heart raced. It was obvious Deacon agreed that there was a problem.

You were going off sound alone, as the group of people were behind you. You managed to twist your head and spare a glance their way, only to find them talking very quietly with the now frightened host. Whatever they were telling her was scaring her shitless. You felt so bad for her, wondering what she was thinking.

With Deacon clearing his throat you looked back at him, and he gave you a forced smile. He rested his hand on the table, a silent request for you to grab it. You interlocked your fingers and squeezed, letting him know you were anxious.

“Be honest, how likely is it they're here for a table?” You met his eyes, looking for any hint of hesitation. You didn't need to though because he sighed and gave up on trying to hide his feelings from you.

“Unlikely. They look familiar, probably wanted for something. We can't do anything about it right now, so just relax. It'll be alright.” He soothed as he looked past you to see the host leave the group. The group of people looked around, one in particular made eye contact with a woman nearby. The older lady was decked out in diamonds and a fancy bag. The man must have been feeling bold because he walked up to her and held his jacket slightly ajar. Deacon couldn't see what he was concealing but it was pretty obvious it had to be a gun. 

The woman's face fell and the man she was with stood up clearly offended. Deacon's worst fears were confirmed when the man pulled out a gun and pistol-whipped the older man. Other patrons in the restaurant screamed and moved away from the man. You saw movement out of the corner of your eye and turned to see Deacon beside you. He pulled you around the table and pulled you down to the ground. He told you to stay there before turning back towards the commotion.

You peered around the table to find the woman was forced to take off her jewelry and pass over her bag. Deacon raised his gun and announced he was LAPD. You were shocked. He was outnumbered and you had no idea if anyone else carried. You turned your attention to the other group members. One ran out once the hostility started, and two others looked at each other in a mix of disbelief and anger. You took this as a sign this wasn't planned. It also seemed like the group wasn't willing to kill. The man aimed his pistol at Deacon but refrained from firing, resorting to yelling instead. This scared all of the now hostages but only made Deacon feel better. If talking meant not shooting, he was okay with it.

It was hard for you to make out what he was saying, but you could tell he was scared. He likely acted on impulse and was struggling to de-escalate the situation. It's unlikely they knew a cop would be there, especially since your name was on the reservation. A couple of people tried to weasel their way out of their booths and sneak away but that only made the man more upset. His audience was leaving. He aimed his pistol and the nearby chandelier and fired, leaving you to scramble from your hiding spot as glass debris fell around you and nicked at your skin.

 You tried not to think about the blood pooling on your arms and face and just focused on finding cover elsewhere. Deacon had to trust the best way he could help was by keeping his gun raised, and trying to talk the man down. The other guys noticed the situation getting progressively worse and tried pulling him back towards the door, but it only angered the man more. He whipped around to yell at them, giving Deacon an opening to run and tackle the man. 

You were shocked because there was no telling what the other guys would do. Fortunately, the man's accomplices took the lowered guns as a sign to run. Your eyes followed them through to windows as they ran across the street. They didn't get far before police cars cut them off, and they were forced to surrender. 

Hearing shouting, you looked back to your date pulling the man up from the ground, his hands held behind his back. The gun was kicked away, and before long people wearing SWAT uniforms arrived, putting handcuffs on the gunman, and taking him away. Deacon didn't waste any time running over to you and looking at your various cuts. 

“I'm so sorry, (Y/N).” He grabbed the black napkin from the table to press it against your forehead, making you wince. 

“Y-... You didn't shoot the chandelier,” You looked around at the chaos surrounding you. EMT’s loaded the old man onto the gurney. Patrons hugged and made their way to their tables, unsure of what happens next. “Everyone’s okay thanks to you. You called the police?” you asked as he held your hand over the napkin, a silent request for you to hold pressure. 

“I texted a coworker. They took care of getting a team here. I don't think they called the patrol cars though. Maybe the host called.” He looked over your other scrapes, gauging how much medical attention you needed. “I think some of these need stitches…” Deacon looked over to see the EMTs occupied with the elderly man, and some other people complaining of heart rates.

“I still think I’m too shaken up to drive-” You were interrupted.

“I'll take you.” Deacon placed his hands on top of yours.

“Okay.” You sheepishly responded. You let him pull you up and with a hand on the small of your back he led you to his car. Deacon was helping you into the passenger seat when an officer ran over.

“Deac! You okay, man?” The man rested his hand on the open door looking at the two of you.

“Yeah, Yeah. Thanks for coming so quickly, Hondo.” He nodded looking towards the restaurant and the guests funneling out. Another two teammates ran over to you, and the idea that you were meeting his squad set in. You felt yourself sink into the seat, as you looked at the ground.

“Hey! Is this your date?” One of the other teammates asked.

“Are you okay?” Another member asked.

When you hesitated to respond Deacon spoke up on your behalf. “Luca, I knew it was wrong to hope I’d get through this date without you crazies. This is (Y/N). She got cut up by the chandelier, so I was going to take her to the hospital to get patched up.”

“You know you gotta meet the squad family early! I’m Luca, this is Chris, and that is Hondo.” The man explained. You tried to nod along, but the shock and the blood loss made you dizzy. 

“Uhh, yeah yall need to get going. We can do introductions later.” Hondo said, taping his teammate's shoulders. You have him a smile, before waving at them. Deacon shut your door and jogged around to the other side. Once he was inside he sped off, quickly navigating the Friday night traffic.  You occasionally zoned out, putting gaps in your memory. Deacon tried to keep a hand on you at all times to help ground you. He helped you check in, and stayed by your side as you got stitched up. He stepped out a couple of times to take phone calls. He profusely apologized every time, even with you explaining it was okay.

The nurse finished with your bandages and instructed you to keep your injuries clean and dry. He left, giving you and Deacon time alone before you had to head out. You sat in silence for a while, his hand in yours. You felt yourself zoning out again, and Deacon must have noticed too because he spoke quietly, drawing you back to the present.

“How are you feeling?” He rubbed the back of your hand, a concerned expression on his face.

“... I'm hurting, but I’m alive. This is what you experience every day?” You kept your eyes on the floor.

“I usually have a lot more warning, and protection, but yeah. It can be hard to digest and process emotions when things like this happen. Your wounds are large enough to raise some concern for infection too. Don't think you can't reach out… okay?”

“Thank you, Deacon. Know that I'll take you up on that.” Your worries dissolved, finally being safe and patched up.

“Are you ready to head out? I can just take you home.” Deacon suggested.

“And leave my car at the restaurant? I don't have a way to get it back to my apartment.” 

“I'll pick you up to grab it tomorrow morning. Or I’m sure I can have Hondo drive it back for you if you're worried about it being at the restaurant that was just robbed.” He was happy to make any accommodation if it meant you wouldn't worry as much. 

“That’s… really nice. I’d like that- you can just take me home though. My car should be fine.” You blushed, excited to extend the date longer. With a plan in place, Deacon led you to the lobby, and out of the clinic. He, once again, helped you into your seat before letting you direct him to your house. The ride was relatively quiet. The only thing on your mind was working up the courage to invite him in. You worried he would take it the wrong way, or think you were just expecting sex. Deacon pulled into your spot in the parking garage, slowly turning to you. 

“This place is… sketchy.” He mumbled.

“Most apartments in the heart of LA are…” You smiled. Deacon watched as your smile faded, watching the gears turn in your brain. “...Would you want to come in? I mean- like, just to talk. I don’t want this date to end.” He smiled back, making you comfortable by adding, “If you don't have a bedtime tonight, that is.”

“I would like that,” He laughed before continuing. “Annie has the kids this weekend.” You smiled and reached for your door handle. He put a hand on your shoulder, stopping you. You couldn't help but laugh and gently shake your head as he ran around to help you out of the car.

You led him to your apartment, his hand never leaving your waist. You wouldn't have guessed his love language was touch, but it was comforting regardless. You tried to think about the state of your apartment, deciding it was probably fine. You unlocked your door, and let him inside.

Deacon took in your apartment, just as cozy as your office. He could tell you took pride in your space and enjoyed just being in it. The overhead lights were off, and lamps and soft warm light made the living room very inviting. He looked for more pictures on the walls, finding more from hikes and parties. You asked him if he wanted something to drink, and he quietly said he'd have whatever you were having. Deacon was focused on the walls of your home. He heard two beers clink against the coffee table. He soon after felt your arms wrap around his waist from behind.

“You do this with all your first dates?” He asked laying his hands on top of yours. 

“This date wasn't a normal one, and you know that.” You laughed into his back. You retracted your hands and led him over to your couch, where your drinks were. He sat down and grabbed his beer, putting his arm over the back of the couch and urging you to sit by him. 

You obliged, cuddling up close to him. A brief silence settled between the two of you until you thought back to how you met. 

“Did you and Mathew talk more about his writing?” You ran your finger over the ridges in the bottle.

“I did. I think it brought us closer together. He decided to show Annie, too. I think it's helping us understand what he's going through and helps him know he can still rely on both of his parents.” He paused to gauge your reaction at the mention of Annie, but the reaction on your face was happiness—happiness for his son and his family. “It’s all thanks to you, you know…” He took a sip of his drink.

“Ah, it's my job, Deacon. Those kids are important to me, and they all need support from their school. It takes a village, or whatever the saying is.” You furrowed your eyebrows thinking about the countless visits kids have had with you, and how many students crashed your office during their lunch to discuss their feelings. The students who you let nap on your chairs, the lunch program you helped run, and so many more small moments that added up to big changes for students. 

“Well, whatever you're doing it's working. Lila thinks you're great too. Over the past few weeks, they haven't stopped talking about you.” He mentioned.

“Thank you.” You felt uncertain about how the kids gushed about you up around Annie, so kept the response short. Deacon must have noticed because he grabbed your hand. You looked up at him and smiled.

“I’m glad you asked me out.” You said quietly.

“I’m glad you didn't think it was weird.” Deacon earned a laugh from you. “So, does that mean you'll go on a second one with me?” He asked.

“It does, but you gotta pick the restaurant this time.”

The end :P

Taglist? Thanks for the support!

@pear-1206