Productivity

Designed for Focus or Distraction?

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distracted squirrelProductivity isn’t just about willpower, motivation or discipline. It’s about design. Your environment has an impact on your productivity, well-being and efficiency through the cues that it is consciously and subconsciously sending you.

It can:

      • Encourage focus
      • Create calm
      • Promote distraction and procrastination
        • Intensify overwhelm
      • Make things harder (and take longer)

Visual Impact

Although our eyes “see” a great deal of visual information around us, it is our brain that processes only about 1% of that information. It tends to focus on anything survival related while keeping an ongoing “video” of the last 10-15 seconds based on attention and memory. So, it is our brain that interprets what we see and then makes sense of that information. The more cluttered the environment, the harder the brain has to work to see what you want it to see. If you’ve ever searched for your keys, only to find them 20 minutes later in one of the first places you looked – you know what I mean.

The busier the space, the more brain interference especially if there are things in your environment that are calling for attention. Maybe you have left something out as a reminder of a task or a decision you need to make. If that isn’t your focus right now, then maybe you can reduce the visual choices in that area and create a “focus zone” to help reduce the nonessential.

Sensory Input

First, we want to be sure our brain has everything it needs to be happy. The brain is continually sensing and responding to variations from the norm so it needs to have certain things like food, water, sleep, and safety to begin with. A quick body check of these internal needs will let you know if your brain needs something. To avoid being distracted by those needs, you should satisfy them before getting to work.

Next, let’s look at the things that can impact our senses externally. Starting with the ambient noise level. Is it too loud or too quiet? Which helps you stay focused more?

How about the temperature in the room – is it too warm, too cool? Also, think about the air quality as proper ventilation reduces indoor pollutants and increases your brain’s oxygen level which leads to better focus. Adding a plant or two can also increase the available oxygen.

Ergonomics, as defined by Google, “is fitting the task to the person.” This means making sure that you are comfortable and able to do the job without strain or pain. Check the chair for comfort and fit. Are your feet flat on the floor? Does the height of the desk fit with the chair? Check that the lighting is bright enough and focused on your work area and not coming from the ceiling to prevent working in your own shadow.

Lastly, color can impact your focus and productivity by reducing stress and stimulating brain activity. For example, blue and green are known for helping concentration, while red is known for boosting attention to detail (in short bursts). Color can also be used to help with learning. Grouping facts or like data together with one color aids retention. So, do what you can to make your environment suit your needs.

Friction vs. Flow

Sometimes it is not your hunger, or the ergonomics of your workspace, but the “friction” between you and the next small step. What’s friction, you ask? Anything that makes getting started harder (see above). There is not knowing where to start, not having what you need or being distracted by notifications. It all takes its toll.

Flow, on the other hand, feels effortless because the plan is clear. You know what to do and you have what you need to do it or can easily find it. The more friction you can alleviate, the more flow is possible.

Friction

  • Notifications and interruptions
  • Looking for things – disorganization/clutter
  • Perfectionism
  • No plan or clue about the next step

Flow

  • Have a plan before you sit down
  • Healthy snacks, water
  • Clear work space with needed supplies
  • Distraction free zone

Simple changes to your environment and the way you think about productivity can help make getting started easier with less friction and more flow.  And that will help you get things done.

How can your environment better support you and your brain? (What can be changed, removed, simplified or decided ahead of time?) Check out our Friction Audit on Facebook.

From Stuck to Started: Task Initiation Strategies to Get Going

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Stuck and time is running out

You are stuck. You know what you need to do and you even want to do it, but yet…you’re still stuck and time is running out. So instead of asking, “Why can’t I just do this?” a more helpful question is, “What does my brain need in order to get started?”

Getting started challenges are a signal not a character flaw. And when you understand what’s getting in the way, you can start using strategies that work with your brain instead of against it.

What’s Getting in the Way?

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help figure out why you are getting stuck.

  • Do I understand what to do?
  • Do I have everything I need?
  • What is holding me back?
  • Am I trying to make it perfect to start?
  • Is my brain ready to work or does it need something?

If you’ve been unable to start on this task you may find that the sense of urgency is causing you stress and that can make it difficult to think clearly.

Strategies to Get Going

    • Start small

Sometimes the task can feel overwhelming especially if it is really a project with multiple steps. Break it down into the smallest steps you can by starting with the end in mind and working backwards to the starting point.

    • Use Momentum, Not Motivation

Don’t wait until you “feel like” doing whatever it is you have been avoiding. You probably won’t ever feel like tackling it. Instead, set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and promise yourself you will work for that long and then you can quit (if you still want to.) Sometimes, the getting started part gets us motivated to continue.

    • Nudges, pokes and jabs

Using visual timers, alarms and phone reminders serve to designate a starting time. Setting the sleep timer to shut off the TV or a focus app, reduces the distractions that may be keeping you from getting started. Setting false deadlines or having someone else tell you an earlier deadline can also help motivate.

    • Body Doubling Support

Working along side a friend, family member or even a stranger can help keep you focused on the task. There are online groups including a Work it Wednesday, two-hour zoom call, that helps hold people accountable for whatever they said they would do in each 25-minute block.

    • Rewards

Everyone likes to be rewarded for a job well done. If you are someone that likes rewards you may want to try having a specific reward for yourself after you have completed the task you have been struggling with.

There’s no one “right” way to get started, and that’s why having multiple strategies that work for your brain matters. Even small steps can create meaningful momentum. Experiment with what helps, and trust that every small start counts.

A Calmer Holiday Season Starts Here

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Self-care by the fireHow do you feel about the holidays? If it is a mix of excitement and overwhelm, then you are not alone. The season can feel like sensory overload, with unlimited choices and decisions, an extended “to-do” list and a short time frame in which to get it all done. However, we know that stress doesn’t help get things done any faster, it just takes a bigger toll on us. Here are some ideas to help you keep the stress level down and have a meaningful and memorable holiday season.

Self-Care Ideas:

  • You don’t need to do it all. Pick the things that resonate with you rather than feeling obligated to accept all invitations.
  • Find your high energy times and use them to get the important things done
  • Most adults can focus for 90 minutes but then you should take a break and do something that involves more activity
  • Start your morning off knowing what your top 3 priorities are for the day. If you wait to plan your day in the morning, you are already wasting valuable energy time.
  • What is it that stresses you out the most about the holidays? Can you brainstorm with your family some solutions or strategies to help, rather than avoiding it?
  • Remember experiences together can be more meaningful than “things”
  • Take breaks throughout the day to check in with yourself. We often ignore our internal signals until they become urgent. (Ex. Are you hungry, tired, overwhelmed, or need support?) Ask, “What do I need right now?”
  • A 15-minute walk in nature is helpful for resetting your brain and attitude – give it a try.
  • Find little things that add joy to your day and sprinkle them throughout

Lastly, remember to take pictures and to write down the good, the bad and the ugly so you don’t forget what made this holiday so memorable. I’m building my “one sheet” option in Notion that covers everything from gift suggestions, to special events that happen each year and important things to remember and/or do for next year, recipe successes or fails, and most importantly how I felt this year. How will you remember?

I’ve been summarizing our Christmases for years in my journal and it has helped incredibly to reread them each December 1st, but this page in Notion includes the specifics (you can use a notebook if you prefer) and that will ensure that each year is less stressful and more fun.

Wishing you a calm, magical and fun-filled holiday season no matter what holidays you celebrate.

 

The Power of Reflection – What I Learned This Summer

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Sunday Reflection under a treeSeptember is often thought of as a “second new year” as the weather cools and kids head back to school; our routines shift and new schedules make September feel like a new start. It is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the kind of life you really want. What did summer reveal to you about how you want to live, work and feel as we head into the busiest season of the year?

What Can We Learn?

As I look back and think about the summer, I am looking for the learning. No, learning is not the right word. I think it is more about finding the lessons and to learn from them. For example, what recharges me, or drains me? What do I need more of or less of? You get the idea.

I remember the heat and the humidity (here in the northeast we call it HHH – hazy, hot and humid). It definitely limited my outdoor activity and I felt the weather was at times, holding me hostage. My routines were inconsistent, and my newly retired significant other was flinging his very ingrained routines out the window. (There is definitely an adjustment to this new phase.)

There was time for some travel, fun and family activities as well as, home maintenance and landscape projects to complete. I discovered that projects often take much more time than you think even if someone else is doing the work.  The lesson here, is don’t waste the summer on landscape projects.

What did you notice about your summer?

Questions to Consider

  • What do you wish you had more (or less) of?
  • When did you feel the most energized and happy?
  • What did you learn about your boundaries (consider your time, energy, commitments, etc.)
  • Did you spend your time on what is important to you?
  • What insights have you gained from reflecting on your summer?

How to Turn Your Insights in to Action

Reflecting brings awareness about what is truly important to you and what is not. And awareness is often the first step to creating change. So, if you noticed for example, that you liked the slower pace of summer or having fewer commitments, then your next step would be to figure out how to turn your new awareness into action. Perhaps, creating new structures or routines to protect those boundaries or taking time to really consider the “cost” of taking on something before committing to it. You decide.Reflection brings changes

September is an opportunity to reset – not by making “resolutions” or setting unrealistic goals, but by choosing what matters and letting go of what doesn’t. Simple, small changes or tweaks often make the biggest differences.

In coaching the three steps of Awareness, Action and Learning can help transform your awareness, a step at a time into the life you envision. Coaching can guide you into designing “your roadmap” to that life.

Three Things to Add for More Rhythm, Less Routine

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routines add calm like the oceanWhenever I mention the word, “routine” people seem to roll their eyes or instantly say, “Routines don’t work for me.” Maybe they are thinking that a routine is too rigid or it is too much to remember at the beginning and so they give up before giving it a good try, which is about 66 days.

A routine does not need to be “perfect”, but having one reduces the strain on the brain, gives a feeling of being in control, and helps you manage yourself and your time more realistically. If you’re a parent, helping your children design their own routines can encourage ownership and builds independence.

Step 1: Bookends

When creating a new routine, it is helpful to have something to remind you to start or end it. That added structure needs a cue of some sort to help you remember. For example, you could set a specific bedtime and wake up time. Add in a visual or auditory cue to help signal that it is getting close to that time. Reminders on your phone if that works for you, but don’t just dismiss it unless you have started your routine that it is marking.

Getting a consistent good night’s sleep does wonders for your energy level, mood and focus. Not to mention all the health benefits. Keep the phones out of the bedroom to sleep deeper. Clear the clutter and the path to the bed and cover or disconnect the random light sources as they interfere with your body’s ability to maintain the melatonin levels needed for deep sleep. Add in a calming activity to help transition into sleep.

Step 2: Prep and Organize

In a previous article, I mentioned that decision fatigue was real and that each decision you make in the morning uses up some of that finite amount. To save some decision energy for later in the day, you need to minimize the number of decisions in the morning. That means prep whatever you can the night before.

We’ve all heard about putting your clothes out the night before and packing your lunch or work bag and leaving it by the door, but creating special “spaces” for these things, helps you better manage the morning. For example, a landing/launch pad for things going out the door, a specific hook for tomorrow’s outfit and/or space for two pairs of shoes near the door instead of all of your shoes, will save you so much time and stress. Add in a hook for the car keys and your bag and you can greatly reduce that stress.

Organizing the kitchen, your closet, your kids’ clothes, a homework space and the entry way to have just the necessities can greatly cut down on the time it takes to get ready and out the door. Checklists or pictures for younger children to start building their routines (with your support) encourages their independence and makes them feel capable. That’s the way to a great day!

Step 3: Making Connections

Taking time to make connections is probably the most important step of all. How often are we rushing through the day trying to either get things done or get the kids to different activities that we don’t slow down long enough to really connect?

Trying to have dinner together as a family, or even breakfast if that time works better can go a long way towards building a strong connection. Checking in shows you care (just don’t mention homework) and provides an opening for your kids to share that might not happen during the course of a rush here and there evening. It’s a great way to check in with your spouse too. Share good parts of their day or the toughest, doesn’t matter as long as you listen and don’t try to solve their problems for them.

Sometimes, a short walk around the neighborhood can help a child open up about something that is bothering them. Taking a walk alone can also help you connect with yourself, if it’s been one of “those” days. Having a family game night or planning a weekend activity builds confidence and reinforces the family as a team.

For those kids with ADHD, the smallest positives can help to outweigh the negatives they may be hearing all day long. Remember to praise their efforts and not their “intelligence” which they have no control over. Guide and support yourself and your kids to develop routines that work and you will be able to calm the chaos and reduce the stress. And that benefits everyone!

Time Blindness is Real – 5 Strategies to Help

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Time BlindnessHave you ever looked up and wondered, what happened to the last hour? Or scrambled to get out the door realizing you will be late again, even though you had plenty of time to get ready? Well, you are not alone – it happens to a lot of people. It is called “time blindness” and it is related to how you sense or feel the passage of time.

What is Time Blindness?

Time blindness is the brain’s struggle to appropriately sense, track and manage your actions based on a timeframe. It is a result of the chemistry of the brain and can interfere with your schedule, your priorities and your ability to get things done and/or meet deadlines. It may look like:

  • Constantly underestimating or overestimating how long tasks take
  • Feeling like there’s only “now” and “not now”
  • Difficulty transitioning between tasks
  • Forgetting future deadlines until they’re urgent

Why Does It Happen?

Most likely it is an executive function skill that develops in the prefrontal cortex and not something you can control. You can however, try to figure out where you struggle the most.

Time estimation: Is it in estimating how long things will take, or how much time has passed? Being able to “feel” how long it has been can be a challenge.

Temporal foresight: Is about managing the time you have and figuring out when to start on that big project rather than waiting until the deadline is close? It is important to be able to plan out the steps and calculate how much time you will need (in a logical manner).

Working memory: Your working memory holds the information you need in the moment. It has a limited capacity and all it takes is one more thing to remember and you may lose the other 7 things you were holding onto.

Emotional dysregulation: When emotions are running the show, the last thing your brain is focused on, is the passage of time. You may end up making impulsive decisions, procrastinating or hyper-focusing on lesser priorities.

So, when you lose track of time; it’s your brain, not your willpower.

This can result in:

    • Chronic lateness
    • Last-minute scrambling
    • Thinking you have time for that “one more thing”
    • Trouble starting tasks or projects with long term deadlines – or not being able to break large projects into manageable steps and spreading the workload out over time.
    • Struggling to plan ahead
    • Under or overestimating how much time something will take

Strategies to Help:

1. Make Time Visible and Audible – use analog clocks rather than digital as they show the passage of time more clearly. Use visual timers like a time timer or a countdown app and set backup alarms or reminders on your phone for the time you need to leave. Don’t dismiss the alarm until you are actually leaving. Make sure there is a clock within view.

2. Break down time into Blocks – You can divide your day or your activities into blocks that focus on similar tasks rather than an ambiguous plan like “work all morning.” Adults can really only focus for 90 minutes at a time (unless they are hyper-focusing), so make sure your blocks are a manageable size.

Try:

    • 25-min Pomodoro sessions with 5-minute breaks in between
    • 10-15-minute “power sprints” where you work until the timer goes off and then can switch to something else….unless you want to continue.
    • Build-in transition time so your brain has time to process the finished task before starting something new.

3. Anchor Your Actions – also known as habit stacking. Habit stacking is where you attach a new task or habit onto an already existing habit. Make sure it is something you already do regularly without having to think about it, so you can add the new task/habit onto it. For example: “After I finish breakfast, I will check my planner and priorities.”

4. Check Your Reality – Think about the tasks you do regularly and estimate how long you think they take. Time yourself and compare your estimate with the reality. Were you close, or way off? Save this information for when you need to meet a deadline.

5. Work Backward from the Deadline – A deadline, whether it is for a project or an appointment has several details that need to be broken down into their manageable (single task) format before you can estimate when to start the process. For example: If you have an appointment at a specific time, you will need to think about everything you have to do to be ready for it, including what time to leave to be on time. By breaking the big task (arrive on time for appointment) into smaller actions you will need to work backwards. Start with the appointment, now how long will it take to get there? That’s the time you need to leave. What needs to be done before you leave? Do you need to eat, or get dressed or put your work away? By working backwards, you can subtract the times for each step until you have the time you need to do the first thing. Often times we think, it should only take 15 minutes to get there. But in reality, that’s with no traffic or red lights and you forgot to add in finding a parking space and walking to the appointment. Adding a few extra minutes for a contingency plan may save you some stress of hurrying and provide a few minutes of scrolling time.

If you struggle with time, then try these strategies or create your own to support you rather than thinking there is nothing you can do about it. If you’d like some coaching around this topic, our 4 week, 45-minute session, ½ price special begins in July 2025. Find out more: https://square.link/u/LVY4DSS1 or email me: laine@thinkinganddoingskillscenter.com

Coaching Prompt:

“When was the last time I ran out of time—or underestimated how long something would take? What systems might help me next time?”

The Sunday Reset

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Do you love or hate Monday mornings?

 

Sunday ResetSundays are my new favorite day of the week. Over the last 6 months or so, I have developed my own reset plan for Sundays. It helps me start the week off with clear goals and clean laundry.

 

You can adapt this plan to fit your needs by thinking of what would lessen the hustle and bustle of Monday mornings and then get to it. This is about creating the life that you want – and that “fits” your family. Use the ideas however you like.

 

This may be the shortest blog I have ever written and it is definitely the first that is a video. So, I hope you will take 3 minutes and check it out. (Yes, it is only 3 minutes long.)

If you click on this link, it should bring you to my Youtube channel where you will see a PowerPoint of 7 slides that runs automatically. https://youtu.be/5gh7Swi8Cq8

Decision Fatigue is Real – Let’s Make it Easier

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Decision fatigueTired of struggling to make the “right” choice?

If you’ve ever stared into the refrigerator hoping that a dinner idea will magically appear, or struggled to decide which task to tackle first off of your to-do list-you are not alone. It’s not because you don’t know what to do, and it’s not laziness, it’s your brain “waving a little white flag, especially if you’re juggling ADHD, high expectations, or have a habit of putting everyone else’s needs first. The more decisions you have to make in a day—big or small—the more drained you feel.” 1  That’s decision fatigue.

Decision Fatigue

Every day we wake up with a certain amount of mental energy and each decision or choice we make uses up some of that energy. So, as the day goes on and our decisions start to add up, our mental energy decreases. That’s when decisions become harder to make and so you might put off making them, or feel stuck, or make a hasty decision you’ll regret later.

Give Your Brain Space to Breathe

The first step is to reduce the number of choices you need to make each day. That will free up some of that decision making energy for you to use on the more important things and give your brain space to breathe. Think about how many decisions you are making just to get up and out in the morning. (Ex. What time to get up, what to do first, what to wear, what to eat, etc.)

How to reduce the number of decisions? Simplify the choices you have to make early in the day and create routines that become automatic habits that no longer require mental energy.

Where to Start?

Start with the easy things that don’t take much brain power at all that you can do the night before. Things like deciding what you will wear, what you will eat for breakfast, what you need to bring with you, etc. If you set out what you can, then that part of your morning will go smoother.

The next phase would be to simplify what you can by planning ahead. Where do you feel the frustration building? For me, it was often around dinner. I was all out of decision making power by the time I was supposed to start working on dinner. I would stare into the fridge or pantry and hope something would jump out – it rarely did. Now, I use a blank calendar on the pantry door to write in the meals for the next week. Usually, it goes from Thursday to Wednesday so that I can get what I need on Thursday at the grocery store. When I am creating the menu, I put anything that I might need on the Alexa shopping list. It’s not perfect but it does have an added advantage….if I am not home or am on a call, anyone else can check the menu and get started on dinner.

Other ideas you might want to try is to designate certain days of the week for certain activities like admin, meetings, grocery shopping, errands, laundry, etc. That way you know when something will be taken care of and don’t have to try and fit it in when it becomes urgent on a very busy day.

Creating routines can also help to take the strain off of your brain. Yes, it can be boring to do exactly the same things in the same order every day – but you are saving your decision-making power for more important decisions later in the day. A morning routine and an evening routine would cover the basics but you can also create an end of the work day routine, a weekly reset routine, or even a bedtime routine with the kids and be instilling great life skill habits in the process. Once these routines become autopilot, your brain can relax and save it’s energy for more important things.

Take a look at the times of the day or the things that seem to cause more stress in your day and figure out if a routine would help, or if you can simplify it or do it the night before or even delegate it. The choice is yours. If you feel like you’re just “burnt” at the end of the day, then it’s time to also look at your self-care habits to make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercise and healthy meals. After all, you are worth it.

Take 5 minutes today to set up one “go-to” or default option – a quick breakfast option or an outfit you feel great in, whatever it is, set it up and try it out. Let us know on our facebook page, the impact it has.

*1 Chatgpt definition

From Busy to Effective: The Art of Balanced Productivity

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Personal producitivtyPersonal productivity, is the art of getting things done or as ChatGPT defines it, “Completing tasks, managing time, and achieving goals in your daily life or work.”

Are you happy or should I say satisfied with your level of personal productivity?

Let’s take a closer look at that definition. The first thing it mentions is completing tasks. What tasks does it mean? If it is the tasks on my to-do list then there isn’t enough time in the day to do all of them. How do I choose? We’ve all had an extremely busy day of getting things done but at the end of it, we either can’t cross anything off the list or we feel like we really didn’t accomplish anything important.

Every day, everywhere we look we are exposed to all kinds of options and choices. Sure, we’d like to do it all, but it is probably not humanly possible. So, we have to make choices. Choices should represent the important things, those high impact tasks that make a big difference but are not a lot of work. Knowing ahead of time what those tasks are takes some thought (usually ahead of time) to be most effective.

One way is to create a realistic plan for the week based on the available time you REALLY have and then ask yourself, “What is really important for this week?” If you have a master list of your tasks, then just going through that will trigger the important things but remember….you can’t (and shouldn’t) try to do it all.

Take the tasks that you feel need to be done this week and write them down on a new list. Now, based on the available time you have, the time of day, and the priority level of the task, decide where in the week will you get that done? Having a plan allows you to see not only what the most important task is but also, how other tasks may be grouped together to save you time and energy. Estimate how long your tasks may take to be sure you are not trying to be a super hero.  Or you can wake up slowly on Monday morning and wonder, “What do I feel like doing today?” I know I would go for the easiest tasks but those are not usually the most important ones, are they?

Managing Time

Managing time is mentioned next in the ChatGPT definition above, but what does that mean? I certainly don’t know how to “manage” time, in fact it often flies by without me even noticing it, how can I manage it? Did you notice after the clocks changed, how much faster the day went by? It wasn’t really faster, it just seemed like the day was longer, because the sun was out longer. Time ticks away a minute at a time no matter what we try to do about it. We can only “manage” ourselves by following our plan, limiting what distracts us (unless it’s our kids) and having clear boundaries around our time.

You can “save” time by having habits and routines that keep the family current.

Which would you rather….

  • Do 2 loads of laundry or 7?
  • Take 30 seconds to put dishes in the dishwasher or wait until the sink and counters are full?
  • Know what is for dinner and have it or figure it out at 7:30pm?
  • Have kids put their toys away before bed or risk stepping on a Lego in the dark?
  • Start the week with a full tank of gas or risk being late for that meeting because you had to stop for gas?
  • Paying your bills on time or risk having to pay the late fee?

By having set days or times that you do certain tasks automatically, you can save energy and time and lower your stress. When the children are involved in the daily chores, they develop accountability and responsibility. Working together can build their confidence and self-esteem. Pitching in can develop cooperation and teamwork while they learn essential life skills like organization and time management. It’s a win-win situation.

Achieving Goals in Your Daily Life or Work

The third and final piece of the personal productivity definition is, “achieving goals in your daily life or work.” A goal can give you a glimpse into the future and maybe provide motivation when things become difficult. It is your “why.” It points you in the direction of your best self but it doesn’t tell you how to get there.  That’s where “PACT” can help. PACT is an acronym, similar to SMART that is used to create goals, but PACT is more focused on the actions needed to attain a goal. PACT stands for Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, and Trackable.

PACT pushes you to go deeper and to think about the actions needed to get to your goal. It focuses on output – actions you can do now to move you in the direction of that goal. If that doesn’t work, the “C” encourages you to try something else. Continuously working towards your goal by designing different experiments, like a scientist might, to collect the data on your results. You can easily see that because you are keeping track and adjusting when necessary.

So, if you are looking to improve your personal productivity, first, think about why. Why do you want to be more productive? Is it just to get more done? I hope not. Is it to follow through on what you have already agreed to and is it essential enough for you to give your irreplaceable, and limited time to? If not, then let it go. There is a big difference between what we need to get done and what we “want” to get done. Check your list, cross off anything you can. Focus on the important things – those things that move you in the direction you want to go in. It’s not about how much you get done. It’s about getting the important things done and to do that…..

Make sure to:

  • Take care of yourself
  • Create habits and routines that make life easier
  • Plan ahead
  • Reset nightly for the next day
  • Get the family involved
  • Focus on the important things
  • Take time to recharge

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused on where to start, then use the above list to help you figure out a PACT goal that will lead you to the actions you need to get there. For example:

P – To have enough energy to feel good and get through my day

A – Go to bed at 10pm every night

C – Might need to go screen free at 9pm

Or make sure the kids go to bed on time

Or shower in the morning

T – Track what time I do go to bed (and how do I feel the next day) That is one simple example of how you get to “taking care of yourself.”

Now it’s your turn, what is one thing you can do to increase your level of productivity? Let us know on our FB page.

 

Image by TyliJura from Pixabay

Slow and Steady Makes A Productive Day

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Productivity BooksEvery day in multiple ways we are bombarded with information. Whether it is auditory, visual or both, information is all around us even if we don’t want it to be. According to an article in the NY Times, in 2009, as quoted in Building a Second Brain, by Tiago Forte, “the average person’s daily consumption of information now adds up to…34 gigabytes” or about 174 newspapers worth per day. A quick Google search shows it is now up to 74 gigabytes or 16 movies worth a day! Who could sit for that long?

There’s a problem with too much information whether we are consuming it ourselves or are just being exposed to it. We can’t hold onto the information long enough to use it or remember why we read it in the first place. Even if you could remember it, could you find it? What is the point of this new knowledge we’re learning if we can’t use it to improve our lives in some way? Students must wonder about that all the time.

What is Productivity?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or like your brain was about to explode, then you know it is a stressful feeling and it interferes with your ability to get things done.

We all want to be more productive; it is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. Well, chatgpt defines productivity as, “how efficiently and effectively you use your time, energy, and resources to accomplish tasks, achieve goals, and improve your overall quality of life.”

To improve your overall quality of life is the key point, because what is the point of doing more if you just feel unhappy, stressed, overwhelmed, or brain dead?

How to Start

In order to make good decisions about the tasks and projects that are important to you, you need to know what they are. When was the last time you wrote down EVERYTHING that was on your mind? (I call it a brain dump but some prefer the term a cranial cleanse.)

Remember a project is anything that has two or more tasks/steps before it is complete. Maybe just think about the projects you would like to complete in January. No, you can’t do all 100 of them, but you might be able to finish 2 or 3 of them and remain sane at the same time. How would that feel?

Steps to Slow Down and Do More

    1. Work on fewer projects. Cal Newport, author of Slow Productivity, suggests not taking on a new project until one of your initial projects is completed. We often try to cram more work into an already overloaded schedule, without thinking where that time will come from. So, making space first makes sense. (Hide the rest of the list until you are ready.)
    2. Before you decide on which projects you will take on, think about what would make you feel fulfilled and pleased to have accomplished by the end of this month?
      • Is there something you have been meaning to do concerning your health?
      • How about a Home project that is haunting you
      • But most importantly, is there something you want or need to do that would make you feel productive and possibly even recharge you?
      • Make some time daily or at least weekly that you can do whatever it is that recharges your batteries. Even just a trickle charge can keep those batteries running during the coldest (bleakest) of times.
    1. Now based on the projects or areas of your life that you have listed to work on, set up a digital folder or notebook page to collect incoming information that will be helpful for it. Keep track of the info you consume in a way that allows you to use it later. This comes from Building a Second Brain. The concept is simple, take notes and keep them in a digital app that you can search and use easily.

Is being more productive about managing your time better? What is time management really? We can’t manage it or slow it down or save it to use later. It is really about energy management. Your energy is what determines how well you get things done. By collecting the information that is important to your tasks and projects, and putting it all in one place, you are saving yourself time, effort and brain bandwidth. Cut down on the information you really don’t need as it just takes up space in your memory and often isn’t a priority of yours anyways.

Do remember to take good care of yourself including; sleep, nutrition, movement, and screen free down time so, you can feel your best. Everything is more difficult if we aren’t feeling our best, don’t you think?

Seek out the resources and the tools to help you manage your tasks and limit what you are focusing on so it is more manageable. That should help you save time and mental energy. Good luck.