You know those days where you have so much to get done and you’re not sure where to start? Everything feels so overwhelming and you have emails pouring in left and right on top of it. We all have those days, sometimes every day, here’s how to get in the zone and achieve more with laser focus.
1. Set time blocks to help focus
I’ve read this tip for years but have always been the type to work at my own pace, doing what I want, when I want with no real focus. You know what that does? Leaves you completely scatter brained and all over the place. There’s no way to achieve more when you can’t dedicate time to a task.
They say multitasking is actually bad for you and it leads to chaos and getting less done. I’ve always been the type to get sidetracked by emails that pop up in the corner of my screen or social media notifications popping on my phone.
I’ve had to actually put structure in place in my calendar each day to dedicate time to tasks one by one. I use the Apple calendar app right on my Mac/phone. Here’s what my calendar typically looks like:
- Hour block for emails first thing in the morning
- Hour for backend blog updates to my site in WordPress
- Two hours for client work/current projects
- Half hour for social media engagement from day before post
- 30 minutes to an hour for a lunch break or errands
- Hour for photo curation/editing for social media
- Hour for traffic generation
- Hour for research
- Two – three hour break for dinner/family time
- 30 minutes to plan my next day
2. Ignore email until a scheduled time you can focus on the inbox
This one is huge. I can’t believe how all over the place I used to be with emails. Every single time a new email came through I felt the need to manage it right away. I’d either delete it when the notification came through or interrupt what I was doing and jump over to my inbox so I could respond.
Not only does this take away from the quality of your work, but it interrupts any opportunity possible for laser focus and results in you getting less done. It will take longer to achieve anything if you’re constantly getting interrupted by someone else’s agenda in your inbox.
I’ve not only turned off my email notifications on my Mac while I work, but I’ve also turned the sound off. I only look at my inbox and respond to emails during my dedicated email time, or if I’m running errands and want to check in while not having to focus hard on a task.
3. Use task and time management apps to achieve more
Trello is my absolute favorite project management tool that I use daily. It definitely helps me have laser focus to achieve more. This isn’t sponsored by them, I just absolutely love their product!
Taken directly from their site – Trelloās boards, lists, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible, and rewarding way.
You can do anything from taking notes to creating schedules to setting due dates. You can even use Trello for team projects and grant access to others. It’s super collaborative in nature.
I love Trello for it’s creative approach in managing your to do lists, projects and notes all in one place. I don’t have to use separate apps for notes, etc and they have tons of other app integration possibilities. You can create up to ten boards on their free plan. Here are my boards:
- Daily planner
- Social media
- Blog
- Notes
- Brand management
- Book
- Clients/collaborations
4. Schedule your to do’s for the next day the night before
I like this one because by night time I know what I’ve achieved for the day and what needs to happen the next day to keep building on my work.
I do schedule my week’s in advance at a high level but so much can change day to day I like to do the granular scheduling the night before.
It’s also gives me a little release of dopamine because I feel so good when I am organized. When I go to bed I fully know what to expect the next day and can shut my (ok, close to shut) brain off from work because it’s neatly packaged up for the next day.
I schedule my next day in my calendar time blocks as well as update my Trello daily planner board. Having the visuals in Trello is also very motivating and helpful.
This only takes me about 30 minutes because I’m not doing any of the actual work, just scheduling it.
Summary for having laser focus and achieving more
It took me awhile and lot of research to get into a good groove and find out what works for me. When you run your own business it’s hard to discipline yourself enough to know how to have laser focus to achieve more.
Was this helpful to you? I’d love to hear what you do to achieve your tasks and goals.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook. Follow me while youāre at it, I love to connect!
Donāt forget to subscribe to receive everything Boss Gal right to your email! Iāll even send you a free clarity gaining, goal setting workbook right away!
