Focus, Gently

Abstract productivity gradient artwork

A weekly review is a conversation with your future self. Habits stick when the first step is almost embarrassingly small. The best note is the one you can find again.

What didn’t

The system that survives is the one simple enough to restart after a bad week. A weekly review is a conversation with your future self. Writing things down turns worry into a list.

Two focused hours beat a day of half attention. Writing things down turns worry into a list.

Going further

A weekly review is a conversation with your future self. Writing things down turns worry into a list. Habits stick when the first step is almost embarrassingly small.

  • Keep one inbox
  • Protect two hours of focus
  • Plan tomorrow before you stop today
  • Review weekly

Energy, not time, is usually the scarce resource. The best note is the one you can find again.

Getting started

Habits stick when the first step is almost embarrassingly small. Notifications are other people’s priorities arriving uninvited. Rest is not the reward for work; it is part of the work. The system that survives is the one simple enough to restart after a bad week.

I stopped optimising my tools and started finishing my tasks.

Meetings without an agenda tend to produce more meetings. A weekly review is a conversation with your future self.

Meetings without an agenda tend to produce more meetings. Saying no early is kinder than saying yes and disappearing.

Comments

3 responses to “Focus, Gently”

  1. I’ve been doing it wrong for years, apparently. Thanks!

  2. Clear and calm, like always. Nice one.

  3. Alex P. Avatar
    Alex P.

    Small tip: the list at the end makes a great checklist.

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