Focus Your Time for Success: How to Get More Done Without the Overwhelm
We all want to be productive, but does being busy actually mean you're making progress?
The truth is, productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. In this post, I’ll share powerful insights from my Focus Your Time for Success workshop to help you:
Sharpen your focus and eliminate distractions
Optimize your time for what truly moves the needle
Achieve success without sacrificing well-being
🎥 Prefer to watch instead? Catch the full workshop replay here:
Let’s dive in.
FOCUS: Train Your Brain to Work Smarter, Not Harder
We live in a world of constant interruptions—emails, notifications, meetings—making it harder than ever to focus deeply on the work that counts. And here’s the truth: Multitasking isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Studies show that switching between tasks lowers productivity to the equivalent of drinking two glasses of wine 🍷! 🚫 In fact, research from Stanford University found that heavy multitaskers perform worse on memory and attention tasks than those who focus on one thing at a time. (Read the study)
So how do you improve focus?
1. Create a Distraction Log
Ever feel like your brain is constantly reminding you of things while you’re trying to concentrate? That’s because your brain is designed to keep tabs on unfinished tasks. The good news? You can hack this process by writing distractions down.
⭐ How it works:
Every time a thought pops up ("I need to email Sarah!" or "Did I pay that bill?"), write it down immediately—use pen, capital letters (this helps your brain recognize it’s captured).
At the end of your task, review your log and ask: Which of these actually need my attention?
This simple technique helps your brain relax and let go, allowing you to stay fully focused on the task at hand.
2. Prioritize Energy, Not Hours
Time is a limited resource, but energy is the true driver of productivity. You can have an extra hour in your day, but if you're exhausted, you won’t make progress.
⭐ Here’s how to boost your energy levels:
Tune into your natural rhythms – Schedule deep work when your energy is highest.
Take strategic breaks – Short, intentional pauses (like a quick walk or meditation) restore focus.
Protect your well-being – Prioritize sleep, exercise, and nutrition to fuel high performance.
🔹 3. Protect Your Non-Negotiables
What truly matters to you? Whether it’s family, health, creativity, or personal growth, you need to set firm boundaries around what’s non-negotiable.
Success isn’t just about achieving more—it’s about aligning your time with what’s most important.
TIME: Optimize Your Time with the Wheel of Life
We often think working harder will get us ahead, but real success comes from working smarter. This is where The Wheel of Life comes in—a simple but powerful tool to assess where your time is going and make intentional shifts.
1. The Wheel of Life: A Simple Time Audit
To optimize your time, first understand where you’re spending it.
⭐ How to use the Wheel of Life:
You can access the template and full explanation here - or follow the steps below.
Write down your key areas (e.g., work, health, relationships, learning, personal projects).
Rate each area from 1-10 based on how much time/effort you’re currently giving it.
Draw another line indicating where you’d like to be spending time.
The gaps will show you where adjustments need to be made.
By stepping back and looking at your entire life, you can reallocate time intentionally rather than just reacting to daily demands.
2. Apply the 80/20 Rule to Your Calendar
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. In other words, most of what we do isn’t driving real success.
⭐ Ask yourself daily: What task will give me 10x the impact with half the effort?
Prioritize high-value tasks that directly contribute to your goals.
Eliminate, automate, or delegate low-impact activities.
Block time for focused, deep work (and say NO to unnecessary meetings!).
Time is precious—spend it wisely on what truly drives results.
SUCCESS: The Levers That Drive Real Progress
At the end of the day, success isn’t about working longer—it’s about working smarter. Here’s how to ensure your daily actions are leading to meaningful results.
1. Plan for Success (Instead of Reacting to Busyness)
Do you start your day with a plan, or do you get caught up in emails and urgent requests?
The difference between successful people and those who feel stuck is that they start their day with intention.
⭐ Tip: Before checking emails, ask yourself:
"What will create the most impact with the least effort today?"
By planning with purpose, you ensure your energy is directed toward high-value work rather than distractions.
2. Stay Accountable (Because Consistency Wins)
Even the best plans fail without accountability. Whether it’s a coach, mentor, or accountability partner, having someone check in keeps you committed.
⭐ Try this:
Set weekly accountability check-ins with a peer or coach.
Track your progress visually (a simple habit tracker can work wonders!).
If something isn’t working, adjust your strategy rather than abandoning it.
The secret to success isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about staying intentional, focused, and consistent.
Ready to Optimize Your Focus, Time & Success?
If you’re ready to take these strategies to the next level, I’d love to help.
Use my Wheel of Life Template below and start optimizing your time today.
Want to work together? Book a 1:1 call with me to create a personalized strategy for peak performance + well-being.
Let’s make this the year you stop feeling busy and start achieving real success.
