Productivity

Struggling to Stay Focused? Here’s the 3-Minute Shift That Changed My Productivity Forever. I used to wear “busy” like a badge of honor—multiple tabs open, constant notifications, and a to-do list that never ended. Sound familiar? Whether you identify as a focused person or feel constantly distracted, knowing your default setting can be the key to unlocking next-level productivity. Why it matters? Because distraction costs us over 2.1 hours every day. That’s more than 10 hours a week—nearly one full workday lost just to lack of focus (according to a UC Irvine study). And for those of us in leadership, business, or project management, that’s unacceptable. So what did I do? I stopped trying to become someone I’m not—and instead, I learned how to manage my natural tendencies. Here’s the simple strategy I use every morning (yes, you can do this in under 3 minutes): 1. Label Your Mode – I ask: Am I in focus mode or reactive mode today? 2. Frame My Top 3 – I write down the three most important outcomes I must accomplish. Not tasks—outcomes. 3. Designate a Distraction Zone – I block out 2x 15-minute windows each day to check emails, texts, or scroll, guilt-free. The result? I get more done with less stress—and I stop feeling like I’m always behind. Who this is for: If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or creator who feels like they’re constantly starting but rarely finishing… this is for you. Especially if you’ve Googled: • How to improve focus as a busy professional • Why can’t I stay productive? • Morning routine to increase focus You’re not broken—you’re overloaded. And your brain needs a better system, not more hustle. Years ago, I missed a critical opportunity simply because I couldn’t stay focused long enough to reply to the email in time. That was a wake-up call. Now, with this strategy, I never miss the things that matter most. Implement this 3-minute habit for just 5 days, and I promise you’ll feel the shift. Comment below: Are you more focused or unfocused by nature? And what’s YOUR go-to trick for managing it? When you manage your focus, you manage your future. ♻️ I hope you found this valuable, please share with your network. 📌 Click "Follow" and 🔔 #LeadershipDevelopment #FocusAndProductivity #MindfulLeadership

Here are my exact 10 tricks to make meetings work for me as an introvert. Meetings can be chaos. - Too many voices. - Too much noise. - Too little space to think. But introverts do not need to compete. → We lead by listening. → By thinking deeper. → By speaking with impact. ❌ It is not about saying the most. ✅ It is about saying what matters. Play to your strengths, and meetings start working for you, not against you. 1️⃣ Own your strengths from the start You do not need to prove yourself. You bring - depth, - strategy, and - focus. Own it. When you trust your strengths, others do too. Confidence is quiet, but people notice. 2️⃣ Set or ask for an agenda A plan changes everything. Know what you want to say before the meeting starts. Frame the discussion before it runs away. Preparation helps you avoid being caught off guard and saves mental energy. 3️⃣ Speak early to set the tone The longer you wait, the harder it gets. The trick ❓ Say something early. Even a quick thought. It makes the next one easier. Speaking up early stops overthinking from taking over. 4️⃣ Let your clarity do the talking No rambling. No fluff. You say what matters in fewer words, and people listen. Clear, concise input saves energy and keeps attention on your ideas. 5️⃣ Use questions to drive the discussion A sharp question shifts the room. One question can do more than a long speech. It lets you shape the conversation without needing to dominate it. 6️⃣ Leverage your bbservation skills You catch what others miss. - Trends, - gaps, - unspoken concerns. Summarize them, and people turn to you for insight. 7️⃣ Hold eye contact to command presence You do not have to talk the most to be heard. Eye contact keeps people tuned in. It signals confidence and influence, even in silence. 8️⃣ Follow up to reinforce your influence ❌ Your impact is not limited to the meeting. A quick email or follow-up conversation keeps your ideas moving. Thoughtful, well-crafted communication plays to your strengths. 9️⃣ Stay Present and Hold Your Ground 🛑 No rushing. No over-explaining. ✅ Say what matters. Then stop. Holding your space prevents unnecessary energy drains. 🔟 Shape the conversation, not just react to it Introverts lead by guiding, ✅ not competing. Influence with insight, ✅ not volume. Steering discussions lets you lead in a way that feels natural. Meetings do not have to drain you. ↳ Use your strengths. ↳ Listen deeply. ↳ Speak with purpose. ↳ Influence without the noise. That is how you make an impact. On your terms. 💪🏼 ————— PS: Who in your network would benefit from seeing this? PPS: Subscribe to my newsletter for more in-depth introvert tips.

This week I'm thinking a lot about how done is better than perfect, inspired by a sales coaching conversation I had with a client last week. She was a bit stuck, worry about WHEN to follow up after a meeting with a potential referral partner. Should she follow up a week later? 3 days later? etc. Here's what I said --> Create a system that you always do after each meeting. It doesn't have to be perfect in terms of scientifically timing each follow up but it should be something that you ALWAYS do. It could look something like this: 1️⃣ The Post-Meeting Routine: Take 15 minutes immediately after each meeting to log detailed notes in your CRM. Document key pain points, objections raised, and next steps discussed. This ensures you capture insights while they're fresh. 2️⃣ The Calendar Commitment: Create calendar reminders for each follow-up touchpoint in your plan. Set specific dates for thank-you emails, value-add communications, and next steps outreach. This eliminates the mental energy spent wondering when to follow up – it just shows up on the calendar. 3️⃣ The CRM Nudge System Use your CRM's task features to create a sequence of follow-up reminders with specific actions attached to each. Set it up to alert you at 24-hour, 3-day, 10-day, and 21-day intervals to keep your prospects from falling through the cracks. The intervals aren't the important thing here. It's the automation that helps maintain momentum without requiring perfect memory. The best system isn't about timing – it's about having a process you'll actually stick to. What's one way you could make your follow-up process more systematic this week?

What if the real reason you’re procrastinating isn’t laziness—but emotion? Not all procrastination is bad. In fact, positive procrastination can be useful—like when you schedule a task for a time when you can really focus. But negative procrastination? That’s the silent thief of productivity. It’s when you’ve scheduled the task—or know it needs to happen—but keep pushing it off. Why does this happen? Usually, it’s emotion-driven rather than "being lazy." Fear. Discomfort. Resistance to change. Your brain is trying to protect you, but sometimes, that protection becomes a barrier. Here are three strategies I use to overcome it: 1. Ignore the emotion right before the task. It’s rarely accurate. Just start, even if you don’t feel like it. 2. Commit to just the first minute. Open the file. Draft the email. Start with something so easy it feels silly. It works. 3. Write down your “why.” Remind yourself why this task matters. It gives the effort a sense of purpose. Consistency with these small actions builds momentum—and that momentum beats procrastination every time. What’s one task you’ve been avoiding that you could take the first minute on today? #productivity #focus #success #davecrenshaw

Stress? Here’s what actually works. Most "calm down tactics" fail because they're: ↳ Band-aids on deeper issues. ↳ Quick fixes that don't last. ↳ One-size-fits-all solutions. This list? It's not just tips. It's what I live by. Real-world guide to staying calm: (Backed by science, tested in real life) 1/ OVERTHINKING → WRITE ✍️ ↳ Gets your swirling thoughts out of your head. > 43% tamed. ↳ Makes them easier to handle.  ↳ Try this: 10 minutes of unfiltered writing. No editing, just release. 2/ UNINSPIRED → READ 📚 ↳ Gives your brain fresh ideas. ↳ Lets you escape for a bit > 68% stress relief.  ↳ Try this: 15 minutes reading anything non-work. Watch your mood shift. 3/ SCARED → TAKE A SMALL RISK 🎯 ↳ Teaches your brain you can handle discomfort. ↳ Builds confidence with every step. ↳ Try this: Do one tiny scary thing today. That's progress. 4/ STUCK → WALK 🚶 ↳ Boosts blood flow and clears your head. > 15% creativity boost. ↳ Helps new ideas come naturally. ↳ Try this: 10-minute phone-free walk. Let your mind wander. 5/ TIRED → SLEEP 😴 ↳ Exhaustion messes with focus and emotions. ↳ Rest resets your system > 54% alertness improvement.  ↳ Try this: Power nap or early bedtime. 6/ CONFUSED → ASK 💭 ↳ Talking out loud often brings clarity. > 70% clarity.  ↳ You don't have to figure it out alone. ↳ Try this: One clear question beats hours of confusion. 7/ FRUSTRATED → MOVE 💪 ↳ Movement helps release built-up tension. > 25% mood booster.  ↳ Physical action shifts your mood. ↳ Try this: Quick stretch or 10 jumping jacks. Feel the difference. 8/ BURNED OUT → TAKE A DAY OFF 🌳 ↳ Full rest helps your brain and body bounce back. > +60% productivity.  ↳ Time in nature helps even more. ↳ Try this: Schedule a real break. No screens, no guilt. 9/ IMPATIENT → REVIEW PROGRESS 📈 ↳ Looking back reminds you how far you've come. ↳ It helps you stay motivated. ↳ Try this: List 3 recent wins, no matter how small. 10/ UNMOTIVATED → REMEMBER YOUR "WHY" ⭐ ↳ Purpose gives your effort meaning. > +35% perseverance.  ↳ It helps you push through hard moments ↳ Try this: Picture who benefits from your work today. Bonus: These aren't quick fixes. ↳ Your emotions are signals, not problems. ↳ Each response is backed by science. ↳ Calm isn't about feeling better, it's about responding better. Remember: Your emotional state is temporary. Your response to it shapes everything. 💬 Which one resonates most? Share below ⇣ 🔖 Save this for your next tough moment ♻️ Share with someone who needs this today ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC Rosario-Maldonado, PCC, for more science-backed leadership wisdom. 

Procrastination isn't about time. It's about emotions. You're not lazy. Your brain is protecting you from difficult feelings. Fear. Anxiety. Self-doubt. I've seen it steal dreams. Maybe you have too. Here are 8 powerful ways to break free: 1. Create Space Between Trigger and Response 💬 "The moment I face a big task, I grab my phone." ➟ Pause for 30 seconds when avoidance hits ➟ Take three deep breaths ➟ Ask: "What tiny step can I take now?" 💡 Viktor Frankl: Our power lies in the space between trigger and response. Try: Set a 30-second timer next time you feel the urge to avoid. 2. Face Your Fears Head-On 💬 "I keep delaying because what if everything goes wrong?" ➟ Write down your worst-case scenarios ➟ Rate how likely each one is ➟ List one action to prevent each fear 💡 Named fears lose their emotional grip. Try: Write down your biggest fear about your delayed project. 3. Build Instant Rewards 💬 "Important tasks feel painful. Netflix feels good." ➟ Pair tough tasks with immediate pleasures ➟ Create small celebrations for completion ➟ Track your wins visually 💡 Your brain craves instant gratification. Use it to your advantage. Try: Choose one small reward for your next completed task. 4. Design Your Environment 💬 "My workspace doesn't inspire action." ➟ Place visual reminders of your goals ➟ Set out tools needed for tomorrow ➟ Remove distracting triggers 💡 Your environment shapes your behavior more than willpower. Try: Put one inspiring image where you'll see it tomorrow. 5. Use Social Power 💬 "I keep my goals private so I can't fail publicly." ➟ Tell someone your deadline ➟ Share progress updates ➟ Set public consequences 💡 Social pressure creates positive emotional urgency. Try: Text one friend about your next deadline. 6. Reset Your State 💬 "Bad moods make me avoid everything." ➟ Take a 2-minute meditation break ➟ Step outside briefly ➟ Do 5 jumping jacks 💡 Physical state changes create emotional shifts. Try: Stand up and stretch right now for 30 seconds. 7. Create When-Then Plans 💬 "I have good intentions but never follow through." ➟ Write specific action triggers ➟ Link habits to existing routines ➟ Remove decision points 💡 Clear plans bypass emotional resistance. Try: Write one "When X happens, I will do Y" statement. 8. Track Visible Progress 💬 "It feels like I'm getting nowhere." ➟ Use a progress calendar ➟ Mark daily wins ➟ Share your journey 💡 Seeing progress builds emotional momentum. Try: Draw a simple progress bar for your current project. Your dreams are waiting. Your emotions shouldn't stop you. Pick one strategy. Start now. Which one will you try first? ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me Suren Samarchyan for more.

Ever sat down to work, but somehow ended up scrolling? I left the chaos of distractions behind. My secret weapon is focus. I'm not interested in: ❌ Multitasking ❌ Endless notifications ❌ Burnout ❌ Losing my edge Instead: 🟢 I want to concentrate deeply 🟢 I want to work efficiently 🟢 I want to enjoy my tasks 🟢 I want to feel accomplished It pays to sharpen your focus. What do you actually need to do your best work? 🧠 Here are 7 Ways to Improve Your Concentration: 1️⃣ Eliminate Digital Distractions ↳ Silence tech noise to reclaim your focus. ✅ Use “Do Not Disturb” mode while working. 2️⃣ Practice the Pomodoro Technique ↳ Short bursts of work keep your mind sharp. ✅ Use timers to manage your workflow. 3️⃣ Prioritize One Task at a Time ↳ Multitasking splits your attention. ✅ Tackle tasks sequentially, not simultaneously. 4️⃣ Fuel Your Brain Properly ↳ Your brain needs the right fuel. ✅ Snack on nuts, fruits, and stay hydrated. 5️⃣ Get Enough Sleep ↳ Rested minds perform better. ✅ Cut screen time 1 hour before bed. 6️⃣ Train Your Mind with Meditation ↳ Focus starts with mindfulness. ✅ Start with guided meditation apps. 7️⃣ Set Clear Daily Goals ↳ A focused day starts with clarity. ✅ Write your 3 most important tasks every morning. 📌 PS...Focus is a muscle—train it daily. ♻️ Share this with your network to help them sharpen their concentration too! 🚀 Join 74,000+ leaders reading my daily science-backed tips on leading high-performing teams using mindset, habits and systems. No vague recommendations. All backed by science and experience. ➡️ Follow me here Harry Karydes

My best business coach ever was a teenager. I was confusing dedication with workaholism. And he called me on it. I wanted to spend more time together with my son. So, I brought him along on a business trip. We were in a hotel lobby when I overheard this: "Oh, my mom is ALWAYS on her phone!" I turned. He was talking to a colleague, Who was trying, unsuccessfully, to get my attention. Gulp. That got my attention loud and clear. I knew something had to change. That's when I came up with the "Hard Stop" rule. If you need to break the cycle of constant work, and claim your life back, here how to use it: 🛑Schedule "Hard Stops" ↳ Block 2-3 30-minute non-negotiable slots weekly ↳ Do something that is NOT work (like talk to your kid) 💡Why it works: It creates short breaks that force you away from work. Add more slots, or make them longer, as you get used to it. 🛑 Announce your "Hard Stops" ↳ Begin meetings with "I have a hard stop at 3:00 pm" ↳ Set an alarm for 3 minutes before and remind folks 💡Why it works: It changes patterns and gives you space to breathe. 🛑 Systematize your "Hard Stops" ↳ Use DND to control your notifications ↳ Put an OOO on your email every day at 6 pm 💡Why it works: It resets people's expectations of you and forces a break. 🛑 Use a "Hard Stop" Replacement ↳ Pick something you love and turn to that instead of work ↳ It should be easy and available - a book, a walk, a hobby 💡Why it works: Workaholism is a habit. It's easier to break when we have an alternative. 🛑 Set your office calendar to "Private" ↳ If you share office calendars, mark only work commitments as visible ↳ You other items will show as “Busy” without details 💡Why it works: It keeps others from judging whether or not you are available . I'll admit I still struggle with workaholism. I have to remind myself that I don't work in an ER. Sometimes, I find myself pulled back to bad habits. It's usually a sign of a deeper emotional need. So, I give myself grace. If you relate, I'd love to know what strategies you use to address workaholism. Share below 👇 ♻️ Repost to help others break free from overwork! ➕ Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career advice and strategies.

The single most powerful habit for personal growth: (I've done this every morning for 5 years) Journaling. These are my 5 favorite prompts: 1. The Morning Kickstart No one has time to journal a novel every morning. Instead, I ask 5 questions: • What's 1 thing I'm grateful for?  • What's 1 thing I'm excited about?  • What's 1 virtue I want to exhibit?  • What's 1 thing I'm avoiding?  • What's the 1 thing I need to do? I set a 5-minute timer & each question gets 1 sentence, max. This prompt covers: • Gratitude • Excitement for the day ahead • Reminders about the type of person I'm trying to become It ends with a reminder of the 1 most important thing I need to today. 2. The Evening Shutdown This one has to be quick, too. So I set a 5-minute timer and answer: • What were my biggest wins of the day? • Did I have any major realizations? • What's on the agenda for tomorrow? By recapping my biggest wins & realizations, I keep a ledger of: • The good things happening in my life • What I'm learning about myself & the world And by brain dumping bullets on the next day, I let my subconscious work overnight. 3. The Bottleneck Analysis This one has been huge for my personal growth. It has 2 questions: • What's the biggest bottleneck to achieving my next goal? • Why aren't I working on it today? The truth is, you know exactly what you should be doing. So—stop looking for new things and do the things you know you should be doing. 4. The 80/20 Life Audit Start with 2 lists: • Where am I feeling satisfied? • Where am I feeling dissatisfied? Brain dump everything—health, finances, relationships, career, spirituality. Then, take each list and find the 20% of: • Places • Habits • People • Beliefs That are leading to 80% of the positive & negative results. This is the 80/20 rule in action. During this reflection, patterns will emerge. The same people, habits, and beliefs—all leading to your best and worst results. From there, your goal is to: • Double down on the 20% positive • Eliminate the 20% negative This is an instant life upgrade. 5. The Compounding Projection Success (or failure) is a result of tiny actions compounded over time. But it can be hard to gauge your progress. So ask these 2 questions: • If I repeated every action I took today, every day for a year, where would I end up? • Is this the place I want to be? If you're confident in your current path, this will help you be more patient. But if you're on the wrong path, it will help you course correct. Boom, that's it! These 5 prompts always leave me with a feeling of *elite* clarity. 📌 I used these prompts to start writing online & make my first $10k as a ghostwriter. Ghostwriting helped me see a world beyond Wall Street so I could ultimately quit my 9 to 5. Want to get paid to write & work with industry leaders? Get started with this free, 5-day email course:https://lnkd.in/ep3kMFAA

In my decades of supporting high-performing leaders, I've found time and time again that integrating certain wellness practices can significantly enhance both mental clarity and resilience. Here are three strategies that deliver powerful results with minimal time investment: 1️⃣ Breathwork Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine can lead to reduced stress and enhanced focus. • Why it works: Breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to relax the body, slow the heart rate, and reduce stress levels. • How to implement: Practice box breathing (4-4-4-4) for just 2 minutes before critical meetings or decisions. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and repeat. 2️⃣ Red Light Therapy This therapy can be a valuable addition to your wellness regimen, promoting recovery and energy. • Why it works: Red light therapy has the potential to improve employee wellness by promoting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation. • How to implement: Use red light therapy for 10-20 minutes per day while engaging in routine tasks like reading emails or taking calls. Consult with a professional to determine the appropriate device for your needs. 3️⃣ Digital Detox Taking time away from digital devices can enhance mental well-being and productivity. • Why it works: A digital detox reduces mental clutter, stress, and promotes a healthy work-life balance, leading to improved overall well-being. • How to implement: Dedicate 1-2 hours daily without screens, especially before bed, to allow your brain to recharge. This practice can lead to better sleep quality and increased presence in daily interactions. Integrating these practices into your daily routine can lead to significant improvements in mental clarity, stress management, and overall well-being. Which of these strategies would you try first? Comment below or message me directly if you'd like to discuss implementing a comprehensive executive wellness approach. #ExecutiveWellness #LeadershipPerformance #WorkLifeIntegration