Professional distractions and how to manage

It's easy to get distracted by the things you know you can do (the easy ones) because they make you feel like you are accomplishing something. But what about the things that you NEED to do? The important and urgent ones?

That proposal you need to put together, that plan you need to write, that agenda you need to prepare? Often, our lack of productivity comes from doing the easy things rather than the things that will truly make us productive.

Where I'm working on focus: I work best in the early morning hours. It's a time when I can focus and be undistracted. I am also working to label my list by a "UI" urgent/important - thinking about the Eisenhower box. (see more about this below)

Here are some ways I've been regrounding myself and becoming less distracted:

1. Take a day: over the summer, I haven't been great with Sabbath. We have traveled on the weekends and only practiced it a few times. As the school season creeps up, I know we need our one day to rest. Read more about my Sabbath practice.

2. Take 5 minutes: What if 5 minutes a day you silenced your world? What would that look like? "Do Not Disturb" is the most-used setting on my iPhone lately.

3. Take control: habits like picking up my phone to scroll or mindless television—they have their place, FOR SURE. But have you noticed the times they are distracting you? I'm starting to turn off the meaningless distractions & turn on the things that matter—sleep, quiet time, a walk, time with my kids and husband, or a phone call with a friend.