4 Tips to Protect Your Time & Eliminate Distractions
Become a Productivity Machine
We’re back with a 4-part FREE training series designed to help you become a more focused + productive creative.
This will be an ongoing theme each week where you can take what you’ve learned to the next level in the upcoming 3-Week Group Coaching Boot Camp which opens for enrollment Thursday, April 27th, 9 AM CT. 🗓
This session will show you how to reduce guesswork, eliminate distractions, and become a productivity machine.
Note: Click the image to watch the replay. Continue below to read the blog.
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Take Your Attention Back
We live in a world that begs for your attention every time you turn on your devices or leave your house.
Sadly, we’re programmed to crave these distractions.
It’s time to take your attention back and protect your time.
Over the past few weeks, we did a deep dive into the importance of:
That’s cool and all, but when you actually sit down to do the work…
How do you actually get shit done without being distracted?
One of my favorite books on becoming a productive assassin is “The One Thing” by Gary Keller.
Within it, he gives you 4 ways to protect the time to do your most important work.
This training will break down his approach, but with my own spin and reference examples for you to leverage.
Get ready to go to war to protect those sweet gains lurking on the horizon.
1. FIND YOUR BUNKER
Let’s establish a working space that’s primed for peak productivity and reduces the temptations to get off task.
4 examples of past and current bunkers for me.
Guest bedroom: My entire business started on a TV tray in the living at my old house. Eventually, we converted the only guest bedroom into my office once my wife started to see how serious I was getting.
Conference room: At my last day job, if I couldn’t make it home in time to grind, I’d rent out a conference room. I would lock the door and work on the most important task during my lunch break.
Co-working space: Whenever I had a local project in the works, I’d head to my local co-working space and rent out a room + equipment to make moves with whoever I was collaborating with.
Basement studio: Present day, I’ve turned the entire basement in our new home into my studio. I’ve blocked-off areas for specific types of work and/or relaxing based on the season and workload.
It’s important to know yourself, your weaknesses, and your habits to put this into practice.
For example, I get easily distracted so doing important work at a busy coffee shop probably isn’t the smartest move.
2. STORE PROVISIONS
Before it’s time to grind, make sure your bunker is fully stocked and equipped so you can get in the zone.
Some examples of how I prepare my space:
Atmosphere: I need to make sure my studio is primed for inspiration (dope decor) and NOT hella cluttered. Also, depending on the day, the lighting for the vibe I’m in sets the mood for the type of work I’m doing.
Office supplies: My studio needs to be stocked with the right tools like sticky notes, whiteboard markers, printer paper, drawing supplies, etc.
Devices: I gotta make sure the gang is all here—phone, laptop, iPad, and all the charging cables/stations along for the ride.
Snacks and Beverages: I make sure I’m stocked up on water, gum, and plenty of snacks in my studio to avoid having to go upstairs to my kitchen. I also meal prep so I can easily warm up food and get back into action.
3. SWEEP FOR MINES
This is probably the most important step for protecting your time and eliminating distractions.
Here’s how I sweep for mines in my day-to-day grind:
Turn off notifications: Social media is designed to distract you from doing your most important work. It’s a product + tool to leverage—you’re not missing out on anything.
Leverage DND Mode: Do Not Disturb mode is a powerful feature to block out the noise during your work blocks.
Use one browser: Not only will it save your computer energy + battery, but using one browser screen for high-willpower tasks boosts focus. I also like to hide my bookmarks when doing my writing.
Close off workspace: If you’re able to, close your door to your bunker to block disruptions. If you’re one who gets distracted daydreaming while looking outside a window, you can consider closing the blinds.
4. ENLIST SUPPORT
It’s helpful to build a support system around you for accountability while also establishing barriers for people.
Here’s how I enlist support:
Set boundaries: I have to set boundaries for myself in terms of hard start and stop times based on responsibilities, family time, and gym. I also have to set boundaries for others so they can respect my time as well.
Block off calendar: At my last job, I’d block off my calendar with the projects/tasks I was working on. Today, I still block off my calendar to plan out launches, vacations, big projects, events, appointments, etc.
Share calendar: At my last job, I’d share my calendar with my co-workers so they had visibility to what I had going on. Present day, I share my calendar with Wifey to overcommunicate what is on my plate.
Set status to Busy: At my last job, I’d set my working status to busy so people would know not to interrupt me. When blocking off my personal Google calendar, I set tasks to Busy so I don’t overbook myself when people schedule calls with me.
Use Siri: Siri is my best employee who works for free. I leverage her daily to set reminders on what to do and when to do it.
Use AI:
Self-Management Over Time-Management
Most people like to say they have a time-management issue…
But in reality, it’s a self-management issue.
What’s common sense isn’t common practice:
The easy (but not simple) formula for productivity:
Set priorities > Block out your time > Schedule what’s most important > Execute + eliminate distraction.
I hope these 4 tips and this series, in general, have helped you take yourself, your craft, and your creative dream more seriously.
No one is going to protect your time for you—it’s on you to focus and do the hard work.
Let’s Work Together 🤝
Do you struggle to leverage this formula for productivity?
Would you like to see how I break down these strategies within my own personal business?
If so, you'll love the upcoming 3-Week Boot Camp on Focus, Prioritization, and Productivity (5/6 - 5/26).
In 21 days, I’ll show you how to reduce the guesswork, find clarity on your path, and enjoy the hell out of the work you're creating.
Consider learning more below about how to join an upcoming 3-Week Boot Camp. 👇🏻
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