Okay, this productivity "hack" has been kind of a game changer for me the last few weeks and thought that I should share it.:) Maybe you're familiar with it and maybe not, but it's certainly something to consider if you're looking to have better focus with your tasks and get those tasks completed more efficiently! @Wesley Penner has been having group working sessions every weekday in his group Executive Skill Journey and I've benefitted every time that I've joined. The allotment of time, the structure, and the accountability piece have been so helpful! :) Wesley also has some really thought provoking posts! (Wesley, please feel free to share more about this in a comment if you'd like) ------------------------------------------------ “Working in sprints”/Time blocking is kind of like interval training, but for your attention. Instead of trying to be productive all day, you focus your energy in short, intentional bursts of time. STEPS: 1.Choose ONE specific task (what's your intention for the next __ minutes?) 2.Set a clear time block (ex: 20–60 minutes) 3.Remove distractions 4.Work with full focus until the timer ends 1. Take a real break before starting again (In Wesley's work groups, we get together virtually and work together but separately--this added "observer" effect has been beneficial for me, but you don't need to have the camera on. Just knowing that others are working along side has been helpful). Why this works so well: - It lowers overwhelm :you only have to face one small window, not an endless to-do list; that's nice - It reduces procrastination : starting feels easier when it’s “just one sprint.” - It builds momentum: finishing a sprint creates a quick win and that is satisfying! -It respects your brain: focus naturally comes in waves, not all day long Sprints can also create permission to rest. When you know a break is coming, your nervous system stops resisting the work which is a very nice feeling and it helps calibrate the nervous system. You don't have to be in constant grind mode, but rather in focused attention mode. There's a decrease in stress with this.

In the past few days we spoke about the first 7 principles of success as described in "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly (more here : day-1-purpose; day-2-priorities; day-3-balance; day-4-discipline; day-5-growth;-day-6-faith; -day-7-relationships )Today we delve into the eighth principle: Generosity (Just a small but important note, the term success here can be applied to many areas of life, and ultimately, it's really just about intentionally becoming the best version of yourself.) PRINCIPLE 8: GENEROSITY “A meaningful life is a life given away.” Generosity is giving your time, energy, love and resources without necessarily expecting anything in return. In the book, meaningful success includes improving the lives of others and in that process it creates connection, gratitude and impact. The book talks about generosity as a way to align with life as it can keep life moving- it indicates that when giving stops (whether that's our time, attention, forgiveness, or resources) stagnation sets in. Psychologically, generosity counteracts scarcity thinking. This is important because scarcity thinking narrows focus and increases anxiety. Studies show that giving activates reward pathways and strengthens meaning, but only when it’s freely chosen. The self determination factor matters. When generosity is driven by guilt, approval-seeking, or self-erasure, it leads to resentment and burnout. This leads to disconnection with others and oneself.

In the past few days we spoke about the first 9 principles of success as described in "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly (more here : day-1-purpose; day-2-priorities; day-3-balance; day-4-discipline; day-5-growth;-day-6-faith; -day-7-relationships; day-8-generosity; day-9-integrity)Today we delve into the tenth and last principle: Reflection. And then we're done!!!!!! (Just a small but important note, the term success here can be applied to many areas of life, and ultimately, it's really just about intentionally becoming the best version of yourself.) PRINCIPLE 10: REFLECTION “Without reflection, life loses its rhythm.” In the book, this step of the process is where everything else that's been talked about it either integrated or lost or just becomes performative. Meaning...discipline turns into rigidity, generosity into depletion, relationships into neglect, integrity into image managing, faith into performance, etc, etc. It ends up being the opposite of success. The author describes the act of reflecting as essential to learning, course-correcting and gratitude. It's yet another way to help us live intentionally rather than reactively or on auto pilot.

In the past few days we spoke about the first 6 principles of success as described in "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly (more here : day-1-purpose; day-2-priorities; day-3-balance; day-4-discipline; day-5-growth;-day-6-faith). Today we delve into the seventh principle: Relationships (Just a small but important note, the term success here can be applied to many areas of life, and ultimately, it's really just about intentionally becoming the best version of yourself.) I love the Brene Brown video... PRINCIPLE 7: RELATIONSHIPS “No one becomes great on their own.” If you know me, you know how much connection/relationships matter. Connection is a top value for me and so there's an extra appreciation for this principle. In the book, we are reminded that success is incomplete if it costs us our relationships because achievement/hustling/ambition at the expense of connection and intimacy eventually ends up collapsing into loneliness, burnout or emptiness. From a psychological perspective this makes sense because we are wired for connection--our nevous systems regulate thorugh safe relationships, not throrugh accomplishments. I also want to point out that it's not just relationships with others but also the relationship that we have with ourselves!! Relationships also shape identity. The people closest to us either raise our standards or lower them. Kelly stresses that greatness is never a solo project-it is formed through encouragement, challenge, and accountability. Even when we think that we've done something on ourr own, there aer often times people that have been part of the process.

In the past few days we spoke about the first 8 principles of success as described in "The Rhythm of Life" by Matthew Kelly (more here : day-1-purpose; day-2-priorities; day-3-balance; day-4-discipline; day-5-growth;-day-6-faith; -day-7-relationships; day-8-generosity)Today we delve into the ninth principle: Generosity (Just a small but important note, the term success here can be applied to many areas of life, and ultimately, it's really just about intentionally becoming the best version of yourself.) PRINCIPLE 9: INTEGRITY “Integrity is the alignment of values and behavior.” Integrity is when our inner values, outer actions, and private choices move in the same direction-it contributes to a sense of wholeness ratherr than disintegration. When we live divided it creates an inner tension/conflict and we use A LOT of energy managing tension, justification, and shame. The war inside. Research on cognitive dissonance shows that inconsistency erodes clarity and self-trust. And, interestingly enough, over time, small compromises don’t just change behavior, they reshape identity. When stress increases, integrity is often one of the things we negotiate away. But success that requires us to abandon our values eventually costs more than it gives. That inner erosion costs our peace.