“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey
The first time I worked from home was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having always been the type of student who prefers to work from the library, I knew becoming a successful copywriter while surrounded by the distractions of my house was going to be a challenge for me.
I decided to get some help.
Digging into the last of my savings, I hired a high-performance coach.
I figured it would accelerate my path to success… which would be worth its weight in gold.
And I was right.
The habits I learned from coaching helped me become more productive not only in my work life, but also in other areas of my life.
These new habits helped me to learn faster, tap into my creativity, and enjoy myself more.
Today I’ll share the three most powerful habits I learned and how you can apply them to your life — so you can get laser-focused and achieve your goals.
1. Give Yourself One Hour on Sundays
Take a look at this:
This is Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix from his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
Covey found that most people tend to spend their time in quadrants I and III — doing things that demand attention but aren’t always important.
The result is feeling exhausted… like you’re always putting out fires. Surviving, but not making any progress toward your most heartfelt goals.
If you look back on your past week, where did you spend most of your time?
Did you feel like you were moving the needle on your projects one day at a time? In other words, were you spending time in Quadrant II?
To become more focused and productive, one of the most powerful habits you can develop is to give yourself an hour on Sundays for reflection.
There are two parts to a reflection. If you do them regularly, they’ll produce highly desirable results for you.
First, Review Last Week
What went well for you?
It’s easy to focus on all the things we DIDN’T tick off our to-do list and beat ourselves up for those shortfalls.
But, if you don’t give yourself credit for what you did accomplish… then, what’s the point?
So, give yourself a moment to appreciate your wins.
Then, ask yourself…
What did you struggle with, and how would you deal with it going forward?
Then, Plan Next Week
What projects are you currently working to complete? What outcomes are you working toward?
And, what can you complete by Friday at 5:00 p.m. that will make you feel happy with your efforts?
Breaking things down into smaller tasks is an easy and effective way to get things done.
And, as a skilled copywriter, you know the power of a deadline! So, try assigning deadlines to your own goals and see what happens.
Make sure you give your personal goals a spot on your calendar alongside your paid client work and your business-building objectives.
For example, I’m learning how to play guitar. My current end-of-week goal is to practice for 30 minutes every day this week.
Taking time to plan the things that bring you joy will add a sense of meaning to your progress.
A Helpful Tool — Keep a Journal
The best way to keep track of these reflections is to put good, old-fashioned pen to paper in a journal, or to use an app, like Growthday.
2. Take a Pit Stop Every 50 Minutes
Do you know why Formula 1 drivers take pit stops — even when everything is going smoothly?
They do it so…
… they can keep driving at peak performance for longer.
The pit stop is pre-emptive.
When they take a pit stop, the tires are still drivable… the oil is still good… the driver is still sharp.
But, they do it before the tires burn out or something else goes wrong, so they’ll get the most out of the car, tires, and driver for the rest of the race.
Think of your body like a Formula 1 race car. And give it a pit stop before it burns out.
Studies have shown the power of taking breaks. And on average, high achievers take a break every 50 minutes.
So, when I sit down to work, I set a timer on my phone, and when it goes off, I take a pit stop.
Here are some ideas for how to take a break:
- Stand up
- Close your eyes (Give them a break from staring at the screen)
- Drink water
- Do some yoga poses
- Walk around the house
- Take a deep breath for 5 seconds. Hold it for 15. Exhale for 10.
- Do some push-ups, squats, and lunges
- Play some salsa music and dance
Here’s what I don’t recommend:
- Checking LinkedIn or Facebook
- Checking your email
- Cleaning the kitchen/bathroom/cat litter
- Re-organizing your wardrobe using the Marie Kondo way
Giving your mind and body a break will help you to come back refreshed and refocused.
Plus, it makes the work more enjoyable.
All you have to do is focus for 50 minutes at a time. Take a break. Then do it again.
3. Set Your Intention
What do you want to achieve in the next hour?
Maybe it’s to come up with a headline. An outline. A lead. A first draft.
Before you start your next work period, set an intention for what you want to achieve and how you want to achieve it.
How to Set an Intention
When you sit down at your desk to work, start by closing your eyes.
Then, ask yourself two simple questions:
- “How do I want to feel while doing this?”
- “How do I want to feel when I finish this task?”
Then, get to work!
For example…
When I sat down to write this, I wanted to feel creative. And when I’m done, I want to feel proud.
Sometimes we’re unmotivated, because we’re focused on how we feel in the moment.
But, shifting your focus to how you would like to feel can make the work easier and more enjoyable.
Avoid This “Focus Killer”
It can take almost 20 minutes to refocus after an interruption!
Ahem… I’m looking at you, Facebook notifications.
So, putting your phone on focus mode will ensure you stay focused.
Get Into Flow and Write Better
The reason why these habits are so powerful is that they help you get into a flow state.
You become laser-focused — working more creatively and writing better.
You also enjoy yourself more — helping you feel more motivated to get stuff done.
So, don’t let this momentum go to waste.
Take action now and plan out what you want to achieve by the end of Friday this week!
Good luck!
About the author: Nicholas considers himself a lifelong learner and finds purpose in helping digital businesses succeed in the online education industry. In 2022, he stumbled upon copywriting and immersed himself in books, blogs, and courses to sharpen his skills. Currently, he’s building a newsletter and trying to find the perfect balance between yoga, boxing, and playing guitar. You can learn more about him on his website.
