The Mother of Invention – Finding Focus in a Busy Work World (Guest Blogger @CarlaYoung)

Ever start your day with good intentions only to realize at the end of the day, you accomplished nothing! How did that happen?

Simple: lack of focus.

Maintaining focus is a challenge in a working world full of technological interruptions. It’s easy to get lost in the daily deluge of email, voicemail and instant messages and lose track of what you set out to accomplish.

Just as our children benefit from a predictable daily routine, we do too. Set yourself up for success by creating a Monday to Friday work routine. Give your week structure by designating specific days for accomplishing core activities, such as writing, client follow-up or meetings and establish a Monday to Friday focus routine.

How to Get More Done with a Monday to Friday Focus Routine

Monday

#1: Start your Monday Sunday evening by reviewing your calendar and handling any prep work to give you a head start when you sit down at your desk Monday morning.

#2: Set the tone for your week by starting Monday on a productive note. Tackling a big looming project or finishing up a batch of tasks will help you build momentum.

Tuesday

#3: Use the momentum that you built on Monday to propel your productivity forward on Tuesday.

#4: Focus on 2 to 3 must-do tasks and shift your thinking from starting tasks to finishing them.

Wednesday

#5: Fight the mid-week doldrums by scheduling strategic meetings or conference calls that will re-energize your enthusiasm.

#6: If you hit a productivity roadblock, give yourself a mental break by handling quick, achievable tasks. Remember, success begets more success.

Thursday

#7: Focus on wrapping up projects that you started on Monday. Always aim to finish projects or hit key milestones between Monday and Friday so you don’t risk losing steam over the weekend.

#8: Start planting the seeds you intend to harvest the following week. Schedule strategic meetings, and conference calls or reach out to key people you would like to connect with the following week.

Friday

#9: Tie up loose ends and prepare to shut down the mental office for the weekend. Do a brain dump to get rid of any ideas buzzing around in your head. Your family needs you to be fully present for them.

#10: Create a rough plan for what you would like to accomplish the following week and tidy up your office so you can start fresh with a clear desk and an empty inbox.

Carla Young, Publisher of MOMeo Magazine.com, an online resource publication for work-at-home moms and Co-Founder of Entrepreneurial Moms.com, lives and works (from home) in Calgary with husband and 6-year-old daughter. You can find her (most days and many nights) on Twitter @CarlaYoung.