How to Create Daily Routines for Enhanced Focus

Below is my system for staying productive all day, every day. It allowed me to sell over $100M in my B2B sales career, then build a 7 figure coaching business working an average of 40 hours/week. Most importantly, my nights and weekends are free to spend with my family. Here's are the 3 simple steps I take every single week: Step 1: Complete a Weekly Plan & Scorecard at the beginning of each week On Monday mornings (or Sunday evening), I print and fill out a Weekly Plan & Scorecard. On this document, I write down all the important tasks and action items I aspire to get done that week in no particular order. I then rank each task in order of priority, typically prioritizing RGA's (Revenue Generating Activities) for my business. I originally took this scorecard from a book called the 12 week year, then adapted it to include a "Rank" column, which allows me to prioritize each action item. Prioritizing the Action Items allows me to know where to start every day, and prevents me from getting overwhelmed. If you want to download the adapted Weekly Scorecard I use, you can find it here: https://lnkd.in/gvADT_QR Step 2: Daily Task Blocking in Calendar Whitespace At the beginning of each weekday, I fill up all the whitespace on my calendar for that day with high priority tasks taken directly from the Weekly Plan & Scorecard. This ensures that the most important tasks for the week get done first and eliminates daily decision fatigue. The key is to put the specific tasks on your calendar so there's no empty space. If for some reason any tasks on the calendar don't get completed for that day, I move them to the next day in any open whitespace. Step 3: Weekly Scoring At the end of each week, I score my performance using the simple formula: Tasks Completed / Tasks Written Down = Score % My goal is to score 85% or higher each week, although admittedly there are many weeks where I fall short. If there are any tasks that didn't get completed that week, they get moved to the following week. I rinse and repeat this process every single week. This ensures that I SHOW UP every single day, and stay productive throughout the entire work week. Additional keys to success include: 1. Taking short breaks when you feel mentally drained. Stretching, a short walk, and standing desk do wonders to change your state. 2. Minimize the number of daily meetings on your calendar (4 or less is optimal) to stay focused and ensure you have enough whitespace to get deep work done. 3. Give yourself an hour lunch to break up the work day. Every day I have lunch with my wife, and that's also on the calendar. 4. Do one thing at a time 5. If you have an unproductive day, forgive yourself. Every day is a fresh opportunity to get it right! In today's training video, I share how to use this exact system in detail. You can find the full training here:

We're not using our time wisely. Juggling a multitude of responsibilities as a female founder is no easy fit. It’s Tuesday. Your client has called an emergency meeting. You are a small company and one of your key personnel has called in sick. You have a tight deadline coming up. Your car needs to go to the garage. Your child has a docs appointment this week. Your kids schools have their conferences on this week. Your husband is out of town. You’re a single mother. Period! Your mind just can’t focus right now. You get the point!! What lies ahead doesn’t have to feel like a hustlers life. Here’s a simple technique can help boost your productivity during the few hours you have for work. The Pomodoro Technique is my go to nowdays and it works wonders. Here's how you can implement it in your daily routine: 📌First, set aside a couple of hours each to focus on your business. 📌Call this your focus time and allow yourself to believe that if you do not show up for it, you are stealing from your business. Set Up Your Environment Create a distraction-free workspace by: - Turning off notifications on your devices - Using website blockers to limit access to distracting sites - Finding a quiet space to work or using noise-cancelling headphones Plan Your Tasks Start your day by: - Identifying your most important tasks - Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks - Estimating how many pomodoros each task will take Use a Timer Choose a timer that works for you: - A physical timer (like the original tomato-shaped one) - A digital timer app on your computer or phone - A web-based timer like Pomodor or Marinara Timer Follow the Pomodoro Cycle 1. Set your timer for 25 minutes 2. Work on a single task with full focus until the timer rings 3. Take a 5-minute break 4. Repeat steps 1-3 four times 5. After four pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break Track Your Progress Keep a record of your completed pomodoros to: - Measure your productivity - Identify areas for improvement - Motivate yourself to stay consistent Adjust as Needed Customize the technique to fit your work style: - Experiment with different work/break intervals - Adapt the method for meetings or collaborative work - Be flexible with unexpected interruptions Stay Consistent Make the Pomodoro Technique a habit by: - Using it regularly, even on busy days - Gradually increasing the number of pomodoros you complete - Reflecting on your progress and adjusting your approach as needed The key to making this a success is to maintain focus during work intervals and truly disconnect during breaks. With practice, you’ll be amazed at how effective you can be. Let me know which technique works for you in the comments.

I used to jump straight into work. No plan. No warm-up. Just brute force focus. If this sounds like you, here is a focus warmup routine that might work for you. ✨ Purpose This short warmup helps you shift from scattered to sharp. It’s designed to get you mentally centered, reduce distractions, and prepare your brain to enter a focused work state – even if you’re feeling a bit off. You can complete the full sequence in about 5–10 minutes, or pick a few steps that suit your current state. 🧭 The Focus Warmup Flow Step 1️⃣: Signal the Shift (1 minute) Choose one small ritual to mark the transition into focus mode: - Light a candle or turn on a focus lamp - Put on noise-canceling headphones - Close extra tabs or silence your phone Why: Creates a consistent cue for your brain to switch gears. ✅ Step 2️⃣: Clear the Clutter (2 minutes) Quick mental declutter to make space for clarity: - Write down 3 things that are distracting you - Acknowledge them, then put them aside (physically or mentally) - Optional: jot them in a “Not Now” list or use your Maybe Later Parking Lot Why: Naming distractions reduces their power. ✅ Step 3️⃣: Reconnect with Intention (2 minutes) - What’s the one thing I want to move forward right now? - Why does this matter today? - What will success look like at the end of this session? Why: Brings clarity and purpose into the session. ✅ Step 4️⃣: Engage the Brain (2–3 minutes) Pick one of the following to sharpen your attention: - Micro-mindfulness: 10 deep breaths, counting each one - Visual Focus Primer: Stare at a single point for 30 seconds - Mental Rehearsal: Close your eyes and visualize the first 3 steps of your task Why: Calms nervous energy and activates cognitive focus. ✅ Step 5️⃣: Set Your Boundaries (1 minute) Decide how long you’ll work and how you’ll protect that time: - Set a timer - Let others know you’re unavailable - Mute notifications or use a focus app Why: Protects your mental space once you’re in flow. ✅ 💡 Optional Enhancements (Pick What Helps) ↳ Ambient music or background noise (if that helps you focus) ↳ Stand and stretch for 30 seconds before sitting back down ↳ Check your energy level—if you’re depleted, consider a quick nervous system reset instead 📌 Bookmark this post for later, or give it a ❤️ or a 💡. PS: I am Sven Elstermann, and this 👆🏼 is one of many systems in Introvert OS. Check out my profile to learn more, and follow me for daily introvert tips.

Stop multitasking. Start using this strategy instead. I used to drown in meetings, follow-ups, and a to-do list that never quit. Sound familiar? I’ve been there. Overwhelmed, always playing catch-up, and not able to ever switch off. Not to mention anxiety through the roof. Something had to change. I know how it feels. You wake up every day with a mission: → grow that pipeline → book those meetings → close the deals And every single day, it feels like you’re starting from zero. The grind is real. I knew I needed a new game plan.  So I found it: Structured Day Segmentation. Here’s how it works: 1. Assess your day → Track your time for a week. → Get real about where your time goes and what drains your energy. 2. Break it down: → Organize your day into power blocks: - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Attack high-priority tasks -11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Handle meetings and calls -1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Crush admin and routine work -3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Wrap- with follow-ups and prep for tomorrow → Take a 10-minute break every 90 minutes to recharge. 3. Make it happen: → Block out these periods in your calendar. → Let your team know your new game plan so they don’t interrupt your focus. 4. Fine-tune: → After 2 weeks, see what’s working and adjust. → Keep evolving. 5. Reflect: → Weekly, assess your productivity and energy. → Make changes as needed. Here’s the truth: You don’t need to be overwhelmed and stressed. You need to take control, prioritize what matters, and delegate what doesn’t. Structured Day Segmentation allows you to be more productive, doing less, and feeling great about it. Structuring my day this way has transformed my productivity and performance more than any other method or guru advice. I have a full pipeline, while still supporting clients and opening doors to new opportunities in a simple way. Ready to take control of your day? Give this a shot. It’s the key to becoming more efficient and less stressed. ➜ What’s the time of day you’re at your best? ___ → I’m Melina, Executive Coach and Business Strategist. → My first cohort for Sales Execs kicks off in September. → Interested? DM me "I'm In" for details.

After 8 years of trying different morning protocols, I've finally found something SIMPLE that works: First off, forget all the BS you hear online about 5AM cold showers and hour-long meditations. The goal here is to prep your mind for maximum daily impact without taking hours or feeling exhausted. And the key is to pick something easy that you’ll ACTUALLY stick to. Here’s what I’ve figured out: 1. NIGHT BEFORE, write down the highest impact work to complete in your first 2-hour block of the day. Ensure you have no meetings during that time. • Over time, you’ll get a better feel for what you can get done in 2 hours. You may over/under shoot it in the beginning. • I’m currently using a Whiteboard Desk, so I write that directly on the desk. (highly recommend) 2. Set your alarm & sleep 8+ hours in a dark room. Leave your phone in another room. If you have breathing problems like me, wear an Intake Breathing nose strip or SomniFix mouth tape. 3. When you wake up, immediately go outside or on a balcony, and drink 500ml of water. Then go brush your teeth / wash face. 4. After brushing, drink ELECTROLYTES. I alternate between Drink LMNT and Bare Bones Chicken Broth powder in another 500ml of hot/cold water. Optional - add olive oil. • It’s SO important to hydrate in the mornings. You naturally become dehydrated at night through breathing/sweating. Dehydrated body = dehydrated brain = no focus. Hydrate the brain! 5. Get to your desk. Start the 2 hour timer, and BANG OUT those tasks. • Don’t check ANY NOTIFICATIONS and KEEP PHONE OFF throughout this whole thing. • I like running this on an empty stomach (just electrolytes & olive oil). If I get hungry, I’ll eat a Chomps stick. 6. Once you’re done with the 2 hours of tasks, REWARD yourself with a healthy activity. This can be via a shower, quick swim, eating something great, 10 minute stretch, etc. 🎁 Bonus points - I used to wear t-shirts/hoodies everyday for WFH. I’ve since switched over to polos & button ups and overall feel more confident throughout the day. For men, you can get a nice polo on Amazon Basics for $15 and it’ll make you feel great. This has immensely helped me get more tasks cleared out and start the day with strong momentum. Comment if you want to try it out!

This is my most requested post ever. After years of working with high performers and helping coaches launch their programs, I can say with full confidence, everything in this guide works. Here’s my complete Soft Productivity Guide for Beginners: (Save + Repost this before anything else ♻️) 1. First things first... Productivity isn't about doing more, it’s about doing what matters with clarity and consistency. Most people are stuck in a cycle of to-do lists, guilt, and chaos. Make a decision → you're building a system, not chasing hacks. Lock in for the next 90 days and watch what shifts. 2. How do you stay consistent? Start by simplifying. Most people try to do everything at once. That’s why they burn out or quit. Here’s the base setup I give to every client: a. Choose 3 priorities for the week b. Break each into 1–3 action steps per day c. Keep a recurring Weekly Planning Session d. Track your energy, not just your output e. Create a “Done” list to build confidence Soft productivity isn’t about speed, it’s about sustainability. 3. Morning Systems? Yes. You don’t need to wake up at 5 AM. You need to know what to do when you do wake up. Here’s a soft system that works: a. Start with a 10-minute morning routine b. Review your weekly goals c. Choose 3 tasks that actually move the needle d. Time-block your deep work (1-2 hour max) e. Protect your focus like your income depends on it (because it does) 4. Feeling distracted all day? Here's why. Distraction isn’t always about willpower. It’s often a design problem. Fix your focus with these: a. Turn off all non-essential notifications b. Use a “Focus Mode” for 90-minute sprints c. Keep your workspace minimal (physical and digital) d. Have a reset ritual between tasks e. End your workday with a wind-down plan Your brain craves clarity. Give it structure, not pressure. 5. Want to feel more productive instantly? Track what you’re actually doing. Most people think they’re “bad at time management.” They’re just not aware of where their time is going. Try this: a. Track your time for 3 days b. Categorize it into Focus, Admin, Passive, and Wasted c. Eliminate, automate, or batch the time-wasters d. Use the data to build your ideal work rhythm Self-awareness is step one to soft productivity. 6. “I can’t stay motivated.” Here's the real fix. Motivation is a result, not a requirement. Want to feel motivated? Start showing up. Build small wins, then stack them. That’s it. What helps: a. Accountability (peer, coach, or public) b. Visual trackers (don’t break the chain) c. Weekly reflection (what worked, what didn’t) d. A clear WHY (write it down and read it daily) You don’t need hype. You need a process. Read this far? You’re a real one. 🤝 Let’s make productivity feel good again. - Coach Farah ❤️ P.S. Ask me anything you want about soft productivity, always here for you :)

🌟 Enhance Your Productivity with a Morning Routine 🌟 Feeling the need to boost your productivity but unsure where to start, especially with kids and a busy work schedule? Let's craft a morning routine tailored just for you: Step #1: Kickstart Your Morning Right Choose a wake-up time that gives you solitude before the hustle begins. For me, it's 5 AM—a peaceful two hours before the house stirs. Avoid hitting snooze; when that alarm rings, get up promptly. Resist the urge to check your phone; instead, prepare yourself mentally for the day ahead. Step #2: Embrace Quiet Office Time Once at your workspace, create a serene atmosphere. I begin with meditation and affirmations—12 daily goals that inspire me, like achieving a 4-hour workday. Visualizing these goals keeps me focused and motivated. Your quiet time doesn’t need to be extensive; even a few minutes of meditation and affirmations can set a positive tone for the day. Step #3: Harness Your Creative Energy Morning is when creativity thrives for me. Whether crafting content or planning courses, dedicating this time to creative pursuits ensures I produce my best work. Avoid diving into emails early; prioritize creative endeavors while your mind is fresh and vibrant. Step #4: Prep for Success Surprisingly, my morning routine starts the night before. Before wrapping up my workday, I tidy my workspace and organize tasks for the next day. Closing unnecessary tabs and using tools like Boomerang to manage emails effectively ensure I start each day focused and organized. 🚀 Ready to Elevate Your Mornings? Your ideal routine doesn’t require hours of dedication; it’s about intentional moments that set a productive tone. Start with small steps—prioritize solitude, nurture creativity, and organize your workspace. These habits will transform your mornings and, ultimately, your entire day. What’s your favorite morning ritual? Share below! Let’s inspire each other to embrace productive habits. 🌞💼

Ever felt like the day runs away before you accomplish what you planned? My dad taught me a powerful habit that changed how I approach each day—and it’s simple. Every night, he’d sit down after dinner and write the ten things he was going to get done the next day. The next morning, he’d execute on that list without fail until every task was checked off. This routine wasn’t just something he did; it was a mindset—creating tomorrow, today. ✅ Start Your Day the Night Before You don’t need to rely on motivation; you need a clear plan. Before you go to bed, take a few minutes to list the key things you want to achieve tomorrow. Prioritize them and commit to finishing the list. When you wake up, you won’t be guessing what needs your attention—you’ll know exactly where to focus your energy. The consistency of doing this day after day compounds into bigger progress over time. ✨ Next time you feel overwhelmed by what tomorrow might bring, remember—you have the power to create it today. Just take a few minutes tonight to plan and set yourself up for success. Start making tomorrow’s list tonight and watch how it transforms your productivity. What’s on your list?

I run 2 businesses, take 6 classes, host a podcast, and play quarterback on a college football team. People always ask me, “How do you do it?” Here’s how I juggle it all (9 simple practices to supercharge performance): ~ 1) Sunday Systems A productive week begins on Sunday. By outlining my week on Sunday, I save 4+ hours during the week. Here’s what I map out: - Building blocks - Creation blocks - Podcasts - Workouts You can find a free Sunday Systems worksheet in the comments of this post. ~ 2) The Night Before Morning productivity begins the night before. Here’s how I prep: - Tasks outlined - Computer set up - Clothes laid out - Water + Electrolytes ready This way, there is no mental friction upon waking, and I can drop right into a creative flow. ~ 3) Dopamine Modulation To maintain focus and motivation in the morning, I conserve my dopamine for my most important tasks. This looks like: - No phone - No social media - Grounding + sun - Supplement stack The work feels way more rewarding without any cheap dopamine hits. ~ 4) 3-4 Hours of Focused Work Once the world is awake and classes begin, chaos ensues. So the key is 3-4 hours of deep focus in the morning: - 1 building block - 1 creative block - Miscellaneous tasks If I’m super dialed, I can knock out a week’s worth of work in one morning. ~ 5) Habit Stacking When it’s time to work, I keep my supplementary habits consistent: - Deep house music - Black coffee - Coconut water - Mountain Valley - Red light Once I’m in my workspace with music, a coffee, and hydration, my mind and nervous system are primed for focus. ~ 6) Batching Rather than schoolwork lingering and taking up mental bandwidth, I knock out a week’s worth of work in one 2-4 hour work block. By condensing school into one day a week and leveraging Parkinson’s Law, my mind becomes free to focus on creating and building. ~ 7) Clean Physical & Digital Space Our external world is a mirror of our internal world. If our external enviroment becomes messy, our minds become messy as well. To keep a clear mind, maintaining a clean apartment, office, and digital workspace is key. ~ 8) Close Loops as They Arise The Tao te Ching says, “The master accomplishes the difficult task while it is still easy.” - Put things in order - Delete the email as it arises - Delete the file after you use it I repeat this in my mind all day. Closing loops keeps the mind sharp. ~ 9) Physical & Mental Inbox 0 When notifications or chores build up, it creates friction in the mind and sabotages productivity. At the end of the day, if I can be at or close to 0 notifications and have my apartment in order, I wake up fresh and ready to attack the morning. ~ 9 practices to enhance your productivity: 1) Sunday Systems 2) Dialing in the night before 3) Dopamine modulation 4) 3-4 hours of focus 5) Habit stacking 6) Batching 7) Clean digital & physical spaces 8) Close loops 9) Inbox 0 ~ Sunday Systems Worksheet below:

Growing a business is not about hustling 24/7. The real key is something simpler: Laser focus in a world of cheap dopamine hits. How to protect your focus and avoid distraction: 1. Wake up without an alarm Alarm disrupts your sleep cycle and can lead to: - Sleep inertia - Drowsiness - Raised cortisol levels 2. Execute my Clear Mind morning routine Things my routine includes: • Pray for 10 mins • Visualize for 10 mins • Goal Review for 10 mins • Write/journal for 15 mins • Read something inspiring for 15 mins • Workout/breathe/move for 30-60 mins Win your AM, win the day. 3. No phone or distraction until deep work is finished 3 days/week, from 8 am to 12 pm, I lock my phone and focus entirely on working. The aim is to get more done than most do in a week. This is also the reason why… 4. Every meeting is scheduled in the afternoon With few exceptions, meetings are the least effective way to spend your time. Your first few hours should only be focused on doing your highest-leverage activities. Selling, creating, building, improving, problem-solving, etc. 5. Delegate everything I can to my EA I connect with my EA as soon as my focus work is complete. She is my first line of defense against things like: • Communicating with others • Managing my email • Setting-up calls Focus = getting rid of most of your work! 6. Optimal nutrition It's wild how many people don't think about optimizing their nutrition when trying to improve their focus. Your cognitive function is directly correlated with the quality of fuel you put in your body. Nutrition matters most. My nutrition-based focus tips: • Power-packed smoothie every AM (protein, creatine, almond butter, fiber, blueberries) • No sugar/high glycemic carbs throughout the day - nuts, cottage cheese, veggies/hummus as snacks • No caffeine in the afternoon - use ketones instead 7. Nighttime routine Review your entire day's progress. What didn't get done? Reschedule it on your calendar. Any areas of improvement? Note it down as well. Your next day depends on how you plan it the night before that. Counterintuitive stuff: • Successful people don't do all the boring stuff you waste your time on. Outsource everything you can. • Rate yourself every week/month/quarter at the speed you can do something. As time progresses, you must do things faster. • Anyone can make more money by working more. The idea is to work less/same & still make more money which can only happen if you're getting better. • If people do not get mad at you for how unavailable you are, you're far too available. Create walls around your time. — If you enjoy this, ♻️ repost to help your network.