Feeling Overwhelmed? Let’s Get You Focusing on What Actually Matters, the Priorities

You’re creating meaningful progress toward your goals without running yourself into the ground.

Here’s the truth, not everything on your to-do list actually matters.

Your to-do list probably has more items on it than a supermarket catalogue. But when you focus on the priorities, that’s when the magic happens.

In this post, we’ll tackle:

• How to figure out what actually deserves your time.
• Strategies to avoid overwhelm and keep distractions at bay.
• Why saying “no” (politely) can be your ultimate power move.
• Let’s ditch the busywork and get down to business.

Why Focusing on Priorities Matters

Your time is precious – stop spending it on things that don’t matter.

Trying to do all the things isn’t just exhausting, it’s unproductive.

• You’ll burn out faster than a dodgy sparkler.
• The important stuff gets buried under all the noise.
• You end up feeling busy, but not actually productive.

When you focus on priorities, you’re saying “this is what matters most right now”. It’s like Marie Kondo-ing your tasks, except instead of sparking joy, you spark progress! Woop!

How to Spot your True Priorities

From chaos to clarity in three simple steps.

1. Get Clear on Your Goals
   • What are you working toward this week, this month, this year?
   • Ask yourself: Does this task move me closer to that goal? If not, it’s probably not a priority, or shouldn’t be on your list (delegate it).
2. Use the Eisenhower Matrix
   • Urgent and Important: Do these first.
   • Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these.
   • Urgent but Not Important: Delegate these.
   • Neither Urgent Nor Important: Say goodbye to these. It’s ok to let go, but if you struggle like me, check out the “Pile Up Zone” technique.
     • Pro Tip: Most of your focus should go to “Important but Not Urgent” tasks – they are the ones that make your long-term goals a reality.
3. Break it Down to Build it Up
   • Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into bite-sized tasks keep you moving forward without the overwhelm.
     • Pro Tip: Ensure that your tasks follow the “DUSTY” method.

Time Management Tricks for Staying Focused

Let’s turn your to-do list into Done.

1. Time Blocking: Think of your calendar as your boss. Block out specific times for high-priority tasks and stick to them.
2. The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, repeat. It’s like interval training for your brain.
3. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks like replying to emails, or making calls, and tackle them in one go. No more ping-ponging between different activities.
4. The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it now. It’s a small win that clears your mental clutter.
5. Eat The Frog: That dreaded to-do is the first one you should tackle.

As a fellow procrastinator and “ooooh new shiny thing”, I can attest to finding something that works for YOU. I use a combination of all of these, depending on the task 😉

Keep the Distractions Away

Your brain called, it needs some peace and quiet.

Distractions are the arch-nemesis of productivity. Here’s how to fight back, and win:

• Turn off notifications: No one needs to know about another cat meme during deep work. Stop scrolling.
• Set boundaries: I could write a novel on this one. But set boundaries and stick to them. Let people know when you’re in focus mode if required.
• Create a clutter-free workspace: Your environment sets the tone for your focus.
• Close your apps and windows: Remember we are focusing on one thing. If something pops up, write it down and then move it to your list later.

Master the Art of Saying No

Saying no is a superpower – and you’ve got it!

• Be strategic: If it doesn’t align with your goals or your vision, let it go. It’s ok.
• Be polite: Try “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t commit right now”.

No excuse required, respect you and your business. Boundaries = Sanity!

Check in With Yourself Regularly

Your priorities today, might not be your priorities tomorrow, and that’s ok.

Life happens, goals shift, and priorities evolve. Make it a habit to:

• Reassess weekly: What’s urgent? What can wait?
• Adjust monthly or quarterly: Are your tasks still aligned with your big-picture goals?

I’ll be diving deeper into this in Setting Clear Goals but stay the course.

Prioritising isn’t just a productivity hack – it’s a way to protect your time, energy, and sanity.

Next up Use The Right Tools.

This series is your ticket to working smarter, living better, and making progress without the burnout. Let’s do this!