What’s Inspiring Us – 08
At some point, you’ve heard – or spoken – that the key to improved focus and productivity is time management. What if instead of using time as our metric, we shifted the paradigm to managing our attention? This is the core principle behind author and expert Maura Thomas’ Empowered Productivity system, a series of quick reads and steps to help you address distraction and focus on what actually matters.
Some of the incredibly effective methods Maura discusses in her books include how to successfully block time for priorities, stay mentally organized, and become more proactive. I (Evelyn, Growth/Marketing) had the pleasure of attending trainings with Maura in a previous role, and have been meaning to reread the books: Attention Management, From To-Do to Done, and The Happy Inbox.
What are the implications for our mental fitness? The idea of giving our attention to the most important things applies to life outside of work, too. Are we unintentionally giving our precious focus – and thus, time – away to busywork and non-urgent matters rather than our mental health, family, and friends? As a personal example, I realized my feeling tired after the bustle of the holidays was not just physical but also emotional fatigue. It has been a discipline for me to carve out time for better self-care and journaling.
Similarly, are you taking the appropriate steps to manage your attention when it comes to your own mental fitness? Check out Empowered Productivity to help develop a system that works well for your rhythms and routines, and share what you learned with Savor Lining on LinkedIn.