A Guide to Focus, Impact & Productivity

Summary

In this video, Leo Babauta discusses strategies for maintaining focus and productivity amidst life's chaos. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and prioritizing 'Most Important Tasks' (MITS) daily, suggesting a limit of three to five high-impact tasks. Babauta also shares tips on creating a master task list, organizing daily tasks, and making time for less critical but necessary activities. His approach aims to empower individuals to effectively manage their workload while staying on top of what truly matters.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Focusing on the most important tasks (MITS) is crucial for productivity, as it helps prioritize high-impact activities that move meaningful projects forward.
• 📝 Establishing a daily habit of identifying and writing down the most important tasks (MITS) each morning sets a clear direction for the day's work.
• 📈 Aiming for three to five MITS is a practical approach to ensure a manageable workload while still making significant progress.
• 🌟 Prioritizing tasks involves selecting those that, if completed, would make the day a 'big victory' and contribute to long-term goals and impact.
• 🗓 Creating a master list of all tasks helps in compiling and organizing a daily list, ensuring no important tasks are overlooked.
• 📑 Using a task management system or a simple notebook to maintain a master list and daily list aids in staying organized and focused.
• 🔄 Regularly updating the master list and creating a new daily list from it prevents task overload and helps in managing daily priorities.
• 🕰 Allocating specific times for routine tasks like emails and chores prevents them from consuming the entire day and allows for focused work on MITS.
• 🚫 Recognizing the importance of not getting distracted by less important tasks and resisting the urge to constantly check emails or messages.
• 🌱 Developing a rhythm for routine tasks helps in finding the right balance between addressing urgent matters and working on long-term goals.
• 💡 The script suggests that it's okay to have an ever-growing master list, as the focus should be on creating spaces for tasks rather than completing everything.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about staying focused and productive during the day amidst chaos and distractions.

Why is it important to focus on the most important tasks (MITS)?

Focusing on the most important tasks (MITS) is crucial because it helps to prioritize high-impact activities that move meaningful projects forward and create an impact in the world.

What is the recommended number of MITS to focus on each day?

The recommended number of MITS to focus on each day is between three to five tasks.

How can one ensure they are focusing on the most important tasks?

One can ensure they are focusing on the most important tasks by setting a reminder each morning to identify and write down their MITS.

What is the purpose of having a master list of tasks?

The purpose of having a master list is to have a comprehensive and organized record of all tasks, which can be used to identify and prioritize MITS each day.

How often should one review and update their master list?

One should review and update their master list daily to compile new tasks and weekly to check off or delete completed tasks and add new ones.

What is the strategy for dealing with emails and messages that contain tasks?

The strategy is to regularly process the inbox, pulling out tasks and adding them to the master list, and then archiving or deleting the emails after noting the tasks.

How can one stay focused on their MITS throughout the day?

One can stay focused on their MITS by creating a separate document or space for each task, blocking out distractions, and focusing solely on the task at hand until completion.

What should one do after completing a task from their MITS list?

After completing a task from the MITS list, one should move it from the MITS section to a 'done' section of their list, which acts as a log of daily accomplishments.

How can one manage the smaller tasks and routine admin work?

One can manage smaller tasks and routine admin work by creating specific times or spaces in their day to handle these tasks, such as setting aside time for emails, finances, and errands.

What is the advice for dealing with the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks?

The advice for dealing with the feeling of being overwhelmed is to let go of the idea of completing everything on the master list, focus on creating spaces for important tasks, and find a rhythm for regular tasks.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Staying Focused on High Impact Tasks

In this paragraph, Leo discusses the importance of focusing on high impact tasks, or 'MITS' (Most Important Tasks), to stay productive amidst chaos. He emphasizes that while happiness and connections are paramount, being productive can empower one's work and life management. Leo suggests setting daily MITs to prioritize tasks that will significantly move projects forward or create meaningful impacts. He recommends starting the day by identifying and writing down these tasks, aiming for three to five tasks, which is a manageable number to focus on without getting overwhelmed. The paragraph concludes with the suggestion to singularize the focus if there's only one major task to accomplish.

05:01

📝 Prioritizing and Planning Your Most Important Tasks

Leo continues by advising on how to select the three to five most important tasks for the day, which should be high-impact and contribute to long-term goals or prevent significant negative outcomes. He recommends having a master list of all tasks and creating a 'Today' list each morning, marking the most important ones with a symbol like a star. He also discusses the importance of having a system for task management, whether it's a notebook, a digital app, or a bullet journal, and suggests using tags or symbols to distinguish the most important tasks. The paragraph ends with a reminder to update and review the master list regularly, including tasks from emails and messages, to ensure no tasks are forgotten.

10:03

🗓 Organizing Your Daily and Weekly Tasks

This paragraph delves into the strategy of organizing daily and weekly tasks. Leo talks about the process of transferring tasks from the master list to the 'Today' list and suggests using a digital note app or a physical notebook for this purpose. He emphasizes reviewing and updating the master list daily to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Leo also introduces the idea of queuing up tasks for the upcoming days by labeling them with 'next', 'soon', and 'someday' to create a manageable workflow. The paragraph concludes with the advice to end each day by preparing the next day's list, ensuring a clear plan for the following day's tasks.

15:05

🎯 Deep Focus on One Task at a Time

Leo describes his method for maintaining focus on a single task by creating a new document or workspace dedicated to the task at hand. He advises against multitasking and instead suggests full-screen mode or 'monk mode' to concentrate solely on the task. If distractions arise, Leo recommends taking a break to refocus before returning to the task with renewed attention. The paragraph concludes with the practice of moving completed tasks from the 'MITS' section to a 'Done' section, serving as a log of daily accomplishments.

20:05

🗂 Balancing MITs with Routine Tasks

In this paragraph, Leo addresses how to balance the most important tasks (MITS) with routine tasks that, while not as critical, still need attention. He suggests creating specific times or 'spaces' in the day for routine tasks like checking emails or doing chores. Leo also recommends finding a rhythm for these tasks and adjusting as necessary to ensure they are not neglected. The paragraph concludes with the advice to prioritize MITs during the majority of the day, ensuring that essential work is completed before attending to less critical tasks.

25:06

🌱 Cultivating a Sustainable Rhythm for Life Management

Leo discusses the importance of finding a sustainable rhythm for managing tasks and life responsibilities. He advises identifying how often tasks need to be done and creating spaces for them within the daily routine. The paragraph emphasizes the need to adjust the rhythm as life changes and to ensure that all aspects of life are cared for without becoming overwhelmed. Leo encourages finding time for self-care activities like exercise and meal preparation and suggests that as long as there is a rhythm in place, it's acceptable if not everything is completed in a day. The paragraph ends with an invitation for viewers to share their struggles with distractions so that Leo can create a follow-up video addressing those issues.

Keywords

💡Focus

Focus refers to the act of concentrating one's attention on a particular object or task. In the context of the video, focus is emphasized as a key to productivity, especially on high-impact tasks. The script mentions that while being happy and having good connections are important, being focused and productive can empower the work we do and help us feel more in control. An example from the script is the recommendation to avoid being distracted by small tasks and instead concentrate on the most important tasks (MITS).

💡Productivity

Productivity is the efficiency of an individual or system in producing desired outcomes. The video discusses the importance of staying productive amidst chaos and distractions. It suggests that setting clear goals and concentrating on the most impactful tasks can lead to a more productive day. The script uses the term in the context of creating value and making an impact in one's work and life.

💡Chaos

Chaos, in this video, represents the state of disorder and confusion that can distract from accomplishing tasks. The script acknowledges that despite the presence of chaos, it's crucial to maintain focus and productivity. An example is the statement about staying focused and productive 'even though there's a lot going on, a lot of chaos.'

💡Most Important Tasks (MITS)

MITS is a term coined in the video to refer to the critical tasks that should be prioritized each day. The concept is central to the video's message about effective time management and prioritization. The script suggests setting MITS every morning and emphasizes the importance of concentrating on these tasks to drive meaningful progress and avoid getting caught up in less impactful activities.

💡Habit

A habit is a routine behavior that is regularly followed until it becomes almost automatic. In the video, the habit of setting MITS every morning is presented as a beneficial practice for enhancing focus and productivity. The script encourages viewers to create this habit to start their day with clear intentions and priorities.

💡Prioritization

Prioritization is the process of deciding the order or priority of tasks or actions. The video stresses the importance of prioritizing MITS to ensure that the most significant and impactful tasks are completed first. The script provides strategies for identifying and排序 these tasks to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

💡Overwhelm

Overwhelm is a state of being overwhelmed by a large number of tasks or responsibilities. The video addresses the issue of feeling overwhelmed and provides strategies to manage it, such as creating spaces for tasks and maintaining a master list. The script mentions that even with a lot of tasks, it's essential to find a rhythm and not let the master list become a source of stress.

💡Master List

The master list is a comprehensive collection of all tasks or responsibilities one has. In the video, it's suggested as a tool to keep track of everything that needs to be done. The script explains how to maintain and utilize the master list to draw up daily task lists and ensure that no task is forgotten.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm, in the context of the video, refers to the regular pattern or routine one establishes for handling tasks and responsibilities. The script discusses finding a rhythm for checking emails, doing finances, and other routine tasks to ensure they are managed consistently without becoming overwhelming.

💡Admin Tasks

Admin tasks are administrative duties such as managing emails, finances, and other organizational responsibilities. The video script mentions creating specific times or spaces in one's day to handle these tasks so they don't interfere with focusing on the most important tasks but are still attended to regularly.

💡Distraction

Distraction refers to something that diverts one's attention from the current task or goal. The video discusses the challenge of distractions, such as social media, and suggests strategies for maintaining focus, like setting a timer and creating a dedicated workspace. The script warns against the pitfalls of getting caught up in less important tasks that can lead to distractions from the MITS.

Highlights

The importance of focusing on high-impact tasks to drive meaningful progress and create an impact in the world.

The concept of 'MITS' (Most Important Tasks) to prioritize tasks that have the greatest impact on personal and professional goals.

Setting daily MITS in the morning as a habit to enhance focus and productivity throughout the day.

The recommendation to focus on 3 to 5 MITS per day to maintain a balance between productivity and feasibility.

The strategy of singularizing tasks to concentrate on the most critical aspect of a project or task.

Creating a master list of all tasks to have a comprehensive overview and avoid overlooking important tasks.

Using a task manager app to organize and tag tasks for better management and prioritization.

The practice of transferring tasks from the master list to a daily list to focus on the most pressing tasks each day.

Dealing with the feeling of overwhelm by focusing on the most important tasks and not aiming to complete everything on the master list.

The approach of creating a 'Today' list and a 'Done' section to track daily accomplishments and maintain momentum.

Using a full-screen mode or 'monk mode' to minimize distractions and focus solely on the task at hand.

The idea of scheduling specific times for routine tasks like emails and admin work to prevent them from consuming the entire day.

Finding a rhythm for daily and weekly tasks to ensure they are consistently addressed without disrupting focus on MITS.

The suggestion to block off time for larger tasks or projects to ensure dedicated focus and progress.

Creating spaces for smaller tasks without letting them take priority over the most important tasks of the day.

The emphasis on self-care and taking breaks to maintain productivity and prevent burnout.

Strategies for dealing with distractions, such as social media, to maintain focus on the most important tasks.

Encouraging viewers to share their struggles with distractions for potential follow-up content addressing these issues.

Transcripts

hello everybody Leo babout here and in

this video I'm going to talk about how

to stay focused and productive during

your day even though there's a lot going

on a lot of chaos a million things

calling for your attention how do we

actually stay focused and productive now

those are not the most important things

in life uh you know being happy and

content having good

connections with um meaningful people

having meaning in life

Transcendence there's just so much more

than productive and focused but but that

said a lot of times we want to be

focused and productive they can actually

empower the work that we're doing create

what we want to create in the world and

have us feel more on top of things so so

let's talk about that focused on the

most important tasks is really the the

thing that I would like to focus on for

this video um because we can be focused

but on like small things right um so for

example like I'm answering you know

every single message that's coming my

way I'm really focused on that but the

big thing that's actually going to move

my big project forward move something

meaningful forward in my life create an

impact in the world is not you know I'm

avoiding that so I'm really Focus but on

small things that's not going to move

anything right I can churn out a million

tasks and not actually get anything

meaningful done so what we really want

to be doing is focus on the high impact

tasks um there is a term that I like um

I didn't invent it but it's called mits

most important tasks and so every day

what you can do is get clear on what are

your most important tasks for to today

in fact the most important thing you can

do is to set your mits every single

morning so if you want to create a habit

that's going to help have you be more

focused and productive focused on the

important things the one habit that you

can do is set a reminder first thing in

the morning sit down with a pen and

paper or a blank you know document and

just write down your most important

tasks I'm going to talk about about how

to do that but if you do that you're

going to already be winning the day in a

big way so

um so how many most important let's talk

about how to actually create the most

important task then how to actually get

focused on them and then what do we do

about all the other stuff that's coming

our way so we're going to get to that

don't worry because I I imagine that you

have a lot more than just a few tasks to

do each day uh a lot of things calling

for your attention bunch of things on

your plate and so um we're going to go

over that so um how do we how many tasks

do we focus on I like to shoot for three

to five now if the things that you're

focusing on are bigger things then you

don't have to do even three you could do

one or two things so for example I am

going to like plow through my taxes all

day long or I'm going to only work on my

book or coding my my app or um only art

today and so if that's the one thing

that you want to do

great you uh for your most important

things singularize it so just most

important thing now if you want to do

two things today one in the morning one

in the afternoon great but in general

for my life and I found that this is

true for a lot of people three to five

things is the most important things now

are those the only things you can do

that day no um but they're the ones

you're going to try and focus on the

most now you might have other things

like maybe you need to do 10 things

today and there's it's just like

non-negotiable those things need to get

done great for that day you can say I

want to do all 10 but what if you got

cut short and you could only do five of

them could you choose five of those 10

things to do and then focus on those

first and then do the next five that you

have to do so it isn't that you can only

do those five it's that we're going to

put those first just in case you can't

do all 10 even if you really think I

need to do all 10 today or else what if

you can't would you have done it in that

order maybe you do like the 10th most

important thing first and then the ninth

and then the eighth and you get to

number six and you finish that and then

you're like crap I'm out of time or

there's an emergency calling me away

from work and I didn't do the first five

things on my list and so if you didn't

prioritize them and you said I'm was

going to do all 10 today and you didn't

prioritize them then you might actually

go in the wrong order the reverse order

and then get cut short for some reason

so I highly recommend that you pick the

three to five things that are most

important if you did those three let's

say it's three if I do just those three

things today I would consider this a big

victory now would I like to do more of

course so I'm going to try and do more

than three things but if you could only

do three things today and consider it a

huge Victory what would they

be now maybe three is too little and

you're like I really really would call

this a victory if I get these five done

great so we you know I'm not going to

try and tell you you can only choose

three that can be too limiting but

choose between three and five

and we want these to be high impact

tasks they're going to move something

meaningful forward in your life maybe

it's a really important client and you

need to get that thing done for that

client well great it's going to move

that client forward which is moving your

work forward maybe it's something that

your team needs to have done today

otherwise the whole team gets fired okay

great that's a really important thing

it's going to move something forward um

and is going to prevent a dis

okay great maybe it's a project that's

longer term but if you always put that

project off this really meaningful

impactful thing is not going to happen

so pick something from that project even

if it's 10 or 20 minutes of that project

and put it on the list so that you can

be moving that project forward most days

so what we want is something that's not

just urgent where you might get fired or

like really upset people but that's

actually going to make an impact

longterm like if you focus on this kind

of task over the next few months or a

year it's going to make something

meaningful happen an impact that you

really care about not just keep your

head above water so that's the kind of

thing that we're looking for now not

everything on that list needs to be that

kind of thing maybe it's just like I

just you know I just want to have this

thing I want to do my art today great

put that on the list if you consider

that a big victory great if you're

really happy with doing your art over

the long run then great put this on your

your list for today you don't have to

put it on every single day but for today

you would really like to have that on

that list great okay so three to five

most important tasks we want to create a

list you can start with a blank page on

your notebook if you have a um a Notes

app and you just make a a a new note

called today or put today's date you

know today is

you know August 5th

2024 I'm dating this video now but

that's actually the day that I'm

creating this video um so put the

today's date on there or just put today

at the top and then write down your list

three to five things now there's a

caveat which is you need to have some

kind

of list to draw that list

from so I highly recommend having a

master list if you use a to a task

manager program let's say uh todoist or

you know I don't know whatever thing

other things they have these days things

things three or um what else do they

have tick uh tick tick tick tick is

another one I'm trying to think of the

most famous ones um that Microsoft and

Google both have one uh so basically a

task manager app and great make a a list

called today and in fact things three

has it and a lot of these do so have

things that are tagged today and that's

your list of most important things but

you might have other things on today's

list and so you might have a little

symbol like a star or an asterisk or a

what do you call those things

exclamation point something that marks

it as one of your three most important

things and if you can reorder them put

at the top of the list so you know the

three to five things put the star or the

exclamation mark and then drag them to

the top and then you might have some

other things on your today list that are

not most important things but they need

to be below the most important

things but let's go back to the master

list I highly recommend if you use a

notebook system if you use a notes

system if you use a a task management

system um have a one list of all of your

tasks now you can separate them by

project if you like or area like

personal and fitness and relationships

and you know work or pro project for

work however you want to separate the

master list is fine but have them all on

the same

page um you know if you're using a

bullet Journal type thing have a master

list of all of your

tasks um notebook if you have a notebook

one or or two or three pages with all of

your tasks written down if you don't

have this already great start a blank

page and just start making

it now that might take a lot of time and

so you don't need to do that today today

and your first day you might just think

what are the things three to five things

that I need to get done today and just

use your brain to like remember what

they are but slowly I would highly

recommend having a master list start

compiling it today and tomorrow and the

next day and just take 10 to 20 minutes

each day to start compiling that Master

list I actually think for most people

you can get it done in about 20 minutes

have a pretty good basic list done in

about 20

minutes add to the master list as you

think of more things like I I made a

master list recently from scratch but

I'm like oh there is a note over here

that had some tasks I'm gonna put it in

there oh a message from one of my team

members

they gave me three things here I'm going

to take those and put them on there so

I'm finding them in little pockets all

over the place and putting it in one big

place another big place bumped into the

mic another big place that this happens

is um in the in your email inbox or your

messages uh so if you have a messenger

or or you know uh some kind of instant

messaging app that you use let's say

it's WhatsApp or you know Apple messages

or whatever Google messages

you might be messaging people there and

in those

inboxes you're going to have a bunch of

tasks that you've forgotten about and

they're they're they're in there and

you're like oh yeah that message from so

and so I need to take that and put it on

my master list an email inbox is

actually full of tasks and so what I

like to do when my inbox gets pretty

full is I go in and I take out the tasks

and I'm like oh for this one I need to

do this and this for this one it's this

and for this one it's this and I put

them on my master list and then I star

all of the ones with tasks and I in

Gmail you would star it and then I U

archive them out of the Inbox and that

clears out my inbox of all my tasks I

put them on the master list star them so

I can always go back and find the email

when I need to reply let's say I do the

task and I need to go and reply to it

and let them know I've done it I

will um I will go back to the starred

folder reply to them and unstar that and

so that way I have a starred folder with

all of my tasks emails but my inbox

doesn't have any task emails unless I've

I haven't processed through it now the

inbox might actually start to get full

again and every few days I'll go through

and just clear it out and pull all the

tasks and put them on my master list so

now you've got this crazy Master list

that is like ridiculously long okay fine

it's

overwhelming we don't need to look at

that Master list except once a day once

a day what we're going to do is go

through that Master list and pull out

everything and put it on our today list

so again if you use a Notes app right

now I'm using

obsidian you don't have to use obsidian

there's a little bit of a learning curve

with obsidian and if you get into

obsidian I'll do another video on

obsidian but if you get into obsidian

don't get obsessed with all the plugins

and themes and crap uh you know do the

minimal amount possible but whatever you

use Rome research Apple notes Google

keep um you know there's there's a

million note apps Evernote you know

upnote there's a bunch Tana so you can

use any app uh you want for notes but

what I like to do is take for for some

of those they have daily notes so

today's daily note I'll just put my

today list on

there and um pull it from the master

list I have a a a note that all my

master list all my tasks and I look at

that and I'm like oh let me copy and

paste it over to my today list and I'll

put the ones that are the most important

at the top and then I'll separate it by

a couple of spaces and put the next rest

of my list on there for today now I know

I might not finish that entire list for

today but this is a much smaller list

much more manageable than my master list

my master list is overwhelming but I'm

just going to look at that in the

morning and hole from that and put it

over here and once a week I might go

through the master list and check things

off or delete them put new things on for

my inbox or other places and I kind of

like clean it up once a week but then I

just don't really look at that most of

the time once a day I will look at it to

to make my today list and then I close

it and I don't look at it because it's

overwhelming and we're like ah I need to

finish the freaking Master list no the

purpose of the master Master list is not

ever to get to done in fact if you ever

get to done on your master list you're

done with life you might just you know

get into your coffin and like get a good

book because you're you're done in fact

I would my aim is to go into my coffin

the end of my life with a lot of stuff

on my master list still to be done

that'll be an amazing way to finish my

life so uh don't think of the master

list as something that needs to be

finished ever if what it is is a place

to just keep everything in one place so

that when you need to make your today

list you've got a handy place to go look

like oh yeah let me look through

everything yep yep yep and sometimes

what I'll do if I feel really energetic

in the morning is I'll go through and

put I'll take things from the master

list and put them on my today list and

then I'll go and put like next and then

you know soon and so basically what I'm

doing is queuing up things for tomorrow

and the next day next might be stuff

that I'm If Today Was let's say Monday

next would be stuff I'm gonna put for

Tuesday and then soon would be things

I'm gonna put for Wednesday and then NE

you know soonish would be like for

Thursday so I'm queuing It Up by saying

like oh these are things that I I want

to make sure I get done this week but

they're not for today so I'm going to

just move them up into the queue now you

don't have to do that that's just

something that I do when I'm like yeah

let me get a little bit organized for

this week and like here are the things

that I want to get done this week but

I'm not going to do them today I'm not

GNA worry about them today but I like to

just kind of cue them up put them there

I might even put the days on there but

those are kind of loose if I say Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday Friday great I'm just

plopping things in there but I might not

finish Mondays so at the end of Monday

what I'm going to do is going to take

them and I'm going to put them in

tomorrow's list so actually at the end

of each day I work through my task list

and I'll look at the things that are not

done and I'll take them and I'll put

them in tomorrow's today list so I'll

have like a Tuesday list I'm like okay

here are the things that I didn't get

done on Monday and here are the other

things that I wanted to do on Tuesday

yeah how does that fit in how do I want

to organize them what are the top most

important things so I'll actually at the

end of Monday do Tuesday's list when I

wake up on Tuesday ah this list looks

great is there anything that's missing

no I'm ready to go do I want to look at

my master list and organize that for a

few minutes sure let me queue up things

for tomorrow and and Thursday and so

forth okay

great but now I just focus on today's

list so that's those are the lists now

how do we actually stay focused

throughout the day the thing that I want

to

encourage is that you look at your today

List look at the top most important

thing

and you take that and you make a new

document if if you need to write or you

know typ type a bunch of notes you make

a new document with just that and you

don't look at the rest of your today

list you don't look at your master list

you don't look at your email inbox or

anything else all you're doing is that

one task if it was a writing task you

know I need to compose an email or you

know draft up a you know report I'm

going to write um and I might put the

topic at the top of my new blank fresh

document and I make that full screen and

I don't look at anything else I'm not

thinking about what's what else is in my

today list I'm not thinking about

replying to Bob or Mary or you know

whoever I all I'm worried about is this

one task I might set a timer I might

play some music I might light a candle I

might get on a focus session with other

people but all I'm going to be doing is

that one task if I start getting

distracted distracted I need to to pause

get up stretch get a glass of water and

then refocus myself on this one task

clear everything else out Go full screen

mode go monk mode and I'm just here with

this one task and it becomes my world it

becomes an act of devotion becomes a way

to express myself in this moment with

something that I chose in the morning

and something that's really important

and so I trust that version of myself

that shows it in the morning I just

trust and I say this is the next thing

on my list and I'm just going to pour

myself into it when I'm done with it I

go back to my today

list I move that item from the

mit's section of my today list down into

a done section of my today list which is

like a log what did I do today in fact

if I if it wasn't on my list but I still

did it I still put it into the log but I

also move things from the top of the

list down into the

log um and then I look at the next thing

maybe I need to take a break so often I

will take a break to eat to take care of

myself to stretch to like check in with

my emails or my family um to move around

move my

body but then when I'm ready to work

what I do is I go back to my today list

go to the top most important important

thing and then I close the today list

and I focus only on that thing and then

repeat if I finish my mits my most

important things I'll go to the rest of

the today list and start working through

those so that's how I stay focused and

that's how you can actually work with

your today list now finally I'm going to

talk about all the other things that

need to be done other than your mits

your most important things all the other

things are the smaller things so they're

medium and smaller things um emails

answering emails um Financial tasks

admin tests chores and

errands um you know responding in your

work messaging app that kind of thing so

those need to be done but they're not

your mits but if we only did the mits

all of that other stuff is going to get

ignored and it'll pile up and things are

going to get bad so we need to be doing

those regular routine admin type things

the smaller tasks the messages and

emails but we don't want that to take

the priority because what some people do

is they go all that's their whole day is

doing those smaller admin tasks and

emails and messages we don't want that

but we don't want to ignore them

completely so how do we actually make

room for them so what we want to do is

create some structure or some space for

them so for example if I need to be

checking my email I might think how

often do I want to do that

well I don't want to be living in my

email inbox for me personally so I'm I'm

like three times a day is good okay

great I'm going to create little spaces

three times a day during my day where I

can actually go process my inbox pull

things out of the um you know tasks out

of the emails and put them either on my

today list or my master list star it

archive it reply really quickly or I

just archive or trash things that I I

don't need to reply to and I've now

cleared out my inbox now maybe I don't

clear out the whole inbox but if I'm

like you know what I'm gonna do 10

minutes of this and I do 10 minutes it's

not done I'll get back to it later

because I have three times today of 10

to 15 minutes so I next time I do more

next time I do more did I finish my

inbox no fine I devoted the amount of

time that I wanted

to and I'll get to the rest

tomorrow and so that's how I do it you

know same thing with work messages I'll

have some checkpoints during the day and

I'm like I'd like to do work messages

twice a day so twice a day I will I will

take a break from my mits and I'll go in

and check work messages and reply and

and so forth

now there's other things finances I like

to block finances off once or twice a

week so let's say Fridays half a day is

just like finances and admin I just go

through and do finances and admin now I

I there's other things I like to do in

finances that are daily so I like to go

in and check my accounts and categorize

things every day and that takes five

minutes I'll just go in in the morning

uh I do my email I do my finance

Financial like tagging and filing kind

of stuff and it's not the bigger

Financial stuff it's a five minute task

and I do that in the

morning um what else uh if you have

errands to do make a list of ER on your

master list and then block off a time to

go do it let's say it's Tuesday at 300

p.m. I'm going to go and do all my

errands it doesn't matter but just put

it on your calendar and when it's time

to go do it look at your errands list

before you go and do it look at like

plan out your errands list and then go

and do it um you know chores around the

house maybe you have something you do

every day you know I do a few things

every day maybe you have things you do

once a week let's say clean on Saturdays

so it's it's finding the spots for them

now you don't have to have the perfect

spots right now but eventually what you

want to do is find the Rhythm how often

do I need to check email and work

messages how often do I need to check my

finances and clean my house and You'

find a rhythm and then you start to

create spaces for them and you can

adjust those you know as needed but

eventually you just kind of find places

for those to be taken care of so that

your life is being taken care of but

that isn't your main focus each day so

that's what I would say now there's

going to be always be more things to do

than you can do today but we want to let

go of that it's like the idea of a

masterless ever needing to get done

no you're going to have too many things

to do than that you can than you can do

today or even this week if you had a

clearer week you still couldn't clear

out everything that's okay as long as

you are creating the spaces for the

things that matter if you need a space

to take care of let's say you know

cleaning your dishes when will you do

that maybe it's right after you eat

maybe it's once a day um in the evening

but if th if you don't create the space

and those don't get done things get bad

right it's the same thing when are you

going to exercise you need to take care

of your body um when are you going to

prepare your food so you do need to find

the time for those but if you start to

find a time and a regular rhythm make

the spaces for them your life gets taken

care of and then what you really want to

do is take the majority of your time and

block it off for your

mits that's what I would say in terms of

dealing with overwhelm and taking care

of everything that needs to get taken

care of and then creating Focus for your

life if you're having trouble with

distractions or social media or any

other things comment below and I can

make a follow-up video talking more

about how to actually stop yourself from

being distracted but um I'd love to hear

from you what your problem are thank you

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