to the person with Multiple Passions and a loooooong To-Do List (how to get things done)

Summary

In this insightful video, Eva shares her personal journey and strategies for overcoming the challenges of having multiple interests and the struggle to focus. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing that one cannot focus on more than one thing at a time and suggests starting the day with the most important task. Eva introduces the concept of time blocking and the practice of batching similar tasks on specific days to enhance productivity. She also highlights the negative impact of context switching and the benefits of maintaining a disciplined routine that includes journaling and reading to clear the mind before diving into work. Her approach to managing distractions and fostering a focused work environment can help viewers streamline their efforts and achieve better results.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♀️ The speaker has struggled with the ability to do many things well and the desire to do all those things at once, leading to a feeling of being both cursed and blessed by their knowledge.
• 🎯 In a previous video, the speaker shared a plan to help narrow multiple interests to a single focus, which is essential for maintaining focus and productivity.
• 🚫 The speaker emphasizes that it's impossible to focus on more than one thing at a time and suggests that people often underestimate the effort required to do one thing well.
• 📝 The speaker used to create long to-do lists that were overwhelming and unattainable, leading to a realization that they were overestimating what could be accomplished in a day.
• 🌅 Starting the day with the most important task and dedicating the first hours of the morning to it can help prevent context switching and ensure that the most critical work is completed.
• 🕒 The speaker suggests using time blocking to manage focus, where a specific amount of time is dedicated to a single task without distractions.
• 📵 During breaks within time blocks, it's crucial not to check phones or engage in activities that can lead to losing focus and making it difficult to return to the task.
• 🔁 Batching similar tasks together on specific days, such as a 'writing day' or a 'content scheduling day,' can help maintain focus and streamline work processes.
• 📚 The speaker recommends outlining all the tasks one does and identifying which tasks require significant time investment, then scheduling them in dedicated time blocks.
• 📈 Batching days for similar tasks allows the brain to perform a series of similar processes, which can increase efficiency and the quality of work.
• ✍️ The speaker practices journaling in the morning to clear their mind before starting work, which is a technique from 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron to help artists empty their thoughts onto paper.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker has faced in their life?

The main challenge the speaker has faced is the struggle with the burden of knowledge and the desire to do many things at once, which led to a lack of focus and feeling overwhelmed.

What is the speaker's advice for narrowing down multiple interests?

The speaker suggests watching their video on how to focus when you have multiple interests, which provides a simple plan to help narrow interests and pick a particular interest to focus on.

Why is context switching considered harmful to productivity?

Context switching is harmful because it involves going from one specific task to a completely different one, which stresses the brain and reduces the ability to focus effectively on any single task.

What is the speaker's approach to dealing with distractions like a phone?

The speaker deals with distractions by dedicating specific time blocks for focused work without checking the phone, and ensuring that during breaks, they engage in activities that do not involve the phone.

How does the speaker suggest starting the day to improve focus?

The speaker suggests starting the day with the most important task first, during the most productive hours of the morning, to set the tone for the day and avoid getting lost in context switching.

What is the concept of 'time blocking' and how does it help with focus?

Time blocking is the practice of dedicating specific time slots for different tasks without interruption. It helps with focus by training the brain to concentrate on one task for a set period, improving productivity and reducing the urge to switch contexts.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of batching similar tasks together?

Batching similar tasks together allows the brain to engage in a series of related processes, which improves efficiency and focus. It prevents the brain from getting overwhelmed by constantly switching between unrelated tasks.

What is the speaker's personal routine to prepare for a focused workday?

The speaker's routine involves waking up, reading, journaling to clear their mind, and then focusing on the day's work without engaging in other activities until the work is done.

How does the speaker feel about multitasking and its impact on the brain?

The speaker feels that multitasking is not as effective as focusing on one task at a time. They believe that the brain gets tired from trying to focus on multiple tasks and that it's more productive to focus on one thing for a longer period.

What is the 'Artist's Way' journaling practice mentioned by the speaker?

The 'Artist's Way' journaling practice, as mentioned by the speaker, is a technique where one practices writing every morning to 'dump' thoughts out of their head. It's a method to empty the mind and clear it for focused work.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to maintain focus during work sessions?

The speaker suggests maintaining focus by avoiding phone use during work sessions and time blocks. They also recommend taking breaks that do not involve screens, such as reading or taking a short walk.

How does the speaker define 'focus' in the context of personal productivity?

In the context of personal productivity, the speaker defines 'focus' as a practice that needs to be trained and repeated. It involves concentrating on one task at a time and resisting the urge to switch to other tasks or distractions.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Struggling with Multitasking and Finding Focus

The speaker discusses their lifelong challenge with focusing on one task due to having multiple interests and skills. They share their past struggle with the 'burden of knowledge' and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the desire to do everything at once. The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on one thing at a time and mentions a previous video that offers a plan for narrowing interests. They introduce a strategy for daily, weekly, and monthly focus, highlighting the problem of context switching and its impact on the brain. The speaker also talks about their journey to find focus amidst distractions like the phone and shares a realization about the limited capacity of human attention, suggesting starting the day with the most important task.

05:01

🕒 Time Management and the Power of Focused Work Sessions

The speaker explains the concept of time blocking and its significance in improving focus and productivity. They discuss the common mistake of using break times to check phones, which can derail focus. Instead, they recommend activities like reading or walking during breaks to maintain concentration. The speaker also talks about batching similar tasks together on specific days to enhance productivity. They share personal practices, such as having designated 'filming days' or 'music studio days,' and the importance of grouping related tasks on the same day. The speaker advises against mixing different types of work on the same day and encourages viewers to outline their tasks and batch them effectively to focus attention and脑力 (brain power).

10:01

📚 Establishing a Morning Routine to Enhance Focus

The speaker shares personal practices that have helped them improve focus, including starting the day with reading and journaling to clear the mind before work. They reference 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron, advocating for morning journaling to 'dump thoughts' onto paper. The speaker stresses the importance of training the brain to focus and the negative impact of phone distractions on the mind. They encourage viewers to implement a morning routine that includes reading and journaling, followed by focused work, to enhance productivity and maintain a clear mind throughout the day.

Keywords

💡Focus

Focus refers to the ability to concentrate one's attention on a single task or activity. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on one thing at a time to achieve better results and avoid the stress of context switching. The speaker shares personal experiences and strategies for improving focus, such as starting the day with the most important task and using time blocking techniques.

💡Multiple Interests

Multiple interests describe a situation where an individual has a wide range of passions or areas of expertise. The video discusses the challenge of managing multiple interests and how it can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed. The speaker provides advice on narrowing down interests to select a particular focus, which aligns with the theme of concentrating efforts for better productivity.

💡Burden of Knowledge

The burden of knowledge is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount of information or skills one possesses. The speaker mentions struggling with this concept, expressing a sense of being both cursed and blessed by knowing how to do many things well. This keyword is central to the video's narrative as it sets the stage for the discussion on finding focus amidst vast knowledge and varied interests.

💡Context Switching

Context switching is the process of shifting one's attention from one task or thought to another. The video highlights the negative impact of context switching on the brain, causing stress and reducing productivity. The speaker suggests minimizing context switching by focusing on one task at a time and batching similar tasks together.

💡Time Blocking

Time blocking is a time management technique where an individual allocates specific time slots for different activities during the day. In the video, the speaker recommends time blocking to improve focus and productivity. It is presented as a method to train the brain to concentrate for extended periods and to respect the allocated time for each task.

💡Batching

Batching involves grouping similar tasks together and completing them in dedicated time periods. The video discusses batching as a strategy to streamline work and improve efficiency. The speaker uses batching to separate different roles and tasks, such as content creation and music production, allowing for deeper focus on one type of work at a time.

💡Productivity

Productivity is the efficiency of an individual's work or the rate at which tasks are completed. The video's main theme revolves around enhancing productivity by focusing on one task at a time and managing distractions. The speaker shares personal strategies that have helped increase productivity by reducing the overwhelm of a long to-do list and focusing on the most important tasks first.

💡Distraction

Distraction refers to anything that diverts one's attention away from the task at hand. In the context of the video, distractions such as the speaker's phone are highlighted as barriers to maintaining focus. The speaker discusses techniques for minimizing distractions, like setting specific times for checking the phone and focusing on work during dedicated periods.

💡Task Overload

Task overload is a state where an individual has more tasks to complete than they can reasonably manage in a given time. The video addresses the issue of task overload by suggesting that the speaker used to create long to-do lists that led to feelings of being overwhelmed. To combat this, the speaker advises focusing on one task at a time and being realistic about what can be accomplished within a day.

💡Journaling

Journaling is the act of regularly recording thoughts, feelings, and experiences in writing. The video mentions journaling as a practice for emptying the mind and organizing thoughts, which helps the speaker to start the day focused and clear-headed. It is part of the speaker's morning routine and is linked to the broader theme of establishing rituals to improve focus and productivity.

💡Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. The video briefly mentions the technique as a way to segment work and focus periods. It is used as an example of how to structure worktime to maintain concentration and prevent mental fatigue.

Highlights

The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on one thing at a time and shares their struggle with the burden of knowledge and varied interests.

A simple plan is introduced to help narrow down multiple interests and focus on a particular interest at a time.

The concept of context-switching and its negative impact on productivity and mental well-being is discussed.

The speaker shares their personal journey of learning to focus and the realization that one cannot focus on more than one thing at a time.

The underestimated amount of work required to do one thing well is highlighted.

The speaker admits to overestimating their daily productivity and the resulting overwhelm.

The importance of starting the day with the most important task to avoid context switching is emphasized.

A strategy for managing focus and attention by using time blocks is introduced.

The pitfalls of using break time to check phones and the impact on re-focusing are discussed.

The speaker suggests using breaks for activities like reading or walking to maintain focus.

Batching days for similar tasks is recommended to improve focus and productivity.

The practice of time blocking is explained as a method to teach the brain to focus.

The negative effects of phone distractions on the ability to focus are highlighted.

The speaker shares their morning routine of reading, journaling, and then focusing on work.

Focus is described as a practice that requires consistent training of the brain.

The speaker offers resources such as ebooks and guides for further assistance.

Transcripts

I feel like my entire life has been a

long game of just learning how to focus

on one thing I am someone who knows how

to do a lot of things really well and I

struggled with the burden of knowledge

for a very long time in my life I really

felt cursed and blessed at the same time

it was like why do I know how to do all

these things and why do I want to do all

these things all at once to the point

where I don't even know what I'm doing

anymore with my life you know and if you

haven't watched my video on how to focus

when you have multiple interests you

need to go check that out because in

that video I share a very simple plan to

help you narrow all your interest so

that you can pick a particular interest

however in this video I'm going to be

breaking down a very simple plan like I

always do a very simple plan or strategy

to help you focus on one thing at a time

this is dayto day week to week month to

month okay for me I struggled a lot with

just wanting to do everything and doing

everything and because I had varied

interest I was always doing this thing

that was completely different and then

transitioning my attention to this other

thing that was completely different and

so Not only was I stressing my brain out

with doing too many things I was also

stressing my brain out with context

switching which is going from one

specific thing to a different thing that

is completely different from what it is

that you started with

and so for me personally I've gone

through this entire process of trying to

figure out how to focus on one thing at

a time especially with um the

distraction of my phone or the

distraction of whatever else is going on

and it's probably the same thing that's

going on with you I want you to know

that this can be solved and I want you

to relax through this process just grab

a drink of water while we have this

conversation okay because it's going to

be really good now here's something that

I've learned in my life and I've become

very humble to accept this

truth you cannot

focus on more than one thing at a time

you have to direct your your mind your

brain to finish and complete a specific

task one task at a time even better if

you can focus on one thing for a long

long time I feel like we underestimate

how much work is required to do one

thing well I used to be the sort of

person who would write to-do list like

my to-do list were long for no reason at

all and at the end of the day I'll be

overwhelmed because I hadn't gotten

through the list and when I started to

pay attention to my patterns and what it

was that I was doing I began to realize

that I really was overestimating how

much I could do in a day and so I would

have a list of all this many things but

they were really things that honestly I

could have done through the week little

by little but it just felt like that

time in my life every single day I

always was very motivated in the

beginning of the day and I wanted to go

through a lot of things and I I instead

of going through the list and doing the

things I needed to do I was going

through the overwhelm of knowing that I

had all these many things to do and so

of course that did not work out really

well but when I began to pay attention

to my journals and I began to look at

the list I began to realize that I was

trying to do things that will take 3

hours plus things that would take 5

minutes plus things that would take one

hour and they were all different things

and I was packing them up in the same

day of course it's difficult to achieve

anything so a quick example of that is I

want to design content on canva and I

also want to write two articles for my

blog on this same day honey or I want to

edit a YouTube video and at the same

time I want to batch 30 pieces of

content for Instagram can you see how

very annoying and impossible this plan

is it's just like what are you doing

with your life and so I began to really

pay attention to how time worked and how

our attention actually

works as someone who wants to get things

done what I have begun to do in my life

is I start the day with the most

important task first and I Ure that I

spend the very first good beautiful

hours of the morning doing the thing

that I I need to sit through uh the day

for like the most important thing

because if you start your day any other

way you're going to get lost in all the

context switching that is happening in

your brain If it helps if you have

focused work done and dusted and you can

look at yourself and you can say wow I

got that thing done I got that done

because the truth is we cannot focus a

long enough time as we actually think

that we can usually we're able to focus

for 4 hours at a time before our brain

begins to get tired sometimes we can go

for 6 hours but even when you break that

time in batches you can focus for 1 hour

at a time and then maybe you can have

like a Pomodoro Timer and you can go

like 1 Hour 1 Hour 1 hour and then you

have a 3H hour of focus work but the

whole idea is in this time that you are

focused on work you are not allowed to

go and start doing things like picking

up your phone so for me I have dedicated

time in the mornings and in the

afternoons where there is no phone

contact I can't check my phone I can't

look at it I'm focused on work for that

time a very very great thing that you

can also do for yourself is to ensure

that when you are doing your work you

are doing your work you're doing your

work you're not doing your work and then

checking this or doing your work and

checking that if you lock yourself in a

Time block all right time blocking is

going to really change your life if you

lock yourself in a Time block and you

honor the time block you respect

yourself enough to honor the time block

if it's 45 minutes stay through for the

45 minutes because what you're doing in

that time block is you're teaching your

brain how to focus now this is where it

gets tricky when we do a Time block like

that we say we're working for 30 minutes

we're taking a break for 10 minutes the

mistake that you will make is to use

your break time to check your phone and

you say to yourself oh I'm just on a

break and I'm picking up my phone you

are creating a disaster for yourself the

outcome is not going to be pretty

because your break could be 5 minutes

break 10 minutes break and then you pick

up your phone for those 10 minutes and

10 minutes become 20 they become 30

and before you know what's going on it

becomes difficult for you to get back

into your time block on what it was you

were focused on so for me when I take a

break from my time block I take a break

to read or I take a break to take a

quick short walk and do some thinking

and then get back into the Zone this is

very important in that time where I'm

focused on work I'm focused on work that

is related to each other I'm not

grouping different things together for

example I'm not having like a uh writing

day at the same time as editing music

videos or editing YouTube videos on the

same day you see because those are two

different things but I can have a

writing day as well as a maybe a Content

scheduling day on the same day and I can

have a filming day and so this is where

batching your days come in and this is a

practice that I have implemented in my

life in different phases of my life and

every time I feel overwhelmed with my

life or I feel overwhelmed with work I

always come back to batching my days I'm

the sort of person who does different

things right like my work is so diverse

sometimes that it feels like I am a

different person when I step into that

role so for example right now I am in my

teacher role I am in my content creator

role doing this work right now I am not

in my music element right now this is my

teacher element right and so I have days

where I'm just filming all the videos

that I need to film for YouTube or

filming all the content for my social

media and then I have days where it's

probably my music studio days right so

think about your life you may want to go

outline all the things that you do right

now and say to yourself okay what are

the things that I could do that that

require me to spend a lot of time doing

it for example batching your content for

social media that is a full day's work

and if you do it in a full day you don't

have to think about it for the rest of

the week this is a great way for you to

focus your attention your time and your

brain power to do one specific thing

over a period of time it's going to

really help you because you're allowing

your brain to create or to do a series

of processes that are similar right so

for example when you're creating content

on canva or when you're designing or

something like that that is something

that you can batch up in a group and you

say okay I'm going to do this for this

amount of hours on Tuesdays and I'm

going to do all of my writing for this

amount of hours on Wednesdays and by

doing that you'll be able to focus on

that one thing and nail it for that time

instead of trying to do all those

different things all at once in the same

day I hope that this helps you this is

like a couple of practices that are

helping me right now and every time that

I follow through with these routines of

waking up and going straight to the

first thing for the day and focusing on

work because when you start your day

like that you allow your brain to

actually practice what it's like to

focus I have come to understand now in

my life that focus is in fact a practice

focus is a practice it's something that

you have to train your brain to do again

and again and again and on the days when

I stubbornly pick up my phone for

whatever reason before I have gotten to

work for the day I have found that I

just get lost okay I just get lost in

the scroll I get lost in the feedback

all the things that are coming at my

brain and by the time I sit down to work

my brain is foggy it's not nice it's not

fun so one practice that is really

helping me is getting up in the morning

and choosing to read so I read and I

Journal I read and I write my thoughts

down if you've uh never if you've never

seen the video where I shared about how

to get answers from your soul I shared

this journaling practice uh which is

from the artist way and in the artist

way Julia C Julia Cameron the author she

she says artists should practice writing

every morning just dumping your thoughts

I mean generally we Journal right but

this is something that you do to empty

your brain to get all the thoughts out

of your head whatever is in your head

just get it out and so I do this

practice where I wake up I read I

journal and then I get to work whatever

the work is for that day I focus in

before I go and do other things these

are the things that are helping me right

now I hope that you can Implement them

for yourself if any of this has helped

you today please drop me a comment down

below so that I can read from you as

well and if this is the first time that

you're watching any videos from me hi my

name is Eva it's nice to meet you I hope

to see you in the next one make sure

make sure you subscribe so you don't

miss it if you want to have free

resources from me my ebooks my guides

and other things like that to help you

check out the links in the description

down below wherever you're listening or

watching this right now and I'll see you

in the next one leave me questions in

the comments I might just answer them in

a new video see you soon bye