Two Unique Productivity Hacks

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I’ve never been officially diagnosed, but I definitely have some ADD-like tendencies. My mind jumps from one thing to another fast, and staying with a project consistently takes real effort.

Over the years I’ve leaned on a handful of tools to manage that:

• planning my week every Monday with my trailblazers in my membership community, where we brainstorm tasks, get them on our respective calendars, and each spend 25 minutes working on something
• backing up any deadline by a week or more, because I know myself
• promising something to someone else so I actually get it done. Apparently, I can disappoint myself pretty easily, but I can’t stand not following through for another person
• using my sit/stand desk

All of that still works. And I’ve added two more tools to the mix: sneakers and body doubling.

Productivity FTW

A while back I came across a video where someone mentioned they focus better working from home if they put sneakers on – that it sends a signal to the brain that it’s time for action.

Sounded a little far-fetched. I tried it anyway, out of sheer desperation. And it works for me too.

I’ve run a virtual business since 2005, so working from home is nothing new. Pre-pandemic, I’d head to a coworking space or coffee shop for a change of scenery and some borrowed energy from the people around me. Those options are all back on the table now, but my inner hermit has gotten a lot more comfortable staying put.

Since I work from my home office almost exclusively, slippers had become my default, even on days I was otherwise dressed for the world, because no one sees your feet on a video call. What I didn’t realize was how much that was quietly costing me.

Swap the slippers for sneakers and something shifts. I feel more physically ready – for movement, for action, for actually getting things done. Strange, but if it works, it works. Worth a try.

Grab a Work Buddy

The second tool is a site called Focusmate, a place where people looking for focus support work virtually alongside someone else, often in silence.

It’s body doubling, with a tech twist.

Body doubling is a tool people use to actually start and finish something. The original version is simple: invite a friend over, or meet up somewhere, and work on your own task in the presence of someone doing theirs. It’s a cousin of the accountability-partner idea, minus the expectation that the other person is checking your work. You’re just not doing it alone anymore.

Focusmate takes that virtual. You schedule a session, get matched with someone else who booked the same slot, log on a few minutes early to say hello and share what you’re each working on, then mute and get to work, camera on, to keep the co-working feel real.

As a result of this body doubling, the shift in my focus has genuinely surprised me. I’m not just meeting deadlines. I’m getting ahead of them. If you know me, that’s close to a miracle.

If You Want It to Work, You’ve Got to Work It

Designing the life you want takes action, not just intention. I’d love it if talking about our plans made them happen on its own. It doesn’t.

You can hold a clear vision and still need a plan, and a moment where you actually act on it.

Every action is a vote for the life you’re trying to build. Where are you casting yours lately?

If you’re looking to make real progress on your own goals, give one of these a try. Sneakers, a Focusmate session, or even just texting a friend what you’re working on today. Small shifts, real difference.

And let me know how it goes.

I wish you space and clarity,

P.S. If you’d like some help with your schedule, check out my quick course “Win the Week! Planning for the Procrastinator.” In this game-changer of a course, you’ll plan like you never have before.  By squashing self sabotage and setting some rock solid boundaries, you’ll end your week with lots of wins.  You can grab yours here (it’s only $19!)