Hocus Pocus FOCUS! Mystical tips to help you manage your time + get more shizz done.

Are you running a business but feel like you’re always running out of time (or like your business is running you)?

Do you struggle to finish tasks and wonder how those seemingly prolific peers grind out massive amounts of content in record time? (They are not machines, trust me on that.)

Not sure how to plough through those distractions and find your groove? (ADHD much?)

It’s no accident that I get a lot of stuff done at The Tarot Lady hub. Loving my work and being wired for efficiency helps me to stay on my game and get mondo productive like a Bo$$. But it wasn’t always like this. I’ve had to learn to tame my monkey brain and create a lifestyle that sets me up for success and productivity.

And guess what? It isn’t just smart “systems” (or coffee!) that makes this engine purr. I have mystical solutions that keep my focus sharp and my time managed like a Zen Master of Getting Shizz Done.

Pull up your zazen and take notes, playas:

Daily mind prep:

When you are in the “zone”, your work becomes effortless. What is this magical zone I speak of? It means a calm, focused mind. It’s the key to making time bend and sailing through your workload like Cool Hand Luke.

Meditate – a daily morning meditation will set you up for the day. Meditation helps to clear the mind and ground your energy, which is essential if you want to achieve your goals with ease. You don’t have to do anything special – just sit quietly for a few minutes in the morning before you begin your work day. Observe your breath and still the mind. You can take mini-meditation breaks throughout your day as you need. Again, just a few minutes usually does the trick and blammo – you’re ready to tackle your day, ninja-style!
Yoga + Exercise – Yoga is my secret sauce. I’ve been doing it for almost twenty years and I credit my health and killer focus to my practice. Here’s the deal – if you want to be successful and better at your job, you need to get your body moving. For me, it‘s yoga but for you it might be running, biking or tree climbing. Whatever floats your boat is fine but you need to move every day. Moving your body gets the chi flowing and your blood pumping. As I always say to my students: the issues are in your tissues. You need to clear that jazz out so you can function like the business balla you are!
Your space – Environment is everything. I treat my office like a little ashram. I have crystals and candles all over the place as well as inspirational quotes, pictures of my idols (Jay Z and Rick Ross!), metaphysical statues and spiritual art, vision boards, etc – all the things that make me feel calm and inspired. There are also rules for my ashram – no one is allowed to bug me when I am working (the cats get a free pass though). When my children were little, they knew that a closed office door meant mommy was either meditating or writing. You’ll need to set boundaries if you live with others so that your work space is treated like it’s sacred (it is). This may not be easy to do if you are working in an office or a climate where there is a lot of noise. Try your best to create an atmosphere that allows you to still feel calm, no matter what is going on around you.

Tame distractions:

Shut out distractions – In yoga, one of the Eight Limbs is “pratyahara” withdrawal of the senses. When you are trying to get epic amounts of work completed, it’s not easy to stay on your grind when there are tweets to read, kids blowing up your cell, breaking news on the telly, or “important” emails from your Great Aunt Sue. You’ll need to muzzle that noise. Turn off social media, your phone and the television. Shut your inbox down and only check in twice a day. Close your office door and let your loved ones know you’re getting down to bidniz. The less distractions, the more likely you’ll get through your workload with speed.
Belly breathing – If you are feeling your full on flake coming back on, come into the present moment and back to earth by belly breathing. This simple method is great for centering a frazzled cranium. All you need to do is breathe deeply and bring the breath down into your belly. Allow it to expand as if you are filling it with air. As you exhale, gently pull your stomach in as if you are pressing the air out. A few rounds of this and you’re back in business.
Mantra – I am a big fan of mantra. A simple OM helps to clear the vibration and connect the chakras, which leads to more presence. I like to OM in the morning after yoga because it gets me on the right path and helps my third eye open up. Not into OM? No biggie! Here’s a great mantra that you can use when the distraction train starts to pull you off the rails: as you inhale, silently say to yourself “BE”. Pause the breath and silently say “HERE”. As you exhale, silently say “NOW”. Repeat a few rounds of this and you’re back from outer space and ready to roll.

Ritual:

I grew up strict Catholic and one thing that Catholics dig are rituals! I have a little “business ritual” that I do every night which sets me up right:

I organize my desk and sticky notes every night (the sticky notes have must do tasks on them). Being greeted with an orderly desk is nirvana for me!
I check my schedule and write my plan down so it greets me first thing in the morning.
I make sure my tea maker is filled to the brim so I can have hot tea as soon as my feet hit the floor.
I organize the money to be deposited and any bills so that I can get right out the door and not waste my morning fiddling around.

This only takes about fifteen minutes – but that saves me hours of messing around in the morning (and let’s me get right down to some meditating when I get my sorry butt out of bed).

Self Care:

One last note: no business person can stay on their game long if they don’t make self care a priority. If you want to be prolific in your work, you must make time for YOU or you’re risking burnout. Massage, a nice meal at the end of the day, long walks in the moonlight, pedicures, a good glass of wine – whatever makes you feel pampered – just do it.

After all, your time for you is as essential as the blog posts, client work, emails and other duties that await you every day. If you want to show up as the very best you that you can be, you need to take care of yourself as well as you do your work. That’s the ultimate way to remain on the top of your game.

“If we all had an additional twelve hours a day, think of how far mankind could advance in just a year! That’s exactly what I’d be thinking about while I was sleeping twenty hours a day.” ~ Jarod Kintz

Blessings,

Theresa

So tell me, what do you do to corral your time and keep your focus razor sharp? Share your tips ‘n suggestions in the comment section below.

supafly image from stock photography