Focus on This

Latest Episodes:

#114: Four Actions to Boost Your Gratitude Year-Round Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

Gratitude is something you aspire to but struggle to actually practice. It’s a cycle. November approaches, and you remember to count your blessings. But then Thanksgiving passes, and you resume life as usual, your thoughts about being more thankful fading into the background. How do you keep gratitude more top of mind?

In this episode, Courtney and Blake discuss four actions you can take to feel grateful all year round. Aspirations can turn into true change when you develop new habits of thought and behavior along the way. “Becoming more grateful” doesn’t have to remain a vague aspiration. You can make gratitude part of your life when you stop and say “thank you,” write it down, track your wins, and leverage your imagination.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

The subtle power of communicating the words, “thank you”
How to shift into the mindset of gratitude when you’re not feeling it
The importance of practicing simple acts of celebration
How to leverage your imagination with “the George Bailey effect”

Resources:

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#113: Overcoming the Lies That Undermine Celebration Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

You’re invested in achieving your goals. But recently, the joy has gone out of the journey. You’re quick to notice where you’re falling short. Every time you hit a major milestone, your eyes are already on the next obstacle. You find yourself frustrated and tired. The solution isn’t to push through. It’s to pause and celebrate.

In this episode, Courtney and Blake talk candidly about what makes celebration so important—and so hard for high-achievers. The likely culprit? The lies we believe. But you’re not the victim of your thinking. Noticing and unpacking your internal obstacles is the first step toward defeating them.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

An underrated energy source
Why celebrating past wins can lead to future success
The correlation between how we treat ourselves and how we treat others
What makes celebration valuable for training our brains
Solidarity if practicing celebration is hard for you

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#112: Defeat the Sunday Scaries by Designing Your Weeks Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

It’s Sunday, and you realize the weekend is over and the week is about to come at you full force. You’re anticipating all the things waiting for you on Monday morning. You’re stressing about what needs to be accomplished. You’re anxious about what you might have forgotten. Is there a way for the start of the week to feel less like a potential house of horrors?

In this episode, Blake and Courtney discuss how to overcome the Sunday Scaries by considering four key categories as you plan for the upcoming week. They show you how various parts of the Weekly Preview can help you prevent that feeling of dread, so you can start and end your week at ease.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

What to do when your task list feels impossible to complete
How to avoid getting caught by surprise with important meetings
Why being proactive to schedule connection is vital for self-care
The value of reviewing your goals every week

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#111: The Most Underrated Resource for Goal Achievement Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever found yourself in the “messy middle” of a goal? You’ve come too far to turn back, but the finish line still feels far away. Do you let the goal slide and give up? Do you grit your teeth and just push through, even if you’re running on empty? How do you get through this part of the journey?

In this episode, Blake and Verbs talk with Marissa Hyatt, director of marketing, about one of the most valuable resources for goal achievement: encouragement. They go over four actions you can take to refuel emotionally and replenish your confidence, sense of agency, and belief—and get to the other side.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

How to make encouragement a natural part of your relationships
Why you should curate your media for your current emotional needs
The power of the phrase “if I say so”
The surprising value of a daily treasure hunt

Resources:

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#110: How to Clear Your Calendar in Your Busiest Seasons Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Do you feel like you don’t have space to breathe during the fourth quarter? Work has picked up. Meetings seem to be multiplying. Family demands are increasing. Your calendar is packed, and you’re jumping from one thing to the next. How can you keep yourself from feeling spread thin, burnt out, and unable to actually enjoy the “fun things” you’ve said yes to?

In this episode, Courtney, Verbs, and Blake walk you through the four keys of calendar triage. You don’t have to feel swept away by this last quarter of the year. You can take back your calendar, redefine what full looks like, and set yourself up to win.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

The filter you must have clarity on before you do calendar triage
What to ask yourself as you reevaluate the necessity of meetings
How to get out of an existing commitment with integrity
Why it’s essential to schedule time for margin

Resources:

Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less―Here's How by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#109: Defeat Productivity Enemies with This Two-Pronged Attack Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

You get to the end of the day, only to realize it wasn’t nearly as productive as you wanted it to be. You got caught responding to urgent requests from others. You spent too long responding to emails. You jumped from task to task as each one entered your mind. How do you defeat these daily interruptions and distractions? What can you do to get on track for a productive last quarter?

In this episode, Courtney, Verbs, and Blake walk you through a series of strategies to get the interruptions and distractions under control. You don’t have to let your time get hijacked. You can design your days rather than drifting through them and, in turn, make greater gains toward your goals.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

The difference between interruptions and distractions
How to head off others’ interruptions by signaling your unavailability
Why you should make an actual list of what distracts you
The value of building regular breaks into your schedule

Resources:

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#108: 3 Mental Shifts to Win in Q4 Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

You’re coming to the end of the year, and you’re tired. Momentum has slowed, and you’ve fallen behind on your goals. You know the holidays are coming, which will take huge chunks of the time you have left. You feel behind before you even start the fourth quarter. Should you just write it off and start thinking about next year? Or is there a way to actually make gains in these last few months?

In this episode, Courtney, Verbs, and Blake walk you through three mental shifts you need to make so you can win in the final quarter of the year. They show you how to hit pause and give yourself a chance to reset, so you can take full advantage of the time you have left and cross the finish line with confidence.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

The mindset-shifting power of revisiting your why
Why arbitrarily going down your to-do list is the wrong strategy
How to reset the narrative that connects what you do to who you are
The far-reaching effects of appreciating people versus the tasks they do

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#107: 4 Tips for a Successful Quarterly Preview Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

A new quarter has begun, with all of its new deadlines and tasks, and you’re still furiously trying to tie up the last quarter. All of a sudden, you’re in “reaction mode.” You’re struggling to think strategically. How can you set yourself up for a win instead of drowning in busyness?

In this episode, Courtney and Blake discuss four tips for conducting a successful Quarterly Preview. They talk about how to pave the way for success, so you don’t end up overwhelmed, whiteknuckling your way through. A lot of people underestimate the power of a Quarterly Preview, but when you make the most of this process, you start the quarter off empowered and ready to meet the challenge of whatever may come.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

Why it’s essential to schedule time now for next year’s quarterly previews
The influence a new location can have in helping you make a mental shift
How reflecting deeply exposes recurring themes to address
The power of planning ahead to build confidence, energy, and excitement

Resources:

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#106: Unlock the “Fresh Start Effect” with Weekly Preview Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

You get to the end of the week and feel like it was a fail. You were busy the whole time but didn’t actually get to the things you wanted to do. You’re feeling behind and off course from your goals. You wish you could have a redo. Is there a way to clear the deck and start over?

In this episode, Blake and Courtney walk you through four steps to leverage the psychological reset button of the Weekly Preview. They discuss the Fresh Start Effect and how new beginnings often bring renewed energy and perspectives, which you can experience every week as you assess, make mental shifts, and start again.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

How to exit doing mode and enter strategic mode
Why thinking of missteps as resistance training empowers you for success
The question to ask yourself to define next week’s win
The power of treating next week as an experiment

Resources:

Full Focus Planner Community

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#105: Helpline: How to Make Progress on “Off” Days Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Some days you just aren’t on your toes. You didn’t sleep well the night before. Or you fought with someone you care about. Or you’ve received some bad news. It’s hard to show up and get stuff done. But your work doesn’t just disappear because you’re having an off day. What do you do when you feel off kilter?

In this episode, Courtney, Verbs, and Blake walk through four tips for balancing productivity with self-kindness when you’re having an “off” day. These days happen to everyone. The key is having grace for yourself and using the right tools to set yourself up for momentum and success the next day.

In this episode, you’ll discover—

How small actions can get you into the rhythm of the day
The power of rituals to help you start feeling more like yourself
Why it’s okay to dial back to a Big 1 or a Big 2 on “off” days
When taking care of yourself may be your highest-leverage move

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected