If you’re anything like me, your creative mind works a little differently from most people. If that’s you, I have two simple productivity tips to help you with your productivity and get you back on track. 

As creatives we’re always drawn to the next shiny idea, brainstorming new concepts, and diving headfirst into exciting opportunities that spark our curiosity. It’s like our brains are hardwired to chase inspiration and explore every rabbit hole we come across.

When you’re always chasing the next shiny object, it’s easy to lose focus on the bigger picture. Those endless rabbit holes can pull your attention away from what really matters—your goals, your strategy, and the tasks that move your business forward.

The Game-Changing Books That Shifted My Productivity in my Business

I promise these two books will change your life and how you run your business. 

Trust me, they’re total game-changers! These readings will completely transform how you approach your day and business, helping you maximize your time, energy, and focus. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without them!

In The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business the author explains how our brains naturally form habits, and once they’re ingrained, they run on autopilot. That’s a total win for creatives like us because when you automate the routine stuff, you free up your mental energy for what truly matters—without getting derailed by every shiny distraction.

And then there’s Eat That Frog (seriously, how great is that title?). The book focuses on tackling your biggest, most important task first thing in the day. By knocking out your “frog” early, you set the tone for a more productive and focused day—and avoid getting stuck in the busywork trap.

These two ideas combined helped me stay on track and do more of what I love without getting lost in the chaos. If distractions are your kryptonite, too, these books are a must-read! 

Eat That Frog: Tackling Your Biggest Challenges First

This one simple productivity tip has been a total game-changer for me. I can’t believe how much more I get done just by tackling the biggest frog first. If you’re not familiar with the phrase, “eating the frog” means starting your day with the most challenging or important task—the one you’re likely to procrastinate on.

Prioritizing Your Time with the “Frog Method”

Before I incorporated this approach, my mornings looked very different. I’d dive into all the little tasks first: checking emails, making phone calls, posting on social media, organizing my desk—basically, anything I could do quickly to feel productive and get that dopamine high from checking things off my list. Sure, I felt busy, but at the end of the day, I’d look back and realize I hadn’t made any real progress on the big, meaningful things.

No wonder I wasn’t reaching my goals. So, Instead of spending my prime morning energy on small distractions, I put it toward the big stuff—the stuff that actually moves the needle in my business. And you know what? Not only do I feel more accomplished, but the rest of my day feels lighter because I’ve already tackled the hardest thing.

Plan Your Day the Night Before for Maximum Impact

Before you go to bed at night plan out your next day, don’t wait till the morning. Start your day by identifying your “frog.” It’s that one task that will have the biggest impact but might feel overwhelming or unpleasant. Then, commit to doing it first thing, before you let smaller tasks hijack your focus. Trust me, it’s a habit worth forming. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive—and less stressed—you feel when you stop avoiding the hard stuff and take it head-on. 🐸

A Step-by-Step System to Stay Focused and increase your productivity

I realized I needed a system—something to keep me grounded in my priorities and help me build consistency. So, I made a list of simple, non-negotiable habits I could commit to every morning: plan my day with coffee, spend time in personal devotion and prayer, and spend the first 90 minutes of my morning eating my biggest frog. 

At first, sticking to it was tough—because, let’s be honest, routines don’t exactly come naturally to us creative types. But after a few weeks? It became automatic. My mornings practically run themselves now.

So, if you’re like me and easily distracted by all the shiny new things, try grounding yourself with a few simple habits. It’s amazing how much clarity and focus you’ll gain—and how much more you’ll accomplish without losing sight of your big goals.

Reflect and Plan for an Amazing Year Ahead

As we gear up for the new year, let’s take a little time to reflect and plan so we can walk into the new year with clarity and purpose. This isn’t about perfection or overloading yourself with resolutions that fizzle out by February. It’s about dreaming big, setting actionable goals, and creating a plan that feels good and works for you. 

Building a Support System to Stay Accountable

If these productivity tips resonate with you and you’re ready to take your goals to the next level, I’d love for you to join me in

Empowering Women—a supportive community where we dream big, create action plans and hold each other accountable. Here’s to making next year your best year yet. You deserve it!

Here’s to an Amazing New Year

You have everything you need to make it a year to remember. Reflect on what you’ve learned, set goals that excite you, and take small steps every day. The journey might not be perfect, but it will be worth it.

Let’s raise a glass (or a cup of coffee!) to a year of growth, courage, and big wins. You’ve got this.

 

Other resources that will help you stay focused:

6 Tips To Overcoming Distractions in Your Business and Improved Productivity: 

Strategies for Distraction-Free Success in Entrepreneurship:

P.S. Make sure you don’t miss out on signing up for my blog, filled to the brim with strategies and tips to help you grow your business!

It’s time to crush your goal

Cheryl