Focus, but Make It Fun

Ever sit down to work, ready to be super productive, and then suddenly...

An hour later, you’ve accomplished absolutely nothing, except maybe finding out how tall giraffes are (16-20 feet, in case you were wondering).

Sound familiar? Same here. But here’s the thing—getting focused doesn’t have to feel like a battle. In fact, it can actually be fun. (Yes, really!)

I'm here to help you fight back against the chaos and reclaim your focus (without moving to a Wi-Fi-free cabin in the woods).

So let’s talk about how to ditch distractions, get stuff done, and still enjoy the process.

We love to blame our phones, social media, and the endless black hole that is the internet. (One second, you’re checking one thing… next thing you know, you’re watching videos of otters holding hands!)

But honestly? The problem isn’t just external—it’s also in our heads.

Basically, our brains are wired for instant gratification and shiny new things. So if focusing feels hard, it’s not your fault—it’s just how we’re built.

But instead of fighting against it (or giving in to the distraction spiral), let’s trick our brains into making focus feel good.

I used to think I needed more self-control to stay focused. (Spoiler: I don’t.) What I really needed? Better systems that made focusing easier and—dare I say—enjoyable.

Here’s what actually works:

Telling myself “You have to focus for three hours” makes me want to run in the opposite direction.

But if I say “Let’s see if I can finish this task in 25 minutes”, suddenly it’s a challenge—and my brain loves a challenge.

So, instead of making focus feel like a punishment, I turn it into a game:

I use a timer, a playlist, or even a fun reward at the end (hello, snack break!).

Turns out, focus is way easier when it feels like a challenge instead of a chore.

Ever notice how you miraculously get stuff done at a cute café, but at home, you suddenly need a nap? That’s because environment matters.

So instead of trying to force focus in a boring space, I make my workspace somewhere I actually want to be:

Basically, I trick my brain into associating work time with good vibes.

(Bonus tip: Try changing locations! A new setting—like a café, a library, or even your deck—can boost focus fast.)

Sometimes, the biggest distractions aren’t external—they’re the mental to-dos swirling in your brain.

Ever sit down to work and immediately remember:

It’s like your brain waits until you’re focused to hit you with 100 random thoughts.

So now, instead of letting those thoughts steal my attention, if it takes less than 2 minutes, I do it immediately. If not, I write it down in my “Distraction Parking Lot.”  (a fancy name for a sticky note or notebook).

It instantly clears my mind so I can focus again.

When I’m done, I go through the list and deal with things then. (Spoiler: 90% of it isn’t actually urgent.)

Distractions will always exist. The trick? Decide when they’re allowed to happen. (If you tell yourself “I can’t” or “I shouldn’t” check social media EVER, it makes you want to do it all the more!)

Instead of letting email, notifications, and random thoughts pull me off track every five minutes, I batch them into designated times.

It’s like putting distractions on a leash—they still exist, but they don’t control me anymore.

If toddlers get stickers for using the potty, why don’t we reward ourselves for staying focused? (And yes, I know you’re an adult who shouldn’t need a reward to do the right thing, but they make it SO much more fun!)

Now, every time I finish a focus session, I give myself a little win:

Turns out, giving your brain something to look forward to makes focusing SO much easier.

Want to actually enjoy focusing this week? Try this:

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