Let me over-simplify for a second.

Last week, I created a schedule to help me finish my book revisions by the end of the month. The number one habit that helped?

Limiting email and social media.

That’s it. If you want to focus on a project, you could dream up a routine and set goals, or simply start there.

Disconnecting to connect

I didn’t realize how distracting my social media had become. I mean, I had an idea, but it wasn’t until I created this rule:

No social media or email until 11 a.m.

That I became fully aware of how much time had been spent on “a quick check to see what’s going on in the world.”

Facebook is not evil.

But let’s be honest, most of the time, we have better things to do. When used mindfully, things like Twitter and Facebook can be incredibly helpful tools. I simply needed some boundaries to help me remember what’s most important to me.

Week 2: The Focus Experiment

Despite some bumps in the schedule last week, I’ve decided not to modify my routine. (Click here to see what my day looks like.) For week 2, I’m adding these notes:

• It is okay to be flexible. If I need to drive my kids somewhere during writing time, my goal for week 2 will be to make up that time later in the day.
• Further limit social media & email checking. Besides my 11 a.m. break, I want to limit checking during my free time to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (again, for short periods of time).