If you run your own business, you’ll know what I mean when I say: some days my to-do list felt less like business and more like chasing my own sanity in my very best heels. Glamorous? Maybe. Practical? Not even close.
On any given day I’m switching between designing a website for a travel agent, mapping out a funnel for a yoga teacher, tweaking a brand palette for a construction consultancy, and then diving into my own business admin – invoices, content, emails, you name it. Each of those projects deserves full creative attention. And they get it. But the constant switching? That was what needed rethinking.
It wasn’t that my creativity disappeared – it’s that I realised I needed a smarter way to protect it, so every project continued to get my best.
The Productivity Problem Nobody Talks About
There’s this myth that entrepreneurs can multitask endlessly and still perform at their peak. Reality? Switching between projects without a plan doesn’t just cost time – it drains energy and makes it harder to stay fully in flow.
I started to notice the impact most when perimenopause arrived with the utterly delightful friend it brings along for the ride…yup, brain fog. Concentration I’d relied on for years suddenly took more effort. And that was my wake-up call: if I wanted to keep showing up at the highest level for my clients, I needed better systems to support me.
Enter: The Pomodoro Technique (With a Twist)
That’s when I revisited something I’d rolled my eyes at before: the Pomodoro Technique – short bursts of focus (25 minutes), followed by a break. I downloaded the app Focus To-Do to give it structure.
The difference was instant.
Most importantly: each client’s project got the same depth of creative energy, no matter how busy my week looked.
I worked in focused sprints without distraction.
Breaks became non-negotiable – which meant I came back sharper, not sluggish.
Boundaries That Changed Everything
The app gave me structure, but the real shift came from the way I managed my time:
✨ Protecting my best creative hours. No admin before coffee – those mornings belong to client work.
✨ Ruthless prioritisation. Not everything belongs on today’s list.
✨ Boundaries that stick. “Not today” doesn’t mean “never.” It means I’m giving full focus to what matters right now.
This wasn’t about getting more done. It was about making sure what did get done was done brilliantly.
Why It Matters (For Me and For My Clients)
If you’re running your own business, you’ll know that focus isn’t just a personal win – it shapes everything. For me, it’s the difference between spreading myself thin across tasks and delivering the kind of high-level, thoughtful work my clients come to me for.
That’s why these systems matter. They don’t restrict creativity. They protect it.
My Tips for Getting Your Focus Back:
- Breaks are non-negotiable. Step away, breathe, walk, do whatever resets you. Your brain will thank you.
- Try the Pomodoro Technique. Even if you think you won’t like it, give it a week. You’ll be shocked at how much more you get done.
- Use a tool you actually enjoy. I swear by Focus To-Do because it’s simple. No bells and whistles, just timer + tasks.
- Protect your creative brain time. If mornings are your sweet spot, don’t waste them on emails. Save admin for when your energy dips.
- Be ruthless with priorities. Ask yourself: what actually needs to be done today – and what just feels urgent?
Final Word
My to-do list didn’t magically shrink (I’m still waiting for that miracle), but it stopped running the show. Instead of being pulled in a dozen directions, I’m sharper, clearer, and more present with each client and each project.
If your business sometimes feels like it’s asking too much of your brain at once, try it: structure, prioritisation, and boundaries. Because the truth is, creativity thrives when it has the right container. And yours deserves the space to thrive too.
YOUR NEXT 90 DAYS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re constantly catching up, stop looking for more hours in the day. Start building the strategy that will make those hours count.
The next 90 days could be the most focused, profitable, and freeing your business has ever seen – but only if you move with intention.
That’s exactly what I help my clients do. If you want your next 90 days to actually move the needle, GET IN TOUCH WITH ME and let’s create a plan that works.
Here’s how I could help you:
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ELEVATE NINETY: THE ULTIMATE 90-DAY TRANSFORMATION FOR FEMALE-LED BUSINESSES
RESET TWENTY FIVE: A 25-DAY PROGRAMME CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE READY TO PAUSE, REFLECT, AND STRATEGICALLY RESET THEIR BUSINESS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.
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Or if you just have some questions, head over to contact form, and send me a message. I’m always happy to chat through where you’re at with your business, and advise on your best next steps to get your business to where you want it to be…
