…and take your productivity to the next level this week.

Our capacity for attention and focus is one of our greatest resources.

Some experts refer to optimal focus as slowing down time, doing deep work, or finding your flow state.

As a Productivity Strategist, I’ve studied and experimented with countless methods for making the most of your time, focus, and attention — and what I found to be true over and over again is that different strategies work for different people, situations, and environments.

However, there are four underlying principles I’ve identified that apply across the board no matter who you are or what kind of work you do.

And they are the foundation of what I’ve carried into each season of life, including motherhood and working from home with littles.

Below are the four basic principles you can use to start cultivating more intentional productivity in your work life right now — for my fellow mamas and everyone.

01. Practice mindfulness and meditation.

Hands down, the most widely accepted and beneficial way you can truly achieve longer, more focused periods of attention in your work is through practicing mindfulness and meditation. This is ultimately the way towards building the mental muscle required for deep focus and developing an invaluable skill you can grow and utilize daily.

Tip for mamas:
First of all, time is limited, so feel free to keep your daily meditation short and impactful — even one minute is a perfect starting place. If your littles have a consistent nap time, great! Schedule your meditation for that time block. No consistency in your day, ever? Think of your daily meditation as a mental reset, and be mindful to set that timer once a day either when you first wake up, go to bed, or maybe just as soon as you put baby down for a morning nap.

Tip for everyone:
New to meditation? Start SMALL. Make it a goal of yours to meditate daily for one minute. Create a daily alarm for a time that works great for you as a reminder, and then set a one-minute timer at that time to stop what you’re doing, close your eyes, and focus simply on each inhale and exhale of your breath. I like to click over to this ongoing zen background music to help set the mood for that meditation period, no matter how short.

02. Create structure + automation in your day.

Setting up structure, routines, and automation in your day frees up your mind by maintaining willpower longer, allowing you to focus more on impactful action.

Tip for mamas:
In the early days of motherhood, outsourcing housework, utilizing meal subscriptions/deliveries, and simply letting go of certain tasks for a season is a great way to free up some of the added pressure of “doing it all.” In those days, you and your sweet babe ARE your priorities, so think of how you can either delegate, delay, or completely let go of less important tasks for a period.

Tip for everyone:
Get started with automation by looking at your daily actions and tasks with this question in mind: how can I simplify or automate this task next time? The answer might be as simple as setting up a subscribe feature for your pet’s food delivery, prepping a few day’s worth of lunches ahead of time, or setting an auto-responder in your email with links or information frequently requested of new email inquiries.

03. Manage your energy, rather than your time.

Time management should really be rephrased as “energy management.” Design your day and your work around your energy to achieve more optimal results — and longer lasting joy — in your work.

Tip for mamas:
I know you may be asking, “what energy?” While we each experience a daily energy rhythm with peaks and valleys, this concept may not show up perfectly day to day for mamas. Depending on the season of motherhood you’re in, it might be helpful to look at your energy capacity in terms of the week rather than just day to day. Try setting weekly goals rather than daily, and be sure to give yourself plenty of grace in this season; you’re already doing SO much, mama.

Tip for everyone:
Your daily energy peak is unique to you and based on a number of factors, such as your chronotype, sleep schedule, etc. Being more aware of when your energy tends to peak and dip throughout the day means you can plan your highest-focus tasks, routine tasks, errands, and more around your natural energy rhythms, maximizing your productivity and work quality along the way.

04. Design an intentional work environment.

No matter where or how you work, be intentional about setting up a work environment that supports the type of work you do.

Tip for mamas:
Your “work environment” might include a baby in one arm and a toy tornado two feet away. Focus on prioritizing the essentials of what you need in a workspace — the more flexible and adaptable, the better. Maybe this includes a side table for surface space that double as discreet office storage, a movable laptop stand, or a work bag that’s easy to move around the house and contains everything you need when you do sit down to work.

Tip for everyone:
Setting up a focused, intentional environment doesn’t have to mean a spacious home office. If you’re working with a smaller space, think about the functionality and prioritize lighting and ergonomic components for a well-lit, comfortable setup. Working at the dining room table? A movable storage cart and noise-canceling headphones are two upgrades you can easily make to create a happier, more functional workspace anywhere.

Plan to implement at least one of these essential principles into your work life this week for a happier, more productive and balanced approach to your work.