You know that feeling when you're "busy" all day but somehow feel like you got nothing done? When you're exhausted but can't pinpoint why? One sneaky culprit might be what I call the "divided attention tax."
It's the hidden cost of being pulled in too many directions at once, and while it's not the only reason you feel overwhelmed, it's quietly draining your time and energy in ways you might not realize. Let me show you how to spot this productivity thief and reclaim some of that lost focus.
Identify your "tax categories”
There are four ways you might be bleeding time and energy: multitasking (trying to do two brain-focused things at once), task-switching (stopping mid-email to answer the phone, then trying to remember what you were writing), context-switching (jumping from work mode to mom mode to wife mode all day long), and mental ticker-tape (that constant mental list running in your head). Notice which ones show up in your day. This isn't about perfection... it's about awareness.
Create "focus blocks" with boundaries
Turn off notifications on your devices during focused work time. Set up physical boundaries when possible (closed door = do not disturb). When you're writing that email, see if you can just write that email. Each interruption can cost you up to 12 minutes of mental reset time. Even reducing some of these interruptions will help you feel more accomplished at the end of your day.
Experiment with batching similar activities
Instead of constantly switching between different types of tasks, try grouping similar activities together when your schedule allows. Maybe do all your work stuff in one chunk, then handle household tasks, then focus on parenting duties. Your brain doesn't have to work as hard when it's not constantly changing gears. Think of it as one piece of the puzzle, not the magic solution to everything.
Look, that overwhelming, exhausted feeling has lots of contributing factors. The divided attention tax is just one piece of a bigger picture that might include unrealistic expectations, lack of boundaries, or simply having too much on your plate. But addressing this one area can give you back some mental energy and focus. Start small with just one change today. Every bit of reclaimed attention adds up, and you deserve to feel more in control of your time and energy.
- Do you have your ticket for Plan-a-Palooza?
When you grab your Plan-a-Palooza ticket, you're not just getting the two days we spend together building your annual plan; you also get instant access to 14 specialized trainings from experts who actually understand what it's like to juggle everything. These aren't fluff sessions; they tackle real challenges like why you're always tidying but never caught up, tackling time blindness with ADHD, managing your money in 20 minutes a month, and using family meetings as your missing efficiency tool.
Whether you grab the 2-day or 3-day ticket, you get access to all 14 trainings to pick and choose what resonates with your current season of life. They'll be waiting in your portal whenever you're ready to dive in, making this workshop even more valuable than just the annual planning process itself. - TOP Student Planner + Training!
How's back-to-school going in your house? If you're already dealing with forgotten assignments, nightly homework battles, and that sinking feeling that you're tracking your student's school stuff more than they are, you're not alone. The TOP Student Planner might be exactly what your family needs to turn this school year around.
This isn't just another cute planner that sits on their desk unused; it's the only student planner that comes with a complete course teaching your student HOW to actually plan and manage multiple classes, deadlines, and real life. The goal isn't just getting through school; it's teaching them the planning skills they'll need as confident, capable adults, while you stop being the homework police.
Research Proved Paper Planners Work Better!
Research has revealed something surprising about paper planners versus digital calendars, and the data might completely change how you think about planning. Studies show a significant difference in goal achievement between people who use paper planners and those relying solely on digital tools, but the reasons why might not be what you expect.
I'm diving into the specific research findings and the fascinating brain science that explains what's really happening when we write things down by hand versus typing on screens. The numbers are pretty eye-opening, and there's one statistic in particular that made me rethink my entire approach to weekly planning.
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This Week’s Buzz: My Take on Cal Newport's "Slow Productivity"
So many of you have been messaging me about Cal Newport's recent appearance on the Mel Robbins podcast talking about his "slow productivity" approach, and you want to know my thoughts. While I agree with much of what he teaches, there's one fundamental area where we completely disagree, and it has everything to do with how women's lives actually work.
In this week's Weekly Buzz, I'm breaking down his approach and explaining why one piece of his advice could keep you stuck in reactive mode if you're dealing with the constant uncertainty that comes with being a caregiver.
Remember, this video is updated every Wednesday, so don’t miss it! Head to The Pink Bee app to watch now.
Friend, don’t forget—just 15 minutes of planning today can set the tone for your entire week. You’ve got the tools, you’ve got the tips, and now it’s time to take action. Let’s crush this week together!
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