2022 is here – and phew.

Anyone else just a little excited to turn the chapter from 2021?  

I’d say 2021 was my biggest learning year — from business to personal to everything in between – but I’m walking into 2022 more capable and competent than I was 365 days ago. And for that level of trust in myself, I’m grateful.  

And to make the next 365 days even better than the last, one thing I’m really focusing on is 

TIME vs. ATTENTION. 

Have you ever walked into a lunch during the work day to catch up with a coworker/friend – and while you wait for them to show up, you decide to open email on your phone? 

OF COURSE there is an email in there from your boss/clients with subject line URGENT.

You open the email. It is indeed not so urgent that it couldn’t wait to be answered when you get back from lunch in an hour. 

You KNOW this is true, but still, your mind is on the email request the whole time during lunch. You barely hear a word your friend says, you swiftly eat your lunch, and head back to the “office” (which is most likely an old desk stuffed in your bedroom at this point – but it’s all good. Thanks 2020…).  

The hour away that was supposed to fill your cup, spilled right through your fingers because your mind was on that email. You see, if something is taking up attention in your brain, but you aren’t allocating the time to resolve the situation – this leads to stress. 

And no one wants that. 😜 

This is why I have certain times throughout the day that I check email – so it’s not looming over my head if I can’t answer it right away. 

This is why I have a project management system – so if I know a task will take more time than I have in the moment, my brain can rest knowing it’s on the calendar for later and the ball won’t get dropped.  

I chat more about these tangible tips to lessen stress and increase productivity HERE I try to keep these audio pieces short and actionable so you can get that quick win and move throughout your day 🙂 

So the next time you find yourself not being present or feeling an undercurrent of stress, bring your mind to the time vs attention dilemma.

What can you put in place so you can close the tabs in your brain with your time, and they no longer take up your attention?