Let's Start Protecting our Deep Focus Time by Chelene Knight
"Let's hop on a call!"
This phrase legit gives me hives.
No, it's not because I hate meetings or because I want to communicate differently all the time. Sometimes meetings are necessary! But why the heck is everything so urgent, that I have to drop what I am doing to hop on a call? Chances are, it isn't that urgent and these pressing deadlines are often ones we push on ourselves. Meetings need to be scheduled so that we can see at least one week ahead and be able to revise our workloads based on the type of meetings scheduled, what our role is for each meeting, and how many are in our calendar. I’ve made this a boundary that I refuse to budge on. Why? Because the consequences for me lead to burnout and joy loss.
Years ago when I was writing and editing my second book I was tired. I was writing and not enjoying it. I just wanted to get it off my plate so that I could say it was done. Looking back, I feel a lot of shame connected to that way of operating but for the last five years I’ve been steadily chipping away at a new process for myself and it’s meant a lot of letting go of old narratives. I had to start to let go of thinking that I was supposed to be tired and that to make it as a creative, you had to suffer for your art (um no thanks!)
Protect your deep focus time.
Sounds easy, but how? Y'all might not like this first step, but it starts with setting, communicating, and holding firm your boundaries. This is life-long work of course, but you have to start somewhere so here are five ways to protect and revalue your time.
SET MEETING LIMITS. I now only have meetings three days of the week. This leaves me two days to get client work done (with intention and joy), and to be the CEO of my business. I can't do either of those things if I can't plan and protect deep focus (uninterrupted) time. The same can be said for our creative/writing time.
SAY NO (with love) TO LAST MINUTE MEETINGS: resisting "hop on a call" culture allows you to value your time. When you drop what you are doing to please someone else ... What does that say about how you value what you've already planned for yourself? mmm hmm! Scheduling meetings at least one week ahead allows you to predict your energy levels and adjust accordingly. See point three below!
CALL IN PREPARATION TIME: saying no with love to unscheduled meetings also creates space for you to properly prepare for meetings. I don't know about you, but I want meetings to feel filled with purpose, so I need time to get my ideas together so I can show up as my best self and feel GOOD about it.
LOOK AHEAD: Planning your week around meetings and minimize surprises. This leads to more energy, feelings of "getting things done" and can alleviate some anxiety too. You’ll be able to see/look for spots to drop in joyful activities to break up your day.
CREATE INTENTIONAL DEVICE NOTIFICATIONS. Why do we need to be reminded on four different devices that we have a call in five minutes? Pick a device for calendar alerts, social media (although I suggest you turn these off lol), app notifications, text messages, etc.
Protecting your deep focus time isn’t easy, but you have to be committed to the outcomes. In fact, you have to dream about the outcomes.
Chelene Knight is the author of three books. She is currently working on a commissioned book on self-love and joy called Let It Go forthcoming with HarperCollins Canada in 2024. Chelene is the founder of Breathing Space Creative.
Two ways to work with Breathing Space Creative: