Setting Boundaries For Focus

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱? So those that know me know I don’t say no very often. Ami Vora and I have been friends for nearly 15 years. Over that time, we have learned from each other and encouraged each other. We decided to do a newsletter swap focused on “The advice I would give you.” 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴: As leaders, we often feel compelled to say "yes" to every opportunity. However, I've learned that strategic "nos" are crucial for meaningful impact and sustainable growth. If you know Deb, you know that she can’t resist jumping into problems.  It was a running joke in our team for all the years we worked together that whenever we needed something done, we could just mention it to Deb and she’d volunteer.  Here are five powerful strategies I've developed for saying no effectively: 𝟭. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 “𝗻𝗼” 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝘆 “𝘆𝗲𝘀” 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁.  Instead of simply declining opportunities, frame your "no" around what you're actively pursuing. When approached for speaking engagements or advisory roles, I respond with clarity about my current focus: "I'm currently dedicated to [specific goals], so I'm declining other opportunities at this time." 𝟮. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄.  Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to lead forward. I've learned that automatically taking on challenges can inadvertently block others' development. By intentionally creating space for team members to step up, we foster growth and build stronger organizations. 𝟯. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴.  Combat the "not doing enough" syndrome by maintaining a "pride list" - achievements that wouldn't have happened without your involvement. This practice helps validate your current commitments and makes it easier to decline additional responsibilities when your plate is full. 𝟰. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸. Just as we're advised to wait before making major purchases, apply the same principle to commitments. Visualize yourself taking on the task and revisit after 24 hours. If the excitement remains- maybe worth pursuing. If not, you've saved yourself from something that doesn't align with your goals. 𝟱. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁.  When you are unsure about declining something, please take a look at what happens if you don't immediately step in. If no one else takes initiative and it truly matters, you can always step up later. 💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆: 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 "𝗻𝗼" 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀—it's about creating space for what truly matters. These strategies have helped me maintain focus, and create room for meaningful impact and personal growth. This is advice I should take.

3 steps to solid boundary setting: 1. Spot your patterns. Start by asking yourself: - do I feel pressured to say "yes" when I want to say "no"? - when I feel stressed, what are the main contributors? - what 3 things deplete my energy levels? - what 3 things restore my energy levels? 2. Name your needs. Once you’ve spotted the patterns, it’s easier to identify what you need. For instance, “I need to set limits on my availability.” That might look like: - setting aside uninterrupted time for hobbies - building buffer time between tasks - creating space for regular “me time” - restricting the time you spend on your phone (“social media free Saturdays”) - limiting how many social plans/meetings you have per week 3. Communicate them. You don’t need to justify them - just state them clearly. For example: - “I’d love to, but I need to protect my downtime.” - “Can I let you know tomorrow once I’ve checked my capacity?” - “I’m not available on Mondays, but thanks for the invite!” - “I’m trying to be more mindful of my energy, so I’ll need to pass this time.” P.S. For more practical tips, download the Busy Brain's Guide to Rest & Recuperation: https://lnkd.in/efBtYDzg

I used to feel I never had enough time! 24x7x365 seemed less. But the biggest productivity killer wasn’t time, it was my lack of – FOCUS. Distractions were everywhere:  my phone, my environment, and even my own thoughts. Here’s my biggest productivity hack that helped me take back control – cutting distractions at their source. // Phone notifications: I keep it far away from my workspace. Out of sight, out of reach, out of mind. // Entertainment apps on laptop: I use screen timers.  Follow the Pomodoro technique (25 mins deep work, 5 mins rest.) You can modify it as per your focus (eg., 40 mins deep work, 10 mins rest.) // Family interruptions: I set clear boundaries by creating an exclusive, work-friendly space, and specific "do-not-disturb" hours. // Procrastination: Sooner or later, I have to do the work. So why delay the inevitable? This simple reminder keeps me accountable. // Mental clutter: I start each day by writing my top 3 priorities and stick to them, one at a time. // Random thoughts while working: I keep a notepad nearby to jot down and revisit them after my focused work block. Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about cutting out what holds you back. What’s your biggest distraction currently? #drishtiispeaks #productivity #hacks #distraction #growth #selfdevelopment

As an Autopreneur, I've learned that the key to success is not just working hard, but working smart. One of the most powerful techniques I use is deep work - focusing intensely on a single task without distraction. Here's my deep work routine to help you master anything: 1. Turn Off Your Phone Notifications, calls, and texts are the enemy of deep work. When I'm in deep work mode, my phone is on airplane mode or in another room. If you service low-leverage tasks, you sacrifice energy from higher-leverage activities. It's a zero-sum game. 2. Reduce Multitasking Studies show that multitasking reduces productivity by 40%. When I'm doing deep work, I focus on one task at a time. I break projects into small chunks and work through them systematically. Multitasking is the ability to screw everything up simultaneously. 3. Practice Mindfulness And Meditate Before starting a deep work session, I take a few minutes to meditate. This helps clear my mind, reduce stress, and increase focus. Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. 4. Get More Sleep Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function and productivity. I aim for 7-9 hours per night to ensure my brain is well-rested and ready for deep work. Practice does not make perfect. It is practice, followed by a night of sleep, that leads to perfection. 5. Focus On The Present Moment During deep work, I aim to be fully present with the task at hand. If my mind starts to wander, I gently bring it back to the present. This takes practice, but you can train your brain to focus. 6. Take Breaks Paradoxically, taking breaks can actually improve your focus. After 60-90 minutes of deep work, I take a short break to recharge. I'll go for a quick walk, do some stretches, or just rest my eyes for a few minutes. Because taking a break can lead to breakthroughs. 7. Connect With Nature Whenever possible, I do my deep work sessions outside in nature. The fresh air, natural light, and greenery have a calming effect that aids concentration. I believe nature is not a place to visit; it is home. 8. Train Your Brain Deep work is a skill that can be trained and improved over time. Start with shorter sessions (25 minutes) and gradually increase the duration as you build your focus muscle. Continuous improvement > Delayed perfection. 9. Exercise Daily  Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. It increases blood flow, releases endorphins, and promotes the birth of new brain cells. Movement is a medicine for creating change in your physical, emotional and mental states. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more tips on how to achieve your goals? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eaK8wGEG

Four quick ways to dramatically reduce distractions: (Pick just one and you'll still benefit!) Pick up your phone and: 1. Adjust your colorful screen to grayscale. 2. Disable most notifications. Batch others. 3. Set daily time limits by app/app category. 4. Put your phone out of reach and/or sight. People often tell me they struggle to focus. It's something I'd noticed increasingly in myself, too. And then I realized I could greatly improve my focus by setting myself up for focus by removing distractions. Which both increase focus and reduce stress. So last year I began with notifications. Removing the super random ones, and batching most of the rest into three chosen times: 9am, 3pm, 7pm. I then reduced the color on my screen. Full grayscale didn't display well in certain apps but subtle color did. And finally I set the app/phone time limits. And when I did I realized I often hit them before 10am. Yikes. Do I override the limits sometimes? YES. But when I do I now put the phone down much faster. I also kept a handful of notifications - eg family texts - real time. As we begin a new week, if you've found yourself distracted, which of these will you try? And what have I missed? If this post resonated, you can help others see it with your reactions, comments & reposts. Together we can improve our focus - and overall wellbeing. *** Hi, I'm Sally! Click follow (+) for more on workplace wellbeing, personal growth, human resilience, meaningful connection, cancer survivorship & more. #wellbeing #technology #productivity

He thought He WON THE DEAL But... A few months ago, I was coaching a young sales rep. Let's call him Rohan. Smart. Driven. Great with people. He came to me one day, frustrated. “The client loved the demo. They said it’s exactly what they wanted. But now they’ve gone completely silent.” I asked him, “What was the next step you both agreed on before you ended the meeting?” He paused. “Uh… we said we’d stay in touch.” And that’s when I smiled, because I knew what had happened. He didn’t lose the deal in the follow-up. He lost it in the meeting itself. I told Rohan something I’ve learned the hard way: “Never end a meeting with excitement. End it with commitment.” Now, every time he finishes a meeting, he locks in these 3 things: 1. Next Step: A concrete date, time, and action. Because “let’s stay in touch” is where good deals die. 2. Involvement: Who else needs to be part of the next conversation. Because hidden decision-makers are silent deal killers. 3. Value Alignment: What was most valuable for the client in today’s discussion. Because if you don’t know what clicked, you won’t know what to build on next. Two weeks later, Rohan texted me after a big client call: “Got all 3 commitments. Deal closed in 10 days.” That’s when he realized, Sales isn’t just about convincing people. It’s about keeping momentum alive. If you’re a sales rep reading this: Don’t let enthusiasm fool you into thinking a deal is WON. Until you have commitment, you only have a conversation. Remember, “Never end a meeting with excitement. End it with commitment.” #sales #salestips #salescoaching #b2bsales #salesleadership

Being too productive is ruining your long-term health and career growth. Confused? Let me explain: Consistently operating at 100% work capacity may seem like the way to go. But more often than not, it leads to burnout and unintended consequences. Here’s why: 1. Pushing yourself initially increases output, but prolonged exertion depletes your energy reserves, impairing focus, decision-making, and overall productivity. 2. Chronic stress from overexertion can manifest as insomnia, digestive problems, weakened immunity, anxiety, depression, and even cardiovascular diseases. 3. Neglecting personal life due to excessive work or commitments can harm your relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. 4. Fatigue and burnout often lead to mistakes, accidents, and poor judgment, potentially impacting work or personal life negatively. 5. If you’re handling immense workloads well, you signal to your management that you’re ready for more - so you get more work. 6. When you’re always maxed out, you leave no room for handling unexpected challenges. High performers often fall into this trap, drowning in extra work (with no extra rewards). So here’s what you can do instead: → Follow the 85% rule. Focus on consistently working at 85% of your capacity every day. This way you can show efficiency and productivity rather than just hard work. By operating at 85%, you get time to improve your skills while protecting yourself against burnout. And when it’s time to step up, you’ll have plenty left in the tank to shine. Remember, it’s better to maintain a sustainable work pace at 85% than to sprint at 100% and crash later. Do you think it makes sense to work at 85% productivity? #healthandwellness #workplacehealth #productivity

The execution of tasks in a backend engine for complex software can be classified into four paradigms, each offering unique insights into how computational resources are utilized for efficiency and scalability. Not Concurrent, Not Parallel: In this model, a single CPU core processes tasks one after the other, ensuring that Task A is fully completed before Task B begins. This approach is simple but limits system performance, as no overlapping or simultaneous execution occurs. Concurrent, Not Parallel: Here, a single CPU core handles multiple tasks through time-slicing, allowing Task A and Task B to progress in overlapping timeframes. Although this gives the appearance of multitasking, the tasks are still executed sequentially, making it suitable for scenarios where tasks can tolerate minor delays. Not Concurrent, Parallel: In this scenario, multiple CPU cores are utilized, with each core dedicated to processing tasks sequentially. For example, Task A runs on Core 1 while Task B runs independently on Core 2. This model increases throughput by leveraging hardware capabilities but does not overlap the execution of tasks within a single core. Concurrent, Parallel: The most advanced model, this approach uses multiple CPU cores to execute tasks both simultaneously and in an overlapping fashion. For example, Core 1 may handle Task A and Task B concurrently, while Core 2 processes Task C and Task D at the same time. This paradigm maximizes performance and efficiency, making it ideal for highly demanding applications like real-time processing, AI, or big data analytics. Understanding these paradigms enables developers to align software architecture with specific performance goals, balancing simplicity, responsiveness, and resource utilization to achieve optimal results. #SequentialExecution #TimeSlicing #TaskParallelism #ConcurrentProcessing #OptimizedPerformance #CPUCoreEfficiency #BackendArchitecture #ScalableSystems #ResourceUtilization #SoftwareEfficiency

Struggling to say "no" at work? You're not alone. (a highly requested guide on professional boundaries) Everyone knows saying "no" is decisive. But very few master it properly. Let me show you exactly how to decline requests while maintaining relationships. Here's the complete framework I use (and teach): 1. Master the "Direct but Polite" approach → Always start with appreciation → "I appreciate your offer, but..." works perfectly → Keep it simple, clear, professional 2. Provide alternatives when declining → Suggest other team members who could help → Offer different timelines if possible → Show you're solution-oriented 3. Set crystal-clear boundaries → Communicate your current workload openly → Share your priorities transparently → Help others understand your capacity limits 4. Emphasize existing commitments → Show dedication to current projects → Explain how new tasks would affect quality → Demonstrate professional responsibility 5. Stay honest about capabilities → Be upfront about skill limitations → Build trust through transparency → Ensure appropriate task allocation 6. Express genuine gratitude → Thank them for considering you → Maintain professional relationships → Keep doors open for future collaboration 7. Assert the importance of boundaries → Explain how this benefits everyone → Focus on quality over quantity → Protect your work-life balance Look, I get it. Saying "no" feels uncomfortable. Maybe even scary. But here's what proper boundary-setting allows you to do: • Build stronger professional relationships • Maintain work quality • Increase productivity • Earn more respect • Prevent burnout Your approach can vary. My framework might need adjustments for your situation. That's perfectly fine. Just ensure you're consistent with your boundaries. I hope this helps you master the art of saying "no" professionally. Repost if you found this valuable P.S. Do you find it difficult to say "no" at work? Yes/No? #employees #workplace #office

Your boundaries at work aren't selfish. They're essential. The most valuable professionals aren't the ones who are available 24/7. They're the ones who deliver consistent quality because they protect their energy. Here's what I've observed across hundreds of high-performing clients: 1. They don't answer emails at 11pm (and never apologize for it). 2. They say no to projects that don't align with their strengths. 3. They take their vacation days without guilt. 4. They communicate clearly when they're unavailable. 5. They don't define their worth by constant availability. Setting boundaries isn't about doing less work. It's about creating the conditions for your best work. Every time you respond to that midnight email, you're training your colleagues and managers that your time isn't valuable. Every time you say yes to a project that drains you, you're teaching others that your expertise doesn't matter. The irony? People respect clear boundaries. When you set healthy limits, you're actually demonstrating leadership qualities: ✅ Self-awareness ✅ Clear communication ✅ Strategic thinking ✅ Value for quality over quantity What's one boundary you need to set (or reset) this week? cc: @Justin Mecham #WorkBoundaries #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance