• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Freelance Coach

Laura Briggs - The Freelance Coach
  • Home
  • Hire Me
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • About
  • Press
  • Contact

Stop Changing Lanes in Your Brain-EP023

April 4, 2017

When your phone pings, it can be tough for a freelancer to ignore. Who is it? What do they need? Is it a potential client?

Many of us are addicted to email, and we have a very difficult time maintaining focus on our writing. We may even believe that we are getting more accomplished by multi-tasking. But the truth of the matter is that constantly changing lanes in your brain makes it more difficult to get things done – and it’s mentally taxing.   

Laura is back with a solo podcast as part of her Become a Better Writer series. She shares her best advice about breaking your addiction to email, batching like-tasks to increase productivity, and utilizing available tools to eliminate distractions. Listen and learn how to create high-quality content in less time as you maximize your income potential!

Key Takeaways

The concept of batching

  • Defined as doing like tasks together
  • Requires organization

The benefits of batching

  • Allows your brain to hit its stride and maintain focus
  • Adds up to ten hours of productivity per week
  • Increases income potential

How to deal with unforeseen circumstances

  • Adjust your schedule as needed
  • Give yourself wiggle room

Pareto’s Principle

  • Work ‘expands’ to fill amount of time to complete
  • We are more likely to adhere to self-imposed deadlines

Laura’s tips to avoid email distractions and minimize time spent in correspondence

  • When you’re in writing mode, turn off your email
  • Schedule time blocks to respond to email (e.g.: Laura spends one hour twice a day)
  • In responses, give clients the next unnecessary step (i.e.: “no need to reply”)
  • Utilize a scheduling tool to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth
  • Employ an auto-responder to let clients know you are unavailable 

The dangers of multi-tasking

  • Generates anxiety
  • Takes 20-30 minutes to regain focus
  • Makes you feel tired
  • Decreases productivity

 

Resources

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Calendly

Acuity Scheduling

Gmail Inbox Pause

Freedom

 

Connect with Laura Pennington

Blog

Twitter

Website

Email: info@betterbizacademy.com

Podcast

Previous Post: « Stacking the Wins and Saving for Retirement with Finance Coach Moshe Amsel-EP022
Next Post: Alter Your Money Mindset with the Profit Party’s Tonya Rineer-EP024 »

Primary Sidebar

Laura Briggs

Hi, I’m Laura!

You’ll find all my best advice about building a fulfilling and sustainable business here. It’s where I’ll give you all the juicy details about building a strong digital team or using project management to stay on top of tasks.

Let’s Get Social

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Project Management Skills Every Freelancer Needs_Ep 185
  • Pros and Cons of Using Upwork – Ep 183
  • A Typical Day in the Life of a Six Figure Freelancer – Ep 182
  • Telling Your Business Story with Amy Collins – Ep 181
  • Legislation Impacting Independent Contractors & the Fight for Freelancers Kim Kavin and Jen Singer – Ep 180

HOME

SERVICES

RESOURCES

ABOUT

PRESS

Laura Briggs - The Freelance Coach

admin@thefreelancingcoach.com

Linkedin

Info

CONTACT

PRIVACY

TERMS

Certified Military Spouse Owned
© The Freelance Coach 2025
BRANDING AND WEBSITE BY SAWGRASS MARKETING