The Secret to Getting Things Done: Focus


Hi, Reader

Let’s talk about something we all struggle with: getting things done. We all have endless to-do lists, competing priorities, and distractions coming at us from every angle. So what’s the real secret to making progress?

It’s focus.

One of my clients, Jill, was all over the place. As the general manager of a struggling office, she had a lot on her plate—reviving operations, re-engaging a demotivated team, and turning the branch back into a profitable business. It was a lot.

At first, she was trying to do everything at once. But when we worked together, she realized that her real power came from narrowing her focus. She had to be courageous enough to say no to distractions and prioritize what truly mattered.

The Three-Item Rule

Here’s what helped her:

  • Every week, she wrote down just three top priorities. Not five, not ten—just three things she absolutely needed to accomplish.
  • She blocked time in her calendar to ensure those priorities weren’t just intentions but actual scheduled actions.
  • At the end of the week, she reflected: What did she accomplish? How did those actions move her closer to her long-term goals?


By keeping things simple, she turned things around—her office became more efficient, her team got re-engaged, and she wasn’t drowning in a sea of tasks anymore.

Want to Try This Yourself?

If you’re struggling with focus, I’ve got something that can help: my 15/30 Planner.

It’s designed to help you:

➡️ Set your top 3 priorities every week

➡️ Reflect on what’s working (and what’s not)

➡️ Do quarterly 12-month-ahead planning, so you’re always thinking long-term

Planning isn’t just a one-time thing. The key to success is consistent reflection and adjustment. So if you’re ready to get focused and make real progress, grab the planner here and start today.

Oh, and if you do pick one up, I’d love to hear how it’s working for you—leave a review on Amazon and let me know!

💡 15 / 30 Planner - Your Evergreen Weekly, Quarterly, and Yearly Reflection Journal

Achieve massive progress with just 15 minutes a week and 30 minutes every quarter!

📘Join the Discussion:

Beyond Coaching: Addressing Toxicity at Work

Get rid of toxic employees first.

➜ Even if they are high-performers.

➜ Even if they are senior leaders.

➜ Even if they’ve been here since the beginning.


🌠 Personal Strategy Workshop: Get Inspired and Plan Your Success!

One of the best gift you can give yourself is taking time to think about your future. If you don't plan your future, don't be surprised when you get something you didn't want.

Join us March 26th!

Count down to 2025-03-26T17:00:00.000Z

To your success,

Daria

PS: If you know someone who needs a little help with focus, forward this email to them!

💙Check out more of our work at...👇

🔵

Linkedin

Learn more →

🟦

Youtube

Learn more →

💎

X (Twitter)

Learn more →

If you want to get in touch, hit REPLY. I'm happy to help!

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Meaning Makers

A no-nonsense newsletter for busy leaders who are done with overwork and ready to scale smarter. Join a community of 15K+ leaders and followers across platforms getting concise, actionable insights on leadership, team building, and how to use AI and hybrid intelligence to make work easier—so you can earn more, go home earlier, and lead with purpose without burning out.

Read more from Meaning Makers

Hi Reader, A lawyer in Australia recently thought they'd cracked the code on AI safety. They used Claude AI to research case law. Then—because one AI wasn't enough—they "validated" everything with Microsoft Copilot. Belt and braces. Double-checking. The responsible thing to do. Then they confidently submitted their brief to federal court. All case citations? Completely fabricated. None of them existed. Justice Arran Gerrard was… not amused. He referred the lawyer to the Legal Practice Board...

Hi Reader, A team is no longer just a group of humans sitting in one office. It may include people working across locations, some meeting in person, some never meeting at all, and increasingly, AI agents participating in research, drafting, analysis, coordination, or execution. That changes the leadership question from "How do I manage people?" to "How do I manage a system of humans and AI working together?" In my recent conversation on The Tech Leaders Playbook, I made a simple point: what...

Hi Reader, Daria’s here. This email is more personal than usual. With the conflict affecting so many countries in the Middle East, it's hard to stick to original plans. We're experiencing pressure psychologically, wrapped in missile alerts — you don't know when they will come, and you need to drop everything and go to the shelter. That could happen in the middle of writing this newsletter, in the middle of a workshop planned two months ago, or at night. It's psychologically and physically...