And This Happens Way Too Often

Nothing happens if you don’t show up. I saw it just the other day: rain in the morning, clear skies by afternoon, and still no crew on site.

It’s a good reminder that the same thing happens in our businesses and lives. We let distractions or excuses keep us from doing the important work. Clarity comes when you decide what your priorities are and commit to them.

You won’t always get it perfect, but even the wrong step moves you forward. If you want to build the life and business you want, you have to show up.

What Should I Do First?

We all get caught in the whirlwind of busy days, scrambling to fit everything in. But what if the problem isn’t time, but priorities? One of my favorite lessons from Stephen Covey is the “big rocks” analogy.

Imagine a jar filled with rocks, gravel, sand, and water. The order you put them in makes all the difference. If you don’t place the big rocks first—the most important things in your life and business—you’ll never find space for them at all.

This picture really hit me during a packed week, reminding me that without clarity on priorities, we burn hours on the small stuff and lose ground on what matters most.

Ever feel like your to-do list is so big you don’t even know where to start?

Productivity isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about doing the first next thing.

This is why it’s important to have a process for breaking big things down into smaller bitesize pieces.

So … Do the First Next Thing

So much of the time being unproductive comes down to doing nothing. We get so overwhelmed by all the things on our to-do lists that our brains start spinning out of control. Should I do this? Should I do that? And then … we get stuck in limbo … and do nothing.

You Can’t Be Really Productive Without One

Being productive starts with being aware. A list gives you direction. A calendar gives you a plan. But it’s the clock that helps you take action.

When you start paying attention to how you’re spending your minutes, those minutes start working for you. Little bits of focused time, used consistently, snowball into big results.

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Just start by being intentional, and that’s how you get control of your time.

Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.

A solid list keeps your priorities clear. A calendar turns those priorities into action. And when you build in urgency, things actually get done.

With the right tools and a little intention, you can get more of the right things done every day.

OneNote Is One of Those Tools

When we think of tools, we usually picture saws and nail guns… not digital notebooks.
But productivity isn’t just about building stuff, it’s about staying organized.

OneNote has become one of my favorite tools. It’s like a supercharged binder that keeps everything in one spot, syncs across devices, and helps me keep the chaos in check.

Even if you aren’t a recovering perfectionist like I am, OneNote can help you be more productive.

Productivity isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about doing the right things with efficiency and excellence, for a purpose that matters to you.

If you treat everything like it’s a top priority, nothing really is.

This week, we'll break down how to shift your focus, set clear priorities, and stop wasting time on the wrong stuff.

Start by asking: what’s the first next thing I need to do?