Every Friday in our Freelance Friends Morning Accountability Group, we rate our weeks from A to F. ðŸ”
It’s fascinating to see how we evaluate our progress, with C often emerging as the comfortable middle ground – just like the familiar 7 out of 10.
This week, something remarkable happened that made me rethink what an A+ week really means.
One of our members achieved what they considered an A+ week. Their formula? Beautifully simple:
✅ They followed through on their planned schedule
💪 Maintained their morning workout routine
👋 Welcomed a new client
Here’s the empowering thing… An A+ week wasn’t about extraordinary circumstances or superhuman effort. It was about honouring a commitment to themselves.
With today’s endless notifications and digital distractions, following through on our own plans has become surprisingly rare. But that also means achieving an A+ week is more accessible than we might think.
The beauty lies in the simplicity… an A+ week isn’t about moving mountains. It’s about showing up for yourself and your plans consistently.
Want to set yourself up for your own A+ week? Here’s your blueprint:
Time-Block The Big Tasks
Imagine filling a glass jar: if you pour in the sand (small tasks) first, there’s no room for the rocks (important tasks). But place the rocks in first, and the sand naturally flows around them.
That’s the power of time-blocking your big tasks first – let the inevitable daily distractions and minor tasks find their way around your priorities, not the other way around.
Write Your To-Do List BY HAND
Studies indicate that physically crossing off items on a handwritten to-do list releases more dopamine and creates a stronger sense of accomplishment than digital checkboxes. This in-turn can increase motivation and lead to higher task completion rates.
Paper lists also eliminate digital distractions and notifications that often derail productivity when using app-based to-do lists.
Create Distance From Your Phone
Out of sight out of mind. How many times a day do you aimlessly pick up your phone from you desk, purely out of habit?
Leave your phone in another room or in a drawer. Schedule ‘phone time’ in your calender—it’s okay to check your phone when you’re being intentional.
Embrace Focus Tools
Setting a timer to encourage focused work can help reduce distractions.
Working on one task for 25 minutes, with the knowledge that you can take a break afterward, often leads to greater focus.
Apps like Flow and Raycast Flow can help block distractions.
Eat That Frog
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” – Mark Twain
Chain Your Small Wins
Have a bunch of small tasks to get done? Do them together in one session for a mega boost in dopamine.
What could your next A+ week look like?
