Hello! I'm Michele

7 Habits to Improve Your Productivity (and Life)

by Michele | Life and Success, Planning-Organization-Productivity

As a business owner, I see you trying to control the chaos of life, kids, and clients, searching for ways to find more time. You’re not short on ambition—just time. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and most days, it feels like you’re juggling a dozen work-related tasks with no breathing room. If you’re ready to improve your productivity, it doesn’t mean you need to hustle harder—it means learning how to manage your time with intention. As a business owner and content creator, your time is one of your greatest assets, and how you use it can either move you toward your goals or keep you stuck in busywork.

The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine. You just need a few effective ways to work smarter.

I’m sharing 7 practical habits that will help you improve your productivity and stay focused on what truly moves your business forward—without sacrificing your personal life or peace of mind.

Habit One: Track Your Time

If you want to improve your productivity, you need to start with a clear picture of how you're actually spending your time. Time tracking is one of the most effective ways to build awareness around your habits, especially when balancing content creation, client work, and the family taxi service.

It answers the question: What did I accomplish today?

When you track your time, you’ll start to recognize patterns—like the best time of day for deep work or when you’re most likely to get distracted. You’ll also see how much time goes to important work versus repetitive tasks or things that don’t actually move your business forward.

This habit gives you clarity, and clarity leads to better decisions about how to structure your daily schedule.

Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most, whether for your family or business.

Habit Two: Create Systems to improve your productivity

Sure you could have guess this one, creating systems is for productive people. The point of a system is it helps you eliminate the number of decisions you must make, stop procrastination, and possibly even an overwhelming amount of sticky notes with random thoughts and tasks.

I can almost hear you thinking, create systems. What does that even mean? Systems are finding easy ways to do things in less time—repeatable processes that keep you from starting from scratch every time.

For example, create a system around meal planning. By far, this is one of my favorite systems that I’ve created. Recipes, new and old, are gathered in Notion. When I’m on Pinterest and discover a recipe I want to try, it goes into Notion under my Recipes. The name begins with **New**, allowing me to find new recipes I want to try quickly.

Once I make the dinner, I ask everyone to rate the recipe on a scale of 1 to 5. If the recipe average score is three or higher, it will be assigned to a week in my meal planning.

As I said, this is one of my favorite systems because, at the end of the work day, the last decision I want to make is what’s for dinner.

Meal planning mostly happens on Sundays, saving me time and brainpower all week.

Let me walk you through one more system. Everything has its place, whether that be a physical item or information.

I’m not as bad as I used to be, but I love my label maker. Label the home for the physical items around your house. Let me elaborate; it’s not enough to label the home of the item. After all, the

item must be put away in its home for the system to work properly.

Besides physical items, having a system for information is also important. I’m a big pen-and-paper person. Doubtedly, information will gather up in my bullet journal. Not everything needs to be kept; however, what goes into Notion for safekeeping? Once it has been put into Notion, it will be noted in my Bullet Journal with a / on the page number. The page number will be crossed out with an X if it's not needed.

Here’s the connection: If creating a system for something like dinner saves you energy, imagine what it can do in your business.

Systemizing your content creation, setting up templates for emails or proposals, or using a project management platform like Asana to organize long-term projects—these are all simple formulas that help you take back your time.

Productive people don’t rely on motivation; they rely on systems. That includes how you run your business, your home, and your day.

Habit Three: Create Lists for a Productive Life

Accordingly, the next area to improve your productivity is with lists. Not only writing the lists but knowing where you put them. In truth, you’re not very productive if you spend too much time looking for your lists. I can speak from experience here.

Lists include not only your to-do list, but also you’re not-to-do list. Let me guess, you know what I’m talking about, the not-to-do list of things to delegate. Or perhaps a list of reasons why you’re not eating sugary treats. Yes, this is a true not-to-do list. What type of not-to-do list will you create?

While this will require your family to get on board, it will improve your personal productivity. Without a doubt, using the notes app for a shared family shopping list.

Please stick with me here; you’re out running errands, and pop into the grocery store to get a few things you know you need to pick up for dinner. Your running grocery list is hanging on the side of the fridge; no one is home to tell you what’s on the list. So you stand in the aisle racking your brain, trying to remember, do we still need ketchup? C’mon, I can’t be the only one.

That’s why having a shared shopping list in Notes, Google Keep, or something similar helps to improve your productivity and cut down on buying things you may not actually need. It does take a bit of training for your family, but it’s worth the effort!

Now let’s talk business. Just like your grocery list saves time, your daily tasks need the same structure. Using a digital task management tool like Asana, Notion, or even a simple spreadsheet helps you track everything from client work to content creation. Keep a to-do list, a project plan, and even a list of tasks that can wait—or be delegated to a team member.

And don’t underestimate the power of the not-to-do list in business. It keeps you focused on the most important tasks and gives you permission to say no to things that don’t align with your goals.

Not sure what to delegate? Use the Eisenhower Matrix to help you decide what’s urgent, what’s important, and what you can hand off. It’s a simple framework that helps you sort your tasks by priority—so you’re not just doing more, you’re doing what matters.

Having clear, accessible lists leads to a greater sense of accomplishment—because you’re not just staying busy, you’re staying intentional.

Habit Four: Map Out Your Work to Improve Your Productivity

Your time is valuable—we’ve already covered that. Therefore, not having a map of the work that needs to be done will cause you to be unproductive, procrastinate, and possibly miss deadlines.

When you map out your work in advance, you’ll know when you need to do something and when you need to ask others for items they are responsible for.

To put it another way, create a project plan for your big and little projects. David Allen’s book Getting Things Done states that anything with more than one task is considered a project.

If you struggle with chunking your work down, start with the big items and break them down from there.

In business, this step is essential for managing long-term projects and staying focused on the most crucial task in front of you. Without a clear plan, you’re more likely to waste time on less important work, or worse, get stuck in analysis paralysis. Tools like Asana, ClickUp, or Notion make it easier to break down your work into manageable chunks and assign specific time frames to each task.

One productivity tip that works well here: schedule time at the start of each day to review what needs to happen. That small habit gives you a head start and helps you make progress without scrambling.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

Mapping out your work isn’t about controlling every moment—it’s about creating space for intentional progress in your business and life.

Habit Five: Improve Your Productivity with Daily Goals

What are your top three, or create good, better, best goals if you’d like to look at it from that standpoint?

Let me explain: it would be a good day if you did ______. What is one goal? If you achieve that today you’d be happy. This one should be totally achievable.

Next, what would be a better goal? It would be a better day if you did ____ and ____. What are two goals that, if you achieve, you’d be excited?

Finally, what would be the best goal? It would be the best day if you did ____, ____ and ____.

What are three goals that, if you achieved them, would be the BEST day?

Here’s an example: let’s say you’re working on drinking more water. Because water is good for your brain and your productivity.

A good goal—drink 1 quart of water in the first hour you're awake.
A better goal may be to have 3 quarts of water drank by 3 p.m.
The best goal would be to have 4 quarts of water drank by 6 p.m.

The good, better, best helped my sister while training to run a half marathon after having her first baby. The week leading up to the race, she was down about her times. I explained to her to set good, better, and best goals. She could aim for her best, however, if she hit her good goal, that was a goal to be proud of, too. She ended up finishing the race and was thrilled with her accomplishment. Setting good, better, and best goals helped her stay motivated and focused on what she could achieve rather than feeling discouraged by comparing herself to her previous race times.

This approach to goal setting works in business too. At the start of each day, identify your most important tasks. Then choose one goal that will move your business forward—even if it’s something small like scheduling content or following up with a potential client.

Having clear goals gives your day structure and helps you resist distractions. It also builds consistency over time, which is key to business productivity and long-term momentum.

When you define your goals clearly, you give yourself direction—and that’s what turns hard work into real progress.

Habit Six: Batch Like Items to Improve Your Productivity

I’m sure this is not a new one. Batching like items improves your productivity because you’re not bouncing from one thing to another.

You’re keeping your brain focused on one thing. When batching, using focus music with headphones keeps you from getting distracted by all the noises going on around you.

What tasks could you batch to improve your productivity?

These include setting a timer for social media engagement, batching and scheduling your social media posts, and creating your pillar content.

Now let’s apply it to your business. Batching is especially helpful when working on content creation, repetitive tasks, or anything that drains energy when done in small bursts. Try setting aside blocks of time to write emails, prep client materials, or plan your weekly calendar—doing similar tasks together helps boost your productivity levels and protects your focus.

The Pomodoro Technique is one of my favorite time management techniques to pair with batching. It’s simple: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer minute break—around 15–30 minutes. This approach supports focus without burnout.

Even better, use one of those breaks to take a short walk. It’s good for your physical health, clears mental fog, and gives your brain a reset before jumping into the next part of your production process.

When you batch your work and plan breaks with intention, you protect your focus and your energy.

Habit Seven: Schedule a Hard Stop for a Productive Life

Set boundaries around your time to improve your productivity. Schedule hard stops—times when, regardless of what you’re doing, you shut the laptop, walk away from the desk, and call it done.

This is one that I personally struggle with—not going to lie to you. If I’m on a roll, it can be difficult for me to stop in the middle of it. If this is the case, I look at what I can adjust to keep going.

Or, if it’s the end of the day, is what I’m working on more important than my daily exercise?

Because I know myself, I tend to have wiggle room at the end of my day. For example, I schedule one hour to get ready; however, I know that if I absolutely need to, I could take a shower and get ready in twenty minutes. At the moment, I’ll get to choose what’s more important.

Here’s the thing: knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to start. In business, it’s an important step toward maintaining energy and long-term focus. When you give yourself a firm endpoint, you train your brain to work with greater intention and urgency during your actual work time. That way, you can truly disconnect, recharge, and be present for the rest of the day—whether that’s with your family, at the gym, or simply doing something that brings joy.

For me, that hard stop usually looks like grabbing the leashes and heading out with my husband and our dogs. Even if I still have more to do, that evening walk helps me mentally shut off work and transition into home. It’s part of how I reset, reconnect, and protect the rhythm I want for my personal life.

This habit also reinforces your work-life balance. You don’t need to squeeze in extra time every evening to complete tasks. Instead, give yourself permission to stop when the workday ends, trusting that what’s most important will be there tomorrow.

If you like this, be sure to read Time Wasters | Be Mindful Of Your Time

Let’s Recap: 7 Habits to Improve Your Productivity

If you're feeling scattered or stretched too thin, go back to the basics. These seven habits aren’t about doing more—they’re about doing what matters most.

Here’s a quick recap:

Track Your Time – Know where your time is going so you can spend it more intentionally.
Create Systems – Simplify repetitive tasks to save time and mental energy.
Make Lists – Keep your to-dos (and not-to-dos) organized and easy to find.
Map Out Your Work – Use project plans and clear time frames to stay focused and reduce overwhelm.
Set Daily Goals – Start each day with clear priorities using the good, better, best method.
Batch Like Tasks – Group similar tasks and take strategic breaks to boost your focus.
Schedule a Hard Stop – Protect your evenings and reset your mind by ending the day with intention.

You don’t need to implement all seven at once. Just start with one. As you build better habits, you’ll start to feel more grounded, more focused, and more productive—in both your business and your life.

Because how we manage our time isn’t just about productivity—it’s about purpose.

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Time Wasters | Be Mindful Of Your Time

by Michele | Planning-Organization-Productivity

Let me just say it—today’s time waster for me? Trying to get Descript to cooperate long enough to record the podcast episode with this blog post. Technology is usually not a huge hurdle for me, but wow… the struggle was real. And ironically, it was the perfect reminder of how easily we can lose time as business owners.

So let’s talk about it. These five time-wasting habits might seem small, but they can quietly derail your progress as a small business owner. I know this because I’ve dealt with every one of them. And if you’re struggling to stay consistent or feel like you’re always behind, chances are one (or more) of these is working against you.

Let’s break them down, one by one—and talk about how to take back control of your time.

Are You Aware of the Time Wasters That Derail Your Success?

Here’s the thing: most small business owners aren’t even aware of how much time they’re losing. And it’s not because you’re lazy. It’s because your brain is wired to stay comfortable. That means you often don’t notice the distractions and habits that are eating up hours of your week.

But those minutes? They add up.

If you want to grow your business, create consistent content, and stop feeling like you’re spinning your wheels, identifying these hidden habits is the first step.

The 5 Time Wasters That Derail Small Business Success

1. Not Tracking How You Spend Your Time

I know, I talk about this all the time—and I’m going to bring it up again next week too. Because the truth is, what you pay attention to improves. If you want to improve your productivity, you need to know where your time is actually going.

Most entrepreneurs think they know. But once they track it? They’re shocked. You realize you’re spending way more time in certain areas than you thought—like bouncing between browser tabs, checking email constantly, or answering pings and messages that honestly could wait.

Here’s the fix:
Just track your time for a week. That’s it. No need to go crazy. Jot down what you’re doing every 30 to 60 minutes. You’ll start to see patterns:

Time lost between meetings
Admin tasks that overlap
“Quick” social scrolls that turn into 20 minutes

Once you’re aware, you can start shifting those habits.

2. Letting Email Run Your Workday

This one hits hard if you’re coming from corporate life. We’re trained to keep our inbox open all day—but as a business owner, that habit will derail your priorities fast.

If your inbox is open all day, you’re constantly reacting instead of leading. It feels productive, but your actual business-building tasks get pushed aside.

One of my favorite quotes is from David Allen:

“Email is other people’s agenda for your time.”

So how do you stop letting your email run the show?

Block time on your calendar to check email—just like a meeting.
When a request comes in, schedule the task and reply with when you’ll handle it.
Stick to your schedule.

This helps you stay responsive, but still protect the things that matter most in your day.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Stay Present: Change Your Mindset and Content Creation

3. Mindless Social Media Scrolling

Whew. This is a big one for me too. And I know it’s easy to justify because, “I’m checking DMs,” or “I need to engage with my audience,” or “I’m staying current on trends.” But if we’re honest—most of that scrolling? It’s not actually helping us grow.

Social media is built to keep your attention. That’s literally how the platforms make money. So if you’re not intentional, you can easily spend hours there without even noticing.

Ask yourself:

How often am I opening social media during the day?
Am I being intentional or just reacting out of habit?
Could this time be better spent writing content, serving a client, or even just taking a real break?

Set clear boundaries. Create a process for how and when you engage on social media. Don’t let it become one of the biggest business time wasters to avoid.

4. Multitasking

Okay, confession time—I catch myself doing this all the time. Even though I know better, I still slip into it. And maybe you do too. You think multitasking helps you get more done, but research shows it actually decreases your productivity.

Each time you jump between tasks—say writing an email and then quickly checking your calendar—your brain has to reset. That mental reset costs you more time and energy than you think.

If you really want to improve your productivity, focus on one task at a time. Batch similar tasks. Eliminate distractions. Give yourself blocks of deep work time when you know you’re at your best.

You’ll get more done—and feel less scattered while doing it.

5. Not Scheduling Based on Priorities

Here’s the sneaky one: your calendar might be full, but that doesn’t mean you’re productive. One of the biggest time wasters that derail business progress is filling your schedule with low-priority tasks.

Instead of reacting to everything that comes up, start getting proactive:

At the beginning of each week, identify your top three business priorities.
Block out time for those first—before anything else gets scheduled.
Protect that time like you would a client meeting.

Remember, your business is a client too. Treat it like one.

When your calendar reflects your real goals—not just your to-do list—you make real progress.

Take Back Control of Your Time

If any of these habits sound familiar, don’t beat yourself up. They’re common, and they’re sneaky. But the good news is: you can change them.

Let’s do a quick recap:

5 Time Wasters That Derail Your Success:

Not tracking how you spend your time
Letting email control your day
Mindless social media scrolling
Multitasking instead of deep work
Filling your calendar with the wrong priorities

Start small. Pick one time-wasting habit to shift this week. That’s it. You don’t need to overhaul your life—just start noticing, and then take one step forward.

When you take control of your time, you take control of your results.

Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate you and I hope you make it a wonderful week. Enjoy your day, friend.

← Stay Present: Change Your Mindset and Content Creation 7 Habits to Improve Your Productivity (and Life) →

Stay Present: Change Your Mindset and Content Creation

by Michele | Life and Success, Content Creation

116 -25 - Pins - Your Mindset and Content (4)

I tend to share past entries out of my journal with my email list. Today, I want to share something a bit reflective with you. It’s about being present, really being where your feet are. I’ll be honest—I struggle with this. My mind is always darting from one thought to another, hardly ever just being still. But there’s a beautiful lesson in learning to be present, not just for our mental health but also for our spiritual journey. This is actually from a journal entry from a couple of years ago, but it got me thinking a lot about your mindset and content creation.

The Struggle with Presence

You know, the concept of ‘being where your feet are' sounds simple, right? But it's anything but that for most of us. Our minds are crowded places, bustling with the noise of ‘what ifs’ and ‘I need to.’ It's tough just to be still. And here’s something interesting—while we're talking about presence, we're also talking about awareness. Awareness of the moment, of our feelings, and our blessings in our daily life.

The Power of Awareness

This awareness is crucial. Even now, I rarely sit down with a hot cup of coffee, get cozy, snuggle with my puppies, and enjoy that moment. Take the time to truly feel all my blessings and give that magical cup of coffee my full focus.

What I’m finding is the days that I take those moments of gratitude. It pays forward with how I approach the day ahead. But it takes practice to have these moments. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’ That’s about finding peace in presence and knowing that there’s profound faith and understanding in the stillness. The awareness that we are not in this life alone. God is with us, and he puts the right people in our lives. It is up to us to cherish what we have.

Spiritual Perspective on Contentment

How often do you find yourself always striving for more? Rushing through the present with a temptation to always want more? That urge doesn’t come from a place of gratitude. It can lead us away from our path, from what God wants for us. He wants us to thrive, to follow His ways, His rules—and oh, how I love following rules! But part of what Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11, ‘I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.' It’s not about what we accumulate but what we appreciate.

Practical Steps to Increase Presence (Professional Focus)

Let’s shift gears to how being present influences you and your business. To truly have the impact your heart desires.

This impact comes from the pieces of content that you create. Isn’t the best content the pieces that you are fully present when you create it. Being present in your work means being deeply engaged with the task, whether strategizing your content calendar or creating compelling, impactful material.

Here are a few steps I've implemented that you might find useful:

Single-Tasking Over Multi-Tasking: Focus on one project at a time. This improves the quality and speeds up the process because your attention isn't divided. When you switch tasks, your energy can have small shifts, so keep the right mindset to create great content.
Scheduled Check-Ins: Regularly step back to assess the direction of your work. Are you aligned with your business goals? Is your content doing what it’s supposed to do? Are you using your long-form content and repurposing it to social posts?
Mindful Meetings: Whether it’s with clients or team members, being fully present in meetings ensures more productive outcomes and fewer misunderstandings.
Embrace Automation: Use tools and systems to handle repetitive tasks. This frees up mental space, allowing you to be more creative and strategic with your content.

Embracing Change and Letting Go

Change is hard. We resist it, even when it’s good for us. But to truly embrace presence, we sometimes need to let go. Let go of the clothes that just sit in our closet, the tasks we do out of obligation, and the stress that doesn’t serve us. This isn’t just cleaning out; it’s making room for new growth and blessings. When we let go it allows us to have a growth mindset instead of staying stuck in a fixed mindset and not looking for possibility.

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Breaking Down the Overwhelm

Let's talk about those moments when the weight of everything on our shoulders feels too heavy—when our to-do lists seem a mile long and our minds buzz with wants, needs, and what-ifs. It's natural to feel overwhelmed in these moments, but a strategy can bring us back to a state of effectiveness and calm: focusing on the present moment. I know, right, It is easy to say and sometimes hard to do.

Here's a quick story that brings this idea to life. A few weeks ago, my husband, our youngest daughter, who was home from college on spring break, and I were playing Rummikub. Bryar can easily see how to move around the tiles. My competitive family likes to keep tabs on who wins, and she has signed the box the most out of the three of us. Well, during the game, my husband had to step away to take a phone call, and we paused the game until he returned.

When he returned and sat down, he immediately placed his tiles in ways he hadn’t noticed before. Surprised, he said, ‘Why did I not see these before?' And that’s when I told him, ‘Sometimes, you need to step back and come back with fresh eyes.' He agreed, saying, ‘Yes, it does.'

This simple moment in our family game night is a perfect metaphor for what we often face in our busy lives. Just like stepping away from the game gave my husband a new perspective, taking a moment to pause and assess our small business and personal challenges can reveal solutions and opportunities we might not see. At the same time, we’re caught up in the hustle.

So, when you feel overwhelmed, remember the power of a short break. It's not just about stepping away; it's about returning with a fresh perspective that can make all the difference.

Applying Presence to Content Creation

Now, let’s take this concept of presence and apply it directly to content creation, which, as many of you know, is a big part of my world. Just like in our personal and business lives, being present can transform the content creation process. Successful content creators understand their best work is done with a present and positive mindset.

When we’re overwhelmed with ideas, deadlines, and the pressure to produce, it’s easy to lose sight of the creativity and purpose behind our work. Here’s how we can apply the ‘Pause and Assess' strategy specifically to content creation:

Clear the Clutter: Before you start working on a new piece of content, take a moment to clear away any unnecessary distractions. This could be physical clutter on your desk or digital clutter on your computer. I don’t know about you, but I have many open windows, which can be distracting.
Focus on One Piece at a Time: Instead of juggling multiple content pieces simultaneously, focus intensely on one. This could mean taking one piece of content from start to finish. Maybe you’re not someone that can batch-create. You may need to take one idea from start to finish. While batching is effective, it may not work for everyone.
Reflect on Your Goals: What is the purpose of the content you’re creating? Who is it for? Realigning with your goals can refresh your perspective and inspire new ideas.
Take a Creative Break: If you're stuck, step away for a while. Just like my husband found new ways to lay down his tiles after his break, you might find new inspiration for your content after some time away from the screen. Get up, move your body, and let your mind wander to your next great idea.
Return with Fresh Eyes: When you return, look at your content as if seeing it for the first time. Sometimes, this fresh perspective can help you spot opportunities for improvement or new angles you hadn’t considered before.

By being fully present in each step of the content creation process, you will produce work that aligns with you and creates the desired impact. Remember, every piece of content you create is an extension of your presence in the online world. Show up how you want to be seen and make it count.

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Call to Listeners:

Before I wrap up this post, I want to take a moment to talk about something close to my heart—helping you make the most of your content. As a content manager and podcaster, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with the demands of creating, managing, and repurposing content.
That’s where I come in. My content marketing services are designed to take the load off your shoulders, whether you want to streamline your content systems or breathe new life into old posts.

From setting up efficient content systems in your favorite project management tool to repurposing your podcast into blog posts, social media snippets, and beyond, I’m here to help you maximize your impact with minimum stress. View my service if you’re ready to transform your content strategy and free up more time to focus on what you truly love. Let’s make your content work smarter, not harder.

Time To Wrap This Up:

As I wrap up, remember that the journey to being more present—personally and professionally—is paved with intentional, small steps. By focusing on what we can do right now, we not only manage our daily tasks more effectively but also live our lives more fully. This is the essence of being where our feet are—fully immersed, fully engaged, and fully alive to the opportunities of the present moment.

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