jlucey.designs

Monotasking: focusing on one task at a time rather than trying to do it all. Our brains can really only focus on one thing, so any time we think we’re multitasking, we’re really just switching our focus rapidly from one thing to another, which leads to tasks taking longer to complete.

Here’s my 5 tips on monotasking to help you work smarter, not harder:
☝🏼 List out the tasks you want to accomplish in the day and the priority in which you want to do them. Then start with the first item, and that item only.

🗓 set time blocks on your work calendar so people don’t book meetings with you while you’re trying to focus.

🎯 Use the do not disturb feature on your phone, and set your status on Slack to focusing to eliminate notifications and side convos.

⏱ Set a timer and focus on one task for the entire time.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Take breaks between work blocks to reset your mind and get comfy again. Grab a snack, drink, stretch, or go on a quick walk. This is when you can take a 10-min tiktok break, but be sure to come back and put the phone down!

Have you given it a try? Leave any other tips for new monotaskers below!👇🏼

Nobody looks back in their life wishing they spent more time working, so make sure you’re someone outside of your job.

This is something I’m still working on, as I am a certified workaholic that suffers from productivity guilt. If I’m not working, cleaning, or doing some sort of productive activity, then I feel like I’m wasting my time.

I’ve been getting back into my hobbies and finding things that excite me that aren’t work related such as crafts, making art for myself again, and books. I’ve also been taking my time every morning to go on long walks with my pup, Lola, and have breakfast and get ready leisurely, rather than waking up and immediately getting to work.

Who are you outside your work? I am an artist, dog mom, self-care enthusiast, and reader 😌 I’d love to hear about you!

Let’s talk hustle culture 🙇🏻‍♀️

When you love what you do, you start to glamorize work and make it your sole focus, but you also downplay your own burnout and dismiss any thoughts that you’re tired.

Trust me, I have been there. The first year and a half of the pandemic when I was working my last job + freelancing + running my small business, I was working constantly and would tell myself ‘how are you going to make it big if you take a day off?’ And ‘it’s ok if I stay up working on this design, there’s always tomorrow to relax.’ But that tomorrow never came and I just kept working.

Thankfully, I’m on the other side of this now. Sure, my job is still one of my main focuses, but I also have gotten so much better at finding a work/life balance. There are definitely weeks I put in extra hours, but I try to close my work laptop and leave my office for the day around 5. Period. I’m not saying it’s bad to hustle, but you should never feel like you HAVE to all the time. Life will go on whether or not you’re sitting at your desk all day, and you don’t want to miss it.

Social media also plays a huge role in this, from Day in My Life TikToks to IG stories from your favorite people talking about how much they’re working and being productive. That’s incredible for them! But you shouldn’t feel compelled to work harder if you’re already doing your best. ✨

Me: doesn’t post for weeks
Also me: here’s a lettering piece from last year to get us into the holiday spirits if you aren’t already! I’ve been a whirlwind of Christmas recently with both mine and Nick’s work holiday parties 🎄

Quite honestly, my new job gives me my creative fix so I haven’t felt inspired or felt the need to make art in my free time. I was saddened by this at first, but isn’t that the dream— to have a job that fulfills your passion and get paid for it?

Anyway, I feel like I haven’t used this insta in so long, what did I miss? 👀

Floral Post-It Notes are here! 🌸

I use sticky notes to help keep me organized every day, so I figured I should design some myself to make them more fun!

I’ve created two- one blank one that’s great for anyone, and one specifically made to write down client tasks. These are perfect for social media managers, freelancers, and anyone else that’s client-facing!

They are available to shop right now at the link in my bio! 🛍