Time-block Planning
This tactic is taken directly from Cal Newport’s book “Deep Work” and is 100% worth checking out if you have any feeling of being unable to allot time to the tasks you wish to focus on. This book reshaped my thinking this year.

Do Not Disturb/Phone In a Drawer
Prior to a month ago, I basically only used my phone's Do Not Disturb setting at night. Now, I’ll put the phone on Do Not Disturb at all hours of the day. If I don’t think that setting will work, I’ve been tossing my phone in drawers or out of sight to remove the distraction.

Use a Real Alarm Clock
Instead of using my phone as an alarm, I’ve got a $20 alarm clock waking me up. Honestly, the wake-up sounds are delightful (birds chirping, soothing bells) and the little pseudo-sunrise is a bonus. This is just another step in keeping my phone away from me so when I wake up at 3:00 a.m. randomly to my dog sniffing my face the first thing I do isn't grab my phone for a quick mindless scroll.

No Open Email
This was a surprise to me, but having my email closed and just a few slots in my day scheduled for checking email has been so freeing. This is another lesson from “Deep Work.”

Slot in Distraction Time
It is OK to take time to browse the internet or binge a show. The key is to be strict with that time slot. In just one day, I can tell when I am letting distractions flow in and out of my schedule. Keeping a segment in my day when distractions can occur is beneficial in making sure I allot time for the things that I want to accomplish.

Post the Thing
As I make images (even if it is just photos of smoked ribs), I am going to post them. As social media continues to be less and less about creativity and more about consumerism, it is time to either use the platform however you see fit or play the game of the algorithm.

Write/Journal
For years I’ve journaled on and off. I'm realizing that this practice doesn’t have to be a daily endeavor, but it must be something that I consistently use. I find it helps sort out the half-formed thoughts into coherent (relatively) ideas.

Take the Backroads
On days with unique atmospheric conditions, I am working to get out and make pictures along the backroads of northern Indiana. The outcome in these drives isn‘t image count or anything specific, but it is the act of being creative and honing my eye as a photographer. This is a flexible method of time-blocking, when the conditions are right.

In short ...

-Limit distractions.
-Limit disruptions.
-Create space to focus.
-Less things to do is more time to do less things.

Rather than having to add hacks or other things in the hopes of being more efficient, I am working on reducing things that are pulling me away from what I want to be doing.