Boost your focus in Evernote (and beyond!)
Nov 11 2024 | Issue 17 | Link to this issue | Subscribe
Hi Reader –
Last month I had the honor of presenting two sessions at Tiago Forte’s Second Brain Summit in Los Angeles. One highlight was interviewing Evernote’s Head of Product, Federico Simionato, where we dug into some fascinating topics. Federico shared that he first started using Evernote back in high school, which made me feel a bit old!
We also discussed the impressive pace of innovation at Evernote this year, with over 75 new features released in 2024 alone. Federico emphasized the essential role customers play in Evernote’s product development and chatted with me about Evernote and AI.
Tiago hosted an amazing conference. Academy members can find more details in my full recap inside the Academy. And, I recommend joining Tiago’s newsletter if you’re looking to further level up your productivity.
Me interviewing Evernote Product Lead Federico Simionato
Focus Your Time
November is when the busy season ramps up for me and many other readers. When we’re busy, it can be easy to slip into a feeling of being overwhelmed. To combat this, I’m hyper-focused on focus.
This has led to a big realization the past couple years: You don’t need more time — you need more focus.
David Allen says this well, reminding us that “Einstein had 24 hours. So did Mother Teresa. So did Bach.” But if you’re anything like me, staying focused is challenging this time of year.
This visual sums it up perfectly:
We talk about focus a lot in the Academy and often in this newsletter. We all have the same 24 hours to work with. But, when you have more on your plate than you have time to do (or are interested in more things that you can physically get done in a day), the only way to prioritize and make progress is to focus.
We can't create more time. But, we can sharpen our focus. Focus is a skill that can be developed.
There are 3 main areas if you improve your focus skills will grow:
Distraction Free Environment
Your environment plays a major role in how effectively you can focus. Distractions are all around us, from buzzing phones to cluttered desks. A focus-friendly environment is one that minimizes these distractions and allows you the space to truly concentrate on the task at hand.
This might mean designating specific work areas, silencing notifications during critical work periods, or keeping your physical and digital spaces organized and distraction-free. By making intentional choices in your surroundings, you can create an environment that supports your focus rather than detracts from it, paving the way for more productive, quality work sessions.
Build Your Habit Muscle
Habits are the backbone of a focused mindset. Every time you commit to practices like time-blocking, defining clear next steps, or “titling and filing” your notes, you’re setting yourself up for consistent, focused action.
Time-blocking, for instance, reserves specific parts of your day for undisturbed work, while defining clear next actions for each project eliminates uncertainty when it’s time to dive in.
And, a tip I share often to those desiring an organized Evernote account: “Title and File” the information you capture to your Evernote digital workspace on a regular basis. This habit keeps things organized and prepares your notes for quick retrieval when you seek them.
These habits don’t just help you get things done; they build a routine where focused work becomes second nature.
Design Your Workflow
The tools you use can either streamline your focus or add speed bumps that slow you down. Effective workflow design is about using the features of your productivity tools to your advantage.
Not all notes are created equal. And, creating quick access to key notes can provide sharper focus on current projects and priorities.
In Evernote there are several features that support quick access to key data in your system, including:
Shortcuts (bookmark key notes, notebooks, tags and more for access from your sidebar)
Pin to Notebook (keep notes stuck to the top of a notebook, no matter how it is sorted)
Jump Command / Quick Switcher (a favorite key-command of power-users creating a direct “jump” to any note when you words that appear in its title)
Home Pinned Note Widget (feature a key note on your Home dashboard)
All are good options, and your specific choice will depend on personal preference, but being fluent in these features allows you to create workflows that reduce friction and help you stay locked into your top priorities. This is exactly the type of thing we tackle inside the Academy.
🧠 Academy Members: Improve your focus workflows by reviewing this Masterclass Training: How to Feature Key Notes in Evernote. And, get my help applying them to your workflow by posting in the Discussion space.
Set Yourself up for a Great 2025
End the year strong and set yourself up for a productive 2025. With just a handful of productive weeks left in the year, it's the perfect time to wrap up unfinished tasks, close out lingering projects, and focus on what will make the biggest impact before the year ends.
November's an ideal month to clear space — both mentally and physically — so you can set a strong foundation for a fresh start in January. By investing in focused time now to organize, prioritize, and plan, you’ll finish the year with a sense of accomplishment and a clear path forward.
Let’s make the most of these last weeks of 2024 and enter 2025 with momentum!
Stacey
PS: If you'd like support in finishing the year strong, join me in the Academy and become part of a motivated group supporting your focus habits and Evernote best practices – all year long.
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