My 5 go-to's for laser-focus in PM work mode

I’m generally the type to get work done in the morning - as the day goes by I find my concentration and creative batteries getting lower.

Sounds pretty normal, right? It is, and just like most of us, there are times when I need to get things done in the evening or just schedule some work or focus time outside of my normal working hours.

I’ve got a few methods I use to get this done, so if you’re ever finding yourself with extra tasks to knock out in the evening and want to get better about that entire process so you can get more done in less time with less headaches - keep reading.

Where This Came From

Lately I’ve been working on several interesting projects like Summarily and Elevarly along with client work and projects with Semantic Mastery.

This means that I’ve got to make time from…somewhere.

I’m pretty good at time blocking and planning out the week to help set and tackle A-Goals, but sometimes things still come up and if I want to make progress I need to get busy outside of normal hours.

For me that can be tough, so having some go-to methods to make this easier and more productive was a must.

Talking with others and sharing some ideas on YouTube showed me that others face the same issues (surprise, surprise!) - so I’ve rounded up a few of my methods and have them laid out below.

This Week’s Favorite

Methods For Getting Sh*t Done Outside Normal Hours

There’s something that we all know, but all ignore to some degree. You won’t get much out of tips and methods if your foundation sucks. And by that I mean your general health - so that’s where we’re starting

1. Start with the Basics: Health Comes First

• Get enough sleep: If you’re running on empty, no productivity trick will work.

• Eat well: Ensure you’ve fueled your body properly, so you aren’t dragging during the evening.

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity boosts energy and helps you focus. You don’t have to run a marathon, but get some movement in - walking, running, whatever you enjoy.

2. Take a Short Break to Switch Gears

Transitioning from your daytime tasks to evening work can be tough. Give yourself a mental break to recharge.

• Go for a 5-10 minute walk.

• Read a chapter of a book.

• Meditate or just relax.

The goal is to reset your mind before starting your evening work.

3. Create a Distraction-Free Workspace

Setting up a dedicated workspace, even if it’s temporary, can help you focus.

• Use a different spot than where you spent your day if possible.

• Try to keep it free of distractions, even if it’s just a small table with only your laptop.

• If you live with others, politely ask them to minimize interruptions during your work period or put on those headphones with some relaxing music.

A change of environment signals your brain that it’s time to focus and keeping distractions down is a no-brainer.

4. Set Clear Time Limits

Having a set start and end time is crucial for maintaining productivity without burning out.

• Define your working hours: Decide whether you’ll work for 60, 90, or 120 minutes.

• Use a timer: When the time is up, stop. Overextending yourself might feel productive in the moment, but it can lead to burnout.

5. Break Tasks Into Manageable Chunks

If you have a big task ahead, break it down into smaller, achievable steps. For example:

• Outline the article instead of trying to write the entire piece.

• Edit one section of a project rather than attempting the whole thing at once.

And last but not least - if you’re working on something that is going to take multiple sessions or is part of a larger project, take notes about what you did and where you stopped and maybe add what you need to work on next. Future you will be very happy and you’ll save a ton of time by spending 30 seconds on this last bit.

If you’d rather check out the video about this, you can watch it below.

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P.S. Looking for resources to improve your productivity? Check out the tools I use right here.