While journaling (and complaining) about my lack of focus, I received an email inviting me to a webinar featuring best-selling author and educator D’Vorah Lansky. Intrigued by the title—“5 Time-Generating Secrets to Get More Done and Have More Fun!”—I signed up and took notes as I watched and listened.

I paid special attention to D’Vorah’s acronym for F.O.C.U.S.

Fine Tune Your Projects List

Optimize Your Email

Concentrate on What’s Essential

Unplug and Take Time to Recharge

Streamline Your Social Media Systems

Here are D’Vorah’s suggestions:

1. Gather all To-Do lists and create a Master Projects List. Set deadlines for completion and organize the items chronologically.

2. Schedule specific email-checking times during the time. Use a timer if you are easily distracted.

3. Create folders—Receipts, Writing Ideas, Publishers—and tag each incoming email accordingly. Only emails that require immediate attention should remain in the In-Box.

4. Identify your most productive times during the day. Do not check your emails during these times.

5. Clean your desk or work area at the end of each day and make a list of the six most important things that must be completed the following day. Leave the list on your desk and discipline yourself to attend to each item.

6. Factor in “fun time” each day. It could be as simple as taking a fifteen-minute dance break, playing with your cats, or having coffee at your favorite café. Setting aside time each week for a longer activity such as a movie, lunch with a friend, or “Blow with the wind” time is also important. When we recharge regularly, we can stay energized even during the toughest of times.

7. Schedule fifteen-minute blocks of daily social networking time. On the weekends, set aside a one-hour block to roam online.

Any other tips?