Every time we usher in a new month, it feels like we're all asking, "How is it already <insert month>?!"

Yes, we’re already a week into the month, but with the 4th of July holiday, many teams are riddled with PTO so did it really count?

Regardless, we start this new Monday with a full week, facing the rest of the month, plus the start of the quarter and second half of the year.

For those of us in business, this period can feel like both a challenge and an opportunity—a blank slate to meet our team’s objectives.

The rush to meet end-of-month / quarter / half goals is intense, and then we have to start all over again. Plus, we need to shake off the cobwebs of a holiday week. I want to share a few strategies that help me stay focused and motivated from week to week. Afterall, our goals for a month / quarter / half are accomplished one week at a time. As leaders, our focus and motivation directly impact our team's ability to thrive.

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

— Plato

Tip #1: No Monday Morning Meetings

This might sound unconventional, but I always reserve at least 1-2 hours on Monday mornings for myself, free from any meetings. Without this, I often feel burnout creeping in by Tuesday morning. I've even extended this to having no meetings before lunch or sometimes the entire day.

Here's how you can do it:

Set a recurring meeting with yourself for the first hour of your Monday. Communicate this to your team and mark it as a non-negotiable block in your calendar. Use phrases like "Do Not Book Over" if necessary.
Adjust your standup meetings. Schedule them at least 30 minutes after your team’s start time. This allows everyone to settle in, check emails, and come prepared, making the meeting more productive.
Update your scheduling links. Prevent any unexpected meetings in the first two hours of Mondays by adjusting your availability. While exceptions can be made, commit to this time for yourself.

This extra “no meetings” time on Mondays allows you to focus on...

“Focus on what’s most important, not what’s most urgent.”

— Kay Koplovitz, Founder of USA Network

Tip #2: Plan Your Week

I've been using a simple weekly planner for years. It’s undated and has plenty of space to write down plans for each week. You can find these at any store that sells planners.

During my Monday focus time, I pull out a clean sheet and map out my week:

Top Half: Fill in the major topics, big meetings, and deadlines for each day based on your calendar. Scan your email for anything new to add.

Bottom Half: Plan how you’ll spend the rest of your time. This includes prep time for meetings, working time for deadlines, and meetings with your team, clients, or collaborators.

Remember, the goal is not to fill your calendar but to balance it. Aim for a schedule that keeps you motivated, focused, productive, and prevents burnout. On days that are already packed, avoid adding more tasks. Acknowledge your limits and focus on achievable goals.

“Stay focused, ignore the distractions, and you will accomplish your goals much faster.”

— Joel Osteen

Create a "to-do" list divided into:

Big projects/focus areas for the week: Key tasks that need attention despite any unexpected issues.
Smaller tasks: Minor tasks that also need completion.

This planning helps you start the week with clarity and prioritization, leading to satisfaction and productivity by week’s end.

Take Action: Try this planning method with the new time block you’ve created. Use a blank piece of paper to start. If it’s already later in the day, you can still plan for the rest of the week.

“When you’re building something, you have to focus.”

— Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook

Tip #3: Productive, Motivated Teams Come from Healthy Teams

Lately, I've been reflecting on the crucial role of teams in our organizations and business goals. We measure productivity and performance at the team level because that's where we can make the most impact. However, achieving these goals is impossible without healthy teams.

What’s a Healthy Team?

Connected
Motivated
Supported
Collaborative
Inclusive
High-performing
Enjoy working together

Midway through the year is an excellent time to assess your team's health.

To assist with this, I’ve created a Team Health Score Quiz. This quiz includes simple Yes/No questions to help you determine the health of your team. Knowing your starting point is essential for knowing where to take action.

Take the quiz below now!

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough. ”

— Marissa Mayer, Yahoo!