Moving Beyond Autopilot: Using Self-Monitoring to Improve Focus and Productivity

Written By Annie Belott, M.Ed
 
 

How often do you find yourself on autopilot, where you are:

  • Working through daily tasks without thinking about why and how you’re doing it?

  • Losing touch with the activities + habits that bring you joy, as the focus has shifted to “just get through the day?”

  • Unaware of the progress and small wins you are making on your specific goals?

The sky-high ingredient to go from autopilot mode to soaring in productivity… SELF-MONITORING!

The skill of self-monitoring allows us to observe + evaluate our behaviors, thoughts, and energy levels, in order to be more intentional and purposeful with our actions. When we pay attention to these internal factors, and use first-class strategies to monitor where our time and energy is being used, our efficiency won’t be at risk of hitting any turbulence.

Find out which of the high-flying strategies below is best suited for you to help increase awareness of your actions and optimize your performance.

Time Block

Create distinct blocks of time throughout your day designated for specific activities.
The use of time blocking helps create the emphasis on when you will work on each task – eliminates decision fatigue regarding your to-do list and allows for adequate time + attention to certain tasks.

Visual or Physical Timers

Set the timer for a specific amount of time and work until the timer goes off – established working intervals help structure your concentration for a specific period of time.

Time Tracking

Monitor where your time goes to make more informed decisions about where your time could be spent more effectively.
Try adding your activities + actions to a digital calendar or using an app, such as Clockify or Rescue Time – monitor where your time is going, if there are any time wasters in your day, and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Monitor your behaviors + actions, enhance your attention + focus, increase your productivity and watch the achievement of your goals take off!

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Annie Belott, M.Ed

With over nine years of experience working in academia, including university settings, Annie has worked with various student populations including individuals with disabilities, first-generation students, and student-athletes. She focuses on strategies to improve upon time management, procrastination, test anxiety, self-testing, learning styles, etc.

From 2016 to 2020, Annie worked as a Learning Skills Specialist at Georgetown University. Here she oversaw the implementation of academic support services to all students on campus, specifically individual consultations with students seeking assistance with their study habits, tutoring for foreign languages, and study skills workshops/webinars.

Annie has worked for Life Solved since the Fall of 2017 and recently transitioned to a full-time position with the company. She continues to work with students from middle school through the collegiate level to improve upon their organizational systems, test-taking and self-testing strategies, and help students create effective study schedules to make workloads manageable.

Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in Multicultural Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

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