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The Power of Focus Weeks in a Busy Work Schedule
Why Dedicated Focus Time Matters to Web Designers
Finding uninterrupted time for deep work often feels impossible when juggling client meetings, emails, and day-to-day tasks. That’s why scheduling Focus Weeks has been a game-changer for my workflow. Blocking out a full workweek strictly for focused tasks allows me to push through projects without the usual distractions, making me a better service provider and helping me produce my best work.
What Worked Well
Focus Weeks are a gift in my workflow. Reducing distractions during these weeks significantly improves my efficiency and creative output. Having dedicated time to wrap up design work and engage in deep problem-solving has noticeably enhanced my design skills. When I allow myself to go all in on my work without interruptions, I produce better results and feel more accomplished.
Challenges: Remembering I’m in a Focus Week
One of the biggest challenges with this habit is simply remembering I’m in a Focus Week. It’s easy to slip into old patterns, automatically answering emails or scheduling a meeting before realizing I had blocked out the time. Staying mindful of my schedule requires discipline and small reminders to ensure I don’t break the routine.
A Surprising Benefit: Improved Boundaries with Clients
A major takeaway from this practice is that clients don’t always need immediate responses. I’ve learned that not every request is an emergency, and setting boundaries around my availability helps my business. I still make exceptions for emergencies, but Focus Weeks reinforces the idea that structured work time benefits everyone.
Tools & Resources That Helped
- Google Calendar – I use it to mark myself as busy, which prevents clients from booking meetings during my Focus Week. (https://calendar.google.com/)
- Turning Off Notifications – I toggle airplane mode on and off throughout the day, only allowing for messages during my lunch break to check for emergencies.
Lessons Learned
I needed this habit more than I realized. Initially, I scheduled Focus Weeks quarterly, but I quickly found that wasn’t enough. Looking back, I wish I had implemented them monthly from the start. This dedicated time allows me to work proactively rather than reactively, giving me a stronger sense of control over my workload.
Moving Forward
Going forward, I plan to keep Focus Weeks as part of my regular routine. Monthly scheduling is the right balance, ensuring I have structured deep work time without feeling overwhelmed by constant availability demands.
How You Can Implement This Habit
If blocking Monday through Friday seems too difficult, try shifting your Focus Week to a Wednesday through Tuesday schedule. It gives you flexibility while still allowing for deep work. Remember, clients with true emergencies are always an exception, but boundaries are key to staying productive and maintaining long-term success for everything else.
about the author
Cami MacNamara is a web designer and owner of WebCami LLC, a Seattle-based agency since 2002. She created Web Designer Habits to help web designers build smarter systems, stay productive, and run a business that works for them.