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- Issue No. 132: Try 'Pomodoro 2.0' to Focus on Deep Work
Issue No. 132: Try 'Pomodoro 2.0' to Focus on Deep Work
Google November 2024 core update rolling out now
Jenae Spry
November 22, 2024
In partnership with
In partnership with
Productivity Express
Issue No. 132
The Best in Evidenced-Based Productivity
for Small Business Owners, Freelancers & Founders
Helping You Work Smarter and Live More
The Rundown
Help, My Motivation Dried Up
Google November 2024 core update rolling out now
Try 'Pomodoro 2.0' to Focus on Deep Work
Use our prompt improver to optimize your prompts
The Third Wave Of AI Is Here: Why Agentic AI Will Transform The Way We Work
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🔥Quote/Prompt
Acknowledging a mistake just means that you are wiser today than you were yesterday.
Use the quote as a writing or thinking prompt to finish your week strong.
A bit from mine:
(posted in our Doer Entrepreneurs Free Community — off social media)
🤬 Is it just me, or do you also hate when something bad happens (especially when you have a hand in it partly or completely) and someone tells you it’s a learning experience?
Something I’ve been trying to do, which has helped me, is […]
Did someone forward this to you?
📈 Performance
Running a business means constant output - but what happens when your motivation tank hits empty? This research-backed guide from Psychology Today offers practical solutions for when you just can't seem to get moving.
"If you find you've lost your motivation, take a walk in a park or on the sidewalks of the city. I'm not talking about an exercise walk but an exploration walk. Look around. Allow your curiosity to run wild. Notice things you've never noticed before... Just like creative thinkers - you'll likely view the world in a different light."
Key Insights:
Turn off negative news inputs first (Example: Set specific times to check news instead of constant monitoring)
Use the "incremental bargaining" technique (Example: Start with "just 5 minutes" of work, then negotiate with yourself for more)
Follow your joy to find motivation (Example: Schedule 30 minutes daily to pursue what energizes you, even if it seems unrelated to work)
Read the full article for a complete motivation recovery system, including self-compassion exercises and goal-setting frameworks.
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⚙️ Optimization
Those organic traffic fluctuations you might be seeing? They're not random - Google just launched another core update that could impact your business visibility. Here's what business owners need to know about this latest algorithm change.
"This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search," Google wrote on LinkedIn.
Key Insights:
The rollout will take about two weeks to complete.
Focus remains on genuinely helpful content. In other words, writing for your audience first, not search engines.
No specific "fix" needed if rankings drop. So continue creating quality content rather than chasing quick solutions.
Read the full article for Google's complete guidance on handling core updates, including a checklist of questions to evaluate your content quality and expert insights on potential recovery timelines.
⏲️ Time Management
The classic Pomodoro Technique is great, but what if those 25-minute blocks are actually interrupting your best work? This updated approach helps you build to longer focus sessions without burning out.
"Adding time to the work blocks in increments helps you settle in and get more done without overwhelming yourself. You should consider this alteration if you have a major project that demands a lot of resources or energy, letting yourself build up to the hard parts as you add minutes to your timer."
Key Insights:
Start with 30-minute blocks instead of 25 (Perfect for complex tasks like writing proposals or strategic planning)
Incrementally increase by 15 minutes each session (Example: 30, then 45, then 60, then 75 minutes)
Keep the breaks sacred - they're crucial for sustained productivity (Example: Use breaks for physical movement or quick tasks)
Read the full article for detailed instructions on customizing Pomodoro 2.0 for different work styles and project types.
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💻 Tools & Technology
If you're using AI tools in your business, the quality of your prompts determines the quality of your results. This new prompt improvement tool from Anthropic helps optimize your AI interactions for better outcomes.
"The prompt improver enhances your prompts in 4 steps: Example identification, Initial draft, Chain of thought refinement, and Example enhancement. You can watch these steps happen in real-time in the improvement modal."
Key Insights:
Focus on structured templates with clear sections (Example: Using XML tags to organize different components)
Include detailed reasoning instructions (Example: Breaking down complex tasks into step-by-step processes)
Add standardized example formatting (Example: Demonstrating the exact reasoning process you want the AI to follow)
Read the full article for access to the prompt improver tool and detailed implementation guides.
🤖 AI
Forget basic chatbots - the next evolution of AI can actually take action and make decisions. This Forbes analysis shows how "agentic AI" could change how solopreneurs and small businesses handle everyday tasks.
"Unlike traditional AI assistants, these new AI agents aren't just responding to prompts or generating content - they're taking action. They can interact with other agents, make decisions within defined parameters, and execute complex tasks without constant human oversight."
Key Insights:
AI agents can handle complete workflows independently (Example: Managing customer service tickets from start to finish)
Multiple AI agents can collaborate on complex tasks (Example: One agent handling scheduling while another manages communication)
Humans become orchestrators rather than operators (Example: Setting parameters and reviewing decisions rather than executing tasks)
Read the full article for practical applications of agentic AI in small business and guidance on preparing your business for this transition.
👀 Read, Watch, Listen
This week’s awesome books, YouTube videos, newsletters, etc. to add to your list!
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan introduces a fundamental mindset shift from asking "How can I do this?" to "Who can do this for me?" The author, an entrepreneurial coach, argues this simple change helps entrepreneurs build successful businesses while gaining personal freedom. By leveraging teams and connections, readers can free up thousands of hours, bypass traditional limitations, and expand their potential across all life areas. The approach promises to transform how people achieve goals, build wealth, and create meaningful relationships, ultimately leading to a life where every activity is a choice rather than an obligation.
🎉 Celebration Corner
Every week Doers Inner Circle members do a weekly review & get help when they need it — check out the progress they made this week!
My getting started routine is helpful
Worked 1st thing on my newsletter before checking email.
I posted 2 reels on Instagram this week and made good progress with my e-learning platform.
I'm 80% done writing the script for my first module.
Got everything done
I managed to stick to my routines by using habit stacking.
I also got the "morning routine" stuff done early in the day.
The habit stacking approach made it SO MUCH easier to tidy out.
What did you do this week? We feature non-member successes too. Just post them here!
🔒Inner Circle: Events & Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT: Please submit new (or not new) books for our next book club before Tuesday at this LINK!
Important Schedule Updates! Check it our HERE!
Monday: {EU Time} Work ON Business. Theme: 4️⃣ Workflow & Customer Fulfillment RSVP here
Tuesday: Work ON Business. Theme: 4️⃣ Workflow & Customer Fulfillment RSVP here
Monday/Friday: Goal Setting + Plan Your Week Party
Accelerators: WEDNESDAY November 27 is your Office Hours RSVP here
We will soon be adding Referral Perks — Refer now to start earning! 👇
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I hope you found this valuable!
Wishing you much productivity!
- Jenae :)
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