35: Can't Focus?

🎁 Shop All 51 Holiday Gift Ideas on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iej3oK🎄 Read the Full Holiday Gift GuideGet more details on the products, why women love them, and fun ideas for putting together gift baskets. https://thrivewithintention.com/holiday-gift-guide-for-women/I asked friends, family, and women in a local moms' group to share products they actually own, use, and LOVE. Not random things they saw advertised or thought might make good gifts. And y'all, they freaking delivered!I've gathered 51 fabulous finds, from inexpensive kitchen gadgets and beauty favorites to clever technology, cozy gifts, and a few unexpected recommendations. I'm sharing 10 of my favorites, including several I've used for years.I'm also challenging myself to finish Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. Because wouldn't it be nice to actually enjoy December instead of spending the whole month running around like a crazy person?In This EpisodeMy favorite AI gadget, the sleep mask I'm obsessed with, and the kitchen utensil I own EIGHT ofUnexpected gifts women swear by, including a tire inflator and memory foam seat cushionFun ways to bundle inexpensive gifts and get your shopping done earlyYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn't working and not sure what to do about it? I'll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what's really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what's changing or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you're ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Additional Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for WomenBrowse all 51 products recommended by real women, including my personal favorites.https://amzn.to/4iej3oKRead the full blog post for more details and gift basket ideas.[ADD BLOG POST URL]As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Have you noticed that your ability to focus just isn't what it used to be? You sit down to get something done, and suddenly you're checking your phone, folding laundry, or doing just about anything except the thing you actually need to do. Sound familiar?For women in perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes, disrupted sleep, and stress can make concentration even harder. I've experienced it myself, and while hormone therapy made a huge difference for me, I still have days when my brain refuses to cooperate.I'm sharing 13 practical strategies to make focusing easier, from removing distractions to working with your natural energy instead of fighting against it. You don't need to try all 13. Just find one or two that might make your life a little easier.In This EpisodeSimple ways to make digital and physical distractions harder to accessHow to get started when a project feels overwhelmingFocus timers, body doubling, and accountability strategies worth tryingWhy mindfulness, movement, and sleep matter for concentrationHow to recognize when you're distracted versus avoiding something difficultResources & Ways to Work With MeYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn't working and not sure what to do about it? I'll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what's really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what's changing or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you're ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Get CoachedHave something you're struggling with? Submit your situation and I may coach you through it right here on the podcast. You can stay completely anonymous!https://thrivewithintention.com/getcoachedAdditional Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeBrick: A physical device that helps you stay off distracting phone apps by making them harder to unlock. Freedom: Block distracting websites and apps during scheduled focus time. https://fave.co/4iK175tCold Turkey Blocker: A distraction blocker for Mac and Windows computers. LeechBlock NG: A free browser extension that helps limit access to distracting websites. Focusmate: Schedule virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partner to help you stay on task. Visual Timer: A simple timer that makes it easier to work in focused blocks without picking up your phone. MIDI HealthMy personal menopause healthcare provider. Hormone therapy has helped me tremendously with brain fog and concentration, although it isn't an established treatment specifically for ADHD and isn't right for everyone. I'm also a MIDI Health ambassador. The Menopause SocietyFind a healthcare professional with menopause expertise in your area.Previous Podcast Episode: Creating My DashboardHear how I organize my priorities and tasks so I can spend less time figuring out what to do and more time actually doing it. Episode #34.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.#MIDIAmbassador

34: What If You Could See Your Entire Life in One Dashboard?Ever sit down to get some work done, spend hours checking emails, reviewing messages, organizing your to-do list, and figuring out what needs your attention, only to realize you haven't actually gotten anything done? Yep. Been there.Lately, I've been juggling three different roles, working way too many evenings and weekends, and feeling like there's never enough time. So I built something using Claude AI that has me ridiculously excited: a custom dashboard that brings my tasks, emails, calendar, reminders, and more into one place. I'm sharing what it does, how I'm using it, and how you can get started building your own without spending 20 hours tinkering with it like I did.But getting organized is only half the battle. We're also talking about setting boundaries, being realistic about what fits into your schedule, and making sure all that extra productivity actually gives you more time to enjoy your life.In This EpisodeHow my Claude AI dashboard helps me keep track of everything in one placeWhy your to-do list might be completely unrealistic for the hours you actually haveThe boundaries I'm setting to keep work from taking over my evenings and weekendsHow to push back on unrealistic deadlines without feeling like you're letting people downThree practical steps to take back control of your timeLinks & ResourcesThrive Tribe NewsletterWant to see what my dashboard actually looks like? I'm sharing screenshots with my Thrive Tribe newsletter subscribers so you can see what I've been talking about.https://thrivewithintention.com/subscribeYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn't working and not sure what to do about it? I'll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what's really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what's changing or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you're ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Additional Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeClaude AIThe AI tool I used to build my custom dashboards for managing work, personal tasks, reminders, and more.https://claude.ai/AI Dashboard Starter PromptWant to build your own dashboard? Copy and paste this starter prompt into Claude to get started. You can customize it to fit your own life, whether you're managing work projects, family schedules, personal goals, or all of the above. Just paste this into Claude:"I’d like you to help me build my own personal dashboard: one place where I can see everything I need for my day at a glance.Before you build anything, ask me a few simple questions, one at a time, to learn:What I want on my dashboard. Some examples: today’s calendar, important emails, my to-do list, habit tracking, meal planning, a grocery list, books I want to read, or anything else that matters to me.Which apps I use, like Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, or Google Drive, so you can show me how to connect them.How I’d like it to look and feel.Please keep your explanations simple and walk me through any steps I need to take. Then build my dashboard as something I can save and come back to, and help me add to it and adjust it over time."Episode 30: The 6-Week ShiftThe six-week challenge I'm using to build momentum and follow through on my daily commitments.

Have you ever felt like you've outgrown a friendship? Maybe you've been friends for decades, but lately you're finding it harder to connect. You still care about this person, but spending time together is starting to drive you a little crazy.In this Get Coached episode, a listener writes in about a friend of nearly 30 years. They're both in their early 50s, but one is ready to slow down and coast while the other is just getting started. She's feeling judged, frustrated, and wondering whether it's time to walk away.I'm giving her a little tough love, because sometimes the problem isn't quite what we think it is. And ending the friendship might not be the only answer.In This EpisodeWhy feeling judged by someone doesn't necessarily mean they're the problemHow your thoughts about someone else's behavior affect how you feelWhy not every friend needs to be your everything friendWhat boundaries can look like when a friendship starts feeling frustratingThe question to ask yourself before ending a longtime friendshipResourcesGet CoachedGot something going on in your life that you'd love a little coaching on? Submit your situation for a chance to be coached right here on the podcast. It's completely free, and you can stay anonymous.https://thrivewithintention.com/getcoachedYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn't working and not sure what to do about it? I'll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what's really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what's changing or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you're ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/

Menopause is actually one day. One quiet day you probably won’t feel at all. It’s everything leading up to it and everything that comes after that can make this whole thing so confusing.I’m breaking down perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, including what your hormones are doing, why symptoms can seem completely random, and how to figure out where you might be when periods aren’t a reliable clue.In This EpisodeWhy perimenopause feels like a hormonal storm and can start earlier than you might thinkWhy normal blood work doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t in perimenopauseWhat actually marks menopause and why some of us may never know our exact dateWhat changes in postmenopause, including symptoms that may improve and others that can get worseWhy tracking your symptoms and working with a menopause-trained clinician mattersResourcesPerimenopause ToolkitTrack your symptoms, spot patterns, and take the tracker with you to your next appointment. I’ve updated the toolkit with more symptoms, tips, and information, so if you grabbed it before, grab the new version.https://thrivewithintention.com/toolkitYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn’t working and not sure what to do about it? I’ll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what’s really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveWork With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you’re ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Additional Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeEpisode 25: Perimenopause Symptoms: What I Wish I’d Known Earlier: Hear the full story of how long it took me to realize what was happening and finally get help: https://thrivewithintention.com/perimenopause-symptoms/Episode 30: The Six-Week Shift™If you have no clue what I mean when I talk about doing your six commitments every day for six weeks, start here.https://thrivewithintention.com/how-to-follow-through-on-your-goals/MIDI HealthI’ve personally used MIDI Health for menopause care and am a MIDI Health Ambassador. They specialize in virtual care for women in midlife, and you can check their website to see whether they accept your insurance.https://www.joinmidi.com/The Menopause SocietyFind menopause information, resources, and clinicians who have specialized training in menopause care.https://menopause.org/Dr. Mary Claire HaverI mention Dr. Haver’s books The New Menopause and The New Perimenopause as resources for learning more about what’s happening in your body during this stage of life.-I’m not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice. This is based on my own experience, conversations with other women, and my research, so please talk with a qualified clinician about your own body and situation.#MIDIAmbassador*As an Amazon associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.

Emily Alexander has spent years doing improv, which means she’s gotten pretty comfortable walking into situations without knowing what’s going to happen next. And as she points out in this conversation, that’s basically what the rest of us are doing every day too: life is improv.We talk about what improv can teach us about midlife—from getting more comfortable being uncomfortable to becoming a better listener, surrounding yourself with people who will “yes, and” you, and trying something new without deciding it has to become your entire freaking purpose in life. Sometimes you can just take the pottery class.In This EpisodeWhy getting comfortable with the unexpected is a skill you can actually practiceWhat “yes, and” really means—and why it doesn’t mean agreeing with everything or saying yes to everyoneHow being a better listener helps you get out of your own head and be more presentWhy midlife is a great time to experiment with new interests, hobbies, and possibilities without needing a five-year planWhat to do when the people in your life aren’t quite sure what to make of the version of you that’s changingYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn’t working and not sure what to do about it? I’ll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what’s really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveWork With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you’re ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/The Six-Week Shift™The Six-Week Shift™ is officially underway! For six weeks, we’re choosing a few commitments to make to ourselves every single day—and actually following through. Want to join us? Listen to Episode 30 for all the details and grab the free tracker to get started.What If You Actually Did What You Said You’d Do? (The 6-Week Shift) | Ep. 30Additional Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Improf — Emily AlexanderWant to learn more from Emily? Through The Improf, she offers improv classes for kids and teens, along with leadership training, team building, and custom training for companies, businesses, and nonprofits.https://theimprof.comYou can also reach Emily directly at [email protected].

How many things have you been saying you’re going to do any day now? Start working out. Eat better. Drink more water. Get off your phone. Finally start the thing you’ve been thinking about for six months.The problem is, we keep waiting to feel motivated. And sometimes motivation just doesn’t show up.So I’m trying something different, and I want you to do it with me. I’m calling it the Six-Week Shift: six specific things for six weeks, designed to interrupt your autopilot, build discipline, and give you 252 opportunities to prove to yourself that you can do what you say you’re going to do.In This EpisodeWhy motivation isn’t required to make meaningful changesHow following through builds discipline, confidence, and self-trustHow to choose your five things to do and one thing to cutThe difference between the “No Excuses” and “Keep Going” versionsHow to join me starting September 28 and share your progress with #shift66-Week Shift TrackerI made the tracker for you, so you don’t have to create your own. There’s no email or opt-in required. Just grab it and let’s go.Grab your free 6-week Shift TrackerYour Next Move™Already thinking, “This sounds great, but I know myself. I’ll start strong and fall off”? Grab Your Next Move™. I’ll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you recognize the thoughts keeping you stuck and decide how you want to move forward.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what’s changing or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you’re ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Additional Resources Mentioned in This Episode75 HardThe mental toughness challenge created by Andy Frisella that inspired the Six-Week Shift and showed me firsthand how powerful it can be to stop negotiating with yourself and simply follow through on what you decided to do.Learn more about 75 Hard

A lot of us have spent decades being practical and responsible, asking What makes sense? What’s realistic? What does everybody need? Then midlife rolls around and suddenly the question is: What do you want now? And sometimes we have no freaking idea.So I’m getting a little woo-woo. I’m sharing the “receiving mode sprint” I’m doing while I have the house to myself and why I think gratitude, visualization, manifestation, and simply opening yourself to possibility can be useful—even if you’re not sure you believe any of it.In This EpisodeWhy being practical for decades can limit what we imagine is possibleThe connection between belief and the actions we’re willing to takeMy “receiving mode sprint” and the practices I’m tryingAppreciating what you have while still wanting moreA personal ritual I used to finally let go of something I’d carried for yearsYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn’t working and not sure what to do about it? I’ll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what’s really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what’s changing—or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you’re ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/The SHIFT Method™ EpisodeI referenced the episode where I walked you through the SHIFT Method™ and how I use it to work through challenges, get unstuck, and decide what comes next.Episode 26: Take Back Your Power Using the Shift Method™

Do you ever hear yourself say, “I can’t do that because…” and immediately start listing all the reasons it won’t work? Or maybe you’re trying to make a decision and keep coming back to, “I just don’t know what to do.”When we stop at I can’t or I don’t know, we’ve basically told our brain there’s nothing left to figure out. But asking a different question—How can I? What if I could? What if I did know?—gives your brain a completely different job. Instead of defending all the reasons something won’t work, it starts looking for options.I learned this firsthand when I was questioning whether I could keep Thrive With Intention going while juggling work, family, and everything else in my life. My circumstances didn’t magically change. The question did. And once I started asking how I could make it work, I began seeing what I could simplify, stop, automate, or do completely differently.In This EpisodeWhy “I can’t” and “I don’t know” can shut down your problem-solving before you’ve explored your optionsThe questions I use to flip my brain from stuck mode into curiosity: How can I? What if I could? What if I did know?How reverse engineering from the result you actually want helps you see what matters—and what is just habit, expectation, or busyworkWhat I changed in my own business when I stopped assuming certain “best practices” had to stayHow to use this same approach with relationships, caregiving, health, money, career changes, and other parts of midlifeYour Next Move™Got something in your life that isn’t working and not sure what to do about it? I’ll walk you through the SHIFT Method™ to help you get clear on what’s really going on and decide what you want to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what’s changing—or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/Work With MeReady for more support? Whether you need help with one specific situation or you’re ready for deeper coaching through this season of change, explore the ways we can work together.https://thrivewithintention.com/work-with-me/Get CoachedHave something you’re stuck on? Send me your situation or question and I may coach you through it on an upcoming episode. You can absolutely stay anonymous.https://thrivewithintention.com/getcoachedKnow a Podcast I Should Be On?I’m on a mission to have more conversations about menopause, midlife, and all the changes that come with this season. If you have a podcast—or know one where I’d be a great fit—send it my way.https://thrivewithintention.com/reachout

Do you ever look at other women who seem to have their shit together and wonder how they managed to get rid of all those negative thoughts? Meanwhile, your brain is serving up criticism, what-ifs, worst-case scenarios, and all the reasons you probably shouldn’t try the thing you want to do.Here’s the truth: they haven’t gotten rid of them. None of us have. Negative thoughts are part of having a human brain. The goal isn’t to make them disappear. It’s to recognize what your brain is doing so those thoughts don’t run the show or keep you from building the life you actually want.In this episode, I’m breaking down the four different “brains” I picture in my head—from the overprotective Helicopter Mom and obnoxiously loud Inner Critic to the Creative and Intentional parts we actually want to strengthen. And I’ll show you how the SHIFT Method™ can help you give the other side of the story some airtime, choose what you intentionally want to believe, and start putting in the reps.In This EpisodeWhy having negative thoughts doesn’t mean you’re doing personal growth wrong—and why reaching the next goal won’t magically make them disappear.The four parts of the brain I use to understand what’s happening in my head: Helicopter Mom, the Inner Critic, the Creative Brain, and the Intentional Brain.How psychological distance can help you recognize an automatic thought as a mental event instead of immediately treating it as truth.Why someone else’s beautiful vacation photos, happy marriage, successful business, or seemingly perfect life are never the whole story.How to use the SHIFT Method™, positive evidence, and a new mantra to strengthen the thoughts you actually want to give more airtime.Resources and LinksYour Next Move™Got something going on in your life right now and your brain has a whole lot to say about it? This free guided coaching experience will walk you through the SHIFT Method™ step by step so you can separate what’s actually happening from the story your brain is telling you, get clear on who you want to be, and decide what to do next.https://thrivewithintention.com/moveShift Happens™ QuizNot sure what’s changing—or where to focus first? Take the quiz to see which area of your midlife may be asking for your attention right now.https://thrivewithintention.com/quiz/