Let’s be honest: some days, it feels like our brains are browser tabs – twenty open, five frozen, and we have no clue where the music is coming from.

If you’ve ever sat down to work, opened your laptop, and ended up cleaning the fridge or spiraling into a deep dive about how baby pandas are raised… hi, you’re not alone.

Here’s the truth: focus is a muscle, and it gets tired too.

And when you’re a Virtual Assistant juggling client tasks, home responsibilities, notifications from 7 apps, and your toddler asking you for the 100th snack today

yeah, it’s no wonder your focus is gone.

So why can’t you focus? Here are a few honest reasons:

1. You’re mentally cluttered. There’s just too much in your head. Remembering deadlines, family appointments, client revisions, dinner plans, and your neighbor’s birthday.. your brain is not a filing cabinet.

Try this: Do a “brain dump.” Grab a notebook (or open Notion, if you’re like me) and unload every thought, task, reminder, and worry. Get it all out. Then categorize or prioritize later.

2. You’re trying to multitask. Multitasking feels productive, but it’s a lie. Our brains don’t switch tasks; they jump back and forth, wasting precious energy.

Try this: Practice monotasking. One task at a time. Block off 25 minutes using a Pomodoro timer, and commit to just one thing. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish.

3. You have no clear plan. Winging it? Yeah, we all do that sometimes. But lack of structure often leads to wasted time.

Try this: Start with a simple daily plan. Use time blocks. Create 3 categories: Must Do, Nice to Do, and Can Wait. Stick to the top three “must do” tasks first thing in the day.

4. You’re not taking breaks (or you’re taking too many). Focus burnout is real. But scrolling TikTok between tasks is not the same as resting your brain.

Try this: Schedule short, intentional breaks. Stretch, drink water, stare at a plant. Then return with better energy.

5. Your workspace is chaos. Let’s not ignore the external clutter. A messy desk = a distracted brain.

Try this: Tidy your workspace each morning or before you end the day. Light a candle. Put on calming jazz. Your environment can shift your focus dramatically.

So, what can you do today?

• Brain dump and clear mental clutter
  
• Choose 3 must-do tasks and stick to them
  
• Use a timer to monotask
  
• Schedule real breaks
  
• Clean your desk
  

None of these are magic, but they work. Especially when done consistently.

And if you’re a mom VA like me, remember: some days you won’t get it all done.

 And that doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re human. 

So be kind to yourself, okay?

Want more clarity and routines that help you actually get things done?

Download the free Productivity Starter Guide from The Virtual Assistant Diary, it’s got real tips that work for real people.

See you in the next entry.

We’re building better habits together.