From Scattered to Collected: 3 Steps to an Intentional Work Week
Are you stuck in reactive mode at work?
There’s nothing quite like starting your workday feeling like you’re about to be swept away by a vortex of meetings and demands. Instead of being in control, you’re riding the roller coaster of a chaotic schedule. By the time Friday rolls around, you may wonder: What did I actually accomplish this week?
Does any of this sound familiar?
You start your day by opening your calendar, only to discover meetings you barely remember scheduling.
Your to-do list is full of urgent items assigned by others, leaving little room for meaningful progress.
The proactive projects you’re excited about never get the attention they deserve.
If you’re nodding along, you might feel scattered, reactive, and barely keeping your head above water. This isn’t how you want to show up at work—but it’s hard to see a way out when you’re stuck in the cycle.
The good news? You can be busy and intentional at the same time.
The Shift from Reactive to Intentional
While we can’t always control the volume of work coming our way, we can control how we approach it. Moving from a reactive state to an intentional one doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your life. Instead, it’s about adopting small but impactful habits that help you take charge of your week.
Imagine ending your workweek feeling calm, collected, and accomplished. Picture yourself maneuvering through tasks with purpose, knowing you focused on what truly matters. Yes, you’ll still be busy, but you won’t feel scattered, disorganized, or unfocused.
Here’s how you can make that shift with three simple steps.
1. Clarify Your Priorities
Intentional work begins with clarity. To feel in control, you need to know what’s most important and how those priorities fit into your week.
Action Plan:
Set aside time to plan. Whether it’s Friday afternoon or Monday morning, spend 15 minutes reviewing your week ahead.
Ask yourself three questions:
What are my top three priorities? (Include at least two professional goals and one personal goal.)
Where in my schedule can I advance these priorities? (Be specific!)
What obstacles might get in the way, and how can I address them?
By anchoring your week around your priorities, you’ll feel more in command of your time and energy.
2. Define How You Want to Show Up
Too often, we move through the day on autopilot, rushing from task to task without thinking about the energy we’re bringing to our work. This can leave us feeling disconnected or distracted.
Action Plan:
Check in daily. Take 5–10 minutes each morning to reflect on this question: How do I want to show up today?
Be specific. Do you want to be present and engaged in meetings? Focused on a critical project? Thoughtful in your interactions with a colleague?
Writing down your intention can help bring a sense of mindfulness to work. It also helps you align your mindset and energy with your goals, making your day feel more deliberate and satisfying.
3. Create White Space for Thinking
One of the biggest complaints I hear from clients is a lack of time to think. True thinking space—often called “white space”—is essential for creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture planning. Without it, you may feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Action Plan:
Schedule white space. Set aside at least one hour each week for focused thinking.
Use it wisely. White space isn’t idle time; it’s when you create, analyze, strategize, and plan. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas, solving challenges, or mapping out a new approach, white space is where innovation happens.
When you make room for white space, you’ll likely experience a sense of flow—a clear signal that you’re working with intention.
Take the First Step
What’s one action you can take today to create a more intentional workweek?
Even small changes, like spending a few minutes clarifying your priorities or scheduling time to think, can have a big impact. By aiming your days and weeks, you’ll move from feeling scattered to feeling collected and in control.