Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor.

And today we're going to talk about the reality of having to stay focused on work while it feels like the world is screaming around us.

Because some days, it's just so hard to stay on task.

But there are strategies I'm using and recommending.

And if you two are wondering how to focus in the face of chaos, then stay tuned.

Okay, tell me if this feels familiar.

Some days you get up and you just attack the day.

You're focused, you're in the zone, you are dripping with the sweat of productivity.

Oh man, I love those days. And then there are the days when the world

just feels like it's on fire. Like you're being pummeled by scary headlines and the idea

of trying to focus on work feels like a joke. But like not the funny kind. I've had enough

versions of this conversation with people around me to know that it isn't just

me. I think more of us than not are struggling these days to focus in the face of so much chaos

and uncertainty. But still, the work has to be done. So how can we take back that sense of control

and tune the world out for just long enough to get the things done that our bosses,

teams, clients, and customers are expecting from us.

Well, here are some levers I've been pulling.

First, I doomscroll and sweat on a schedule.

I am old enough to remember a time when consuming the news actually meant getting to a TV or radio and like

turning it on to find scheduled programming. And yes, before you ask, the TV was indeed in color.

Do I wish we could return to those days? Honestly, not really. LinkedIn and the Graham on balance,

they make my life better, I think. But the always-on

...