☀️ change your location, change your motivation

In college, I noticed I had a cute lil quirk: at the library, I could laser-focus. In my dorm? Totally distracted. Later, during my wedding photographer era, it happened again—I'd procrastinate editing but when I parked myself in a coffee shop and declared, “You’re not leaving until this wedding is edited,” somehow, I always got it done.

Turns out it’s neuroscience. Our brains tie environments to behaviors. Step into a certain space, and your mind cues up the “script” it’s practiced there.

That’s why I (very terrifyingly) invested in a downtown office. The second I walk in, I’m Work Katie. Not “laundry and grocery list” Katie. Just work. And it works.

Same with the gym. Logically, I could lift weights in my living room and it would "save me time". except I NEVER DID. But once I joined a gym—15 minutes away—I became Gym Katie. And for the first time in years, consistency was effortless. The drive itself flips the switch.

Even in marriage "admin", we’ve seen it. My husband and I kept trying to do monthly budget/calendar meetings at home. "We'll do it right after we put the kids to bed!", we'd lie. Then we’d get tired or distracted. Once we tried moving the meeting to Panera—with laptops, coffee, and a lil cookie—it became productive and even kinda fun. (Kinda.)

Try this: If you can, change your environment to fit the task. If leaving the house isn’t an option, create “zones” inside it. The kitchen table might be for family planning. The cozy chair for reading. The desk for deep work.

When your brain knows “this is where I do this thing,” your on-ramp gets shorter, your "should i be doing something else?" guilt fades, and your focus sharpens.

Sometimes the fastest way forward isn’t more willpower—it’s just a change of scenery.

7 Ways to Use This Today:

Coffee shop power hour → Pick one nagging task and don’t leave until it’s done.
Designate a “work chair” at home → Only sit there when you’re focused, not scrolling.
Move your meetings out → Try a Panera, library, or park bench for admin catch-ups.
Invest in an environment → A gym, co-working space, or office can be worth every penny if it removes friction.
Reframe the commute → That 15-minute drive isn’t wasted time—it’s the price of admission to a focused, consistent version of you.
Step into your “altar ego” → You’re not just you—you’re Designer You or CEO You. Pretend you’re on a movie set: your “costume” and “set” should match the role.
Create mini zones → Kitchen table = planning, couch = relaxation, desk = work.

Got any more tips to add? Hit reply and let me know!
xoxo- Katie Day

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