There’s a feature on every smartphone that most people don’t fully appreciate…
Do Not Disturb.
It sounds simple — a quick toggle, a moment of quiet. But for people like me, it’s a lifeline for staying focused in a world full of dings, buzzes, alerts, and constant communication.
Here’s the truth: I can have a full twenty-minute block of uninterrupted time, the rare moment when the baby is finally napping, the house is still, and I sit down to work and the second I get into a rhythm, ding! A text message pops up. I read it. Then respond. Then ding! An email. Then a voicemail. Then a reminder.
Before I know it, I’ve spent that precious, quiet window responding to everything urgent
and absolutely nothing important. If you’re running a business, managing a home, or juggling both, you know exactly what I mean. We often confuse reactivity with productivity, but they are not the same.
The Trap of “Urgent” — And Why It Steals Your Progress
A business coach of mine once said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Stop chasing the urgent at the expense of the important.”
It hit me hard because that’s exactly what most of us do without realizing it.
We jump at every notification.
We react to every ping.
We respond to every message the second it arrives.
Why? Because it feels productive. It feels responsible. It feels like forward motion.
But in reality, it pulls us away from the work that actually builds momentum long-term:
- Developing systems
- Planning marketing
- Nurturing client relationships
- Reviewing contracts
- Working on strategic growth
- Focusing on the tasks that move your business, your career, or your goals forward
Urgency feels loud. Importance often sits quietly in the corner waiting for us to pay attention. Unless we intentionally protect our focus, urgency will win every time.
The Power of Time Blocking
Time blocking isn’t just a productivity technique; it’s a mindset.
It forces you to ask:
“What truly matters today?”
Not everything.
Not the hundred tiny tasks waiting in your inbox.
Not the notifications that are demanding attention.
But the big rocks, the meaningful, needle-moving tasks that actually build your future. The “20” of the 80/20 rule.
Stop letting the noise control your day.
Stay proactive instead of reactive.
Protect your progress.
Why Focus Matters More Than Ever
Real estate, like most industries, is fast, loud, and ever-changing. Clients need updates. Deals require attention. Marketing needs consistency. Your family needs your presence.
And in the middle of all of that, you need focus. Pure, uninterrupted, intentional focus.
Because the truth is this:
Success isn’t built in chaos. It’s built in clarity.
And clarity doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens when you decide to sit down, silence the noise, and do the important work first.
If you’re planning your workflow for the coming year, think about what your days could look like if you intentionally protected even 30 minutes of quiet focus each morning.
Imagine the consistency you could create.
Imagine the progress you could make.
Imagine the stress you could relieve.
It’s not dramatic. It’s discipline.
The Do Not Disturb Challenge
If you want next year to look different, turn on Do Not Disturb for the first hour of your workday.
Use that time for:
- planning
- writing
- reviewing
- strategizing
- working on long-term goals
- building systems
- content creation
- meditating
- journaling
- praying
- anything that strengthens your business beyond the next 10 minutes
After that hour, turn your notifications back on if you need to. But that first hour? Protect it like your success depends on it…because it does!
Do it for one week and see what shifts.
Do it for one month and watch your stress drop.
Do it for one year and your entire business will transform.
Client Testimonial
“Thank you, Ashley!! You made this duplex hunting and purchase such a smooth “journey”. Your expertise and guidance was extremely helpful and we can’t thank you enough. You were always there when we needed you. So grateful!.”
— Matthew Beales
FAQs — Productivity, Time Blocking & Real Estate
1. What’s the biggest mistake agents make with their schedules?
Many agents spend most of their day reacting — returning calls, checking emails, answering texts — instead of dedicating time to the deeper work that builds a strong business.
2. How does using Do Not Disturb actually help?
It creates uninterrupted blocks of time so agents can focus on strategy, marketing, planning, and client communication without constant distractions.
3. What should be prioritized during time-blocked “focus hours”?
Tasks that move the business forward long-term: content creation, market analysis, system building, client updates, and negotiation prep.
4. What if clients need me during Do Not Disturb hours?
You can set your phone to allow calls from favorites or repeat callers. Most clients appreciate clear communication and understand that focus helps you serve them better.
5. Is time blocking realistic for busy agents with families?
Absolutely — even 20 to 30 minutes of true focus each day can transform your workflow. It’s about consistency, not perfection.
Work With a REALTOR® Who Stays Focused, Organized & Present
At the HART Realty Team, structure is the foundation of how we serve clients well. When you work with us, you get:
- clear communication
- organized processes
- strategic thinking
- responsive updates
- an agent who respects your time because she’s learned to protect her own
Ready for a real estate experience grounded in clarity, care, and confidence? Visit HART RealtyTeam or DM @AshleyHartRealtor
