The productivity shortcut no one’s talking about
It’s simple, it’s fast, and designed for people short on time - like you.
Alright, so boom… before we get into it, let me tell you about a mistake I made creating lead magnets, and how I fixed it, so you don’t make it too:
As a lifelong Google docs girlie, switching to Notion for creating lead magnets wasn’t exactly seamless. I’ve forgotten key steps more times than I’d like to admit (looking at you “can duplicate”). That’s why I created a checklist for myself to stop missing them.
If you’ve made similar slip-ups, my free ‘Ultimate Notion Lead Magnet Checklist’ will save you some headaches. Get it below 👇🏾
It was the early 2000s, and the digital world was in its infancy. Blogs and forums were just gaining traction. But in one quiet corner of Utah, a young aspiring writer was already ahead of the curve.
He didn’t have a published book, a big following, or even a single “yes” from the dozens of publishers he’d reached out to.
What he did have was a desk, a laptop, and a routine he never missed.
Mornings were for writing. It didn’t matter if it was good or bad - he just wrote. Afternoons, he worked through drafts, tightening paragraphs and tossing out what didn’t further the story. At night, he read. He studied the books that worked and the ones that didn’t, breaking them down to see why.
This routine was simple, but it worked.
One day, after years of rejection, he got a call. An editor had seen something in one of his manuscripts.
It wasn’t a bestseller, and it didn’t make him rich. But it proved his system worked. He didn’t need to keep searching for his big break. He just needed to keep showing up.
While others spent years perfecting one draft, he had written ten. While some gave up after their first rejection, he had pushed through dozens.
He wasn’t the most talented writer in the room. But he had one thing others didn’t: a routine he trusted.
Did you know that 97% of people who start writing a book never finish it?
And of those who do, most rewrite the same draft for years, hoping it’ll be perfect.
The man behind the relentless routine above? Brandon Sanderson.
Back then, Brandon wasn’t a bestselling author. He was just a grad student balancing teaching responsibilities, rejection letters, and piles of half-finished manuscripts.
His schedule wasn’t perfect. And his time was limited.
But he worked around the chaos and made writing a daily, non-negotiable priority.
Today, Sanderson is one of the most prolific authors in the world, with over 50 published novels, including Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.
He didn’t succeed because he had more time or more talent. He succeeded because he built a system.
Moreso, a workflow. Designed to keep him consistent no matter how busy or overwhelmed life got. If you’re trying to build a business on the side of your 9-5, the same principle applies.
You don’t need endless time, perfect circumstances, or boundless energy. You need a workflow that works for you.
This isn’t about massive leaps or burning yourself out. It’s about showing up daily - no matter how small the effort - and building momentum that compounds over time.
Brandon’s story proves one thing: the secret to success isn’t genius or luck. It’s systems.
My S.P.A.R.K. Framework is designed to spark your creativity and build a sustainable process for ideation and creation, even if you’re short on time:
S – Start Small
Begin with a bite-sized creative task. Jot down one idea, draft a single paragraph, or brainstorm for five minutes. Small wins build momentum and make it easier to start, even on chaotic days.
P – Plan Ahead
Spend five minutes each evening prepping for the next day. Choose one or two creative priorities you’ll tackle first. This reduces decision fatigue and sets you up for focused, productive sessions.
A – Align Your Energy
Work on creative tasks when your energy and focus are naturally highest. Whether it’s during your commute, a break, or before bed, tapping into your peak energy ensures better results in less time.
R – Repeat Key Actions
Identify the core habits that fuel your creative output - like brainstorming, outlining, or daily freewriting. Build these into your weekly routine, and cut out anything that doesn’t contribute to your creative flow.
K – Kill Perfectionism
Embrace imperfection and focus on completing your creative work. Each draft, sketch, or idea is a step forward. Flawlessness isn’t the goal - consistency is.
Why This Works
Overwhelm kills creativity.
Most of the time, it’s not a lack of ideas that holds you back - it’s the weight of figuring out where to begin. This framework takes that weight off your shoulders by focusing on what’s simple and doable right now.
Starting small gives you momentum.
One tiny action - a sentence, a quick brainstorm - reminds you that progress doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to happen.
Energy matters, too.
By working in sync with your natural focus peaks, you’re not forcing creativity when your brain has nothing left to give. You’re using the moments when ideas flow more easily, making every minute count.
And the real magic is in the system.
When you stick to a few repeatable habits, you eliminate the guesswork. Creativity becomes less about inspiration and more about showing up.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
• A Tailored Creativity System: A workflow that fits seamlessly into your life, helping you create without burnout.
• Daily Momentum: A clear plan that removes roadblocks and builds consistency, no matter how hectic your day is.
• Freedom to Experiment: The confidence to create without overthinking, so you can build, refine, and improve with ease.
Your Turn
Start creating your daily system today:
1. Pick one creative task that matters most to you. Keep it simple, like “brainstorm five ideas” or “draft 100 words.”
2. Set a time for this task. Whether it’s 20 minutes in the morning or 10 minutes during your lunch break, make it a non-negotiable part of your day.
3. Start with five minutes. Focus on just getting started, and let the process take over from there.
Your system doesn’t have to be flawless - it just needs to exist.