A Perfect 8-Week Window (one week to plan) [WRAP 178]

Hey Reader, quick heads up there will be no WRAP email next week.

I'm taking the July 4th weekend to spend more time with family, pause, reflect, and align my goals and intentions for the rest of 2025. We're also renting a giant inflatable waterslide and eating watermelon all weekend. It's gonna be awesome.

Because here's the thing... we have exactly 8 weeks between July 7th and Labor Day. This creates a perfect container for focused work during the summer season. Let me show you how to make the most of it.

💡 One Big Idea: 30 Day Focus Filter

Here's the thing about scattered focus: it feels productive but produces nothing. You're busy but not building. Moving but not making progress.

The fix is surprisingly simple. Pick one project. Give it 30 days. That's it.

I call this the 30-Day Focus Filter, and it works because it forces you to get real about what matters. Instead of juggling five mediocre efforts, you pour your energy into one thing that could actually change your game.

Let me share how I'm using this right now with two different projects:

1. The Small Project: I'm creating weekly dad advice videos that also become newsletter content. It's a focused 2-hour block each week where I share what I'm learning as a father of four.
2. The Big Project: I'm launching a newsletter accelerator program to help creators turn their newsletters into real businesses by Thanksgiving. This is my main focus for Q3. If you're ready to take your email seriously and use it to power your business, reply with "NEWSLETTER."

The beauty of this 8-week summer window is that you can either:

• Take on one significant project and give it your full attention
• Complete two 30-day focused sprints back-to-back
• Use the extra time around holidays for planning and reflection

Here's how to implement your own 30-Day Focus Filter:

1. Choose your project and write down what success looks like in one sentence. Not a paragraph. One clear sentence.
2. Schedule weekly check-ins to track your progress
3. Protect specific time blocks for focused work
4. Celebrate your wins and adjust course as needed

The magic happens when you stick to this for the full 30 days. You actually finish something. You build momentum. You prove to yourself that you can follow through when it counts.

📝 New Planner: Most Productive Week Ever

I created the Most Productive Week Ever Planner to make your 30-Day focus filter effortless. This simple, proven template helps you map out exactly what matters each week, protect time for deep work, and actually finish what you start.

​It’s just $9 for a limited time. I want you to have easy access so you can set yourself up for a strong finish to summer. It's easy to print, copy to your notebook, or set up in your productivity app of choice.

With so many people taking time off over the next two weeks, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect and plan your next big move. Get yours here.

👀 Video to Watch: Time Blocking

A common mistake with time blocking is trying to schedule every minute of your day. That usually leads to frustration and giving up entirely. Instead, start small: block just 1-2 hours for your focused work.

In my latest video, I show you how these smaller time blocks actually lead to better results. When you protect just an hour or two for your 30-day project, you're more likely to follow through and build momentum.

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Remember: You don't need to restructure your entire day. Just carve out a small block of focused time and protect it.

Have a great weekend,

Matt Ragland

p.s. if you have a (literal) minute to share feedback, click here.

p.p.s. I've started sending daily emails on productivity and getting things done. The feedback has been great, but some have asked to ONLY receive the WRAP. If you only want to get the Weekend WRAP email, click here.