Hey {{ first name | there }}! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. If you’re new around here, welcome! 👋  You can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: Remember the “Great Lock In” trend that took the internet by storm last autumn? We’re revisiting it today. Plus, we’ve got your ultimate crunch-mode checklist, whether you’re braving exam season, the mid-Q2 rush, or a big home project. Let’s dig in!

“The Great Lock In” was a TikTok productivity trend that blew up around September of last year.

ICYMI, it involves a 121-day sprint on 1-2 projects or priorities.

We wrote about The Great Lock In to explain what it is, debunk myths about it, and provide some realistic how-to’s.

Responses to that newsletter were mixed. Lots of readers were eager to commit, but others told us they’d have to tweak the method for it to work.

(You guys are awesome at knowing your limits, setting boundaries, and doing what works best for you. Well done!)

Ever wondered what happened with all those folks who “locked in”, though? Yeah, us too.

The Great Lock In had its 15 seconds of fame, and then, we never heard about it again.

And there’s the rub with productivity “trends” like these: Rarely will you see follow-up videos saying how well the method worked.

Is there a better way to “lock in” on big projects without all the hustle-bro vibes? What do you actually need to prioritize, care-wise, during a busy work season? Scroll on for the scoop!

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Now, here’s how to lock in the right way.

Your academic and professional work shouldn’t mean sacrificing your mental, physical, or spiritual wellbeing.

Caring for your whole self during crunch mode is key for max focus and balance. Here are a few small ways to get better at it while in the thick of the season:

“Study for 1 hour on Tuesday” is a lot more concrete than “study for finals”.

Start with just one small goal, like our example, and build from there. Once the first hour of studying is done, take a break, then set another mini goal until you’re tired (or at a good stopping point).

“Cramming”, where you’re in deep-work mode for hours on end, is not the move. For your body, brain, or retention.

Yes, you may have a lot of info to absorb in a short amount of time. You might have so much on your plate that these long work sessions are unavoidable.

But your brain needs some kind of break at least once every 2 hours to maintain focus.

A longer break (25+ mins) is better for a 2-hour sesh. Try to fit in your shorter breaks (5-10 mins) somewhere around the 1-hour mark.

If your mind starts to wander, you probably need a breather. Even just 5 minutes of stretching or doing something else off-screen works wonders for resetting your concentration.

“Hydration” doesn’t have to mean drinking plain water (although it’s the best thing for you). You can mix things up with the odd electrolyte drink to ensure you’re not retaining or losing too much water.

Staying hydrated is especially important if you’re also consuming lots of coffee. Try to alternate your caffeinated beverages with water to prevent any jitters or crashes.

Snacking can make work feel more fun, rewarding, and motivating. But make sure you’re eating real meals, too, and not just scarfing down whatever’s quickest and most convenient.

Nutrition should never be an afterthought, especially during crunch mode. To get the maximum benefit out of every work sesh, set yourself up with a hearty, healthy meal an hour or so beforehand.

Here’s a few of our favorite brain-boosting meals that you can prepare in advance, make in big batches, and customize according to your tastes:

Just because this is “crunch season” doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself away and spend 100% of your time on work.

To soothe your stress and give your brain time to decompress, be sure to sprinkle some enjoyable activities into your busy schedule.

Check in with your energy levels to see what makes sense. A cozy movie night at home is perfect if you’re feeling introverted. Or, if you need to switch up the scenery, plan a day out at your favorite park or cafe.

A curated list of things worth sharing.

Crunch season is easier when your workspace isn't adding to the noise. Flocus keeps things calm and distraction-free, so when you sit down to focus, you actually can.

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Whatever you’ve got coming up this month, whether it’s exams, work, or home projects, know that the Flocus Team is rooting for you 🙌

If you need a pick-me-up or some fresh tips at any point, check out our archives. We’ve got loads of goodies on everything from mental wellbeing to practical productivity methods.

Until next Sunday,

Flocus Team