“What was that?” That used to be my husband’s catchphrase after a virus took away the hearing in his right ear. Thankfully, hearing aids changed everything. These tiny tech marvels have made a huge difference in his life. If your hearing isn’t what it used to be, maybe you need hearing aids. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve been missing.*
Why you can’t focus and 3 sneaky fixes that work
ChatGPT
Work got beef with your focus?
You’re not imagining it, according to Microsoft, employees get interrupted every two minutes. Emails. Pings. Meetings that could’ve been Slack messages.
And that doesn’t even include the 37 tabs you’ve got open, YouTube lofi, your notes doc and a recipe for chicken thighs “you’ll definitely make later.” Spoiler: You won’t.
By Wednesday, the week can start to feel a little … wobbly. Deadlines pile up, emails multiply like rabbits, and your to-do list somehow has more on it than it did Monday morning.
You don’t need a Himalayan retreat or 12 new productivity apps to reclaim your week. Just a few sneaky little tweaks, and it’s focus mode, activated. Here’s how I work:
📝 1. Know your energy level
Midweek is the perfect time to re-sort your list by energy level. High-energy? Knock out a tough project or major decision first. Low-energy? Handle the easy wins, quick emails, forms, supply orders. Super tired? Focus only on next steps, not the whole project.
Use your brain when it’s sharpest, not when you’re running on coffee fumes. You’re not lazy. You’re strategic.
📅 2. Set ‘No Meetings’ time
Yes, meetings are necessary. But so is silence. Even a one-hour block can reset your brain.
Open your calendar. Pick a 1–2-hour window tomorrow (or today if you can). Mark it “Focus Time” or “Deep Work, Do Not Book.”
Pro tip: In Google Calendar, you can set “Focus Time,” and it automatically declines meeting invites. (Best. Feature. Ever.)
5 minutes
That’s all the exercise older adults need to boost brainpower. New research says huffing and puffing for minutes a day (think brisk walks, pool laps or scrubbing a tub like it owes you money) can significantly improve memory, focus and multitasking. TL;DR: You don’t need CrossFit, start with crossing the room.
🌎 Speaking my language: Reading a website in another language? Chrome can auto-translate as you browse. Open the Chrome menu (three dots) > Settings > Languages > toggle on Use Google Translate. Next time you land on a foreign site, a pop-up will offer to switch it to English. Voilà!
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Only 25%
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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🐶 Streaming that wags: Want dog or cat videos on a loop? If you have a Roku device (now 28% off), check out their lineup of free channels for pet and animal lovers. Sure, there are ads, but free is still free. Perfect background noise for you or your furry friend.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
💆♀️ I’m not saying collagen is a miracle powder, but … I take two scoops a day, and let’s just say my hair and nails aren’t complaining. Collagen gives your bones extra support, helps smooth out those fine lines and adds a little strength where you want it most. Want to try what I use? Use this link for 45% off. Your future self (and skin) will thank you.
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Don’t know what to watch? Hit up moviewiser.com. Type in the mood you’re going for in their AI tab. It’ll spit out a list of movies that fit the bill. I searched for “summer love story,” and the winners include The Notebook and About Time.
🌳 Transform your yard without breaking a sweat: Fast Growing Trees takes out the hassle and guesswork. Just tell them your zip code, and they’ll match you with the perfect trees and shrubs for your climate. They ship straight to your door, no messy garden center trips required. I picked up an avocado tree, and it’s thriving! Use promo code KIM to save an extra 15%.
🌳 No green thumb required: Why wait years for your yard to bloom? Fast Growing Trees makes it simple to plant like a pro. They’ll recommend the best trees and shrubs for your exact location and ship them straight to your door. No hauling, no guesswork. Use promo code KIM to save an extra 15%. I got an avocado tree, and it’s thriving!
⚡ Free of charge: Check out PlugShare’s map to find free EV stations near you. Filter by “free” on their site, or download the app (iOS, Android). Pro tip: Your local library might have Level 2 chargers for faster top-offs, so you can charge your EV while pretending to read Tolstoy inside.
🌳 Grow like a pro: Fast Growing Trees makes it simple to plant like a pro. They’ll recommend the best trees and shrubs for your exact location and ship them straight to your door. No hauling, no guesswork. Use promo code KIM to save an extra 15%. I got an avocado tree, and it’s thriving!
🍿 Sup, movie buffs: Wanna dish about your favorite films? Say hello to Letterboxd. It’s like Goodreads but for cinephiles. This free site lets you rate, review, keep a diary of your watch list, and even follow friends to see what they’re loving (or hate-watching).
🌎 A whole new world: Bored with Netflix? Change your language to find new shows and movies. Open the Netflix app, tap My Netflix > Menu (three lines) > Manage Profiles. Select your profile and hit Display Language. You can switch back to English anytime. Bravo!
Feeling lucky? Download the DraftKings Pick Six app today and use code KIM for new customers to play $5 and get $50 in Pick Six credits.
🎉 You’re invited! This weekend, my award-winning national radio show is broadcasting on 420+ stations across the U.S., and I’d love for you to join the fun. I’m talking tech tips, digital life hacks, wild stories I can’t fit in the newsletter and taking calls from listeners just like you. Find your local station or get the podcast.
Check this out: Library Extension shows you what’s at over 5,000 libraries while you browse the web. You can borrow books, music or audiobooks without spending a dime. Best part? You don’t need to sign up. Get it on Chrome, Firefox and Edge.
Calling fellow tricksters: I love a prank. Hit my list of April Fools’ tech tricks to make your friends and family laugh, groan and say, “How the heck did you do that?” Love the super slo-o-o-w Alexa.