Big idea lab

10/26/2026

The Art of Focus: My 3-Step Formula for Long-Term Success.

We often think that to get more done, we need to try harder, work longer, or become more disciplined.

But what if the answer is not doing more, but learning to focus on what matters?

Over the years, both in my own life and in my work with clients, I’ve learned that sustainable productivity starts with three simple things.

1. Set your priorities.

Everything cannot be number one. Get clear on what matters most right now, and give yourself permission to let some things wait.

2. Understand your energy.

We all have different rhythms. Notice when you feel most alert, creative, and focused, and try to align your work with your natural energy rather than fighting against it all day.

3. Protect time for deep work.

Meaningful work needs space. Put time on your calendar for the things that require your attention, and give yourself a chance to do them without constant interruptions.

And one more thing: be kind to yourself in the process.

You will get distracted. Plans will change. Some days will be more productive than others. This is part of being human, not a sign that you are doing it wrong.

You don't have to change your entire life in one day. Start small. Choose one priority. Protect a little time for it. See what happens.

Every moment of intentional focus is a chance to build a life that feels more like your own.

This is the Art of Focus. Not doing everything, but being more intentional about what deserves your attention.

What is one thing you want to give your full attention to this week?

10/22/2026

"I should leave the breathing space in my calendar" said yesterday one my clients during our productivity coaching session.

I felt proud of her for being able to pause and make sure that your calendar is packed. She was planning in a mindful way.

I think it was inspiration for me to leave breathing space in my calendar and maybe it could be inspiration for you as well.

We all need a lot of breathing space.

10/16/2026

Meditate anywhere....

Sit down

Feel your feet on the ground

Close your eyes

and

Take 3 deep breath.

Feel present, calm and content.

You are enough.

10/14/2026

While I live in Brooklyn and often visit Manhattan, along the way, I’ve also become a regular visitor and even a community member in Jersey City.

Somehow, JC keeps calling me, and it’s not a boyfriend! It’s a community of amazing people. Two of my favorite JC residents are Kathrin Schmidiger Torres and Janet Alicea. And then there’s my favorite chiropractor, Brian!

Almost 10 years ago, Kathrin introduced me to AndCo , a coworking space, and I instantly fell in love with its beautiful, welcoming design and, most of all, its people. Over the years, they’ve welcomed me as a host of my own events and as a regular visitor coming all the way from Brooklyn.

So when I was invited to celebrate AndCo’s 10th anniversary, there was no hesitation. Of course, I was there! We had a blast celebrating with toasts, dancing, reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones. It was a beautiful reminder of how special it is to come together in person and celebrate the communities we’re part of.

Wishing AndCo many more anniversaries and continued success in doing the amazing work you do for the community! ❤️

10/12/2026

What could you do with four uninterrupted hours?

-A creative project.
- The thing you keep postponing.
- A little space to finally think.

Focus Day is a few hours to pause, focus, and make progress alongside other people.

No hustle. No pressure. Just focus.

🌿 Oct 18 · Nov 1

First time Free

www.bil.nyc

10/09/2026

From my current reading... What is wealth?

10/08/2026

What if one of the simplest things we can do for our health is also one of the easiest to overlook?

🌿 Go outside. Walk among trees. Slow down. Pay attention.

Research suggests that around 120 minutes of nature exposure per week can have meaningful benefits for our health and well-being.

But it’s not only about being in nature. It’s about actually being there.

- Feeling your feet on the ground.
- Listening to the birds.
- Breathing a little deeper.
- Letting your eyes rest away from a screen.

That’s what mindful hiking is about.

Not optimization.
Not another thing to check off the list.
Just time to slow down and experience where you are.

🌿 Mindful Hiking · Forest Park, Queens
📅 October 11, 2026 · 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Forest Park, Queens

No hiking experience needed. Just comfortable shoes and a willingness to slow down.

Nature is one of the places we can return to ourselves.

Join us / Event details:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindful-hiking-forest-park-woodhaven-ny-tickets-2002529908864?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/07/2026

So You Want to Be a Morning Person… Don’t. 🌅

I naturally wake up early. I love the quiet of the morning, the light changing, the moon and stars, and those first couple of hours when my brain feels especially creative.

But I’ve been thinking about how quickly we turn something that works for someone else into something we should be doing ourselves.

Wake up at 5 AM.
Have a perfect morning routine.
Exercise. Journal. Meditate. Make a smoothie. Conquer the day.

And suddenly your morning has become another productivity project.

What if you started somewhere else?

With curiosity.

When does your body naturally want to wake up? When do you feel most alert? When does your creativity come alive? What does your actual life require from you?

Before trying to optimize yourself, maybe do a little me-search.

Your body might already know more than the productivity advice does.

I wrote more about this in my new Substack piece, “So You Want to Be a Morning Person…”

And yes, there is a little bit of science, chronotypes, and the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire in there too. But mostly, it’s an invitation to stop trying to become the person you think you should be and get curious about the person you already are.

Read it on Substack.

https://marinaromashko.substack.com/p/so-you-want-to-be-a-morning-person

10/05/2026

When I was on Sitges beach in Spain, I noticed so many women of different ages comfortably topless. They looked free.
Confident. Completely at ease in their bodies.

And honestly, I found it inspiring.

I could have taken my top off too. There was nothing stopping me. But I knew that, for me, in that moment, it would not have been coming from the bottom of my heart. I would have been forcing myself to do something because I thought maybe I should be able to do it.

So I kept my top on.

Maybe next year. Maybe someday. Or maybe not.

I told this story to a client recently, and it made me think about how often we do this in other areas of our lives.

We see someone doing something that inspires us and immediately turn it into: I should be doing that too.

Someone starts a business.
Someone writes a book.
Someone wakes up at 5 am.

Inspiration is wonderful. But inspiration doesn't always mean imitation.

Sometimes we can let someone else's way of living open a door in us without immediately walking through it.

That day on the beach, I didn't compare myself to those women. I didn't make myself do something I wasn't ready for.

I simply noticed: I like this freedom. I admire it. Maybe there is something here for me.

And then I met myself where I was.

I think there is a lot of energy available to us when we stop forcing ourselves into things that aren't actually in alignment with where we are right now.

Be inspired.
Get curious.

And then ask yourself: Is this really mine?

10/02/2026

Here’s what’s happening at Big Idea Lab this month:

🧘‍♀️ MAX MEDITATION
Thu, Oct 1 · 7–8 pm EST · English
Sun, Oct 4 · 8–9 am EST · Russian

🎯 FOCUS DAY
Wed, Oct 7 · 1–5 pm EST
Sun, Oct 18 · 12–4 pm EST
Sun, Nov 1 · 1–5 pm EST

🕰️ FOCUS HOUR
Sun, Nov 1 · 11–12:15 pm EST
A monthly pause to look at where you are, what matters now, and what you want to make space for next.

🎲 STUDENT OF THE GAME
Fri, Oct 30 · 11 am–2 pm EST
A learning sprint to explore, experiment, and share what you discover.

You don’t have to do everything. Pick what speaks to you.

And if you’re curious about Focus Lab, try your first month free.

Come pause. Focus. Learn. Make progress. And grow together.

www.bil.nyc

DM me for a free month membership.

Address

New York, NY

Website

http://www.bil.nyc/

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