In the face of extreme adversity, productivity can feel unattainable. But for someone like Loz Antonenko, a brain tumour survivor and founder of Loz Life, life’s greatest challenges have become catalysts for growth, resilience, and, surprisingly, increased focus. When Loz was diagnosed with a brain tumour, she faced a whirlwind of uncertainty and fear, but instead of letting it define her, she used it to sharpen her mental clarity and productivity. She doesn’t possess any superhuman abilities, she just has a highly effective method and that method can be replicated by anyone. Today, she shares that far and wide, helping ordinary people to thrive in spite of their extraordinarily difficult circumstances

While not everyone experiences such dramatic circumstances as Loz, her method is universally useful. Here’s a good preview of what that looks like, from a practical perspective;

Prioritise Ruthlessly

The ability to prioritise is a must-have for any professional, in fact, it’s easy to judge someone’s maturity levels by their ability to prioritise. Wise people recognise the value in delayed gratification but successful people who have their health intact have mastered this skill to a new level, they’re able to let go of non-essential tasks, and people-pleasing behaviours, and they focus on the things that truly matter. For Loz, it was simply a non-negotiable practice both in her personal life and her business.

For those looking to adopt a similar mindset, it’s about getting real with your priorities. Ask yourself, “What is the most important thing I can do right now?” Whether it’s a work project, family time, or self-care, focus on the high-impact tasks and eliminate distractions.

Set Boundaries and Say No

This flows on from learning to prioritise ruthlessly; learning how to say “no” without guilt and keeping your well-being at the forefront of your mind. When your time and energy are limited, set boundaries and protect what’s precious to you. Loz began rejecting tasks, commitments, and even people that drained her, redirecting her energy toward things that uplifted and nourished her.

You don’t need to experience a life-altering event to set boundaries. Decline tasks that only serve others. Refuse commitments that drain you. Make space for those that truly matter. A simple first step could be saying no to just one unnecessary obligation this week, and then taking note of how it affects your time and mental clarity.

Focus on One Task at a time

When you’re navigating a major crisis, juggling multiple things at once is a recipe for overwhelm and a precursor for burnout. The last thing you need in the middle of a crisis is burnout. In the throes of chaos, Loz began to focus her full attention on one individual task at a time, even when it felt like every other responsibility she had was going up in smoke. Sometimes, you have to let it burn. Although it feels counterintuitive to ignore some of the problems that pop up, Loz found that her productivity levels actually increased, allowing her to accomplish more in less time despite physical limitations. Fragmenting yourself achieves less, rather drop a few balls and give your full attention to your top priorities. 

Cultivate Flexibility and Adaptability 

Life’s obstacles don’t come with an instruction guide, and neither does improving productivity. Loz’s health struggles taught her to be more adaptable in both her personal and professional life. Some days, her energy levels were lower than usual, and she had to adjust her workload accordingly. 

We all experience this. Instead of viewing this as a setback, it means practising self-compassion and knowing when it’s time to shift gears. Flexibility doesn’t mean giving up; it’s about changing direction when necessary to stay on track. If you hit a block in your productivity, take a pause to reevaluate, then move forward with renewed focus.

Prioritise Wellness to Boost Productivity 

One of the most important takeaways from Loz’s journey is that wellness is not optional—it’s essential. The more she prioritised her health, the more she realised that taking care of her physical and mental well-being directly impacted her productivity. By ensuring she got enough rest, maintained good nutrition, and practised self-care, she found herself better equipped to meet the demands of both work and life.

Incorporating wellness into your routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Wellness as a Productivity Tool

Wellness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The clearer Loz became about her health, the more she understood that physical and mental well-being are directly linked to productivity. By prioritising rest, nutrition, and self-care, Loz found herself with more energy and focus to tackle the demands of her business and life.

Incorporating wellness into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with small, sustainable habits like a 10-minute walk, a short meditation, or a nutritious snack, and watch as these seemingly minor changes elevate your productivity.