Productivity in Motion: Interview With Katrin Reiter

Welcome to the second edition of our Ask the Expert series on the 1Focus Blog. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to the amazing Katrin Reiter, a fantastic dancer and event manager.

Katrin’s love for dancing started when she was just 4 years old and has been a driving force in her life ever since. Her energy and enthusiasm are truly inspiring. Today, Katrin stands out as a talented event manager, and since 2018, together with Michael Dauster, she has successfully organized more than 50 dance parties in Aachen, Germany.

In this interview, we will discover her approach to productivity and learn a bit about her personal journey.

Tell us something about yourself.

My name is Katrin Reiter, I am 28 years old, and I am from Germany. I have a degree in Business Administration, and I love to dance.

I currently co-own an event planning business with Michael Dauster called KaMi Latino. We organize dance events for Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Zouk, and West Coast Swing in Aachen and its surroundings.

My favorites on the dance floor are Salsa, Brazilian Zouk, and West Coast Swing.

What helps you stay focused and be productive?

• I put my phone away, turn off the internet, and mute notifications.
• I write to-do lists and work through them.
• I set specific goals for the day.
• I take deep breaths.
• I block out time for different tasks or activities.
• I maintain a timed rhythm.
• I take regular breaks.
• I like to listen to music or dance to clear my head.

How do you deal with distractions?

I avoid distractions as much as possible. However, I have found that sometimes it helps to be “distracted” for a few minutes to regain focus. When my concentration wanes, I take a break, listen to good music, or do a little dancing. This helps me clear my head so I can concentrate again later.

Do you have a morning routine?

Yes: Get up, turn on the radio, prepare breakfast, shower (or shower first, then have breakfast), and start the day. I like to do everything comfortably on weekends or when there is no time pressure.

How do you manage to work when you are unmotivated?

By setting a deadline for the end of the day and then having something nice like a date, delicious food, or a dance party waiting for me. If that doesn’t work, sometimes the thought of completing a not-so-pleasant task and then being able to focus on something else, helps.

What do you do for balance, to recharge your batteries?

I really enjoy going on vacation or going out dancing. I can let loose with Salsa or Zouk, be creative with West Coast Swing, or fall into the arms of my dance partner while listening to quiet songs.

I also enjoy trying new recipes (cooking/baking) or going out with friends. But sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be an activity; just a cozy evening on the sofa with my boyfriend or alone will do the trick. I usually try to get 8 hours of sleep; sometimes I sleep less, but not less than 6 hours.

When do you come up with your best ideas?

Usually, during something that has nothing to do with the actual thing, such as watching TV, cooking, or dancing.

Is there anything, like a ritual, that helps you get started?

Yes, I block everything out, put my phone away, and take a deep breath. Depending on how much I have to do, writing a to-do list also helps.

Do you use any special tools to help you focus?

No, not really. I used an app (Forest) to help me focus during my bachelor thesis, but not anymore.

Is there an experience that changed your life forever?

Yes, two.

1. I joined a mixed dance group when I was 13-14. Most of the people who danced there were older than me. I gained a lot of self-confidence and also reduced my shyness.

2. The first time I left home. I was 19 and moved to another city to study. This experience gave me independence and self-confidence. I became an adult; I grew up because of it.

These two experiences were key to my personal development.

What would you say is the key to success?

Knowing one’s values and goals, not losing sight of them, and handling tasks in a focused and organized way.

Do you have any advice for our readers?

Focus on your most urgent project, set a deadline to complete it, and turn off the phone. Sometimes it helps to start with simple things that can be done quickly to clear your mind and then focus on more complex projects.

Be clear about your values and goals in life, find things you enjoy and a job that fits you and your life. Don’t get overwhelmed and always be yourself, even if it’s not always easy.

Tips to Remember

• Define your life goals.
• Stay true to yourself.
• Find a job that matches your personality, values, and passion.
• Find a work-life balance.
• Manage your time.
• Make a to-do list.
• Schedule time for relaxation.
• Practice breathing exercises.
• Create time blocks for tasks or projects.
• Set a deadline for each project.
• Focus on the most important task.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Use a website/app blocker like 1Focus to block social media and other distracting, time-consuming content (YouTube, Netflix, Twitter, text messages, email, etc).

Further Reading

Explore 10 expert-backed strategies to improve your concentration in our guide: Elevate Your Performance: 10 Expert Strategies to Boost Focus.

Learn how to subscribe to the 1Focus Blog RSS feed and get the latest productivity tips. Add it to your podcast app or feed reader today!

Acknowledgments

We want to thank Katrin Reiter for her productivity tips and KaMi Latino for allowing us to use photos from their dance events in this blog post.