The Excel feature that almost went extinct 😯

Hey! I’m riding a creativity high after mapping out new ideas during my morning planning session (seriously, if you’ve never let yourself dream a little bigger over your morning tea or coffee, I highly recommend it). ☕✨

There’s something so powerful about giving yourself permission to think beyond the obvious—to chase possibilities instead of playing it safe. Because when you open the door to creativity? Opportunities tend to walk right in.

Speaking of opportunities, the right credit card can offer a world of perks and possibilities. I’ve turned my points into first-class flights to Ireland and hotel suites in Switzerland without spending a dime—all by maximizing my rewards. 

That’s why we’re teaming up with The Points Guy to help you find the best card. Learn more here.*

The Excel Feature That Almost Went Extinct 😯

Did you know that QR codes were about to go extinct…but the pandemic saved them? 

For a while, it was hard to find a restaurant that doesn’t have a QR code in lieu of a menu. But QR codes aren’t just helpful in hospitality—they’re a secret weapon in Excel too! 

Here’s how to create a QR code in Excel in 30 seconds: 

P.S. QR codes can store tons of different data (not just links!) like email addresses, phone numbers, contact information, and more. 😉

How to (Actually) Boost Your Focus 🧠

Imagine it’s your first day at the gym. You beeline to the Smith Machine and load on 250 pounds for your first deadlift. The only thing you’re lifting in this situation? Your body off the floor (because you definitely collapsed 🫠). 

We don’t push our physical muscles without building a foundation, yet we expect our mental muscles to dive right into an hours-long focus session without training. When our mind inevitably drifts (and we end up down a Reddit rabbit hole), we beat ourselves up over our perceived lack of focus.

But it’s not that you can’t focus—it’s that you’re treating focus like a switch you turn on and off instead of a muscle you need to gradually strengthen. 

So: How do you train your mental endurance?

Well, just like proper form > weight at the gym, the type of focus exercises make all the difference.

Productivity expert Chris Bailey says distraction isn’t the enemy of focus. It’s overstimulation. The key is to do short exercises that drain your brain of thoughts and clear the way for boredom.  

Here’s what Chris suggests: 

1. Choose a short “boring” activity and do nothing for up to 10 minutes. For example, I usually catch up on newsletters while eating lunch, but now I enjoy my meal without any additional distraction!

2. Notice where your mind wanders and record any ideas or thoughts that popped into your head during this exercise. 

3. Over time, choose longer and longer boring activities. That’s it! 

I’ve started doing this while waiting in line at the grocery store or in between Zoom meetings. I’m not at the two-hour benchmark just yet, but I feel stronger with each rep.

Here’s to strengthening our mental endurance! 💪

• What’s your Excel bad habit score? 😵‍💫 

• How to never lose your active cell in Excel again with VBA. 

• Side effects of this PowerPoint tip include impressing your boss. 😏

• I’ve seen this Pivot Table mistake three times in the last 48 hours. 👀

• YouTuber Nate O’Brien shares how he stays productive 99% of the day.

Thanks for reading! I kicked off the month by hosting a pool birthday party for Mike (my partner and Miss Excel’s CFO!). Hosting has been a way for me to step out of my comfort zone AND get to spend more time with people I love. How are you expanding your comfort zone lately? 

Stay Exceling, 

Kat 

^{*This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.}