Tag Archive for: Paula Rizzo

iPad App Compiles All Kinds of Lists

I found the coolest iPad app the other day.  It’s called Time Populist and it’s an amazing time killer for pop culture lovers…and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

It’s broken up into categories: movies, books, music, TV, games and you can even make your own lists!  It contains a photo view of lists like the “Top Books You Were Forced To Read in School,” or the “Top 10 Terrible TV Moms.”

You could literally spend hours flipping through all the fun lists they’ve compiled. It’s my new guilty pleasure.  I’m always giving you tips on ways to be more productive…this isn’t one of them.  I’ll admit it can be a time suck BUT having a little fun and relaxing should always have a place on your to-do list.  Happy flipping!

Lists Will Organize Your Life

I think I may have met my list-making match! Sarah Welch from GetButtonedup.com is a task master, productivity expert and organizing guru. Her site gives tools to get everything in your life in check. I’ve guest blogged for her and really admire the empire she’s built on being on top of your game!

She’s my featured list producer this month because she’s used her organizing ways to become a great success.

Q: Why do you call yourself a compulsive list producer?

A: If I don’t have a list to work from, the million-and-one to-do’s that I have buzzing around my head, make me feel dazed and confused. If I try to get through the day without a list, I lose my ability to concentrate. I feel overwhelmed because my short-term memory is trying to “remember” things on my list by endlessly looping tasks at random, which ultimately makes me feel I have more to do than I actually do. When I start the day or week with a master list (which I sync up to my calendar), I can crank through things like nobody’s business. I feel sane, productive, and never worry for a second that important things are falling through the cracks. Read more

Top Productivity Blogs

I’ve written many many blogs about how to be more productive at work and at home. It’s so easy to get distracted but there are so many ways to keep your focus.  My favorite (as you know) is keeping a list.  There are also websites that will help you get more done and be more efficient. I was lucky enough to be named amongst the “Top 50 Productivity Blogs of 2011” by Evan Carmichael and his Entrepreneurial Blog.  Check it out — I’m number 15!

I went through the other blogs listed and here are some of my favorites that I think will help you:

  • http://officesupplygeek.com/ – I’m an office supply geek myself.  I love pencils, notebooks and any kind of list paper.  This blog gives news and reviews on fabulous office supplies.
  • http://www.lifehacker.com/ – For information on how to pick a computer to how to recreate coffeehouse coffee — Lifehacker has tips and tricks for getting things done.
  • http://zenhabits.net/ – I’m all about escaping from the daily chaos of life. This blog helps to clear the clutter and find simplicity in your life.
  • http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/– This is a real boost — with inspiration to live to your full potential.  It’s a great site when you need a little help achieving exactly what you’re meant to do!

Congrats to all my fellow bloggers.  Honored to be on the list with you!

Make Your Life Less Stressful

Courtesy: D Sharon Pruitt

Last week I was over an hour late to work because of the NYC subway system. This is not a post to bash the MTA however. Even though I was trapped on an R train at 34th street for more than a half hour — I embraced it.

I could have freaked out like some of the other passengers — but this was my thought process:

1. I could use the extra time to catch up on the book I’m reading.

2. It could be a lot worse — thankfully it was only 30 minutes.

3. I don’t mind having a few minutes in the morning of just sitting still — how often do you get to do that?

4. Getting upset and worked up over this will only make my day stressful to start.

5. While other passengers contemplated jumping out of the emergency door — I could take a deep breath and enjoy a little stolen time below ground.

I know this isn’t always possible — but I try to make the best of every situation–even the crappy ones.  Just step back before you freak out, inhale deeply and attempt to turn a negative into a positive.  Worked for me!  I’m halfway through my book now.

Save Money on Halloween Decorations

Halloween is just days away and I still don’t know what I’m going to be! I have a party to go to but no idea about what costume I’ll wear. In the meantime — here’s some ideas on ways to save on Halloween decorations if you’re hosting a party. They come from Teri Gault of TheGroceryGame.com — she’s shared some tips on ways to save on your grocery bills in the past.

List of Ways to Save on Halloween Decorations

by Teri Gault

As CEO of www.TheGroceryGame.com, you don’t have to spend a lot of time using creativity to save money at Halloween. Fortunately it’s a time when almost anything goes. So make sure it’s not your money that goes out the window. Please, don’t pay full price for anything!

1. Make Dollar stores your first stop for decorations – Stop and take a look to see if there’s anything you like for decorations, then move on to more expensive stores for what they don’t have. But steer clear of paper plates and cups, as they can be flimsy and leak. Read more