June, 2012 | List Producer

List of Travel Essentials

June 14, 2012/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Planning a vacation can be both fun and stressful. I, of course, always make multiple lists to make sure I’m organized so I can save time, money and reduce stress. One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is what are the essential items that I take on every trip?

You know those things that come in handy no matter what state, city or country you are in? Those really smart items that you think — “I’m so glad I brought this!”

I’ve started a list of some ideas and would love for you to join in and help me compile a really great collection.

Check Out My Summer Lists

June 13, 2012/in Beauty, Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Fitness, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Now that I’ve got you started on your summer to-do list…it’s time to check out some seasonal lists. I had the great pleasure of creating three lists for VMV Hypoallergenics’ INSKIN Magazine!

The magazine is distributed in their stores around the world and also digitally on their website. You may remember hearing about them from me — I’ve been good friends with their CEO, Laura Verallo de Bertotto, forever and even highlighted her as one of my Featured List Producers.

I hope you enjoy these lists in the magazine:

Throwing a summer soiree (page 3)
Finding the fountain of youth (page 10)
Planning the perfect vacation (page 14)

A Summer To-Do List

June 12, 2012/in Benefits of List Making, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Get ready for vacations, home improvements and lots and lots of parties. These are all part of summer for most of us. A new season – a new to-do list. Summer is sacred – make the most of it with a well planned out list. A friend of mine is already way ahead on her list!

Setting an intention, whether big or small, aids in reaching your goal. As my girl Oprah always says – “You Become What You Believe.” This goes for summer to-do lists too. Here’s a look at mine so far:

1. Go to Paris (we are visiting friends there in July! Can’t wait! Planning list post coming…)

2. Have a picnic

3. Clean out my closet and garage

4. Clean out my home office drawers and bookshelf

5. Read Wild, No Reservations, On the Island, The House at Riverton

6. Plan beach vacation for November

7. Go wine tasting

I’ll keep adding as the months pass but so far I’m off to a good start. What’s on your summer to-do list?

Which Professions Are Most Productive?

June 11, 2012/in Benefits of List Making, Increase Productivity, List Making, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Speaking from experience – I’d say most journalists are pretty productive. We have deadlines to keep and strong personalities to deal with – so it’s kind of inevitable. However – my profession didn’t top the list of the most productive. Actually – if you’re a farmer or work in the agriculture area – you win the prize.

WHO?

LinkedIn did a survey of more than 6500 people throughout the world and found that 63% of all professionals frequently create to-do lists. Some 83% of farmers (and the like) said they regularly fulfill most or all of their planned tasks. Lawyers fell to the bottom of the list – with just 66 percent accomplishing all or most of their tasks.

Women were the biggest list makers in the study with 71% saying they used them regularly. Only 60% of men did the same. That doesn’t surprise me – ladies tend to have their stuff together more of the time too! ☺

WHERE?

Turns out 50% of list makers do it by hand, while 45% keep their to-dos electronically. The other 5% do a bunch of different things like use whiteboards, chalkboards or keep their lists in their minds.

How about you? What’s your industry and where do you make your lists?

Revamp Your To-Do List to Stop Procrastinating

June 6, 2012/in Benefits of List Making, Increase Productivity, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

You know how I love lists…but I realize that sometimes they can overwhelm us. Even I’ve been a little stressed by all of the things on my to-do list from time to time.

This panic can lead to putting off what you need to get accomplished –- but it doesn’t have to! By simply modifying HOW you make your lists — you will cut down on procrastination.

Here are 5 ways to revamp your to-do list and be more productive:

1. Break up your list into sections. By making lists in categories like “job, family, home” — you will be less overwhelmed and be able to tackle each one individually. Read more