10 Ways to Cut Out Paper Clutter

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I have a confession to make…I can sometimes be a paper hoarder. I keep things because I “might need them.” I’ve gotten better now that a lot of records and statements can be found online. But when the mail comes sometimes it hard to part with some of the pieces “just in case.”

But I’ve been getting better thanks to my organizational friends like Bonnie Joy Dewkett. She’s a professional organizer and owner of The Joyful Organizer. These tips will help you tackle any pile of mail, bills, magazines or flyers in a flash!

Top 10 Paper Organization Tips

By Bonnie Joy Dewkett

Paper is one of the biggest problems we have as a society. Here are ten quick tips to get you organized and keep you that way!

1. Have a big pile of paper? Flip it over and start sorting at the bottom. Chances are that most of the stuff on the bottom is old, expired, or no longer valuable to you. Read more

5 Reasons to Take a Vacation

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We should all take a break from time to time. It’s a chance to recharge and kick back.  Although we need money for holidays, booking it and worrying about that later is a thought, otherwise this could hold you back from enjoying life and visiting all these amazing places!
Americans don’t take nearly enough vacations but it’s OK to put your own well being on your to-do list!

Here’s a list of reasons you should take a vacation:

1. Be More Productive: First of all…if you’re like me — you prepare in advance for a trip and make sure all of your ducks are in a row before you leave. Read more

Mom Turns Kids into Foodies One List at a Time

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Recently my two worlds of TV producer and blogger crossed paths at the BlogHer conference.  I took a seminar about incorporating video into a blog that Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious.com, was teaching.  Brilliant stuff and I plan on adding some more video here soon!

Anyway — I’ve also done segments with Catherine about healthy eating and getting kids to be better eaters.  She started out as a food blogger and has uploaded hundreds of videos to her website Weelicious.com. Now she has a book called “Weelicious: One Family, One Meal,” and I’ve even tried some of the recipes even though I don’t have kids!

Turns out — all that recipe making and brand building has been possible because of list making!  Love that! Check out Catherine’s list-making secrets:

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

A: As a working mom and wife, if I wasn’t armed with a list I’d be in big big trouble! Read more

Join Me to Talk Travel Lists

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Deutsch: Paris: Eiffelturm

Deutsch: Paris: Eiffelturm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone loves going on vacation.  It’s great to be able to reconnect, recharge and relax!  But all that fun takes some preparation and lots and lots of lists!

  • Pros & Cons lists for destinations
  • Research lists
  • Packing lists
  • Organizing your luggage
  • Sightseeing lists
  • Must-Eat Restaurant lists
  • Bucket lists of must-visit spots
  • etc.

I recently started a Meetup group called “Lists & Libations.”  We meet once a month to talk about lists and enjoy libations!  Our next meeting on October 24th will be all about travel lists.  I would love for you to join us if you can.  Click here for all the details.

If you don’t live in NYC or can’t make it — I’m also hosting Virtual Meetups.  The next one is on October 2nd and is all about productivity apps!

Hope to see you there!

Morning is the Most Productive Time

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Good mornig,guys! Why don't you drink with me?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I haven’t always been a morning person but with a “regular” 9-5 schedule – I didn’t have a choice. So I’ve embraced it. Every morning before work I:

1. Read two newspapers

2. Practice yoga

3. Sip green tea

4. Eat a healthy breakfast

5. Read through and respond to several emails

6. Listen to news radio for 15 minutes

7. Check my Twitter and Facebook feeds

8. Take a shower and get ready

9. Walk for 15 minutes

Most people barely have enough time to jump in the shower, take the dog out for a walk and scarf down some breakfast before they get to work. I don’t do all of the things on that list because I HAVE to – I do them because I WANT to.

My husband thinks I’m crazy but I wake up at 6:05am every morning so I can do all of those things before work. It’s hours before I have to get to work but I love that time to be productive and do the things I want to do for myself.

I recently read an e-book called, “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast” by Laura Vanderkam and it turns out a lot of successful people do exactly the same thing as me. They meditate, exercise, read, practice hobbies and do anything that they like way before they get to work.

As it says in the book — if you do things before work in the morning there’s a higher chance you’ll actually get those things done and out of the way to feel much more accomplished and productive before you sit down at your desk. You’ve all been there… you procrastinate, make excuses and get tired by the end of the day so you may never get to the gym. For me — I don’t like to be rushed. I like to give myself enough time to get ready and wake up.

Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project” gets up an hour before her family to check email and headlines and start her day.  I like to do the same thing so that when I actually get to work – I can start working right away and only have a few emails to distract me.

So what do you do in the morning?