Benefits of List Making | List Producer

Trimming Your Holiday Gift List

November 21, 2011/7 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

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We’re back from our refreshing vacation — the weather was warm, the cocktails were cool and we had a great time. It was just what we needed to relax and recharge. While we laid by the pool though, holiday music was piping throughout the resort! It was very strange to be basking in the 85 degree sunshine and hearing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer playing in the background.

But it just reminds me that everyone will soon join me in their holiday shopping efforts. If you remember — I started my shopping in August. I do it every year and sometimes I’m even done by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. I’m halfway through with the buying and mostly done with the brainstorming now. Now that I know what my plan of attack will be — it will be easy to get all the shopping done.

One reason I start my shopping early is to stretch out the spending throughout the year so we don’t get one huge credit card bill in December or January. But what do you do if you want to scale back on your holiday gift list but don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings? I was recently quoted in this BankRate.com article, “How to Trim Your Holiday Gift List With Class.” Check out some of my tips about list making, of course, and some other secrets too.

What is Your Biggest Productivity Killer?

November 11, 2011/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Technology/by Paula Rizzo

We all fall victim to distractions that kill our productivity. You know — phone calls or people walking into your office that pull you away from what you were working on. But what about the time eaters that we do all on our own? I’ve compiled some of the most frequent time killers using a list maker from List.ly. Which ones do you spend the most time on?

List of Ingredients to Spice Up Your Cocktails

November 10, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Food, Guest Posts, Holidays, Learning With a List, Tool for Success, Wine/by Paula Rizzo

It’s almost the weekend and I’m always looking for new drinks and spritzers to try. Entertaining guru Mindy Kobrin has been great in the past with giving me some ideas for ways to throw a fabulous outdoor party. Now she’s helping me again — with some ingredients to turn up the heat in the kitchen for a little romance.

Pantry Potions List

by Mindy Kobrin

Foods and ingredients that make you feel and look good might just be the treasured secret to kitchen romance! So hurry up and don’t wait for Valentine’s Day to feel tempted with some of my full-proof ingredients and pantry potions.

CHAMPAGNE

The bubbly is perfect for setting the mood with its happy carbonation that helps keep your arteries open and blood flowing. Practice safe sipping as noted in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, “It provoketh desire, but takes away the performance.”

POMEGRANATES

In ancient times, foods that resembled seeds or eggs were often thought to be aphrodisiacs and promote fertility. Pomegranates, full of seeds and loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, are in abundance from October to January. Here are just a few of this fruit’s magical benefits: Read more

Secrets from Productivity Nerds

November 7, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Increase Productivity, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

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I’m a proud productivity nerd. I can’t help it — it’s who I am and I embrace it. I make lists and get a real sense of joy from crossing off items. But it’s those lists that help me to stay on track and be productive. I’m not alone in this compulsive habit but there are other tactics for getting more done.

I was lucky enough to share some of my own tips with WomansDay.com for the article “8 Habits of Highly Productive People.” Check out the article for some other fabulous secrets from some very knowledgeable experts.

One of my favorites is to snack! That’s right — eating will increase your productivity. I’ve never thought of it really but I’m useless unless I’ve eaten. It totally affects my mind. I’m very regular when it comes to my eating habits – I eat three meals and have two snacks during the day. If I don’t — my day is totally thrown off. Ask my co-workers…they know when I haven’t had my snacks! haha! Making sure you eat regularly is a very easy way to stay productive. Give it a try and take a look at some of the other great ideas in the article.

These Lists are Shortcuts for Life

November 4, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Food, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I’m all for shortcuts — that’s why I make so many lists about whatever task I’m working on. Whether it be looking for an apartment or finding a new restaurant I like to work things out on paper and give myself a cheat sheet. I’ve written about my new favorite source for cheat sheets called SkinnyScoop.com. It’s a great website that gives visitors the “skinny” on all sorts of topics to make life easier.

I’ve compiled a couple of lists for the site about how to be more productive and the best websites for planning a vacation. It’s great fun to make lists using their software and to read some of the others on the site. You can comment on and add to any list you like. It’s a nice way to interact and find shortcuts for just about anything. You’ll find ways to declutter, the best subscription websites, amazing dessert recipes, etc.

I’m honored to be named as one of the SkinnyScoop Tastemakers. That means that I’m part of a group of 9 women who will actively contribute to the site and offer our expertise in our various fields. So I’ll be making lists about making lists! Perfect — I can do that! I hope you’ll check out the site, upload your own lists and read through some of mine and the other Tastemaker’s lists.