Decision Making | List Producer

What Do You Really Need for College?

August 22, 2012/3 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, College, Decision Making, Guest Posts, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time/by Paula Rizzo

It’s that time of year again…the Target commercials for back to school shopping are in full swing. I can’t decide if I love them or hate them…but they are catchy.

Anyway — I remember going back to college every year as being both exciting and a bit of a pain. Moving all that stuff back and forth year after year took it’s toll. But after a while I got it down to a science…as you can imagine.

I went to college at Hofstra University on Long Island to study broadcast journalism. Some of my friends at the time were headed to a different state, and looked at Alabama Education and Career Resources, but I wanted to go into journalism so I stuck to it. I was fortunate enough to be able to live on campus and also be only a half hour away from home. It was a win-win situation for sure.

I have a lot of great memories from college like meeting former President Bill Clinton. OK — I didn’t really get to meet him — but I did shake his hand. This photo always makes me laugh.

I’m glad I got to live on campus because I was able to get the full college experience. But I don’t miss moving in every fall semester. I always dreaded it. It’s a lot of stress to buy all the things you need, pack up the car and relocate your life. But the memories you get from the experience is worth it, it is an experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. You’ll make life long friendships, learn lessons that may or may not help you on the road to your career, you might meet the love of your life in college.

Being prepared will definitely make a difference as you head back to college.

If you can think of anything that isn’t on the list that should be — just drop me a note. I’m hoping this lists helps just one college kid live an easier semester. Good luck!

Here’s What You Missed While You Were Multitasking

August 15, 2012/0 Comments/in Decision Making, Health, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Fast Life #2 (NYC 2006) (Photo credit: Zohar Manor-Abel)

That’s one of my favorite movie quotes of all time! Recognize it? If not — it’s from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Of course, Ferris (Matthew Broderick) was talking about skipping school and canoodling with his girlfriend. But the high school delinquent does have a point.

Just yesterday I decided that my 10-minute walk to the subway would be better spent looking around — instead of fixated on my iPhone. And just like that — there were no emails read, texts sent, songs listened to or lists made. It was just me, my sneakers and New York City. Read more

5 Reasons to Start Holiday Shopping in August

August 13, 2012/12 Comments/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Holidays, Increase Productivity, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Shopping, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Christmas gifts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Planning ahead will benefit you in ways you never even imagined — especially when it comes to shopping for the holidays. I always start my holiday shopping in August. Yep — I’ve already bought a gift for someone on my list! This is a tradition that I think you should start as well. Read more

How To: A Pro and Con List

August 8, 2012/8 Comments/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

Have you ever had to make a really big decision? You know — the type of thing that will change your life forever! It can be totally nerve wracking, for sure.

Things like buying a house, changing jobs, having a child, planning your honeymoon, figuring out what outfit to wear are all big considerations and should be given some critical thought. Enter: the pro and con list.

Silly or serious – it serves a purpose. Let’s say for instance you’re buying a house, you should really know everything about that property. From how much it costs to if there’s been any construction work done to it since it has been built. You’d need to know what the area is like and if it’s a good investment or not.

1. Paper or Digital? I’m a paper and pencil kind of girl but some of us are better at making digital lists. I find that if I like the paper I’m writing on then I’m more likely to sit down and make a pro and con list even if it’s a really difficult decision. Read more

List for Surviving a Conference

August 6, 2012/2 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Wow — I’m tired! BlogHer12 was a great conference but I’m pooped and I didn’t even have to travel very far. I went from my apartment in the East Village to Midtown — basically the commute I do everyday to get to work.

But participating in a conference is exhausting — both mentally and physically.

Of course, I have a list to make it a bit easier the next time you are attending a conference too:

1. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: I started really planning out my itinerary for BlogHer12 about two months beforehand. The agenda had been posted and I read through it a few times to see what sessions I would benefit from most. I chatted with other bloggers who had been to other BlogHer conferences for their take on sessions, parties and networking so I could optimize my time. I wrote out a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish while there.

2. Bring a Sharpie: I got this advice from Tanya Toledano who writes MontrealMom.com. It is brilliant. Bring a super-fine point Sharpie with you so you can make notes on business cards as you get them. Write notes on the card as soon as you get it like: “blond hair, glasses, lives in Arizona, possible guest blogger.” This is a huge help.

3. Use Evernote: What an incredible tool. I used this the entire weekend for taking notes. You can include audio, photos and PDFs along with your notes and access them from any device. It makes note taking and life so much easier. I also kept my entire itinerary saved here so I could get to it anywhere.

4. Make a Follow-Up List: While I was at the conference I had my iPad with me and as I met people or got an idea from a session — I added to my follow-up list. So now, this week I know exactly who I have to get back in touch with and what we need to talk about. The more time you let this linger — the less likely you are to make effective relationships and partnerships. Having a call to action list makes it much more possible.

5. Don’t Over Schedule: I totally bit off more than I could chew with this conference. I RSVP’ed for a lot of extra gatherings and parties that I just never made it to. Frankly I was too exhausted! Make sure that you schedule in time to recoup and relax — trust me, you’ll need it!

6. Bring Snacks: I brought almonds, fruit bars and clementines. It’s always a good idea because you just never know when you’ll get hungry and be stuck in a meeting or session with your stomach growling!