Health | List Producer

Throw Away Your New Year’s Resolution

December 29, 2013/2 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Health, Holidays, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Resolutions 2012 (Photo credit: simplyla)

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope 2014 brings you everything you desire! But if you have a New Year’s Resolution — I urge you to throw it away. Yep — that’s right. I think there is a much better way to get organized, be healthier, become more productive etc. etc.

Get Rid of that Resolution

It Really Works

This tactic really works. And the reason I know is because I used it last year. I’ve been into yoga here and there but really wanted to incorporate it into my life. So instead of resolving to “do yoga” — I made a goal for myself to “practice yoga for 10 minutes a day.”

This very specific goal turned out to be the best approach for me. It’s not overwhelming — I’m not intimidated by 10 minutes a day like I might be to commit to an hour long class a few times a week.

So since last year — every day (ok, most days…but I don’t beat myself up if I don’t do it) I do yoga for 10 minutes in the morning.

What’s your goal for this year?

5 Ways to Remember Anything

December 26, 2013/14 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Health, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I write down everything: To dos, books I want to read, groceries I need to get, websites I want to visit, gifts I want to buy, goals I’m trying to reach…I mean everything! Part of me does that so I can make the task or action a real concrete thing. Once I write something down it becomes attainable – it’s the first step of a plan to accomplish it. But the other part of me does it because I don’t want to forget it.

I rely on written list, emailed lists and lists in apps all day long to remember things. But what about when you are in a situation when you can’t write something down? You’re at the gym for instance and you have a great thought or remember something you need to do later… but there’s no pen and paper around. Or you’re taking a break from technology and don’t have your smart phone with you while you’re on vacation and inspiration hits you.
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20 Apps To Beat Holiday Stress

November 24, 2013/2 Comments/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Fitness, Food, Health, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, List Making, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Shopping, Technology, Tool for Success, Travel, Wine/by Paula Rizzo

The holidays are here! It’s easy to Install apps so if you need an app to beat the holiday stress, it’s easy to do. But not this year! I’m still making lists, but I’ve learned to simplify my holiday season with a few great apps that do everything from finding the best deals to preparing the perfect meal for all of your guests.

If the holiday season is overwhelming you, download a few of these apps to help you stay sane:

1. Food 52: Is a vegan coming to your Thanksgiving dinner? Do you want to learn how to set a holiday table? Or brine a turkey? This app features recipes, advice, and products to teach you how to become a “smarter, better, happier cook.” It’s a great, quick reference for all things food.

2. TaskRabbit: I love this app so much! Think about all the things you could be outsourcing this holiday season: writing out holiday cards, waiting in line for the new “it” gift, shopping for all the items on your holiday grocery list…the list just goes on and on! Have someone else run your holiday errands for you!

5 Ways To Stay Productive While Sick

November 10, 2013/1 Comment/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Health, Holidays, List Making, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

With winter cold season just beginning, it’s important to be proactive and boost your immune system with extra vitamins and get your flu shot. I got my flu shot last month but there’s always a chance that you’ll catch a bug at some point this season. Most of the time, it’s nothing a few wellness products and some concealer can’t take care of, but there have definitely been times when a cold takes me completely out of commission.

Here are a few ideas to boost your efficiency even when you’re feeling under the weather:

1. Sleep! Even when you’re not sick, it’s important to get enough sleep at night, but when you’re sick and your body needs to recover, sleep is even more important. Think it’s overrated? I was recently at an event with Arianna Huffington and she revealed that she’s crazy about maintaining her sleep schedule. She attributes a ton of her success to getting enough sleep so that she can be more focused and productive.

2. Outsource. With services like TaskRabbit and Wun-Wun, someone else can stock your medicine cabinet and pick up chicken soup for you. Simply send them your wellness list and wait, health is on its way.

3. Maintain your To-Do list. It’s always a good idea to keep a notebook next to your bed for late-night bursts of inspiration. When you’re sick, keep your to-do list bedside so you can easily add tasks you’ll need to accomplish when you’re better. This will allow you to easily prioritize these tasks and head back to work as if you had never been gone!

4. Delegate. Whether it’s your co-workers or family members, most of us have a team we “work” with every day. Delegating tasks to others allows us to stay super-productive while personally only focused on a few tasks. People understand if you lean a little more on them when you’re sick, especially if you’re someone who always makes sure to do a good job.

5. Use the buddy system. I once asked a co-worker to keep an eye on my email as well as hers when I was out sick and to call me if anything needed to be urgently addressed. I could sleep soundly knowing that not every ping of my cell phone meant I had to get up and attend to some task. Later, I was able to return the favor when she took a personal day!

Remember: the most productive thing you can do when you’re sick is focus on getting better. Take care of yourself and try a few of these tips and the rest will follow. Stay well!

6 Things I’m Thankful For In My Life

November 1, 2013/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Health, Holidays, List Making, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

This month, I’m featuring a short list of things I’m thankful for in the List Producer newsletter! I

Things I’m Thankful For:

1. Everyone who follows my blog!
2. My fun and fabulous family
3. My Interns
4. Dark Chocolate
5. YouTube videos of cute puppies
6. Evernote

There’s more where that came from! Sign up for the mailing list or use the form below to receive even more lists and awesome special features.

But also work on your own “Thankful List” — scientists have discovered that giving thanks and being grateful are extremely important to increasing happiness! Don’t believe me? Watch this video to see a little experiment to prove it.