Lists Will Organize Your Life

I think I may have met my list-making match! Sarah Welch from GetButtonedup.com is a task master, productivity expert and organizing guru. Her site gives tools to get everything in your life in check. I’ve guest blogged for her and really admire the empire she’s built on being on top of your game!

She’s my featured list producer this month because she’s used her organizing ways to become a great success.

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

A: If I don’t have a list to work from, the million-and-one to-do’s that I have buzzing around my head, make me feel dazed and confused. If I try to get through the day without a list, I lose my ability to concentrate. I feel overwhelmed because my short-term memory is trying to “remember” things on my list by endlessly looping tasks at random, which ultimately makes me feel I have more to do than I actually do. When I start the day or week with a master list (which I sync up to my calendar), I can crank through things like nobody’s business. I feel sane, productive, and never worry for a second that important things are falling through the cracks. Read more

Top Productivity Blogs

I’ve written many many blogs about how to be more productive at work and at home. It’s so easy to get distracted but there are so many ways to keep your focus.  My favorite (as you know) is keeping a list.  There are also websites that will help you get more done and be more efficient. I was lucky enough to be named amongst the “Top 50 Productivity Blogs of 2011” by Evan Carmichael and his Entrepreneurial Blog.  Check it out — I’m number 15!

I went through the other blogs listed and here are some of my favorites that I think will help you:

  • http://officesupplygeek.com/ – I’m an office supply geek myself.  I love pencils, notebooks and any kind of list paper.  This blog gives news and reviews on fabulous office supplies.
  • http://www.lifehacker.com/ – For information on how to pick a computer to how to recreate coffeehouse coffee — Lifehacker has tips and tricks for getting things done.
  • http://zenhabits.net/ – I’m all about escaping from the daily chaos of life. This blog helps to clear the clutter and find simplicity in your life.
  • http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/– This is a real boost — with inspiration to live to your full potential.  It’s a great site when you need a little help achieving exactly what you’re meant to do!

Congrats to all my fellow bloggers.  Honored to be on the list with you!

Make Your Life Less Stressful

Courtesy: D Sharon Pruitt

Last week I was over an hour late to work because of the NYC subway system. This is not a post to bash the MTA however. Even though I was trapped on an R train at 34th street for more than a half hour — I embraced it.

I could have freaked out like some of the other passengers — but this was my thought process:

1. I could use the extra time to catch up on the book I’m reading.

2. It could be a lot worse — thankfully it was only 30 minutes.

3. I don’t mind having a few minutes in the morning of just sitting still — how often do you get to do that?

4. Getting upset and worked up over this will only make my day stressful to start.

5. While other passengers contemplated jumping out of the emergency door — I could take a deep breath and enjoy a little stolen time below ground.

I know this isn’t always possible — but I try to make the best of every situation–even the crappy ones.  Just step back before you freak out, inhale deeply and attempt to turn a negative into a positive.  Worked for me!  I’m halfway through my book now.

Magazine Helps You Achieve Goals

Everyone can use a little push every now and then to achieve his or her goals. I think the best motivator is to hear about other people who are living their dreams. I’ve written about MyLifeList.org in the past — the social media site for goal makers and even highlighted their chief operating officer, Shelagh Braley, as one of my featured list producers. MyLifeList.org has just launched “Achiever Magazine,” which is all about helping you reach for the stars.

This first edition is geared towards college students and I have a feature in the magazine with tips for success. If you’re a regular reader of this blog — you KNOW that writing a to-do list is one of those tips! There’s also information about saving money, looking better and eating right.

But the real crux of the magazine is the inspirational stories. MyLifeList.org is filled with travel, family, home, career and personal goals and success stories. It’s those goals that have become the foundation for this magazine. I urge all of you to check out “Achiever Magazine” and let me know what you think!

I’m the “Blogger of the Week”!

I was lucky enough to be featured as the “Blogger of the Week” on Terry Jaymes “Alive” radio show on KIRO-FM in Seattle this past weekend. Terry and I chatted about my list making ways and how this blog started.

Please listen here and skip ahead to 20:51 for the beginning of my segment.

It was really fun and different to be on the other side of the interview. Usually I’m the one asking the questions — but Terry was terrific and engaging. This was the first time I had listened to Terry’s show and I think a lot of you will really like it. Terry is a big goal maker and even wrote a book about it to help people reach his or her full potential.

On his website the show is described as, “The real man’s approach of self-betterment” – advice, personal stories, edgy, humorous and honest – Terry Jaymes ALIVE is for anybody who chooses to live an extraordinary life.”

I’m all for that! Give it a listen on KIRO-FM’s website every Saturday night from 6pm-8pm Eastern. I’m so excited to have been a part of it!