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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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I love watching nature documentaries. I find them so calming — and inspiring! We have so much to learn from the animal kingdom. Here are some of my favorite productivity lessons from nature:
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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Writer’s block happens to so many people. Feeling stuck can come on at any point in a project and slow you down. But you don’t just have to submit to it and throw in the towel. It’s important to have tools and strategies in place so you can address it and keep going.
As a writer and productivity expert, I put together a list of tools and tricks that you can whip out when you find yourself stuck:
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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Play and work seem at first like they are at odds. Play is what distracts you from working. Right?
Actually… it’s a little more complicated. It turns out that play can be a productivity tool!
Incorporating play into your routines is a powerful way to get more done and feel less stressed.
I’ve been intentionally adding play into my day and it’s true. The benefits are unexpected and bring me so much joy!
And science backs it up. According to research, play is essential for our physical and cognitive health.
Here’s how you can use play to be more productive:
I’m a huge fan of rest — that’s why my mantra is “rest is the new hustle.” Without rest, it’s so easy to get burned out.
I learned this lesson the hard way years ago, when my appendix burst and I waited too long to go to the hospital. I had to spend weeks in recovery because I didn’t listen when my body told me I needed to dial things back. Ever since then, I‘ve been shouting from the rooftops that rest is essential for working towards your goals.
But it’s less clear what “rest” actually looks like. You might not feel like laying down and taking a physical break — but you still need to rest. And that’s where play comes in.
Playing to rest looks different for everyone – it might be taking care of a little virtual bird on the Finch app, trying out a new recipe, or doing a crossword puzzle. What matters is that it’s creative, energizing, and yes — FUN!
Feeling stuck is one of the biggest productivity pitfalls. Whether you’re not sure of the next step on a big project or you have writer’s block, uncertainty and a lack of creativity can make your goals feel impossible to accomplish.
And inspiration isn’t just something you can buckle down and force into being. That’s why it’s so essential to get out of your own head, lighten up, and change your perspective.
I love using play to get the creative juices flowing. Play can help you feel inspired and ready to dive back in with renewed energy.
Here’s some ideas:
One of my favorite ways to play is pulling tarot cards (I’m even getting my Tarot Reader Certificate!). I love it so much that I wrote a whole blog about it. The idea really resonated with people. I was thrilled to see comments on LinkedIn from people who are keen to try using tarot to boost their creative inspiration.
You might consider painting, dancing, or even doing a puzzle. All of these can help you see things from a new perspective, break out of your regular habits, and feel connected to your creative energy!
My friend Karen Bussen hosts free online creativity meet-ups called Le Salon. I’ve been and really enjoyed them! If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, check out Le Salon here.
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I’ve started rewarding myself with a few minutes of play each time I finish a task. And sometimes dangling that carrot is all you need to power through!
If you find yourself getting distracted, it can be helpful to use play as a motivator. For example, I commit to finishing a task and then I’ll play Connections in the New York Times Games app. I’ve also gotten into building my own town in the Township app.
If you feel stuck on what kinds of play activities are right for you, you can check out the Play Personalities quiz based on Dr. Stuart Brown’s research. Dr. Brown speaks regularly about the benefits of play for adults and using his personality quiz can help you discover the best kinds of play for you.
Here’s to fun!
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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It’s easy to feel like summer is slipping by, but being intentional, mindful, and proactive about how you spend your time can help slow it down.
I hopped on PIX11 News in New York City to chat about my strategies — you can check out the full video here.
Connecting with the natural world is one of the best ways to slow down and enjoy the season. Take a walk in the evening if the day is too hot. Go to the beach for a day. You can even pick a topic to help you lean in — maybe it’s plant identification or bird watching.
I love the Merlin Bird ID app! If you’re into hikes you can check out the AllTrails app — it’s really useful and lets you filter so you can find a doable hike, no matter your experience level.
Or just grab a book and a cold beverage and head to your local park.
Cutting down on your screen time can help you focus on the present moment. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Seeing someone else’s vacation won’t help you enjoy yours.
The more time you spend scrolling social media, the less aware you are of what’s actually happening in your life, right now.
Set a time limit for yourself or even pick a day when you’re going to log off. It makes a big difference in your perception of the world when you’re only looking at what’s right in front of you.
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Now is the time to pick up a new hobby or get back into something you used to love. Think back to what made you happy as a kid. Was your nose always buried in a book? Did you bring your paint set outside to make watercolors? Or were you a water bug?
Trying new things is especially helpful when it comes to savoring the season. Learn a new card game or take a class that you wouldn’t have time for in another season. I’ve been obsessed with learning all about Tarot Cards. You’ll be glad you took the time now to dig into a new hobby.
Summer is time for connecting. Don’t push off that girls’ trip or family reunion. Now is the time. I’ve been hearing great things about the app Troupe — it’s an all-in-one group trip planning app that lets you collaborate with friends and family to pick dates, find hotels, and choose activities. Also check out all my tips here for planning a less stressful trip.
When you do get together, you can even combine my other tips — head outside with your loved ones, try a new activity together, and leave your phone in your bag.
For more tips, you can check out my PIX11 News interview.
How are you going to savor the summer?
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.
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I have made my to-do list the same way for quite a long time because it works really well for me.
I make a daily list every night before I leave my desk. I think about everything that needs to happen the next day, and I write down everything I have the time and the resources to do.
I’ve written two books on list making: Listful Thinking and Listful Living. And I even have a LinkedIn Learning Course outlining my methods.
