When It’s Bad To Be Good At Something

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hands-220163_640Last month my husband and I were in Florida to celebrate his grandmother’s 90th birthday.  What a milestone! The whole family flew there from all over to celebrate together.  

In between trips to the pool and cocktail hours…we found ourselves decorating the house for the festivities.  

Everyone was given a job:  Balloon blowing, hat making, ribbon twirling…oh and there was a list to be made too!  

And guess who was called to make said list.  That’s right — yours truly.

It always feels nice when you are recognized as being good at something. I like it when people ask me for list-making tips because it’s fun to help people, but it’s also gives me a little confidence boost to be an expert.

But then it hit me.

Being good at something can actually be bad!   Read more

The Payoff of Being Anti-Social for a Month

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alone-1031338_640At the beginning of December I took a stand and took the month off from networking and going to events.

I was drained.  

I normally really enjoy going to these kinds of events, so when I started to dread them — I realized it was time for a break.

As part of my anti-social plan, my husband Jay and I went to Puerto Rico, back to the resort where we got married 7 years ago for a little relaxation.

I set myself the challenge of doing absolutely no work while I was there. It was amazing to just lay on the beach and enjoy the moment!

When we returned and people asked me to meet up for tea or dinners after work this December I replied simply, “I’m sorry, I’m not available.”   Read more

Don’t Micromanage – Make This List to Work With Others

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team-386673_640Remember in high school when you’d have to do a group project and get paired up with a bunch of other kids?

I was always the one who was trying organize things and make sure we hit our deadlines.  (Nerd Alert!)

But no matter the project — there was always that one kid who said she would be responsible for a crucial element…and then not deliver.  

Nothing would make me more annoyed, but I was always happy when the project was over and we didn’t have to work together again.

In the “real world” the same thing can happen.  But the downside is you can’t trade in your team members as often.  

You’re forced to work with the same team and figure out a way to make it work.

This is where lists can really come to the rescue.    Read more

Feed Your Organizational Soul With These Photos

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Occasionally I get inquiries by other productivity or time management sites, asking my opinion on lists and such. However, last week was the first time a design website has reached out to me!  I’m used to coming up with my top 3 to-do list tips. But this was a fun project to come up with some of the visual stuff that inspires me.  I make a vision board every year with photos of goals and things I love — it’s like a visual to-do list.

Productivity Tidbits I Picked Up on Vacation

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puertorico

Paula & Jay in Puerto Rico

I have a tendency to always feel like I should be doing something…at all times.

“Isn’t there an email I can write back to?”

“I must have an article I’ve been meaning to read around here somewhere.”  

“Oh I’ll just straighten up my desk a bit — I have a few minutes.”  

This is the ongoing dialogue in my head most days.

Even on vacation.

I recently went to Puerto Rico with my hubby for some much-needed rest and relaxation.  I’d been having a bit of an overload beforehand and feeling like I needed to cut myself off from networking and being a social butterfly.  So it came at the perfect time.  We visited the resort where we got married almost 7 years ago so it was nice to be back in a place we hold so close to our hearts.

Typically I’d be in a bit of an anxious mode thinking I’m wasting time laying on the beach (I know, it’s kind of crazy) and not writing blog posts, guest posts for websites or brainstorming something!   Read more