Relationships | List Producer

Is Productivity Making Me Rude?

August 25, 2013/2 Comments/in Relationships/by Paula Rizzo

English: A pile of mobile devices including smart phones, tablets, laptops and ebok readers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m all for being productive and getting things done, but recently I’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to be productive to a fault. I pride myself on knowing proper etiquette, but I think I may be becoming rude as I strive to become more efficient and productive.

In my day job as a TV producer things are fast paced and you need to move along and get everything finished on deadline. I remember once after a taping I literally said to a guest, “OK, we’re done with you.” It was more of a housekeeping-type statement because we needed to move on to the next guest for the following segment, but it came off very rude. Eeek! Read more

Gifts for New Moms Like Kate Middleton

July 22, 2013/0 Comments/in Children, Food, Health, Home, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Shopping, Uncategorized/by Paula Rizzo

I can’t believe it was nearly two years ago that the first Royal baby was born. I’m just as excited as I was then for Kate’s second baby. Especially as it’s a baby girl! It’s about time the Royal family added a little femininity. This time around I caught the whole thing on Periscope, it was really fun to be part of such an important moment. The second royal baby was born on Saturday May 2nd, weighing 8lb 3oz, so a little smaller then her older brother. Re-living the experience reminded me of this post, which is just as pertinent now.

The world has been buzzing for months about the Royal Baby and I’m no exception! Finally a little prince was born on July 22, 2013 at 4:24 pm London time. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. (where did Kate Middleton hide him?) and he and his mum (!) are said to be doing well. New dad Prince William said, “We couldn’t be happier.” It’s been said he bought a little teddy bear for the next in line to the crown.

A Gift Fit for a Princess

This Royal birth got me thinking — in lists, of course. What do you get a new mom? Especially a woman who has everything? You want to get something that she’ll really appreciate and value. It’s a big time in her life and you want your gift to be memorable.

It’s always a good policy to give something that can come from only you, but if you’re stumped, here’s my list of great gifts for new moms: Read more

9 Ways to be Productive on a Snow Day

February 7, 2013/2 Comments/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Relationships, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

SNOW DAY in TIMES SQUARE 2011 – Manhattan, New York City – 01/26/11 (Photo credit: asterix611)

The mention of extreme weather does a funny thing to people. It throws us into a total frenzy. No one wants to sit in a freezing home in the middle of winter. All you can think of is how much milk you have in the house and whether or not your car has gas. My office has been a buzz about the Nor’easter headed for New York City for days.

A snow day is a good excuse to do all the things you’ve been “meaning” to do but just haven’t gotten to do. If you do get snowed in — here’s my list of things you can do to be productive:

Clean out just ONE desk, junk or dresser drawer. Get to more if you can but start with just one.
Catch up on your saved DVR shows. (in your PJs)
Look up and try out a new workout on YouTube.
Start compiling all the paperwork you need to do your taxes. I recommend Evernote to keep track of it all.
Do some online shopping to cross off some birthday or holiday gifts from your to-do list.
Do research for an upcoming wedding, vacation or project.
Download the Next Issue app to browse all your favorite magazines in one spot.
Try out a new recipe. One of my favorite blogs Cooking With Books should give you some inspiration.
Begin a new book. Check Goodreads.com for fabulous recommendations from friends.

10 Phrases That Will Make You More Efficient

January 27, 2013/11 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Guest Posts, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Oprah, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Included in the list of topics I write lists about are quotes. Any time I hear an exceptional one I will email it to myself or enter it into my Evernote account to save for later. My favorite personal quote is one that I’ve borrowed from Oprah — “You Become What You Believe.” Isn’t that an amazing quote? I love it because it’s so true. If you think you can do something — you can!

Another believer in quotes is Meggin McIntosh who hosted my list-making teleseminar last January. She’s extremely productive and helps people to do the same with her vast knowledge. These aren’t quotes that famous people have said but they are extremely helpful in allowing you to do your job well.

A List of 10 Phrases & Statements to Remember

by Meggin McIntosh | The Ph.D. of Productivity™

A number of statements and phrases are worth remembering in your quest to be more productive. Consider the following 10 (and in most instances, after you make the statement – stop talking.) These aren’t questions. They are statements:

1. “No, but thanks for asking.”

2. “Not now.”

3. “Let me get back to you after I’ve checked on a few things.” Read more

6 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

December 13, 2012/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Guest Posts, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

As you know — I’ve been shopping for the holidays since August…so I won’t be doing any last-minute runs to the mall to buy gifts before Christmas. It’s my trick for reducing holiday stress. I also make lists and lists of everything that needs to get done so I don’t leave anything out. Gifts to wrap, calls to make, cards to buy, etc. List making will help you calm down and get everything accomplished for sure.

For some other easy ways to reduce stress in this crazy holiday season I turned to the experts at Chicken Soup for the Soul. The publisher Amy Newmark compiled these tips for us:

6 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress

by Amy Newmark

The holiday madness is upon us. Are you feeling a little stressed out? Adding all that holiday prep to your already busy schedule may be putting you over the top. So if you are engaging in “Extreme Multitasking” these days, here are a few tips from the folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul that may make the rest of December go a little easier. Read more