Saving Money | List Producer

Trimming Your Holiday Gift List

November 21, 2011/7 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Naito8 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We’re back from our refreshing vacation — the weather was warm, the cocktails were cool and we had a great time. It was just what we needed to relax and recharge. While we laid by the pool though, holiday music was piping throughout the resort! It was very strange to be basking in the 85 degree sunshine and hearing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer playing in the background.

But it just reminds me that everyone will soon join me in their holiday shopping efforts. If you remember — I started my shopping in August. I do it every year and sometimes I’m even done by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. I’m halfway through with the buying and mostly done with the brainstorming now. Now that I know what my plan of attack will be — it will be easy to get all the shopping done.

One reason I start my shopping early is to stretch out the spending throughout the year so we don’t get one huge credit card bill in December or January. But what do you do if you want to scale back on your holiday gift list but don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings? I was recently quoted in this BankRate.com article, “How to Trim Your Holiday Gift List With Class.” Check out some of my tips about list making, of course, and some other secrets too.

Secrets from Productivity Nerds

November 7, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Increase Productivity, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

nuttakit/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’m a proud productivity nerd. I can’t help it — it’s who I am and I embrace it. I make lists and get a real sense of joy from crossing off items. But it’s those lists that help me to stay on track and be productive. I’m not alone in this compulsive habit but there are other tactics for getting more done.

I was lucky enough to share some of my own tips with WomansDay.com for the article “8 Habits of Highly Productive People.” Check out the article for some other fabulous secrets from some very knowledgeable experts.

One of my favorites is to snack! That’s right — eating will increase your productivity. I’ve never thought of it really but I’m useless unless I’ve eaten. It totally affects my mind. I’m very regular when it comes to my eating habits – I eat three meals and have two snacks during the day. If I don’t — my day is totally thrown off. Ask my co-workers…they know when I haven’t had my snacks! haha! Making sure you eat regularly is a very easy way to stay productive. Give it a try and take a look at some of the other great ideas in the article.

These Lists are Shortcuts for Life

November 4, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Food, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I’m all for shortcuts — that’s why I make so many lists about whatever task I’m working on. Whether it be looking for an apartment or finding a new restaurant I like to work things out on paper and give myself a cheat sheet. I’ve written about my new favorite source for cheat sheets called SkinnyScoop.com. It’s a great website that gives visitors the “skinny” on all sorts of topics to make life easier.

I’ve compiled a couple of lists for the site about how to be more productive and the best websites for planning a vacation. It’s great fun to make lists using their software and to read some of the others on the site. You can comment on and add to any list you like. It’s a nice way to interact and find shortcuts for just about anything. You’ll find ways to declutter, the best subscription websites, amazing dessert recipes, etc.

I’m honored to be named as one of the SkinnyScoop Tastemakers. That means that I’m part of a group of 9 women who will actively contribute to the site and offer our expertise in our various fields. So I’ll be making lists about making lists! Perfect — I can do that! I hope you’ll check out the site, upload your own lists and read through some of mine and the other Tastemaker’s lists.

10 Ways to Create Free Time Out of Thin Air

November 3, 2011/10 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Guest Posts, Health, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone I talk to complains about not having enough time for everything they want to do. What would you do with that time? Get more work done, write a blog, take a wine-tasting class, staring at the sky, sleep?

Whatever you decide to do with your new-found time…my guest blogger Dr. Shannon Reece says it’s possible! Dr. Reece trains women entrepreneurs to use their strengths to create successful businesses.

Creating Free Time Out of Thin Air

by Dr. Shannon Reece

Our lives are busy! You may be thinking that’s the understatement of the decade, as you try to read this post, while attending to three other things at the same time. But part of the reason our lives have become overwhelmingly full is because we have lost sight of the things that matter the most. Easy to do, amidst the noise and clutter you have to filter each day.

If you stop for a moment to think Read more

Lists Will Organize Your Life

November 1, 2011/6 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Movies, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

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