Saving Time | List Producer

My List-Making Secrets in Whole Living Magazine

November 23, 2011/6 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Holidays, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Does your to-do list work against you and stress you out? Do you have post-it notes all over the house? Or endless to-do lists that never seem to get crossed out? I have a solution for you! Go to the bookstore or newsstand and pick up the December 2011 edition of Whole Living Magazine! I’m really excited to announce that some of my list-making secrets are published in this Martha Stewart magazine!

Lists are not difficult to make but if you go about it wrong — they end up being counterproductive. The act of listing is simple but it’s how you do it that matters. The important thing is knowing how to make an effective list that will set you up for success.

I worked with senior editor Terri Trespicio since July hatching this idea for the time of year when most people’s lives are ruled by lists…the holidays! I’m grateful to Terri for her advice, collaboration and master editing skills. Check out her brand new blog: Best Decision All Day for some simple ways to get the very best out of life.

Please buy the December issue and let me know what you think — my piece is on page 109! Thrilled to share my compulsive list making tips with all of you!

10 Holiday Travel Tips

November 22, 2011/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Food, Guest Posts, Holidays, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Travel/by Paula Rizzo

We are entering the busiest travel season of the year. If you don’t plan ahead you might pay an exorbitant amount of money to get from point A to point B for the holidays. But you don’t have to if you check out this money-saving list. Teri Gault, CEO and founder of TheGroceryGame.com, has shared tips in the past on how to save on Halloween decorations and how to cut back on your grocery food bill.

Top 10 Holiday Travel Tips

by Teri Gault, CEO

As CEO of www.TheGroceryGame.com, I fly over 150,000 miles a year, and stay in hotels, and rent cars all over the map! I also have a family and have enjoyed many family holiday trips and vacations without breaking the bank. Here’s my top 10 holiday travel tips for saving money when we need to most!

1. Compare alternative airports – Flights are higher during the holidays, but you’ve got lots of options to compare. Check to see if it’s cheaper to drive a few hours to a connection, than to take a second flight. Or, it may be cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale than Miami, for example. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars per ticket, and only had to drive 30 minutes further. I like Orbitz.com for comparing flight prices. Also, different airlines have different rates, as they have different hub and origination cities. Just note that Jetblue and Southwest do not participate on Orbitz. So, be sure to compare their rates on their websites as well. Read more

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.