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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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I never get writer’s block.
It’s from years as a TV journalist, when I had to produce content on demand. Sometimes in a matter of minutes, we would have to put a whole show or segment together.
It’s ingrained in me to produce something, no matter what. I’m used to writing for a purpose, with a deadline in mind or an end game. I rarely, if ever, write “just because” or for “fun.”
But… all that changed recently. And it’s all because of tarot cards.
Yep!
Let me tell you how, because it turns out that tarot cards can actually be an amazing productivity tool.
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Every Friday, I set aside a chunk of time for writing. It’s a practice I started when I had to produce my second book, Listful Living, on a short deadline. Years later, I’m still doing it with my writing buddy Bev Sanders.
So during our regular Friday writing session, I decided to give writing for fun a try… But I was actually stumped on what to write about! Without an assignment or a prompt, it can be hard to get going.
But it turned out the answer was right in front of me. And that answer was (you guessed it!) tarot cards.
I recently started taking tarot card reading classes, and it’s an absolute delight. It’s strangely practical and surprising in the best ways. People think of tarot as witchy, but that’s actually a misconception. They have a long history and many different applications.
My tarot teacher, Kenneth James, Ph.D., is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Chicago, Illinois. He received a Ph.D. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University, and a Diploma in Analytical Psychology from the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago.
His approach is all about learning about yourself and using the cards for self-development and inspiration. And it turns out they’re a great tool for getting yourself unstuck and thinking from new perspectives! (If this sounds like something you want to try, you can register for his class right here!).
Ken uses the ideas of psychotherapist Carl Jung to help guide learners to connect with the idea that knowledge you need is already within you. Tarot cards can help you connect with your “inner knowing” by giving you symbols and concepts to consider.
So I pulled a card to get started with my writing exercise to see what would come up.
Here’s what I pulled:
💫 First card: Ace of Pentacles (New financial opportunity, abundance, manifestation)
👿 Second card: The Devil (Negativity, restriction, addiction)
🪴 Third card: Death (Endings, change, transformation)
What a great prompt for a story — it has a beginning, middle and end! I love lists and this was a different kind of list for me.
I wrote a story based on these cards. We did two rounds of 25 minutes like we always do, borrowing from the productivity tool the Pomodoro Technique. It was such a fun process and I will definitely be doing this again.
And it’s not only for writers — this works across the board. Whether you’re stuck on the next step with a project or looking for inspiration for your business, reframing your ideas or questions is essential. Whether you need help with writing or you have another area you want to boost productivity in, this approach can really help you consider things from a new perspective. It’s unconventional — but so are all the best productivity tricks!
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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 love taking trips to new places and revisiting my favorite spots — it’s one of the best ways to get out of your comfort zone and shift your perspective. I do as much traveling as I can and as a productivity expert, I’ve come up with some strategies to reduce my stress so I can focus on relaxing and having fun. The planning can even be enjoyable, if you approach it the right way.
Because let’s face it — traveling can be stressful! You’re not alone if planning trips and figuring out the logistics sometimes feels like more trouble than it’s worth.
Luckily, there are some wonderful apps and resources for taking a lot of the stress and hassle out of this process! I chatted with PIX11 News in New York City about my top tips.
Wikivoyage: This website has so much information for planning and learning about countries. It’s like Wikipedia but it’s geared towards travelers!
Polarsteps: Download this app before you go to get a unique-to-you world map that has your photos geo-tagged. They even have an option to order a hardcover “travel book” documenting your trip!
Omio: I love this app for comparing the cost of different ways to get around. Plus you can book tickets in the app. It works well for Europe where rail travel is popular.
Wanderlog: This app is fantastic for plugging in your destinations on a multi-stop trip. You can connect your flight and hotel reservations to your itinerary, keep track of expenses, and even attach personalized checklists and to-do lists!
TripIt: This is a tried and true app that will keep everything organized for your trip. You can sync it to your email and all your itineraries and information will be updated in one place. I’ve used it for years and it often alerts me of flight delays before the airline does. I pay for the premium service. It uses AI to build smart itineraries that include weather forecasts and restaurant recommendations. Plus you can share your plans with friends.
AirTags: Lost luggage can be a real bummer. AirTags can help you find your lost suitcase if something happens to it in transit so you’re not stuck trying to replace your essentials. I’ve been using them for years and find them very helpful.
Get travel health insurance: It might seem like an added expense but it can really come in handy if you get sick while you’re in another country. Insuremytrip.com and Squaremouth.com are both good places to start.
Pack an “essentials kit”: Pack yourself a kit of everything you might need on your flight — small snacks, aspirin, gum, chapstick, an eye mask — and stash it somewhere easily accessible. You’ll save yourself the hassle of digging through your suitcase! I even put some travel slippers in there for long trips!
Pack Light: I’m notorious for packing too many toiletries. I really want them all but I don’t need the big sizes of every last product. Recently my friend Nicole turned me onto two great products that has really streamlined my packing experience. Now I’m using Subtl Beauty which creates little customizable makeup stacks with all the essentials. Plus, I’m using Cadance leakproof containers that hold all my lotions and potions. They are magnetic and come in different colors and sizes so you only bring what’s necessary. Plus, you can always carry your suitcase on with you since you will have the right amount of liquids in your bag.
Learn a couple of phrases: You don’t need to be fluent — but learning just a few essential phrases, like greetings and how to order food, can make it so much easier to get around. For a while I used Babbel to learn Italian, which was fun.
Bring a mini cooler: A small, foldable, soft-sided cooler can be your friend: you can stash cool drinks in it for a day out on the town, or pack a picnic in it to take on a hike. This is one of those little things that feels like a real luxury. Here’s one from CalPak that fits the bill.
Check your expectations: If you’ve ever been annoyed and stressed out by delayed flights or other travel hiccups, you’re not alone. With all the time, money, and effort that go into planning a trip, any inconvenience can feel heightened. That’s why I suggest checking your expectations for smooth sailing and making a pact with yourself to be flexible. Things will probably go awry at least once, and that’s okay!
Timeshifter: Say goodbye to jetlag! This app helps you shift your circadian rhythms so you’re not knocked out by jet lag. It’s so good that even astronauts are using it! I’ve used it for years and it does work if you follow along with the suggestions.
Housmthr:Keep your rental house and housemates organized with this app. You can track house expenses, scheduling, social calendar, and even grocery deliveries.
Local transportation apps: check out the apps that locals use to get around in your destination. Many major cities have their own app that you can use to access maps, schedules, and even to pay for rides!
Maps.me: This app can be a real lifesaver — it’s an offline map app that you can use without WiFi or bars.
XE Currency Exchange: This is a currency exchange app and website — it can help you figure out what things cost in other countries. Plus, you can compare exchange rates to see if you’re getting a good deal.
Google Translate: Getting the app can make all the difference when you need to communicate — and you can even scan text with it!
Flush: This app helps you locate bathrooms wherever you are in the world! There’s nothing worse than having to go and not being able to find a restroom.
Viator: This app can connect with you all kinds of amazing experiences and tours.
Order groceries: The day before you get back, schedule a grocery delivery for the following day so that you don’t need to rush out to get food. I use a service called Fresh Direct but it’s only available in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. But you could also use Instacart to get deliveries from local stores.
Send your photos out to be printed: It’s easy to forget about all the amazing snaps you took on your trip, especially if they’re only digital. That’s why I love getting photos printed. Snapfish has lots of options, from books of images to mugs to individual pictures for framing.
For more tips, you can check out my full segment on PIX11 News in New York City.
What are your favorite travel tips to make travel less stressful?
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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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If you’re planning a party or any kind of event, there are so many things you need to keep track of. Lists can be your secret weapon for tackling all the to-dos that accompany any great party. Some of these lists are no-brainers (guest lists, for instance) — and some you probably haven’t heard of before.
I shared some of my tips for using lists for event planning on PIX11 News in New York City — you can check out the whole interview here.
Before you start planning your next party, check out these guidelines for using lists to create a memorable event without the stress.