Tool for Success | List Producer

Avoiding Stupid Mistakes With a Checklist

July 22, 2011/7 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success, TV/by Paula Rizzo

This happens every year – someone’s kid gets left on a hot bus for hours. It’s inexcusable because it’s dangerous and it’s such an avoidable mistake! I heard about the first one of the year this morning as I listened to 1010 WINS. It made me think — a simple checklist would fix this problem.

Seriously – how many of you think…”I could NEVER leave a kid on a bus by mistake”? But guess what… it happens all the time! And the reason it happens is because we are so distracted with everything else going on in our lives that we forget the easy stuff.

Picture It…An Avoidable Mistake

My very first TV job was at WLNY-TV 55 on Long Island. I was an intern in 2001 and then hired as a writer while I finished up my degree at Hofstra University. Random fact: It’s where I met my hubby, Jay, and also my best friend, Danielle! One night at the station will live on in infamy – all because of a stupid, avoidable mistake. Read more

Packing for Two Weeks in Europe in Carry-On Luggage

July 21, 2011/42 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Fellow List Producers, Guest Posts, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Travel/by Paula Rizzo

I Listen to this. The government says that airlines collected $3.4 BILLION in baggage fees in 2010! $3.4 Billion! How many of you contributed to that ridiculous number? Jay and I definitely have – we even did on our short trip to Miami. Don’t judge us.

It’s just so difficult to pack smart especially with the 3.0 oz. liquid rule. How will I bring my sunscreen? I slather on tons of it because covering health news has made me paranoid about looking old and getting cancer.

Anyway — back to the baggage fees… It IS possible to travel for two-weeks – in Europe with only carry-on luggage. I know it’s possible because my good friend and fellow Hofstra University alum – has done it! It’s true! And she’s sharing all her secrets so we can all save money and time. Take notes… Read more

I Wrote an Ebook for Busy Moms

July 18, 2011/5 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Children, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I’m thrilled to announce that I wrote an ebook called “Top 10 Lists Every Mom Needs“!

I designed the lists for Enough Time Moms, which is a new site dedicated to helping busy moms save time and money, while being more productive.

Some of the lists include: Ways to Save Time in the Morning, The Best Free Apps for Moms, and A List of Healthy Snacks to take on trips. Although the ebook is geared towards moms — any busy person can benefit from most of the lists.

Please check out the Enough Time Moms Facebook page and sign up for their newsletter to download the ebook.

I’d love to hear what you think!

How to be a Productivity Junkie

July 7, 2011/1 Comment/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

You already know that I’m a compulsive list maker — but I’m also a productivity junkie. With a to-do list in my hand — it’s pretty hard not to be.

I have my days of course when I feel like I haven’t gotten anything done but for the most part I’m extremely efficient and I have my to-do list to thank.

I was lucky enough to be able to guest blog for the “Life…Your Way” blog this week. Check out my post about Ways a To-Do List Will Help You Do More.

What are your productivity secrets?

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Angie’s List: An Empire Built on a List

July 5, 2011/2 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Fellow List Producers, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Angie Hicks, Angie’s List

As many of you know I’m a senior producer for a news network in New York City. I cover everything from surgeries to fitness classes. Recently I was fortunate enough to do a segment about saving money on your medical bills with one of the most famous list makers of all — Angie Hicks — the founder of Angie’s List.

Her consumer review website helps people find doctors, contractors and other local services. Angie’s List now has 1.5 million members across the country — and to think it all started with a list!

Q: Why do you call yourself a compulsive list maker?

A: I wouldn’t necessarily call myself compulsive, but Angie’s List is certainly getting a national reputation as the mother of all lists… Angie’s List started out as just that – my list of the best and worst companies in and around Columbus, Ohio. We’re in more than 200 U.S. cities, now and the list just keeps growing – both of cities served and number of companies rated by consumers in each local market. So I guess I am compulsive about making lists, after all! Read more