Tool for Success | List Producer

Don’t Micromanage – Make This List to Work With Others

December 16, 2015/0 Comments/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, People, Reduce Stress, Relationships, Saving Time, Technology, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Remember in high school when you’d have to do a group project and get paired up with a bunch of other kids?

I was always the one who was trying organize things and make sure we hit our deadlines. (Nerd Alert!)

But no matter the project — there was always that one kid who said she would be responsible for a crucial element…and then not deliver.

Nothing would make me more annoyed, but I was always happy when the project was over and we didn’t have to work together again.

In the “real world” the same thing can happen. But the downside is you can’t trade in your team members as often.

You’re forced to work with the same team and figure out a way to make it work.

This is where lists can really come to the rescue. Read more

Get Your Idea Off to a Running Start

December 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Decision Making, Increase Productivity, People, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

A question I’m often asked is how did I go from having the idea for ListProducer.com and my book Listful Thinking to what they’ve become today?

The short answer is a lot of work.

Making an idea a reality takes a lot of research and planning. When you’re first starting out all this extra work can be a tough hurdle for people.

Especially as it can take a while before you start to see the fruits of your labor.

If you are trying to start your own business or discover your next big thing, then I have some help for you! My friend Dorie Clark is giving away her FREE 42 page workbook to help you get your idea off the ground.

Dorie Clark started out as a presidential campaign spokeswoman. She has since started her own business as a marketing strategy consultant and professional speaker. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press, Fortune, and Inc. magazine. She’s also written two books, Reinventing You and her most recent book, Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine.

Click here to download Dorie’s workbook.

Productivity Tidbits I Picked Up on Vacation

December 7, 2015/0 Comments/in Holidays, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Paula & Jay in Puerto Rico

I have a tendency to always feel like I should be doing something…at all times.

“Isn’t there an email I can write back to?”

“I must have an article I’ve been meaning to read around here somewhere.”

“Oh I’ll just straighten up my desk a bit — I have a few minutes.”

This is the ongoing dialogue in my head most days.

Even on vacation.

I recently went to Puerto Rico with my hubby for some much-needed rest and relaxation. I’d been having a bit of an overload beforehand and feeling like I needed to cut myself off from networking and being a social butterfly. So it came at the perfect time. We visited the resort where we got married almost 7 years ago so it was nice to be back in a place we hold so close to our hearts.

Typically I’d be in a bit of an anxious mode thinking I’m wasting time laying on the beach (I know, it’s kind of crazy) and not writing blog posts, guest posts for websites or brainstorming something! Read more

Tested Strategies to Get More Done

November 18, 2015/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, People, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I don’t have ADHD or ADD, but I know a lot about it. That’s because I cover health news for a living. Although having this blog has taught me a lot about it too. Turns out a lot of the tips that I’ve given through the years are particularly useful to people with ADHD and other attention issues and they’ve reached out to me about it. It’s true — I struggle with distractions too and have systems to cope.

Recently I listened to Peter Shankman’s webinar on how to be productive when you have ADD. If you don’t know of him, Shankman is a public relations and marketing expert who has written three books including “Nice Companies Finish First: Why Cutthroat Management Is Over–and Collaboration Is In.” He also created HARO (Help a Reporter Out) which is a journalism tool I use daily. And he also has ADHD and travels all over the world regularly. So there are a lot of amazing sights that catch his eye throughout the day! Read more

How To Change Your Luck And Live A Happier Life

November 11, 2015/0 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Decision Making, Happiness, Reduce Stress, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Do you ever just feel unlucky?

Always getting caught in a traffic jam when you’re running late, or the printer runs out of ink five minutes before you’re due to give a presentation?

Does everyone else around you seem to be getting their dream job, but you never seem to be in the right place at the right time?

So what is the key difference separating them from you?

They believe they’re lucky.

No really, that’s it. Read more