Boosting Productivity and Better Ways to Multitask

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I used to multitask all the time, and it totally undermined my productivity. So I became completely anti-multitasking — until I realized that in some situations, multitasking is actually the key to reducing stress and getting more done. 

I shared some of my top tips for multitasking more effectively and intentionally on PIX11 News in New York City (you can check out the video here).

Want to join me and reclaim multitasking? Here’s how:

1) Not every task is created equal. 

Reading and talking on the phone, texting and driving — those tasks don’t play well together. 

Why? Each pair uses the same part of your brain. Reading and talking both require language comprehension. Texting and driving both use motor control and attention to detail.

You can’t complete two tasks that activate the same parts of your brain. We’re just not wired that way!

2) Put the right tasks together. 

Instead, pair tasks that use different parts of your brain. Doing this can boost productivity by keeping you engaged.

We actually do this naturally — that’s why so many people doodle in meetings. Drawing helps keep you focused! You’re using two different skill areas that complement one another. 

3) Repetitive tasks are ideal for multitasking.

The best times for intentional multitasking are when you’re doing repetitive tasks.

Gardening, for example, is a great time to listen to language lessons. You’re using your hands for gardening and your brain to learn the language, so there’s no competition between tasks. And the repetition means you can get into a flow state, which is great for productivity. Cooking while listening to a podcast and organizing files while listening to an audiobook work just as well for the same reasons. 

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4) Walking goes well with big decisions. 

If you do it in the right situations, multitasking can boost productivity. And the same is true for making decisions. Putting low-intensity physical activity such as walking with a decision-making moment can help you stay focused on what you need to think about.

Moving your body into new spaces can help you get perspective and feel energized. This is a great trick when you have a decision coming up — multitask walking with mulling it over. You might be surprised how well it works!

Multitasking has a bad reputation — but in some situations, it can actually boost your productivity!

For more tips, you can check out my full segment on PIX11 News in New York City.

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Tips for Slowing Down Summer

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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.

1) Spend time outdoors.

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. 

2) Unplug.

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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3) Prioritize hobbies.

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. 

4) Make time for family and friends.

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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Helping “Future You”

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Thinking ahead is a cornerstone of productivity, right? This concept comes up a lot in relation to work and staying on top of your tasks. But it can be equally powerful when it comes to your personal life.

Yep, I want you to spend more time looking out for “future you.” There are so many ways that prior planning can save you time and stress in the future.

And anything that takes stress out of your life is a win in my book! Burnout is a real thing and if we plan ahead we can reduce it greatly. Here are some concrete ideas for ways that taking action now to help “future you” be less stressed and more efficient: 

Vacation:

  • Block days off in advance on your calendar so you actually take the vacation. If you end up making other plans, use those days as mental health days. 
  • Call ahead to your hotel to have them add in any specific things that will make you more comfortable (empty mini fridge, humidifier, etc).
  • When you return from vacation, refill your toiletries and makeup immediately so you’re ready for your next trip. 
  • Schedule food delivery for the day you get back. That way, you don’t need to run right out to grab groceries.
  • Schedule a cleaning service or clean the house right before you leave so you’ll come back to a clean home. 

Health:

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Fun:

  • Log all birthdays, anniversaries and important dates as tasks on your list. If a gift is involved, put it onto the list for 1-2 weeks prior to that date.
  • Make reservations for hard-to-get into restaurants months in advance and then invite friends for an impromptu treat. 
  • Keep a running list of restaurants to try and books to read so you don’t have to research later.

Household:

  • Sign up for delivery/subscription services for products you use repeatedly in your household. This will vary depending on your needs — it could be dog food, supplements, wines, fresh flowers, or whatever you find yourself wishing could be magically restocked. 
  • Make a “second batch” when you’re cooking meals that freeze well, like chili or meatloaf. That way you’ll have something ready to go on busy nights!
  • Make a cooking schedule for the week ahead with linked recipes so you don’t need to stress over what to cook.
  • Set up a separate email address for retail accounts/anyone who will send you spam emails.

I chatted more about strategies to help “future you” on PIX11 News — you can check out my full segment here.

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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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Four Strategies to Prioritize Your Friendships

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It happens to everyone — we get so caught up in the daily grind that our social lives often take a back seat. But making time for friends is essential to a healthy and joyful life.  

Time with friends can contribute to a laundry list of health benefits. Friends improve your mood, lower the risk of depression and anxiety, and contribute to a longer, less stressful life. Collaborative friendships can even lead to a more productive day.

But adult life can make it so difficult to prioritize your friendships. Many factors, from family schedules to work commitments to geographical distance, put a wrench in sustaining these relationships. Time is a major factor — people just don’t seem to have enough of it!

However, that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and give up on your friends. Absolutely not! As a productivity expert, I know from experience that small changes and tweaks can have big impacts. And friendship is no exception. I appeared on PIX11 in New York City to talk about some unique ways to catch up with friends and invest in those relationships. 

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Five Hacks for Enhanced Hybrid Productivity

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Hybrid work is here to stay — like it or not! If you’re in a hybrid role, it’s important to know exactly how to set yourself up for success.

Hybrid work is unique because it’s not working in the office or working fully from home — it’s both, so it requires you to build your skills with in-person and remote productivity. 

I created two LinkedIn Learning courses all about how to be strategic when planning for hybrid productivity (and fully remote work!). 

I also gave a little preview of these courses in my live-stream show Inside Scoop.

The first course, Enhanced Productivity in a Hybrid Work Environment, is all about defining your productivity style and getting to know yourself, and the second, Be an Effective Hybrid or Virtual Employee, is about creating day-to-day plans that help you improve your effectiveness in these roles. They really work together!

Here are some of the tips I shared — a little taste of what you’ll learn in my new courses, Enhanced Productivity in a Hybrid Work Environment and Be an Effective Hybrid or Virtual Employee. 

 

1.)     Know yourself.

How do you work best? Get to know your productivity style. This is something I wrote all about in my book Listful Living. Here are some questions to get you started:

  • Is morning when you do your best work? Or late at night? 
  • Does natural light help you feel ready to tackle your tasks? Or do you like having a cozy lamp on?
  • What types of distractions cause the most disruption in your flow? How can you minimize these at home and in the office?

 

2.)     Be flexible.

Being a hybrid employee means being flexible. Expecting to be in flux mode means you can build a toolbox to make your work happen wherever it needs to happen — and planning ahead so your space matches your task!

 

3.)     Split your work intentionally.

Say you go into the office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and you are work from home (WFH) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That means you need to split up your tasks for the week in a way that matches the spaces you’re working each day.

Maybe you have a quiet space in the office but not at home, so you would save a task like writing for when the environment is suited to that work. Collaborative meetings via Zoom with people located around the country might be a better use of time for your WFH days. This is just an example! It might look different for you. 

Think about the qualities of your home and in-office work spaces and then divide up your tasks according to what you need. Of course, this isn’t always completely possible, and that’s okay. Back to #2 — be flexible!

 

4.)     Check in on your goals.

Making the big shift to hybrid work can be an opportunity to come back to basics and think about what your goals are. How can hybrid work give you an opportunity to get there? What do you need to give attention to in this new set-up? Again, being intentional will help you use hybrid work effectively in reaching your short- and long-term professional goals. For instance, do you want to make your voice heard in meetings? Well, you’ll need to adjust your strategies if your meetings are in person versus on Zoom. This is something I go into in depth in my course. 

 

5.)     Give yourself grace.

Transitioning to hybrid work can feel like you’re starting a new job, even if you’re not. It’s okay to feel the newness of this set-up. Give yourself grace and remind yourself of why you entered this field when you were just starting out. That mindset can get you far and really support your skill-building process. 

If you’re a hybrid employee or employer, my two courses have a lot more actionable tips. You can access them — and my other LinkedIn courses — on my LinkedIn instructor page. 

 

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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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