Tag Archive for: being more organized

What Kind of List-Maker Are You?

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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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Are you a Monkey, Squirrel, Tiger, or Dolphin when it comes to making lists? 

I had the pleasure of talking about this with Arrianee LeBeau & Kendis Gibson on PIX11 in NYC, where I shared insights into the four types of list makers — and how understanding your style can help you be more productive and stress-free!

Monkeys love their color-coded, perfectly organized lists.

Squirrels jot down ideas on anything they can find, from receipts to napkins.

Tigers focus on today’s tasks, conquering their lists one day at a time.

Dolphins rely on apps and digital tools to streamline their lives.

Figuring out your list-making type can help you optimize your productivity by embracing your unique style!

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Apps and Resources to Reduce Stress and Boost Productivity

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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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As a productivity expert, I have a whole list of things I recommend when someone tells me they want to overhaul their routine for reduced stress and more effective habits.

These are tried-and-true apps and resources that I use myself.

From exercise apps to video chatting platforms, here’s all the best tools for reducing stress and getting more done:

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Boosting Productivity and Better Ways to Multitask

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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 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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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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Turn Bad Habits Into Productivity Superpowers

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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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Productivity bad habits can undermine your good intentions. They cause stress and wasted time. 

The good news? You can turn these bad habits into good ones. I shared my tips on PIX11 News in New York City => check out the full video here!

Here are three common bad habits — and how to fix them!

1) You’re always late… so change the time. 

Being late is a productivity killer. If your meeting starts at 11 a.m. and you never show up until 11:10, change the time of the meeting so that you start showing up.

It’s called the “Nudge Method” — here’s how it works. Changing the time of the meeting to 11:15 (or 11:25, or 12:15 – any irregular time works) will trick you into paying a little more attention and showing up on time.

Give it a try — you might be surprised at how well it works. Also making meetings shorter could help too. Gary Vaynerchuk famously has seven-minute meetings. 

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2) You say yes to everything… so put up parameters. 

Saying yes to every opportunity, task, or request might feel like a good way to be helpful, but it can quickly become overwhelming. Saying yes to everything means you’re not saying yes to yourself, your priorities, or your time.

Before agreeing to something, take a moment to decide if it aligns with your priorities. If it doesn’t, politely decline. You don’t need to give a long explanation. Get comfortable saying no! 

Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining a balanced schedule. If you’re already juggling a lot, adding more to the pile will only lead to burnout.

By being more intentional about what you agree to, you’re protecting your time and energy for what really matters.

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3) You procrastinate… so increase your motivation.

Procrastination is probably the most common productivity killer. We all do it — putting off tasks we know we should do until the last possible minute. But procrastination isn’t about laziness. It’s often a symptom of a lack of motivation or clarity. You don’t do the work because you’re not sure how or because you don’t feel motivated. 

Once you get a handle on exactly what needs to be done, increasing your motivation is the next piece of the puzzle. Boosting your creativity through a little bit of drawing, reading, or even taking a walk can make a big difference in your perspective.

Which productivity bad habit are you going to flip?

Check out the full PIX11 News video with my tips 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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Apps and Resources 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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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. 

Before you leave:

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! 

While you’re there:

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. 

When you get home:

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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