Tag Archive for: how to get more done

Reflect and Reset List

/0 Comments/in /by

___

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.

___

This year had so many ups and downs for me. There was a lot to celebrate and be grateful for, and some hard moments too. 

I’ve been thinking about how to move into 2026 holding these memories close, while also making room for new opportunities that I’m really excited about. That’s where I got the idea for a Reflect and Reset List. 

Read more

Distraction Placeholders for Productivity

/0 Comments/in /by

___

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.

___

The average attention span is now about 47 seconds. Yep. That’s it!

That’s according to Dr. Gloria Marks — she’s a professor at the University of California and the author of the book “Attention Span”. It used to be much longer but with technology, it’s shrinking. And once you get distracted, it takes about 23 minutes to get back on track. That’s a lot of lost time!

But fear not — you don’t have to just accept that lost time. That’s where my distraction placeholder comes in. A distraction placeholder is a little note to your future self so that you can jump right back in after a pause.

Why use these? Well, you can’t always eliminate all distractions. It’s impossible to keep your focus at all times. Instead, focus on setting yourself up for success when a distraction pops up. 

I started doing this when I was a television producer and worked under very tight deadlines. I needed to focus on the work in front of me and couldn’t afford to lose my place. 

I’ve given lots of tips since my very first productivity blog went live in 2011. In all that time, the idea that I get the most positive feedback on again and again is the distraction placeholder. I’ve been using these for years and I’m so happy that this idea resonates with so many people.

___

___

Here’s how it works: 

Before I answer the phone or answer the door or whatever is interrupting me, I pause. I ask myself, “What am I in the middle of doing?” and then I write it down in my distraction placeholder spot on my to-do list. The bottom left hand corner of my to-do list is empty for this reason. I use that spot to jot down a quick note-to-self.

When I want to return to the work I was doing, I know exactly where I am. It helps to cut down on those 23 minutes it takes to get going again. 

The key is to give yourself the right information so that you can reduce the time it takes to re-enter a task. Because you might be losing more time than you think trying to get back in the flow. 

Ready to give it a try? Here are some guidelines:

  1. Be consistent. Use the same place to write down your distraction placeholder. And keep it handy. It’s not saving you time if you’re rooting around looking for your note!
  2. Keep it short and sweet. You don’t need to write more than a few words. The keywords will depend on what you’re doing, and you’ll see what works best for you as you use this tool. Bullet points often work best here.
  3. Be intentional about re-starting. Commit to getting back into the task fully. After the distraction is done, read over your placeholder note, take a moment to get back in the right headspace, and jump in. 

___

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.

___

What Kind of List-Maker Are You?

/0 Comments/in /by

___

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.

___

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!

Read more

Turn Bad Habits Into Productivity Superpowers

/0 Comments/in /by

___

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.

___

 

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. 

__

 

__

 

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.

___

 

___

 

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!

___

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.

___

How to Stop Doing Busywork

/0 Comments/in , , /by

___

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.

___

Busywork is the worst. But we all have those tasks on our lists.

Somehow we all get trapped in the cycle of tiny tasks that eat up our valuable time. And while we can’t avoid every single one of those tasks, we can learn to work smarter instead of harder.

Podcaster and author of Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Jenny Blake, joined me on Inside Scoop, to help us move from friction to flow with smarter work systems.

Here are three tips to help streamline and simplify your workflow.

Read more