productivity | List Producer

Start Your Day Fresh, Not Frantic

February 17, 2013/4 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Increase Productivity, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Video/by Paula Rizzo

Home Office Toys (Photo credit: cogdogblog)

It happens to everyone from time to time. You walk into your office and your day is completely derailed because of added meetings, ringing phones and creeping deadlines. But there is a way to tame the beast. Check out my latest YouTube video for my number one tip on how to start your day fresh, not frantic. It’s a technique I’ve been using for years as a tv producer and it’s served me well! Hope it works for you — let me know how you do.

Never Pick Up Your Phone Again

January 20, 2013/0 Comments/in Increase Productivity, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Video/by Paula Rizzo

Desk Phone (Photo credit: mnadi)

I’m going to share a productivity tip I learned a long time ago. In the past when I was working as a line producer of a local news station — I would always pick up my phone when it rang at my desk. I had to — it might be about that night’s show. Some people don’t have a choice.

But when I started producing longer-term stories and didn’t have a daily deadline the calls became too much. I get pitched dozens and dozens of times per day — whether it be through email or phone. If I talked to every single person who called — my productivity would suffer. So instead — I use a simple trick that has been extremely successful for me. Click on my latest YouTube video to find out how to make it work for you too.

9 Unique and Productive Gift Ideas

December 9, 2012/0 Comments/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Holidays, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, Reduce Stress, Saving Money, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Gift giving is such a fun and rewarding activity if you do it right. Around the holidays people get so bogged down with crossing off everyone from their lists that sometimes they miss the best gifts! I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites for productivity, practicality, and fun too, but in case you are still looking for the perfect gift you should head over to giftlist and get some inspiration from their lists too. Hope this helps you put a dent in your holiday shopping.

GustBuster: If you’ve ever had a fight with an umbrella, had one turn inside out or bust through the frame during a downpour — you need to buy one of these for yourself and a friend. I’ve had my current Gustbuster for 11 years! Yep, you read that right. You can find them at most golf stores and online too. They run between $30 and $60. It’s much more productive to buy one umbrella that really works instead of going through one after another of those other ones you can get on the street. Read more

6 Tips for Working Through Distractions

November 6, 2012/2 Comments/in Benefits of List Making, Increase Productivity, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot : FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Being back to work after Hurricane Sandy with my whole team has been a great morale booster. So happy everyone made it in and I could see all their familiar faces — it’s one more sign that life is returning back to normal.

But it’s easy to get distracted with all the war stories being tossed around. Plus — many people have to deal with insurance claims (myself mostly) and worries of childcare, heat, hot water and power at home. So getting actual work done is quite a challenge. Here’s some tips:

1. Tune out: I’ve gotten very good at this over the years from working in busy news rooms but it does take some practice. Engage for a bit and listen to all the stories from your coworkers but then at some point you have to mentally check out. This will allow you to focus on tasks in front of you. Sometimes headphones will help — I suggest blasting Dave Matthews Band or your favorite to drown out sounds around you. Read more

Sniff This to be More Productive

October 23, 2012/0 Comments/in Boost Memory, Fellow List Producers, Health, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

Lavender (Photo credit: Iakobos)

Turns out certain scents will boost your productivity power. I’ve never tried it but it’s worth a shot especially because these smells are pleasant. Entrepreneur.com checked in with Beverley Hawkins, owner of the Vancouver-based West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy for her favorites:

Lemon
Lavender
Jasmine
Rosemary
Cinnamon
Peppermint

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that can help relax, destress and empower, through the use of products such as a Scentsy Scent Circle, room sprays and essential oils.

There’s no need to go over the top and spray down the entire office. Just put a few drops of any of these essential oils on a cotton ball and sniff.

For more on why these scents will have you finishing up your work in no time — check out the original article here.

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