Tag Archive for: reduce stress

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.

___

Apps and Resources to Make Travel Less Stressful

/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.

___

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?

___

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.

___

Helping “Future 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.

___

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:

___

___

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.

___

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.

___

Declutter to Improve Your Happiness

/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.

_

Raise your hand if you’ve had a Let’s raise hands if we’ve had a cluttered home. I’ll raise my hand, too – our stuff can get out of hand quickly! (I’m looking at you mail!)

I spoke with author and CEO of dClutterfly, Tracy McCubbin on my live-streaming show Inside Scoop all about the effect clutter has on us.

She shared three of the seven “clutter magnets” from her newest book, Make Space for Happiness, which is a helpful companion to her first book, Making Space, Clutter Free.

Clutter magnets might explain the reasons you’re holding on to so much stuff.  Here’s more on the three clutter magnets Tracy shared:

Read more

Classic Productivity Advice Rebooted

/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.

___

You might think you’ve heard every productivity tip in the book. But it might be time to revisit and refresh the classic productivity advice we’ve all heard before.

I revisited some tried and true tips with Tamsen Fadal and Arrainnee LeBeau last time I was interviewed on PIX 11 News.

Here are my new twists on old productivity advice.

Read more