Tag Archive for: Saving time

In the Name of Productivity, Be Clear

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I’ve realized over the years that we all have our own definitions of common terms like “EOD” and “ASAP.” And that can cause miscommunication and serious productivity hiccups! 

I was a TV producer for many years, so I have a specific definition of ASAP — to me it means “in the next few minutes.” Because when you’re on a deadline things move fast and you have to move quickly too. 

But… that’s not everyone’s definition of ASAP. For some people it means by the end of the morning, or by the end of the week, or just whenever they can get to it. If your job relies on communicating with lots of people from different industries, their definition (and yours!) will probably vary a lot. 

Productivity can be really hampered when we’re working with different assumptions. People can easily get frustrated when you’re not aligned on a timeline. Things go much more smoothly when there’s clarity in communication.

Here are some common productivity communication challenges and how to combat them:

1) ASAP

This is a big one — we all say it all the time, so it’s a hard habit to break. But it’s worth the effort. Instead of saying ASAP, it’s better to just share a specific day or time, even if it’s a range. And if someone says they’ll “get it done ASAP” but you don’t know when they mean, just ask politely if they can give more details about their timeline.

2) EOD

“End of day” seems like it would be straightforward enough. It can cause confusion when you don’t know someone’s work day! I once worked with someone whose workday ended at midnight and I didn’t realize it, so at 5 o’clock I was always left wondering what was going on. But she was thinking of her EOD, not mine! Since you never know when someone’s workday starts or ends, giving specific times is better.

3) Time zone

It’s super common now to work with people across different time zones. So it’s extra important to give time zone information when you’re scheduling meetings or deadlines. If you regularly work with someone in another time zone, it’s great if you can get in the habit of giving both your time zone and theirs (11am PST/2pm EST, for instance) when you’re communicating. That way there’s less room for error. I’ve been using an app to help with this – it’s called SavvyTime and you put in the time zones you need to know and it shows you all the times on screen. Very convenient! 

These all seem like small changes but they really add up! You might be surprised how much these communication pitfalls are impacting your productivity. 

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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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“Thimble List” vs. Bucket List for Joy and Mindfulness

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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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You know the phrase “stop and smell the roses?”

I always thought it sounded a little cheesy. But my perspective has changed and I’m starting to think that whoever thought of that phrase has the right idea.

I used to be all about bucket lists, but I want to introduce you to the “Thimble List” — AKA “the stop and smell the roses list.” 

Bucket lists are where you put your big goals, like publishing a book or visiting a national park. These are great goals and bucket lists are an amazing way to keep track of them. 

But it’s important to have balance, and that’s why I’m also all about focusing on gratitude — like stopping to smell the roses. 

Read more

Carve Out Space to Get More Done

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The biggest issue with writing (or any creative task really) is finding the time to sit down, distraction free, and put your ideas to paper.

We often put it off and never get to it.

I interviewed Karen Rizzo (no relation) author of “Things to Do, Sh*t to Bring” years ago and in her book she kept saying she wanted to learn Italian.

And guess what – she never did. She didn’t give herself the space and time to do it. Maybe you have tasks like that.

For me – I had to jump on a plane and travel across the world to give myself the space to write. I just returned from a writing retreat in France and it was divine. It was in Paris and it gave me time to focus on my creative side. (I started writing a novel! Who knows where it will go but it was so fun to start writing.) Read more

Forget FOMO and Embrace the “Joy of Missing Out”

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You’ve probably heard of the term FOMO or “fear of missing out” – possibly in the context of someone making fun of millenials who say things like “I can’t believe I’m not going to Coachella this year I have so much FOMO”.

But it’s not just millennials who have this problem!

I used to get FOMO and it drove me a little crazy.

I couldn’t say no to any networking event or opportunity without feeling that if I didn’t go I would not only miss out, but be negatively affecting my business or the launch of my book.

We have this weirdly held belief among entrepreneurs that just around the corner is our big break or big meeting that can turn everything around. We just have to go to enough events or connect with the right people to find it.

It’s technically true but it can drive you insane. Or in my case make your appendix burst.

It’s time we started to admit the truth. Read more