tools for success | List Producer

Keynote Speech

November 9, 2015/in College, Decision Making, People, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I can check something off my bucket list — Keynote Speech!

I was so honored to speak at the New York Women in Communications Student Communications Career Conference at NYU this weekend.

I started the day off with a visit from the GlamSquad for hair and makeup. If you haven’t used the service, you have to give it a try. The artists are punctual, friendly and very talented. I was super pleased and would use them again. They show up right to your door and you can get beautified in the comfort of your own home! Brilliant!

I spoke before a few hundred students about what it was like to be a producer, win an Emmy award and write Listful Thinking. Some of them told me afterwards they were thankful I shared my experience with the “F word” — failure. I talked about the ups and downs of my own career and how it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. I failed too. I took two jobs back to back that weren’t good fits for me and I was miserable. It happens.

I shared that I had gone on a tour of the set of World News Tonight with Peter Jennings when I was about 14 years old thanks to a childhood friend’s dad who worked at ABC. That Dad became a keystone in my keynote! He’s the one who got me hooked on the news business and on TV just by opening up his world to me and showing me what he did for a living. (PS Now we actually work together all these years later!)

His kindness though always stuck with me and I try to do the same for anyone who is interested in what I do. That’s why being asked to do this Keynote was even more special. I was able to tell young women who are aspiring journalists, publicists and marketers about my world. Being able to give back that gift is priceless.

Here’s a small video clip from the event, where I talk about what I wish I had known when I was 21!

Secrets to Boosting Your Confidence Now

October 5, 2015/in Fab Find, Fellow List Producers, Happiness, People, Tool for Success/by Paula Rizzo

I don’t believe confidence is something that we either have or we don’t. It’s more of a work in progress.

Even the most confident people occasionally hear those nagging voices in their head telling them they aren’t good enough, thin enough, pretty enough or smart enough.

These insecurities can be such a pain, especially when they start to hold you back.

So how do we stop putting limits on ourselves and start reaching our potential?

I met a woman named Lori Ann Robinson who is an image and fashion consultant and she is tackling this very question in her “Style You Confident Virtual Summit.”

She asked to interview me on camera for my insights. We chatted face-to-face via Skype. She’s also interviewed other top-notch experts from all over the world who will share with you their best strategies, secrets and wisdom on how to boost your confidence and make it STICK!

I talked about how lists can help you achieve your goals
How lists can boost your confidence and help you be more productive
Secret productivity killers that you may not even know you’ve been doing!

Access your FREE TICKET HERE

A little more about Lori Ann — she was nominated for an Emmy award four times! This lady knows her stuff and in her free series you’ll get great insight into how confidence can make you flourish and pull you out of confusion and self doubt.

You will have access to incredible experts who will give advice you can use right away.

This summit is filled with tips and golden nuggets that will assist you no matter where you are in your life.
Don’t miss out- CLICK HERE to register now!

Springpad Says Farewell

June 5, 2014/in Apps, Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Technology, Tool for Success, Uncategorized/by Paula Rizzo

Springpad app will be shutting down on June 25 (Photo Credit: beginnerstech.co.uk)

Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye to another one of my favorite apps.

Earlier this year, I introduced you guys to Springpad—an app designed to help you plan, organize and share information regarding anything from important lists to your favorite recipes through notebooks and “springs”.

And once again, Evernote is taking over! I feel like I’ve had to do so many of these posts lately—it seems like Evernote is taking over all of my favorite apps! Luckily, I’m a big fan of Evernote too, so I believe that Springpad is in good hands!

Springpad is officially shutting down on June 25^th. You have until then to export your data, either to Evernote or to HTML and JSON files. Fortunately, Springpad has released an export tool that gives you the option to export your data to all three, in just a few simple steps.

Here’s how to transfer your data to each of the following:

1. Evernote: Begin transferring your data at springpad.com/savemystuff. This will allow all of your Springpad data to move into an existing Evernote account. Once you transfer your data, all of your notes and notebooks will be available at evernote.com and sync on all of the Evernote apps. Luckily, you’ll be able to continue capturing and organizing all of the things you want to remember! Read more

Make THIS List This Summer

June 3, 2014/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Decision Making, Decorating, Happiness, Health, Home, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Uncategorized/by Paula Rizzo

(Photo credit: melodygranger.com)

Any season is great for list-making but summer is especially perfect. There’s always so much I want to do and hopefully, the weather cooperates. With a busy schedule and summertime just around the corner, it’s a great time to make a list of goals to accomplish by the end of the summer.

My Summer Goals

1. Go to the beach at least two times. I grew up near the beach on Long Island and strangely enough, I haven’t been on the sand in the summer in a few years. I must remember to take a beach chair with me the next time I go so I at least have a bit of protection from the sand! As much as I love the beach, there isn’t anything worse than being covered in a large amount of sand.

2. Read two fiction books. I spend a lot of time reading lots of non-fiction for work and my own research that some of the stories I love to get lost in getting put on the back burner. Right now I’m reading Emily Giffin’s “The One & Only” and I have a few others on my list. Check them out on GoodReads. Read more

Be Productive On Summer Fridays

May 29, 2014/in Benefits of List Making, Boost Memory, Happiness, Health, Increase Productivity, Learning With a List, List Making, Reduce Stress, Saving Time, Tool for Success, Uncategorized/by Paula Rizzo

Enjoy your summer Friday! (Photo Credit: blog.syracuse.com)

If you are lucky enough to have summer Fridays at your workplace you know it’s where every Friday throughout the summer people get off of work at 1pm (or so.)

When I first heard about this, I tried to convince my boss to pick up on the trend. But unfortunately, the news business runs a little differently. But if you participate in shorter workdays on Fridays – you can enjoy your longer weekend by being as productive as possible up until the moment you leave work.

Here are a few tips on how to make your summer Fridays as productive as possible:

1. Do more during the week: Plan your schedule appropriately, so a shorter workday on Friday is do-able. Rather than cramming everything in at the last minute, really make sure you’re on track with your work. Schedule busier tasks earlier on in the week and reserve Fridays for follow ups and smaller tasks only.

2. Don’t open your e-mail until noon: It’s harder than it sounds. There’s many times when it’s easy to keep hitting refresh on your inbox to kill time, but resist the urge. Spend your mornings doing what’s important, rather than responding to e-mails that aren’t urgent. As important as you may think it is, usually e-mails can wait a few hours.

3. Prepare the night before: Throughout the week, make a to-do list of the things you must get done each day. If you’re writing an article, outline it the night before– it’ll save you hours the next day. Don’t leave the office until everything you need to accomplish gets done. You’ll thank yourself when you get to start your weekend early.

4. Keep your office cool: Working in a hot room tends to make us feel groggy and sluggish.

5. Treat yourself: Get as much out of your day by working hard first and then enjoying a nice reward of your choice afterwards! Whether you plan to get a manicure or treat yourself to a nice meal, finish your task first and reward yourself afterwards. It’ll act as a motivator and you’ll be able to enjoy it at your own leisure without stressing about all of the things you have left to do.

6. Meditate: In the morning, spend a few minutes to focus your mind and listen in. You will discover ideas inside of you that will help you find success throughout your workday. By relaxing, you’ll be able to align your goals and plan your day to be as productive as possible.

Enjoy your head start on your weekend!

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