Final Friday's Finds for October 2020

In the United States, we are approximately 4 days from the polls closing in the 2020 Elections, and, y'all, many of us are truly struggling to focus on anything else. However, there are so many priorities still happening for home, work, community and self-care. For this final Friday's fab finds, here are a handful of what's currently helping me focus on what matters most and pursue my many passions.

For years, I've been a coffee drinker; yet, when Berri of The Flo Academy started teaching me about why I needed to be drinking organic raspberry leaf tea, I started giving tea more of a chance. I have been thoroughly impressed with Black Momma Teas, having enjoyed every sip of spearmint, peach apricot & fruit, white peach, caramel peach with coconut, English breakfast, mango and detox flavors. Better yet, as Black Momma also offers vodkas, my purchases support Vanessa Braxton, the first African-American, female owner and operator of a Nationally Distributed Vodka in the United States. I love a purchase with a purpose. 

Everyday Neutral Mask Lanyards from Courtney Frye of The Painted Pearl have been the answer to the issue we never imagined before 2020. If you worry about laying your mask down somewhere unsanitary when you take a sip to drink or stop for a snack, these handmade creations are the perfect way to have that mask easily accessible and safe while hanging from your neck. Since studies have shown slipping your mask down to your neck is highly unsafe, this offers an alternative to keep you healthy and productive. Each well-made strand measures roughly 30" in length and features light-weight wooden beads with hints of matte gold and neutral blush tones, making it sure to compliment anything in your wardrobe. Plus, easy-to-use lobster claws are used to secure your mask, ensuring this lanyard can have a life after the pandemic as a necklace.

I am a huge fan of containing similar items together in bags. For example, in my purse, there's a smaller bag for writing utensils, there's a smaller bag for medical items, like Band-aids, a travel size NEOSPORIN as well as a small bottle of Tylenol, and there's a smaller bag for tech tools, like charging cords, plugs and earbuds. During this time of protecting ourselves from COVID-19, I stumbled upon The Pure Bag's ZipPockets, finding a quality layer of added protection. Made of marine-grade, healthcare-quality vinyl, they offer durable, antibacterial protection and are available in a plethora of fun colors, like Jungle Leaf, Pool and Tangerine. An embedded silver component provides a natural, environmentally-friendly barrier against odor and stain-causing bacteria. Moreover, both the exterior and interior look good while feeling great.

As the letters on certain keys for my MacBook Pro had started disappearing from my keyboard, I think it's safe to deduce that I'm using my computer too much these days, but that doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Thus, I ordered a MOSISO Keyboard Cover, and I've been super pleased with its look as well as its feel. After opening the packaging, all I had to do was lay the cover across my existing keyboard, and, voila, my keys were restored. Made with premium, engineering-grade, durable, non-toxic silicone, the keyboard cover is ultra thin and makes typing surprising easy while still be simple to remove or reapply as needed. It protects my MacBook keyboard against dust, liquid spills, key wear, contaminates and more.

The acne caused by regularly wearing a mask or holding your chin while on a Zoom call is truly tough to battle, but I'm getting help from ZitSticka's KILLA kit. First, you wipe the area with a CLEANA swab that's soaked in exfoliating, de-stressing ingredients; then, you affix the KILLA zit patch, which is powered by tiny microdarts that self-dissolve overnight to flood the epicenter of an early-stage zit with targeted ingredients, clearing the acne before it gets real bad. These little circles move my face toward clarity so much more quickly than anything else I've ever found. It's like magic but fueled by scientific advancements.

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort amidst the stress and hectivity of life. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Or do you have any feedback on prior months' fab finds that you've tried? Plus, as an update for those following along, I'm shocked to say that my Marble Queen Pothos purchased from The Zen Succulent back in June is still alive. Take care, folks, staying safe and sane amidst all that we're facing!

Final Friday's Finds for September 2020

It's my favorite month! Autumn has arrived, and it's an ideal time to complete your Census, enjoy a football game, go apple picking, decorate pumpkins for your porch, jump-start holiday shopping, splurge on a pair of boots or educate yourself for the upcoming elections. For this final Friday's fab finds, here are a handful of what's currently helping me focus on what matters most and pursue my many passions.

With screen time having increased by at least 30% worldwide, 65% of

American adults are reporting symptoms of digital eye strain, much of which is attributed to our overexposure to blue light emitted by our technological devices. Did you know that blue light emitted by screens can penetrate all the way to your retina, damaging vision and causing eye strain? Ophthalmologist-approved Eye Just blue light blocking screens are scientifically proven to reduce digital eyestrain and protect one's eyes, skin and sleep from harmful blue light effects. The screens include bacteria blocker, are scratch proof and prevent smudges. There are options for your iPhone, iPad and laptop alike. 

Shift is the desktop app for streamlining your accounts, apps and workflows. Instead of logging in and out of various different email, chat, task management and collaborative workspace applications, simply connect them through your one Shift account, and work faster with browsing across all accounts' details. With Shift, you'll have one login to toggle between all of your Gmail, Outlook, Office 365, WhatsApp, Slack, Messenger and more apps, customizing which notifications make the most sense for your specific work needs. 

Mosquitos love me. I have no idea why, but, whenever I'm outside, they target my

skin for all sorts of bug bites. This summer, I discovered the Bug Bite Thing, and it's been amazing. This suction tool extracts the insect saliva and venom from under the skin to help alleviate itching, stinging and swelling. Removing the irritant makes the body stop producing the reaction causing uncomfortable symptoms, truly eliminating the problem. No creams, chemicals, ointments or anything but literally sucking the irritant out from under the skin. Created by a mom on a mission to alleviate her child's hurting, this product is backed by women entrepreneurs and making a positive impact worldwide.

Conscious Coconut Oil is Certified USDA Organic, is Fair Trade Certified™️, is cold pressed, comes in sustainable packaging and serves a higher purpose by donating to Feeding America with every purchase. Plus, the uses for coconut oil seem endless, including moisturizing skin, protecting hair from damage, improving wound healing, serving as a carrier for essential oils, removing stains, making wood furniture shine, soothing sunburnt skin, removing makeup and relieving chapped lips.

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort amidst the hectivity of life. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Or do you have any feedback on prior months' fab finds that you've tried? Take care!

Fight Procrastination Today

There's something truly fulfilling about today's Fight Procrastination Day falling on a Sunday. Tomorrow is the start of a brand-new week, giving a clean slate for a fresh start on your productivity, and it's the perfect time to attack those high priority tasks on which you've been procrastinating. However, it takes a little prep work. Here's where to start:

• Break projects into bite-sized actions. No entire project can be completed at one time; instead, list them as tasks that can be completed step-by-step, checking each item off one by one from a daily, weekly, monthly or annual to-do list. When creating this list, start each item with a verb, and make sure it is broken down into the smallest increment of what is to be done so it's more feasible.
• Gain clarity on what's unclear. Vague priorities, unclear directions, lack of knowing how to do something and being unfamiliar with the order in which to move through the steps necessary for getting tasks done are all problematic. Ask questions to better understand the objective, your team's priorities, how to accomplish each step necessary and why it must get done; if you don't know how to do something, ask someone who does know it for assistance. Never be afraid to ask those questions, realizing that the result to not asking is far worse than any answer you could receive.
• Set deadlines for each specific task. I have yet to find a calendar that includes "someday"; therefore, when we say "I'll get to that someday" or "I'll work on that when I get some free time", we are usually setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, assign deadlines for each of the smaller, bite-sized actions within the projects to be completed, making it possible to block off time on your calendar for when each task will be completed. Every "what" assigned a "when" is more likely to get accomplished, leading to more wins.
• Quiet any perfectionist tendencies. One of my favorite mantras reminds me that, "Done can be better than perfect so focus on good enough." Perfectionism is frequently the cause of procrastination; subsequently, focusing on the desired results can empower us to get past waiting for "the right time"and get us to stop continuing our work on projects for perpetuity in the effort of achieving perfection. Stop comparing yourself with others; achieving your desired results usually has little to do with how the finished product compares with what others do or have done. Instead, focus on getting things done to the best of your ability, not necessarily in a perfect way.
• Utilize a timer. Maybe you prefer time-blocking with the Pomodoro Technique or the Rule of 52 and 17, but, regardless, a timer can be your most powerful tool for getting things done. Working in a focused manner for a short stretch can boost both efficiency and total output, particularly when you shutdown all potential distractions during that time... Anyone can do an undesirable action for a short spurt, and it's amazing how much more can get done in a shorter amount of time than if you think you have longer to finish. Most importantly, when the timer goes off, you may find that you are engrossed in the task and will keep at it, getting even more accomplished, or you had been distracted and need to refocus for another timed session.
• Implement music's motivating abilities. Some people are energized by fast-paced music while others get more focused via smoother tunes, both leading to greater productivity. Pick enough tunes in the tone you prefer to fill your set block of time, group them together as your productivity playlist and use that playlist to motivate desired output.
• Spend time with folks getting things done. For years, I've heard that you become like the people with whom you spend time. If you prioritize spending time with people in your life who are considered hard workers or go-getters, their energy will rub off on you and motivate similar productivity in yourself. As activity breeds activity, time with productive peers can inspire greater productivity within ourselves, even if it's across a computer screen.

Which tasks have you been pushing forward? Are they actually projects that need to be broken down into individual action steps? Or are they tasks that need to be delegated or deleted? How can you make a little movement forward today?

Final Friday's Fab Finds for August 2020

As we're over two-thirds of the way through the summer of 2020, the world around us seems both like an opportunity for growth, change and betterment as well as a hamster wheel of Groundhog Days in the middle of so much craziness that we can't control... Amidst the mental and emotional overwhelm, it's vital to fill our toolboxes with what will best boost productivity and help us cultivate the lives we want. For this final Friday's fab finds, here are a handful of the lovely things currently helping me focus in on what matters most and enthusiastically pursue my many passions.

Back in July, my to-do list included the goal to "master face skincare routine", and my efforts at this uncovered a true gem. I've been using True Botanicals' Pure Radiance Oil, and I absolutely love it. All of their products are certified nontoxic and sustainably made as well as vegan and cruelty-free; plus, there's a quiz on their homepage to help figure out exactly which products will best meet one's face skincare needs. As explained on their website, the "face oils deliver nutrients and antioxidants deep into skin, for healing from the inside out." I use the Clear option to treat and prevent acne while minimizing the effects of aging, but all the face oils provide great, clarifying moisturizers that balance skin, which is vital for smooth, hydrated and healthy skin.

As many folks are getting out and about more while wearing a face mask, waiting 6' apart and washing hands as often as possible, there's a continuing need for hand sanitizer. Back when it was nearly impossible to find hand sanitizer on store shelves, I went searching for an option that wouldn't dry my hands out so badly, and I discovered By Humankind's Kindfill™️ Hand Sanitizer refill, which is such a necessary assist these days. This moisturizing, alcohol-based hand sanitizer comes in a large, 8-ounce bottle that is designed to refill your travel-size plastic bottles, and it's surprising cost-effective. The gel formula consists of 65% alcohol, offers Eucalyptus or Grapefruit options that include essential oils and smells (and feels) so much better than other sanitizers I've experienced.


Verb Energy Bars are made with organic green tea, providing as much caffeine as an espresso with only 90 calories. They use exclusively gluten-free, vegan ingredients that are in most folks' kitchens, each bar is small enough to stash in a desk drawer or the pocket of your purse without worrying about anything melting, and you can test them out with a starter kit of Maple Blueberry, Coconut Chai, Salted Peanut Butter and Simply Cocoa. I truly enjoy the Coconut Chai version and appreciate how easy they make getting refills via texts.

Watermelon is a summertime fixture and one of my favorite foods. Even as I have certainly been enjoying my fair share of fresh-cut watermelon slices, I've become a big fan of cold-pressed watermelon juice, whether that's from WTRMLN WTR® or Tsamma Juice. It's easy to keep a bottle handy while working from home, especially with how it's deliciously hydrating via natural electrolytes from watermelon. Every bottle of Tsamma contains over one and a half pounds of Frey Farms' watermelons, cold-pressed, gently pasteurized and cold-packed to protect essential nutrients. Both companies market that their juices include L-Citrulline + Lycopene. These options for watermelon juice are both tasty and healthy, which is a major win-win, especially with all that vitamin C to help me stay well amidst a global pandemic.

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort amidst the hectivity of life. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Or do you have any feedback on prior months' fab finds that you've tried? Take care, y’all!

Final Friday's Fab Finds for July 2020

As the temperatures are rising now that we're over a month into summer and yet another hurricane is heading our way, there's still so much happening around us: the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, America's economy just had its worst quarter on record, our communities work toward racial justices, and we all try to balance commitments while focusing on getting done what matters most. Amidst the mental and emotional overwhelm, it's vital to fill our toolboxes with what will best boost productivity and help us cultivate the lives we want. For this final Friday's fab finds, here are a handful of the lovely things I currently can't live without.

While many air purifiers simply collect pollutants on filters where they can multiply and release back into the air, Molekule air purifiers are different. They actually destroy the pollutants instead, and, having added them to my home, I can really feel the difference in my home's air quality. As someone with both seasonal allergies and asthma, I normally have greater symptoms throughout the spring and into summer as well as autumn, but I've really experienced relief since bringing the Molekule air purifiers into my home, using two of the Air versions to make sure I'm covered. Plus, I have to admit that they've provided a little reassurance during the COVID-19 global pandemic, keeping out some of the world's viruses and VOCs to help me breathe easier.

One of my favorite spots for amazing coffee in the Triangle area of North Carolina is Jubala Coffee, and, as a response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and folks not being okay with sitting in a coffee shop, they added the option of ordering Jubala's own Batch Iced Latte, which is 64 ounces of latte based on your preference for flavor and milk. Built on its relationships with coffee communities from which the coffee is sourced, Jubala has a deep dedication to the farmers and partnering with them to provide a top quality product. Every cup is fresh, offers a flavorful taste, supports the local community and has the world's greater good in mind throughout the entire production process. Better yet, there are two locations from which to choose so you can swing by whichever shop is more convenient to you.

As the world is taking 2020 to reflect on what matters most, there is great fluctuation and evolution in the routines that have been developing for me as well as my clients. I have found the Streaks Productivity App to be super powerful in turning behaviors into habits for routines that better enable us to get done what matters most. The app allows for choosing up to 12 tasks that you want to turn into daily habits, like exercising, meditating, drinking a certain amount of water, writing out that for which you are grateful, eating a vegetable, writing a personalized note or calling a friend. Each day that you complete a task, your streak is extended. Streaks is available for iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac so you can update your progress via any device, easily tracking your results to stay motivated.

No list of fab finds for July 2020 could be complete without the Hamilton film. If you've not seen this yet, make time this weekend to access it from Disney+. You won't regret the two hours and 40 minutes invested in watching the movie. It is no exaggeration when Lin Manuel Miranda explains that "This is a story about America then, told by America now", and it's a must-see for for hope or inspiration. "Hamilton" blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway to convey the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton in a manner that is unlike anything I've seen before. Watching this explains how our country's founding fathers had a vision for a more perfect union, making Independence Day the start of our never-ending efforts at continuous improvement as we move eternally towards that idealistic vision.

As an update from last month's fab finds, I'm continuing my way through Michelle Obama's Becoming, thoroughly engrossed by her delivery of each and every story. Plus, the good news is that my Marble Queen Pothos from The Zen Succulent is still alive, which is quite the achievement. Did you get a chance to try any of my recommendations?

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort amidst the hectivity of life. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Take care, y’all!

Seeking Simplicity?

National Simplicity Day

National Simplicity Day is observed every year on July 12th, honoring the life, work and philosophies of Henry David Thoreau, who advocated for living a simple life via poetry, in his books and as a transcendentalist.

In our modern-day world, life is complicated by so much: the pings and dings of technology, the clutter amidst our calendars and to-do lists alike, the avalanche of communications received via email, calls, texts, social media, snail mail, technology and mainstream media... The list goes on and on. Yet, amidst our current pandemic, I see so many refocusing on their truest priorities, people taking time to reconnect with loved ones while actually slowing down a bit, new routines being turned into necessary habits as well as an emphasis on listening to what our minds, bodies and spirits truly need.

Whether you think of "simplicity" in terms of being plain, natural or easy to understand, I believe this National Simplicity Day is an ideal time to really align our actions with what matters most to us, including the personal mission, vision, core values and life desired to cultivate for each of us. How will you choose to let go of life's complications to make room in each day's 1,440 minutes for what's most important to you?

Some ideas for slowing down and living deliberately include the following:

• Think deeply about what matters most to you.
• Put things on your calendar that align with your priorities and the life you want.
• Adopt a new attitude by being deliberate in how your time is invested.
• Expend as much energy to reflect, live in the moment and appreciate life as you schedule for when to get things done.
• Shift your focus from "all the things" to what you can actually control.
• Utilize Do, Decide When, Delegate and Delete from Eisenhower's Matrix so your resources go toward what only you can do first.

Where will you choose to start in your efforts to celebrate National Simplicity Day?

Final Friday's Fab Finds for June 2020

While wrapping up the first half of 2020, can you believe all that has occurred? We're in the throes of the COVID-19 global pandemic, protests are ongoing as we call for justice and equality in the Black Lives Matter movement, articles of impeachment were approved, Australian bushfires ran rampant, Kobe Bryant died, the Iowa caucus broke down in chaos, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty in a case that helped fuel the #MeToo movement, the nation is struggling with how to safely educate the next generation amidst a novel coronavirus, there are regular developments in the current election cycle, and over 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment. 

When disruption strikes, small businesses feel the impact faster and harder than anyone else with the effects lasting much longer afterward. With that in mind, I’m continuing my “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” series with options that emphasize both the need to support small businesses via shopping local as well as a desire to amplify Black voices. Hopefully, you'll find these sources of hope, inspiration and greater productivity in cultivating the life you want to live. 

Although American Son started as a play on Broadway, it was made into a Netflix film starring Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee that is phenomenal. The story plays out in real time over 90 minutes. As time passes, tension mounts in a Florida police station as an estranged, interracial couple awaits news regarding their missing, teenage son, and the dialogue is amazingly moving. You feel like you're there with the couple, sitting on the edge of your seat. 

As so many of us have experienced big shifts in life amidst the current global pandemic, there are lots of people adopting new routines, realigning priorities and really focusing on who we want to be as well as what lives we truly want to cultivate. The world is not the same as a few months ago, we may go through a few different iterations before we get to a “new normal”, and there is so much in this evolution that impacts our abilities to be productive. In the spirit of evolving, I began digging into the book Becoming by Michelle Obama, and I’m absolutely loving her approach to answering “What’s your journey of becoming?” I’ve been enjoying her reading of the book on Audible, and there’s so much inspiration in the life she’s leading, filled with meaning and accomplishment.

In my efforts to be more active in being anti-racist, I have been working to amplify the voices of those Black experts in our communities, and I stumbled across Berrion Berry, who is a PMS and Period Educator based out of Florida. Y’all, I feel like I’ve found such a kindred spirit! Berri is an Enneagram 8w7 who self describes as someone who will challenge but inspire you; plus, she has 3 brothers and lost her father to lung cancer. So many similarities, and I am learning tons from this amazing rock star. Berri expertly explains how a woman’s menstrual cycle is set-up to help optimize her abilities for ideation, creation, execution and evaluation, helping me utilize my menstrual cycle as a tool for boosting productivity. Brilliant!

Finally, succulents and house plants are having a moment right now, and I’m well aware of the value plants bring to one’s home based off the stories from my dear friend Kelly, who has over 200 plants at her house. I was overjoyed to learn about Megan George, owner of The ZEN Succulent, who is just as bright and joyful as her welcoming garden center. I have absolutely no green thumb, but I wanted to support local by adding a living thing into my space so I ordered two pothos plants from The ZEN Succulent. These appear to be exceptionally resilient, even with my low maintenance requirement, and I really like the Marble Queen Pothos that I purchased. Stay tuned for how long I can keep this plant alive.

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort amidst the hectivity of life. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Take care, y’all!

Final Friday's Fab Finds for May 2020

As we wrap up this month, it feels like we continue an emotional rollercoaster ride: fear, anxiety, excitement, stress, hopefulness, hopelessness and so much more. For each of us, there are daily challenges. Yet, I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re each finding sources of comfort to help us stay safe and sane.

When disruption strikes, small businesses feel the impact faster and harder than anyone else with the effects lasting much longer afterward. With that in mind, I’m kicking off this new “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” series with a few options from small businesses that have been helping me find comfort while trying to maintain my sanity amidst all the efforts to be smart and safe.

Fragrances from candles can be both calming and energizing so I keep finding myself lighting one atop my desk while I’m working from home. My current favorite is Sweet Grace, which is the signature scent for The Flourish Market’s candles. There are numerous candleholder styles from which to choose, making it possible to find something for any space’s needs, and the fragrance lasts well after the candle’s flame is extinguished, meaning the benefits go on longer.

I splurge on my mental well-being by getting a weekly flower delivery, and I love each week’s creation by North Raleigh Florist. They know I’m a huge fan of sunflowers so they incorporate that happy flower whenever possible. Each week’s arrangement is designed to fit on my home office desk, adds something natural to my workspace and puts a smile on my face as I settle into work. Such happiness!

With all that’s happening in the world, my thoughts need an outlet, and I can talk through things to only a certain extent. Research shows that humans are more exposed to critical thinking when writing by hand instead of typing, which is why I find myself being pulled toward journaling on paper. The May Book from May Designs provides an ideal solution, allowing me to choose a fun, colorful cover, pick the size that I prefer, personalize the cover text and customize the inside paper design. It pairs well with a nice, gel pen.

Finally, as many of us are getting overloaded with back-to-back-to-back video conferences, I find myself sending more and more snail mail. The cards made by Emily McDowell seem to say exactly the right thing in a fun, colorful way, and I’m hoping they send a ray of sunshine to each of my friends’ mailboxes. She covers everything from empathy to gratitude to congratulations to a simple “happy birthday” in a witty way with fun artwork, and her creations pair perfectly with this season of unpredictability and contact changes.

I’d love to know what you’re currently using, loving and finding can bring you a little comfort. Add a comment here or email me, and maybe I’ll give your suggestion a try for an upcoming “Final Friday’s Fab Finds” post. Take care, y’all!

Weathering a New Season for Productivity

Now that we are almost 10 full weeks into actively protecting ourselves from COVID-19, I know it’s continually difficult to find peace and happiness, particularly as the world is ever-changing around us.

The anxiety remains high as the future is unclear. Similarly, although “stay at home" initially sounded like it wouldn't be too difficult, it turns out that social distancing can be majorly challenging. As the world starts transitioning into this timeframe where we re-enter elements of our economy that have been slowed by fighting this disease while still trying to minimize the negative effects this dreadful disease for which there is no treatment or vaccine, I realize the emotional rollercoaster will continue, including fear, anxiety, excitement, stress, hopefulness, hopelessness and more. 

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This period of uncertainty and fluidity has really brought me back to my core values for boosting productivity:
🌻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲. You are doing the best you can in the most extenuating of circumstances. If you’re working remotely, you are not a “work from home” employee; instead, you are at home trying to work amidst serious stress.
🧘🏻‍♀️ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. The more we roll with all the ups and downs of schedule changes, the better.
👩🏻‍💻 𝗔𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. There is plenty of grief to go around, whether that's grief for a loved one, grief for a job lost, grief for plans changed or something else, and the emotional rollercoaster is distracting, taking energy from desired results. Things now are exhausting. It’s okay to expect less productivity than would be considered normal.
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TAKE ACTION - While implementing these big-picture steps, there are a few tactics to adopt that can be super helpful:
1️⃣ Visualize what matters most to you, committing time to those priorities. We must know our goals to get there.
2️⃣ Internalize the belief that we all deserve joy, putting things on your calendar that bring happiness while staying at home. Maybe that's scheduling virtual hangouts with friends, achieving milestones with work goals, enjoying a tasty meal via takeout from a locally-owned small business, finding an organizational break-through for a troubling area of your home, self-care or something specific to your unique interests. Decide what you need and creatively go after it.
3️⃣ Create structure. Protect your designated workspace, whether that's a corner of the living room that you've partitioned off with painter's tape or an actual office. Have a morning routine that sets you up for success, including an effort to get dressed in such a way that you feel better about yourself. Set breaks throughout the day for movement, eating and staying hydrated. Find tools for capturing tasks, time commitments and information, culling the details together so they can be better organized and make using those details easier. Establish an evening routine that is calming and creates a foundation for the next day's success, expressing gratitude and celebrating what went right that day.
4️⃣ Determine what will hold you accountable. Do you need a carrot to work toward or something negative to avoid?
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This season is not normal, but there are still ways to thrive. Even if it’s only 5 minutes of deep breathing each day, taking a tiny bit of time to invest in your own well-being can go a long way toward cultivating the lives we want. What action can you take today for which your future self will be grateful?

Ways to Keep Productivity Soaring Throughout the Summer Season

With the hours of daylight super long this time of year, it's the perfect time to take steps toward boosting productivity as you enjoy this sensational season...

List out your goals. It's only by knowing what you want to accomplish that you can best integrate all elements of your life for your greatest fulfillment and summer productivity. Therefore, take a few moments to jot down all your must-do activities, projects and tasks for this season. Think of it like a bucket list but take into account your goals for work, home, society as well as your self-care via mind, body and spirit. Once everything is culled into one place, it'll be so much easier to assign time for each and work through your checklist.

Calendar the craziness! Line up calendars for the months of July, August and September on your wall so you can see everything at a glance. These might be wall-hanging paper or dry-erase calendars; the key is to have all three months visible at once. Then, add vacation details for you and your team members, holiday celebrations, impending deadlines and personal or family commitments, including swim meets and camp registrations alike. Include all elements of your life, considering a different color for each bucket. When you know what is coming, you can more proactively invest your time in achieving all of your desired results for each area of life and address "all the things" that matter most for the life you want to craft to achieve your highest priorities.

Establish your non-negotiables from the get-go. As summer schedules tend to become a little more erratic than normal, you and your team need to know which items have less flexibility than others. For me, I absolutely must maintain my weekly strategy session and daily wrap-up, but the good habits that keep each individual on track productively will vary from person to person. Do you expect your team members to have certain hours during which they always work in the office rather than operate remotely? Is there an expectation for how team members should request vacation time or notify the rest of the team about a hiccup related to impending deadlines, which can be especially vital with varying schedules for summer vacations? This would be a good time to communicate leadership's expectations to everyone. Be as clear, concise and transparent as you can. Then, when looking at your personal commitments, which can't be shifted as they help you energize, stay centered and maintain some semblance of sanity? Make sure those are highlighted on the calendars you've hung on your wall and communicate their importance to those who can help you keep them scheduled. Is it getting outside daily or going to the pool? Maybe it's a daily yoga session or movement? Whatever you need, be sure to ask for and commit to those fuel sources.

Focus your efforts on individual activities or tasks, not projects. It's not possible to check a project off your to-do list in one sitting. "Plan a party" is not a single action item; instead, there are many actions that make up that project. As you are mapping out the next three months, take time to break larger goals into smaller, bite-sized action items that can be completed as individual tasks. Make sure these are actions that move you forward with regards to goals in the areas of your life that matter most, avoiding the "shoulds" so you focus on your priorities. Start each task with a verb so as to fuel action, break each task down to as simple of a function as possible, estimate how long each action item will take to complete so you readily know those tasks taking 10 or 30 minutes, and assign a deadline for each task's completion. It is only in the instances that we assign a "when" for each "what" to be accomplished that we get more done so move your "someday" tasks to a specific date and time. Your future self will thank you for this emphasis on crafting the life you want to live.

Invest some time to reflect inward. With erratic schedules during summer, many companies have fewer meetings that would otherwise be held at normal intervals; this can be the ideal time to review and reset some of your organization's key elements. When was the last time your team updated its mission, vision, values, goals, processes and workspace organization? If it has been awhile, block out time during the dog days of summer to look them over, adjust as needed and, thereby, boost productivity for what really matters most. Maybe you'll want to freshen up clients' experiences, update what messages you are conveying across all mediums and put yourself in the client's shoes. Further, this can be an ideal time for a personal audit, where you assess what you have learned and achieved thus far this year, what priorities need attention in the coming months and what "someday" actions need to be scheduled so they move from to-do to done. Do your goals for work, home, community or self-care need to be adjusted, and how can you realign your actions to focus on achieving each?

Make time for fun and frivolity. If you block out time to truly enjoy the season, you'll be less distracted by what you are missing when you are focusing intently on getting things done. Brainstorm what cool things you can do to dive into summer enjoyment; then, once you've blocked off time for those activities, your mind will be less likely to drift from working towards wondering when you'll actually be able to celebrate summer fun. Plus, when you are taking time to enjoy all this season offers, you can truly take a break from everything else since you've planned for when those other goals will be addressed, boosting productivity overall.

What steps can you take today to get the ball rolling? With whom can you partner to hold each other accountable in creating your plan and, then, following through on that plan, even as things might need to be tweaked and your flexibility might get tested?

Does America Have an Unhealthy Focus on Labels?

Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash

Recently, I was an attendee at a non-profit gala; when I was unable to hear the speaker due to attendees talking and poor audio technology, I tapped my knife against my glass to get folks refocused on the speaker, hoping to not miss anything important being said. Unfortunately, by trying to wrangle in the crowd such that I could benefit from a little less background noise, I got labeled as a control freak, which surprised me. The person who said it was simply joking, but the experience did get me thinking.

According to a quick google search, control freak is defined as "a person who feels an obsessive need to exercise control over themselves and others and to take command of any situation." Likewise, the Learning Mind explains "10 Signs You Are Dealing with a Control Freak" as (1) They always correct people when they are wrong, (2) They always criticize and judge other people, (3) They are leaders, not team players, (4) They take full credit for their successes, (5) They will never admit when they're wrong, (6) They know what's best and try to change others to fulfill own agenda, (7) They spend a lot of their time trying to prevent bad things from occurring, (8) They never delegate tasks to others, (9) They always have to have the last word, and (10) They have no time for anyone who makes a mistake. I will happily admit that I do spend a good deal of time trying to prevent bad things from occurring, hence why I own a productivity consultancy, and I dislike wasting time with folks who consistently make the same time-wasting mistakes over and over again; however, there is a big difference between committing each day to making the world a better place and being a control freak.

Lately, in the media, there has appeared to be a movement toward "You do you", including an awesome book entitled You Do You that was published in November 2017 by Sarah Knight. Yet, as a business owner and community leader, I find it's important to be cognizant of others' perceptions of you because they directly lead to how those making assumptions about you will respond to your needs, initiatives or offerings. The tricky part is that no one can get inside another person's head, and human nature is to fill in the blanks of what's not been shared verbally or visually; usually, how we fill in others' blanks is not how those folks would fill in the blanks for themselves, but we can base our fill-in-the-blank answers on only our personal experiences, perspectives and thoughts. Similar to deeming someone to be a control freak would be the label of perfectionist or saying that someone lacks time management skills. They are assumptions, and we've all heard the saying about what assuming makes us.

Since humans can't get inside each others' heads, how do we know that our definition of perfect does or doesn't match someone else's definition of perfect, how can we determine if someone's longer hours working on a project are because they are trying to get it "just right" and aiming for perfection or simply trying to figure out how to get it done at all, how can we decide that someone is late because they have poor time management skills versus simply having had a more pressing priority pop up to deviate a timely arrival and who are any of us to determine another person's delegation skills if we don't know for certain who is actually getting everything done that we are attributing to that person?

Teams are made stronger, more productive and far better at achieving greater results by bringing together diverse individuals with varying experiences, perspectives and thoughts; however, the power behind including diversity within any group is limited by the communication skills of all team members. Are we subconsciously sabotaging our teams? How do we speak up so others don't make inaccurate assumptions about us? Or how do we ask questions to get others' true answers instead of filling in the blanks incorrectly?

When presenting a team-building workshop to a client earlier this month, we focused a good deal on embracing varying perceptions as we cling to the wisdom from Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" song lyrics that we can change only ourselves, not others. In other words, we have to be "starting with the man in the mirror", and I find the Serenity Prayer helpful in knowing how to react to any given scenario... "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Are the assessments we make of others helpful as we attempt to focus on what we can change about ourselves? Moreover, as humans, how can we reign ourselves back and stop making such assumptions of others? How does the human impulse to apply labels impact our success in teams?

Stop Procrastinating

Procrastination is often due to being overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Sometimes, it stems from being unclear as to what is expected for completing a requested task or simply not knowing how to start the task at hand; other times, it is because we are unable to decide which to-do is the highest priority and, therefore, don't attempt any of the tasks needing our attention. Whether productivity is being held up by a lack of knowledge, clarity, skills or something else, ultimately, action is necessary to continue desired progress.

At times, procrastination helps us gain clarity by providing time for ruminating or marinating our options; yet, if procrastination continues for too long, it prevents getting things done, achieving desired results and attaining set goals, none of which are good.

Stop procrastinating! Use these options to get the ball rolling:

• Break projects into smaller, bite-sized actions. No entire project can be completed at one time; instead, when them down into tasks that can be completed step-by-step, checking each item off, one by one, from a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual to-do list. When creating this list, start each item with a verb, and make sure it is broken down into the smallest increment of what is to be done so it's more feasible.

• Gain clarity on anything that is confusing or unclear. Vague priorities, unclear directions, lack of knowing how to do something and being unfamiliar with the order in which to move through the steps necessary for getting tasks done are all problematic. Ask questions to better understand the objective, your team's priorities and how to accomplish each step necessary; if you don't know how to do something, ask someone who does know it for assistance. Never be afraid to ask those questions, realizing that the result to not asking is far worse than any answer you could receive.

• Set deadlines for each specific task. I have yet to find a calendar that includes "someday"; therefore, when we say "I'll get to that someday" or "I'll work on that when I get some free time", we are usually setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, assign deadlines for each of the smaller, bite-sized actions within the projects to be completed, making it possible to block off time on your calendar for when each task will be completed. Every "what" assigned a "when" is more likely to get accomplished, leading to more wins.

• Maintain accountability for designated deadlines. Some people respond better to a reward being held in front of them for completing a necessary task; other folks respond better to avoiding punishment or embarrassment from not completing assigned tasks. Once you know what motivates you, use that self-awareness to drive your desired behavior and encourage your greater focus on achieving desired results. Make it fun, utilizing gamification when possible, and make what best motivates you a tool for accomplishing what must be done.

• Quiet any perfectionist tendencies. One of my favorite mantras reminds me that, "Done can be better than perfect so focus on good enough." Perfectionism is frequently the cause of procrastination; subsequently, focusing on the desired results can empower us to get past waiting for "the right time"and get us to stop continuing our work on projects for perpetuity in the effort of achieving perfection. Stop comparing yourself with others; achieving your desired results usually has little to do with how the finished product compares with what others do or have done. Instead, focus on getting things done to the best of your ability, not necessarily in a perfect way.

• Utilize a timer. Working in a focused manner for a short stretch can boost both efficiency and total output... Anyone can do an undesirable action for a short spurt, and it's amazing how much more can get done in that shorter amount of time than if you think you have longer to finish. If you think you have all afternoon to do something, it will likely take that full amount of time; however, if you set a timer for a shorter timeframe, you'd be amazed how much you can get done in that block of time. Likewise, if you are a competitive person, try getting more done within a set amount of time than you expect you can or have done in previous instances. Most importantly, when the timer goes off, you may find that you are engrossed in the task and will keep at it, getting even more accomplished.

• Minimize interruptions. It can take 23 minutes to recover from a distraction, which means productivity suffers each time we get distracted. Deactivate social media notifications, and schedule specific times to check those sites for what's happening. Send phone calls to voice mail while working diligently on a task that's coming due, catching up on calls at set times during your day. Turn off previews of new emails, scheduling when you will look at your inbox instead of letting your inbox bleed into all that you're doing. Remove visual clutter from your workspace, wear headphones to signal when you are not to be disturbed, and fill the chairs in your office to prevent those stopping by from making themselves at home.

• Implement music's motivating abilities. Some people are energized by fast-paced music while others get more focused through smoother tunes, both leading to greater productivity. Pick enough tunes in the tone you prefer to fill a set block of time, group them together as your productivity playlist and, then, use that playlist to motivate desired output.

• Put color to work within your space. A study published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that red increases attentiveness; a separate study by the University of British Columbia shares how blue boosts creativity. Whether via color in your desk accessories, on your walls, in what you wear or through what you eat, bring into your workspace what color fuels the actions you hope to be taking.

• Spend more time with folks who get things done. For years, I've heard that you become like the people with whom you spend time. If you prioritize spending time with people in your life who are considered hard workers or go-getters, their energy will rub off on you and motivate similar productivity in yourself. As activity breeds activity, time with productive peers can insight greater productivity within ourselves when we spend time with those getting more accomplished.

There are many times during which we need to follow Nike's advice and just do it, especially if the task takes less time to complete than how long it would require to re-focus and re-start the related thought process when we return to it later. These tactics can help.

Which tactics do you prefer for limiting procrastination? Are there any on this list you'll try when stuck next?

Capitalize on Your Energy for Enhanced Productivity

When thinking about a normal day at work, are there times you feel more "in the zone", the output seems to flow more easily, you're in a groove and you're energized? Can you envision what those instances have in common? For many, the theme that runs consistently amongst instances when working tends to work better happens to be our personal energy level.

As I've learned by using the Time and Space Style Inventory assessment with my clients, each of us is invigorated by different things in different ways, and our energy level has a dramatic impact on our ability to be productive from moment to moment.

It is important to attack challenging work when your energy is at its peak. This becomes more complicated as the timing of one's peak energy level varies from person to person; therefore, the first step in pairing the work that is most demanding of your abilities with the timing during which your abilities flow most freely happens to be self-assessment.

Know when your energy is most likely to peak so you can schedule uninterrupted time then for addressing your hardest work.

If your energy peaks first-thing in the morning, you may choose to enlist your energy level as a productivity tool by "swallowing the frog", tackling your most difficult tasks first. This approach is why folks talk about wanting to "hit the ground running" each day.

If your energy peaks later in the workday, you may choose to enlist your energy level as a productivity tool by adopting the mantra of "activity breeds activity", starting with easier tasks and building momentum to do more difficult work later in the workday.

Unfortunately, it's not always feasible to pair those more challenging tasks with times when your energy peaks. Since meetings are designed for discussions and shared decision-making, they can be a drain on energy and force you to be filled with energy during times that are not your normal peak energy time. If you find your energy waning right before an important meeting, invest in actions to fuel your energy reserves and replenish your energy on demand. It might not be quite as effective as your natural time for peak energy, but there are always options to quickly boost energy as needed. Use whichever works best for you.

Does your energy peak in the morning, afternoon or when the sun goes down? How do you adjust when you attack certain work functionality to best use your energy peaks?

Invest in Self Care to Fuel Your Energy Reserves

In a society that is constantly focused on doing more, it is increasingly easy for our energy to become depleted and we get burnt out. It is imperative to act deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional and physical health via self-care practices which replenish our energy reserves. Only when we build up what we have within can we fuel our desired results.

As part of the Simple Change team, I am well aware of how diminishing or replenished energy impacts my productivity; however, like you, I often feel the pain of how challenging it can be to improve my energy level. There's a big difference between knowing you need to take care of yourself to have the energy needed for getting things done versus taking action to boost those energy reserves, right? Although each of us has unique requirements for ways to best boost energy, here are some ideas you can easily implement immediately for better boosting productivity through greater energy reserves:

• Listen to music. Maybe you prefer something upbeat. Maybe you prefer something calming. Maybe it's more about the beat of the bass. Get singing or humming or dancing to it.

• Create a vision board. Add something with vivid color or energetic imagery, conveying excitement and movement.

• Connect with those who matter to you. Sometimes, it can be in person, but, if not, consider a video chat, phone call, text message or sharing something on social media.

• Get moving. Take a brisk walk, especially if you can get out in nature. Physical activity oxygenates blood cells while breathing outdoor air while absorbing vitamin D is invigorating.

• Count your blessings. Gratitude is so powerful; taking time to document appreciation for what we have, who we are with and what lessons we've learned along the way fuels desire for more while energizing our belief that we can get things done.

• Laugh out loud. Find something you've done recently that was funny or watch online videos that you find humorous. Choose something that gets you giggling from down in your gut.

• Eat well. Healthy foods fuel our energy, especially with increased amounts of magnesium and antioxidants. 

• Stay hydrated. Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times and drink from it frequently, especially when you start to feel your mind drifting or need to re-energize.

• Focus on something you have to look forward to in the near future. Whether you are planning for an upcoming vacation or bought tickets to a special event, that feeling of anticipation and excitement will be a great energy boost.

• Meditate. Sitting quietly and being intentional with your breathing will bring oxygen to each individual cell. Apps like Calm, Headspace, Buddhify, Simply Being as well as Stop, Breathe & Think make it easier to get started.

What kinds of things have you found help energize you? Are you feeling a little low on your energy reserves? If so, which of these can you give a try right now?

Organize Your Files to Quickly Find What's Needed

Each day, we are faced with an onslaught of information. Much of that information avalanche comes from email, and there are solutions specific to controlling your email instead of letting email control you. Yet, there is an equally pressing need to address the overwhelm from paper and electronic documents. Follow these steps for relief in accessing knowledge via paper and electronic sources.

- Limit what you retain. Whenever you have to dig through more files to find whats needed, it takes longer. Make friends with delete and discard, keeping only what is accurate, applicable, useful, bringing you joy as well as difficult to replicate or find online. Then, schedule time to maintain this system, continually evaluating what comes into your space while addressing your retention cycle so things are not kept longer than needed.

- Convert what paper you can to an electronic format. It is easier to find content needed in electronic form. Further, filling electronic storage space creates fewer pains and often takes longer to reach existing limits. To reach this goal, choose from physical scanners, like Doxie or Fujitsu, install the Scannable app on your iPhone or CamScanner app on your Android device and partner with scanning companies to help catchup on your backlog, like The File Depot or Shoeboxed, culling together in your preferred option.

- Control the funnel into your space. When left up to the person delivering paper to your office, each will be piled atop the last on your desk or bureau; however, once something gets stacked on top of something else, you no longer know what is below. Counter that situation by hanging an inbox (and, ideally, an outbox) near the door to your workspace, whether a Three by Three Wall Pocket, reisenthel Clear Wall Pockets, a Rustic Marche Wall Pocket, a Yamazaki Nest 2-Pocket Wall Organizer or something similar. Tools like an inbox and outbox empower you to address what's most important when it's convenient for you and separate those items from what is currently being handled atop your desk.

- Implement naming conventions. If you can mirror names between email mailboxes, paper files and electronic document folders, it will be easier to know what you have, put things where they belong and, then, recover what's needed quickly. There is no "right" or "wrong" verbiage for labeling, although I discourage using "miscellaneous" since that is non-descriptive; however, there is an art to creating a filing system... You want enough folders so everything has a home but not so many options that any one item could realistically be filed in more than one place. Balance carefully between generic and specific so each email, paper or electronic file has a clear destination that is easy to maintain. The worst scenario is to struggle in determining where something should be kept as it means you'll struggle even more when looking to retrieve it later.

How do you choose what papers and electronic files to keep? What system do you use for successfully retaining them? Or how do you struggle with your documents?