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Is September the New January?
Have you heard versions of this? September is the new January! Fall is a fresh start! It makes perfect sense to me because, let’s be honest here, January is all about intention and often no action. Sure, we have big dreams. We set big goals. But, who wants to work on their beach body when there’s a foot of snow outside? Or dive into huge work projects when you know you have a whole year ahead of you? September reminds us that the year is coming to a close. That we have a smidge over one quarter of the calendar left to accomplish all those things we wanted to do.…
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5 Ways to Feel Crazy Productive Every Single Day
Do note that this piece isn’t called “5 ways to be crazy productive.” This list of five wins will help you feel crazy productive every single day. And who doesn’t want to feel like they’re getting it all done? 5 easy, simple, can’t-miss ways to feel crazy productive: Make your bed as soon as you get up. Seriously. It may seem unnecessary, but if you don’t get anything else done the rest of the day, at least you did that! Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Put it on your to-do list, and relish crossing it off! Turn off notifications on your cell phone, tablet, and laptop for two hours every morning. You…
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Add a little passion into your work day
I knew I wanted to be a writer in elementary school. Well, a writer or a paleontologist. Had I been a paleontologist, my office would’ve looked like this. I know how lucky I am that I get to do what I love every single day. Even though I love my job, I don’t love all of my projects. Sometimes, the work can become tedious, and I often feel uninspired. The way I’ve learned to stay motivated, though, is to add a little of my loves to every work day. In other words, I craft my time around my passions. For instance, I’m obsessed with my dogs. I love the little buggers,…
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Create a morning routine
What does your morning routine look like? Do you frantically search for your keys while downing a cup of coffee? Do you bolt out the door a few minutes late every day? Do you practice yoga or meditate? Hit the gym? Hit the snooze button? I have never been a morning person. Ever. But recently I’ve found some serious value in a morning routine. Why? A morning routine sets up your day for success. And you don’t even have to be a “morning person” to take advantage of a routine. Once you adjust to a new way of doing things, it becomes easier to stay on task and on point.…
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Planning for the new year
Did you make any resolutions for 2011? January’s almost over… How are you doing with those? Several years ago, I realized a truth about myself: I can not keep resolutions. Sweeping statements (I will lose weight! I will re-read all the classics! I will clean out my closets!) are the stuff of resolutions. Unfortunately, unspecific ideals aren’t achievable. At least not for me, and I’d wager not for the majority of us. Why? Because we’re human! “I will lose weight” becomes “I’ll work out tomorrow,” which becomes “This weekend I will cook healthy food,” which becomes “Diet starts Monday.” By the time Monday rolls around, you feel like a failure.…
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Time management made simple
When I was 14, I worked at Burger King. It was an awesome job. My friends worked there, I got to eat fast food for dinner two nights each week, and I could drink as much free soda as I wanted. Turns out, it was a great job for another reason: I learned about time management. Each shift started at 4:00 and ended at 8:00. I couldn’t clock in one minute early or out one minute late due to child labor laws. During that four-hour period, I had to take and serve orders, sweep the dining room, restock condiments, take a 30-minute dinner break, and count my drawer. Because I…