I think we’re all familiar with struggling to say no to things that are fun or decadent, but aren’t good for us. But what about the things that don’t sound tempting at all, and still, we can’t say no? In this fourth installment of my series about learning how to say no, (click here to read earlier … Read more
Our time is divided up a lot more today than it was a generation ago. Increased efficiencies lead to packing more activities into a day. More activities lead to more transitions. More transitions lead to more pockets of just a few minutes, waiting until it’s time for the next event. Although I generally don’t encourage trying to … Read more
In my last post, I discussed decision making styles, which are inherent parts of our personality and can impact our productivity. Now here’s another trait to consider: time perspective. I’ve summarized briefly, below, but for more information, check out this scholarly article, or the two-minute summary. Five Time Perspectives Researchers have identified five distinct perspectives: Past-negative: Focus … Read more
Are you stalled from moving forward on a project because you can’t make a decision? Perhaps you aren’t sure which contractor to hire, which bookkeeping software to use, or which after-school program your kids should attend… Life requires lots of decisions. Our decision making styles are inherent parts of our personality, and they fall into two groups: maximizers and satisficers. … Read more
The recent death of Nancy Reagan reminded me of her “Just Say No” campaign against drug use. Many ridiculed her for over-simplifying a very complex problem. As someone who is often witness to people struggling to say “no” to unhelpful habits, I’m well aware that it can be very difficult. But I also think the mantra “just … Read more
Clients often tell me, “I feel like I’m just running in circles.” They get very discouraged to encounter the same problems again and again. But circles are also part of life. We repeat many aspects of our lives. Eating, bathing, working, etc. Some circles happen within a few hours, and some span a longer time, … Read more
We all wish that successful time management were merely a matter of finding the perfect tool. Alas, it isn’t so. Tools are essential, but expecting perfection is often the thing that creates the biggest obstacle. Instead of spending energy on finding the perfect time management tool, I recommend focusing on using any tool. Five essential … Read more
Lots of advice is offered about how to manage the busy holidays, but many of us have the opposite problem—we are not that busy! Schools and workplaces are closed; volunteer committees, networking events and extra-curricular activities are on pause for December. Even our favorite TV shows are gone, replaced with re-runs and bad holiday specials. All … Read more
I just got back from the annual CHADD conference, where the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness and/or meditation was a huge topic. Mindfulness is helpful not just for reducing unwanted aspects of ADHD, but for improving mental and physical health in all sorts of ways. If you’re skeptical, check out these websites from Harvard, the American Psychological Association and UC … Read more
Five common ways we get stuck, and some strategies to get moving again: 1. Unable to get started: You know what you want to do and how to do it, but you just can’t get started or you’re too overwhelmed. Strategy: Try micro-steps. Work for just 5 minutes; or do just one action, such as filing … Read more