I started writing this post about a year ago, and it sat idle while I was too busy to finish it. Now we’re in the world of COVID-19. I’m incredibly sad about the losses so many have experienced. The tremendous pain and suffering on so many levels is unfathomable. And the injustice of the populations … Read more
I’m noticing a common theme among clients lately, which is the fallacy that it’s better to be efficient. Sometimes, yes, but not always. I’ve learned to recognize these efficiency fallacies when I hear people explaining that they are trying to avoid “extra work.” Here are some examples: Claire doesn’t want to take her donations to … Read more
Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “empty calories” to denote foods that offer no nutritional benefit. Several clients have recently described some of their time-wasting behaviors, and I realized, they are filling up on empty dopamine! Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved with sensations of reward and pleasure. We get a good hit of … Read more
We’re often told to schedule our tasks on the calendar, and while I don’t believe this practice is absolutely critical, it’s helpful for many, although perhaps not in the way you think. Resistance There is a natural resistance to obligating our discretionary time, especially for tasks we don’t like to do. Most of us are … Read more
My last post addressed some aspects of setting priorities, or more simply, figuring out what to work on. There can be lots of moving parts and I know it’s not easy. I haven’t come up with my own systematic formula, but others have and I encourage you to explore those offerings. I often see the best results … Read more
I’m coming to appreciate that an integral component of prioritizing is getting comfortable with all the things that we are not doing. We all have much more on our to do lists than we can ever do. And life will continue to give us more and more possibilities. Like waves in the ocean, stuff to do … Read more
I just can’t find a system that works. I try something and it works for a few weeks, and then I just stop using it. People tell me this all the time. Often, it’s the reason they call me. So what I’m about to say might just put me out of a job, but I’ll take … Read more
This is the next installment of my series on the Top 5 Obstacles to Productivity. All or nothing thinking runs closely behind perfectionism as a major obstacle. Here are some examples: I can’t start on my taxes until I find all my receipts. I can’t vacuum the rug because I don’t have time to pull out the … Read more
Perfectionism is the second culprit on my list of Top 5 Obstacles to Productivity. Often, we don’t recognize our perfectionism. We laugh and say there is no way we could be perfectionists, because we know how imperfectly we operate. Just because we acknowledge that we aren’t perfect doesn’t mean we recognize when perfectionism becomes an obstacle. Recognizing Perfectionism Any of … Read more
You want to be more productive, so you study up on all the latest systems from the big productivity gurus–things that involve funnels, fancy timers and frogs. You research apps, planners, and To Do list formats that are more complicated than the tax code. How’s all that working? I’ll bet you’re not seeing the results you hoped … Read more