The beginning of a new academic year seems like the perfect time to review my friend Augusto Pinaud's book, 25 Tips for Productivity. I "met" Augusto while participating in #prodchat, a weekly (7 p.m. CST Wednesdays) Twitter chat on productivity. I remember thinking he seemed quite organized and perhaps a bit extreme in his productivity … [Read more...]
11 Ways to Make More Time to Read
Avid readers tell me time is their biggest issue when it comes to reading. Author John Maxwell has what I see as the healthiest view of time management. Time, according to Maxwell, cannot be managed. Everyone gets the same 24 hours in every day. But some people obviously are able to do much more with that time. This is the result of how they … [Read more...]
Managing Academic Peaks and Valleys
The academic calendar is full of peaks and valleys. We're moving into the hard earned, greatly deserved valley of winter break. But, before we get there, we must travel the peaks of the last weeks of classes and finals week. It seems the two weeks before finals actually are more stressful for students than the exam week itself. This is the time … [Read more...]
What’s Your Motivation?
I hate folding laundry. Honestly, hate may be too kind a word. I loathe folding laundry. I would rather do pretty much anything in the world than hang, sort and fold. I have such a disdain for folding laundry that my family typically has what we've lovingly named "Clean Clothes Mountain" near the sofa in the master bedroom. The … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals
My husband looked at me like I had grown a second head when I asked him if he wanted some paper to document his goals. "No way," he said. "If I write them down, I'll be expected to actually accomplish them." My point exactly! My husband was surprised to see my typed list of priorities, long-term goals and short-term tasks. He was unaware … [Read more...]
Gain Four Hours a Day in One Step
This post is from the archive. It originally was published May 31, 2011. What could you do with four more hours a day? Would you finish a big project? Spend more time with your family? Enjoy a hobby you haven't had time for in months? I don't have a special time-altering device that gives you more than 24 hours a day. You get what you … [Read more...]
Four steps to make time for what’s important
I love to write. I know it's cliché, but writing always has been my creative outlet. It relaxes me, fulfills me and generally makes me happy. It's likely not coincidental that as I have less time for writing I feel more stressed and less accomplished at the end of the day. I'm not the only one who ends each day with a sense of constant … [Read more...]