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7 Realistic Productivity Tips That Keep Me Sane(ish)
Am I really qualified to share realistic productivity tips? Hmm… Let’s just say my daily routine wouldn’t exactly make it onto a productivity podcast. There’s no cold plunge. No journaling by candlelight. No perfect app that tracks my every move. I do what works for me… and most of it would probably raise some eyebrows. But that’s the point. It works, and that’s what makes it realistic. My days are full, my work gets done, I’m around when my kids need me, and I stay (mostly) sane in the process. And if some of that comes down to strange little habits I’ve collected over time? So be it. Here’s a…
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5 Spring Reset Ideas That Don’t Involve a Cleanse or a Rebrand
I’m not doing a “new me” this spring. I don’t have the energy for some full-blown reinvention. And truthfully? I kind of like the old me. She’s really been through it, but still has a few endearing quirks. For example, she has this thing for reality TV, goes to bed weirdly early, and keeps a list of oddly specific notes in her reminder app. (Current favorite: “Organize the pantry, toss the mystery tea bags, and stop pretending the decorative lentils are part of a meal plan.”) Instead, what I am doing is a soft reset. Not a cleanse (been there, done that!). Not a challenge (have enough of those, thank…
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What Knitting Has Taught Me About Business and Marketing
I’ve been knitting for many years. It started all the way back before my daughter was born, when I was determined to make her a blanket before she arrived. That was also probably my first lesson in good intentions not always leading to results (or maybe in biting off more than you can chew!). Despite buying all the supplies, picking out the perfect pattern, and envisioning how beautiful the finished product would be, I never actually made that blanket. But I did learn something: starting is easy, but following through is the real challenge. Almost two decades and hundreds of successful knitting projects later, I’ve found my place in the…
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Mastering Productive Downtime: A Balanced Approach to Recharge
We’ve all experienced those moments when we hit a wall and just need to step back. For me, that often means zoning out in front of the latest reality TV show—a quick escape from the hustle. But then, the guilt creeps in because there’s still so much to do. What if I told you that downtime can actually be as productive as your busiest work hours? “Productive downtime” isn’t an oxymoron—it’s a key to sustainable success. Downtime is often seen as unproductive, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, incorporating intentional breaks into your routine can enhance your productivity and overall well-being. Think of it as hitting the refresh…
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The 21 Best Apps for Productivity and Work/Life Balance
We all know the struggle of juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities while trying to stay on top of our game. Over the years, I’ve tried countless tools and apps to streamline my workflow and boost my productivity. Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorites that have truly made a difference in my daily routine. These are, in my opinion, some of the best apps for productivity and work/life balance. Enjoy! Task and Project Management Apps 1. Trello If you’re anything like me, keeping track of tasks and projects can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s where Trello comes in. This intuitive project management tool uses boards, lists, and cards…
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How Your Individual Circadian Rhythm Impacts Productivity
Let me start with this… I’m a morning person. Like, obnoxiously so. I don’t need an alarm. My brain kicks on around sunrise (or earlier) whether I want it to or not, and by 10 AM, I’ve already had breakfast, answered emails, solved a work problem, and questioned all of my life choices. But what’s interesting is that not everyone’s brain works like this. (I mean, obviously. But I had no idea how deep this really went.) So I fell into a rabbit hole of research about circadian rhythm productivity, energy peaks, and how we can actually use our natural patterns to work better, not harder. Here’s the gist. What…
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How to Find a Third Place When You Work From Home
I recently wrote about the concept of a “third place,” which is a space that helps you transition from work to home. But what happens when you work from home? Sometimes, it isn’t feasible to leave your house, travel to a third place, and then come back home. So unlike traditional office workers who have clear physical separation from work, home-based professionals must create this separation mentally and physically within their living space. The Challenge of Working from Home The primary challenge of working from home is the tendency for work to infiltrate every corner of your life. Without the physical commute and change of environment, distinguishing between “work time”…
