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As the US approaches its Thanksgiving holiday, family, friends, and gratitude are top of mind. But gratitude is more than just saying "thank you." It's a mindset, a perspective that involves recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life, even in challenging times. In recent years, gratitude has gained increasing attention, not only for its social benefits but also for its profound impact on health and productivity.
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[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] Many of us look back at the end of the day and wonder where our time went. Best-laid plans vanish with the first emergency of the day, and the remaining hours unravel from there. Scheduling your time effectively can be challenging, but it's crucial for achieving your goals, being productive, and reducing stress. Below are some tips to help you start getting a handle on your day.
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In today's fast-paced, hustle-and-bustle world, we often find ourselves caught in a relentless cycle of more. More activity. More achievement. More commitment. In pursuing more, we often overlook a fundamental aspect of human existence: the necessity of rest and recovery. Just like a machine cannot function at peak performance without regular maintenance, our bodies and minds also need periods of rejuvenation to perform at their best.
But we are in an age where many equate being busy with success. And while technological advancements have made life more convenient, they've also created a culture of constant doing. Leaving little room for disconnection eventually leads to burnout, anxiety, and decreased overall well-being.
Life has a curious way of aligning circumstances that lead to periods of stress. Sometimes, these circumstances are unavoidable, and sometimes, we inadvertently do it to ourselves. Projects at work, family commitments, and personal goals can all converge and demand our attention simultaneously. While it's natural to experience temporary periods of elevated stress, it's crucial to recognize that sustained stress can affect our mental and physical health. Just as machines under extreme stress can malfunction, our bodies and minds suffer when subjected to prolonged pressure. The next time you're caught in a whirlwind of activity, try the following to bring you back to a sense of balance: Acknowledge Overcommitment: Reflect on your commitments and recognize when you're stretching yourself thin. Saying yes to everything may feel great in the moment, but learning to say no can help you maintain a healthier balance. The crucial learning element here is to say no early! Prioritize Self-Care: Make self-care non-negotiable. Regularly engage in activities that bring joy and relaxation. That could be reading, painting, hiking, or simply spending quality time with loved ones. I used to equate self-care with self-indulgence. While I now believe there is a tipping point, proper self-care is a necessity. Delegate and Seek Support: Don't hesitate to delegate tasks and ask for help when needed. You don't have to bear the weight of every responsibility alone. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices like meditation to center your thoughts and manage stress. Mindfulness helps you navigate challenges with a clear and focused mind. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your commitments into manageable tasks and set realistic goals. This can prevent overwhelm and allow you to acknowledge progress. In a world that glorifies constant activity, remember, you are not a machine programmed to function relentlessly. The balance between commitments and personal well-being requires intentional effort. Acknowledge and monitor tendencies for over-commitment. Prioritize rest and recovery to preserve mental and physical health. And embrace the reality that our lives demand both action and stillness to thrive.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] I was listening to a podcast recently, and the guest, a personal trainer, made a statement that really struck me. He said so many people he works with approach exercise with a mindset of self-loathing and punishment because they feel inadequate or unattractive. While the subject was exercise, I realized it's true on a much broader scale.
We do many things under the umbrella of self-improvement, but we seldom approach them with a mindset of self-appreciation or self-support. Continuing with the exercise example, many people don't embark on an exercise routine with the intent to care for the amazing body that has carried and supported them through years of activity. They do it because they are unhappy with something and want to change it, or the motivation may be vanity.
As I considered this further, I applied the context to my clients. They reach a point of extreme frustration and defeat with email, tasks, and information management. Those negative feelings are their initial motivation to contact me. As a catalyst for action, that's wonderful. But if it is the only force that carries them through our work together, it can hinder long-term, sustained improvement. I want to shift them to a mindset centered on self-appreciation and positivity, as this mindset allows us to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable path toward their enhanced productivity. Self-loathing can arise from a fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy. When we criticize ourselves for perceived shortcomings, it becomes challenging to maintain motivation and focus on our goals. Instead of using self-loathing as a driving force, let's explore the growth potential that comes from a place of self-appreciation. When we recognize and celebrate our achievements, big or small, we build confidence and resilience, which empowers us to tackle challenges with a positive mindset. We can develop a more balanced and sustainable approach to improvement by acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses without judgment. And instead of striving for unattainable perfection, it's essential to set realistic targets that align with our values and aspirations. Productivity journeys are rarely linear. A position of self-compassion allows us to embrace these moments of re-direction and course correction with understanding and kindness. This practice helps us bounce back stronger and continue the journey forward. By adopting a growth mindset, we can view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and development. Embracing this perspective encourages us to approach productivity as a continuous journey of improvement and discovery. Surrounding ourselves with a supportive network of colleagues, friends, or mentors can contribute significantly to our personal growth. Positive encouragement and constructive feedback from others reinforce our sense of self-appreciation and motivate us to excel. While negative feelings may be a catalyst, their adverse impact on our mental well-being and long-term growth makes them an unsustainable path forward. Let's embrace self-appreciation and love as the foundation of our self-improvement journey to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset. Setting goals, nurturing self-compassion, and adopting a growth mindset pave the way for sustainable and fulfilling improvements. Ultimately, productivity is not just about accomplishing tasks; it's about nurturing our personal growth and well-being.
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How often do you hang your head in frustration because 24 hours a day just isn't enough? Time is one of the most valuable resources you have. You can never get it back once it's gone, so using time wisely is critical. If you feel you're constantly rushing from one task to another and never have a moment to breathe, it's time to explore opportunities to reclaim your time.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] Have you ever built up the difficulty of a task in your mind to the point you continually put off doing it? Human nature can lead you to overestimate the challenges of an unfamiliar or perceived unpleasant task. It's a bias that can also cause you to underestimate your capabilities.
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Spring has sprung in my small dot on the world. What does the onset of Spring evoke for you? Some are ready to shake off abandoned new year resolutions and tackle new challenges. Others find a refreshed sense of purpose around the goals they're currently striving to achieve. No matter what spring signals for you, it is a perfect opportunity to plan your next steps. I love all the seasons we experience in the Midwest. Summer is intense with nature's various shades of green against a gorgeous blue sky. Fall feels cozy with the added attraction of the trees' brilliant color change. After leaves drift to the ground, Winter reveals the beauty of nature's underlying architecture, and the gently falling snow feels magical.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] What happens when your productivity increases? You're probably thinking, seriously? What a silly question; you'll get more done. While it is accurate that you will get more done, there is so much more to it. Like most people, you probably feel overwhelmed. Your to-do list won't stop growing. Your email inboxes keep filling up, not to mention your packed calendar and general information overload.
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We often spend much of our time and energy dwelling in the past and waiting for the perfect future while the present moment slips away. Writing this on National Carpe Diem Day is a beautiful reminder to live in the present, as Carpe Diem means Seize the Day. We often place happiness on hold for 'someday,' delaying using new or treasured items or perhaps postponing action on resolutions until next January.
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Getting organized is consistently among the top five most common new year resolutions. So, it's no accident that January is Get Organized month. But I want you to look beyond being 'organized.' January is the big exhale for many businesses after a (hopefully) busy holiday season. You should invest this time, or whenever it's off-peak for your business, to focus on improvements that will pay dividends long into the future. One of those improvements is systems.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] My holiday season officially starts only after watching the Walt Disney Pictures TV short, Prep and Landing, with my husband. It tells the delightful story of an elite team of elves, known as Prep and Landing, that helps Santa get in and out of millions of homes worldwide in one night. By preparing each site and guiding Santa and his reindeer in for landing, the team saves the Big Guy an incredible amount of time, allowing him to accomplish this monumental task.
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As we hurtle down the runway toward the most hectic time of year for many of us, both personally and professionally, let's take a moment to keep things in perspective. Recently, as I attempted to set my priorities for the day, I became acutely aware of my sense of overwhelm regarding what the next 8 - 10 weeks would bring. That's right. I felt profoundly overwhelmed even with my fancy-schmancy task management system and my weekly review.
[2.5 Minute Read or Listen Below] Let's listen in on a quick conversation between a man and a woman. As the woman pulls items from their bedroom closet, the man lies on the bed looking at a magazine. Woman - "..., I cannot do this job without you. Most of these things are yours." Man - "Well, honey, why don't you leave all that junk in the closet?"
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How often do you say to yourself (or others), "there aren’t enough hours in the day?" Time management is a popular term. It conjures visions of stopping clocks and herculean feats of efficiency, squeezing in one more task or commitment. In reality, it's less about managing time and more about managing ourselves and our decisions. We know that ineffective time management results in stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, burnout, low self-esteem, and low confidence. Arguably, nothing we want.
[2.5 Minute Read or Listen Below] What does this quote say to you? It tells me in our quest for growth, the best time to act is now. So, what holds us back as we try to improve ourselves? Usually, fear and mistaken beliefs.
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I know this about myself and suspect many can relate - sometimes, I have an all-or-nothing mindset. If I can't complete something from start to finish in one shot, I procrastinate starting at all.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] A quick Google search of life's top stressors returns arguably positive events such as getting married, starting a new job, retirement, and moving to a new residence. One might expect the positive nature of these events would negate their stressfulness. However, their persistent appearance on stressor lists contradicts this theory. At first glance, one explanation may be these life events create fear or concern about the unknown. A few of these events also involve daunting project management.
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I had a Zoom video meeting scheduled on my calendar. These days, who doesn't, right? Shortly before start time, the person messaged me saying their computer had gone into an unexpected update, they couldn't access the Zoom link, and they would have to reschedule.
[3 Minute Read or Listen Below] What do you think and feel when you hear the word "routine"? For some, it brings thoughts of rigidity and mind-numbing boredom. For others, it evokes calm and a sense of accomplishment. No matter your reaction to the word, I promise you - you have routines. You may not have intentionally crafted them, but you have them. When we allow detrimental habits to play out on auto-pilot, these routines can work against us. When we use our routines for good, they create consistency and intention around positive behaviors.
[2 Minute Read or Listen Below] Leadership First recently posted a quote on LinkedIn, attributed to Tim McClure: "When passionate employees become quiet, it usually sends a signal that the work environment has become very dysfunctional."
[2.5 Minute Read or Listen Below] No doubt, you've heard the statistic that humans have a shorter attention span than goldfish. Human attention wanes between 6 and 8.25 seconds depending on whose statistics you read, while the goldfish hangs in there for 9 seconds. The commonly held belief is that technology has eroded our ability to concentrate with continuous notifications and never-ending scrolling.
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Those who know me know I'm not a fan of new year resolutions. I've stated before there is nothing magical about January 1st, and far too much emphasis is placed on declaring resolutions. That may sound ridiculous coming from a productivity coach, but I will say instead I am a huge fan of goal planning. You may think they're the same, but they’re not.
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Have you ever felt frustrated that things weren't going your way? I talked with my business coach recently, spouting multiple frustrations and reasons I felt overwhelmed.
[4 Minute Read or Listen Below] Times of transition can be upsetting, frustrating, and overwhelming. Even if the change is positive, we feel we've lost our footing and cannot regain our balance. A variety of situations can make us feel this way: a job change, a residential move, a corporate acquisition, just to name a few.
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Have you experienced a moment so perfect it's fixed in your memory? I recently found myself absorbed in just such a moment. |
Kathy Muzik
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New Path Productivity®, LLC provides virtual and local (Chicagoland) onsite services for individuals and businesses to increase productivity
through organization and management of resources (e.g., energy, information, people, processes, space, and time).
through organization and management of resources (e.g., energy, information, people, processes, space, and time).
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New Path Productivity®, LLC © 2015 - 2023 All Rights Reserved
New Path Productivity®, LLC © 2015 - 2023 All Rights Reserved