Tag Archives: most productive self

Ten Strategies: How to be productive when entering a new chapter in your life

So, I am excited to announce that I am seven months pregnant! It’s been an incredible journey thus far, and has shown me a lot about healthy living, purposeful growth, and creative productivity.

Sadly, this blog has dropped off of my weekly to-do list since becoming pregnant. It’s something I miss terribly, but is also something I have had to re-prioritize given all of the baby to-do’s (and the changes in my level of energy these last six months)!

All that to say, I have a new perspective on productivity that I think can apply to you even if you aren’t pregnant. If you’ve had a recent change in your priorities for any reason – new job, different health situation, a new chapter in your life – I hope these ten strategies are helpful to you!

Here are ten strategies that show you to be productive when entering a new chapter in your life:

1. Reset expectations. When presented with any life-altering change, reassess expectations for yourself. Early in pregnancy, I expected to maintain my level of current productivity AND add on all of the things that come with preparing for a new baby. Not only was this unrealistic, but it made me even less productive! Trying to do too much made me too exhausted to get the essential, high-priory things done. Setting different, realistic expectations is key to productivity as you enter a new chapter of your life.

2. Make a new priority list. Steven Covey, in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, talks about how best to prioritize. He says: think of all of you to-do items as rocks that you are trying to fit in a jar. The rocks are different shapes and sizes, depending on priority. The highest priority items are the biggest rocks. In order to fit as much in the jar as possible, Covey recommends that you fit the big rocks into your jar first to make sure they get done. The little rocks then can nestle within the big rocks. Similarly, it’s important to assess your priorities and make sure that those high priority items are met first before anything else.

3. Forgive yourself. You may not get it right the first, second or even third time! That’s ok. When you are entering a new chapter, it’s important to be gentle with yourself. Forgive yourself for not being as productive as you like. The transition to a new chapter is as task in and of itself.

4. Be ok with rest. Rest and relaxation, especially as you enter into a new life chapter, is incredibly important. I have found, especially in this third trimester, that when I rest, I am happier, healthier, and – yes – get more things done! If you don’t stop to rest and recharge, you can easily get burnt out… not the best way to begin a new chapter.

5. Eat healthfully and exercise. Transitioning into a new chapter in life can add extra stress on your body. One of the best ways to deal with stress? Create an environment where your body can thrive. If you exercise and fill your body with nutritious foods, you will be more prepared physically to take on the next step. Not sure where to start? Check out my blog on my food philosophy.

6. Make a checklist. This seems incredibly simple, but I have to say that creating a checklist has given me more opportunities to be productive. Why? Because I can SEE what I have to do, I can then plan how best to do it. Atul Gawande in his book Complications introduces the simplicity and effectiveness of checklists – even for physicians! He expounds on that idea in his book the Checklist Manifesto.

7. Find support. Enjoying a supportive community around you to celebrate with you AND help take on the burden of a new chapter is key. Knowing that you aren’t making the change alone can not only mitigate stress, but it can also add to the joyousness of the time.

8. Eat that frog. Learn the time of day you are most productive and get your toughest stuff done then. A wonderful colleague of mine gave me a book by Brian Tracy: Eat That Frog! . The title is based on a clever quote from Mark Twain: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” In his book, Mr. Tracy advises you tackle your “frogs,” those ugly items that haunt your to-do list, first thing (or when you are going to be most productive).

9. Outsource or delegate when you can. Remember that support system you have? Use it! Accepting help from your supportive community not only helps with your productivity, but it brings you closer to the people in that community.

10. Enjoy the time. It’s a new chapter. Remember to sit back and recognize that this transition is a special and exciting time.

What strategies do you use to be more productive when entering a new chapter in your life?

How to be productive

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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5 habits that take advantage of the time change

Daylight savings time ended this weekend. Doesn’t feel great to have gotten that extra hour of sleep? Keep up the great feeling by developing healthy habits around the time change. It’s easier because your body is used to waking up and going to bed earlier.

Try these five habits that you can use to take advantage of the time change:

Continue reading 5 habits that take advantage of the time change

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Finding a Fall Routine

It is officially fall, and therefore I’m officially back in the swing of things! With the new season, it’s time for me to come back from a summer break from blogging. Continue reading Finding a Fall Routine

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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How to clean using just 5 eco-friendly (and cheap) cleaners

Today, let’s talk about how you can clean your entire living space using just five eco-friendly (and cheap) cleaning ingredients. Continue reading How to clean using just 5 eco-friendly (and cheap) cleaners

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!

Quick, easy weeknight meal: Baked Salmon en Papillote

Sigh. It’s a weeknight. You’re tired. You’re hungry. You’re out of dinner ideas. Never fear! I have a quicky, easy weeknight meal for you to try. Today, I am going to introduce a meal that is versatile, quick, and easy to cook. The technique – “en papillote” – is one you can use over and over with a variety of ingredients. Continue reading Quick, easy weeknight meal: Baked Salmon en Papillote

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!

How to be Productive

I’m going to share a secret about one of the most productive ways you can get the latest news and information: listen to audiocasts. Why? Because you can do other tasks while listening, you can access the content easily if you have a smartphone, and it prevents you from reading from a screen.
Continue reading How to be Productive

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!

How to Keep a New Year’s Resolution Going: 5 Tips

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, but not everyone keeps them! Here are 5 tips on how to keep a New Year’s resolution.
Continue reading How to Keep a New Year’s Resolution Going: 5 Tips

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!

How to make holiday meals easier

I am always amazed at the fun that can be had cooking a holiday meal with family. And, it is even more fun (and easier) if you prepare the night before. Here are six steps you can take the night before a holiday to make cooking the next day a breeze:
Continue reading How to make holiday meals easier

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!

Should you spend more time building your strengths or overcoming your weaknesses?

Apparently, many of us are not living to our fullest potential. Based on a Gallup poll analysis, people who don’t have the opportunity to spend time building their strengths at work are six times less likely to be engaged in their job. In fact, of the ten million surveyed in this poll, seven million did not fully operate in their strengths zone. 1

Continue reading Should you spend more time building your strengths or overcoming your weaknesses?

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
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Notes:

  1. Rath, Tom. StrengthsFinder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press, 2007.

Seven Questions to Ask Your Team when Achieving a SMARTER Goal

Have you ever joined on a team and thought: “Why am I doing all the work?” or, “Why am I here? There’s no room for me to contribute.”

Teams are tricky. It takes thoughtful planning and a deliberate approach to cultivate a valuable team product—whether that means working family to host a birthday party or producing an annual report with work colleagues. A team achieves its best when members follow a SMARTER goal.

Continue reading Seven Questions to Ask Your Team when Achieving a SMARTER Goal

© 2017 Caitlin W Howe, LLC
Manners matter here! Not sure whether your comment is irrelevant, impolite, or disrespectful? Read my commenting rules Commenting Rules

The postings on this site are my own (unless otherwise stated) and don't necessarily represent any other organization's positions, strategies or opinions. Thanks!