3 Ways to Improve Your Office for Productivity
If you’re a business owner, whether you have staff or you’re solo, you know you need a dedicated space to work. You also know that the space you’re in affects how effective you can actually be, and the same is true for your staff.
Are Your Addictions Distracting You?
September is National Recovery Month, and while many addictions are frowned upon, some are socially acceptable. If a substance has you in its grip, you’re losing brain function to it. And if you’re a business owner or other type of knowledge worker, that means you’re losing productivity (and likely profit) as well.
Are You A Business Owner Who’s In Her Own Way?
Have you hit a profit plateau? Or maybe you’re thinking about changing the way you do business to a model that provides a higher margin. You might be able to break through your ceiling with the people that you have, but you’ll probably need to change some processes even if you don’t need to re-evaluate your staff.
But of course, as the business owner, you might be the biggest bottleneck of all!
5 Popular Business Myths That Hurt Your Business
As a business owner, you’re always trying to make the best use of your time. You’re aware that there are only so many hours in a day, and lots of things to do. Maybe you listen to productivity podcasts, or read books and articles, or even blogs and posts like this one.
Which is great… unless you’re reading something that’s based on a myth. Or great for a lion sleep chronotype, and you’re a bear (like me) or wolf or dolphin. Or something that’s based on popular culture that actually doesn’t match up with how human brains actually work.
Why Modern American Business Culture Is Bad for Productivity (For Business Owners)
Do you feel like you don’t have enough hours in the day as a business owner? Or do you feel like you have plenty of time to get everything done?
If you live and work in the US, the chances are you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. It’s not necessarily true, but our culture can definitely make you think that there is always more work to be done and that you need to be busy.
But why is that culture so bad for productivity in the workplace?
Your Knowledge Business Needs You To Listen to Music
Did you play an instrument as a kid? Do you still play? Whatever the answer is to those two questions, music can play a big part in a more productive workplace. September is Classical Music Month, but even if you hate classical music, it’s a great month to get back in tune with the music you do like. (See what I did there? I slay me.)
What Business Owners Can Learn From My Birthday
It’s the week of my birthday, and as I like to do every year, I write about what I’ve learned. Sometimes I’ve learned more about my work, and sometimes more about myself. This past year was a little more difficult than others have been, but experience is a strong teacher. Whether I like it or not!
What To Do (Instead of Work) For a More Productive Day
If you’re a human, then you’ve got a human brain. (If you’re not a human, then feel free to skip this article.) And for a variety of reasons, human brains aren’t meant to be completely “on” 16 hours out of the day, even if you get the 8 hours sleep you need at night.
If you’re trying to cram at work and just bear down and blast through, you’re doing yourself and your brain a disservice. Not only that, you’re giving yourself a less productive day and less chance to get the important things done. (As a reminder, busy is not productive!)
Woman Founder On a Mission? Here’s How to Start Speaking to Spread the Message
I won’t lie, I love speaking. Especially in front of live groups, because I love an audience. I’m eager to share my mission of bringing more joy to business owners without sacrificing their profits to as many founders as possible! I typically work with entrepreneurs who also have a mission in mind, and speaking is an excellent way to get your message to more people.
Do You Know The 7 Ps for Productivity in the Workplace?
August 1 is Planner Day, and we’re all rejoicing!
OK, some of us are rejoicing. People who like to plan love Planner’s Day! After all, prior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.
I’m Not on Threads and I Don’t Need To Be
July is Social Wellness month (which I’m sure you have circled in red on your calendar.) I don’t know about you, but I could always be well-er. I’m not an expert on social wellness, but I do know a few things not to do.
Working Smart Is All About the Brain
Why do I call myself the Chief Brain Hacker instead of Founder/CEO (which are also accurate titles)? Many of my audience members get a little kick out of it. A little novelty, if you will (or even if you won’t) that human brains like. You might even get a little dopamine hit from hearing a new title that you weren’t expecting.
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Productivity
How did I get into all this productivity work? Basically, because I’m a big nerd. The 13th is Embrace Your Geekness Day, so why don’t we celebrate our nerdery together?
Will AI Help You Reclaim Your Time?
People who know I’m also a writer like to ask me about AI, and I occasionally mention it when I’m speaking on productivity for one reason or another. I have some thoughts about AI, and figured this week might be a good time to drop them. Strap in!
6 Ways to Stay Productive on Social Media
We all need social interaction because it’s a basic human need just like water, food, and sleep are. It may not be as obvious because a lack of social interaction won’t kill you or cause physical changes like the other three do, but it will harm your brain. Getting enough socialization also makes for a productive day.
Shouldn’t spending more time on social media make you more productive too, then?
Prepare For a Day Full of Productivity!
Do not leave any second of the day unaccounted for on June 20th, which is World Productivity Day! Your planner needs to be full, so make up things to do (especially satisfying if they’re meaningless and you can check them off at the end of the day.) Make sure you have every productivity software app installed so you can open them and be ready to go on the 20th.
Best Way to Celebrate National Email Week?
“If you’re not pissing somebody off, you’re not doing your job.”
That’s what my project manager told me about consulting. When I talk to prospects and clients about productivity in the workplace and improving time management skills, the biggest piece of advice is the one they hate the most. When I say to them: turn off your email notifications.
Being Productive in the Great Outdoors
Take your desk outside and get to work!
Kidding. That’s not necessarily the way to have a more productive day.
To Sleep, Perchance to be Productive
I think most people enjoy getting enough sleep, and worry they’re not getting enough. But some people claim they need only 4-5 hours a night.
Bragging about your lack of sleep tells me you’re not productive, just sleep-deprived (though you may be “busy” instead).
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Welcome to the club! Is your special hangout the firehose of information that never seems to turn off? Having too many people around you (or going to too many events)? Too many things to do at work and/or at home, or racing thoughts?