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Articles from Lisa Montanaro | Selfgrowth.com
- The Power of Unscheduling Your Calendar: Giving Priority to Typically Unstructured Activities - by Submitted on May 11, 2018 from Lisa MontanaroThere is a practice that I have been using for years when it comes to my schedule and how I allocate my time. It is a habit I started doing years ago because I am very calendar-focused. I pretty much put everything on my calendar. And by everything, I mean even activities that most people ...
Views: 959 - Want to Be More Focused & Productive? Take a Bite Out of a Tomato... Introducing The Pomodoro Technique - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2016 from Lisa MontanaroMost of us want to be more productive and focused. We want to get more done in less time, and work smarter, as opposed to harder. But we also live in the real world, where we have responsibilities, to-do's piling up, people relying on us, and a laundry list of tasks that we want to get ...
Views: 1081 - Effectively Dealing with Interruptions: Don’t Break the "Flow"! - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2016 from Lisa MontanaroImagine you are on a roll, engrossed in a project, in the "flow." All of a sudden, the phone rings, an e-mail alarm goes off, a colleague is standing in your doorway, a text message is coming through on your smart phone, etc. Ah, interruptions. If you didn’t define all of those as an ...
Views: 1087 - How to Maximize Your Time: 5 Powerful Tips to Become a Super Achiever - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2015 from Lisa MontanaroOne of the greatest challenges for busy, successful and creative people juggling several projects, talents and ideas is to live a well-balanced life. If only we could do all that is on our personal and professional 'to do' lists while simultaneously attending to our health, nurturing our ...
Views: 1866 - A Rare, But Powerful, Time Management Treat: Honor Appointments With Yourself! - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2015 from Lisa MontanaroIn the world of time management, we give a lot of weight to appointments that we set with other people, or events and meetings that we have to attend. We block them out on our calendar and then we make a commitment to show up unless there is a true emergency. And that is certainly a good thing. ...
Views: 1207 - An Alternative New Year's Ritual – The One Word Theme - by Submitted on Jan 15, 2015 from Lisa MontanaroAround this time of year when we flip the calendar from one year to the next, most people make a long list of New Year's Resolutions. It is a noble idea in theory, but often in practice, doesn't amount to much. Resolutions often get cast aside and discarded, making their creators feel inadequate ...
Views: 1141 - A Year in Review: How Do You Measure Success? - by Submitted on Dec 04, 2014 from Lisa MontanaroSo we are coming to the end of another year. And a particularly popular exercise that a lot of people do at the end of the year is to look back and reflect on their activities, goals, and achievements to determine if the year has been a successful one. But this begs the question: How do you ...
Views: 1069 - Still Don’t Know What You Want To Be When You Grow Up? It Ain’t Over Just Yet! - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2014 from Lisa MontanaroThink back to when you were just a wee little boy or girl. Do you remember the question people used to ask all of the time? “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I was thinking about that question today and realized that on so many levels, it is totally unfair! First, how in the world do ...
Views: 1472 - Basking in the Valley of Your New Normal - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2014 from Lisa MontanaroThere's a concept that keeps coming up lately when I'm doing coaching and consulting with my clients. It's the concept of experiencing the valley of your "new normal." It could be a huge change that you're making to your business, like adding on a new income stream, or closing down a division ...
Views: 1504 - What's Your "Art"? Make Sure You Let It Out Personally or Professionally - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2014 from Lisa MontanaroIn the amazing book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, she discusses the concept that all of us have an "art" that runs deep within us yearning to break out. This art can literally be an artistic talent like painting, writing, or performing, but it could also be something else entirely. It can ...
Views: 1396 - Labels, Schmabels: Extroverts & Introverts Don't Always Fall Into Neat Little Boxes - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2014 from Lisa MontanaroThere is a common misconception that all introverts like to, and want to, be alone most of the time, and all extroverts like to, and want to, be with other people almost all of the time. In my experience, I haven't found this generalization to be true. Take me, for example. I am categorized ...
Views: 1245 - Change Is Not a One Night Stand! Transformation Takes Time and Attention - by Submitted on Nov 15, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroI am noticing a pattern or theme that keeps coming up for many of my clients lately. They express their strong desire for change (whether it be to grow their business or improve or change something in their life or career), but that they don't "have the time" to devote to the change process. ...
Views: 1056 - Crazy-Busy Is Not a Badge of Honor! - by Submitted on Nov 15, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroDo you ever wake up feeling stressed just thinking about your day? Phone calls, emails, errands, and appointments. These days it doesn’t matter how early you wake up, the fact is you will already be behind schedule. Because time in our culture is moving so fast. It's like a race to get to the ...
Views: 1067 - Stay Connected, Not Addicted, by Using Technology Wisely - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroWith all of the technology devices at our fingertips these days, it is easier than ever to stay connected 24-7. But, how do we balance the need and desire to stay connected with the danger of technology taking over? By continuing to be the master of technology, not the servant! I travel a lot ...
Views: 1485 - Time Management in a Bucket: A Creative Way to Manage Your Time - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroTime management has become one of those over-used terms, in my opinion, and has lost its luster. Many people think that time management an ever-elusive skill or concept that they will never master, and have just sort of given up (kind of like life-work balance, but I will save that for another ...
Views: 1505 - What Does it Mean to "Be Productive?" Different Strokes for Different Folks - by Submitted on May 31, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroRecently, I posted the following series of questions on my Facebook business page: How do you define being "productive"? Do you think of it as literally producing more? Or is it about helping you feel more in control or "balanced"? Do you tie it into impacting your bottom line and making more ...
Views: 1090 - Cinderella Actually Had 3 Ugly Step Sisters: The 3 Blocks to Success - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroIf you ask most people want they want for their career, business or life, often the word Success comes up at some point. Indeed, many of us want to be successful. So what stops some people from being successful but not others? A whole host of things. It is often said that success leaves ...
Views: 1118 - Consistency Trumps Commitment: Focus on Loving the Results, Not The Activity - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2013 from Lisa MontanaroRecently, I was preparing the garbage and recycling to bring to the curb for pick up, and my husband was watching me and chuckled "It's so funny. You really like doing the recycling, don't you?" I stopped and thought about it, and then replied, "I don't necessarily like the activity, but I love ...
Views: 1456 - Creating an "Absolute Yes List" and "Just Say No List:" A Worthwhile Exercise for Achieving Success in Your Life, Career & Business - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroWe all have goals -- or in New Year's parlance, resolutions. We all have visions of what we'd like our lives, careers, and business to be. For many people, thinking about what you would like to change and transform is the easy part. The tough part is actually turning those goals and visions into ...
Views: 1448 - Decide to Decide! Learn to Become a Master Decision Maker - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroWe make decisions every day -- some trivial and some very important. Stop and ask yourself if you generally have issues with making these decisions. Do you fret over them? Does the idea or reality of making decisions freak you out? Well, if so, Decide to Decide! Becoming adept at decision ...
Views: 1344 - The Wisdom of Creating a Not-To-Do List - by Submitted on Sep 27, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroAs a productivity consultant, success coach, and business strategist, it is my "job" to ensure that my clients are being the most productive they can be in order to be successful. Or is it? It may come as a surprise that many of my clients seek me out not to be more productive, but to actually ...
Views: 1235 - Change is Good: I’ll Go First! - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroThe only constant thing in our lives is change. However, few people like -- much less love -- changing. There are many famous quotes about change, all conveying the same general message: that change is inevitable and scary, but good. Any time we make a change in life, whether we initiated that ...
Views: 1268 - Who is There to Pull You Up By Your Boots in Business? - by Submitted on Mar 23, 2012 from Lisa Montanaro"None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody -- a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns -- bent down and helped pick us up by our boots." ~ Thurgood Marshall In the quote above, Justice Marshall was onto something ...
Views: 1271 - Done is Better Than Perfect! - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroSo, you are a perfectionist. And proud of it! And in some ways, that serves you really well. You maintain high standards, delivery quality, and people value your level of expertise. But sometimes, that perfectionism is causing you stress, procrastination, and depriving the world of receiving ...
Views: 1265 - Finding the Healthy Balance of "Control" - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2012 from Lisa MontanaroAs a productivity consultant whose business is founded on the idea of making people's lives easier and more manageable, I spend nearly every day thinking about control in some sense. Control is strange when you stop to really think about it. Is it a concept? An idea? Or a goal? And is it ...
Views: 1292 - Organize to Minimize Holiday Chaos - by Submitted on Dec 16, 2011 from Lisa MontanaroOverwhelmed just thinking about the upcoming holiday season? Relax. If you take a little time to plan your holiday season, it will be more enjoyable for you and your family! Focus on practicing good organizational techniques and time management principles. Here are some tips to make the ...
Views: 1071 - Communication is Key to Financial Wellness in a Relationship - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2011 from Lisa MontanaroYou often hear that money is one of the biggest reasons why people get divorced. Likewise, in business, differences over money cause many partnerships to split up. But money itself it not the problem. The problem is the lack of communication and differences in opinion as to the role that money ...
Views: 958 - Harness the Power of Technology to Boost Productivity - by Submitted on Sep 20, 2011 from Lisa MontanaroPowerful smart phones, computers, tablets, websites, software, blogs and social media. There are so many technology tools and gadgets these days that it is hard to keep up! On the other end of the spectrum are people that are glued to their devices, addicted to their "Crackberry." Indeed, for ...
Views: 1316 - Procrastination: Time Management’s Enemy - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2011 from Lisa MontanaroAh, procrastination. Most people experience it at one time or another. Procrastination can be a deep-seated problem involving fear of failure or success, or a natural result of overload. Regardless of why you are experiencing procrastination, there are ways to overcome it! How you choose to ...
Views: 1937 - Repeat After Me: "I Resolve to Take Action on my New Year's Resolutions" - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroAh, New Year's Resolutions. They come but once per year, and cause quite a stir. Indeed, people talk about their New Year's Resolutions quite freely. A small portion of people even write them down. But how many truly achieve them? The number is probably dismally small. Why? Because most people ...
Views: 1305 - Do You Suffer From Temporary Organizing Paralysis? - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroAs you start the organizing journey, you may suffer from what I like to call, Temporary Organizing Paralysis. This is when you start organizing, freeze up, stare at all of the stuff and think, "Where do I begin?" "What am I going to do with all of this stuff?" Realize that it will get worse ...
Views: 1462 - Do You Understand Your Own Business Agreement? - by Submitted on Jul 30, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroWhen you agree to perform services for a client, and the client agrees to pay you for such services, you and your client have entered into a legal contract, often referred to as an agreement. The terms of the agreement, however, are difficult to recall and prove unless in writing. A written ...
Views: 1361(5 votes) - Organizing After the Loss of a Loved One - by Submitted on May 12, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroI have worked with many clients over the years to organize after the loss of a loved one. Living in the greater NY metropolitan area, I helped many 9-11 widows and widowers organize after losing a loved one in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. It is an emotionally draining process. My ...
Views: 1911(1 vote) - Organizing & Marriage: 'Til Death (or Disorganization!) Do You Part - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroI've worked with many couples as a professional organizer over the last 7 years. Many of them are married, some are domestic partners, others just roommates, etc. My background as a trained mediator often comes in handy during these client sessions. Often, during an organizing assessment, a ...
Views: 1573(3 votes) - Drowning in Paper Clutter? Grab a RAFT & Sail to an Organized Shore! - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroPaper. It should be a benign part of our lives. It means no harm, really. But somehow, when it piles up and has a paper party with its friends, it becomes dreaded clutter! What to do? Grab a RAFT and sail to an organized shore! (Okay, technically, it should be RAFTS, plural, but that just ...
Views: 3659(1 vote) - Don’t Fall Into the Trap of the Shoemaker’s Shoes: Benefit From Your Own Expertise! - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroHow many of us have heard the old familiar phrase, "The shoemaker's children always go without shoes?" This phrase has become synonymous with almost anyone neglecting his or her own business. We are all guilty of it now and again. We get so busy working in the business that we forget to 'mind ...
Views: 1546 - What the St. Lucians Can Teach Us About Running a Successful Business - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroI am always amazed at how travel can improve your business and your life. Recently, my husband and I visited the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia. It was a fantastic vacation by all accounts. The island is a marvel of nature with soaring peaks, an active volcano, lush rainforests, ...
Views: 1364 - Stop the Madness: Get Off of Junk Mail Lists! - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroA large percentage of my clients face paper clutter challenges. Despite visions of a paperless society when the computer was invented, we are still inundated with paper at home and at work. One of the biggest culprits is “junk mail” — those credit card solicitations, catalogs, circulars, and ...
Views: 1582(2 votes) - Organizing Tips for the Entryway - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2010 from Lisa MontanaroThe entryway. Depending on your home, it can be an entire mud room with lots of space, a formal foyer at the front of your house, a breezeway from the garage, or a portion of a hall in a small apartment. Regardless of where it is, or its size, if it is organized, your homecoming will always be ...
Views: 1608 - Want to Get Organized? Take a Page Out of Harry Potter - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroI am a big fan of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. I have read all seven of them, and each time a new movie version premieres, I make it a point to re-read that book before seeing the accompanying movie. I recently re-read the sixth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. ...
Views: 1304(1 vote) - Want to Avoid Getting Sidetracked? Own Your Interruptions! - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroImagine you are on a roll, engrossed in a project, in the "flow." All of a sudden, the phone rings, an e-mail alarm goes off, a colleague is standing in your doorway, a fax is coming over the machine, etc. Ah, interruptions. If you didn't define all of those as an interruption, think ...
Views: 2311(3 votes) - How to Survive the Daily E-Mail Attack - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroFor most people these days, keeping up with the daily onslaught of email is a major challenge. In fact, experts estimate that e-mail has added an extra 1.23 hours to the average person's workday (E-Writing: 21st Century Tools for Effective Communication by Diana Booher; Managing Your E-Mail by ...
Views: 1503(1 vote) - Attempting to Get Organized? Take it 'bird by Bird' - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroOne of the best books on writing - and life itself for that matter - is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Among the pearls of wisdom she offers in her funny, witty style, is to take baby steps. Apparently, when she was a child, her brother was facing writer's block as he attempted to write a book ...
Views: 1445(1 vote) - Know Your Limits When Taking on Volunteer Leadership Roles - Just Say No! - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroAs an entrepreneur or any other type of business professional, you are probably often asked to take on volunteer leadership positions, such as a Board member, a committee chair, etc. These roles can be incredibly satisfying from a personal and professional standpoint. However, it is often ...
Views: 2370(5 votes) - Time Management Tips: Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroTime management is a major issue for many people. And it's not getting any better. Experts estimate that during the last 25 years, our leisure time has declined by 37% while our workweek has increased by a full day. The American's Use of Time Project at the University of Maryland revealed that ...
Views: 1436(4 votes) - The Power of the Pareto Principle (aka the 80/20 Rule) - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroWhen I am conducting an organizing, time management or business related workshop, I often ask if anyone has heard of the Pareto Principle. I usually get a room full of blank stares. However, if I ask if anyone has heard of the 80/20 Rule, many people nod their heads yes, and have a better idea ...
Views: 1921(3 votes) - To-Do Lists: You Gotta Keep 'em Separated - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroTo-do lists. Just the name of them sounds exhausting. They have become the thorn in many of my client's side. Whether they are written in long form on paper, or maintained electronically on a computer or handheld device, they cause much stress. And here's one reason why. Most people ...
Views: 1412(1 vote) - Time: The Great Equalizer - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroThe phrase 'time management' has become one of the most oft-repeated phrases of our society. Almost everyone thinks they need to improve their time management skills. The problem is that most people aren't even examining what the real issue is. Instead, the average person will blame time itself. ...
Views: 4228(1 vote) - Multi-Tasking Decreases Productivity: Fact or Myth? - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2009 from Lisa Montanaro"To do two things at once – is to do neither." ~ Roman philosopher Publilius Syrus, 100 A.D. When we need to accomplish many tasks, we do 2-3 things at once, sometimes more. We do this in order to be more productive. Multi-tasking has basically become the American way. In fact, employers ...
Views: 2607(6 votes) - When Organizing, Trust Your Instincts! - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroI was working with a client recently to organize her home papers. We were purging papers that were no longer needed, and sorting the keepers into categories so that we could put them into files for future retrieval. So far, so good. My client confided that she considers herself organized at ...
Views: 1465(3 votes)