Automate the mundane
I took a heavy course load in the second semester of my freshman year at Marywood University. One of the ways I made it through was to...
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2 min read
Focus on the known
This spring I heard a keynote speech presented by Elina Fuhrman, who is also known as Soupelina. When she was talking about the steps she...
3 min read
Check two boxes
"Okay, time to wrap up work on your blog and head out for a walk/run," I said to myself. "But I don't want to go," I responded. "But...
3 min read
Learn the shortcuts
"I'm sure there are faster ways to get there, but I'm comfortable with the route I take." To a productivity geek like me, that's...
2 min read
Identify the next action
Years ago I read half of Getting Things Done while on jury duty. I never did finish the book (yes, I see the irony!) but there are two...
3 min read
Change your settings
The list of what we can't control is long. Many things, from the President to pouring rain, turbulence to taxes, are outside our...
2 min read
Finish
Do you have a bunch of projects that are mostly complete? Ones you started with enthusiasm, made good progress on, and then stalled? What...
3 min read
Address your stress
This summer has been a stressful one. My full-time job always gets busier this time of year because of a reduction of my team members'...
3 min read
Unsubscribe
Do you want to give your email so you can get coupons and a free product on your birthday?" "Nope." As a productivity junkie, I've often...
2 min read
Begin
What's been on your to-do list for way too long? A closet or room that needs to be cleaned out? A project or side business you've been...
2 min read
Press the easy button
In a 2013 blog post, Martha Beck challenged readers, "Every time you set out to do any task, ask yourself, 'Is there an easier way?' Or,...
2 min read
Eat your frog
Just like my advice to modify your diet wasn't about changing your eating habits, this post is not encouraging you to travel to faraway...
3 min read
Decide when
Amy: "Could you please proofread my article for me?" Beth: "Sure, just send it over!" Three days later... Amy: "Do you have feedback on...
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Release your brain
Although there's no such thing as keeping score in meditation, if there were, I would lose. My brain is constantly going, and even though...
3 min read
Do one thing at a time
Raise your hand if years ago you proudly listed "multi-tasking" as a skill on your resume. My hand is raised. High. I figured it would be...
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Say no
One of my personal commandments is to say yes. So isn't a Pep Talk on saying no counter-intuitive? Not at all. The only way to be able to...
3 min read
Celebrate what's working
Many of us spend a good portion of our time feeling overwhelmed or behind schedule. We are so focused on what else is on our list, we...
3 min read
Build in transition time
Regular readers of the Pep Talk Blog and people who know me well might have noticed that I'm a bit obsessed with time. As a child my...
3 min read
Time yourself
43 seconds. That's how long it takes me to make the bed. (As you might guess, I'm a pull-up-the-sheet-and-duvet-and-arrange-a-few-pillows...
2 min read
Predict the predictable
"Ugh," I thought. "Not again." My eyes watered and my nose ran. Why? Because my allergy spray had run out. And even though the label...
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