Friday Feature: 7 Minutes to Productivity

The other day, I stumbled across an article on Twitter about a morning routine that would change my work life. It looked interesting, so I retweeted it, mainly so I could find it again. In the process, I found a comment another reader had left for the author:

"Jokes on you. I don't fall for this click-bait anymore."

Point taken (even though the reply wasn't meant for me). There are a ton of "habits of the most productive people" articles out there and I, too, have stopped clicking on them. No matter how many times I read about people meditating at 6 AM, that is not a habit I will replicate. I'm also not convinced that the same stuff/different day plan works well for everyone (although I do cherry-pick some worthwhile ideas from some of these pieces). As for me, I like changing up my routine from day to day.

But some days, a routine -- any routine -- just won't click into place. When I had one of those days earlier this week -- a not-quite-enough-sleep, not-nearly-enough-motivation day -- I went back to my Twitter feed to re-read the article.

And I tried it.

And I liked it.

Because it allowed me to step out of lockstep productivity mode (or, in my case, the lack thereof) and included pausing to tap into what was going on internally (which is usually why I'm procrastinating in the first place), it worked. There's a lot of research to back this up, too -- research that encourages us to let our minds wander first in order to focus them later (or, what we called "brainstorming" when I was a kid), and to delay the start of a project in order to allow ourselves to consider the possibilities.

The process was also a good match for one of my 20 in 2020 list items -- be mindful -- without requiring a huge, schedule-busting time commitment (my busted schedule was why I was trying this in the first place).

I'm not in the market for a morning routine overhaul, but this is one I'll keep in my back pocket for days when I should be. It gave me permission to just chill while also corralling my wayward thoughts in a time-limited way that got me off my duff and back to work.

Not a bad way to spend seven minutes.

Friday Feature: Building on Success

So often, we zoom in on our weaknesses, our imperfections and the things we've left undone. A part of human nature, this negativity bias is not a lot of fun. While it could be argued that this is how we grow stronger, more perfect and complete, it seems like a steady journey on this rocky road might be unnecessarily harsh.

What if there were another route?

Strengths-based approaches offer just that. They don't ignore the bad; they just focus on the good instead. Rather than focusing on fixing what's going wrong, they look at replicating what's going right.

In his article in Inc., Peter Economy shares two easy ways to do this so we can increase both our success and our happiness. Taking our successes from one area of our lives and applying them to another area is not only easier than starting from scratch, it's a lot more fun as well.

Sounds like the perfect plan for the most wonderful time of the year.

Friday Feature: Inbox Zero

I have written before about my desire to get to inbox zero, something that will probably happen when pigs fly. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found the article, "Why Inbox Zero is Ruining Our Lives," which echoes many of my sentiments. But, while it begins with the assertion that time spent reducing our inbox to zero could be better spent, it then goes on to explain ways we can aim for that elusive number. I took comfort in the fact that I have fewer emails in my inbox than the author has in his, but felt a little betrayed when he moved on to inbox management.

Luckily, I found "Why 'Inbox Zero' Is a Stupid Time Management Approach" to be more to my liking. It shares the same philosophy -- that we reduce overall productivity by spending perfectly good work time cleaning house, and it further asserts that so much of what's in our inboxes is worth ignoring. 

Don't get me wrong. I think inbox zero is an admirable goal but, having spent much too much time that could have been better spent trying to reach that seemingly unattainable goal, I've decided it isn't for me. Sure, from time to time when the number is too shocking, I'll make an effort to weed out junk and unsubscribe where I can, but I can think of lots of things I'd rather do than spend hours reducing virtual clutter.

And, when I look at that embarrassingly high number, it's nice to know I'm not alone.

Friday Feature: Critical Thinking

This week, I've been putting the finishing touches on the syllabus for my summer class (a more condensed -- and therefore intense -- version of a class I teach in fall and spring semesters). I've reviewed my objectives and assignments, read the course evaluations from my spring semester students and done the usual tweaking. It's ready to go, as is my to-do list of tools to adjust and create.

In other words, I've engaged in critical thinking.

As adults, we don't think of it that way. But any time we listen to someone else's perspective, make ourselves aware of our own biases or choose to accept someone we care about despite an egregious difference of opinion in one area or another, we're practicing this skill, even if we don't label it as such.

As an instructor, sharpening this skill in my students is one of my priorities and therefore one of my stated course objectives in every course I teach. In a world where it's easy to confuse clicking the "like" button with forming a considered opinion, I want to, at the very least, teach in a way that encourages my students to exercise their brains.

Is this merely an academic exercise? I don't think so. In fact, I think teaching college students how to think (for themselves) instead of teaching them what to think is one of the most important things we can do for them. While this may seem like a luxury when a year of college costs more than most cars, it's a skill that transfers to the world after graduation.

Case in point: an article in Inc. that focuses on mental exercises that will make us (in the real world, not the educational world) better critical thinkers. Author Larry Alton "is an independent business consultant specializing in social media trends, business, and entrepreneurship" -- in other words, someone with his feet firmly planted in the world outside academia, which is my students' desired destination.

Alton's article had me nodding and smiling, in part because of the connections he made (critical thinking can improve creativity), in part because the ideas were so easy to do, and, in part because they're the very things I seek to incorporate into my classes.

While some students of my students embrace critical thinking, others fight it. Among the evaluations I received last semester was one advising me to teach only the material that would be on the test.

Not gonna happen.

Friday Feature: Wisdom from RBG

Last night, I was scrolling through Twitter and a priest I know from Twitter only (NOT one of my parish priests) posed a snide question along these lines: "Have you ever met a feminist who is kind or gentle?" I'm taking liberty with the quotation marks as I don't remember the exact wording. I only remember how it made me feel.

This was a member of the clergy, not only stereotyping but writing off an entire segment of his congregation as not meeting standards of human kindness. I thought of any number of snarky remarks, but those would only prove his point. I thought about him being on the other side of the screen or, heaven forbid, face-to-face with me during the sacrament of reconciliation. I thought about how he'd feel if I wrongly painted him with the broad brush of scandal that the church is facing right this minute.

In the end, I said nothing. His mind was made up and our views were clearly different enough that he wasn't someone I wanted to continue following as I was sure I'd offend him at some point.

And he'd already offended me.

When I re-read today's feature article, I wish I'd remembered it last night. The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a kinder, gentler feminist. She is diminutive, soft-spoken and smart, smart, smart. She has earned her spot on the Supreme Court step-by-step beginning, perhaps, by graduating first in her class at Columbia Law School.

In his Inc. article, "17 Powerfully Inspiring Quotes from Ruth Bader Ginsburg," Peter Economy leads into those 17 quotes with this one: 

"Ginsburg is a powerful example of someone who lives her beliefs and isn't afraid to voice them."

The same, I suppose, could be said of that priest, though when it comes to phrasing, I think he could learn a thing or two from Justice Ginsburg.

Then again, I suppose that's true for all of us.

Friday Feature: How to be Successful

What is success? Financial freedom? A job you love? Travel? A happy life?

All of the above?

Since we all define success a little differently, we all discover it a little differently as well. In his article in Inc., Benjamin P. Hardy focuses on how we can unwittingly create our own obstacles, making the path to reaching our goals longer and more circuitous than it has to be.

Since my freshmen have just finished discussing Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this piece was especially interesting to me, as so much of Covey is about setting priorities and building our personal and professional lives around them. I love teaching this each fall because it gives me an annual refresher and a check-up -- am I putting first things first? Beginning with the end in mind? I think this article might serve the same purpose: a check-in, of sorts, to remind me to consider the impact of small habits.

What is one step that you can take today toward your own success?

Friday Feature: 17 Quotes from Stephen Hawking

Anyone who's known me for any length of time knows math and science aren't my pursuits. Those same people have probably also heard me say that I had a fantastic physics teacher, and that if Mr. Faubl couldn't teach me physics, no one can.

My lack of ability in physics doesn't mean that I'm not fascinated by science, though, and some of that has to do with not just Mr. Faubl, but also scientists who brought their ideas into the mainstream.

One of those scientists is Dr. Stephen Hawking, who passed away on Tuesday. That day, I found an article in Inc. by one of my favorite business writers, Peter Economy, featuring 17 of Dr. Hawking's quotes. One of the quotes was particularly appropriate for a positive psychology class I'm teaching, so I copied it and used on my slides for Tuesday's class:

"However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there's life, there's hope."

Indeed.

Want to read the other sixteen quotes? Click here.

Rest in peace, Dr. Hawking.

Friday Feature: Remarkably Simple Habits

Ah, a day off. A day in the middle of the week all to myself means skipping the schedule and meandering through the day, right?

Not if I'm smart.

When I read Peter Economy's article, "5 Remarkably Simple Daily Habits that will Change Your Life," I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was doing (almost) all of them. True, my vacation day schedule looks quite a bit different from my work day schedule, but each begins with the same routine -- and with a list. From there, some meandering definitely takes place, but sticking to some semblance of structure -- albeit a loose one -- really does make the day more productive and more relaxing.

Although I have to work on what I'm staying hydrated with (more water, less caffeine) and I will never be a "wake up early" kind of girl, according to this article, I'm on the right track to changing my life.

Or at least keeping things running smoothly.

Friday Feature: Training Your Brain

Brain research fascinates me. New technologies that enable us to see the human brain in action can teach us so much about brain development and brain health, not to mention suggesting interventions and strategies that can help to keep the brain healthy.

Unfortunately, a misreading or misrepresentation of research can also inspire "solutions" that range from useless to dangerous. Fearful of losing our faculties to Alzheimer's, or even the natural process of aging, we can be easy prey for products that promise to prevent these things, especially when they carry the what looks like a research seal of approval.

Often, simply making an existing practice a habit is all we need to preserve our health, our intellect and our well-being. If you're looking for some easy ways to strengthen your brain, check out this article in Inc. by Peter Economy. Easy and fun, these strategies are habit-forming which, in this case, is a good thing.

Are You More Creative Than You Think?

What does "creative" mean to you? Artistic? Musical? Poetic?

In this article from Inc., Molly Reynolds argues that creativity extends beyond the narrow definition most of us carry around. Creativity is an approach, an outlook and, above all, a hedge against failure.

I love this idea. Looking at creativity in this broad brush fashion pretty much guarantees that we all have at least a little creativity in us, which is a pretty nice thought. And using creativity as a means of triumphing over failure puts us in the driver's seat when things go wrong, as they inevitably will.

How are you creative?

Friday Feature: Planting Seeds

Have you ever gotten to the end of the day and wondered what you did all day?

Yeah. Me too.

As an educator, one of my favorite quotes is this one from Robert Louis Stevenson:

Teachers plant seeds daily, having faith that, one day, those seeds will sprout and, collectively, a forest will spring up. But, on a day to day basis, the view is seeds and soil, with an occasional sprout to keep hope alive. 

The fact is, that's how it is for most of us, most days. Whether we're parents, business people or creative artists, each day, we show up and we plant seeds.

In this article in Inc., Josh Linkner asserts that this is what successful people do. Planting seeds is part of the process -- a necessary part of the process, not just of being professional, but of being human.

So, whether you have a green thumb or, like me, leave the gardening to others with more talent in that area, you probably plant seeds every day, whether through teaching, training or even  conversation. Even on the days you feel as though the weed are closing in, there is probably some morsel of good that you've done. 

Next time you wonder what you've done all day, think about those seeds. You never know when -- or where -- they might take root.

Friday Feature Draft: Courageous People

I've never thought of myself as particularly courageous. I try to be brave when the situation calls for it, but if you asked for a list of my top ten traits, neither courage nor bravery would be on it.

I've never really considered what creates courage, or what habits courageous people practice. Reading this piece by Peter Economy made me think about courage and fearlessness in a completely different way; I never really thought about open mindedness or perseverance being connected to courage.

Worth a read. You just might discover that (to borrow from A. A. Milne) "You are braver than you believe... [and] stronger than you seem."

Friday Feature: Think Positive

I love positive psychology. I mean, what could be more fun than reading about happiness and optimism and then, on top of that, finding out that they're good for you?

Okay, that last part isn't so surprising. And yet it is.

The impact of all of this positivity is far-reaching, impacting not just our mood, but our health and longevity as well.

Want to know how to leverage all of this great stuff and use it to slow the aging process? Check out this article from Inc.

And have a happy day.

Friday Feature: Trailblazing Tips from a Top Trailblazer

Over the past few years, I've become a big fan of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. My enthusiasm for the tiny, feisty Supreme Court Justice began in an unusual way; I found a sidebar about her in the textbook required for the general psychology class I was teaching. I did some more reading so I could use her story as a jumping off point for a discussion on ageism, and the more I read, the more interested I became.

And so, as the mother of a daughter, it's not at all surprising that I was interested in reading her advice on how to raise a trailblazing daughter.

I think I have one of those at my house. And I know she could do a lot worse than the Notorious RBG as a role model.

How will you raise your trailblazer?

Friday Freebie: What I'm Reading in Ten Minutes or Less: Getting Stuff Done

clipartbest.com

I always love reading helpful hints about how to be more productive and efficient, especially when they aren't one-size-fits-all, "this is how you do it" pieces. So, when I found Peter Economy's article, 9 Powerful Habits for Getting Important Things Done, I decided it was worth a look. And when his first two tips were "Do the hard stuff now" and "…do the easy stuff now," I knew it was my kind of piece.

Wishing you a productive weekend where you get the important stuff done, and make time for some  R & R as well. I'm off to do the easy stuff :-)