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Productivity Coaching, Time Management Consulting and Leadership Coaching for business and nonprofits - get your most important work done. Collaborating with leaders and their teams to become more strategic, focused and productive. Leadership and Board Coaching, Strategic Planning Facilitation, Productivity Coaching and Time Management Consulting, Professional Speaker.
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09 Apr

Posted at 19:36h in Envision Possibilities, Intentional Productivity, Tips for Easier Living

Friction Points: How to Spot Them—and Solve Them: Small changes that make life easier.

You know those little annoyances that quietly follow you around? The thing that’s just inconvenient enough to bug you—but not urgent enough to fix. So it lingers. Day after day. Slightly draining your energy. Taking more effort than it should. Living rent-free in your life.

That’s a friction point.

And here’s the thing: most friction points are completely fixable. We just don’t stop long enough to do something about it. Instead, we work around them. We tolerate them. We tell ourselves, “It’s fine.” But what if it didn’t have to be?

How to Spot (and Solve) a Friction Point

If something has been mildly frustrating you for a while, it’s worth paying attention to. A small fix can create a surprisingly big shift. Here’s a simple process to work through it:

1) Notice the issue: What’s been bothering you—even just a little? If it’s recurring, it’s worth your attention.

2) Identify the problem: Why is this bothering you? What’s actually not working?

3) Consider solutions: You can go structured (pros/cons, ranking options)… Or intuitive (pick something that feels like it might work). Either is fine—this is about movement, not perfection.

4) Implement: Try something. Not the perfect thing. Just a thing.

5) Assess (and tweak if needed): Did it help? If yes—great. If not—adjust and try again.

Example #1: Recycling

1) Notice the issue: For a long time, I noticed that getting my recycling to the garage in my condo building was a hassle—but I didn’t stop to really think about it.

2) Identify the problem: The issue wasn’t recycling itself—it was that I didn’t have an efficient way to store and transport it. I was making multiple trips, dropping things, and dealing with clutter in my space.

3) Consider solutions: I tried using a grocery cart, which helped a bit. But what I really needed was a larger, contained space to hold bulky recycling—something that wouldn’t require constant trips downstairs.

4) Implement: I bought a Hulkie—a large rolling bin—and started keeping it in my guest room. Now I toss all bulky recycling into it as it accumulates.

5) Assess: It works beautifully. I only need to take the bulk recycling down once every week or two, and it’s easy. It’s become an autopilot system—and something I no longer think about. And…it no longer frustrates me!

Example #2: This Blog

I’ve been blogging since 2008. That’s a long time—and if I’m being honest, I’ve gotten bored with the process.  So sometime’s it’s hard to stay on my schedule. But I still believe it matters. So instead of stopping, I asked: Is there a way to make this easier?

1) Notice the issue: I knew I wasn’t blogging consistently—even though it’s something I care about.

2) Identify the problem: The issue wasn’t ideas or skill. It was motivation. I needed more than “I should do this” to get started.

3) Consider solutions: I tried batching posts—didn’t work. I tried putting it on my task list—too easy to ignore. I realized I needed a stronger cue and some external accountability.

4) Implement: I asked my virtual assistant to email me at the beginning of each month asking for my blog post.

5) Assess: It works. That email sitting in my inbox is just enough of a nudge to get me to write. I do the writing, and she handles the rest. The system supports consistency without forcing it. And…you get a post every month!

The Bigger Point

Friction points aren’t just annoyances. They’re opportunities. Each one is a place where your life could be easier, smoother, and more aligned with how you actually want to work and live.

But only if you pause long enough to notice—and choose to do something about it.

You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just start with one thing. One small friction point. Fix it. And then notice how much lighter everything feels.

Your Turn

Now I’m curious about you… What’s a friction point in your life that you’ve been quietly tolerating?

Something small. Something recurring. Something that’s just annoying enough to drain your energy—but not urgent enough that you’ve fixed it.

Now that you’ve noticed it, what might your solution be?

Drop it in the comments—your friction point and one possible fix. You don’t need a perfect answer. Just a starting point. Because once you name it and give it a little attention, it’s often much easier to solve than you think.

Ready to make work easier?

If this idea of reducing friction resonates with you, my book Productivity for How You’re Wired, goes deeper into how to design systems, routines, and workflows that actually work for you—not against you. Because when your work fits how you’re wired, everything gets easier. You can find it on Amazon in print, eBook, and audio.

18 Mar

Posted at 11:27h in Attention Managment, Focus and Prioritize, Organize to Thrive, Tips for Easier Living

While I don’t consider myself an ADHD coach, over the years in my work as a professional organizer, coach, and productivity trainer I’ve had a great deal of training and learned a lot about supporting clients who live with ADHD and other executive function challenges. Although I haven’t worked hands-on in clients’ physical spaces since before the pandemic — hard to believe that’s now six years ago — I spent two decades organizing homes and offices after launching my business in 2001. I added coaching to my practice in 2008 and began fully integrating organizing and coaching work in 2011.

Recently, a colleague invited me to present on organizing at the International ADHD Virtual Conference. Preparing for that session reminded me that many of the principles I’ve taught for years are especially helpful for people whose brains process decisions, structure, and follow-through differently.

Here are a few highlights — ideas that can help anyone create systems that make life easier.

  • When people think about getting organized, they often imagine labeled bins, color-coded planners, or picture-perfect spaces. But real organization — the kind that truly supports your life — isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about reducing friction.
  • Being organized is not a personality trait or a moral virtue. It’s a quality-of-life strategy. It reduces stress, saves time, and prevents unnecessary frustration so you can direct your energy toward what matters most. Small systems make a big difference. Something as simple as consistently putting your keys in the same place can eliminate daily stress. These practical habits reduce frition and create calm and reliability in otherwise busy lives.
  • When you make a decision to do something, pause and ask yourself “how am I going to remember to remember?”  It could be to put the box in front of the front door so you see it when you leave, or to set an alarm, or to put a note in your chair that you have to pick up to sit down.  But it has to be something! Your brain works off of cues, and if there is no cue to remember it’s just not going to happen.
  • A major reason organizing systems fail is that they don’t match how people are naturally wired. Each of us has a different structure preference — the amount of order and routine we need to function well. Some thrive with highly structured systems; others feel overwhelmed by too many rules. Many do best with moderate structure: enough clarity to support action, but not so much that it creates resistance. Understanding your structure preference helps you design systems that work with your behavior rather than against it. The goal is not perfection. The goal is usability.
  • This is why I often say: If it’s not easy, it’s too hard. Systems that require excessive decisions, effort, or maintenance rarely last. Simplifying processes — and limiting choices — conserves mental energy and improves follow-through.
  • A great example of this is underestimating how long tasks take. We tend to think only about the active portion — the meeting, the errand, the project work — and overlook preparation and cleanup. Planning for the full arc of a task reduces stress and creates more realistic expectations…and reduces friction because we anticipate more realistically.

Ultimately, organizing is not just about managing physical space. It is a foundational element of personal and professional productivity. When your environment supports your workflow, decision-making becomes easier, priorities become clearer, and momentum becomes more sustainable. Whether at home or at work, thoughtful organizing creates the conditions for better focus, stronger execution, and more intentional use of time and energy.

Where Can You Reduce Friction?

If you’d like more specific ideas, my book , Productivity for How You’re Wired, offers practical tools and insights to help you design systems that support the way you think, work, and live. Available on Amazon in print, eBook, and audio.

19 Feb

Posted at 18:40h in Attention Managment, Focus and Prioritize, Intentional Productivity, Productivity for Leaders, Stress Management

 

If the things that matter most keep getting pushed aside, the problem may not be time — it may be what’s competing for your attention.

Sorting through five days of mail after being out of town, I heard myself say – out loud – “I’m never subscribing to another magazine again.” It wasn’t really about the magazines. For years, when I’ve spoken about managing paper, we’ve talked about that subtle sense of obligation — the feeling that if something comes into our home or office, we should read it. We should give it our attention. And there I was, doing the very same thing.

My Harvard Business Review and Nutrition Action Health letter — the ones I actually value — were barely being opened. Meanwhile, I was spending my limited casual reading time on grocery store flyers, unsolicited catalogs, and local magazines I never asked for in the first place.

That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just mismanaging my reading. I was misdirecting my attention. And attention is one of our most precious resources.

A focus problem disguised as a paper problem

Overwhelm rarely comes from having too much that matters. It comes from too much that doesn’t competing for our attention. Every item we keep creates tiny decisions:

  • Should I read this?
  • When will I get to it?
  • Do I need this?

Those micro-decisions create mental clutter – and mental clutter makes focus harder. Today, this shows up far beyond paper. It’s the movie you’ve genuinely wanted to watch for months – the one you intentionally chose – competing with 60 TikTok’s you never meant to open. Same time spent. Very different result. One leaves you restored or inspired. The other leaves you wondering where the evening went. The issue isn’t time. It’s attention drift.

A better-aligned system

I needed a system that worked with my real life — not the life I imagined I should be living. So I made a few small changes:

  • I moved my priority reading to where I naturally sit — the kitchen island and family room.
  • I (ruthlessly) recycle unwanted material immediately.
  • I spend my reading time on what I intentionally chose, not what simply arrived.

Same 15 minutes. Completely different outcome.

Designing for how you actually live

Here’s another truth: most of my reading now happens on my computer or phone. My Substack and LinkedIn feeds bring thoughtful, relevant content aligned with my interests and work. So this isn’t about eliminating magazines — or streaming, or social media. It’s about being honest about what you value, how you naturally operate, and designing systems that support both. Because productivity isn’t about forcing yourself to work the “right” way. It’s about making it easier to do what matters.

The leadership connection

This same dynamic shows up at work every day. Leaders don’t struggle because they lack priorities. They struggle because too many non-priorities are allowed to compete with them.

  • Unread reports
  • Unnecessary meetings
  • Low-value requests
  • Constant digital noise

When everything asks for attention, the truly important work quietly loses. Productivity — for individuals and leaders alike — isn’t about doing more. It’s about protecting attention so the right work gets done.

The bigger picture

This small shift is about far more than reading material. It’s about:

  • Choosing intentionally instead of reacting automatically
  • Removing what competes for your attention
  • Making space for what matters most

When you do that, focus gets easier. Decisions get lighter. And overwhelm begins to fade. So if the things that matter to you aren’t getting your attention, don’t ask: “What’s wrong with me?”

Ask instead: “How can I make the important things easier to reach — and the unimportant things easier to let go?” That’s where thriving begins.  And it’s how work – and life – start to work better.

Protect What Matters Most

Attention is at the heart of productivity. In my book, Productivity for How You’re Wired, I help readers understand their unique productivity style and build systems that support focus, clarity, and meaningful progress — without forcing themselves into someone else’s method.

Available on Amazon in print, eBook, and audio.

09 Dec

Posted at 14:51h in Focus and Prioritize, Productivity, Stress Management, Tips for Easier Living

This post is an updated twist on one of my most-loved holiday articles — because some lessons are worth serving again.

As we move into the holiday season, life can start to resemble an overfilled dinner plate. Obligations, commitments, events, expectations — we heap them on, spoonful after spoonful, often choosing things that make others happy. But when we fill our plate with everyone else’s favorites, we leave no room for the mashed potatoes or cookies we genuinely love.

And that’s when dissatisfaction creeps in. We end the holidays depleted, unfulfilled… and somehow still hunting for dessert, hoping it will fill what’s missing.

A satisfying life isn’t an accident. It’s the result of intentionally making space for what nourishes you most — those holiday cookie moments that make everything richer, sweeter, and more meaningful.

Why We Don’t Put What We Want on Our Plate

Over the last year, through my work as a Productivity Coach, I’ve noticed something consistent: most people — regardless of their role or title — struggle to make room for what truly matters. We are all leaders of our own lives, yet we often forget to lead ourselves toward what satisfies us.

Here are three common patterns I see:

  1. We Put Our Passion Projects on the Back Burner

Do you have a project that excites you, inspires you, or simply brings you joy — yet somehow never makes it onto your schedule? Between daily demands, inboxes, meetings, and the business-of-business, the work that would actually fulfill us gets pushed aside in favor of what feels urgent.

There is a way to change this. You must plan for your satisfying work.

    • Break your project into small, doable steps
    • Prioritize those steps
    • Move them from the “when I have time” list to your Important or Hot list
    • Protect short blocks of time and work on it consistently

Progress is built one spoonful at a time. Think of it like the old saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Big, meaningful work doesn’t happen in one push — it happens in a series of intentional, bite-sized actions. Each spoonful counts. Each bite adds up. Before you know it, what once felt overwhelming becomes something you’ve already begun — and something you can absolutely finish.

  1. We Get Lost in Perfection

Do you hesitate to send something out because it isn’t “perfect”? Do you spend excessive time polishing work that is already more than good enough? Perfection is seductive — and it’s a brilliant disguise for procrastination. Here’s the truth: very good is often more valuable than perfect.

The difference between the two usually lives in the last 20% of effort — effort that rarely delivers meaningful return. Think of every tech company you know: they release imperfect updates all the time, because momentum matters more than flawlessness.

Excellence moves you forward. Perfection keeps you stuck.

  1. We Don’t Know How to Relax

For years, culture rewarded constant motion. Busy equaled important. If we weren’t doing, we weren’t valuable. Thankfully, that narrative is shifting — but we’re not sure what to replace it with. When I ask clients what they do to relax, I often hear a list of tasks:

    • I should read more
    • I should exercise more
    • I should organize the house

Those are activities, not rest. They’re doing, not being.

Real restoration happens when we quiet the shoulds and reconnect with what soothes us. Ask yourself:

    • What restores me?
    • What helps me exhale?
    • When do I feel like myself again?

For some it’s journaling. For others, it’s music, nature, or yes — a bubble bath. Relaxation is not a reward you earn. It’s a requirement you deserve.

Your Holiday Plate, Your Rules

These are trying times. The world is loud. Expectations are high. But satisfaction shows up when we choose — deliberately — what belongs on our plate.

So this season, ask yourself:

  • What nourishes me?
  • What satisfies me?
  • What deserves space on my plate?

My wish for you is simple: may you fill your holiday plate with what feeds your soul — not just your schedule.

🎁 A Gift That Brings More Joy Than Stuff

My book Productivity for How You’re Wired  makes a thoughtful, meaningful holiday gift — for a friend, a colleague, a family member, or for yourself. It helps readers understand their personal productivity wiring and create systems that actually work for them. Give a gift that lasts longer than the holiday season — one that creates clarity, confidence, and ease. Available on Amazon in print, eBook, and audio.

Ready to Begin the New Year Feeling Satisfied? January is my busiest coaching season, and a powerful time to reset your habits, clarify your priorities, and build systems that support who you want to be. I’d love to support you. Schedule a January Discover Call spot now — before they’re gone.

28 Aug

Posted at 10:31h in Productivity, Stress Management

I’m noticing more than ever how hard we are on ourselves. My clients, my colleagues, even myself—we all tend to expect more of ourselves than is appropriate, healthy, or even humanly possible. When we fall short, instead of extending grace, we turn inward with harsh judgment. We criticize. We attack. And in doing so, we undermine our ability to be effective.

Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneering researcher in self-compassion, alongside Dr. Chris Germer of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, has shown us a different way. Their model identifies three key elements of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. These concepts have deeply influenced me, yet when I share them, people often resist. It’s as if self-compassion is something that should apply to everyone else—but not to them.

Why is that? Is it our fast-paced, high-demand culture? The belief that constant self-criticism is the only way to succeed? Or is it simply easier to overwork than to pause and take care of ourselves? Whatever the reason, the truth is this: being hard on yourself doesn’t make you more productive—it makes you less.

The Three Tenets of Self-Compassion

When I only have a minute with clients, I break Dr. Neff’s framework down like this:

  1. Self-Kindness
    Treat yourself the way you’d treat your best friend. When you’re stuck in self-criticism, ask: What would I say to my best friend in this situation? Chances are, you’d respond with encouragement—not with the harsh words you use on yourself.
  2. Common Humanity
    Struggle is part of the human condition. Everyone wrestles with some form of self-doubt. Recognizing this can help us see our challenges as normal, not evidence of inadequacy. When we know we’re not alone, it’s easier to be generous with ourselves.
  3. Mindfulness
    Mindfulness means noticing what we’re feeling without ignoring it—or drowning in it. Saying, This is hard. I feel disappointed. I feel anxious, creates space to respond with clarity instead of reacting with judgment.

Why Self-Criticism Derails Productivity

Neff makes a powerful point: “Today most of our threat is to our self-concept. When we fail and feel inadequate, we are fighting ourselves. We are the attacker and the attacked.”

When we’re hard on ourselves, we don’t just bruise our feelings—we hijack our brains. Instead of staying in problem-solving mode, we flip into fight, flight, or freeze. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flood our system, and suddenly the “danger” isn’t out there—it’s inside us.

And when you feel under attack, your emotional brain overrides your thinking brain, making it physiologically impossible to focus on your work.

The Science of Self-Compassion

Research shows that people who practice self-compassion aren’t weak or indulgent. In fact, they’re more resilient, motivated, and accountable.

  • They feel less anxiety, stress, and burnout.
  • They report more optimism, gratitude, and life satisfaction.
  • They keep high standards, but bounce back quickly when they fall short.
  • They take responsibility for mistakes and make amends without spiraling into shame.

In short: self-criticism sabotages, while self-compassion empowers. Giving ourselves grace—not beating ourselves up—is what helps us be our best selves.

Practicing Self-Compassion in Real Life

So what does this look like in practice? It’s not about lowering the bar. It’s about changing how you treat yourself when things get tough.

Next time that inner critic pipes up, pause and ask yourself:

  • What do I need right now?
  • What would I say to a good friend in this situation?
  • What if this challenge is just part of being human—not proof that I’m failing?

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is step back and pause. Sometimes it’s giving yourself permission to do less. And sometimes it’s simply saying: This is hard—and that’s okay.

The Path to Flow

At the end of the day, productivity isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about creating the conditions where you can do your best work. And self-compassion is a condition.

When you stop beating yourself up and start having your own back, you clear the way for focus, creativity, and growth.

Because the truth is, you’ll never criticize yourself into greatness. But you can support yourself there.

Want to dive deeper into strategies for working smarter, not harder? Check out my book Productivity for How You’re Wired —available now on Amazon in print, eBook, and audio.

Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and not enough time to do it? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle. Through one-on-one coaching, I help professionals and leaders like you cut through the noise, ditch the never-ending to-do lists, and align your productivity with how you’re wired—so you can finally create systems that actually stick.

 

05 Aug

Posted at 14:01h in Envision Possibilities, Procrastination, Productivity, Stress Management, Tips for Easier Living

It’s August. It’s hot. Everyone’s either on vacation or thinking about it. You might be wishing you had more time to rest, slow down, and escape the heat—but somehow, the work still needs to get done.

That’s why how you spend your work time really matters. You don’t need more hours—you need more impact from the hours you already have.

Here’s something I often share: “One unit of focused time is equal to four units of broken focus.” — American Academy of Family Physicians

In other words, ten focused minutes can be as productive as forty minutes of distracted, fragmented effort. The math is simple—and persuasive. Especially in a season when we’re all craving more time off the clock.

Start with Clarity: What Matters Most?

Before we dive into distractions, let’s talk about focus. You can’t focus effectively if you don’t know what you’re focusing on. Each morning, take a moment to clarify your most important priorities for the day. I like to jot mine down on a simple sticky note—just a few key tasks that, if completed, will let me feel good about calling it a day.

This doesn’t mean creating a massive to-do list. In fact, it means the opposite.

As Lin Yutang wisely said: “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials.”

Letting go of the nonessentials is an act of leadership. You protect your time by honoring what matters most—and letting the rest wait.

Eliminate Distractions: Your Phone Isn’t Helping

One of the biggest threats to focused work? The small device that’s always within reach. Our phones—helpful, powerful, and endlessly distracting—can derail even the best-laid plans for a focused work session.

Want to tap into the power of those “ten focused minutes”? Start by putting your phone in another room. Seriously. Airplane mode is great. Do Not Disturb works too. But if it’s physically out of sight, you’re less likely to reach for it out of habit.

Consider turning off all but the most essential notifications. For me, that’s calls and text messages—nothing else. During focused work sessions, even a single ping can break your concentration and cost you more than just a few seconds. Research suggests it can take 20+ minutes to fully recover from an interruption. Multiply that over a few distractions, and you’ve just lost your entire work block.

Plan for the Ramp-Up: Flow Takes Time

Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: it takes time to settle in and focus. So don’t expect to sit down and immediately start cranking out brilliant work. That’s not how human brains operate.

Instead, plan for ramp-up time before you dive into focused work. Do a quick check of your email or messages, respond to anything urgent, and then intentionally clear the decks. Grab water. Take a bio break. Cue up music that helps you concentrate. Close the extra browser tabs. Then give yourself permission to go deep.

This preparation isn’t procrastination—it’s setting the stage for high-quality work. It’s part of what turns ten minutes into something powerful.

Work Smarter, Rest Better

In this summer heat, when our energy can feel low and our motivation stretched thin, we don’t need more hours—we need more impact from the hours we do have. That starts with focus, clarity, and protecting our attention like the limited resource it is.

So before you burn out trying to push through an endless list, stop.

  • Write down your essentials.
  • Silence the noise.
  • Create the conditions for deep work.
  • And remember: ten focused minutes might be all you need to make real progress today.

Want more practical strategies like this? Chapter 11: Time Matters in my book Productivity for How You’re Wired dives deeper into how to plan your day, manage your time, and get the right things done without the overwhelm. It’s available now on Amazon—in print, eBook, and audio.

Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and not enough time to do it? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle. Through one-on-one coaching, I help professionals and leaders like you cut through the noise, ditch the never-ending to-do lists, and align your productivity with how you’re wired—so you can finally create systems that actually stick.