Hi Reader When you hear the word mindfulness, do you think of sitting perfectly still for 30 minutes, following a guided meditation on an app, or finding total silence (which isn’t exactly realistic in a busy household)? We’re led to believe that a mindfulness practice is this BIG thing, when in reality it’s the little things that bring us present (the little things that are already part of our routine). Mindfulness can happen in the smallest, simplest routines you already have in place, with...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader Have you ever felt like the small steps you take toward your goals just aren’t enough? It's understandable when you can't see results right away. Here’s what I’ve learned: it’s the little things we do, day after day, that truly create lasting change. The hardest part is trusting the process. In my latest podcast episode, I dive into the power of small, consistent actions. Inspired by books like The Slight Edge, The Compound Effect, and Atomic Habits, I share how these tiny choices...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader Change. It’s the one constant in life, and yet, it’s something we naturally resist. Even good changes can feel uncomfortable when the future is uncertain. Over the years, I’ve experienced plenty of change from evolving my podcast, to caregiving for my mom, and the aftermath of surviving a financial upheaval that had us moving across the state with no idea what was next. You can be sure much of it wasn't welcome, but the only way out is through. What I’ve learned is you don’t have to...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Reader Do you ever feel like you’re jumping from one thing to the next, barely catching your breath? You’re not alone! I know how that feeling and that tendency to push through, barely coming up for air. I see it in my clients and myself. (I'm not immune!) This overwhelm comes from feeling like you have to maximize every minute, but there is an essential part of what you do with your time that has a huge impact of what you make of it: how you move between the things you do. It's the moments...
30 days ago • 1 min read
Reader If you’ve ever tried time blocking and felt frustrated, or even resisted it completely because you feel like it just doesn’t work for you, read on... I know personally how overwhelming it can be to manage a schedule when you’re already stretched thin. When I was caring for my mom and young kids, I remember feeling furious at advice that expected me to show up at the same time each day for the same thing when I couldn’t guarantee I would have the availability or the energy. My...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader Do you feel like you constantly need to push forward to be productive? The truth is, non-stop work doesn't work. If that point sounds familiar to you, you'd be right and you've probably been here awhile. We talked recently about hustle culture and our need to push through. This relates to that. Because we think we need to keep pushing, we have a tendency to push past the very things we need to be most productive, so today I’m reminding you about the "power of the pause". Your brain...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Reader Do you ever find yourself endlessly scrolling your phone when you know you should be tackling that important task? You're not alone. Procrastination is universal and it isn't about being lazy; more often than not your brain is trying to protect you from something it sees as difficult or boring. The reasons can vary, from perfectionism to self-sabotage, to task aversion and more. I share the full list and offer 5 powerful ways to move past that resistance in Episode 271 of the...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Reader What does self-care mean to you? Here at Positively Productive Systems, we’ve been talking about it for years and we’ve made an important discovery: Self-care is SO MUCH MORE THAN spa days and expensive pampering treatments. While these treatments can be considered self-care, there are other options so much more effective and far less expensive...many that come with NO cost! If you’re dealing with a chronic illness (or likely know someone else who is) and/or you need better care for...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Reader Has the phrase "I'm so busy" become your default response when someone asks you how you're doing? And does everyone around you nod with understanding and appreciation? That’s just one example of being trapped in something called “hustle culture”, an approach that we're made to believe is so effective, yet it actually leads to burnout. It’s time to break free from it while still achieving your goals. In my latest Positively Living® Podcast episode, I share why constant work is NOT the...
2 months ago • 1 min read