Helene Segura's Blog, page 26

Recipe – Keto Mexican Wedding Cookies / Hojarascas

Prep Time 30 minutes Cook Time 12-16 minutes Total Time 46 minutes Servings  36 cookies, roughly 2 ½” in diameter Ingredients 12 TB butter (soft, but not melted – 30 min at room temp) 2/3 cup granulated sugar substitute (ex: monk fruit) 3 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 pinches salt (if using unsalted butter; if you don’t have…

How much time should you spend on email?

A writer for Better Homes and Gardens contacted me with questions about how much time should be spent on email. Here was her request: “For one of the illustrations, we would like to show a five-day calendar with periods of time scheduled for responding to emails. How much time do you recommend people block off…

Do This to Prevent an IRS Headache

If you want to avoid an IRS headache when you need to make an estimated tax payment, take heed. Last week, a client told me his saga about tracking down the whereabouts of his payment to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), then disputing two delinquency letters he received from them. He estimated he’d spent nearly…

The Secret to Productive Meetings

A company called Yoyo Meetings interviewed me about the secret to productive meetings. Here is a summary of our interview: What are some tips on how attendees can prepare for a meeting to ensure a productive meeting? The first tip is to check on the meeting agenda. If there is no agenda, there’s already a…

1 Small Habit to Prevent Stress

Have you ever met anyone whose life is so stress-free that they have absolutely no interest in learning how to prevent stress? I haven’t either. I know some very calm and balanced folks, but even they are open to continuous learning. Recently, writer Janette Novak was curious about small habits that increase productivity and reduce…

Sugar and Spice Pecans Recipe

Pecans are definitely not my favorite nut, but I was willing to give this recipe a try because of the story behind it. Betty Lifshutz shared this recipe with her community when she was in her 70’s and included the following story with it: “When we got married, I gave Archie the choice of having…

5 Components of a Productive and Professional Out of Office Message

Taking time away from work to allow your body, mind and soul to recharge is an extremely important component of time management and productivity. By taking time away from work, I’m not just talking about physically; I’m also talking about mentally. This means not thinking about work and most definitely not checking emails during your…

How To Track Down Missing Deliveries

Whether your missing deliveries were supposed to arrive via USPS, FedEx, UPS or Amazon Prime, it can be a major frustration, especially if you have a deadline for when you need to receive your order. Recently, I ordered medical supplies for delivery through Amazon Prime. I specifically chose these items based on ratings, price and…

How Does Exercise Increase Productivity? The Secret Productivity Tool of Walking

If you’ve been wondering how exercise increases productivity, you’re in luck! Last week, a homework assignment I gave to a client included walking while creating her project management maps. She seemed surprised about this assignment – not the project planning, but the walking. This might sound like an odd set of instructions to give during…

Productivity Boost: Giving Thanks

How can anyone possibly give thanks in 2020? Those were my initial thoughts when I was trying to figure out what to be thankful for this year, which is an annual Thanksgiving tradition. To stay positive, which increases productivity, I’m a big proponent of daily reflections about “wins” or accomplishments – no matter how big…