Paula Rizzo's Blog, page 9

Productivity Trend Forecast for 2021

COVID-19 has changed the way we work every single one of us all around the world. No one could have predicted the pandemics effect on how we work. 

Just as 2020 was unlike anything weve seen, so will be 2021 when it comes to work and productivity. 

Here are my five productivity trend predictions for 2021! 

1. Better home offices

Reuters estimates that the amount of people working from home will double in 2021. As more people adjust to permanently working from home, investing in a home office...

How to Make Virtual Holiday Cards

I love sending paper cards. It’s a simple way to brighten someone’s day. In fact, when my Aunt Dee was alive she would send them and remind us all that we were loved. 

But I realize that a lot of people will probably make the switch to digital this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year, so many people are staying with family for extended periods or not where they usually are to stay safe from COVID-19. 

I actually really like virtual cards too and when I was planning my virtual 40th ...

Growth Mindset for Work From Home Productivity

Working from home isn’t going anywhere — Biz Journals reported a few weeks ago that Microsoft is giving their employees the option to work from home some or all of the time, even after the pandemic ends!

We’re eight months into the pandemic, so now is a good time to take stock of where you’re at with WFH, especially since this is the normal for lots of people. In fact, I created a LinkedIn Learning course called “Optimizing Your Remote Office for Maximum Productivity” to help you out. 

Are you a...

“Thimble List” vs. Bucket List for Joy and Mindfulness

You know the phrase “stop and smell the roses?”

I always thought it sounded a little cheesy. But now that we’re in the seventh month of quarantine (wow!), I’m starting to think that whoever thought of that phrase has the right idea.

I used to be all about bucket lists, but I want to introduce you to the “Thimble List” — AKA “the stop and smell the roses list.” 

Bucket lists are where you put your big goals, like publishing a book or visiting a national park. These are great goals and bucket list...

Stop Multitasking and Practice Kotsu-Kotsu

Do you ever find yourself answering texts or emails during Zoom meetings? If you do, you’re not the only one.

Multitasking seems like a great way to get more done in less time. But it’s actually undermining your productivity and causing more stress if you do it all the time.

Why? Because humans are just not wired to multitask. 

According to psychology studies at the University of Utah, 98% of people can’t multitask effectively. 

Many cultures are ahead of the game on this. While Americans are al...

Checklist to Take Your Remote Office on the Go

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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If you’ve been working remotely because of the pandemic, by now you’ve probably got some of the basics down — where in your home you work, what your hours are, and what you wear. (Although I have my opinions about the Zoom shirt…)

If you want some...

Five Dictation Apps to Boost Productivity

BONUS FREEBIE:  Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed?  Click here  to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

One of my favorite productivity hacks is using dictation apps. Dictating is an underrated tool for getting more done. It’s really helped me curb procrastination by making it easy for me to quickly send out text messages and emails. Video can also be a powerful productivity t...

Video is a Productivity Game Changer

So many things have changed in the last few months.

When it comes to working from home, one of the biggest changes is video  — video meetings, video conferences, video check-ins. 

All this video means you need to adjust your productivity habits. Being productive and efficient over video is different from working with people face-to-face. 

I’ve been working from home for the past few years, so I’ve been conducting all my meetings via video for a while. Plus, I train people on how to do it better....

Behind the Scenes of My LinkedIn Learning Shoot

BONUS FREEBIE:  Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed?  Click here  to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

I was supposed to be in LA shooting my two LinkedIn Learning courses based on my books Listful Thinking and Listful Living. 

But because of Covid-19, I obviously couldn’t get on a plane and travel.

Instead, LinkedIn sent me all the equipment to shoot the courses in my apartm...

Write a Letter To Your Future Self About COVID-19

BONUS FREEBIE:  Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed?  Click here  to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

Before I decided to start my own business as an author, speaker, and media trainer, I worked as a senior health producer for television news. Even though I loved my job, the time came when I realized I wanted to move on. 

The day I realized I needed a change, I wrote...