Podcasts you should be listening to for inspiration, creativity & every day life

29 March 201630 March 2016

4 must-listen podcasts and other recommendations for inspiration, creativity, and every day life

For a long time, I didn’t hop onto the podcast bandwagon because there’s always so much to do but so little time!

Plus, I mostly enjoy the silence and rhythm of being outside when I go for my walks and runs and basically end up not listening to anything.

Until recently.

With a long daily commute to work and regular car drives to various places, I’ve come to appreciate the value of a good podcast, whether for inspiration, creativity, or just every day life.

While I sometimes end up listening to music or just enjoying the silence, depending on my mood, podcasts inject value into my drives and train rides when I need them, while keeping me informed and/or entertained on the go.

The “MUST LISTEN” List (aka my go-tos)

The 4 podcasts you should be listening to are also my go-to podcasts. They are the ones I switch on when I need a podcast fix, when I want to learn something new, when I need inspiration. And most of the time, I end up listening to every single episode of these shows.

And to be honest, these shows are the ones which I’ve learned so much from and picked up things that I actually use in my daily life.

5 tips to help your productivity skyrocket

24 February 20165 March 2016

Tired of unproductivity? Skyrocket your productivity with these five tips

Admittedly, I am a productivity junkie who enjoys reading all sorts of productivity posts and how tos. And when you realize that time is limited and life continues to spin away, productivity becomes a huge part of getting work done quickly and efficiently, while still leaving time for relaxing and building relationships.

With the number of articles I’ve read and podcasts I’ve listened to on productivity, here are my top five favorite tips for being productive and getting things done.

1. Sleep

I always knew sleep was important. But listening to this podcast brought my understanding of the importance of sleep to a whole new level. Never underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. Sometimes, not getting enough sleep can feel like a badge of honor, since it’s easy to boast about how little sleep we’re getting and still be able to accomplish things (also maybe because it gives an excuse to tell others to cut us some slack?). However, getting sufficient quantity and quality sleep is crucial to having a productive day. These articles also articulate well the importance of sleep and why it is so crucial to productivity.

2. Single-task

Have you heard about the wonders of multi-tasking? It seems like I’ve heard more about the truth of single-tasking and the myth of multi-tasking. Because while multi-tasking feels productive, it’s actually detrimental to productivity.

As difficult as it might be to actually do, single-tasking helps your brain to give 100% to whatever the task at hand is, instead of quickly switching back and forth between multiple tasks (and here’s what it does to your brain). So you can get things done better and quicker, and move on to other things as soon as possible.

3. Stop procrastinating and remove distractions

(For some, this may also mean, put away your phone!)

This comes alongside my point above. Sometimes, you want to procrastinate and distract yourself by doing multiple tasks or checking your phone, instead of staying focused and just doing what you need to. Push through the discomfort of a task, put away your phone, and commit to doing what you need to. If you need to, set a timer like how I learned to, and watch your productivity skyrocket!

4. Make a list and plan, plan, plan.

I’ve always been a list maker, but I’ve recently discovered even more acutely the need for planning and making lists. I cannot say this enough. I don’t know about you, but not having a list causes my brain to focus on all the “one million tasks” I seemingly have and end up becoming easily overwhelmed. If you need a starting point, try daily downloading or morning pages. Intentionally planning and making a list allows for better focus on the tasks at hand to stay focused and avoid distractions (see point above).

5. Build rituals/routines.

This could be a whole post of its own (it’s coming!) but whatever you want to call it, develop a predictable, daily pattern that will help you to look ahead at a day with confidence because you already know what is going to happen. Your daily routine may mean getting daily exercise, checking email at fixed times, getting enough sleep by sleeping early (see point above) – the sky’s the limit! Just do what works for you. Having daily routines/rituals helps you get your day off to a good start by setting the right tone, and allows you to efficiently maximize every part of your time throughout the day.

And since you do, you can thoroughly maximize every single part of the day to make your time most effective.

What is one thing you will change or do to increase your productivity today?

Want to learn and do more about your productivity? Check out these posts.

7 things to do when you are stuck indoors

8 October 20157 October 2015

Stuck indoors? Here are 7 productive indoor activity ideas for you to try.

With the haze besetting our skies these past few weeks and with monsoon season expected in the coming months, outdoor activities become less than desirable, or become a little more difficult to plan out.

So since there’s time to be spent indoors, I came up with a list of activities of things that I would do to keep myself occupied while I hang out and stay indoors.

Do a DIY you’ve always wanted to try.

I know I have tons to do from my Pinterest boards.
Work out at the gym or on your own at home with YouTube fitness videos.

The haze has really thrown a curveball in my outdoor running plans, so my solution has been YouTube fitness videos which have worked out pretty well so far (no pun intended, haha).
Have a movie marathon.

Whether you prefer old classics or the latest blockbusters, pick your favorite movies and watch away!
Bake / cook a new recipe.

I have lots of yummy recipes on my Pinterest boards that I need more time to try. So being indoors is a perfect excuse. This works out to be a win-win for me because I get to try a new recipe and my loved ones get something made with love to eat!
Pack / revamp your space.

Switching things up allows me to breathe new life into my space while I’m stuck indoors. Decluttering when I get the chance to also helps me to be organized and makes me feel good in the end.
Have a crafting/cooking/baking party.

Invite some friends over and do your favorite activity or hobby together!
Read a book from your booklist.

Curling up with a good read is a great way to have productive time indoors. I’m always on the hunt for book recommendations which makes for a long list.

What are your favorite activities to keep yourself occupied when you’re stuck indoors?

How I Increased My Productivity

2 September 20152 September 2015

Productivity is quite a buzz word nowadays. And I totally get it, since we’ve all had days where we wish we had more hours to get work done. But the reality is that we all have 24 hours in a day – no more or less.

Because time is so limited, I’m constantly on my own quest to find ways to maximize my time and make it as productive as possible because every second counts.

The problem is that I get easily distracted and start clicking around the interwebs to procrastinate, especially when I should be working on tasks don’t particularly enjoy or look forward to, like reading my school textbook (Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this. If you don’t do that to procrastinate, please share with me how you stay focused and get work done!).

To curb my procrastinating tendencies, I recently adopted the method of setting a timer and working in increments on whatever I need to do. This is one of the biggest changes I’ve made that has helped me to increase by productivity throughout the day by leaps and bounds!

Your phone timer could totally suffice for this task. But through the recommendation of fellow blogger Pam, I started using the ClearFocus app for Android. By limiting my time and turning off all distractions, I force myself to truly maximize my time to the fullest. There is no second or minute to waste on frivolous clicking. The break time at the end of each session is one I look forward to where I get to check Instagram, reply any messages I receive, or read blogs, until the cycle starts again.

This method also helps me to really separate work/study time from other miscellaneous tasks I might need to complete. I also avoid the pitfall of multi-tasking (which really could be a whole other blog post on it’s own) and allow myself to be focused where I need to be.

I’ve found that I’m much less motivated and productive when I don’t use the app, than when I actually do. I also love that it works on my Android, which can sometimes be lacking in apps that iTunes may have.

Overall, my favorite features of the ClearFocus app include:

the option to disable wireless so you can stay super focused!
being able to customize the timer by choosing the length of work sessions and breaks
the clean user interface

This app isn’t without its quirks, such as the ads and the inability to pause the timer when you really need to. But otherwise, I love how it works for me.

Obviously, this idea isn’t anything novel or even original to me, but it’s been so incredibly life-changing for my productivity that I just had to share.

Now tell me, what are your tips for increasing productivity?

How to thrive and survive when life gets busy

16 April 2015

Here’s what I’ve been feeling like lately all the time – busy.

And truthfully, I’ve also been feeling rather overwhelmed. It feels like things have been a little out of control around here with endless lists, deadlines and readings. And I feel like all I’m doing is just trying to catch up, keep up, and not fall behind.

So I’ve been thinking of how to step back and regroup so I can really embrace each moment of the day instead of constantly feeling stressed out and feeling like I’m just trying to keep up with everything.

10 tips for thriving and surviving when life gets busy

1. Spend less time online.

Whether reading blogs, or scrolling through Instagram or Twitter, I sometimes spend way more time online than I realize, or even dare to admit. Cutting out this time helps me to have more time to tackle what I need to complete.

2. Say ‘No’ to some things.

The truth is that I can’t do everything. And I won’t. So I’m saying no to some things in order to say yes to others. The hard part is just deciding what to say yes to.

3. Delegate.

This doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility. It just means being willing to let go of being in control of every single aspect of things.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Totally goes hand-in-hand with point 3. Asking for help also means being willing to partner with others and work alongside them.

5. Prioritize.

Like point 2, choosing what is important helps to eliminate the distractions and less important tasks.

6. Use pockets of time to get things done.

Whether it’s waiting for the train or the bus, use those in-between moments to get things done if possible. Because every little bit counts!

7. Make a list.

I love lists because they give me a visual picture of what needs to be done, instead of feeling like I have one million things floating around in my brain. Lists help things to be less overwhelming, because I now have a concrete action plan of what I need to do.

8. Slow down.

Instead of rushing around like crazy trying to get things done, sometimes I like to slow down and take time to relax, breathe, take a break, and do something I enjoy amidst the busyness. This gives me a moment to regroup and think things through logically. It also gives me a chance to be refreshed before tackling everything that needs to be done.

9. Stop worrying.

Worrying doesn’t help because it doesn’t change anything. So I try to remember to stop worrying and get to work instead.

10. Stay focused.

Sometimes, being distracted by social media or less important things contributes to the sense of being overwhelmed because it disrupts my workflow, making my time less productive and efficient. So shut off distractions and stay focused.

More than anything else, this is a list of reminders for myself because life is a work in progress. I’m constantly looking for ways to apply these tips to my life, especially during overwhelming seasons like now.

What tips do you have for not just surviving, but thriving when life gets busy or overwhelming? Let me know in the comments!

Stay Organized in 2015 | my blog planner set-up

14 January 2015

During the second half of 2014, I started to be very intentional about planning blog posts and getting them ready for the blog.

Then things started getting overwhelming and I realized that I needed to get organized.

Enter: the Pretty Documented blog planner

Like I shared last week, I’m already using the Pretty Documented planner for my daily organization and scheduling (which I love!). So it was quite a natural decision for me to use the Pretty Documented blog add-on for blog organization.

As I tried to figure out how I should plan out my blog planner, I read Andrea’s post and really like how she organized everything, so my planner is loosely based on her structure. After all, if the Queen of Organization has it all figured out, why not take a cue from her instead of reinventing the wheel, right?

Similar to the Pretty Documented planner, Caylee provides a ton of options in the blog planner so you have plenty of formats to choose from to make something that works for you.

Tip: Figure out your blogging process and decide which pages you will use from there.

You can also use the steps listed here to customize your blog planner.

Here’s brief overview of how my blog planner is currently set-up:

2015 blog planner set-up

After the blog cover, I have an index of pages in my planner.

Then the details of my blog, elements, sketches, and blog planning. This is the “big picture” stuff – the overall of my blog.

How to stay organized with a blog planner in 2015

On the editorial calendar page, I list all the various events and holidays that I want to plan blog posts for.

This is followed by a monthly section.

I have a calendar view and list view that help me to plan blog posts for the month. I like having both formats because it gives me a different idea of how that month’s blog posts look like. Not sure if that makes sense; I guess that is just how my brain works.

After the monthly overview, I have the posts and social media pages where I write the blog post titles for that month and get a good overview of what I need to work on, what is complete, etc., and where I’ve shared my posts. This page is especially helpful when I need to figure out what I should do when blogging hour comes around.

This is repeated for all the months until December.

Then I have three pages of ideas and features.

And a stack of post planning pages.

I use the post planner pages to write down initial ideas and thoughts when my phone or computer aren’t close by or easily accessible. It also gives me a tangible way of recording and staying organized for all the blog posts I write, instead of having random post-its or digital notes scattered everywhere.

Note: This part of the blogging process differs for everyone. My fellow bloggers Andrea and Caylee like to hand write their posts and leave pages for those, while I like typing mine out in Evernote (or emailing a draft to myself) because I edit a lot and my hands just can’t keep up with my brain sometimes.

There’s no “better” way to write your posts, just the right way for you.

The last section is for guest posts and everything related to that.

So there you have it! My blog planner for 2015.

If you want to be intentional in blogging this year, now is a good time to organize and get started since we are only a couple of weeks into the new year – definitely better sooner than later!

P.S. Caylee and Andrea also have great posts on how they use their blog planners.

All words, photos and enthusiasm are my own. I am in no way compensated for this post. I just love what Caylee and Vanessa did so much that I wanted to share it with you!

Stay Organized in 2015 | my planner set-up

7 January 2015

Welcome to the first official work week of 2015!

I didn’t plan on starting the year with being sick. But since I’m battling the flu bug, I might as well rest while I can. C‘est la vie, friends.

On the bright side, school doesn’t start until next week so I still have time to get my act together and start being organized, instead of having the typical post-holiday havoc.

Last year, I used three (!!!) notebooks to help me stay organized. I had one for school assignments, one for my weekly schedule, and one for my daily to-do lists. I found a system that worked for me, but I could definitely do with fewer notebooks.

Then in October of 2014, I was super excited to find out that two of my creative friends Caylee and Vanessa had collaborated to come up with a beautiful planner for 2015. You can be sure that I hopped on that bandwagon quickly!

Ameliawrites-2015planner

So this year, I’m happy to be using the Pretty Documented planner to help me stay organized and sane when life gets busy (and it will, soon!). While I won’t deny the immense convenience of digital calendars (we use Google calendars for all our family events), in the end, I still love pen and paper for my weekly and daily planning.

Not only is the Pretty Documented planner pretty to look at, but I love how flexible and customizable it is, which was a big reason for me when I purchased it.

And now, I get to combine those three notebooks into one this year. Whew!

After purchasing and downloading the planner, it’s time to put everything together. I love that there are so many options, which makes things truly customizable for you.

How to customize your planner:

1. Look at the options available.

2. Plan and decide on what you need.

(Do you need daily, weekly, or monthly pages? Or a combination of everything?).

3. Note which pages you need to print.

4. Trim your paper.

(I used A5 paper with my laser printer.)

5. Adjust your printer settings.

6. Print away!

7. Punch holes and insert pages into binder.

Those are the steps that I took to put my planner together.

This year, I am housing my planner in a Muji two-ring binder in A5 size. I love the clean look and the binder is thick enough for all the pages I have.

And here’s an overview of how everything looks.

2015 Planner Set-up:

I basically have my planner divided into four sections.

1. Yearly section

After the 2015 cover, I have a year at a glance, followed by birthdays and holidays.

2. School section

The School section comes next, which is where I will have a list of all my school readings and assignments once school starts (no photos of those yet).

3. Daily Section

The Daily section is for my daily to-do list and a breakdown of that day’s schedule.

4. Monthly and weekly section

On the back of the January cover page is a monthly overview, with a page for that month’s goals.

I actually like the monthly double sheets (like what Vanessa and Caylee did). But since mine are already all printed until the end of the year, I’m just sticking with what I already have.

After the monthly overview is a weekly section, where I have four or five weekly pages (depending on the number of weeks) for that particular month. I printed the monthly and weekly sections in correspondence with the remaining months, all the way until the end of the year.

I haven’t fully figured out the tab situation yet because I wanted my planner to be printed and functional before the year started, so at least I already have that settled. But I’ll definitely put in an update once I figure out what I’m doing for that.

I’m excited to use my planner and make 2015 super organized, with lots of efficiency and productivity!

Let me know, how are you staying organized in 2015?

P.S. You can also see how Caylee and Vanessa set up their Pretty Documented planners.