3 Ways to Boost Your Work Productivity

It's easy to get stuck in the same old routine of work, and we're often asked to do more in a shorter amount of time, am I right? If you're feeling like you need a little boost, much like a cup of coffee in the morning, here's a few quick tips that will help you seize the day and accomplish that extra task or assignment.

1. Set the right kind of goals.
Just because we have a "goal" doesn't mean that we're automatically set up for success, in fact, many people set goals the wrong way. Instead of looking backward at what we've been able to accomplish in the past, and setting goals from there, look ahead at what you could do if you were giving your very best to the task at hand. Set a goal that is measurable, specific, and attainable, but don't think too small! If a goal is important, you must write it down. Things will not come to fruition if you just keep them as nebulous good thoughts in your head, sorry. Write your goals down and put that card in a place where you can view it everyday. That card will serve as a daily reminder of where you are going, and the great things you're tracking towards!

2. Organize your day so you don't waste time.
Priorities, priorities! This is so critical to a productive and fruitful day. I'm talking about more than making sure you're getting your coffee in the morning. This is about scheduling your day to reflect what is most important, not necessarily what is most urgent. We're often in reaction mode, and we respond to the things that pop up and feel pressured to handle those tasks right away. I challenge you, the next time one of those appears, to evaluate the task or situation in terms of importance vs urgency. Not everything that is urgent is important. Invest your time working on the things of greatest importance and you'll find that your time becomes far more productive and valuable.

3. Get enough sleep and stay hydrated.
When life gets busy, it's easy to neglect things like enough sleep and water. Your brain functions better when the body is properly cared for. I know this sounds obvious, but it's easily forgotten. Instead of burning the candle at both ends, get. some. sleep. You'll find that your mind is sharper, more creative, and focused when it's well rested. The same concept applies to water. Most of us aren't drinking enough water. My suggestion? Keep a large bottle or two by your desk, and challenge yourself to refill it a couple times throughout the day? There's plenty of cute container options out there from sport bottles to glass containers, and even bottles with built in infusers that you can throw fresh fruit and mint leaves into (for those of you who think plain water is boring). When you're properly hydrated, you perform better. Trust me. Besides, you get a side benefit of a slimmer waistline and clear skin...what's not to like?

Have any other tips that help you stay productive? I'd love to know! 

Here's to a fantastic, successful week ahead!

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Better Together

(image credit: Peter Lee)

We live in a self-focused society. We're all about the things that will cater to our needs, wants, and wishes. With iPhones and selfies, it is no wonder that we can become so focused on our own lives that we forget the power of community. I love my iPhone and admit to participating in the selfie trend; however, I cannot help but be reminded of the incredible power of relationships. We were not designed to be alone, man is not an island. We need one another. There's something that you bring to the world that I do not. My purpose on earth is different than yours, and instead of comparing one to another, we should celebrate the differences! I am always interested when some one is praised as "self-made" because no one truly accomplishes anything great without help from someone else. Everyone needs other people to help them in the process of achieving their dreams. Whether that help is something big or small, everyone experiences the input and influence of others. The late Jim Rohn said something powerful in regard to this concept.

He says, "We become a powerful force when each of us understands how powerful all of us are and when all of us understand how valuable each of us is."


You are created to great things in this world, but you are not called to do it alone! We all benefit from the help, encouragement, and support from others around us. Life is always more fun when lived with other people, and when you succeed, there's someone to celebrate with! Take a good look at your recent successes. Who played a part, big or small, in that victory? Have you ever thanked them for it? It's amazing to see the kind of things that we can accomplish when we all work together, not simply competing, but rather, completing one another. There's a reason that people say, "teamwork makes the dream work". Life is far sweeter when we appreciate the beauty and the differences in other people. It is good to step out of our own life bubble for a bit, and to invest in someone else. What kinds of things could we accomplish if we decided to work together? Challenge yourself to invest into the relationships in your life, and I can promise that you will find that we are all truly better together.

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The Key To Success

"It's time that we set aside the thought process that says unless we fit into the mold that society and culture have esteemed as worthy, than we're doing something meaningless. You have been created for a purpose, and your inner dreams, desires, and talents are individually and specifically wired in such a way so that you're perfectly set up to do incredible things on this earth that only you can do. Whether you're in an office building, art studio, foreign country, or at home with six kids, when you're doing what you've been designed to do, that's success."

excerpt taken from,  From Me To You, p. 28

Read more...

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Greatness

I've been thinking a lot about this thought over the last week. So many conversations with others brings me to the conclusion that we spend a lot of time thinking about what others opinions of us are; we repeatedly do things in order to gain attention or acceptance from people, when in reality, their thoughts and opinions of you aren't worth the striving. 

“When you are living the best version of yourself, 

you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves.”

 --Steve Maraboli

Have you been around someone who is true to themselves, unafraid to be who they've been created to be? They seem to be so confident, courageous and beautiful. There's something so pure and intriguing about their spirit, and it's inviting and inspiring to be around. These are the kinds of people who make you want to become a better person, a better version of you. 

For too long many of us have tried to become a second-rate version of someone else, comparing and worrying about how we look, what we do, and if others will approve of us, when in reality, we should live the life God has for us, and not wait for the accolades of society. Like the quote at the beginning of this post, we should live with greatness, go forward and do things now, being truly you, and soon others will begin to take notice because it is counter-culture. For it is in discovering and living as individuals who are happy with who they are, that we allow others to begin becoming the people they've been meant to be. 

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." 
Ephesians 2:10

Let's live greatness, walk in the life we've been designed for, and inspire others to do so as well. Accomplishing this is truly living. 

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Wordless Wednesday

(all via)

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Weekend Wanderings

Happy Weekend everyone! Maybe it's just me, but can you believe we're in August? Summer is just flying by, and I'm determined to make the most out of every day before it's time to be back in the swing of things again. I wanted to start off the weekend by announcing the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway...

Congratulations to Taylor!

Send me an email and I'll get that gift card on it's way to you! :)

One thing I'm really focusing on is doing something of value or improvement in my own life everyday, maybe that's reading a book to learn something new, writing out goals for the new month or cleaning up my habit patterns in order to become more productive and efficient. It makes a world of difference, and challenges me to look for ways to improve and change to become better. This weekend I'm doing a lot of reading and planning for the month as well as for the fall..I want to make each and every day count. Want to take the challenge with me? Find a way to improve yourself everyday..you won't regret it!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

(p.s. Stay tuned for another fantastic giveaway coming up here next week! You won't want to miss it!!)

-Candice

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5 Ways to Stay Motivated

This is such a busy time as school begins to wind down, papers are due, celebrations of hard work must be planned, and all everyone wants to talk and think about is the promise of an upcoming summer. It can be difficult to stay motivated during this season when daydreams of sun-drenched beaches, palm trees swaying in the wind and crystal clear waters await. Here's a few things I've found to be helpful when trying to get motivated to write that last paper, study for a final or get that corner of my room finally organized!

1. Take a break from it all. This might sound counter-productive, but a quick change of scenery and situation gives your mind a little reprieve before you dive back into it. Go for a walk, read a few chapters of a book, take a quick coffee break...this will clear your mind and give you a bit of renewed energy to finish strong.

2. Listen to some music. Some people can work to music and others can't, but studies have shown that there are certain classical works that can actually increase your productivity! Read more here

Here's a quick playlist to get your started:

Rhapsody in Blue--George Gershwin

Violin Concerto #3--Mozart

Fur Elise--Beethoven

Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy--Tchaikovsky

Symphony #40--Mozart

Ave Maria--Bach

Rondeau--Mozart

Swan Lake--Tchaikovsky

Violin Concerto #5--Mozart

Reverie--Claude Debussy

3. Break things up. Sometimes that big deadline can be a little overwhelming. Make things manageable by breaking it up into smaller, incremental goals, so when you accomplish each one, not only are you experiencing success, you're that much closer to the end! Congrats!

4. Picture the end result. Imagine how relieved and happy you will be when it's all complete.

 Yes, this routine may seem monotonous, the papers--unending, and the stress may be overwhelming, but you'll be so happy when you're finished with it! Perhaps it's the last semester of school and summer (and graduation) awaits! Maybe it's a big assignment at work, but knowing that your boss will be very happy to see all of your excellent effort can be the catalyst to help you finish with excellence. Don't give up when you're so close to being done! 

5. Reward yourself. No one likes working hard without reason. After you've written that paper, finished a tough task, taken the exam you've been studying for or turned in the report, go treat yourself to something! A little reward goes a long way..it's encouraging, fun and beneficial to your wellbeing. Go ahead! You worked hard; you deserve it!

These are just a few things that I've found helpful when working towards a goal. Whether you're finishing a project at work, studying for exams, or working on a difficult task, know that you are able to work hard and accomplish what you've set out to do. 

(images via)

You can do it!

Have a great day!

-Candice

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