Have you ever taken a sabbatical? This week we're talking about sabbaticals--what they are, why you might want to take one, and how to make the most of one. (Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a special announcement.) A sabbatical is a time to refresh, recharge, and reflect on how you spend your valuable time...and what you'd like to do in the future Can we do a little happy dance to celebrate reaching episode number 500?!  Anyway, that’s not what this episode is about ....

We’re celebrating 10 years of The Productive Woman podcast and I’m sharing some lessons I’ve learned along the way. Who we are is more important than what we do...and other important lessons learned in 10 years of The Productive Woman podcast This week’s episode is a milestone one. The very first episode of The Productive Woman--a short introductory “episode 0”--was published on July 1, 2014. That makes this week the 10-year “podiversary” of The Productive Woman. And I’m amazed to...

This week's episode features my conversation with Britt Frank, licensed neuropsychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck, talking about getting unstuck, achieving our goals, and making a life that matters. Britt Frank offers wise advice on how to get unstuck and move forward I'm excited to share with you my conversation with licensed neuropsychotherapist, trauma specialist, and author Britt Frank, as part of our Productive Living series. Who is...

No matter your age or stage of life, preparing early for your retirement can ensure a smooth transition when the time comes and the chance to focus on what will be most important to you during those years. Planning ahead can help you achieve a fulfilling and productive retirement--whenever you're ready! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about something that’s coming up for me in a year or so--and something I’ve heard about from other members of the community: retirement. As I’ve been...

In this latest episode of our recurring Productive Reading series, we look at Cal Newport's latest book, Slow Productivity.   Slow productivity - a more humane and sustainable approach to getting things done In the past, we’ve talked about the lessons and key takeaways I found in books about productivity-related topics that I’ve found helpful and thought-provoking, including books by authors like Gary Keller, Charles Duhigg, Brené Brown, Courtney Carver, Jeff Sanders, James...

Stress is something we can expect these days in our hectic lives. But there are ways to manage it without letting it interfere with our productivity or our health. Stress is a part of life but it can be managed in a healthy way Stress is a fact of life for most of us. As Dr. Karen Swartz notes in a talk posted on the Johns Hopkins Medicine YouTube channel, “stress is universal,” and even good things cause stress. Whatever its source, though, stress has a direct impact on our...

This week's episode features my conversation with Andrea Nakayama, Functional Medicine Nutritionist and founder of Functional Nutrition Alliance, talking about new ways to look at our health and nutrition while improving our productivity. What we put into our bodies and how it makes us feel (good or bad) can directly impact our productivity I'm excited to share with you my conversation with functional nutritionist, educator, speaker, podcast host, and founder of the Functional...

We often set ourselves up for disappointment because we aren't clear on our expectations of others, or even ourselves. In this episode we’re talking about managing expectations to create a more productive and lower-stress life.  Managing expectations is important for increased productivity and reduced stress In any area of life--work, relationships, etc.--the disparity between expectations and reality can lead to disappointment, frustration, anxiety, and discouragement. Managing...

Self-reflection is always time well spent, especially if it's helping us grow as an individual. In this episode we’re talking about questions we can ask ourselves to help us create a life that matters. Defining who you are as a person and how you want to live is the key to making a life that matters I used to own horses. Several years ago I had a young horse in training with a trainer who required, as part of his training regime, that the owner come to his facility at least once a...

This week's episode features my conversation with Tamara Dias, certified financial social worker, adult learning specialist, non-profit executive director, and founder of Good Soil, talking about how financial wellness can contribute to living a life that matters. Financial wellness and productivity go hand in hand when making a life that matters I'm excited to share with you my conversation with certified financial social worker, adult learning specialist, and non-profit executive...

This week we're revisiting an episode from the TPW archives in which I talk about some of the challenges of working from home--and some solutions for them. Working from home can have its advantages but there needs to be a balance There are lots of people working from home  In a 2014 article, Global Workplace Analytics, a San Diego-based research firm, was cited as saying that 2.8 million self-employed Americans work from home, while another 3.3 million workers consider their...

How do you manage the mental load of running a household, a career, and all that makes up your life? The TL;DR is this: It's okay to let others help you bear the mental load as well as the physical tasks. It doesn't make you any less of a good mother, wife, co-worker, or other such role. It means you're putting yourself first for a change without losing sight of your responsibilities. And this is a good and healthy thing to do. Managing the mental load--and sharing it with...

There is no doubt that alone time is an essential part of our self-care. But totally isolating ourselves can be harmful to our psyche. In this episode we're talking about the art of balancing solo and social time. Finding the right balance between solo and social time can help us be more productive (in all the best ways) After some recent conversations with my husband about introversion, solitude, and loneliness, I’ve been thinking a lot about the need for both time alone and time...

We all have specific tasks we need to complete each day, whether for our employment or in our home. The tools we use can make all the difference. In this week's episode I share some of the tools I use for efficient work.   Having the right tools on hand can make for a more productive satisfying workday As I was working this past week I started thinking about the things I do--systems and tools I’ve set up over the years--to make sure I can get my work done effectively and...

In this latest episode of our recurring Productive Reading series, we look at Elaine Fox, PhD's fascinating book, Switch Craft: The Hidden Power of Mental Agility. Dr. Elaine Fox's book, Switch Craft, helps us build the skills to help us navigate a constantly changing world This week we're continuing our Productive Reading recurring series. In the past, we’ve talked about the lessons and key takeaways I found in books about productivity-related topics that I’ve found helpful and...

Often, the belongings we have in our home reflect a life lived well, time spent with family and friends, and other cherished memories. But getting rid of an item doesn't mean we forget the memories. Swedish Death Cleaning can benefit us now and our loved ones after we're gone Swedish Death Cleaning, or "döstädning" in Swedish, is a methodical approach to decluttering that encourages individuals, especially (but not only!) those who are older, to simplify their lives and possessions...

This week's episode features my conversation with Brooke Bentley, mother, author, and former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter, talking about "having it all" and how to manage a busy life and be productive, without feeling overwhelmed. Having it all--possibility or myth? Brooke Bentley has some thoughts. I'm excited to share with you my conversation with mother, author, and former sports journalist Brooke Bentley as part of our Productive Living series. Who is...

Most of us have many responsibilities outside of work. How can we balance it all, though? Join me as we talk about a term that was new to me: work-life integration.   Work-life balance . . . or work-life integration? Of course we’ve all heard and read about work-life balance, a phrase I’ve known for years but never much liked to use because to me it implies, first, that work and life are separate things, and second, that balance--in terms of having just the right amount of...

There are endless resources (including people) that can help us create a life that matters Creating a life that matters is a deeply personal and evolving journey, one that encompasses the pursuit of fulfillment, meaning, and impact in the areas that are most significant to you. For women, this journey can be particularly complex, navigating societal expectations, personal aspirations, and the many roles we might hold. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available designed to support...

How do you define success in your professional and personal life? I'm excited to share with you my conversation with author, podcaster, and business owner Anna Lundberg as part of our Productive Living series. Who is Anna? Anna is the founder of OneStep Outside, where she helps experienced professionals around the world design a career, a business and a lifestyle that brings them more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment - outside of the conventional 9 to 5. She is the author of...

We all have moments of self-doubt and insecurity, but for many people those common fnike jordan series 06 air max 95 sale affordable air jordan nike vapor max nike vapor max max white shoes wmns air 1 mid nike air jordan ma2 vast grey nike air max 90 nike air max 90 air jordan 1 low flyease air max goaterra 2.0 nike air max 270 bg air jordan 1 low flyease nike vapor max Imposter Syndrome is (unfortunately) common, but we can learn how to manage and overcome these feelings We’ve...

Life can be hard, and we can make it even harder by our thoughts and actions. In this episode I’m sharing some ways we make life (and productivity) harder than it needs to be, along with ideas to address the ways we do that.nike air max 270 bg nike air max 97 nike air max 90 air jordan 4 military black nike air max 270 women's sale nike air max 270 men's jordan proto max 720 nike air jordan ma2 vast grey nike air max 270 women's sale jordan shoes jordan max aura 4 nike air max 270 bg nike air...

In this week's short episode I share a brief update on TPW plans and my wishes for you in the coming new year. May 2024 be a new year of growth, prosperity, good health and meaningful connections for us all As we wrap up this year and begin thinking about the year to come, I want to share some heartfelt wishes that I hope will inspire and uplift you as we step into another year. I will share some links in the show notes to some episodes where we’ve talked about some of these things,...

We all lead incredibly busy lives, but we mustn't neglect ourselves or those who matter most to us. In this episode, I’m sharing some elements I think are necessary for a truly productive day (and life). Fitting these 6 elements into your day can help you lead a more productive (and fulfilling) life Usually toward the end of the year I do an episode in which I talk about doing a year-end review. I started to do that for this week, but decided to go another direction. I do recommend...