How to BEAT procrastination for good!

There are times, when I’m the queen of procrastination. It’s usually when I’ve got a big project on the go or I’m stressing about something. That’s when the block comes down, the want to do something is there but the actual get up and go, well that’s long got up and gone.

You know the feeling right? You’re ready, your hair is in a bun, you’ve got your yoga pants on, a hot cup of tea but then you open your laptop or turn on your computer and poof, that inspiration has gone and you’re just sat looking at a blank page – or scrolling through Facebook or the hundredth time.

Well thanks to *Bach™ Original Flower Remedies and life coach, Sophia Davis here are some top tips and advice on putting paid to procrastination, so that you can get the job done today rather than putting it off until tomorrow.

1- Pre-empt your potential pitfalls. Become aware of the triggers that lead you to procrastinate. Do you run away from boredom or failure, or do you move away from something that appears too easy or too hard? Know what your patterns are, and find ways to support yourself through them. For example, if it feels too complicated, ask for help. If it feels boring, find ways to make it more interesting.

2- See procrastination for what it is – a pattern of behaviour, a habit to put things off. Once you see it for what it is, you have a choice to choose a different behaviour. Try sourcing an accountability buddy – someone you can speak to about your tasks and who you can share your successes with when you’ve completed something. We don’t like letting other people down, so you’ll feel more obliged to get on with things promptly if you know you’ve got to report back to your friend/colleague. Continue reading “How to BEAT procrastination for good!”

I challenge you to start using the 2 minute rule

I want to introduce you to one of my favourite productivity tips. This tip will help you crush procrastination and also encourage you to pick up and stick to some good habits.

Introducing the 2 minute rule

If you have a task that can be done in 2 minutes then do it right now, without delay.

When you start shifting the small things out of your life then you’ll find that you feel less bogged down and it will boost your creativity and productivity.

Most of the tasks we have to do on a daily basis aren’t difficult or complex, they’re small things like making your bed, emptying the dishwasher, reading an email, opening your post, hanging up your clothes etc But even though they may seem small combined they actually make a huge difference and by not doing them, it could stop you moving forward with the bigger tasks.

You may be thinking that things like hanging up your coat or making your bed when you get up in the morning doesn’t make a difference but by using your two minutes wisely and getting those small tasks done then you’re opening up the time to tackle the big stuff.

And you know what the greatest thing about the 2 minute rule is? It just fits in to your life. You don’t have to schedule the time in or think about it, you just get up and do them.

The two minute rule doesn’t just have to apply to the mundane tasks either. Believe it or not two minutes can have a profound effect any larger projects you may have going on.

For example; if you want to become a better writer then sit down and vow to write for two minutes. Once you get started you’ve broken that seal and you’ll either keep on writing or you’ll have written at least 120 words which is a grand start.

Or maybe you want to start eating better…challenge yourself to throw together a salad in two minutes for your lunch or your dinner. This can be done whilst you’re waiting for the kettle to boil and if you do this then you have already made a huge step towards eating healthy.

The two minute rule is about freeing up your mind and getting those little things done and out of the way and organising your life without making a big deal of it.

Seriously, give is a try and let me know how you get on!

Live, work & eat better on a weekend #10

So, it’s been the first full week back at work after the Christmas break…how’ve you coped with it? I’ve not done too badly, I’ve stormed ahead with a HUGE writing project and I’ve also been updating my e-course #YBYW ready for round two.

Anyway, here are some reads to ease you in to the weekend! Enjoy…

This is interesting from Emma Barnet and I’ll definitely be tuning in to her radio 4 documentary on Sunday (11th Jan at 1.30pm) when she explores “Mindfulness” and why are so many of us living lives we feel unable to cope with?

Are your 30’s really the happiest years of your life?

I am SO glad Jamie Oliver is on the case about misshapen fruit and veg. The thought that perfectly good veggies are thrown away and not sold because they aren’t perfect drives me mad. it’s 2015 and people are still in poverty in this country, it’s time to get real and stop the waste.

Continue reading “Live, work & eat better on a weekend #10”

7 Tips to Achieve Your Goals in 2015

There’s something special about New Year and the prospect of a blank page to start afresh and to achieve new things. Whether you’re vowing to get fit or finally launch that business idea, January is the perfect time to go about achieving it.
So here are 7 Tips to Achieve Your Goals in 2015

1. Have just one goal. I’ve blogged about being a scanner a few times so I know what it’s like to have so many goals to accomplish. But whilst it’s great to never be short of ideas it can also be a major distraction. So rather than spreading your focus too thinly, just have one goal so you can put your heart, soul and energy in to making that one thing a roaring success.

2. Create a new habit. It takes the average person around 66 days before a new behavior becomes a habit. Goals are only achieved by habits so if your goal is to build a brilliant blog then get in to the habit of blogging often. Maybe you want to run a marathon? So get out and start running daily.

3. Stop procrastinating. When it comes New Year we all make resolutions but what’s the point in setting out goals if you’re not taking any action. Taking action doesn’t have to be big, bold, grand gestures but small things like; sending THAT email, doing some internet research, writing up your to do list can all be forms of action that will add up to help you achieve your goal. Continue reading “7 Tips to Achieve Your Goals in 2015”

live, work & eat better #9

Well December has shot by! I’ve had a bit of a blog break – well, kind of, I’ve still been working on the redesign, the podcast and the second round of my E-Course Your Blog, Your Way. OH and I’m also working on a self love challenge for January, if you fancy going me then sign up to my newsletter (over there >>>) to be first to know the details!

So since you’re all hopefully still snuggled down, eating chocolates and watching crap festive TV, here are a few brilliant reads to get you through the next few days…

Well first of all, I watched Gone Girl last night and can I just say – WOW!!! It’s one of those films you just keep thinking about! Anyhow, if you too liked Gone Girl (which by the way, the book is just 99p on Amazon at the moment) then Harpers Bazaar have compiled a list of 15 psychological thrillers you may enjoy.

This casserole reheats perfectly and will keep for at least five days in the fridge

I’ve been so lucky to have travelled to Cuba several times since 1999 and also travel across the Island taking in all those non-tourist spots. Cuba is one of my favourite places on earth, until you go and experience it for yourself (and I’m not talking about drinking Cuba Libre on the beach – although that is fabulous) then you’ll never know just how wonderful the Cuban people are. So this Associated Press piece about whether the diplomatic thaw between US and Cuba open the market for hotels, coffee chains and burger joints is really interesting.

Great post from about how you can’t move on to the year ahead without addressing what happened in the year you just lived.

How To You Know.

Forget your expensive lotions and potions, find out how the Mediterranean Diet can slow ageing.

Who cares so long as people are cooking? While women are cooking much less than they did in the 1960s, men are cooking much more.

So Serial has finished but if you still want more then check out Rabia Chaudry ‘s blog. Insightful.

This piece by Mark Manson – In The Future, Our Attention Will Be Sold is.

live, work & eat better at the weekend #8

Such a busy week, I’ve been compiling a gift guide for the insatiable Maison Du Vann, I’ve been working on my new website design and then to top it off, I’m launching a new 21 day pre christmas plan to help other fabulous women feel great in the run up to Christmas. If you’re interested in finding out more then make sure you sign up to my news letter ——>

So this week’s live, work & eat better on a weekend…

LIVE

Texting neck: why your smartphone is bad for your posture. Apparently weight on head of walking while texting is like having four bowling balls stacked on your head.

Did you see this the secret life of passwords from the New York Times? It’s brilliant.

This is good news for me…The Psychology Behind Messy Rooms: Why The Most Creative People Flourish In Clutter.

WORK

Do you sell digital products? Ebooks, e-courses etc? Well, in January the rules on VAT are changing…

I LOVE this comment from Karen Brady… ‘The only reason to look down on other women? If you’re helping them up’

EAT

WHAT do you think of this? A teacher who killed and skinned a rabbit in class to “show children how their meat is processed”.

The miraculous benefits of coconut oil.

Why New Yorkers will be sipping bone broth (in coffee cups) this winter

I know I’m going to be offending people here, but I’m not a HUGE cheese fan (I know, I don’t really like bacon either) but I do love a cheese toastie and a bowl of tomato soup on a cold winters night. Here’s a tip on the ultimate grilled cheese.

live, work & eat better on a Friday #4

What are you planning on doing this weekend? My kitchen should be finished by Sunday so I’m planning on a full day of baking cakes – not so good for the diet. Anyway, here are just a few links from across the web that I think you’ll enjoy x

Live

Is Mercury in Retrograde? Check here.

Anthony Bourdain has some good tips on Travel

Found a new blog that I absolutely LOVE this week. Becca from Bionic Buddha has a plethora of posts on living well. Including some sage advice on how to not lose your shit!

These black eyed children sightings are a bit weird aren’t they?

I love these musings by Slim Paley

Work

Want to make money from your personal blog? Then have a read of this > Why Personal Blogs Can Never Really Survive Monetization

Do bloggers make more money than editors?

This new book has a great quote on procrastination…

Also, I feel like the word “procrastination” is too strong. Just because you’re on Twitter saying stuff, it doesn’t really mean you’re procrastinating. The status update has become such a fluid part of culture.

Eat

I believe that you can eat extremely well on a budget, it’s just all down planning and savvy shopping. In MY opinion the problem lies with people not having the skills to cook and budget for healthy foods. I’d love to know what you think of this story.

Madeline Shaw has some great tips on eating healthy this Autumn

And in vast contrast, I cannot wait to try out this recipe for red wine cake!

Have a good one x

Oh! ps: I’m taking part in Gala Darling’s #LOVETOBER challenge so why not follow me on Instagram?

What colour is your screensaver?

THIS is my screensaver right at this moment…

I say right at this moment because I’m going to be changing the black asap!

Why? Well, I just read this great post via Sarah Wilson’s blog about what Australia’s leading colour specialist Chris Brazel has to say on certain subjects.

One of the subjects she commented on was our screensavers!! After all, screen savers are the first thing that we see as soon as we turn our computers on (which is why I always try to have a picture of somewhere I want to be and I change it often).

This is what she had to say about what the colours of our screensavers represent: Continue reading “What colour is your screensaver?”

3 Alternatives To Working In A Coffee Shop For Freelancers

As a freelancer I’m always looking for new places to work. I find myself at odds with working in coffee shops, I just can’t settle. My nosiness takes over and I end up flitting between facebook and listening to other people’s conversations.

Not good for a productive work day.

So here are 3 places where you can get your work done without over dosing on caffeine and inane chatter…

A public library…

On Friday I visited Birmingham’s new Library. WOW. With wifi, big open work spaces and a roof garden, it’s a shame that more libraries aren’t like it. But most libraries are pretty good workspaces. They’re quiet, calm, full of resources and woefully underused these days.

Some more images from Birmingham Library – amazing right? Continue reading “3 Alternatives To Working In A Coffee Shop For Freelancers”

Should I use an emoji?

I hate my liberal use of smiley faces and xxx’s, but I just can’t help it. It seems that nor can anyone else, because I receive loads of emails per day, mostly from PR companies all littered with emoticon, lolz and OMG.

Which is why this flow chart made me laugh, a handy guide to let you know whether you should be using emoji’s…

One of my favorite bloggers Sarah Wilson has also commented on signing off emails with the humble “x”… Continue reading “Should I use an emoji?”