Is Your Drive For Efficiency Slowing You Down?
When was the last time you worked on just one thing?
We’re all so used to (thinking we’re) doing multiple activities at the same time: texting and driving (don’t do that), emailing or checking Facebook while you’re on a Zoom call or webinar, etc. Your mind is constantly occupied, so you must be getting a lot done, right?
People Pleasing Prevents Powerful Productivity
We’re all hard-wired for people pleasing to some degree. Humans survived because we’re social animals and could band together to hunt and gather food and protect from predators. So we all need to get along to go along sometimes.
However, American work culture and management styles can make people pleasing seem necessary for winning new business and retaining employees and clients. But that style can lead to burnout and loss of clients and revenues instead.
Renew Thyself
After the 1,479th day of January, I think we could all use a Self Renewal Day (which just happens to be on February 2.)
It’s never a bad time to get back in touch with your self. Even when you’re ambitious and have at least one BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal.)
Who Is JJ And How Does She Support Her Clients?
As a productivity consultant, I work with business owners so they can get $hit done by working smarter.
But what does that MEAN?
I’m talking sustainable productivity.
The Write Way to Sustainable Productivity
I used to handwrite my thank-you notes when I got gifts for my birthday or Christmas. However, my handwriting is pretty brutal (it’s been compared to both doctors and Arabic) and my audience couldn’t read them. Instead, I began typing out a thank-you letter to share a little about what I was doing in addition to what I planned to do with the lovely gift.
This was all before researchers discovered that there is a tactile relationship between your brain and your hand when you’re writing by hand. You remember things better when handwriting compared to typing, which provides no benefit other than speed.
Let’s Get Organized, Organized
To me the word “organization” is similar to the word “productivity”: it means different things to different people. I know some wonderful declutter specialists who help people get their houses in order, and different kinds of organization can help you get… you guessed it… more $hit done. (You can buy the book on getting $hit done here.)
What’s a Good New Year’s Resolution?
May I suggest one that probably most people, including most business owners, would benefit from?
There are very, very few people (and let me be clear, I am not one of these very few) in the US who couldn’t use this resolution for a better, more fulfilling, more sustainable year and for years to come.
Goodbye, Farewell, Adios, Adieu to 2025
When I was in college, my boyfriend at the time and I went to Times Square to watch the ball drop. Even back then, in the 90s, it was pretty crowded, though nothing compared to today. Anyway, I did it once, and now there’s no need for me to do it again. Most years I don’t stay up for midnight celebrations.
However, I might stay up this year. Not so much to welcome 2026 in, but to make sure 2025 Gs the FO.
Sharpen Your Critical Thinking Skills for 2026: Part 3
Let’s flash back to the years 1999/2000. I’m working in a private bank, watching the dot-com businesses suck up lots of money. I personally have been on the ‘net since I graduated college in ‘95 (yeah I’m old), primarily on the bulletin boards which functioned as chatboards. Using the keyboard to type emojis, listening to the robots scream when you use your dial-up modem.
I’m noticing that some of these businesses are stupid.
Sharpen Your Critical Thinking Skills for 2026: Part 2
Not only does thinking critically help you be more effective in your business, so can thinking critically about effectiveness.
Sharpen Your Critical Thinking Skills for 2026: Part 1
Use it (critical thinking) or lose it (be at the mercy of those who do think).
Are You a Robot?
I’m not talking about whether a program thinks you’re a bot for failing to recognize stoplights.
I’m asking how much of your life is on automatic pilot?
How often do you go from bed to emails to “social” feeds to work to emails to working out to “social” feeds to emails to bed?
Too Many Apps… Or Not Enough?
The 11th of December is National App Day. I just realized this would be a totally different conversation if I thought “apps” referred to “appetizers” as they do in a restaurant. I hate apps or any meals, really, with corn kernels in them. FIGHT ME.
But I think the day is really about software apps. And here’s the nuance: some apps for business can be extraordinarily helpful, some are neutral, and some don’t help at all. Both not having enough apps and having too many can be detrimental.
Here Is Your Holiday Permission Slip
I like to give permission for overachievers, especially business owners, to let them know that it’s OK to ignore certain cultural assumptions that don’t work for them.
Remember What the Dormouse Said: Feed Your Head
How are you nourishing your brain today?
The most powerful tool in your arsenal as a business owner is your mind. You might think it’s your computer, but without you (and your brain), the computer is just a hunk of plastic taking up space on your desk.
Paying It Forward for Women Entrepreneurs
November 14th is International Girls Day, and though we might not know exactly what kinds of jobs will be available when they’re ready to work, we do know what pressures they’re likely to face.
It’s a great opportunity for women business owners, including those who don’t have children, to pass knowledge on to the next generations. And if anyone helped you on your path, it’s also a great time to pay it forward.
Productivity On The Pale Blue Dot
“We are made of starstuff.” - Carl Sagan
When was the last time you looked up at the stars? Or the moon, if you’re living in an urban area where stars are in short supply.
What Kids, Kittens, and Puppies Know About Productivity
“In short: Hard work works; smart work works better; smart play works best.” - Steven Kotler, p. 238, Gnar Country.
One Step to Reduce Business Owner Overwhelm
If being more effective and productive seems like a lot of work and your plate is already full, then think about one small step.
If you think you’re ready for the work and you’ve made room on your plate… think about one small step.
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Small steps lead to quick wins, and staying on the path takes you to your long-term goals.
If You Could Take Back Time… If You Could Find A Way… (To Focus)
As a business owner, does your “thinky time”/”working ON the business time” get moved all over the calendar? You find yourself canceling or “rescheduling” (in order to cancel later) this time more often than not.