Life & Work Skills

Do you ever feel like no matter how many productivity hacks, time management tips, or The Everygirl desk essentials you buy, you still aren’t operating at your peak productivity levels?
We’ve all heard the same advice from productivity experts everywhere, “Wake up an hour earlier!” or “Have you tried [insert time management strategy here]? It’s a total game-changer.” We live in a world where productivity is always top of mind, but sometimes, something still feels off no matter how many strategies we try or how much effort we put in.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you aren’t alone. But I’m here to tell you a little secret: You might have top-notch time management and productivity skills, but if you’re not structuring your day around your chronotype, you’re missing one of the puzzle pieces that will help you be successful.
As a self-proclaimed self-help enthusiast, I recently dug into Daniel Pink’s book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. Despite knowing as much as I do about productivity, I’ve never thought about how the timing I choose for specific work might not be a good fit. Naturally, I find open time in my calendar in the afternoons, a couple of hours before logging off for the day. But as it turns out, as a morning lark, I should actually be scheduling my focused work time in the morning hours.
If you’re looking for the real productivity hack that will help you get your best work done, look no further: Understanding your chronotype is the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

What are Chronotypes?
Each of us has a chronotype or a circadian classification of sorts. Our chronotype influences our alertness and activity levels, even when we don’t realize it. And since research suggests that our chronotypes are biological characteristics influenced by genetics and age, it’s often easier to work with your chronotype than against it or try to change it.
In his book, Pink shared the story of Thomas Edison alone in his lab one evening in 1879. While other colleagues went home to sleep, Edison stayed behind, determined to find a filament to illuminate a lightbulb. Pink uses Edison’s concept to introduce chronotypes you might be familiar with: larks and owls.

Larks have early chronotypes and are generally what we refer to as “morning people.” They wake early (naturally, not after hitting the snooze button seven times) and feel energized throughout the day but start to wear out by the early evening hours. According to Pink, when it comes to personality characteristics, research reveals that morning people are pleasant and productive and high in positive affect.
Owls have late chronotypes and are “night people.” They may sleep in when they don’t have to get up early for work and don’t peak (or do their best work) until late afternoon or early evening. Pink notes that owls tend to display darker tendencies, including impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and living for the moment.

But in addition to these two types, Pink introduces the third chronotype somewhere in the middle—the third bird.

Third birds are in the middle—not inherently early risers or night people—but more like people who naturally wake sometime between 8-10 am. Many of us meet the third bird criteria.

Source: Tatiana Syrikova | Pexels

Why does my Chronotype matter?
Okay, our chronotypes certainly impact our sleeping patterns, but why do they matter at work? All of us, regardless of chronotype, similarly experience the day. The kicker: We don’t experience it at the same time in the day because of our chronotypes.
Every day, we experience three phases as part of our biological productivity:
A peak: The time of day where your energy, attention, and focus are at their highest.A trough: The time of day where your energy levels are lowest, and you may find it challenging to focus.A rebound: A boost in energy and attention (not quite the same levels as your peak, but more than your trough).
According to Pink, larks and third birds experience the day in that exact order, but at different time frames throughout the day (larks peak earlier than third birds, etc.); however, night owls might experience the day in reverse order, says Pink—a recovery, a trough, and a peak. (Keep this in mind, we’ll help you optimize your day once you figure out your type!)

How to determine your bird type
Determining your chronotype is relatively simple. You need to examine your behavior on a “natural” day—a day when you aren’t setting an alarm clock or forcing yourself to wake up at a specific time.
Pink recommends asking yourself the following three questions:

What time do you usually go to sleep?
What time do you usually wake up?
What is the middle of those two times—that is, what is your midpoint of sleep?

Do you have your answers?
You’re probably a lark if your midpoint of sleep is before 3:30 am. You’re likely a third bird if it’s between 3:30-5:30 am. And if it’s after 5:30 am, you’re most likely an owl.
Still not convinced? Try Pink’s simpler method to be sure. Write down when you wake up on the weekend or a non-alarm clock day. If it’s the same as weekdays, you’re a lark. Slightly later than weekdays, a third bird. And one-and-half hours or more later, an owl.

How to make the most of your workday
Now that you know your chronotype, you can take advantage of the three phases of the productivity cycle: peak, trough, and rebound.
If you have some control over when you can do your work, try to plan to do your most critical analytical tasks during your peak. For larks and third birds, the morning to mid-morning hours is a sacred time that you should reserve for your most important tasks (you know, like that big assignment requiring research and critical thinking that your boss wants from you by the end of the week). Night owls don’t have it as easy, but saving important analytical tasks for the late afternoon and evening can benefit from a productivity standpoint. Here’s an example schedule for each of the three types:

Consider using your trough for lighter, administrative tasks that are more mundane and routine. For larks and third birds, a late afternoon time block for responding to emails and Slack messages might be the move. For owls, consider starting your morning this way—ease in slowly and get settled into your workday. Knowing when your trough is can also be helpful for scheduling meetings. Depending on the type of meeting and your role as an attendee, consider scheduling less critical, more routine meetings during your trough when your activity levels are lower.
There’s no secret recipe for living your best, most productive life, but knowing how (and when) you’ll do your best work can help. Don’t ditch those time management strategies and productivity hacks just yet! Combine them with a schedule that works well for your chronotype, and watch your work life soar in no time.

5 Expert-Backed Productivity Tips That Will Actually Help You Get Things Done More

The first time I learned about the Pomodoro Technique, I was standing in my manager’s office as she was staring at a tomato. She was convinced it would help improve her focus and her productivity. I remember being very confused and asking myself, “How in the world will this tomato help her get work done more efficiently?” Turns out, she was onto something. Well, actually Francesco Cirillo was on to something first.
In the late 1980s, Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique while attending business school in Rome. How does the tomato timer come into play? “Pomodoro” in Italian means “tomato”, and Cirillo originally used a tomato timer when he first coined this productivity technique.
My manager isn’t the only person who’s been intrigued by the Pomodoro Technique. Since its creation over 30 years ago, more than 2 million people have used this method to increase their focus and productivity—but how does it actually work? Here’s everything you need to know.

So, what exactly is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that breaks a large task, or series of tasks, into short, timed intervals of work. Francesco Cirillo used a kitchen timer to break his work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks. Each interval of work and break is called a Pomodoro. The Pomodoro Technique is meant to improve focus and increase productivity by reducing distractions and reducing complexity. Each Pomodoro helps create smaller, more manageable tasks and improve concentration.

How do I give the Pomodoro Technique a try?
There are six steps to the Pomodoro Technique. Let’s break them down.

Step 1: Select your task. This task can be big or small. It’s totally up to you! The most important thing to keep in mind is that it’s work that requires your full, undivided attention.
Step 2: Set a timer for 25 minutes. You can use a traditional timer like Cirillo did, or an online timer. You can even set a timer on your phone or download an app, but keep in mind that during this time you are committing to no interruptions. That means that you won’t pick up your phone to check social media, answer a text, or even respond to an email.
Step 3: Work on the task until the timer rings. As soon as you start your timer, your only objective is to immerse yourself in the task at hand. Remember, no distractions. But because it’s not uncommon for random thoughts to pop into your head (think that one item on your to-do list you totally spaced on), keep a piece of paper handy. If you have a thought that pops into your head, quickly write it down, and then get back to work.
Step 4: When the timer goes off, stop working. Metaphorical pencils down! Your 25 minutes are up, and it’s time for a break. At this time, put a checkmark on a piece of paper so you can keep track of how many Pomodoros you’ve completed.
Step 5: Take a short break. The key word is short. The break should only be 5-10 minutes long. Set a timer and do anything unrelated to work. Go for a quick walk. Refill your coffee cup. Grab some water. Do a few breathing exercises. Literally anything other than work.
Step 6: Lather, rinse, repeat. Congratulations! You’ve completed one Pomodoro. It’s time to get back to work. Once you’ve completed four Pomodoros (approximately two hours if you’re working for 25 minutes with a five-minute break), it’s time to take a longer break. This break should be around 20 minutes, but it can be up to 30 minutes. This time is used as a reset before you begin your next set of Pomodoros.

A few tips and tricks when implementing the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is fairly simple, but staying focused, which is the reason you’re probably trying out this technique, is often easier said than done. But I promise, you’ll get the hang of it after a few tries, and it works! While you won’t find a tomato on my desk anytime soon, I can attest to the magic that is a Pomodoro.
As you’re working through your Pomodoros, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Working in intervals is meant to instill a sense of urgency. So while you might find your flow right before the timer sounds, the built-in breaks are there for a reason (i.e., to help reduce fatigue and burnout). It’s important to trust the process.
The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to take a larger, more complex project and break it into smaller, more digestible tasks. So just because you think a task will take longer than 25 minutes, doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of this technique.
If you finish a task in the middle of a Pomodoro, use any remaining time to review your work or take a look at your to-do list to identify what you’d like to work on next.
By keeping track of how many Pomodoros it takes for you to complete an item on your to-do list, you can begin to learn where your time is spent throughout the day to start to create efficiencies in your work week.

 
Can I use the Pomodoro Technique with others?
Yes! While the Pomodoro Technique was originally developed for solo work, there’s a benefit to adapting it to use with your colleagues and teams. For example, try scheduling time with a friend or co-worker to sync up your Pomodoros. Whether in person, over Zoom, or via text, holding each other accountable for knocking out your to-do list is a win-win scenario.
You can even try the Pomodoro Technique with teams. Say you need to brainstorm for an upcoming project, set a timer for 25 minutes, and let your minds run wild. When that timer is up, take a team walk or snack break before diving back in. Accountability is a powerful tool, and the Pomodoro Technique allows you to hold yourself and others accountable for achieving your goals.

5 Expert-Backed Productivity Tips That Will Actually Help You Get Things Done More

I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason, especially when it comes to your career. Whether it’s taking a job just to pay the bills (been there!) or taking a role that is far from your dream job just to get your foot in the door (done that!), it can be easy to wonder if all of these random jobs will ever get you where you want to go. In a world where we regularly see people in our networks announcing a shiny new job offer or promotion on LinkedIn, it’s easy to feel down about working a less-than-stellar job. But all is not lost, because even if it’s not your dream role, making the most out of any opportunity can take you places you’d never expect.
I’ve been there a few times in my career, but one role, in particular, stands out. I knew I wanted to work in the content and editorial world, but it can be hard to break into the industry (gird your loins indeed!). After trying and failing to get a job in the fashion world, I took an entry-level position as a copy editor at a digital publication and bravely walked into the full-time working world. That role ended up being a lot of fun, helped me learn key skills that I still use today, and gave me my first steady paycheck, but those actually weren’t the best things I walked away with. I ended up meeting someone there who, unbeknownst to me at the time, would help me to grow my career to new heights in a number of ways in the coming years. Put in more basic terms, I learned the power of weak ties—how your acquaintances can actually be more helpful in some situations than your close friends and family—something which I definitely wasn’t taught in college.

My experience
I met this individual in the office one day when our desks were rearranged, and we found ourselves sitting close together. She was on a different team and from what I could tell, we didn’t have much in common. Her desk was full of DIYs she had made herself (I can barely color in a coloring book), she was older than me (which seemed very significant when I was only 22 and intimidated by anyone with a smidge of work experience), and she already had a strong network of connections in the office with whom she regularly hung out with. I figured we’d be friendly to each other and go about our business like regular coworkers, but we ended up connecting way beyond that.
Throughout the time that we sat together, she gave me a lot of industry tips, and we bonded over our adopted dogs. When I ended up leaving the company for a different role in an entirely new industry, she leveraged her connections to get me a meeting with the hiring director, and a few years later, she randomly invited me into a top-secret Slack group for marketers in our city (who even knew those existed?!) which is where I found my current role that I love. That, and I ended up tripling my salary over the course of four years as I changed jobs which is something I can tie directly back to my colleague (#blessed).
Here are some of the things I learned from this relationship that has helped me grow and build an authentic network and similar connections with other people.

Source: Social Squares

How To Create Meaningful Connections

Be open to connecting with anyone
As I mentioned, I didn’t think that this person was going to completely change my career trajectory. That was largely driven by the fact that I had no idea how networking worked, and I didn’t think there was much value in building connections with people outside of my direct department. Anyone who knows anything about networking will tell you that is totally backward, and I’m glad I learned sooner rather than later because the best connections expose you to people you otherwise wouldn’t probably know—AKA you need to know people outside of your department! By building up a genuine friendship with someone who I otherwise wouldn’t have gravitated toward, I exposed myself to a huge network of her connections which she leveraged when I was looking to make a job switch. I wouldn’t have had access to most of these people or resources had I not made the effort to be open to learning more about her and her role when we worked together many years ago.

Find common ground
It’s all well and good to be nice to random people in your office, but what if you have nothing to talk about?! There’s nothing worse than being forced to make small talk about the weather every day, so it’s important to find something in common and build a connection around that. Most people are happy to talk about things they are passionate about, you just need to do some detective work to figure out what that is. In my case, we both had adopted dogs and would swap stories of their antics, but for you, it could be that you share a love of craft breweries or wear similar clothing—seriously, I once became great friends with a VP in my department because I noticed her wearing a sweater I also owned and then figured out that we had the same style. I used to tell her about ongoing sales all the time. It’s easier to build a network when you have an “in” with each person outside of your direct working relationship.

Nurture your connections
Once you’ve found common ground, it’s important to nurture your relationships with these people, even if you don’t know if they can help you down the road. In my opinion, this is the hardest part of fostering authentic connections. With the person in my story, we’d stay in touch over text about industry news and occasionally grab lunch, slowly becoming more friends than colleagues. If there’s something I see that reminds me of a past colleague or connection, I take 30 seconds to send them a quick email. Most people love to receive genuine messages on LinkedIn along the lines of “thinking of you!” in a way that isn’t looking for something in return, so be that person. Sometimes one text or LinkedIn DM a year is all it takes for them to keep you top-of-mind.

Source: Color Joy Stock

Remember that it’s a two-way street
On that note, if you want your connections to hook you up with amazing networking and job opportunities, you need to be open to doing the same for them. One of the most annoying things is having a connection who only reaches out when they want something. Even if you stand to gain absolutely nothing, be the person who sends a job opportunity to someone who sounds like a perfect fit, offers to introduce them to a hiring manager if they decide to apply to a role at your company, or even just invites them to join an industry event you think they’ll like. All of that good karma is not just so that they’ll potentially help you down the road, it also helps you build a shining reputation as someone that everyone wants to know.

If it’s not working, don’t force it
As much as this strategy has a 95% chance of success (my own data, of course), there’s always a handful of people who you won’t mesh with no matter what. If you’ve tried the above strategies and aren’t seeing any traction in the form of replies to your messages or an equal showing of interest, it’s OK to just let it go. I’ve had this happen a handful of times, and while it’s not fun being left on read, I don’t sweat it. As long as you aren’t burning bridges or only reaching out to people because you need something, trust that the other connections you have will help you out when you need it. That person you never quite connected with might even circle back around years later for a random reason. This is where trusting things to play out as they should in your career is super valuable!

Play the long game
We all wish fostering weak ties was one of those one-and-done things, but it’s unfortunately not. Having friends and connections to lean on whenever you need them takes work, but it is SO worth it. Since I befriended my work colleague five years ago, she introduced me to a future manager at a cocktail party and then invited me into a Slack group where everyone shares the inside scoop on jobs and events before they’re public. Everyone knows that applying through a portal is the absolute last way that you want to apply for a role, so having these kinds of resources and a network that wants you to succeed is truly priceless. Remember that you never know where life will take you, so it’s important to be nice to everyone you meet along the way (ugh, mom is right again) and trust that everything in your career happens for a reason!

Yes, Manifesting Works—It Helped Me Land My Dream Job More

At the beginning of 2022, I set a goal of landing a new job. I liked my current job well enough, but I had been feeling somewhat disengaged and I knew I wanted to pivot my skill set into a different industry. I had a list of what I was looking for: a remote position in the tech industry in content and/or editorial, a team to lead that was supportive and hardworking, and creative freedom to try new things, all with a lovely six-figure salary to match. Should be an easy find, right?
In fact, when I first wrote out that list of criteria in my brand-new 2022 planner under the “Goals” section (a yearly ritual I highly recommend), I literally laughed out loud when I read it back to myself. It was a far cry from where I was starting from in more ways than one. Furthermore, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to make it happen. I spent the rest of the day stressing out about the fact that I had set a completely unrealistic goal and was already doomed to fail.
The universe happened to be looking out for me the next day though, and my friend invited me to join her in Gabby Bernstein’s 21-day manifesting challenge. I’ve always been very openminded when it comes to things in the spiritual and wellness world, so I signed up and logged onto the platform for Day 1. I had always heard a lot about manifesting your dream life, but this was the first time I was going to actively try to create something I wanted and I was a bit nervous about looking like a fool if it didn’t work. However, the course walked me through a series of steps and mental exercises that felt more like fun than work. There were some key steps I learned to successful manifesting that are important to keep in mind as you work toward attracting your goals.

Get Crystal Clear on What you Want
The first step of the challenge was about getting crystal clear on what I wanted to manifest so I’d know when an opportunity presented itself to help me achieve my goal. This was fairly easy for me, as I already knew what I wanted, but writing it down and then creating a vision board around it forced me to really narrow down what I wanted and keep it top of mind. I printed out one copy of my vision board (#oldschool) and put it above my home office desk, and then I made a digital copy to set as my phone background so I could see it every time I picked up my phone (which we all know is way too often).

Source: cottonbro | Pexels

Spend Time Visualizing
The next step of the course was all about visualizing. As a self-proclaimed chronic daydreamer, this was the fun part for me. For 21 days, I spent 10 minutes each morning and night thinking about how finding the perfect role would make me feel once I had accomplished it. I learned how important it was to focus and identify the emotions I was experiencing while visualizing, as this helps your mind get used to those feelings and rewires your brain to seek out more opportunities to give you those feelings. While it might sound a bit “woo woo,” there is a lot of science to back up visualizing and positive brain modification, something that kept me going even when I wasn’t yet seeing results.

Let Go of the “How”
Now, this was easily the hardest part of the process. After the first week, the course finally addressed the question I was wrestling with from the minute I set my goal: “But how will this happen?” When we set a lofty goal that is a far stretch from where we are presently, our minds immediately go to how we can (or can’t) accomplish our goals, looking for tangible next steps to help us feel in control.
Whether you are trying to manifest a new role like I was or are looking to find the perfect partner or achieve any other goal, it can be incredibly difficult to just “trust” that it will happen when the time is right. The course advised that anytime I found myself stressing about how my goal would happen, I should focus on a few positive affirmations to reframe my thinking. Some of the ones that I loved were “I have complete faith that everything I desire is coming to me at the right time” and “If not this, something better.” That last one was especially helpful when I found myself worrying about missed opportunities (like roles I applied to that I thought would be perfect for me yet never got a call back for).

Take Aligned Action
Toward the end of the course, I was feeling positive and hopeful but also couldn’t get rid of this nagging feeling that my dream role wasn’t just going to come knocking on my front door—I needed to do something to make it happen. I was worried that manifesting meant just sitting back and meditating, but for the final seven days, I learned about the importance of taking aligned action, something my Type-A self was thrilled to hear.
Aligned action is essentially taking the necessary steps to achieve something while also maintaining the positive, relaxed mindset that comes from knowing that you will find the right opportunity when it’s ready for you. Easier said than done, I know. For me, this looked like continuing to practice my affirmations daily, spending time visualizing, and reviewing my vision board often while also networking, touching up my LinkedIn and resume, and applying to jobs that seemed like the right fit. Instead of doing these things with an energy of “Why the heck won’t anyone call me back?!” (my previous default mentality), I shifted my thinking to be along the lines of “OK, that one clearly wasn’t the best fit for me, but I’m confident something better will come along soon.”
Changing my thinking really gave me more motivation to keep going and also prevented the stress of hunting for a new role from impacting my personal life or the job I already had.

Source: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels

The End Result
Despite my friend achieving her manifesting goal of finding her perfect home within days of finishing the course, my dream role did not perfectly appear in the month of January. It also didn’t appear in February or March, either. I had given myself all of 2022 to achieve this goal so I wasn’t super stressed about it, but I did begin to wonder if I had gone off track with my manifesting. I certainly had doubts that I would ever find the right thing, especially when it seemed impossible at times (a job with a good salary and work-life balance? A myth for sure).
I kept pushing forward and decided to share my job hunt with a friend after we got on the topic of manifesting. A few weeks later, she reached out to put me in touch with someone she knew at a company I was interested in for a coffee chat. Lo and behold, after meeting with this connection twice, she shared with me that she was about to resign from her role in content for another opportunity and asked if I’d be interested in applying to replace her. I went for it (equipped with my revised resume and interview prep work that I had done as part of my aligned action!), and three weeks later, I was the proud owner of an offer letter with ample vacation time, a larger salary than I had dared to dream of when I set my audacious goal, and the opportunity to work from home as often as I wanted. All that, and I had jumped into an industry I had been dying to get into for years. To say that I was thrilled would be an understatement.
If you’re skeptical about manifesting, I totally get it. I was always unclear about how manifesting and ambition paired together, but learning about it in depth helped me realize that manifesting is about an outlook, not just an outcome. By being crystal clear on what I wanted, spending time focusing on it every day, and taking actions from a place of trust and confidence over desperation, I was able to attract the perfect role for me in a way I otherwise wouldn’t have. I’ll definitely be using my newfound manifesting toolkit to help me attract other goals in the future, and I encourage you to give it a try!

The Everygirl’s Guide to Manifestation and Achieving Your Best Life More

My husband and I both worked from home together long before the pandemic sent workers home with their laptops. Did I mention we live in a one-bedroom apartment?
While we were used to having two desks crammed into our living room and respecting each other’s space during the workday, we were both usually in and out most days for in-person meetings and any phone calls that could easily be taken in the bedroom. Once the pandemic hit, we had to adjust to a 40-hour workweek and an unexpected increase in video calls occurring in our main living space.
So how did we adjust? I’m going to share some tried-and-true ways to stay productive when your living room is also your office—which gets a whole lot more challenging when you have two people working there.

Create a Designated—But Cute—Work Space
This part is going to sting a little. I know how tempting it is to move your laptop from your bed to your couch to your kitchen table, all to avoid adding office furniture to your living room. It’s not a cute look, but you deserve a real workspace to turn to every day. My solution to softening the blow was to avoid office-looking accessories. You can buy a beautiful desk and desk chair and finish it off with charming accessories that don’t look like they came from an office supply store. Splurging on a notebook you love to look at or a marble tray to collect pens and paper clips can change how you feel about your work space and can help it blend in when you have friends over for a dinner party.
The reason setting up a work space you love is so important is that it will motivate you to work at your desk more often. Is the bed comfortable? Yes. Is it the best place to get work done? More often than not, no. There are no rules in a home office (it’s your living room, after all!), so create a work space you love to look at and work in.

Source: @mycityapartment

Invest in the Right Supplies
Why did it take me and my husband years to invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones? No idea. What I do know is that we won’t be going back. We didn’t even need to splurge on two pairs. Whichever one of us isn’t on a call will wear them while the other person takes their calls, and they really do block out enough noise so I’m not distracted by what’s going on in the background. Having a pair of headphones like this also signals to your live-in coworker that you aren’t available to talk.
This pair of headphones from Microsoft does wonders for us and costs half as much as other popular brands (we’re looking at you, Apple).

Set Boundaries
Do you have a roommate who likes to chat when they’re eating lunch and you’re not? Does your neighbor stop by to talk since they know you’re working from home? Does your very helpful mom want to drop off groceries again? When working from your living room, it’s super important to set boundaries. Make it clear to friends and family, whether you live with them or not, that just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re available to chat.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to remain responsive at all times. You can put your phone in the other room or ignore a non-emergency text or call until you log off at the end of the day.

Communicate Clearly
To make sure we don’t slow each other down during the workday, my husband and I are super communicative regarding when we are available to connect with each other. In the morning, we go over our schedules for the day so we know when to expect the other person to be completely unavailable (like during a meeting). Then, throughout the day, we check in to see if now is a good time to go on a walk or to eat lunch together. If someone is getting chatty and the other person needs to focus, we just let each other know. You can’t get what you don’t ask for! If you live with a roommate, family member, or romantic partner, simply let them know what you need to feel good about your productivity levels.
The same thought process applies with coworkers who can distract you from a distance. It can be tempting to be responsive at all times when working from home to prove you are in fact working, but sometimes, you need to carve out time to focus solely on the task at hand. Don’t be afraid to tell your manager or teammates you’re going to be heads down for two hours and won’t be responding to Slack or emails during that time.

Source: Samson Katt | Pexels

Plan for Breaks
When you work from home, it’s so easy to feel guilty about taking breaks. When I was in an office, I thought nothing of taking a 15-minute break to chat with a coworker. When you’re in an actual office and interacting with coworkers, a break feels more like a normal part of your workday. At home, it can feel like you’re slacking off. And to be fair, it’s really easy to let a quick coffee break turn into a much longer break than intended when you’re at home and there is laundry to do or a cute pup to play with.
Scheduling breaks can help you get over these hangups. Each day when I sit down at my desk, I look at what I need to accomplish that day and when I have meetings that day. Then, I use time blocking to plan out when I will work and when I will take a break. Do I schedule the break down to the minute? No. But I will say that between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., I am going to clear my inbox, finish writing a blog post, and go on a walk. That way, taking breaks feels like a regularly scheduled part of my day, I know when they need to be completed, and I get to rest, which helps me be more productive throughout the day.

I’ve Worked for Myself for 4 Years—These Are the Tools That Keep Me Productive More

We’re officially more than halfway through the year (literally how?), and that means one of two things: 1) It’s been approximately four months since I ditched my New Year’s resolution to be a fit girlie and 2) I’m losing some steam on my career goals. Not that things are bad, per se, but after a few months of trucking along toward those lofty goals I set at the beginning of the year, I’m feeling my usual, mid-year need to rebrand, set new work goals, and reassess who I want to be to finish out this next half of the year.
My biggest grief with goal setting when it comes to my career is that I want to do it all. But with the constraint of time, money, and my attention span that is short-lived at even the smallest mention of The Vampire Diaries or people-watching on the Chicago Lakefront, I’m trying to get the biggest bang for my time and financial buck as possible. Enter Skillshare, my best-kept hack for making moves toward a career in the most streamlined way possible.
Skillshare is an affordable, online learning community where members come together to take the next step in their creative journey. It helps learners experience real improvement with hands-on projects and classes designed for real life, from building a UX portfolio to starting a side hustle to resume-building and beyond, no matter where your starting point is. Plus, if you join today, you can get one month free. If you’re looking for an attainable way to make moves in your career by next week, look no further: There’s a Skillshare class with your name on it.

1. Become an expert in the technology your company uses
I don’t care what anyone says; there’s no question in life quite as daunting as the ever-loaded Are you proficient in Excel? bit. Sure, I can add the sum of items in a column and pull an occasional average, but if I answer yes to that question, I’m straight up lying to you. Whether you want to brush up on knowledge you already have or start from scratch, Skillshare has tons of courses on technology your company likely uses so you can become a master and take your application knowledge to the next level. Whether you want to finally get a grip on Excel, master Microsoft Teams, get your life together on Asana, or wow your coworkers with Zoom hacks, Skillshare has a class that has your back.

2. Brush up on data analytics to drive new ideas and processes
If there’s one game-changing piece of advice I could give to anyone after a dabbling in three careers as an adult, it’s that data is king. Pulling data, sorting data, analyzing it, and using that information to drive best practices and new ideas moving forward is a skill that’s unmatched in the workplace and will serve you no matter what field you’re in. If you’re not a numbers person (I am with you on this one), don’t fret. Skillshare has plenty of classes from intro to expert that can help you make sense of the numbers once and for all. From Marketing Analytics Fundamentals to social media analytics like Pinterest and Instagram to Google Analytics and beyond, Skillshare has a bunch of resources that can make the all-intimidating data analysis a whole lot more accessible. 

Source: Windows | Unsplash

3. Channel your inner-graphic designer
Whether you’re already a wiz in Photoshop or you are still editing your pictures in the Instagram app (no shame in that game), there is such an opportunity for workplace growth in graphic design. Graphic design can help your company or business gain visibility externally, help communicate ideas internally, and can take your projects to the next level. And if you’re looking to level up your graphic design game with Skillshare, they have plenty of courses surrounding a plethora of design tools like Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, and UX design—take your pick and watch the magic happen.

4. Refine your problem-solving skills
If there’s one constant amongst fields of study, it’s that problems will always arise, no matter how streamlined your processes are. From disagreements among coworkers to finding a better way to communicate a product to your customer, problem solving is one of the most valuable skills you can equip yourself with. And even if you feel like your way of solving issues works, why not take things up a notch and help yourself tackle your work with a new perspective? Skillshare offers courses that can help you think critically, approach issues in a different way, become a better listener, and use creativity to adapt in your workplace. If there’s ever been a tool for the ever-evolving workplace, Skillshare is it.

Source: ColorJoy Stock

5. Become a master networker
Making, maintaining, and using connections in the workforce are invaluable skills that will lead your interactions in the workforce and beyond. Instead of just winging your next networking opportunity, opt for a strategy-based approach that actually works. On Skillshare, there are a plethora of courses on best practices for connecting with others while staying true to yourself—from using LinkedIn to find, develop, and nurture relationships to tackling networking as an introvert and beyond, building your networking skills can help you find mentors, make mutual business connections, and be top of mind for future opportunities. 

6. Make moves toward launching a side hustle
Turning a hobby into a side hustle can be one of the most daunting tasks of all time, and if you’re looking for a place to start, look no further than Skillshare. Here, you can build out your own, personalized curriculum of courses that can help you fill in the gaps as you move your next big idea from your brain to reality. On Skillshare, you can find courses for launching a successful side hustle, building a side-hustle toolkit, pricing work as a freelancer, nailing your personal branding, and more.

Source: Ron Lach | Pexels

7. Work on your ability to give and receive feedback
Giving and receiving feedback is one of the most underrated ways to improve performance and become a leader within your field. If you’re one of those people who feels a rise in anxiety when a negative, performance-related comment comes your way (guilty as charged) or if you struggle to provide feedback to those you work with, it might be time to give some attention to how you view, receive, and provide commentary in your field. If you’re ready to build this skillset, check out Modern Leadership: Give & Get Honest Feedback at Work on Skillshare.

8. Improve your negotiation skills
Love it or hate it, negotiation is a crucial aspect of your work, whether it be closing on a sales deal or advocating for a higher salary in your role. As with most workplace skills, negotiation is an art that can improve and become more powerful with attention and practice. With Skillshare, you can find courses like Salary Negotiation Masterclass: Get the Offer You Deserve to help you advocate for yourself and outline a conversation with your boss and the Sales Skills And Negotiation Skills Masterclass to help you master sales skills, strategies, and techniques. 

Source: ColorJoy Stock

9. Update your resume to be prepared for new opportunities
Even if you’re not looking for a new job, you should be updating your resume at least twice a year. And while it can be easy to put off, keeping your resume up-to-date with pivotal projects, promotions, and accomplishments will be a “thank yourself later” moment if a new opportunity arises out of the woodwork. When a recruiter calls with your dream opportunity or that company you’ve been eyeing for years finally has an opening, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to update a resume that hasn’t been updated in three years. If it’s been a minute since you’ve updated your resume, be sure to check out How to Write a Winning Resume and Land Your Dream Job and Recruiter Reveals CV (Resume) Writing Formula on SkillShare.

10. Become proficient in public speaking
If there’s one award I’m most favored to win in life, it’s “Most Likely to Freeze Up and Have an Existential Crisis while Public Speaking.” It’s a skill that’s been on my radar to improve on for far too long, and if there’s one class I’m running—not walking—to on Skillshare, it’s Intro to Public Speaking – Give a 5-Minute Talk Without Dying. If you’re looking to improve the way that you communicate to your team, to large groups, or even on one-on-ones to your boss, Skillshare has plenty of resources to help you eloquently and confidently present in work and in life.

7 Things Every Successful Woman Has on Her Desk

This post is sponsored by Skillshare but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

If you clicked on this article because you were you thinking, “I’ve been lazy, I haven’t gotten enough done recently, I need to do better …” Here’s your warning: This article will not cover how to “be better”. Thanks to the help of Productivity Coach Melissa Gratias, we recently found out you can’t be more productive unless you show kindness to your current self. So instead of saying all the things you should be doing, say, “thank you, me” for opening up this article to learn.
Being productive is a long-term strategy, not a short-term fix. In fact, Gratias told us it’s often the most successful people who feel the least productive. Usually overworked or overwhelmed, her clients seeking help often have a tendency for perfectionism. Sound familiar? Well, whatever your personality may be, the tips below will help you build a realistic and reusable foundation as you work toward your goals.

Meet the expert
Melissa Gratias, PhD
Productivity coach
For more than 20 years, Gratias

1. Start With a Happy File
A personal goal or work project can feel daunting to start, especially if you’re lacking motivation. An easier way to begin is starting with self-reflection. “Remind yourself how much you’ve already accomplished first because it’s a fantastic motivator,” Gratias shared. But how? Start saving (even printing!) those emails where your boss compliments your work. Got a nice text from someone about you? Save it. How about a performance review that says you’re an asset to the team? Or a love note from your partner? Take these “happy files” and store them somewhere you can easily refer back to on a regular basis. “Your file can look like anything—my notes are printed out on my closet door and I look at it every morning,” Gratias said. Not a bad way to start the day!

2. Create Progress Timelines, Not Numerical Lists
Now, we’re not saying a daily to-do list isn’t helpful or to throw out your daily planner because this next piece of advice can work for daily tasks. Here, we’re learning how to manage our energy and make the most of milestones. “It’s about filling the gap between where you are and where you want to be, when you work the best,” Gratias said. Let’s learn how to do it:

Start by mapping out how long this goal or project will take. Look at the calendar, then write in the start and end dates.
Determine small milestones that you need to fill in along the way. Think tactically: If your goal is to get a new job by December 2022, your first milestone may be to update your resume by end of June 2022. The next one in early July may be to have the resume peer reviewed. If you have multiple work projects, determine when you can actually work on them instead of just writing down that you have to do them.
Now, most importantly, when you go to pick these task dates, consider your energy: What hours and days are you more likely to get this done? If you’re better at writing in the morning, block off that time to get any written correspondence or writing assignments done. If you are working on a passion project, can you commit to 30 minutes every Tuesday evening after work? Most importantly, don’t schedule yourself to do something on a Friday afternoon if most Friday afternoons you’re checked out or tired. Consider holidays, birthdays, etc. Ask yourself when you can realistically get something completed by.

“Avoid allowing yourself to fail. Schedule tasks for when you have the most energy, not during your low-energy moments,” Gratias said. She added an important reminder: “You want the best for yourself, and you’ll thank yourself for being proactive.”

Source: Social Squares

3. Use a Buddy System
Buddy, pal, friend—call them what you want, but it’s time to pick someone to hold you accountable for meeting your goals. Why? We’re more likely to succeed if we’ve committed to someone else, but the “who” is key. Gratias shared the perfect combination, and research proves her theory:
“We crave connection, so I love recommending the buddy system. But choose someone who has a different skillset than you—someone who can challenge you. The best combination is someone you trust, look up to, and isn’t very similar in personality or skillset.” This allows you to see multiple perspectives and gain insight on how others manage their time.
You can reciprocate the ask, too. Most likely, this person has a goal they’re working toward too. Set up time where you can check in on each other’s progress. The more you check in, the more times you have to say, “I’m doing it” or “I’m not” and track your progress accordingly.

4. Use Task Management Tools Effectively
It’s easy to buy the cutest planner or weekly calendar, but don’t forget: We’re on a mission to be productive for the long term. This is why Gratias suggested a digital application for task management. “You want to be able to use it wherever you are, so it can be challenging if it’s on a Post-it.”
Now you’re wondering, what tools should I use? “Use what you have or at least start with the free versions”, Gratias said. She likes Outlook Tasks and Trello, but it doesn’t matter which one you use—just as long as you are tracking your progress and creating milestones instead of long lists. If you’re looking for more options, we suggest Evernote.

5. Don’t Work to Solve Problems You Don’t Have
We already know comparing ourselves to social media accounts can negatively affect us. So when it comes to comparing what you should be doing or how to do it, it’s important to ask yourself, “Do I really need to change?” “Productivity is knowing what not to do,” Gratais said. “If you don’t need a morning smoothie, don’t feel like you need to make one …if you’re only making your bed 80% of the time, that’s fine!” You don’t need to add things to your plate (literally and figuratively) just because someone else is on TikTok. “That Girl” followers, I’m looking at you. Start small, be realistic, and don’t forget to use your life as the main point of view.
Here, again, it’s important to follow your energy patterns and to design a system that makes sense for your lifestyle. In the long run, you’re setting yourself up for success, and that’s worth celebrating.

I Work for Myself—These Are The Productivity Hacks That Actually Help Me Get Work Done More

When summertime rolls around, working from home can either feel like the biggest blessing or a total drag. The advantages of it—like zero travel time or the ability to wear what you want without getting any disapproving or suspicious looks from coworkers—can be especially teasing when the warm weather hits. It’s easy to become irritable when you’d rather be at a rooftop bar or lounging on the beach or if your skin’s sticking to your desk chair and you just can’t cool off.
No one wants to work in a space that makes them feel unmotivated and uninspired, which is why one key part to staying motivated while working from home during the summer is having a nice, enticing setup.
Make this your most productive summer yet with these summer WFH essentials. From small summer skincare necessities to cute accessories, fans, and more, these essentials will elevate your desk setup and make working from home feel like a breeze.

Equilibria
Daily Drops
There’s no getting around it: Summer is busy. Whether it’s your work life or your personal one, there’s a lot going on, and staying focused and stress-free can be a challenge. In those times, turn to Equilibria’s Daily Drops for a targeted dose of CBD to help keep you centered, calm, and productive. Pro tip: Putting a few drops in your morning coffee or water is an amazing way to include CBD in your work routine.
Use code ‘theeverygirl’ for 20% off of your first order at Equilibria!

Daily Planner
Summer is the perfect opportunity to reset your career goals, start new habits, pick back up on any resolutions you made in January but haven’t stuck to, and find new ways to stay productive. This undated planner is perfect because even if you skip a week (starting new habits is hard, we know), you can pick back up anytime.
6+ color options available

Item Beauty
Blue Light + Anti Pollution Protection Mist
Keep your skin cool, hydrated, and fresh this summer by keeping this facial spray nearby. Mist this onto your face or neck whenever you’re in need of a pick-me-up. Bonus: Keeping this on your desk and using it throughout the day will protect your skin from blue light damage.

Bladeless Desk Fan
A desk fan, but make it sleek. This foldable and portable desk fan is battery-powered and comes with its own USB charging cable and remote control. Plus, it’s super quiet and comes in 3 colors.

Time Management Cube Timer
Struggling to get things done at work when the only place you want to be is on your patio enjoying a refreshing cocktail? Warm weather calling your name as you stare at spreadsheets all day? Maximize your productivity this summer and hone in on your time management skills with the help of this cube Pomodoro timer.
5 colors available

MIND READER
Ergonomic Foot Rest and Massager
Summer footwear, while undeniably cute, doesn’t always offer the best support for feet. Get ahead of any foot pain or pain caused from sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time with this ergonomic foot rest under your desk. Use simply for comfort and to relieve stress on your body or as a foot massager to relieve any pain.

Etsy | WELLTHREADEDUS
Iced Coffee Glass With Straw Lid
Coffee lovers can rejoice this summer: The days of watered-down iced coffee at your desk are no more. This super cute glass has a daisy floral design, a bamboo lid, and a glass straw to keep your coffee cold and prevent spillage or melted ice.
16-ounce and 20-ounce sizes available

Portable Neck Fan
Say goodbye to overheating at your desk with this lightweight and comfortable accessory.
5 colors available

Quencher Tumbler
TikTok’s favorite tumbler really is that good. It’s massive and insulated, so you won’t have to run to the kitchen for refills or worry about your water getting warm throughout the day. If you want to stay hydrated this summer, this is the only tool you need.

Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss
Get rid of dry, chapped lips this summer with this lip oil from the internet’s new favorite beauty brand. Plus, a quick swipe of this is all you need to look put together for your Zoom meetings throughout the day.
3 shades available

Ink + VOlt
Desk Calendar
Summer is a notoriously busy time, so keep track of all your upcoming events, appointments, vacations, or deadlines with this desk calendar.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
Lemon Pie Candle
Daydreaming of a tropical vacation? Us too. Bring those vibes right to your desk with this lemon- and coconut-infused candle.

2-In-1 Folding Treadmill
Finding the time to go to the gym or get in a quick workout can be a challenge during the summer with everything else going on. Turn to this 2-in-1 folding treadmill for help. It’s light, portable, and can be used by itself or placed under your desk, so you can work on your fitness while making moves in your career.

How To Stay Productive at Work When the Warm Weather Is Screaming Your Name

This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Equilibria, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More