It wasn’t until early 2023 that it occurred to me to get a desk lamp for my office. Up until then, whenever I got on a Zoom call, I was at the mercy of the weather … and the amount of light that happened to be streaming into the bedroom that day. (Our bedroom window…
This method helps you see patterns, plan projects, and figure out priorities. It was early 1988 when I first learned about “clustering” – a method that (among other things) helps writers overcome writer’s block. Before you jump to the conclusion that “clustering” isn’t something that would benefit you if you’re not a writer, I want…
I first started appreciating having a calendar with a photo to look at while working as a reporter at a small weekly newspaper. The “office” that the other reporters and myself sat in was more like a hallway between the publisher’s office and the front office – no privacy and very noisy. But above my…
Deadlines can be powerful allies in the success of your business. DEADLINES are things that ALL of us have to deal with, in some form or other, throughout our lives. As kids, most of us were probably told things like: “It’s time to turn off the TV and get ready for bed.” OR “Time to…
Several years ago, after moving to a smaller place, I realized my husband and I didn’t have enough closet space. I knew an ARMOIRE would be a good option for our storage problem, but the challenge was finding the right one! After looking at and comparing several types, I stumbled across this one. Not only…
Traveling to new destinations – in ALL areas of your life – can be exciting! “Adventure” and “excitement” are two words I’ve always associated with travel. The first long trip I remember my family taking was when I was 4 years old, when we drove from California to South Dakota (or was it Minnesota?), for a family…
PAPER CLIPS Yes, I know it’s a strange thing to write about, but when I thought about things in my life that I use every day (even if I take them for granted), paper clips were at the top of the list. I depend on them for a wide variety of things – in both my…
Taking shortcuts to avoid doing research is never a good idea. Unless your career took you into higher education (with lots of essays, papers, reports, and theses), the word “research” may simply stir up memories of elementary school book reports and looking up facts on your favorite South American country in 6th grade. (By the…
My background screen (which Amazon calls “Room Divider and Folding Privacy Screen“) is something I use on pretty much every Zoom call I do now. I ordered it in April 2022, shortly before I began working remotely as a virtual assistant. The screen arrived in late April, two days before I had to send a…
Learning how to manage time can be challenging, but is SO rewarding. Over the years, there have been MANY books written about time management. Some, of course, are better than others. But WHY is this topic so popular? What’s the big deal about managing our time, anyway? I think the answer is obvious. Running a…