5 Happy Planner Extras for Productivity

I've been knocking things off my to do lists left and right recently and I think its because I've been using my planner to the best of my ability!  This has to do with a a couple of things, I think - one of which being all of the productivity extras from the Happy Planner to make the whole thing work for you.  As you know, I use the Mini Happy Planner exclusively and I am so happy that there are a ton of extras for this size!

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Three Parts to Productive Planning

When it comes to the actual doing of the stuff there are a few important points that need to fall into place in order to mark these things off of our to do list.  It isn't just enough to make the list, we've got to organize, prioritize, and make plan to execute.

Organization - organizing your tasks, due dates, and appointments means you'll know exactly where each item lies so that you can find it quickly & easily when needed.

Prioritization - prioritizing you tasks and events means that what needs to get done first, happens first.  Then you can push other things to the back burner or reevaluate when something else might need to be done.

Project Planning - this sort of has to do with execution.  If you outline what needs to be done, you'll be able to execute things in a timely manner rather than stumble over tasks.

The Happy Planner line has quite a few things to help us get through all three of these to make sure we're reaching our goals!

Planner Extras for Productivity

My Mini Happy Planner is a conglomeration of quite a few add-ons & extension packs, which is great because the whole system is disc bound!  I can add and remove pages as needed to create a functional system that works in my best interest.  Not to mention there are a ton of functional sticker packs out there that make organization, prioritization, and execution colorful as well.

Project Pages

These are new to my arsenal and I haven't quite mastered them yet as I prefer the project stickers found in some of the sticker books.  However, these guys can be great for long term or multi-step projects that need a little bit more attention.  By creating an actionable time line, you'll be better able to execute tasks to complete your project or reach your goal.

These inserts feature a colorful page with sections for sketching & brainstorming, planning action steps, and assigning due dates.  Since these guys are the same design back & front, I like to add in another page of graph paper for extra notes.  I wish the back was dot or grid paper!  That would make my day!

Can Do Monthly Extension Pack

The Mini Monthly Extension pack I use for social media planning mimics the style of the limited edition Trend Setter planner.  This 6 month extension has an undated monthly view, a sort of monthly tasks view, daily to do pages, then two blank lined pages at the back.  

I've customized the task view with some letter stickers from the Happy Planner sticker books and other alphas.  This helps me break down all the checklists in to specific areas organizing my content into groups.  This insert also lets me prioritize a top three for the month so I'm on track!

Personally I haven't found a use for the daily to do pages as they don't seem to fit in with how I use my planner.  But I am thinking about using them to plan my Instagram posts.  The blank lined pages at the back I am thinking about pairing with the project pages!

Daily pages

These guys are great to break down your busy daily schedule but they can also be used as an extra dashboard if needed.  Featuring an hour by hour breakdown starting at 6am, you'll be able to organize your day efficiently.  

Areas for prioritization include a daily focus & two checklist sections.  One of the checklists says Do This Later which can help to get tasks out of your brain but not necessarily scheduled right away.  The back of these inserts features a brain dump section that is great for notes during the day or outlining bigger tasks.

Productivity Stickerbooks

Currently there are two productivity stickerbooks from the Happy Planner and I love both of them!  The original sticker book features project planning & goal setting stickers allowing you to outline projects & priorities.  The second sticker book focuses more on habits, time management, and organization.

Both work well in the mini or classic size planner and are perfect to add to the graph filler paper to create your own inserts.  The original Productivity book does come in a mini size, though I find those to be a little too wide and not as aesthetically pleasing as the stickers designed for the classic planner.

Focus Half Sheets

This is something brand new to my Mini Happy Planner and its not even designed for it!  These Focus Half sheets are designed to fit the Classic Size planner but a little trim keeps all the important bits and it fits right in the mini.  The front page is great for a targeted goal list for the week, outlining the top five must do tasks.

The best part about these is that the back is graph paper - perfect for all my notes.  It can also be used as an extra project planning section or to outline the steps of future tasks.  I was  using this as a wellness tracker/insert but that didn't seem to work out too great for me. I'm thinking of making it a brain dump sheet to put all that tasks that float through my brain but that don't need action just yet.

Housing everything all in one place is made so much easier by these different add ons, extension packs, and the disc bound system of the Happy Planner line. Some of the extras I mentioned can be found in a cool little bundle here on Amazon (yay for Prime shippng!) but you can save the most when you shop Happy Planner stuff over on Blitsy.

The only way to use a planner is to find a system that helps you rather than hinders you.  I like to write a lot out - I am a multi step person - so having specific areas that can help me organize, plan, and execute means that I'm working on my goals successfully!

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If you'd like to read more about productivity, check out these posts on the blog.  You can also join the Five Sixteenths | Live Creative Facebook group where we talk about creative planning, inspired productivity, personal development and intuitive goal setting!  Click here to join!

What are your favorite planner extras for productivity?  How do you use your planner effectively?

xoxo, Moe

5 Daily Habits to Increase Productivity

When it comes to productivity, we often think it involves stuffing so much into each hour to squeeze out every last second.  For the most part, however, we should approach the idea of productivity in a work smarter not harder approach.  Productivity isn't about squeezing every last second out of each minute it's about intentionally using each minute, one day at a time, to move towards our goals. 

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

Making the most out of your day includes taking care of yourself. so let's talk about how we can be more productive while also being mindful of our own physical and emotional needs.

Plan & prioritize

I talk a lot about the importance of morning routines here on the blog!  Starting your day off on the right foot means knowing which foot needs to hit the ground first.  Plan and prioritize what needs to happen in your day by making a list and editing it.  You may find that prep the night before helps you prioritize the next day.  You may find that making time in the morning to create your to-do list is best.  Just take 5-10 minutes to make your plan.  Your head will be on straight and you'll have guidance through the day.  You may also find diffusing something like Rosemary, Lemon, and Peppermint gives you focus & pep in the morning.  (Read more about essential oils here.)

Make Time to Move

Exercise gets you energized.  Moving and stretching wakes up your mind & body, plus all that mumbo jumbo about exercise and endorphins can help you stay on track during the day.  I find that when I get moving in the morning I'm more ready for the day - tasks are tackled easier, I'm more even tempered, and I'm more alert.  I also find when I get moving after work I've released any tension built up for the day and found a bit of a second wind.  Making time to move not only crosses exercise off your list (a win for productivity) but it also gets you energized to do more.  Just don't over extend yourself!  A light work out - most often I prefer yoga - can help you connect into yourself.  You can also use this time as a meditative space to connect in with your mind & body.

Clean Everyday

Again, we'll be marking something off the checklist but we'll also be creating a less cluttered work space.  After all, a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind...right?  If you've ever been distracted by the mess on your desk or thought you've got to do the dishes before you can get anything done, coming up with a simple cleaning routine can help ease your mind.  I clean for 30 minutes each evening and find that this gives me the peace of mind to get things done.  I'm not stressed over what I haven't done because I know I've done something and I'll get to something else tomorrow. PS. If you need any inspiration to get in a quick clean, look up clutter quotes on Pinterest....then reexamine your life, they are super deep.

Practice Gratitude

When we're happy & when we feel successful, we're more likely to get stuff done!  One thing I've been doing recently is saying thank you....out loud....to the universe (and to others as well) when something happens that I've been working towards.  I've mentioned before about creating a vision board and taking action toward bringing the things you want into your life, but what do you do when they actually happen?  You say THANK YOU and you appreciate the opportunity.  This reflection shows you your capabilities and helps you realize when saying no serves you.  You don't have to get elaborate with your gratitude practice just be mindful of when to express your thanks and say it openly & freely!

Go to Bed Earlier

You may think that cutting yourself short on time in the day means you're not getting as much done, but it is just as important to shut it down as it is to rev it up.  If you've started your day on the right foot, you want to end it there too.  Unplugging and unwinding will free up your mind of clutter so get off the computer (I'm typing this in bed right now, so do what I say...not as I do!) and do something low tech - bedtime yoga, night time stroll, read a book, sip tea on the front porch.  Self care is important and so is a good night's sleep.  Diffuse something like Lavender and DoTERRA's Breathe for a restful sleep.  If you've gone to bed earlier you can totally plan and prioritize your morning.

And with that, we've come full circle.

Productivity is one of those quality over quantity things - you get out of it what you give into it.  Create a space for you to be your best self and that will allow you to be productive.  Learn what serves you and what isn't in your best interest.  This is a constant flow of self editing as well.  Try out new routines, adjust to new surroundings, incorporate new practices....just don't give up on yourself!

If you want more productivity tips, check out all the productivity posts on the blog here.

What daily practices have you noticed impacting your productivity?  Are there any systems you recommend for productivity?

xoxo, Moe

3 Productivity Tips for the Extremely Unmotivated

I like to think that productivity is a strong suit of mine.....but most of the time it isn't.  When I get to a task I can complete it, but the motivation to do it is rarely there for me.  So dishes sit undone, packages sit unmailed, emails go unanswered, and blog posts get pushed to the side.  Do you know what I'm doing while I'm procrastinating?  Nothing enriching, I can tell you that.

Productivity is part motivation but mostly discipline.  Discipline is doing what needs to be done even if you don't want to do it while motivation is just the push that makes you show up.  Procrastination puts off the inevitable, eventually you're gonna need to do that thing so why not just show up now & do it?

Here are my three, no fail tips for getting the motivation to be productive every day :

The 2-Minute Rule

Do you know how many tasks take less that two minutes to complete?  You could unload & load the dishwasher in less than two minutes.  You can take out the trash in less than two minutes.  You can wipe down your kitchen/bathroom surfaces in less than two minutes.  There are a lot of boring-yet-important tasks that can be done in less than two minutes.  So if it can be done in two minutes, just do it now.  Just. Do. It.

Set a 30-Minute Timer

Second question - do you know how many tasks can be completed in only 30 minutes?  You can tidy up a room in 30 minutes.  You can organize a drawer in 30 minutes (or less).  You can get a lot of stuff done in 30 minutes.  I set a timer for 30 minutes each night to clean one room in my house.  Set that time, get your butt moving.  The best part of this 30 minute clean is I'm also fitting in a bit of exercise - vacuuming really gets your heart rate up.

Just Show Up

You're already in the kitchen, might as well clean up.  This is the inspiration for this tip.  If you just put yourself where you need to be then you're already there and you might as well do it.  Pair this with the timer option.  Open your computer, set a timer, and start writing down and idea for a blog post.  Get some copy going, organize your points, and before you know it you have the meat of the post done.  If you've got graphics, elements, links, etc to add and you have more time than the 30 minutes you allotted yourself, then keep going.  Just showing up is half the battle!

These three tips help me to get my tasks in perspective.  We often see the whole picture rather than it's parts and we often think we can't consume the whale all in one bite.  But if we start small & show up, we can complete larger tasks.  Many goals have smaller supportive components that, when we focus on those, lay the ground work for completing the broader goal.  We can also get a grasp on daily routines that seem overwhelming by consistently showing up.  

The biggest example for me on tackling daily routines is in keeping the house tidy.  I am a messy person who should not be left alone with an empty table and free access to my craft supplies.  I've been known to have the coffee table, my craft table, and the dinning room table filled with something I'm working on!  I set things down where they don't go and I've been known to leave a glass or seven on the coffee table.  Because I hated cleaning my house all in one go on a Saturday when I could be binge watching Ancient Aliens, I created a cleaning routine that broke the house into zones.  Each zone is assigned a day and I show up to each zone on that day to clean for 30 minutes.  I don't tackle other rooms, I don't focus on the overwhelm, I simply clean for 30 minutes.  The Three Waves Cleaning method is what helps me to keep my mind focused only on this task.  Now, because I'm consistent in showing up to my task & completing it I don't need the full 30 minutes for one room any longer.  It now takes me about 40 minutes to tidy up the whole down stairs (save if my craft area is extremely messy) rather that just 30 minutes in the living room.  The downstairs in our house is the living room, my craft room, & a spare room I use for yoga/meditation.  So cleaning that up all in one go is amazing! 

The more I show up for my daily tasks the more I show up in other areas of my life.  The motivation just keeps going because you're on a roll...why stop now?  If you get up and start doing then the task will be done, done quicker, and you'll end up with more time on your hands!

This doesn't have to be for cleaning either.  I'll show up to my blog and spend an hour writing out the copy for a few posts.  Then I'm done with the hard part, have the majority of maybe 3 articles to publish in the next week, and can move on to the creative part like taking or editing the pictures.  Once I've showed up to the task I'm more likely to keep going because I've suddenly found the inspiration!

I hope this helps you to tackle the to do's that you're not really excited about.  Once you're in the routine you're able to get more done!

How do you manage your productivity? What motivates you?

xoxo, Moe

How I Deal with a Creative Block

Recently I've been suffering from a creative block.  The things I love aren't bringing me that much joy any more and I feel like I can't create anything new that I love and feel passionate about.  When these type of blocks hit me (usually around this time each year) I just have to stop and reevaluate.  Often this is when a new passion is going to come about.  I'll find something new I'm interested in.  

While I love that, I also feel like I switch hobbies too soon.  But I'm the type of person that just goes with the flow when it comes to creativity.  I can't force it, it is something that just has to happen.  Usually, I have a good flow going....but every now and then I get stuck.  When this happens there are three things I do to try to get through it while still feeling productive.

Just Try

I try a lot of things when I'm not feeling creative.  I try to write blog posts, I try to make things, and I try new things.  Often I feel such an urge to create something but nothing comes to mind.  I have so much creative energy but nothing to focus on.  Often the things I try I fail at, and that is ok.  By trying I can get some energy out and hopefully be inspired to bring a full idea to fruition.  I find that it's not that my ideas or the things I want to make suck, they just aren't fully developed ideas yet.  When I feel a block coming on its like I have to just take a second to get all the shitty stuff out so I can get going again.  Didn't mean for that to be so graphic.

Flood Myself with Inspiration

I often browse Pinterest or Instagram more than usual when I feel I'm at a block.  I need something to inspire me to get me going again.  Flooding myself with this stuff often helps me hone in on something to create.  Maybe I'll see something and an idea will instantly click.  Sometimes I'm just looking for pretty things to make me feel something.  While doing this I often find great sources of inspiration, new users to follow, new ideas to expand upon.  And I love that.  These little tidbits of ideas get caught in my brain and months or years down the line I'll grab on to them to develop them into something my own.

Let it Pass

Sometimes I just stop.  I just don't do anything.  I sit with the thoughts that I have and see if anything materializes.  I roll them over in my mind trying to get them to form into anything.  (When I think they have, I move into the just try again phase.)  I just don't.  I just stop.  I don't force it.  I don't push it.  I just stop and try to let it pass.  I know that one isn't that helpful but sometimes you just have to.  You just have to let things happen.  At least that is what I have to do.

All of these help me gain new perspectives.  The biggest one on this list is to just try.  I just try to make something until I can get my momentum going again.  I just try something new.  I just try to get going.  I just try.

How do you deal with creative block?  Any other tips to get my mojo back?

xoxo, Moe

How I get More Done // 5 Tips for Productivity

A long while ago I started on this journey to be productive and organized.  This started with purchasing a planner, developing a cleaning routine, expanding on that cleaning routine, finding planner peace, and talking more about my cleaning routine (cleaning routine & cleaning routine).  I credit this obsession with my cleaning routine for making me more productive.  Today I want to share with you 5 tips on setting your mind frame in order to create more productivity in your day.

Decide what activities are important

This is the first part to being productive.  There are things you do in your daily life that take priority over other things.  The first thing to do is decide what is most important to you.  For me, I decided to make cleaning a priority.  I made it something that had to be done in my daily life and I sucked it up and did it for a few weeks straight until it became habit.  You may find that there is an activity you want to complete during the day but haven't made time for it - make this activity a priority for a few weeks, then it will become habit.  Also there is no easy way to do this - suck it up and get it done.  Then it will seem out of place to not do it.

You may also need to prioritize things differently.  I love to sleep the frick in on every damn day of my life.  I dislike what 5am looks like.  But I found during my day to day life if I woke up 30 minutes before I have to leave for work, my day tends to stink.  I get to work still tired, I'm thrown into the thick of if still hazy, and I'm yawning well into 1pm.  I found that if I woke up early enough to enjoy time to myself and allow my body to adjust to the burning sunshine my day was more pleasant.  I wasn't playing catch up with myself all day.  (Pro tip on waking up - don't hit the snooze, it will only make you feel more tired.  I'm not a scientist, but I do play one on TV)  Re-prioritizing something that you may think is important when in actuality it might be detrimental to your productivity levels, may help you.

Create & Test Routines

Re-prioritizing things in your day to day life may lead to new routines.  I find that if I complete certain tasks in a certain order I feel more efficient and more productive.  Even if it is in minor increments, keeping to a schedule is key to feeling productive.  In the morning I wake up at 5:10am, I take Sweetie potty and am back inside to have her fed and my coffee brewed by 5:25am, then I cuddle back up with her in bed and mess around on my phone, watch TV, etc until 5:55am when I start to do my make up (if I feel like it), I get dressed by 5:18am, put up Sweetie, and if all is on track I'm out the door a little before 6:30am.  I didn't sit down and decide on 5:18am being the time I start to put my pants on, I just found that by re-prioritizing the things that made my morning better that this was the routine the fit best for me.

By creating and testing different routines you'll be able to develop what works best in what order.  I can't give you the scientific breakdown of it but you should be able to develop a routine that flows together organically.  For me it is pointless to walk to the kitchen and brew my coffee before going into the bathroom because the bathroom is before the kitchen.  So then I'll get that over with, wash my face, etc.  Then my dog has to pee so of course we'll go downstairs and outside, etc, etc.  The routine you develop should be organic.

You may find that if you switch this and that you're more productive (or less) and you should evolve your routines.  One thing I am absolutely horrible at is adapting my routine when something changes. I am horrible at it and my whole life is thrown off for weeks at a time.  

Write (Specific & Helpful) To Do Lists

I find that the more specific my To Do List is, the more helpful it is.  It also helps to see what actually can be done in an allotted amount of time.  If you have a task, simply writing task reminds you about the task.  If the task has certain parts to complete it, I find writing down all that needs to be done is very helpful.  Not only is a metal thing where you can check off more things but it shows your progress.  I try to break down a task (if it needs to be broken down) into 3 to 4 steps so I'm not overwhelmed.  Laundry is a great example - wash, fold, put away.  Laundry also doesn't happen all at once so you can see your progress even as your working on other things during the day.  Breaking down the task into smaller tasks makes me feel like I'm staying on track and getting things done.

I find being too specific is unhelpful to me.  I also find that creating a general, non-intimidating heading to be super helpful.  So instead of a generic YouTube as a task, I'll put Schedule Videos and break it down into edit, upload, finalize the list of videos I have.  That way I know what I'm doing but I'm not overwhelmed.  I work in batches too - batch edit, batch upload, finalize them all in one go.  Batching is super helpful when it comes to To Do lists. 

Hold Yourself Accountable

A planner does this for me.  Also, remembering the feeling I have when my house is clean and my shit is done helps me stay accountable.  Find something that works for you - because, in general, no one gives a crap about your productivity except for you.  (your job is a different story, though.)  No one cares if you got your mascara on before 6:05am in order to finish curling your hair by 6:45am, except for you.   No one cares if you clean the family room on Tuesdays or on Saturdays, except for you.  You get what I mean?  Find something that pushes you to complete your tasks.  But also don't stress on it if you can't get things done.  Creating routines and To Do lists will show you what you can feasibly fit in your amount of time.

I hope this post was a little bit helpful - it is how I approach productivity in my daily life and how I get a handle on things!  Creating routines and just seeing what I can do and when I can do it gives me a little more control over my life, you know?  And I think that is a very helpful thing to have a tiny bit of control over!

How do you stay productive?  How do you keep on top of daily tasks?

xoxo, Moe