How Brain Training Can Improve Your Life

How Brain Training Can Improve Your Life

While September typically receives all the “back to school” hype, October is the month where the new school year gets serious. The initial introductory period is over, and the work becomes increasingly challenging. For college students, this is the point in the semester where the midterms start to hit and when students get an idea for how they’re really doing in the class.

It’s also at this point in the year where parents start to feel overwhelmed. By October, teachers know which students are struggling to keep up, and it can take a lot out of the parent’s busy schedule to meet with teachers and ensure everyone is on track.

Take my client, who we’ll refer to as Beth, as an example. Beth was in tears because of the issues she was encountering with her son’s education. Both she and her son were diagnosed with ADHD. She understood the struggles of the diagnosis, but wanted her son to experience more success in school. However, she was getting constant messages, phone calls, and emails from the school about her son’s poor performance on class work, homework, quizzes, and tests. The school was offering little-to-no help on how to get Beth’s son to improve and she was going crazy trying to figure out what to do. Of course she wanted to help her son succeed in school, but this issue was taking up a good chunk of Beth’s time, attention, and focus—and she felt wildly out of depth. She hired me to help put some structure in his room at home. We created a better zone for clothing, sleep, and homework so he could better focus during the school year.

A few weeks after helping Beth and her son, I met Gina Foster, director at LearningRx in Tysons. I had Beth on my mind when I learned about the awesomeness that happens at LearningRx for their clients (especially school-aged youth). As a education-based service that helps people of all ages enhance their cognitive learning skills, LearningRx would have been a perfect solution for Beth. Using their services she could have “outsourced” the learning help her son needs to professionals. It would have been a win/win situation—her son would have improved his cognitive skills and she would free up her time and energy from the resulting anxiety.

After meeting Gina and the rest of the LearningRX staff, I decided to complete a cognitive assessment test myself and the experience was incredible. I truly got to remember the pressures of being in school when my brain got a workout during the test!

Once the assessment portion is complete, LearningRX offers targeted exercises that train cognitive skills like memory, attention, auditory processing, and logic and reasoning to sharpen any areas you (or your child) may need some extra help with.

Not only is this service great for kids who are struggling in school, but it also helps adults who have always struggled with a specific discipline or field of study—I’ll admit, mine is math! Plus, with our increasingly hectic schedules and the many different ways in which digital devices demand and grab our attention, taking the time to focus on our cognitive skills is an absolute must.

So, whether you need to free up your schedule from too many parent-teacher conferences or would like to increase your ability to focus on bookkeeping for your business, I recommend looking into Learning RX for help. They also have a book out right now, Unlock the Einstein Inside: Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child, that’s worth the read.

If you’re looking for other ways to clear up your brain or physical space from clutter, let’s talk! I’m here to help make your life easier, whether it’s outsourcing learning struggles or taking control of your day-to-day schedule.

Why You Need to Embrace Your Inner Kindergartner

Why You Need to Embrace Your Inner Kindergartner

Remember how amazing the kindergarten years were? I don't know about you, but back when I attended North Forestville Elementary our teachers gave us a 30 to 60 minute block of free time that allowed our creativity to run amuck. We could play in the fake kitchen, read in the reading corner, or play with blocks. Since this was over 30 years ago, I don’t remember much more than that, but my point is, we had a dedicated time to do as we pleased. This was our time to be ourselves without much direction and it balanced out the day, leaving us feeling refreshed and ready for the next activity.

The importance of playing around

All of these kindergarten memories were kicked back up after I read a Productivityist email from Mike Vardy with the subject line “Why You Need to Fool Around.”

In the newsletter, Vardy emphasizes the importance of adults introducing play time into their everyday lives and he provided a few interesting articles to back his argument up.

Personally, I couldn’t agree more. While it may seem counter-intuitive, allowing yourself some time to goof off can actually make you more productive.

You know those “ah-ha!” moments you have? It’s no coincidence that most of them happen in the shower or while you’re driving your car to work. Your brain needs time to do something else, to be distracted, and get refreshed.

If you need further proof, I found this case study to be very persuasive:  

“Instead of staggering employees’ coffee breaks as it [Bank of America] had previously, it aligned their breaks to allow more chatter. The result, Bank of America told MIT a few months later: productivity gains worth about $15 million a year.” (Mining Human Behavior At MIT)

Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of dollars. Who said play time doesn’t pay off?

Scheduling time for play

So, my suggestion—no, my entreaty—to you is to find a time of day where you can be free to do whatever you want (within reason!). It can be 15 minutes or an hour—depending on your schedule—where you let creativity run amuck.

I started getting up about 30-45 minutes earlier in the day just so I could incorporate some play time in my life. I'm a night-owl by nature so this is a pretty big deal. I'm also more of a kinetic-doer at night (cleaning the kitchen, sorting papers from the day, etc.) and more of a thinker (writing a blog post, reading or studying spiritual matters, etc.) in the morning. Morning is when it's quiet and I feel like I'm up before the rest of the world, so it’s the perfect time for me—and my schedule—to sneak in some play time.  I schedule time on the weekends for refreshment and when I have nothing planned I try to avoid filling the time with work but doing something relaxing like painting or coloring in my adult coloring book.

Here’s one of my masterpieces

Even though the days spent playing in fake kitchens may be gone, it’s important to let our workaholic-selves sit down and let our inner kindergartener out to play. We might find our lives a bit more productive and a lot more fulfilled as a result!  What do you like to do to “play”?

If your schedule is too overwhelming and you can’t even begin to fathom what playtime would look like, then let’s set up some time to chat. I can help you organize your day-to-day life so you can focus on a bit of fun.  

50 Ways to Be Productive While You’re Waiting

50 Ways to Be Productive While You’re Waiting

For type-A personalities, getting stuck in a situation where you’re waiting around can be endlessly frustrating. While boredom can play a factor, it’s mostly because you consider time your greatest asset. Well, that’s at least how I feel when I’m stuck waiting around! I often think long and hard about my day so I can cram strategically pair what I have to get done with where I'll be. I also brainstorm where I can afford to multi-task. Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning texting and driving or anything like that, but there are opportunities where we can (safely) double up on tasks—like starting a load of laundry while cooking dinner.  

But there will be times (a bunch of times) when the day just doesn't go as planned and you, unfortunately, find yourself waiting around.This could be due to situations like getting a flat tire and waiting for AAA or your phone’s battery runs out, ensuring that Skype meeting you planned ain't gonna happen. Whatever the case may be, it happens—but that doesn’t mean you can kiss productivity goodbye.

So, before you waste time on Facebook, playing Clash of Clans or Candy Crush, here are 50 ways to be productive while you’re waiting around:  

1. Re-assess your week's goals
2. Delete useless pictures off your phone
3. Text two people you haven't talked to in a while
4. Start (or work on finishing) that book you haven't had time to get into
5. Reorganize your wallet
6. Throw away trash in your immediate area
7. Make a doctor's appointment
8. Read a helpful or fun blog
9. Write in a journal
10. Plan your next vacation
11. Repeat positive affirmations
12. Practice a foreign language
13. Think about an emergency preparedness plan
14. Break out your adult coloring book (or use an app)
15. Practice breathing exercises
16. Practice stretching
17. Clean out your car's trunk or back seat
18. Plan your next meal
19. Reconnect with a friend and plan to have them over for a meal
20. Draw or doodle
21. Play with your pet or kid
22. Write a thank you card/note/email
23. Take a power nap
24. Make a grocery-shopping list
25. Create a budget
26. Update your budget
27. Call a relative
28. Shop on your phone for a great deal for something on your wish list
29. Text your significant other a sincere note of love (or apology)
30. Plan your next day
31. Read a book (great if you have an E-reader or e-reader app)
32. Unsubscribe to e-mail lists you’re no longer interested in
33. Listen to a entertaining or educational podcast
34. Watch some kittens or puppies on YouTube
35. Schedule your next massage
36. Work through a Sudoku puzzle
37. Sing karaoke (if you are waiting alone…)
38. Think of something nice to do for a loved one
39. Take a long walk
40. Dance
41. Delete duplicate contacts in your phone or email
42. Look at shapes in the clouds
43. Write a haiku
44. Clear your desk
45. Clear out a place you haven't looked at in a while (you know what place)
46. Place needed household items in your online cart
47. Post something for sale online
48. Give yourself or get a manicure
49. Meditate/think deeply/pray  
50. Reconcile your checking account

The list doesn’t stop here. Any simple or quick task you can think of will work, too. No matter what you end up doing, try to use the time in a positive way and you’ll find the time spent waiting will fly right by.

If you need a little extra help with productivity planning, let me know. We can work together to find solutions that work best for you.

"You are the one that can stretch your own horizon…” #Quote

We believe in your ability to overcome the obstacles that have been holding back your organizational and productivity goals. What would you do with more time? What would you do with the freedom of clutter in your home and office?  Stretch your imagination and go for the goal!

"Your spark can become a flame and change everything" #Quote

It may seem overwhelming with all the things you have to get done.  But set a timer for 15 minutes and see what you can get done.  It may spark another 15 minutes or you might just get that overwhelming task done in 15 minutes with focus.  Go...set a timer...get 'er done!

Beating Burnout: How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed

On the road to burnout city? Here are four simple tactics that will show you how to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

I was talking with a client the other day (we’ll call her Sandra), and she was telling me about her tendency to over-commit. Sandra’s husband will say something to her like, “Hey, can you take care of [insert task or errand here] today?” and her automatic response is, “Sure, I’ll handle it.”

Sandra commits to these requests without calculating what she has on her plate, how long the task will take and if it’s something she can feasibly do. Then, when she can’t fulfill her promise, she not only puts more pressure on herself, but lets her husband down as well.

So much of burnout stems from us taking on more than we can handle. Over the years, I’ve noticed the mistakes that we all make on the road to burnout city. Fortunately, once identified, they’re easy to remedy. Take a look at these tactics on how to avoid  feeling overwhelmed:  

Choose your words wisely

If you give an exact time and date as to when you can do something, you need to be sure you can see it through. This is why it’s important to select the right response when someone asks you to do something that is important. If you say, “Yeah, I can do that today,” and you can’t, it can hurt your relationships and connections. Trust is eroded when you can’t keep promises—and you end up feeling even more frazzled.

Takeaway: When possible say things like “soon” or “by the end of the week” instead of “tomorrow at five.”

Avoid making promises without reservation

Let’s jump back to the example of Sandra. Instead of telling her husband “Sure!” right off the bat, she should have said something like “Let me check my calendar first.” This would have given her a better idea of what she had going on and if she was able to accommodate his request.

Takeaway: Always check your schedule before making a commitment. And speaking of calendars…

Create and maintain a schedule

I recently read a book called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. In the book, Allen talks about “open loops,” which are all the to-dos you carry with you throughout the day. These open loops rattle around in your brain and you constantly circle back to them, reminding yourself you need to get this done or remember to pick up that. This causes anxiety. Instead, we need to close our loops by scheduling them out.  

Takeaway: Keep a calendar and add to-do items to your calendar. This will get them out of your head and give you a visual representation of what you have on your plate.

Don’t volunteer your time without thinking it through

A few days ago, I told a friend whose husband recently came home from the hospital that I would bring a rotisserie chicken to her house the next day at 11:00 am. I volunteered to do this without checking my calendar or even thinking through what I had going on. When the day arrived, I realized I over-extended myself and was running behind schedule. At 10:30 am she called to ask if I was still coming. I ended up having to tell her I’d bring it at 12:00 pm instead.

Takeaway: Do for others, but only be specific when you’ve checked your schedule and know for sure what you can commit to.

With a clear idea of what you’ve got going on and by managing expectations, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed. And the less we feel overwhelmed, the further we distance ourselves from burnout.

If you need some suggestions on any of the tips above or if you have questions, feel free to reach out and schedule a discovery call with me today!

10 Fun & Fantastic Things To Do In a Blizzard

A blizzard is upon us a time where everyone in our immediate area has to take a mandatory chill-pill. There are some of us who are excited about all the work we can catch up on and some of us are looking to binge on Netflix all weekend. Then there are still some of us that are mixed in the middle.  We are haunted by the guilt to be productive but overwhelmed with not knowing exactly where to start and unmotivated because we also want to get in some Amazon Prime.

I think this list is built for the couch potato and the workaholic alike. Getting things done - some on the fun side - making this blizzard business both memorable and mildly productive.

“The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” - e.e. cummings

I hope you get to incorporate one or two of these in your snow day(s) and feel free to share any other pictures and ideas with me on Twitter or Instagram! @b_dexterous #DexterousSnowDay I'll be sharing mine.

1. Go through print pictures. Getting rid of duplicates, pictures of random things like trees that aren't photogenic or of people you don't know or no longer like.  Pictures should either document or make us feel good about the past if your pictures do neither or make you feel horrible get rid of them.
2. Go through all the pens in drawers on desks everywhere and get rid of the ones that don't work; scribble or doodle while you watch Netflix or catch up on Hulu or DVR to find the ones that do work.
3. Go through last year's receipts and get rid of ones that are expired and sort through the ones that have purpose into retrievable systems. Envelopes and handwritten labels work fine.
4. Complete a fun tutorial on YouTube. Since your tablet or laptop can fit in the kitchen you can cook with Buzzfeed. I know you have food because you left hardly any at the stores...

   

   Taken at a local grocery store near me two days before the blizzard was due to arrive.
   

5. Go on Pinterest and start on a crafting pin you saved.
6. Put your digital photos in a cloud storage (or two). Dropbox or Flickr are suggestions.
7. Get your tax packet ready for your accountant or tax preparer.
8. Get rid of expired food and medicine and personal care products while you jam to Taylor Swift, Beyonce or your favorite Amazon playlist.
9. Revisit an old hobby. Play video games that were boxed away, board games that never get played, open the jigsaw puzzle you saved for a rainy, snowy  day.
10. Schedule or fantasy-plan your next vacation. If the snow is not your thing get out of the brain freeze and start planning your vacation this summer. You might find some great deals. If your schedule or bank account only make a stay-cation possible, research the summer fun things in your city or do a fantasy vacation which studies have shown bring happiness too.

Bonus: Reconnect with old friends and family you haven't talked to in a while. Instead of a text, call or send a heartfelt note via snail mail...when the post office opens again of course.

May all of you remain safe, sound, and warm during inclement weather and I hope you get a few things accomplished while you're stuck inside.

Andrea Hancock is a professional organizer & productivity consultant, blogger, speaker, and educator that assists and empowers busy professionals, business owners and those experiencing major life transitions to create and maintain organizational systems that work for them personally.  Andrea is also founder of Dexterous Organizing, a results-oriented professional organizing company.  Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call to begin your journey to better productivity and more organizational prowess. Also visit our website at www.DexterousOrganizing.com or give us a call at (703) 606-8968