We’ve all heard about the power of positive thinking, but this one was new to us. Did you know that positivity can increase productivity?

You can use optimism to battle overwhelm by breaking large, daunting projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Those smaller tasks are easier to complete which can boost confidence in your ability to get the work done.

But don’t stop there. Celebrate your small successes as you work your way toward that larger goal. Acknowledging progress is a powerful motivator to get even more done.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Online professional networking platforms like LinkedIn are great, we highly recommend them. But there’s something to be said for going “old school” once in a while.

Reach out to a few of your valued contacts this week by email, phone (or text if you know them well) for the sole reason of checking in to see how they’re doing, and to find out what’s new in their world.

Don’t be the person who only reaches out when you need something. Nurture your network by staying in touch when there is nothing at stake.

Your outreach will most likely be warmly welcomed and leave a positive impression on the person you’ve contacted.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

An often overlooked feature on LinkedIn is the cover image on your profile. That’s the horizontal image behind your round profile photo. It’s valuable marketing real estate and we have found that not many people are taking advantage of it.

The cover image automatically defaults to an abstract generic one. But by inserting a custom image or graphic you can use this space to communicate a message or convey your brand.

Here’s a great example to spark some inspiration.

SIDENOTE: We are launching a FREE 10-week LinkedIn Challenge this month to help our followers unlock the business-building benefits of LinkedIn. Head to our website to learn more and sign up. But hurry! The deadline to sign up is March 15th!

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Distractions and interruptions are the bane of productivity. Multiple studies have confirmed that it takes an average of 23 minutes for our brains to recover and refocus after a distraction – 23 minutes!

Now, not to distract you – but think about how many times you are interrupted or distracted throughout a typical work day and multiply that number by 23. That’s how many minutes of lost productivity you experience each day!

Though apps can’t help with warding off an interruption by a family member or co-worker, they can help with digital distractions.

Check out the show notes from our latest podcast episode – an interview with Beth Z, Your Nerdy Best Friend, for some tools that can help you tame online distractions, and if you have time, listen to the full episode.

Beth is a technology and app guru and a hoot to boot! In this episode, she gives us the lowdown on the best apps for time management and improved focus, the latest tech tools to help make video conferencing more fun, and a whole lot more.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

It’s a fact. Most of the New Year’s Resolutions that were made at the turn of the year have been abandoned by now. Fewer than half will make it to the six month mark.

If you’re struggling to keep the promise you made to yourself, here are a few steps you can take to get you back on track with your goals.

REALITY CHECK
Was the goal you set for yourself a little too lofty? Don’t abandon the thought completely. Instead, revise it to something more realistic and achievable.

BREAK IT DOWN
Big goals can be overwhelming and leave you wondering where to start. Break down your big goal into smaller steps and set short-term milestones to track your progress.

SHARE YOUR PLAN
Letting others know about your goal gives you a sense of accountability and another person to give you a nudge or words of encouragement when your motivation wanes.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

It can happen in an instant. Your day is off to a great start and then something comes up and throws a bucket of ice water on your good mood and motivation.

It could be a last-minute request from a client that didn’t plan ahead or a wackadoodle social media post from a relative that doesn’t share your world view.

We’ve all been there, and we’ll be there again. But you have the power to turn things back around.

THE 90-SECOND RULE
When life throws you a curveball, instead of getting caught in a downward spiral, use the 90-second rule to get back on track.

First, acknowledge what happened and what you are feeling as a result of what happened.
Second, take note of your thoughts and remind yourself that you cannot control what happened, but you can control your thinking.
Finally, shift your thinking and align your thoughts with the energy you started your day with, and the goals you had for the day.

In 90 seconds or less, that pesky emotional trigger will have faded away, and you will be back on track.

We got this golden nugget from our recent podcast with licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Dayle Lattie. Listen in for more great tips to help you build resilience and thrive in chaos.

Listen to S2 E07: The Wobizzle Podcast – The Psychology of Resilience: Tapping Into Your Ability To Thrive In Chaos.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

We’ve all been there – working with a client that, for whatever reason, just isn’t the right fit. They may be perpetually pushy, mean, or just plain difficult to work with.

You don’t need that in your life. If you’re working with a client that is making your life hard, it might be time to tell them goodbye.

The way you go about firing a client can have an impact on your reputation, so do it carefully.

Don’t rush the decision. Finish all the work you owe the client if you can, and try to end things positively. There are exceptions to every situation, but it is possible to fire a client and remain in good professional standing with them.

Want a deeper dive? Head to our blog for How To Fire A Client: 8 Steps To Freedom.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

You’re not a slouch, so try not to look like one. Turns out, your mom was right about sitting up straight. Better posture can contribute to more positive thinking, higher productivity and less neck and back pain.

But it’s not always easy to sit up straight when you’re stuck behind a desk all day. Our bodies simply weren’t built for long days spent in an office chair.

Do your body a favor by striving for better posture while you are working.

Set up an ergonomically sound desk space, and take stretch breaks throughout the day to give your body a break. Stand up at lease once every hour. While you’re at it – take a lap or two around the house. You’ll be glad you did.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

Purging both paper and digital files on a routine basis can help save space and enhance your work space and computer efficiency. While certain legal and tax documents need to be kept permanently or for certain lengths of time, we’re sure you have plenty of files that could be purged on an annual basis – or even more often.

Ask yourself these questions when making decisions about purging non-essential files.

Do I really need to keep this?
Can I find this information online?
If I keep it, will I remember that I have it?
If I remember that I have it, will I be able to find it?
Purging files can take longer than expected. Instead of blocking out time to do the whole job, consider tackling the task in smaller chunks.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more active on your business social media platforms, we support you 100%. But we would like to recommend that you go forth with a strategy and don’t do too much, too soon.

If you’ve been neglecting your business social media for awhile, there are reasons for it. And those reasons did not disappear with the turn of the calendar. Don’t come out of the gates of 2021 full force only to find out in a few weeks that your enthusiasm is not sustainable.

Like any other resolution, it’s better to start small and build upon your successes. If you have been posting just a few times a month (or less), set a small goal of posting once a week. After you have been successful for a few weeks, consider bumping that posting schedule up to twice a week, and so on, until you reach your ultimate goal.

And, while we’re on the subject of posting frequency, always remember that quality transcends quantity.

Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. #MoveForwardMonday