The newest installment (v35) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature has my latest finds informing, educating, and relating to organizing and life balance. These unique, inspiring, time-related discoveries reflect this month’s blog theme.

You are a generous, communicative, and engaged group. I am deeply grateful for your presence, positive energy, and contributions to this community. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced.

What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? – 5 Best Time-Related Discoveries

1. Interesting Read – Slow Time

Does life feel hectic? Are your days overfilled with endless commitments and to-dos?  In Seeking Slow – Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day, writer and photographer Melanie Barnes shares her philosophy and practices of “slow living.”  It’s “a lifestyle that encourages a slower rhythm and values a mindful approach…It is about intentionally doing things and being present for each part of our day.”

This small, beautifully designed book encompasses living in a digital age, managing our time, creating a slow home, establishing slow-living rituals, and more. Barnes emphasizes, “Time is a resource that we simply cannot get back. Once it has gone, it is gone.”

Thoughtful questions include:

• How can we use our time in a way that makes our lives meaningful?

• What are we here for?

• What is our purpose?

• What is important to us?

• What are our priorities?

2. Interesting Product – List Time

If you are easily overwhelmed by your daily tasks, Today’s Plan of Attack 4”x6” sticky notes by Knock Knock will help focus your thoughts and time. The categories and allotted space on the pad encourage a realistic approach to your day.

Organize them by what’s “most critical,” “would be nice,” or “not a chance.” Planning and prioritizing your tasks will give your day better flow and more satisfaction.

“Time is a resource that we simply cannot get back.”

— Melanie Barnes

3. Interesting Article  – Productivity Time

In the “Your Productive Brain” article in BBC Science Focus, neuroscientist, author, and comedian Dr. Dean Burnett shares his best and worst productivity tips. He identifies which productivity strategies are myths versus ones that work and are backed by science. For example, it is a myth that waking at 4am will make you more productive. However, waking up when you’ve had a sufficient sleep is more advantageous (and productivity-inducing) than waking at 4am.

Other science-based productivity tips include listening to “some sort of background noise,” incorporating greenery in your workplace, exercising regularly, and eating healthfully. These have a positive influence on how our brain functions and result in boosting productivity. What enhances your productivity?

4. Interesting Resource – Reflection Time

FutureMe is a simple, surprising, and powerful resource. Go to their website to write a custom letter to yourself. It will be delivered by email at a future designated time you choose. Reflect and engage with time to send a positive message, capture a significant moment, create accountability around a goal, or share a challenge. You decide your message’s content, purpose, and delivery schedule. What a fascinating way to live in the present while touching the future. What message will you send to your future self?

5. Interesting Thought – Happy Time

As we transition from one season to the next, focus on being productive, and organizing your life, don’t neglect to make time for those things that bring you joy and happiness.

Over the last few weekends, I had some “make your soul happy” times. Exploring new places, meandering in nature, spending time with my husband and kids, eating special and delicious meals, walking along the High Line, and seeing “The Music Man” on Broadway helped restore and replenish my being. Making time to do things that make you happy isn’t frivolous. It’s essential to your wellbeing. What’s on your list?

What are your interesting time discoveries? Which of these resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

I’m happy to bring you the newest installment (v7) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring success-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You are a magnificently, engaged group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Redefining Success

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to meet the inspiring Arianna Huffington and hear her speak about her new book, Thrive. After working to the point of collapse, she was motivated to find ways to fix her “broken definition of success.” She wrote, “What we’re beginning to recognize is that success is not always about doing more, but also about doing better – and we do better when we’re connected to our inner wisdom, strength, and intuition.” Success has traditionally been tied to money and power. Sharing stories and scientific research, she proposes a third metric consisting of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving.

2. Interesting Resource – Organizing Success

My friends at Smead have a terrific podcast series, SmeadOrganomics, where they interview organizers on a variety of topics, including everything from organizing tech tools to closets to time. I’ve enjoyed being interviewed by the wonderful John Hunt for several of these podcasts. In the latest video, “How to Choose a Professional Organizer That’s Right For You,” I share questions to ask before hiring an organizer so that you will achieve the ultimate success in your organizing journey.

3. Interesting Product – Workplace Success

Joel Health, founder of Fluidstance says, “You were designed to move – It’s likely your workspace was not.” His company has created the LevelTM, a unique product, which is a skateboard-like platform. The wood and aluminum board lets you wobble while you work, allowing for subtle movements and increasing your heart rate by 15 percent. We know that sitting all day or standing still for prolonged periods is unhealthy and physically taxing your body. The Level provides a new way to add movement to your workday.

4. Interesting Tech – Tracking Success

You just had your keys, glasses, or wallet in hand, but they have suddenly gone missing. Stress no more. You can find your lost items in seconds with the Tile, a Bluetooth tracker. Attach or affix Tiles on your everyday items, then keep track of them using the Apple or Android app. What was lost is now easily found!

5. Interesting Thought – Perspective Success

The obstacles we face are part of the journey. Adopting a performance versus a learning agenda can be the change that’s needed in order to experience success.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!