Category

Blog

Category
Blog

Real Life Resource: Evernote

EvernoteRemember when I promised that this site would be one part practicality? Well, I am working on offering tools that will ensure that my fellow twenty-sixers are not only inspired, but also producing real results. With that being said, welcome to the “Real Life Resource” segment! I think the name speaks for itself. Every Wednesday, we’ll take a step back from all the motivational talk and take a look at one tool to help us be more productive, efficient and…well, extraordinary.

Because we dream so big and work so hard, twenty-sixers are often juggling many responsibilities at any given time. And frankly, it can be difficult to keep things organized. In my quest to better manage all of my projects,  I came across a Real Life Resource which has literally helped me do more in less time. It’s called Evernote, and like the website says, it helps me remember everything. This is one of my favorite programs of all time. It is literally an electronic notebook or binder. It’s like a Trapper Keeper for the 21st Century (Remember that little velcroed contraption from the 80’s? LOVED it!).

Evernote Homepage

You can capture anything (photos, documents, notes, etc.) in one place and organize with tags, keywords, and the like. I create separate notebooks for each project or plan I’m working on, and  simply drop every related document into it. So,when I’m ready to get to work, I don’t waste valuable time trying to gather a bunch of random materials that I’ve collected over a period of days, or worse, weeks. My favorite feature is probably the “web clipper.” It is a button you can install in your web browser. If you’re on a web page that you’d like to reference again later, you just click the web clipper button and the actual page is captured and added to the notebook that you choose. This is especially great if you’re web surfing or researching for inspiration. A few clicks and you can have a stack of information to review later without ever breaking your flow, printing anything, or using those cluttered bookmarks.

Evernote Mobile

Other bonus features – a search box to quickly find things, a security encryption feature to lock confidential information, and the ability to search handwritten text that has been scanned to your computer. You can even forward emails directly to one of your Evernote notebooks without ever leaving your inbox! Lastly, you can access your stuff from ANYWHERE – the web, your computer program, or a phone app. So, while helping you stay organized, it also acts like a backup service for all of your “stuff.” Win-Win. While there is a paid version of this program, I find the free one serves all my needs. It is very easy to set up, although it may take some time to initially organize all of your documents.

Let me know in the comments section how Evernote might help you work smarter. If you have any questions about how I use the program, feel free to mention those too.

by
Keep Reading
Blog

Introducing: The Monday Morning Move

MondayLet’s face it. Mondays can be hard, especially for twenty-sixers who tend to pack way too much into the weekend and forgo proper rest. But the truth of the matter is, Monday sets the tone for the days that follow. Start off on the wrong foot, and your entire week may be thrown. Confession – my Mondays have been a mess lately. Because I have a hard time “unplugging” on the weekends, I typically spend Monday feeling overtired, unfocused, and downright overwhelmed. This then leads to a drop in productivity, and I end up feeling behind for the rest of the week. It is a vicious cycle that has snowballed into missed workouts, pushed deadlines, and stalled projects.  Time to do better!

With that being said, I have instituted “The Monday Morning Move.” Simply put, the MMM is something that I MUST get done on Monday. It is designed to put my week in positive motion. Just like my negative habits have had a significant effect on the other 6 days, I believe positive changes can do the same. The MMM really starts on Sunday because it requires some planning. For me, I knew that if I wanted to successfully accomplish my first MMM, I had to tackle one of my worst habits – going to bed at an obscene hour on Sunday night. I was determined to get to bed on time. I was up by 6:00 AM Sunday morning, halfway through my to-do list by noon, prepped for Monday by 8:30 PM and in bed by 10:00 PM.

My plan was to sleep a full 8 hours, but my body had other ideas. By 2:30 AM, I was WIDE awake. I tried to will myself back to sleep, but it didn’t really work out that way. By 5:00 AM, I gave up and got out of bed. I was definitely frustrated, but I had to acknowledge that I was trying to take my body through a major change in one night. Clearly, it’s going to take  some time to retrain myself. I will admit, I have horrible sleeping patterns. I stay up way too late and get up way too early…which basically means I’m always exhausted. My sleep methods generally fall into two categories: “too little” and “crash and burn after days of too little.” The. Absolute. Worst. In any event, I had to shake off my failed attempt at a full night’s rest and press on. My MMM consisted of a few tasks:

1. 15-minute meditation

2. Work out

3. Clear old emails that I’ve been avoiding

4. Start one legal document that I’ve been putting off

*If spirituality isn’t your thing, you may be rolling your eyes at the first task. I’m not here to shove it down your throat, but trust me, it has its benefits. 

I’m happy to report that I have successfully completed my first MMM! Now, did it all go perfectly? Absolutely not. I spent 20 unplanned minutes looking for my iPod pre-workout. Then, I felt like I was going to die midway through the actual workout (repeats to self: Falling off the wagon is never worth it. Falling off the wagon is never worth it…). And to be perfectly honest, as I write this post, I’m not physically at 100% (hello, headache!). But, emotionally and psychologically, I feel GREAT. Why? because I got it done!

Step Forward

Now, I’m encouraging you to do the same. Try out your own Monday Morning Move. Please don’t try to rewire your entire existence in one day. Take baby steps. You can pick one task, no matter how small. As long as it makes you feel accomplished and points your week in the right direction, mission complete. For some, productivity may not be the issue. I know plenty of really disciplined, hardworking people who are still negatively affected by Mondays. Inspiration may be all you need to get you on the right track. If that’s the case, listen to good music, read positive quotes, or maybe call a supportive friend. Whatever it is, Find the MMM that works for YOU. Lastly, don’t worry if you don’t get it done this morning. As long as you do it today, it’s fair game.

Let me know how it goes! Post your MMM in the comments section. FYI – we’ll be doing this every week. Join the fun, make your move, and get on the path to being extraordinary.

by
Keep Reading
Blog

Not My Problem x 2.

not-my-problem 4A while back, I read this hilarious book called The Broke Diaries by Angela Nissel, a fellow Penn Alum.  In one chapter, she goes into this bit, almost as an aside, about being the “girl who went college” in your community. It is one of the most hilarious explanations I’ve ever read. Partly because it’s so relatable.  There is something about having that label amongst a bunch of people who didn’t go to college. You become the go-to person for every issue, quandary, and general inquiry. I was that girl after graduation. Over the years, my circle became a lot more diverse, and it seemed to die down…until I got a law degree. One would seriously think I was a Pulitzer Prize winning genius with the way people pick my brain. You wouldn’t believe the range of questions I get on a weekly basis – “Hey D, are there five weeks in this month? How long is the drive from NY to Atlanta? Will the Fugees get back together? Who was the 28th President? Can I take both of these medications? Do you have the number for [insert name of public establishment here]? Will the government give me a grant for [insert nonsensical business idea here]?” I’m a pretty patient person, and I don’t mind helping people out where I can, but this drives. me. nuts. Especially when it’s an answer that can be found through a simple internet search, or an area of expertise that I couldn’t possibly know anything about.[i]

I once asked a friend, “Why do people think I know everything?” Her response: “Because you do.” Granted, I know a lot of random information. It’s a byproduct of the whole serial researcher thing. But that doesn’t give people the right to treat me like their real-life personal Google. Especially, since I’m kind of busy, you know, being a lawyer and all.

One day, not too long ago, I was at my wits’ end. I was being pulled in a thousand different directions, a bunch of people were demanding my attention and making unrealistic requests. Needless to say, none of these people were paying clients of mine. I called a trusted friend/advisor and unloaded: “I’m so sick of people thinking I’m their savior! I’m exhausted and overextended. I have a ton of work to do, and they have the audacity to want me to be at their beck and call, then get pissed off when I can’t. Well you know what pisses ME off. The fact that I can never get that kind of support in return.” The friend was quiet for a moment, then replied rather nonchalantly, “Well, you know you can’t really point the finger at them, right? This is your doing.” At this point, she was making me more annoyed – “How can you say this is my doing. Are you saying that I’m using this for some sort of validation? Don’t try to psychoanalyze me. That is not it at all.” Then I went into lawyer mode, supporting my argument with 5 other concrete reasons why she was wrong. We had a healthy debate, but I ended up seeing her point. I needed to take responsibility for my part in creating the dynamic between me and others.

That dialogue got me thinking. Why was I allowing people to drain me in that way? Why was I taking on other people’s burdens so much. I can be a bleeding heart at times, but I’m no pushover…and I’m still clear that I am not seeking validation by playing savior to many. So what gives? It took me a few days, but it finally clicked. 26ers generally aren’t lazy people. It is very difficult for us to just forgo responsibility in exchange for lying around. But we will avoid it if we have to. How, you ask? By directing that energy towards someone else’s problem. The constant need to address another person’s issue is feeding something in you, be it fear, procrastination, or some other negative trait.

Think about it.  What sounds more noble? “I didn’t work towards my own goal this week because I just couldn’t find the motivation or was afraid to take a step,” or “I didn’t work towards my own goal because I was too busy catering to everyone else’s needs.” You get the idea. It’s great to help others, but unless you’re gunning for sainthood, you might want to reconsider how much of your time you freely throw give away. Be careful not to use goodwill as a crutch, or you might end up well-liked, but not very well-accomplished. The next time you find yourself in this predicament – feeling almost obligated to help others at the expense of your own dreams – remember this phrase: Not My Problem (times 2). Why twice? Keep reading.

1. When someone approaches you with that false sense of urgency and acts like the world will end if you don’t help them, remind yourself, “their needs are not my problem.”

2. If and when you find yourself complaining about how everyone else’s demands are keeping you from making progress, tell yourself, “these perceived external forces are not my problem. Fear is.” Or “lack of motivation is”…or whatever other self-imposed obstacle is standing your way.

Truth be told, nobody is stopping you from realizing your dreams…unless you count yourself. It’s time to pull the covers off your escapist techniques and be a little selfish. That’s right, focus on you, because “they” really aren’t your problem.


[i] And while we’re on this subject and in the middle of tax season, I am NOT an accountant. Now, can everyone who knows me personally stop asking about their deductions and credits?? Thanks in advance.

by
Keep Reading
Blog

The 3 R’s of Crisis Survival

letter rIn my profession, there are a few characteristics that make up a great client: 1. Easy to work with; 2. Presents interesting legal issues; 3. Trusts my judgment; 4. Pays well; 5. Pays on time; and 6. Pays without complaining. I worked with one client who embodied all of these characteristics. We’ll call him Ted.[i] Ted was seriously the best of the best. At least once a week, I wanted to send him a fruit basket just to say “thank you for not making my life a living hell.” Over an extended period of time, I had resolved a variety of legal issues for him, and we were preparing to move on to some exciting things. Then, one day while happily tapping away on my computer, I notice his number flash across my caller ID. I found this odd because Ted never calls me without scheduling ahead of time.

From the moment I picked the phone up, I knew something was up. Ted’s tone was friendly, but hesitant. I cut right to the chase – “What’s the problem?” Ted had decided to start working with a very large firm. He immediately started explaining: “I really love your work, and I’m so happy with the way things have gone so far.” When we finally got to the bottom of why he was ditching me, it made absolute sense. I told him that I supported his decision and was happy for him. We exchanged pleasantries, he paid his final bill, and that was that. I moved on with my day and didn’t think much of losing Ted…until I left the office.

While walking up Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, the internal dialogue began. “OMG, do know you know how much money just walked out the door?! You cannot afford to lose a good client right now. What if this happens with every good client? What if you’re stuck with the ones who don’t pay their bills? What if you go bankrupt? Why did you start this firm in the first place?” It sounds dramatic, but this was my exact train of thought. Funny how one not-so-great result can lead to full-on panic in a matter of minutes.

I tried to push those negative thoughts out of my head. Then it hit me. “Oh God.” I suddenly remembered that I was also in the process of severing a rather lucrative business relationship. Two major income sources down the drain in the same week. You may be wondering why this little factoid didn’t pop in my head sooner. Well, working in a high-stress profession like the law while under the constant pressure of entrepreneurship, I’ve learned to compartmentalize very well. In any event, I kept walking, feeling more deflated with each block. By the time I got home, my head was spinning. I would need to start adjusting budgets or getting new clients through the door STAT.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m an overachiever. I pride myself on being able to find a solution and “get it done.” So, normally in a situation like this, I would spring into action and devise a whole plan to soften the blow, so to speak. But, for whatever reason, I couldn’t bring myself to face the issue immediately. So, I did something completely out of character under the circumstance. I watched mindless television, then went to bed. The next day, I worked from home, did only what was necessary, and even managed to take an afternoon nap. The next day, I slept in. That weekend, I left town to visit friends. You get the idea. By the following week, I felt a little guilty for ignoring what could potentially be a significant financial crisis, but I just didn’t have the energy to deal. I was burned out and out of ideas. So, instead of panicking, I decided to get some much needed rest.

Then one day, the phone rang. Then it rang again. A couple of new clients. SCORE. Not a permanent solution, but enough to quell any immediate fears and allow me to keep forging ahead toward my long term goals for this little firm of mine. Weeks later, as I was going about my normal routine, I thought about how that initial anxiety over Ted’s departure had become a distant memory. I was reminded that things always seem to work out in the end. And I realized that resting while waiting for things to work out felt a whole lot better than panicking.

At some point, a legitimate crisis will fall right into your lap through no fault of your own, and all you will be able to control is your response. So, how do you cope with life’s curveballs? Try one of the 3 Rs:

1. Rest – My great uncle once told me, “There are two things you shouldn’t worry about – things you can’t do anything about and things you can do something about.” It may seem counterproductive, but sometimes the best action is no action at all. If you simply don’t know what to do, or the circumstances are completely out of your control, don’t waste time worrying. It really is a useless emotion. Take a breather until the outcome presents itself or until you have a better idea of what your next move should be. Resting can mean actual sleep, mere relaxation, or just refusing to focus your thoughts on the crisis.

2. Rush – There are times when trouble comes and you are not meant to bury your head in the sand. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing exactly what you’ve been put on this earth to do. Life happens. You may get thrown off track. Obstacles present themselves. Sometimes you just have to take the hits, block out the distractions, and aggressively forge ahead. If you feel you can keep going, you should, no matter how hard it seems. Look at the bright side. Progressing in the face of adversity makes for a better story anyway.

3. Reset – Sometimes we make bad decisions, take a wrong turn, or pursue the wrong things. It’s a part of being human. If it seems that nothing is going right, take some time to reflect and reevaluate. It might be time to ctrl+alt+del your entire plan and start over with a new one. This one is tricky because sometimes mere obstacles can show up dressed as a bad decision. So, before you throw in the towel on a given path, assess everything – your successes and failures, the pros and the cons. If you think about it long enough it, you’ll know whether it’s a jedi mind trick trying to get you to quit or if you really should start over.

The 3 Rs can help you through pretty much any challenge. The key is knowing which “R” applies. You may even find that some problems require more than one. I’m a firm believer that our instincts are better than we give them credit for, but if you’re afraid to trust your own intuition, talk it out with someone else. Just make sure they have a level head. No Negative Nancy’s or Anxious Annie’s allowed. One final tip to help you choose the right R: the least natural response for you is probably the R you should choose. Why, you ask? Because everything happens for us, not to us. Everything occurring in your life is meant to stretch you and make you better. So, if it feels uncomfortable, it just might be the right way to go.

[i]By now, you’ve probably figured out that Ted is not said client’s real name.

by
Keep Reading