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Interview with Melanie Wilson.
Do you ever struggle with getting things done? Do you ever obsess over your to do list? Would you like to learn how to get more done?
In today’s podcast, Dr. Melanie Wilson of psychowith6.com shares 3 habits she learned from a year of living productively, and she also helped me with some of my own time management problems.
To listen on iTunes: click here
During her year of productive living, Melanie tried out a different productivity program or tool each week.
She then wrote a weekly blog post about her experience, sharing the things she liked and didn’t like about the tool or program. The posts are fascinating to read. Click here for a list of the posts.
Melanie also wrote a post on her blog today where she shares the other three productivity habits that she didn’t talk about on the podcast. Click here for that post: 6 Habits I Learned From a Year of Living Productively.
Other News
Beginning next week, I’ll be posting more sporadically, and also going back to a mix of regular posts and podcasts. I’ve been working on getting a new book out but it still has quite a ways to go, so I’ll be posting less frequently so I can put my efforts into that.
The new book will have starting a habit/accomplishing a goal questions, stopping a habit questions, and emotions questions. If you have any ideas for questions that would fit into any of those categories, let me know!
I’ve been having some problems with my blog lately so you can’t always contact me through the about tab. If you can’t reach me there, you can reach me on twitter (@barbraveling) or leave a comment on one of my blog posts. Usually the contact form is only down for a little bit the night before I post and the morning I post – so you can also check back again later if you don’t see it.
Other Resources
Getting Things Done by David Allen
To-Do List Makeover: A Simple Guide to Getting the Important Things Done by S.J. Scott (This is the one I talked about on the podcast that talks about rating the tasks on your to-do list in terms of the emotional effort you need to put out to do the task.)
A Year of Living Productively: list of Melanie’s blog posts
6 Habits I Learned From a Year of Living Productively, by Melanie Wilson
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floyd says
October 1, 2014 at 9:09 amThat was a good reminder about priorities. It’s so easy to walk by the things that we don’t want to do on our way to the things that we do. It’s like learning to eat your vegetables first all over again… Nice job. Melanie is a great guest.
Barb Raveling says
October 1, 2014 at 10:19 amHa, that’s a good analogy! I liked Melanie’s idea to do the most dreaded things at the beginning of the day when you have the most energy.
Melanie Wilson says
October 1, 2014 at 4:10 pmFloyd, thanks so much for the compliment. I’ve been known to walk by things I don’t want to do. What clothes? lol Good to “see” you online again.
TCAvey says
October 1, 2014 at 9:53 amGreat reminders and tips. It’s easy to get so busy that we forget to prioritize, set limits, and enjoy life. It’s about finding balance. I think it’s actually easier for me to balance work and spending time with my son than it is my husband but he’s learning to set work aside and spend set amounts of time with our son. And I’m learning to not harp on him about his time management.
I can’t imagine how much trickier it becomes to manage time when there is more than one kid.
Barb Raveling says
October 1, 2014 at 10:18 amHaha, yes, it gets more difficult with each kid. I think that’s why I was so lazy for 25 years – I didn’t ever figure out how to go back and forth between work and kids. That and my natural lazy temperament. :) I did do a lot of delegating back in those days though. Each time a kid went off to college, my life got harder, even though I was homeschooling!
TCAvey says
October 1, 2014 at 10:27 amThat’s funny.
You prepared your kids for life. I think many parents do a disservice to their kids by doing everything for them. They are part of the family and should have responsibilities in that family- laundry, making bed, dishes, etc. Parents should not do everything for them.
Barb Raveling says
October 1, 2014 at 1:20 pmI agree – it’s better for both the kids and the parents.
Melanie Wilson says
October 1, 2014 at 4:09 pmI think parenting one can be really challenging! I have a hard time when I only have one at home. The requests for board games keep coming and that’s not my favorite. :-) Thanks for listening!
TCAvey says
October 3, 2014 at 7:51 amYou’re right about that. I am his main “entertainment”. While he plays be himself for short periods, overall, I’m right there playing too. But it’s fun…I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
God bless.
Melanie Wilson says
October 3, 2014 at 11:44 amKids are such a joy. A pediatrician have me the best advice when I had my first: enjoy him!
TCAvey says
October 3, 2014 at 1:58 pmAmen!
Barb Raveling says
October 3, 2014 at 9:42 amI remember those board game days with the little kids. I have to confess that i used to hide the cards in Candy Land that would send you all the way back to the beginning just so the games wouldn’t last so long, and I used to dread that long chute in chutes and ladders that would send you all the way back to the beginning. :)
One of the things I really miss about having my youngest daughter go off to college though is the games of backgammon we always used to play while we ate lunch. It’s hard to eat lunch without a game now!
Melanie Wilson says
October 3, 2014 at 3:04 pmI did that too, Barb! I bet you will keep playing with her when you can. I played cribbage with my dad growing up and played a lot as an adult, too.
Bernard Haynes says
October 1, 2014 at 9:55 amGreat interview. Do it now was the word for me. Because when I wait, it just piles up and clutters my life.
Barb Raveling says
October 1, 2014 at 10:15 amMe too. I’ve been telling myself “Do it now” quite a few times already since I interviewed Melanie – and I needed to hear it again today. Thank you!
Melanie Wilson says
October 1, 2014 at 4:08 pmBernard “do it now” is one of the first habits to go when I’m getting out of control. Thanks for listening!
Barb Raveling says
October 1, 2014 at 5:19 pmI think I must not practice “do it now” very well because both times I heard it today (from you and from Bernard) I was right in the middle of telling myself I would do something later!
Melanie Wilson says
October 1, 2014 at 9:12 pmHa ha! God’s got your number Barb!
Christina Smith says
October 15, 2014 at 12:39 pmWhat a great podcast! Just recently I was seeking help in this area. I like what she said about setting aside time to work and to play with kids.
Barb Raveling says
October 15, 2014 at 1:24 pmYes, I liked that too. Melanie has lots of great advice on time, work, and schedule management. I really enjoy her blog posts on those subjects as well.
Betty Draper says
October 16, 2014 at 7:53 pmReally helpful post Melanie wrote. Always can use ideas from others to keep myself organized and handling what ever my day brings. Thanks Barb
Barb Raveling says
October 17, 2014 at 11:44 amThanks, Betty. I can always use ideas for organizing as well. Melanie (and her blog) is a great resource for organization and time management!
Loren Pinilis says
October 20, 2014 at 7:04 pmJust had a chance to listen to this tonight (ironically while doing some cleaning I’ve been putting off). Great tips!
I think the concept of managing your energy levels is crucial – although I wouldn’t just restrict it to energy levels. It can have to do with all sorts of things, such as the example Melanie mentioned about doing hard subjects while her younger children were napping. Dividing our lives up into these contexts and then working from them is such a powerful thing. It used to be about physical locations – what I could do at the office, what I could do from my computer, what I could do at the phone (and there is still some of that). But now we’re so connected that contexts are taking a different form.
Barb Raveling says
October 21, 2014 at 1:53 pmI like to listen to podcasts too while I clean. Makes it more fun. That’s interesting to think of other contexts than energy. I do notice that I can work a lot longer writing at the bakery than at home, so I’ve been trying to do more work sessions there.
Dave Arnold says
October 30, 2014 at 1:31 pmThis is great Barb. So glad you are doing a podcast… and congrats on the book coming out. How exciting. Sounds like you’ve got some good stuff going on.
Barb Raveling says
October 31, 2014 at 7:39 amThanks, Dave. I’m excited about the new book as it will be my first non-weight loss related book. I just ordered the cover a few days ago so that makes it seem a little more like it’s really going to happen!