What’s your productivity nemesis?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  You’re in charge of creating your work schedule. What do you do?

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  • A.
    I plan out a detailed schedule and then set alarms to bring me back to my task if I get distracted.
  • B.
    I pick specific tasks and keep a running to-do list for all the things I’m tempted to multitask with.
  • C.
    I set tasks with deadlines, then ignore them until the day before it’s due.
  • D.
    I go with the flow. Scheduling feels too rigid.
• 2.
  Be honest. What’s the most distracting part of your workspace?

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  • A.
    Not having set chunks of time to work on projects. If I don’t block out work-specific time, I tend to get sucked into a vortex of rabbit trails. I need time constraints to keep me in check.
  • B.
    There’s, like, a million other things I have to do. Trying to do them all simultaneously can be distracting.
  • C.
    Everything that’s not work-related. The Twitter notifications on my phone, people talking, people walking outside…and dare I say “squirrel?”
  • D.
    My workspace is cluttered and disorganized. I have no idea where to start.
• 3.
  Have you ever talked to a life coach to help boost your productivity?

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  • A.
    Nope! My productivity levels are juuust fine.
  • B.
    I’ve thought about it, but haven’t made the leap yet.
  • C.
    I have, but they weren’t very helpful.
  • D.
    I have, and they were super helpful!!
• 4.
  Where do you work?

  • A.
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    In an office!
  • B.
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    In a restaurant or coffee shop!
  • C.
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    I own my own business!
  • D.
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    I work from home!
  • E.
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    I work somewhere else!
• 5.
  How much creative energy does your job take on average?

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  • A.
    Almost none. If anything, my job sucks more energy by being boring!
  • B.
    A moderate amount. I get to use my creative brain, but not so much that it’s exhausting.
  • C.
    My job is extremely creative, which I love! But it does take a couple of hours of personal time to recharge my brain cells after work.
• 6.
  My biggest barrier to productivity is…

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  • A.
    Something to do with time manage– oh, shoot! This report was due yesterday!
  • B.
    Multitasking. I miiight even be on the phone and making dinner while I’m taking this quiz!
  • C.
    Definitely every little distraction. Squirrel!
  • D.
    I’ll answer this question later…oh, wait. Procrastination, maybe?
• 7.
  You’ve made a plan for your day. How hard is it to stick to it?

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  • A.
    It’s sooo hard to get motivated to just start this project. Maybe I’ll do it later?
  • B.
    I set alarms to manage my time, and as long as I stick to the plan, it’s all good!
  • C.
    It’s hard not to try doing everything at once.
  • D.
    The plan isn’t the problem, it’s that I find more interesting things to do when I should be working.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Your nemesis is… Procrastination!

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  Hey there, friend!You might be extremely creative and just a little bit disorganized.You’ve got a project deadline approaching. Fast. You know how long it’ll most likely take to finish the project, and how much effort and resources you’ll need. Now, all you need is motivation.People prone to procrastination tend to have a higher IQ. They also tend to be perfectionists and often unknowingly avoid doing things for fear of failing.Procrastination is a double-edged sword. If the deadline is far away, you might think you don’t have to worry about it. You might just not want to do that project. Or maybe you just feel like you have better things to be doing. So you put it off. And all of a sudden, you wake up one morning to a thousand emails reminding you that your project is due. Tomorrow.It’s only when the panic sets in that you might feel a liiittle more inclined to get your work done. You rush through your work. You get it done just in time!Read on for 3 tips to beat procrastination. Without sacrificing your creativity.“If you wait for things to be perfect, you walk away with nothing. Just jump in and get started.” —Attributed to Jennifer Ritchie Payette3 Tips to Kick Procrastination to the Curb1. Eliminate distractions. Social media, petting your dog, the 7 million things on your to-do list… there’s always something more interesting trying to steal your attention. Don’t let it! Put your phone on “do not disturb” and move your workspace to a different room. Don’t let anything get in your way! Listen to: Episode 32: Struggling with Follow-through? 3 Easy Tips to Hold Yourself Accountable and Live Your AspirationsEpisode 52: 4 Ways to Use the Fresh Start Effect to Give Yourself the Motivational Boost You Need to Get Your Goals Going (Again)Episode 21: The Science of Self-Control: Insights from The Willpower Instinct with Dr. Ryan McGeough2. Find out why you’re procrastinating. Time for some self-reflection. Don’t be afraid to go deep! If your procrastination habits stem from a deeper issue, it’s important to identify and address the problem so you can move forward into the land of high productivity.Listen to: Episode18: How Self-Awareness and Planning Are Connected: Learn to Meet Yourself Where You Are AtEpisode 76: Reflect Bravely: How to Use Quarterly Reviews as a Seasonal Reset for Working MomsEpisode 65: Chasing Easy vs. Embracing Growth and Confidence: How To Tell If Your Goals Are the Right Kind of Hard3. Set deadlines. For everything. If a deadline is what it takes to jumpstart your will to finish a task, do it. Tack due dates onto your work projects. Your to-do list. Your hobbies. That load of laundry you’ve had sitting in the dryer for the last week. The possibilities are endless! Listen to:Episode 16: Dare to Do: How to Execute Your Plans With Courage and ConfidenceEpisode 74: How to Use the 80/20 Principle to Identify Your High-Impact Practices So That You Can Do Less and Act with EaseEpisode 34: How to Make and Keep a Planning Habit for Working Moms“Time is not refundable; use it with intention.” – UnknownHi👋, I’m Danielle! I’m a time management coach who’s helped my clients overcome their productivity enemies and kick butt in terms of getting things done! Delightfully! For the past 20 years, I has been ambitiously cultivating a career in higher education, teaching courses and publishing research on public speaking, storytelling and identity, problem-solving, and community building. I am uniquely qualified as a certified Elite Life Coach to help people get abundantly clear on what matters most so that they can be bold at work and have fun in their personal lives. Using creative approaches to self-development, I help high-achievers connect to themselves and others, reclaim time, and achieve their goals. Looking for some quick wins to instantly boost your productivity?1. Check out my Plan Goal Plan podcast. I sit down with leading productivity researchers every week and I’m all about providing you with actionable insights. Based on your questions and comments.2. Join the Super Productive group on Facebook. We’re a supportive community of successful folks who are always down to share encouragement and advice on how to make the most of your time.3. Hop on a free 30-minute call call with me! I’ll provide you with a whole bunch of clarity and at least one or two ways to unlock your true productive potential!And be sure to check your inbox, because I’ll be sending you a free goal setting activity, and all sorts of other valuable resources!
• 2.
  Your nemesis is… wait, squirrel!

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  Hey there, friend! Your distractable tendencies make you great at multitasking and hyperfocusing on projects. The trick is staying in that zone of focus long enough to get stuff done.Like a truly distracted human, you may have simply been trained to have a short attention span. As weird as it sounds, spending a lot of time on Social Media or watching TV can shorten your ability to focus. Think about it. Constantly scrolling, fast music, never a moment to take a breath. You get used to this, then try to focus on a long-term task and your brain fails you.“If you wait for things to be perfect, you walk away with nothing. Just jump in and get started.” —Attributed to Jennifer Ritchie Payette3 Tips to Kick Distractions to the Curb1. Eliminate immediate distractions. Social media, petting your dog, the 7 million things on your to-do list…there’s always something more interesting trying to steal your attention. Don’t let it! Put your phone on “do not disturb” and move your workspace to a different room. Don’t let anything get in your way!Listen to: Episode 32: Struggling with Follow-through? 3 Easy Tips to Hold Yourself Accountable and Live Your AspirationsEpisode 52: 4 Ways to Use the Fresh Start Effect to Give Yourself the Motivational Boost You Need to Get Your Goals Going (Again)Episode 21: The Science of Self-Control: Insights from The Willpower Instinct with Dr. Ryan McGeough2. Find out why you’re so easily distracted. Time for some self-reflection. Don’t be afraid to go deep! If your distractibility stems from a deeper issue, it’s important to identify and address the problem so you can move forward into the land of high productivity.Listen to: Episode18: How Self-Awareness and Planning Are Connected: Learn to Meet Yourself Where You Are AtEpisode 76: Reflect Bravely: How to Use Quarterly Reviews as a Seasonal Reset for Working MomsEpisode 65: Chasing Easy vs. Embracing Growth and Confidence: How To Tell If Your Goals Are the Right Kind of Hard3. Gradually increase your attention span. Time yourself to see how long you can work productively before a distraction pulls you away. Then, whenever you sit down to work, set a timer for that length of time and work until it rings. Take a break once the timer goes off.Episode 74: How to Use the 80/20 Principle to Identify Your High-Impact Practices So That You Can Do Less and Act with EaseEpisode 39: Need Focus? Why Setting Fewer Goals is Key Episode 46: Feeling Scattered? 5 Habits That Will Help You Stay Focused If something really distracting comes up during your work time, write it down and choose to focus on it during your break.Over time, add minutes to your worktime timer. You could find yourself able to focus for up to 90 minutes before you need a break. You’ll gain self-control when distractions come up and be way more productive!Hi👋, I’m Danielle! I’m a time management coach who’s helped my clients overcome their productivity enemies and kick butt in terms of getting things done! Delightfully! For the past 20 years, I has been ambitiously cultivating a career in higher education, teaching courses and publishing research on public speaking, storytelling and identity, problem-solving, and community building. I am uniquely qualified as a certified Elite Life Coach to help people get abundantly clear on what matters most so that they can be bold at work and have fun in their personal lives. Using creative approaches to self-development, I help high-achievers connect to themselves and others, reclaim time, and achieve their goals. Looking for some quick wins to instantly boost your productivity?1. Check out my Plan Goal Plan podcast. I sit down with leading productivity researchers every week and I’m all about providing you with actionable insights. Based on your questions and comments.2. Join the Super Productive group on Facebook. We’re a supportive community of successful folks who are always down to share encouragement and advice on how to make the most of your time.3. Hop on a free 30-minute call call with me! I’ll provide you with a whole bunch of clarity and at least one or two ways to unlock your true productive potential!And be sure to check your inbox, because I’ll be sending you a free goal setting activity, and all sorts of other valuable resources!
• 3.
  Your nemesis is… Multitasking, Multitasking, aaand Multitasking!

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  Hey there, friend! Your multitasking skills are on point. Your mind is going a million miles an hour. You’ve got places to go and things to do, after all!Whether you’ve bitten off more than you can chew at work, you’re a busy parent, your to-do list is 9 miles long, or you simply can’t slow your brain down enough to focus on just one task. You’ve been bit by the multitasking bug.Research shows that if we’re constantly multitasking, we lose the ability to tune out the rest of the world and engage in deeper processing and learning.However, multitasking isn’t all bad. Juggling one or two small tasks at a time can help you get done what you want to do. Such as listening to an audiobook and cooking dinner. Or chatting on the phone with your friend and organizing the hall closet.“You can do two things at once, but you can’t focus effectively on two things at once.” —Gary Keller3 Tips to Kick Over-Multitasking to the Curb1. Eliminate immediate distractions. Social media, petting your dog, the 7 million things on your to-do list…there’s always something else trying to steal a piece of your attention. Don’t let it! Put your phone on “do not disturb” and move your workspace to a different room. Don’t give in to the temptation to multitask!Listen to: Episode 32: Struggling with Follow-through? 3 Easy Tips to Hold Yourself Accountable and Live Your AspirationsEpisode 52: 4 Ways to Use the Fresh Start Effect to Give Yourself the Motivational Boost You Need to Get Your Goals Going (Again)Episode 21: The Science of Self-Control: Insights from The Willpower Instinct with Dr. Ryan McGeough2. Find out why you’re prone to multitasking. Time for some self-reflection. Don’t be afraid to go deep! If your multitasking stems from a deeper issue, it’s important to identify and address the problem so you can move forward into the land of high productivity.Episode18: How Self-Awareness and Planning Are Connected: Learn to Meet Yourself Where You Are AtEpisode 76: Reflect Bravely: How to Use Quarterly Reviews as a Seasonal Reset for Working MomsEpisode 65: Chasing Easy vs. Embracing Growth and Confidence: How To Tell If Your Goals Are the Right Kind of Hard3. Make a to-do list. Throw everything on there. Your hobbies. That load of laundry you’ve had sitting in the dryer for the last week. The project that’s due at work. That phone call you’ve avoided making. The possibilities are endless! Creating a to-do list can help you lay out what you still have to do, so you can focus on one thing at a time without worrying about forgetting the rest.Listen to:Episode 55: Level Up Your Lists: To-Do, To-Da, To-Done and To-Be Lists ** Part 1Episode 56: Level Up Your Lists: To-Do, To-Da, To-Done and To-Be Lists ** Part 2Episode 14: From Chaos to Calm: The Ultimate Guide to Using Checklists to Harness the Power of Routine, Delegate, and Cultivate Calm“Time is not refundable; use it with intention.” – UnknownHi👋, I’m Danielle! I’m a time management coach who’s helped my clients overcome their productivity enemies and kick butt in terms of getting things done! Delightfully! For the past 20 years, I has been ambitiously cultivating a career in higher education, teaching courses and publishing research on public speaking, storytelling and identity, problem-solving, and community building. I am uniquely qualified as a certified Elite Life Coach to help people get abundantly clear on what matters most so that they can be bold at work and have fun in their personal lives. Using creative approaches to self-development, I help high-achievers connect to themselves and others, reclaim time, and achieve their goals. Looking for some quick wins to instantly boost your productivity?1. Check out my Plan Goal Plan podcast. I sit down with leading productivity researchers every week and I’m all about providing you with actionable insights. Based on your questions and comments.2. Join the Super Productive group on Facebook. We’re a supportive community of successful folks who are always down to share encouragement and advice on how to make the most of your time.3. Hop on a free 30-minute call call with me! I’ll provide you with a whole bunch of clarity and at least one or two ways to unlock your true productive potential!And be sure to check your inbox, because I’ll be sending you a free goal setting activity, and all sorts of other valuable resources!
• 4.
  Your nemesis is… Time Management!

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  Hey there, friend! Everyone deals with scrambled time management once in a while. But if you find yourself struggling with it all the time, it might be time to look a little deeper.Whether you’ve got a project due tomorrow – that you haven’t even started – after knowing about it for a month, or you just find your daily schedule constantly disorganized, you might be struggling with poor time management.Poor time management is often caused by an overload of stress, not setting clear goals, being unmotivated, or simply struggling to estimate the time it will take to do something.Once you find out what’s causing your time management issues, you can jump back on track to make the most of your time. So you can be as productive as possible.“Time isn't the main thing. It's the only thing.” —Miles Davis3 Tips to Kick Poor Time Management to the Curb1. Block out your work time. Social media, petting your dog, the 7 million things on your to-do list…there’s always something else trying to steal a piece of your attention. Don’t let it! Put your phone on “do not disturb” and move your workspace to a different room. Decide when you’re going to work, and block off that chunk of time. This is your “work only” time.Listen to:Episode 48: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Plan Your Week So That You Can Start Your Week With FocusEpisode 39: Need Focus? Why Setting Fewer Goals is Key Episode 46: Feeling Scattered? 5 Habits That Will Help You Stay Focused 2. Find out why you’re prone to poor time management. Time for some self-reflection. Don’t be afraid to go deep! If your time management issue stems from a deeper problem, it’s important to identify and address what`s really going on so you can move forward into the land of high productivity.Listen to: Episode18: How Self-Awareness and Planning Are Connected: Learn to Meet Yourself Where You Are AtEpisode 76: Reflect Bravely: How to Use Quarterly Reviews as a Seasonal Reset for Working MomsEpisode 65: Chasing Easy vs. Embracing Growth and Confidence: How To Tell If Your Goals Are the Right Kind of Hard3. Keep up with your calendar. Using tools such as Google Calendar or even a regular day planner is extremely helpful. Plan out your day, and block off times when you’re going to focus on just work. Make sure you include time blocks to do whatever else you need to get done in the day.Episode 27: How to Choose a Paper Planner: Finding Your Favorite Layout Episode 66: Old School vs. Digital: Mastering Planning Tools for Organization, Focus, and BalanceEpisode 7: You Vote With Your Time: How the Daily Top 3 Helps You Focus, Prioritize, and Align Your Actions and Values“Time is not refundable; use it with intention.” – UnknownHi👋, I’m Danielle! I’m a time management coach who’s helped my clients overcome their productivity enemies and kick butt in terms of getting things done! Delightfully! For the past 20 years, I has been ambitiously cultivating a career in higher education, teaching courses and publishing research on public speaking, storytelling and identity, problem-solving, and community building. I am uniquely qualified as a certified Elite Life Coach to help people get abundantly clear on what matters most so that they can be bold at work and have fun in their personal lives. Using creative approaches to self-development, I help high-achievers connect to themselves and others, reclaim time, and achieve their goals. Looking for some quick wins to instantly boost your productivity?1. Check out my Plan Goal Plan podcast. I sit down with leading productivity researchers every week and I’m all about providing you with actionable insights. Based on your questions and comments.2. Join the Super Productive group on Facebook. We’re a supportive community of successful folks who are always down to share encouragement and advice on how to make the most of your time.3. Hop on a free 30-minute call call with me! I’ll provide you with a whole bunch of clarity and at least one or two ways to unlock your true productive potential!And be sure to check your inbox, because I’ll be sending you a free goal setting activity, and all sorts of other valuable resources!