As I learned from personal experience two weeks ago, car thefts (particularly Kias and Hyundais) are on the rise throughout the United States. It's a terrible violation to have your car stolen. Today's post combines my personal story with lots of advice for ways you can make your vehicle less tempting or accessible to thieves. If you DO suffer a theft, there's an organized pathway to recovering your car, or at least recovering from your loss. Please read, share, and save for future reference — though I hope you never need it.

With shoutouts to Donut Media, Apple, Sergeant Tim Bradford from The Rookie and Sergeant Joe Friday from Dragnet.

#napopro #professionalorganizer #kiaboys #cartheft #autoinsurance

https://juliebestry.com/2023/08/21/organize-to-prevent-or-recover-from-a-car-theft/

Strap yourself in for a wild ride with today's Paper Doll post. It starts off with some extended information about Mark Struczewski interviewing me for a recent episode of his Mister Productivity podcast, but then segues into a deep dive into the organizing-related lessons in Deirdre Mask's fascinating book, The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power and what it all has to do with organizing. And then I round out the post with a nod to the brilliant Judith Kolberg to show how the names we use to label and assign homes to things can be essential to our organizing and productivity. Trust me, you'll want to sit down for this one.

https://juliebestry.com/2023/04/03/whats-in-a-name-addressing-organizing-and-productivity/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #productivity #podcast #addresses #labels

Have you ever had a conversation that felt like it hit ALL the high notes? I was so delighted to be a guest on the most recent episode of Mark Struczewski's The Mister Productivity Podcast, and I know you're going to want to join the fun!

When two Western New Yorkers who've moved to the south *both* work in the productivity field, there is no stopping the free-flowing conversation. We talked about the "Pomodoro Technique police," the vital importance of brain reboots, and the power of analog in an increasingly digital world. I mean, you KNEW I'd talk about paper planners, journals, and notebooks, right?

And of course, we hit on systems for improved productivity and our secrets for keeping above the distracting fray. I even gave some shoutouts to friends and colleagues we have in common, like Art Gelwicks who'd just recently been on Mark's podcast.

I bet you're going to want to subscribe, because Mark has a high-energy, non-fluff show that gets to the heart of being more productive. The Mister Productivity Podcast is available wherever you find fine podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Pandora, JioSaavn, Deezer, and Listen Notes. And if you like listening at your desk, you can just go straight to the episode page: https://www.misterproductivity.com/blog/1220

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mark-struczewski-podcast/id1257109620?i=1000606059546

#napopro #professionalorganizer #productivity #productivitytips #organization #organizationskills #podcast

Look around you. Are you distracted by sensory stimuli in your work space? Loud conversations, random movements? Wouldn't it be nice to have some peace and privacy in your workspace? Today's post looks at some realistic options and fantasy solutions for creating an work space that gives you some serenity. Which one might you consider?

https://juliebestry.com/2023/03/27/privacy-in-your-home-office-from-reality-to-fantasy/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #homeoffice #privacy #officedecor #work

As promised, here's a lollapalooza of gems from Francis Wade's excellent 2023 Task Management & Time Blocking virtual summit a little over a week ago. When you have a theme like "One size doesn't fit all. Now what?" you're pretty sure there's going to be a wealth of different approaches, but this shows what an embarrassment of riches in terms of productivity advice and philosophy was on offer. Come see what works for you!

https://juliebestry.com/2023/03/13/highlights-from-the-2023-task-management-time-blocking-summit/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #productivity #timemanagement #taskmanagement

I don't often do interviews or profiles for the Paper Doll blog, so you know that when I do, you're getting a humdinger! I am so excited to introduce you to Kara Cutruzzula, whose life and insights will fascinate and entertain. She's been a journalist and editor, creates a daily newsletter that motivated and inspires real forward motion, and she podcasts and publishes transformative books.

As if that weren't enough, she charms as a playwright, lyricist, and librettist...and she cracks me up. Whether you want to go behind the scenes at online magazines or understand how to get out from under procrastination or negative self-talk to make a day or a project work for you, Kara is your gal!

https://juliebestry.com/2023/03/06/paper-doll-interviews-motivational-wordsmith-kara-cutruzzula/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #motivation #journalism #musicals #writing #publishing #podcasting

While it may seem like there's nothing new under the sun in terms of (non-technological) productivity advice, there are refreshing and novel ideas. Today, I share three really cool notions for getting meaningful things done, and tell you more about this year's iteration of Francis Wade's always-excellent Task Management and Time Blocking Summit.

https://juliebestry.com/2023/02/27/surprising-productivity-advice-the-2023-task-management-time-blocking-summit/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #productivity #timemanagement #procrastination #scheduling

Initially, I planned to take off from blogging on all of this year's holiday Mondays, but the topic of how various presidents embraced particular aspects of productivity just grabbed ahold of me and wouldn't shake me loose. Come see what Washington, Jefferson, (John Quincy) Adams, Honest Abe, and Ike thought and said about getting things done.

With non-presidential shoutouts for Alexis Coe, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Laura Vanderkam, Stephen M. R. Covey, and if you squint, Francis Wade.

https://juliebestry.com/2023/02/20/paper-doll-shares-presidential-wisdom-on-productivity/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #productivity #gettingthingsdone #punctuality #eisenhowermatrix

Hello, all you lovely valentines. To celebrate how worthy you are of affection (including kindness to yourselves!), today's Paper Doll post offers up some real treats. We're looking at three books by my fabulous, beloved colleagues, covering organizing, motivation, and productivity. In addition, you're getting a sneak peek at an upcoming video interview series for taking a proactive approach to productivity in leadership.

https://juliebestry.com/2023/02/13/paper-doll-presents-4-stellar-organizing-productivity-resources/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #organizing #productivity #leadership

Last week, we talked about the theory and mechanisms behind "body doubling," and I shared some of my professional and personal experiences (virtually and in-person). Today's post offers a peek at 8 virtual co-working sites, from free to pricey, each with its own style, attitude, and tech.

https://juliebestry.com/2023/02/06/paper-doll-shares-8-virtual-co-working-sites-to-amp-up-your-productivity/

#napopro #professionalorganizer #coworking #bodydoubling #accountability #productivity