In this 9 to 5 lifestyle, the only thing that can help us climb the ladder is productivity. However, when our life is full of distractions, indolence, and poor focus, productivity can take a hit.Â
But who says we cannot find a solution to boost our productivity?Â
In fact, this article is just the solution you need.Â
Habits that will Skyrocket your Productivity
Here are 11 habits that can skyrocket your productivity.
Doing difficult tasks first
Habits that will Skyrocket your Productivity
We tend to undertake easier tasks first when actually we should do the opposite. Taking up difficult tasks first can enable you to perform much better, all because your mind functions better at the beginning of the day than at the end.
Furthermore, getting done with challenging tasks can certainly provide you relief.
Stay away from social media
Do you sit for work, only to open up your phone to scroll social media moments later? Well, then it is a no-brainer that it’s a distraction you need to stay away from.
Function on a schedule, have a plan
I am certain you must have a lot on your plate. Having said that, dealing with all the tasks without a systemic approach can create a lot of mess. However, having a plan can save your day by keeping you more systematic and organized.
Group your tasks
You are doing it all wrong if you keep on jumping from one heterogeneous task to another.Â
Why? Because when you do so, you will facilitate your brain to readjust from time to time. As a consequence, you will find it hard to perform more efficiently.
Wake up early
Well, this is probably the most difficult challenge for all the night owls and morning sleepers out there. But if you have to be productive, it’s a must.
 Waking up early has a lot of benefits that you cannot pass on.
Makes you feel that you have additional hours to the day.
Your mind functions better early in the morning. Therefore, better focus and concentration.
Allows you to have your me-time.
Prevents the morning rush
One task at a time
In this fast pacing world, multitasking is considered a boon. However, if you want to be productive, we suggest you avoid it altogether.
Precisely because, when you finish one task, rather than doing multiple tasks in bits and pieces – your stress is likely to diminish drastically. Â
Following your own system
By system, we mean your approach to doing your work. Everyone has different approaches to work. One that works for someone, might not work for another. Therefore, find your own system. It will take a hit and trial method, but you will find it.
For instance, some people function better by listening to music while working. As for the other, it sabotages their concentration. This is what a system is, the one that works for you better.
Do not neglect breaks (But do not overdo them)
Being productive doesn’t mean you have to work for hours without a break, only to be dead tired by the end of it. Instead, it means working efficiently with a chilled mind. This is what productive breaks facilitate, they help you to focus better, and perform better.
Plan the night before
Chores can hamper your productivity by adding up to your already hectic schedule. Therefore, if you want to have a productive day, plan the chores the night before.
Exercise
Exercising has multiple benefits. One of the many is that it promotes better focus and concentration. And since we are talking about productivity, these two elements are the pillars of productivity.
Set a mail time
Reading emails is one of the most time-consuming tasks of the day. Therefore, you do not need to keep your mail tab opened all the time. Instead, set a time for mail reading. Doing it after completing a hectic task is a great idea since it involves less effort and can act as a cooldown.
Last but not the least
Do not perceive boosting productivity as a challenge. It is easy, you just have to embrace some habits. All the best! You got this!
Hey there, how do you stay productive? Feel free to share your hacks and tricks with us in the comment section.
When you first walk into the newly opened AC Hotel in North Scottsdale, you are greeted with hospitality and relaxation. The colors are inviting and calming, and it’s European inspiration shines right through the modern design. It’s no wonder their target audience of Millennial, like myself, love to work and play at this hotel line!
AC Hotel – Newest Modern Escape in the Desert
Coworking seems to be the name of the game in the lobby, as you will find many different seating arrangements and opportunities to relax and still accomplish work. Much like the other locations in this hotel line, they only have one private room for meetings onsite. The rest is an open concept, which we all know speaks to my soul! If you are in need of a meeting space to entertain clients, this room is bookable, even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel. AC gets the state of the world right now, and understands your office may not be open, but you still need to conduct business.Â
Let their home become yours when you need a meeting space.Â
One other thing you can expect and will see in the lobby and carried out throughout the common areas of the hotel – live plants. When Brian, the Sales Manager, was showing me around, I had to stop and feel if they were real! Yes, the succulents are all real as are the plants outside in the outdoor dining area.Â
To me, this was a great touch that brings in the outside through the expansive glass windows and doors, really making it feel completely open. Right off of the bar area, guests can enjoy outdoor seating and the pool. The artwork and thought that went into the design is incredible. You will be in awe everywhere you look, not overwhelmed.Â
Food and Beverage Service
Since opening in January 2021, in the middle of a global pandemic, the food and beverage service are a bit modified. Understandably so. For breakfast, you can still get a variety of items. Dinner service starts at 5 pm, and you can also do catering. If you are in need of an event space, or wedding space, the side patio is available to accommodate your needs. And it has a covered roof which will be perfect come summer!Â
One of the coolest things I saw at AC was the call buttons on all of the tables. It corresponds to a watch the servers/bar attendants wear, and lets them know you need something based on which button you press. It allows you to enjoy your space while still being able to have your needs met when you need them. And it also allows for as minimal contact as you want from service staff, without having to chase them down, either poolside or barside.
And as an attendant, it gives them reassurance they are taking care of you, and you are fine, without hovering over you. <— Wish I had this back in my days of serving and bartending back in the early 2010s! I can imagine there would have been fewer of those “awkward Hey, wanted to check to make sure you were still ok?!” asks!Â
Food and Drink Selections
One thing you will notice about this hotel versus other hotels in the valley – they have a specialized drink menu created just for this location. Michael Jordan’s tequila line is a staple of their selections. And you have to try the Sunset, their newest gin drink.Â
Now, I’m not a gin fan, or drinker, and I even told Jolie and Albert, the attendants, I think it tastes like pine cones 🤷🏼‍♀️. However, they convinced me this drink wouldn’t. And they were right! The combination of pineapple juice, Grand Marnier, and blue Gin, make this an eye appeasing and palette pleasing drink!
The next special drink on the menu is the Spire. Named and created after the Scottsdale Spire, just up the road from the hotel. The Spire is a piece from Frank Lloyd Wright, a major inspiration in the area for architecture.Â
Make sure to watch the video for the creation and the fun way they light it up! 🔥Â
As far as food goes, you can get dinner, which is mostly Tapas and smaller plates, from 5-9. I saw and tried a few selections. And I’m told the house made meatballs are the best. (I’m not a meat eater, but they did look appealing). The bread with the arugula salad was amazing! And the pecans in some kind of candying were also drool worthy.
The last thing that caught my eye for food and beverage – in the mini bar area off of the check in desk, there’s a wine opener on the wall. They sell bottles of wine in the mini bar. But you can also purchase a bottle from the bar, open it at the mini bar or take it home, and enjoy it! Another amenity I find so useful and wonder why all hotels don’t have this!
Artwork
Every piece in the hotel is on purpose. From the REVIVE wall on the patio by the pool that repeats itself to the wood statues who were commissioned by an artist who flew Internationally to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon and create the pieces after its beauty. I loved all the textures, the heights, and the simplicity. Real plants and succulents are featured throughout the property to bring the beauty of the outdoors, in and create unexpected color.
Guest RoomsÂ
As with most hotels, this one has amazing rooms that carry the calming colors and atmosphere as well as the modern design throughout. The bathrooms have sliding glass shower doors, and pedestal countertops to keep the open and light feel, and all the TVs have streaming available with the most popular options.Â
Views from the room are incredible – either of the mountains or the city – the perfect spot to work away from home. With the guest rooms, access to the on site gym is available as well as any of the services across the plaza at the Westin Kierland Resort.
Overall, the AC Hotel in North Scottsdale is a top spot to consider when wanting a staycation away from home, or for business and leisure travel to Scottsdale and really experience living the high life while still getting work done. I know I will be planning a little staycation here very soon!
Hygge and Minimalism are the two popular concepts these days. Honestly, when I first heard of the Danish concept Hygge, I didn’t think that it would fit in with minimalism. That’s because I thought Hygge was all about creating cozy spaces with lots of candles, books, hot drinks, blankets, and pillows while minimalism was all about decluttering your space.
But, there’s a lot more common between these two philosophies than it looks like. After practicing them both for a long time, I realized that in the end, they promote similar values. For starters, they both require you to be mindful and intentional and guide you to live a meaningful life.
So, today I want to make work easy for you. I’ll dive deeper into the concepts of these two philosophies and explain how they complement each other in many ways.
How Hygge and minimalism go together
To understand that first, we have to understand the roots of Hygge and Minimalism and what they represent today.
What is Hygge?
Pronounced as HOOGA, it’s a popular Danish concept that originated in 1800. It’s quite difficult to explain Hygge because there is no direct English translation. But, it can be described as slowing down, being present in the moment, and finding contentment in everyday life.
Hygge is not about warm places, hot drinks, cozy blankets, and stuff like that, they’re just a part of it. You taking time to create a cozy space for yourself and later enjoying the quiet time mindfully is the real essence of Hygge.
How to get Cozy without the Clutter
What is Minimalism?
People often confuse a minimalist lifestyle with minimalistic designs. Plain white rooms, with a few pieces of essential furniture, is not the only thing that minimalism conveys.
Minimalism essentially means intentionally figuring out what actually matters to you the most or what adds value to your life, then removing everything that distracts you from focusing on those things.
It is not just about clutter around your house, it’s also about the clutter in your mind. Minimalism guides you to get rid of everything (a piece of furniture, a toxic relationship, a philosophy of life that’s not working for you, etc.) that buffers you from focusing on what’s important and helps you to live a mindful and simpler life.
Minimalism and Hygge – a combined concept
So, if Hygge is all about slowing down and cherishing simple moments, then it’s quite easy to spot how minimalism and Hygge go together.
Let’s discuss more, the word “hyggelig” represents a nice and clean home without clutter, but it must have a comfortable and warm atmosphere.
Clutter is actually considered an enemy of coziness when it comes to Hygge. That’s obvious because the more clutter you’ll have the more distracted you’ll be and that will totally buffer you from enjoying simple moments in life.
Moreover, Hygge and Minimalism both rest on one thing – Intentionality.
Let’s understand this by an example – Instead of stuffing their homes with the latest gadgets and high-quality couches, Hygge enthusiasts will intentionally focus on creating a homey atmosphere.
In the same manner, Minimalists will intentionally prioritize using simpler things to maintain their focus on what’s important.
Hygge and Minimalism, both are tools that you can utilize to live an intentional life full of contentment and gratitude.
So, that’s how both of these philosophies overlap. But, how can you combine them in your life?
Here are a few practical tips for the same –
Buy only those things that you love and use. Find a balance between functionality and joy.
Stick to a neutral color scheme for your home. This is important to create relaxing spaces.
Use dim lights and candles (be sure that they don’t emit strong fragrances) to create a warm radiance.
Prioritize different areas of your life. Find comfort in everything that you do. Invest only in the things that you truly value.
Don’t decorate your home to show-off. Decorate only if you love to do it.
To conclude
Hygge is about simplifying and surrounding yourself with the things that you love and value. It’s not about extravagance, but taking pleasure in the simplicity of your surroundings. This is exactly similar to what minimalism conveys.
While we love the cozy feeling of a cluttered home, it’s not always practical (or healthy). If you’re looking to simplify your life, start by decluttering your home and living room. Get rid of any furniture pieces that don’t serve a purpose or take up too much space. Utilize storage spaces to keep your living area tidy and organized. And finally, follow our great tip for taking just 20 minutes each day to live a clutter-free life. How are you going to take these steps to achieve a minimalist lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!
From kindergarten to adulthood, we all have learned that plastic is our foe and a nemesis to our environment. However, we have made it our best friend. If you need proof, look around your house and count things made out of plastic. I bet there is plenty.
But you are not alone. The few reasons we have refused to let go of plastic is because it’s cheaper and convenient to use. But isn’t it hassling for our environment and our health? Not only does it takes millions of years to decompose, but it also produces harmful toxins when burnt – Believe it or not, we as a species are on death row if we don’t change our ways at the earliest.
Our environment has been nothing but kind to us. We owe it that much to protect it. We cannot be selfish anymore, especially if we want our children and our children’s children to enjoy Earth.
Therefore, if you seem to agree, consider switching to a zero-waste lifestyle. It will not only save the environment but will also improve your way of life.
10 things for a zero-waste lifestyle
1. Use everything reusable
Our environment will be blessed if you just start with the kitchen. It includes boycotting tissue papers and disposable plates. Not only are they hard to recycle but also increase wastage tremendously. You can do better than that.
Having said that, switch to cloth napkins and steel/ glass utensils; you might not be exactly pleased washing the dishes, but it would be worth it if it does wonders for the environment. And if you have kids, this is a great opportunity to teach them how to wash dishes! Add it to their chore list and you are free from having to do dishes!Â
2. Be minimalist
The fewer things you own, the fewer things you will throw away, which ultimately means less burden on the environment. Hence, don’t live by the materialistic approach; on the contrary, become a minimalist.  If you buy something, don’t buy extra. Likewise, don’t buy anything you wouldn’t need.
If you need help getting started in Minimalism, I have a whole category on it! Click the Minimalism category on the right here and get started!
3. Switch to glass bottles and glass jars
As I said before, it starts with the kitchen. Ditch the old plastic jars and plastic bottles today. Instead, go for more sustainable alternatives – the glass ones.Â
4. Make compost at home
Love to plant and maintain your own garden? Well, I’ve got good news for you. You can use your food waste to compost. Composting can help you convert food waste into fertilizers that will be a god-sent for your garden. (While you are at it, consider planting your own veggies. It’s healthy, easy on the pockets, and great for the environment)
Although I do understand that it might seem gross to you initially if you do it organically – but bear with it, focus on the result and benefits. However, you might spare yourself the trouble if you have composting communities or authorities near you.
5. Avoid leftovers, always make and consume as much as you can take
The goal is to reduce wastage, and let’s be honest for a moment – most of our wastage results from food. We waste too much food. So, stop that. Only eat what you can, and in the quantity, you can. The same goes for cooking – only cook that much which you can consume.
Additionally, if you have leftovers, make it a goal to finish them first, before cooking/buying something else.
The same goes for eating out or delivery — only order what you can eat and don’t bring the rest home. If you must, ask the restaurant if they have a plastic alternative you can use.
6. Don’t come back home with plastic bags
From grocery shopping to clothes shopping, we come back home with tons of plastic bags. No surprise as to why most of our homes are filled with it. It’s high time to boycott that.
If your local supermarket stores don’t understand that, be the bigger person. Take your own cloth bags or vegetable trolley, but whatever you do, don’t come back home with plastic bags. You can find some really cute ones on Etsy or from local makers, like some of the ones at Made with Love Market.Â
The same goes for plastic bottles, always keep a glass/copper one in your car. Refill it but don’t buy the packaged ones.
7. Always recycle
Recycling things might not be easy, but thanks to the growing environmental awareness, you can find various bodies that provide recycling services. From paper to tech accessories, you can recycle most of the products you buy that are not made of plastic.Â
Be sure to check with your local recycling company through the town or city as they may provide you with an extra bin for recycling free of charge.
8. Buy from local suppliers
Wondering how? Well, in a nutshell, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint if you choose local suppliers over commercial ones. Look for your local farmers markets and buy from them. There have to be local beekeepers and local gardeners which you can purchase your products instead of going to the big box stores. It helps support the local economy as well as helps you reduce some of the local allergies you might have. If you don’t have a local farmers market, consider growing your own veggies and fruits like we are doing with our AeroGarden.Â
9. Go digital
Gadgets have made lives easier. Surprisingly, they have made things easier for the environment as well – at least when we are talking about reduced dependence on paper. Thus, take advantage of digitization to save the trees. Switch to E-newspapers, don’t go for paper bills, and invest in a kindle/iPad to read documents and books digitally. Doing so helps reduce the clutter in your home as well, which is a win for you and your family!
Â
Well, that will do to get you started. Remember, the key is not perfection, but consistency. Don’t make changes for a while and be done with them – instead, make them a part of your lifestyle. Live with them. At the same time, don’t depend on others. If they are not smart enough to help the environment, that’s their loss – You do your job!
If you’re a blogger or a business owner, you would want to scale your business and bring in more traffic. In order to do so, you need to upgrade your marketing strategy so as to keep getting readers and customers.
The best option to grow your readers is through Pinterest marketing. Pinterest is more of a visual search engine, unlike other social media channels. However, last year, Pinterest came out with lots of new changes which frustrated the bloggers, especially the small niche ones. Thus, it’s so very crucial to have a proper strategy for Pinterest marketing in order to beat all the upcoming algorithm changes.
The 10 min Pinterest strategy for 2021
Here’s a 10 min Pinterest marketing strategy that will skyrocket your traffic in 2021:
Redo your Pinterest account
If you already have your business account on Pinterest, it’s time to update it according to the new changes. Pinterest clearly stated that they would be preferring more relevant content from creators so be mindful of what you’re posting on your boards.
If you have your personal boards for inspiration, make sure that you are hiding them all. You surely don’t want to distract your ideal user with some cute quote pins or mood boards.
Claim your site, enable rich pins, redo your description so as to reach the maximum audience. It’s essential to keep updating your Pinterest profile timely.
Create fresh pins
Pinterest also made it clear that they will be preferring fresh pins over the re-pins. So the creators all over the world are focusing on creating multiple pins for the same content. Also, make sure that your pins are highly engaging, attractive, and have a call to action. Having a CTA to the pin makes it easier for the readers to take some targeted action.
More video and story pins
Being a visual platform, Pinterest also announced that they will be pushing video and story pins more in 2021. Moreover, the story pins enable the users to check your profile towards the end of the slide. This will increase your views and saves.
It indeed takes more time to create a story and video pin than creating static ones but it’s all so worth it in the end.
Choose the right keywords
Pinterest SEO is super important in order to gain targeted traffic. Use the keywords that are relevant to your niche at various places such as pin title, pin description, board title, board description, and main profile details.
Make a list of all the words that your potential reader and customer will be looking for. Know their pain points and craft the content accordingly.
Having the right keywords will help you gain more readers for your site and you can leverage Pinterest’s power of redirecting the traffic.
Check your analytics
Checking your analytics matters the most because it gives you a clear idea of what your user or readers are searching for.
Your analytics will give you a clear idea of what you should be posting more and the best time as well.
 Learn to study your Pinterest analytics and focus more on saves and clicks. It’s so easy to get impressed by the monthly views but keep in mind that it’s just a vanity number. What matters the most is having more clicks and this comes with consistency.
Conclusion
In the end, Pinterest can be the powerhouse of generating more traffic and helping your business to grow wide. However, it indeed requires some tactics and patience to grow your Pinterest account.
I hope that you put the above points into practice and be consistent with your Pinterest marketing, I’m sure; you will totally gain the desired results.
Also, do let me know which strategy helped you the most this year.
with all the tasks without a systemic approach can create a lot of mess. However, having a plan can save your day by keeping you more systematic and organized.
different approaches to work. One that works for someone, might not work for another. Therefore, find your own system. It will take a hit and trial method, but you will find it.
open. Right off of the bar area, guests can enjoy outdoor seating and the pool. The artwork and thought that went into the design is incredible. You will be in awe everywhere you look, not overwhelmed.
commissioned by an artist who flew Internationally to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon and create the pieces after its beauty. I loved all the textures, the heights, and the simplicity. Real plants and succulents are featured throughout the property to bring the beauty of the outdoors, in and create unexpected color.
because there is no direct English translation. But, it can be described as slowing down, being present in the moment, and finding contentment in everyday life.
get rid of everything (a piece of furniture, a toxic relationship, a philosophy of life that’s not working for you, etc.) that buffers you from focusing on what’s important and helps you to live a mindful and simpler life.
gratitude.
disposable plates. Not only are they hard to recycle but also increase wastage tremendously. You can do better than that.
on the right here and get started!
garden. (While you are at it, consider planting your own veggies. It’s healthy, easy on the pockets, and great for the environment)
packaged ones.
Pinterest clearly stated that they would be preferring more relevant content from creators so be mindful of what you’re posting on your boards.
niche at various places such as pin title, pin description, board title, board description, and main profile details.
However, it indeed requires some tactics and patience to grow your Pinterest account.
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