The Productivity Trick I'm Using Most This Week

Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere wrote last week on some time-saving tips, and after reading her suggestions, I'm truly taking her number five to heart. It's called the Top Two Trick.

Here's how it works:

Identify the top two most important items you have to accomplish each day -- ideally the night before, and put them at the tippy top of your to-do list. Choosing two items that without-a-doubt will be done by the close of the day means your day revolves around accomplishing those tasks. Depending on how time-consuming or resource-draining those two pieces are of your day, you'll probably get other things done as well! This concept really helps focus your day on what is most important. If you know exactly what must be accomplished, at the end of the day you feel productive while minimizing those overwhelming thoughts that often come with a mile long to-do list.

It's a lesson in recognizing that life is not "all or nothing". You can get very important work done in a day even if it isn't every little thing you wrote down in a panic. For an added bonus, pick the most-involved two tasks of your week and place them on Monday or Tuesday where you have more focus and determination to make it through the week. Come Friday, your to-do list seems downright lovely (even if it's still far too long for anyone not falling in the superhero category).

Just in case you're still struggling to see how it works, take my today for example: I have to do a problem set for my one class and study for a final in another. Both will take about 4.5 hours each. While I am getting this blog post in, meeting with a client, etc., those two are taking the cake in terms of focus. I'll know that by the end of the day, I will have completed that assignment and studied for tomorrow's exam. And to be honest, no matter how stressful or long this day will be, I feel relieved knowing they are a sure thing.

+ What do you do to stay on track?

[UP NEXT: fight anxiety with one surprisingly effective tool]


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P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
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21 Things Learned Before Age 21


I've (Emily, here!) learned a lot in my short 21 years here in the world, and I think it's all pretty great. It's cool to realize that I have this space to share with you my 21 bits of advice for everyone. Enjoy! Xx.

Here's what I've learned so far ...

1. Nobody is going to swoop in and rescue you from your life; only you can do that for yourself.

2. You don’t gain or lose 10 pounds by eating a bowl of ice cream. Grab a spoon & dig in.

3. No one looks at you and says, oh my god if that dimple weren’t there on your right butt cheek, I’d love you so much more. Love yourself the way other people love you: without judgment and criticism.

4. Magic drink and cure-all: spinach and banana smoothie. Perfect post toxin binge, wink wink.

5. Being young isn’t an excuse to be socially inappropriate, but growing up doesn’t give you permission to lose your sense of wonder. 

6. If you don’t love it, don’t do it/ have sex with it/ buy it. 

7. Do no harm, but take no shit. And if you do harm, remember a sincere apology speaks volumes. 

8. Forgiveness takes you further than any resentment ever will. 

9. Celebrate the little things. They are the foundation for your success. 

10. Wear the new shoes, the sexy lingerie, the leather pants; there’s no special occasion like living life to the fullest.

11. Some things are just not about you. Regardless of your inner 4-year-old opinion, the universe does not revolve around you.

12. Friendships are just like any other relationship: they take trust, understanding, communication, and love.

13. Take a day off “just because”. You’ll never know what great ideas come from a little R&R.

14. Stay in touch with the teachers that made you believe in the world again. They will forever encourage and inspire your dreams.

15. Put yourself out there, again and again, regardless of rejection or being shut down. You never know when the other person will blink and think: this one

16. Read your favorite books over and over again — chick lit, comics, biographies, it doesn’t matter as long as you love it. 

17. Don’t be afraid of love. It might not be a forever kind of love, but if it makes your heart sing for a moment, hold on tight with no regrets. Remember your worth does not depend on the opinions of others, but rather the opinion you hold of yourself.

18. There are no rules on heartbreak. Take as much time as you need. 

19. If there's something you’re passionate about, go for it. Don’t wait. You never know how your story will unfold until you leap.

20. Sometimes, all you need is a cup of tea, someone to brush your hair, and a funny movie. 

21. Stop waiting for the shoe to drop and just live your damn life. If something bad happens, it happens, but it’s not because of something you did or didn’t do. You’ll notice when you stop expecting terrible things to happen, they stop happening. 


P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

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P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
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Being a #GirlBoss & Free Desktop Wallpaper

What does it mean to be a #girlboss?
You use the phrase all the time.

Being a #girlboss means more to me than just working in yoga pants with a dog snoring beside me or meeting clients at unique spaces all across town to support the locals. It's more to me than money freedom, setting my own hours, and working with people of my own choosing.

It's about being unapologetic in my success, taking what's mine without being labeled 'pushy' or 'bossy' or 'intimidating'. It's about empowering the person who thinks they aren't enough because they were told to sit down, be quiet, and speak when spoken to.


'I am strong because of who I am in my soul and my brains, not in spite of them; I am successful because of my age and my gender; not in spite of them.'


I think of the people in this world who dim their lights, because someone at some point told them they would never become a success on their own or that their interests were not enough on which to survive or thrive. I want to be brave in the face of ageism and sexism and say, 'I am strong because of who I am in my soul and my brains, not in spite of them; I am successful because of my age and my gender; not in spite of them'.

Being a #girlboss is about changing the dialogue.

I am not *lucky* to be standing where I am right now. I've busted my butt and earned it. All of us have earned where we are today - whether we're happy with it or not, our actions have contributed to our present state. It's what we do with our dissatisfaction/success that shapes who we become. It's a shame our strengths are masked by others' insecurities: we can't take control without a label against us, or stand up for our beliefs for the same reason. I laugh just thinking of the absurdity.

Being a #girlboss means getting to be 100% real 100% of the time. No ifs, ands, or buts. It's not sparkles and happy dances all of the time, but it's a hell of a lot more interesting than sitting still and watching life just pass by. 

+ What does being a #girlboss mean to you?

... on to your free desktop wallpaper!!!

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Click to download free wallpaper! Once in the new window, right click, save & there you go!

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P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?