May 2024

As we anticipate summer, whether you’re a parent juggling a million games, shows and school commitments, you’re working and front-loading so that you can free up some time for more fun, or you’re happily in some other busy-May realm, we can all agree that we need to use our time very wisely.

Consuming information is a priority for me, and I make time for it even during the month that some call Mayhem. I like to listen during my commute, while I fold laundry, etc. I have a very difficult time listening while I work since work requires me to be very focused.

So I’ve set out to give you some things to listen to this month. All of these are hosted by female entrepreneurs, bringing with them a unique perspective and shared passion for inspiring others.

Might I suggest you approach them like this:

• Remember that you don’t need to buy in 100%, but find something to take away from your valuable time spent listening.

• If you love it, book some time to listen to it more regularly.

• If you hate it, stop listening and delete. Not everyone’s philosophy will fit your life and lifestyle. The key is to find one that does and lean in.

Now, give these a try and let me know what you think:

• Best of Both Worlds: Two working moms, Sarah Hart-Unger and Laura Vanderkam, discuss the elusive work/life balance, plus career development, parenting, productivity and more. They love time management (Laura has written several books that I’ve read and gotten so much out of), so obviously I love this podcast.

• Best Laid Plans: This is another Sarah Hart-Unger podcast, all about planning and planning tools. I mean, have you figured out enough about me to know that I could listen to someone talk about planners, productivity, and life organization all day?! She’s an expert and so much fun to listen to.

• Dear FoundHer:  If you’re a female entrepreneur, you must listen to this podcast. I have learned everything I know about marketing from the host, Lindsay Pinchuk. Lindsay is part teacher, instructing me on how to effectively market my brand and build my community, and part cheerleader and friend, telling me to just go for it.

• Happier with Gretchen Rubin: You’ve heard me talk about Gretchen Rubin before because she is my guru. Her knowledge about increasing happiness and about how habits and knowing yourself can positively influence your life is invaluable. Her insight has helped me navigate a lot of my life and has influenced the way I do many things. She co-hosts this with her sister, Liz Craft.

• Happier in Hollywood: Midwestern veteran TV writers/producers/showrunners Liz Craft and Sarah Fain talk about working in Hollywood as well as universal issues like career and personal struggles and so much more. I could listen to them talk about TV production forever because it takes me back to a unique point in my career when I worked in TV production, but what they talk about can apply to anyone.

• Midlife at the Mailbox: Amy Alexander and Denyse Rabbat talk about helping you become a maven in your midlife – they bring marketing and career coaching together for a great chat. Amy is in my women’s networking group, and I started listening before I met her to get her marketing insight (Recently she did a video with me – it’s in my March newsletter.)

• The Lazy Genius: Kendra Adachi has the best advice about how to “be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't.” Her perspective is so thoughtful and different, and it always makes me think. You can learn a bit more about her in my February newsletter.

• Why Didn’t They Tell Us?: I started listening to this podcast after meeting the host Leslie Randolp, a self-confidence coach for teenage girls and the self-confidence coach you wish you had as a teen. She is so authentic and empathetic, and her strategies for gaining confidence, overcoming fear, and pursuing your goals are invaluable. Every time I listen, I come away with a plan that I truly believe will help me live my best life

- Ronna

My happy place

My Favorite Things 

I consider myself really lucky that although my happy place is only accessible to me a few months a year, it’s nearby so I can soak it up all summer long. Rather, I should say I’ll stand up and practice yoga all summer long – on my paddleboard!

While I’m practicing stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga I’m actually able to shut my brain off,  to block out the noise of work and life obligations and to relax among nature. It’s the best, and so is my teacher Casey Thoma, who is the founder of Stand Up and Flow, and one of my favorite people.

During the year, I practice all sorts of yoga on land. Each class is different, depending on how I feel that day. And yet, as I come up on my 9th summer (I can’t wait!), I have realized that whether it’s gentle or regular, SUP yoga is outside so it’s just different and so incredibly powerful. I feel happy, relaxed, strong and challenged. And I feel completely in the moment, even if the world sometimes feels upside down (or I am).

What I’m Thinking About

As my thirst for information continues to grow, I’m consuming a lot of it around time management. As I work with clients in productivity consulting and setting up Workflows, we develop plans together for what works for each person, or what they want to work for them.

For me, it’s time blocking that I’m reconsidering. I want time blocking to work better for me, and I think it’s a critical tool to ensure there is room in our lives for everything we love. I need to block my time for my summer passions (SUP yoga!), work, my family and my growing business. I love Workflows by Ronna, but I also know that I need to pace myself.

So what I’m thinking about: All of the amazing things I want to do this summer, and how I’m going to better use time blocking to make room for all of it. I’ll use sunscreen so that I don’t burn my skin, time blocking so that I don’t burn out!

Oh, and I have a quick favor:

We're trying to reach more people with our message, and you can help!

Step 1: Think of one other person who would enjoy this newsletter. Maybe it's a friend, family member, or co-worker who could learn a thing or two about time management in work or life, or productivity.

Step 2: Forward this newsletter with a message like: "Check out this newsletter and subscribe if you find it interesting." Or send them to my website with the simple instruction to scroll down. The newsletter subscription is right on the home page!

Step 3: Smile because I’m grateful you helped me, and the person you send this to will be grateful (and potentially more productive), too.

Are you ready to explore how Workflows will change your work and life? 

Contact me at ronna@workflowsbyronna.com!