October 2024

Let’s consider this the launch of a series of newsletters that will feature some very important content: Ronna’s Top Tips.

Yes, I have pulled together what I believe are the keys to productivity in work and life, and I’ll share them here and across social media. (Are you with me on Instagram and Facebook?)

So, to start: 

Do the things that are the toughest for you, and require more brain power, when you have the most energy.

When I work on social media planning it is always my #1 to-do in the morning because I’m my freshest, my sharpest and, thus, my most productive. I’m my best in the morning, so that’s when I do what challenges me the most. So much of productivity is doing things when you have the most energy and focus. (We’ve been together for decades, but my husband realized very quickly that he can't ask me anything important after 4 pm!)

It’s also important to consider where and what type of environment you’re working in. Do you have a dedicated space? Do you sometimes need a change of pace? Fresh air?

Time and place are crucial to productivity. And, yet, it needs to work for you. My space has all sorts of order, organization, and aesthetic cups of pens. And, yet, I realize that sometimes creative people need clutter.

There is not one right way to do anything, but anything and everything needs to be done in thoughtful ways. Think about yourself and be reflective to be your most productive self.

Thinking of thoughtful and reflective, I have to share two amazing experiences for Workflows by Ronna that happened recently. 

• Hopefully you’ve seen and are considering joining me for the Notebooks with Ronna workshop in December. I am confident this is a great tool, and now I’m assured even more since we hosted a focus group recently. Four thoughtful, amazing women who I was lucky to meet that day did the workshop with me, and they crushed it. They also gave me tremendous feedback to elevate it even higher. Thank you, Beth, Adina, Michelle and Irina! I can’t wait for the rest of you to join me and create your own Notebook. More info and registration here. 

• Workflows by Ronna joined an exclusive club when we were featured recently in The Chai Tea, a newsletter created and distributed by business and marketing guru Lindsay Pinchuk. Make sure you click here to subscribe so that you can see the powerful curation of Jewish-owned businesses to support, including mine! 

- Ronna

My Favorite Things 

Can you see the joy in my face? It’s because it’s fall, my second favorite season (to summer because of stand up paddle board yoga, of course!). And I’m drinking coffee, one of my absolutely favorite things to do.

To spread the joy of my love for coffee, I’ve got an incentive.

A contest, if that term makes it more motivating for you!

I’ve set a goal to grow the circulation of this newsletter. I’ve got a lot of valuable productivity insight and tools to share so please help me spread the word about it!

If you forward this email to three people and cc me (ronna@workflowsbyronna.com), you’ll be entered to win a Starbucks gift card.

The only thing that makes coffee taste even better is when it’s free!

What I’m Thinking About

I'm thinking about email these days because it's something I just haven't quite figured out yet. You know I have a full tool box, with processes and tools centered on productivity. And, yet, managing my personal email is still daunting.

I love to task batch. So, historically I've tackled my personal email the same way - I only address the most important things and leave the rest for a different block of time. But recently, that time block has been on the weekend. And who wants to go through what's already considered less important email during the weekend? That's not aligned with my priorities, which include quality me-time and family-time.

I've been thinking about a new approach, and here it is: I'm going to take 15 minutes a few times a week to weed through my personal email. It will be at the end of my day, when my energy is low because it doesn't need the sharpest version of me. (Remember that we just talked about working smart, working on the hard stuff when you're at your best, and the easy stuff when you have less bandwidth.)

Just like most things, everyone is different and needs a unique approach.

You might be surprised that I don't believe in “Inbox Zero.” Is that even achievable? But that's another conversation.

There has to be a happy medium, and we're all looking for it.

I'll leave you with one thing I know for certain about email: Do not try to use it as a to-do list! It's not effective or efficient because an inbox isn't designed to help you get things done. Process the action required out of your email and put it on a list.

I've put my personal email plan out to you, so I'll report back. This is accountability at its best. It may be hard to change my personal email process, but as a productivity consultant I'm always learning so that I can teach. One size doesn't fit all – I believe that and I experience it to help make myself and my clients more productive.

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

Contact me at ronna@workflowsbyronna.com!