5 Habits You Need To Delete From Your Life To Increase Productivity
For most women, achieving productivity is an ever-changing goal. While you may have rituals and routines that you believe are supporting that goal,every now and then it is important to revisit the things you give your energy to.
Ultimately, productivity is defined by your energy, time, and focus. Keep in mind that your brain is configured to make a certain number of decisions per day, according to Forbes. Once that limit is reached, it is literally impossible to make more, even if you force it.
We want your mental and physical energy to be sustainable so read on and check out some ways to ensure you are doing just that.
Multitasking
We all think that we can do it all, all the time. The ugly truth is that it is impossible to multitask and be productive. Krystal Covington, CEO & Founder of Women of Denver, a social enterprise association helping women earn their worth, focused on one thing for an entire day and her mind was blown. She told Thrive Global, "I realized how taxing multi-tasking really is on our minds and bodies. When burnout finally set in, it was time for me to re-evaluate what productivity really means for me and how to make the most of my limited energy."
Failing To Set Boundaries
As women, we often abandon boundaries in an effort to please others. From coworkers always stopping by your office to your supervisor asking you to review files right before you are leaving for the day, these interruptions are a result of not setting boundaries. I am definitely guilty of not setting boundaries because I want my work to be perfect while also making others happy. In doing this, I enable others to continue to deplete my time. One way to set boundaries is by utilizing your calendar and scheduling your time in a concrete way.
Poor Communication
I'm sure your mom told you that a closed mouth doesn't get fed. However, it is very common to not communicate your needs in fear of burdening others. Whether you work for a company or work for yourself, you have to be intentional with your communication. Now more than ever, with email and text messaging, it is important to be clear and direct with instructions and expectations.
Fear Of Failure
I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on pitches because I am afraid that they are unworthy. Our culture thrives on perfectionism; it inevitably leads to unattainable goals.
Tip: Try not to hyperfocus on details – the devil is in the details for a reason. Also, choose excellence over perfection.
Putting Profit Over Passion
Do what you love and love what you do. Feeling inspired and satisfied is so important to productivity. The Huffington Post even shared that 55% of Gen X and Gen Y workers believe that finding a job that's personally fulfilling is worth sacrifices in salary. Try prioritizing tasks that you enjoy to increase effectiveness.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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- These 12 Habits Are Killing Your Productivity | Observer ›
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- Bad habits killing your productivity - Business Insider ›
Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy