I have long been a personal proponent of handwriting. Especially if I'm stuck while writing, using a pen and paper seems to give me the connection I need to the piece to be able to press forward. So it's of little surprise to me that NPR recommends that students take notes by hand instead of using a computer. Read this article for more information, and then let me know what you think! 

With summer nearing an end, I wish I'd read more. Of course, I still have a chance to add to my list for sure. And I've read some good stuff so far. But more would have been better. How about you? Did you read enough? Did it inspire? Did it fulfill? Add your favorite book to the comments; I'd love some great suggestions! 

I love getting book suggestions from people in the know. So imagine my delight when, just the other day, The Washington Post published a list of books to read at every age. Check it out! 

Here we are, entering the summer months, so it seems like a good time to repost this article I wrote for The Booth Company a few years ago: 

​In summertime especially, it’s easy to let the lure of everything outside the office (blue skies, birdsong, vacation plans) to distract you from being productive in the office. Luckily, summer is also the best time to start taking steps to develop new habits that can last throughout the rest of the year.
            To bolster productivity, try these tips:

1. Get up earlier. Giving yourself even just an extra 15 minutes in the morning can make a huge difference to how the rest of the day plays out. It might allow you to fit in a balanced breakfast, leave home without being in a stressed-out rush, and get to the office in time to set an attack plan for the tasks of the day. If getting up early scares you a little, try small increments at first, like five minutes earlier per week until you’ve gotten to 15—or more. Starting this habit in the summer is easier because of the amount of sunlight in the mornings; by the time winter (with its dark mornings) hits, you’ll already be acclimated to your get-up-earlier routine.
2. Drink water. And lots of it. Being properly hydrated helps your body function at its optimal level, helps you stay alert, and helps keep headaches at bay. Hydration is important at any time of the year, but in the summer, when many places across the country experience great humidity (and bodies feel less dried-out), it’s easy to forget to drink enough. Keeping a refillable water bottle with you at all times can remind you to get plenty of H2O.
3. Get up and walk. Research shows that sitting too long has been linked to many health problems, can be an energy drain, and might even decrease problem-solving capabilities. Periodically walking to a coworker’s desk for an in-person discussion instead of sending an email, standing during telephone calls, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator are ways to break up the monotony of desk-sitting. Plus, if you can tack on a few minutes at a couple of those stretching breaks, you might be able to step outside and enjoy some fresh air and the summer weather.
4. If possible, take care of the tough things first. Letting that difficult conversation or daunting task hang above your head all day can drain you emotionally and mentally, which can make you underperform on some of the easier chores. If you can take care of the dreaded pieces first, you’ll be better equipped to breeze through those easy tasks, which could get you out of the office and enjoying that summer breeze on time.
5. It might seem counter-intuitive, but studies have shown that multitasking actually slows you down. Try to keep multitasking to a minimum—one way to start is to shut down all the apps, programs, and browser tabs you don’t need for the task at hand. You might find it’s easier to keep your mind on one project if you’re not bombarded with information about another. It will take some discipline—perhaps setting a task-completion timer can help. After all, some people find that working against a clock is motivational, and it can keep you aware of how much time you’ve spent on the project.

 
In all, greater productivity means that you’re achieving more in the hours you’re in the office. And, especially in the summer, being able to leave work on time can mean a better chance to enjoy what the season has to offer. 

Another Booth Company article from a few years ago. 

The building blocks are visible—what kind of culture will millennials create with them?
 
We all know that, at its heart, company culture is hard to define—and that it’s different for every company. Yet I’m willing to place a bet that, within the next five years, the up-and-coming millennial generation (which is likely to comprise nearly half of the workforce by 2020) is going to greatly affect corporate culture. And the changes will look similar across the board, no matter the company.
 
Study upon study has been conducted about the millennial generation, and most of us have seen the results. What we know about gen Y is this: They value feedback, collaboration, meaningful work, fun, corporate transparency, work-life balance, and fairness. Oh, and technology. They sure do love their technology.
 
So what we can glean from that list is that those values will influence cultural change. Here’s what I see shifting in workplaces over the next several years.
 
Rising technology
By far one of the most defining characteristics of the younger generation is its attachment to, love of, and understanding of technology. Which encompasses anything from their devices to the apps that are available on them. This generation grew up alongside technology, and it’s as natural to them as breathing.
 
And so, while it’s almost certainly a given that companies will take on new technology as a matter of course, Gen Y’s affinity for the latest and greatest will push the acceptance that much faster. Many companies will take on gamification because the generation values relaxation and fun. And they’ll change methods of communication—for one, there’s likely to be more video conferencing and less board room meetings. And even though the Gen Y’s like to have constant feedback and multiple touch points with supervisors, coworkers, and C suite, they will look for it in the form of email, texts, or app use versus one-on-one meetings. All of which will actually make it easier for the next shift: better work-life balance.
 
Blurred lines
Gen Y is less about creating a distinction between work and personal life and more about ensuring that there’s a balance, even if it means that work time bleeds into home life. They’re looking for more flexibility—both in schedule and in where they sit. This generation is very willing to put in the hours needed to get the work done, but they want to be able to do it on their pace. So, for example, they might leave work at 3:00 p.m. to take care of a personal chore, but they’ll put in the additional few hours in the evening from the comfort of their own home, and they want to know that their company supports that flexibility. In fact, more and more millennials will want to work from home almost entirely. And the technology mentioned before makes it more convenient and possible.
 
And really, it’s an idea that supports a trend in business even today—the shift to a “fewer full-time/greater contract” model. Many companies have moved to a more flexible and scalable headcount process, with a small base of constant employees and a moving pool of freelance/contract workers to meet the needs when business booms and to reduce waste when workload is lighter. Many millennials are willing to let go of the steady full-time work in favor of the work-life balance present in freelance work; companies can benefit from that as well. 
 
Meaning
Gen Y’ers value meaning, both in the work they do and in the causes they support. They want to know that their efforts contribute to the greater good—if they don’t feel that their work is important, they’re likely to leave; similarly, if they feel that their workplace doesn’t value philanthropy, they won’t support the company for very long. So I see in the future greater corporate transparency, with companies ensuring that employees can tell that the company is being authentic and can tell how their efforts contribute to the results. I also see a push to increased corporate citizenship, with employees being more engaged with and loyal to companies that support a cause.
 
Crystal ball
As the number millennials in the workforce increases, their influence will surely be seen. And so, as we look at what might transpire in business over the next five years, I might not have all the answers, but I am pretty confident in these changes moving forward. And the more that companies embrace the shift now, the more able they’ll be to thrive in the years to come. 

We're only a couple of months in to the new year, and already there are a great many new books you could dive in to. Check out the ones Real Simple suggests are the best by clicking here: https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/entertainment/best-books-2019 

How you set yourself up the day before can make or break your productivity. Check out this blog I wrote for Booth Company a while back, and see if you agree: 

Often, the first hour of the workday can set the tone for the rest of the day. Are you starting off discombobulated? Are you already late for a meeting? Did you forget what the deliverables are for your latest project? Are you behind even though you’re just out of the gate? Kicking off your day prepared and ready to go can be as simple as using the last hour of each workday to your advantage. Try these five steps to see if your days start running more smoothly.

1. To-Do Lists: Today’s and Tomorrow’s. Look over your list for today and be sure you’ve checked everything off. If not, can you still fit it in? Or can it wait until tomorrow? Once you’ve reviewed and completed today’s list, start creating your list for tomorrow. Break each component into any milestones it might include so you can be sure to complete all steps. At the top of tomorrow’s list, write the three most important tasks you need to be sure to complete. That way, you’ll know especially where to focus.
2. Review Your Schedule for Tomorrow. Do you have any meetings? Be sure you know when they are and what you’ll need to bring to each one. If possible and if you need it, consider blocking off a few minutes before each meeting starts to prepare for it. Also consider blocking off time for checking email. Dealing with email only once or twice a day can help you stay focused on each task at hand.  
3. Clean Your Desk and Computer Desktop. It’s hard to start a day on a messy note. Clearing any untidy paperwork or trash from your desk and managing documents and notes on your computer will help you hit the ground running tomorrow morning. You’ll walk into a tidy workspace, already more organized.
4. Hydrate and Get Moving. Being properly hydrated helps your body function at its optimal level and helps you stay alert, especially after a long day. Hydration is important throughout the day, but if you’re like most American workers, you likely neglect that important piece. While you’re gearing up for tomorrow, drink some water to start to replenish. Also get your body moving. Odds are good that your day was mostly sedentary, so your body will be eager to move a little. Even if it’s only taking the stairs instead of the elevator to your parking level, being active will get your blood pumping and will help you let go of today’s stress, which will in turn set you up for a brighter tomorrow.
5. Leave Work at Work. Once you shut everything down and walk out the door, make a pact with yourself to leave the office behind. This can be a tough one because you might have deadlines that require some after-hours work. If that’s the case, give yourself at least a couple hours’ break from office work so you can unwind and refresh a little before hitting the grind again.

 
Taking the time to get prepared for tomorrow can set you up for better success. Give it a try to see what happens! 

I just discovered that the New York Times just released a list of the 100 Notable Books of 2018. Best part is, it includes numerous genres and various writers. Skim to your heart's content, and then let me know which is your favorite. Enjoy! 

When I was writing papers in high school and college, I never gave the serial comma a thought. And I'm sure I both abused it and was inconsistent in its use. But that all changed when I started my first job as a copyeditor, and I discovered that the Oxford comma is one of the best tools to help ensure that each element in a series has equal weight.

In fact, because it can help make meaning more clear, the serial comma has had a history in legal disputes. This past January, Oakhurst Dairy in Maine shelled out $5 million to settle a dispute with its drivers, just because the Oxford comma was missing. Of course, the legal resolution to the language in the matter is more cumbersome than it would have been to have had the comma in the first place; however, I'm cheering for the punctuation's victory. Read all about it in this NYT article, and comment below if you've had similar triumphs (or even failures) with the Oxford comma.  

Another Booth Co. blog I wrote a while ago. Still rings pretty true. 
 
            Especially in this age of fast pace and high demand, everyone wants to get the most out of their employees. So these days, among the corporate buzz terms is “employee engagement,” and with good reason—interested, present, committed (engaged!) workers are efficient, profitable components to the company. But one thing that many managers overlook when they try to engage their employees is how to appropriately set (and follow through on) expectations.
            From day one, employees like to know what they can expect from their new employer. Among the most important pieces of information are those about performance reviews—how and when reviews are scheduled, who is involved, what the format is, and what the measurements are. New hires also like to understand any system for salary increases and the requirements for promotion. They’re also keen to know the process behind paid time off—whether and at what stage the company offers sick time, personal time, vacation time, or even flex time—and how they can accrue and spend those hours. All of this information should be communicated to new hires from the get-go, and managers need to stick with what’s outlined. For example, if an employee is told official performance reviews occur every June, the manager must be sure to follow through on that plan—holding off on the review until August or not scheduling one at all will diminish the company’s credibility, which can lead to disinterest and disengagement.
            Similarly, new (as well as seasoned!) employees are eager to learn what their managers expect of them. When managers start a new project or welcome a new member to an existing project team, it’s important that they let all members know and understand the deliverables. Managers should be clear on roles and responsibilities for the team or just the project, timelines and deadlines, how they intend to communicate with the team, the way and how frequently they would like the team to communicate with them, and how they would like to see issues addressed. The more advance work managers do to let employees know what they expect, the more likely it is that they’ll get what they need—and more!—in the results.
            Which means that, at the core, one of the most important factors to setting employee expectations is solid communication. Clearly outlining what an employee can expect is important, keeping in mind that people learn and absorb differently and at different rates and in different ways. Clear communication takes more than just one mention in one meeting. It takes spoken word, written word, and follow-up. Obviously, plans and projects can change frequently—that’s the speed of doing business. But that doesn’t mean that expectations should be dashed to the ground. Instead, it should mean that communication is heightened. Frequent, measured, clear, and open communication helps create an environment of trust and understanding, reduces unwanted surprises, and increases engagement. Through all of that, as more managers focus on properly setting and following through on employee expectations, the returns are likely to be high.