You Really Should Get Skinny

Not that kind of skinny (who do you think I am?!). This kind of skinny:

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how The Skinny on Time Management influenced me to create an awesome, useful dry-erase to do list. Both "skinny" books are written by Jim Randel. His easy, interesting, to-the-point approach is fantastic. You can bet that you'll get through The Skinny on Willpower in under an hour! Now that's a book I can stand behind. 

I've never considered myself someone who considerably lacks willpower, but I have been pushing myself to be more productive, wake up earlier, and live with attainable goals in mind. This book was just the boost I needed. Randel writes about easy ways to increase willpower in order to accomplish goals and live the life you want to live! I highly recommend this book. Give it a shot!

Any other Jim Randel fans out there?

How To Create a Reusable To Do List

I recently finished reading The Skinny on Time Management by Jim Randel. It is a fantastic, easy one-hour read that definitely made me think about how I manage my time now, and how I would like to manage and spend it in the future. I highly recommend it!

Randel wrote this book after reading hundreds of books on time management; it is a compilation of all of the ideas and thoughts on the subject. Even though it seems so simple, Randel's main advice for managing time more effectively is to create a to do list every day. The reason behind it is that visually seeing what needs to be accomplished each day is a bigger incentive to actually do it than most people realize. He even urges list haters to give it a try...ah! I'm telling you too much. You need to read the book! It's awesome. (I also highly recommend The Skinny on Willpower by Jim Randel, blog post coming on that one!)

Being super type-A, I always create to do lists when I have a lot on my plate or feel stressed about completing everything. I had never thought about making a to do list every day regardless of the importance of the tasks I needed to complete, but I thought it was excellent advice, so I created a reusable dry-erase to do list that I can update daily.

I headed to Walmart and bought a few inexpensive supplies:

1. A standup sign holder, about $3

2.Scotch Reclosable Hook & Loop Fastener Squares, about $4 (I'll use them on other projects, so it was worth the money.)

3. A dry-erase marker, pack of two for $2

When I got back home, I created a to do list printable on the computer. I made sure to leave space at the top of it so that there would be room to put the pen! Here's what it looks like (you can download it if you'd like!...

Then, I assembled the whole thing. Here are the instructions if you'd like them:

1. Print out the to do list and slide it into the plastic holder.

2. Put the hook side of the velcro on the plastic (the rough side) and the loop side (the soft side) on the marker. That way it's comfortable when you write!

3. Velcro the dry-erase marker to your list...

4. Write what you need to do! And bask in the glory of your pretty new reusable list :)

How do you manage your time? Have you read any of Jim Randel's books?

Going to cross things off my list, 

#8: I'm Done Checkin' Them Out

...Done checking The Hunger Games trilogy out of the library that is! Crossing number eight off of my Summer 2012 Wish List, I definitely read a great book--er, books. That's right, folks. After months of fighting the Hunger Games obsession that was sweeping the nation, I gave in and read the trilogy cover to cover. And I have to admit--I'm glad I did.

Suzanne Collins, hats off to you! These books are appealing to any age from 9 to 99--but really! Currently, both my 82 year old grandmother and 10 year old cousin are reading the series and both are loving the books!

I saw the movie based on the first book, and thought it was very well done as well considering the breadth of information, details, and special effects needed to execute it. But back to the books.

I have to say, I enjoyed reading the first two books much more than the third. However, the third was necessary to tie up the trilogy and give readers some sense of closure. (Sounds like a bad break-up, doesn't it?)

If you haven't already read the books, I would recommend The Hunger Games. They're a great summer read and will stretch your imagination big time! There's another thing crossed off of my list!

Anyone read The Hunger Games? What'd you think?

Looking for another book to stick my nose in,
~B