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Clare Kumar | Inclusive & Sustainable Performance

Clare Kumar

Powering Up Productivity & Pleasure

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A daily to-do list to keep you focused – Your Focused Five™

When you’re not terribly busy or managing a light load, you might be able to remember everything you’re responsible for, but what happens when the pace picks up or you’ve got more plates to spin? Having a reliable practice in place can help take the pressure off. This applies to everyone from students to senior executives. Keeping track of tasks can be helped by having a task management Ritual you can count on.

Take a second and think about your to-do list. Is it scrawled on a scrap of paper, jotted down in a notebook, lurking in an online app, or perhaps just jumbled in your head? Is it a regular tool you use, or something you create in a crisis?

If you use it often and it’s working well for you, celebrate that. It’s quite a win, as many people struggle (including me) to find a system they enjoy.

 

Ask yourself three questions:

a) do you use your system regularly? If not there may be something to explore with mindset or the medium. It may not be the right format, but we’ll explore that in another post.

b) is it working for you? In other words, does it keep you on task and on track?

c) how does it make you feel? Do you feel good during and after using it?

Let’s explore the last question. If you’re looking at your to-do list and it leaves you feeling overwhelmed and like you’re not getting enough done, something needs to change. We simply don’t need the tools we choose to use leaving us feeling at all depleted afterward.

There is a need for two (or more) kinds of to-do lists. Just how many you need will depend on how you think and prefer to keep different tasks separately, but at minimum, I recommend having two lists.

The first, likely massive list, is what I call your Master To-Do List. It’s essentially a download of what’s on your mind. Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you’re forgetting things, it’s worthwhile pausing, and even though it feels stressful, investing the time in going through your inbox, calendar, notes on your desk, and mind to capture your intentions.  As Daniel J. Levitin explains in his book “An Organized Mind” (1),

“Writing things down conserves the mental energy expended in worrying that you might forget something and in trying not to forget it.”

But, I caution you in using this Master To-Do List when it comes to focusing on your daily activities. It is simply too big. Have you ever ordered a plate of food, perhaps a big bowl of pho (Vietnamese soup), and kept eating yet it looks like you’ve hardly consumed anything? It’s somehow highly ungratifying, no matter how tasty the food.

From your Master To-Do List, choose five important things you wish to complete in a day and write those down in a separate second list I call the “Focused Five“.

Why five? Five is a small enough number to actually get through. The act of selecting items forces you to identify the most important activities to attend to. You’ll enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from ticking everything off your list.

Keep this list right in front of you. Prop it up on your computer, leave it on your desk, or pop it into your wallet when you’re on the move. It’s a simple, low-tech way to keep your priorities top of mind.

I started out using index cards and then made a template to print my own cards to use each day. You can download it here.

If you get through your list, don’t forget to celebrate a little before choosing another item or two from your Master To-Do List.

Try it and I’d love to hear how it goes!

 

Source:

  1. Levitin, Daniel J. The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload. Dutton an Imprint of Penguin Random House, 2017 p 69

I work with organizations to deliver sustainable performance.  If you know of a forward-thinking company who wants to achieve objectives and help their leaders and teams avoid disengagement and burnout, book a Discovery Call to learn more about a range of engaging talks and effective coaching and consulting.

Filed Under: Business Organizing, Intention, Productivity, Time Management, Uncategorized

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Productivity catalyst, highly sensitive executive coach, and speaker, Clare Kumar cultivates sustainable performance in busy professionals so they can keep making rich contributions in all areas of life and achieve greater fulfillment.

She inspires leaders, professionals, employees and entrepreneurs to respect humanity and boost performance through marrying productivity and pleasure. After all, why shouldn’t you have fun while getting things done?

 

From the Blog

LG Home Office Makeover Contest

How to Work with Highly Sensitive People

The ABCs of Behavior Change (TM) – for habits that stick

it has been a tough day. i’m not good with noise it has been a tough day. i’m not good with noise stress. we have danced in the past and i don’t like how it not just steps on my toes, it crushes them. 

doing my best to navigate obscene noise from the construction below. a “multi-hundred thousand dollar” renovation joining two units together. 

tied to good ergonomics and two screens for the work i had to complete this afternoon, i have learned my bose quiet comfort headphones are no match for concrete cutting. 

just as silence once again returned here is when i learned elliot peed on the guest bed. luckily, i anticipated this and the bed was covered in a plastic sheet. phew! 

just got back from dropping my Love at work after he got a flat tire on the way. 

all this, and i am sticking to my all-healthy food and drink plan for the next six weeks. 

but know i am imagining the biggest bag of sour cream and onion potato chips right now. and i’m not sharing. 

#toughday #noise #stress #neighbours #concrete #demolition #selfcompassion
I remember reading that 70% of HSPs are introverts I remember reading that 70% of HSPs are introverts and 30% are extroverts and thinking, "except for me and other ambiverts".

Well, along comes HSP-Extrovert
@hspextrovertjennt to shake up my world.

She claims that are in fact no ambiverts.
Wait, what?

Yep. In our conversation, Jenn helps me understand how she came to this conclusion.

Tune in and let me know if it makes sense to you, too?

And drop below...which one are you?

🔗 in bio.

#hsp #podcast #introvert #extrovert #ambivert #highlysensitiveperson
i had to drive around a little today and what a tr i had to drive around a little today and what a treat. blossoms are in full force. catch them while you can. 

magnolia stop me in my tracks. 

what’s your fave blossom?

#spring #blossom #magnolia #littlebigthings
you know i will always love talking about closets! you know i will always love talking about closets! tune in as @restore_order_now Naemah and I talk the latest closet know-how. 

Posted @withregram • @napo_natl Closet Design Magic - The latest episode of the NAPO Stand Out Podcast featuring Host @clarekumar and guest @restore_order_now Naeemah Ford Goldson; Founder of The National Association of Black Professional Organizers (NABPO). Download and listen today at NAPOpodcast.com, our YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

#closet #closetdesign #organize #organizer #podcast
I made so many mistakes. Mistakes I realized later I made so many mistakes. Mistakes I realized later that parts of me knew were going to be so. 

I dismissed numerous signs and kept my brain in charge. Poor relationships - both business and personal ensued. 

Now, I do my best to TUNE IN to my intuition. 

Intuition expert Sunil Godse @intuitivebranding101 helped further expand my thinking around the topic and shared illuminating examples of others who have come to believe in its power. 

As a highly sensitive person who can tend to overthink, committing to being still and listening has helped immensely.

Tell me, do you listen to your intuition?

#hsp #intution #knowing #trust #signals #listen #tunein #heart #gut #brianquinn
Fellow coaches, join @christoffelsniejders & me as Fellow coaches, join @christoffelsniejders & me as we make connections between elements of the Highly Sensitive personality and the new science of 3 Brains (Head, Heart, and Gut) Theory to give you powerful insights into the way one can coach and support leaders. 

Tuesday, May 17th, Noon EDT, 18:00 CEST

Celebrating the power of Zoom to unite Toronto and Madrid for International Coaching Week.

Register here: https://cutt.ly/nG4LRYC

#coach #HSP
meet my mum. sensitive, thoughtful, does the bes meet my mum. 

sensitive, thoughtful, does the best she can

taught me to create a home and inspired me to do something of value

she made being sick as a kid feel extra special

also ate copious numbers of mars bars while pregnant making me a substantial baby!

wishes for joy on this mother’s day if you’re celebrating, hugs if you’re unable to because of loss or because the day just doesn’t fit your life. 

🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺
Let’s talk THRIVE CIRCLES! Small groups. Meanin Let’s talk THRIVE CIRCLES!
Small groups. 
Meaningful conversation. 
Growth. 
Celebration.

It’s time. 

DM  me if you’re curious. I want to talk with you!

😊😊😊

#hsp #happyspacemovement #advocacy #allyship
#groupcoaching
cherry blossom beauties. an annual tradition (exce cherry blossom beauties. an annual tradition (except for 2020). ever beautiful. some trees in ful bloom, others just ready to unfurl. mother’s day weekend will be special. they are definitely later this year. enjoy!’🌸🌸🌸
#cherryblossom #ohanami
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Is it just me or am I an HSP?

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Ever find yourself wondering if you really are more sensitive than the average person?

This light-hearted quiz will tell you how likely it is that you are a Highly Sensitive Person based on how you relate to each of the following statements. 
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Never mind my sleeve, I wear my heart on my forehead.
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%%QUESTIONANSWERS%%
Just give me my score
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Almost there...
Where can we email you your score, the HSP traits, and how they show up for you.
 
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I want the full scoop!
Note - you are not being added to a marketing list when you choose this option.

You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
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You're blessed with superb filters and have no trouble handling a chaotic environment. Not a lot bothers you. HSPs dream of feeling like this!


You believe “done is better than perfect”. With your focused action, there’s a chance you can be perceived as being a bit of a bull in a china shop. You may quickly jump to conclusions and be too casual with others’ feelings. 

 

You may benefit from taking more time to assess a situation before taking action, something that comes naturally to HSPs.

 

Engaging with HSPs may invite you to notice nuances in a situation that can help smooth your journey.

 

With about 20% of people being highly sensitive, it makes good sense to learn more about the trait.

 

You’re invited to join the Happy Space Pod Online Community, a positive place for HSPs and also for non-HSPs like you who want to better understand and more fully support the valuable HSPs in their lives. 



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You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
1
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You notice a mix of emotions each day, in yourself and others. Sometimes this is easy to accommodate. Other times, it can be overwhelming.

 

You are sometimes bothered by disorganization and chaos around you and notice what could be improved. 

 

Other times, you miss nuance and subtleties that can better guide your actions. You can be creative in the right environment.

 

You are sometimes able to reprioritize efficiently when necessary. Other times, you might find yourself needing to think deeply before making a decision.

 

With 1 in 5 people having the trait of high sensitivity, it is quite possible that you are one of them. 

 

If you shared your email address with us, you should have already received an email with your custom results and more detailed information.

Meanwhile, I invite you to explore the trait of high sensitivity by joining the Happy Space Pod Online Community, a positive place for HSPs and also for non-HSPs who want to better understand and more fully support the valuable HSPs in their lives. 

I hope to see you there.


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You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
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Hello, fellow HSP!


You believe perfect is worth striving for and you are proud of your conscientiousness. Being so thoughtful with your work often leaves you frustrated at just how long it takes to get something done. 


Your ability to notice what’s going on around you provides helpful cues which guide your path forward. While blurting out what’s on your mind has sometimes ruffled feathers, you are generally perceived as a thoughtful team player who cares for others. 


You will benefit greatly from setting boundaries, improving self-regulation,  and self-advocating to preserve your energy. 

Join the supportive Happy Space Pod Online Community for more strategies that will help you thrive as an HSP.


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