Summer tends to bring a lighter schedule—but that can actually make it harder to stay productive. In this solo episode, I share the two core techniques I use to stay on track when motivation dips, plus a bonus tip that came straight out of a client call.
What You'll Learn
- How to structure a weekly to-do list so it stays manageable—not overwhelming
- The left-side / right-side notebook method I use to organize clients, pipeline, and tasks
- Terry Bean's 3-item Post-It note technique for daily focus
- Why open browser tabs can quietly derail your productivity—and what to do about it
- The unexpected benefit of talking through your systems with others
Episode Highlights
Technique #1: The Left/Right Notebook Method
I use a Full Focus Planner as my weekly to-do notebook. On Monday mornings, I start from scratch—writing down top-of-mind priorities before ever looking at the previous week's list. I split my notebook page into two sides:
- Right side: Retainer clients at the top, followed by prospects in my proposal stage, then low-effort personal/business tasks for end-of-day wind-down
- Left side: My running big-picture to-do list, now much easier to tackle with the pressure removed
Technique #2: Terry Bean's 3-Item Post-It
I learned this at a networking event with Terry Bean. The technique is simple: write exactly three things you need to accomplish today on a 3×3 Post-It note. Keeping it visible throughout the day cuts through a long list and keeps your attention on what actually matters.
The Browser Tab Problem (Bonus Insight)
During a call with Liz M. Lopez and Elaine Belson, I realized I had four separate Chrome windows open—some with 15–20 tabs each—each tab representing an unfinished task. The takeaway: open tabs are an informal task list, but a risky one. I'm working on cross-referencing my tabs with my written to-do list so nothing falls through the cracks.
Bonus Technique: Saying It Out Loud
Verbalizing your workflows to another person is itself a productivity tool. Hearing yourself describe a system often reveals both what's working and where the gaps are—without needing a formal audit.
People Mentioned
Resources Mentioned
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My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie.
Visit mellermarketing.com
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