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Productivity is often viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution, but that is far from the truth. There could be a hundred different factors that impact your productivity, one of which is the topic we’re addressing today: trauma. Becoming trauma-informed not only helps us when it comes to our personal development and productivity but is crucial for understanding ourselves and others on a deeper level. This week, episode 230 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about why we need to be trauma-informed (more than ever)!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m diving into what a trauma-informed approach is, why it’s not just for therapists but for everyone, and how it’s not only compassionate but essential for sustainable productivity. 

I cover the following topics:

• Trauma’s significant impact on our ability to be productive, as it affects our energy levels, motivation, and focus. 
• How Trauma isn’t always how we imagine it. Yes, it can be linked to major catastrophes and great loss, but it can also be linked to childhood bullying, neglect, or immense burnout.
• Why taking a compassionate person-first approach to productivity and recognizing each person's unique challenges and experiences is essential to sustainable productivity.

Take heart and be encouraged, knowing that a trauma-informed approach will help you cultivate a healthy and sustainable relationship with productivity. 

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for an incredible listener discount!

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Ep 221: How to Help People Dealing with Trauma and Grief with Janice Scholl | Positively Productive Systems LLC

Ep 29: Trauma-Informed Life with Mallory Jackson | Positively Productive Systems LLC

Ep 53: How To Tell If I'm Codependent with Mallory Jackson (buzzsprout.com)

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While our ability to be flexible and resilient and change direction is important, planning first is essential. It’s a way to arrange how things will go ideally, and even if they don’t go that way, it will still help you keep focused and remain calm so you can be more flexible and resilient. This approach will be helpful as we enter the busy holiday season full of plans and events and be a tool to carry through the rest of the year as well. This week, episode 229 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about the most important direction for effective planning!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m giving you a framework and perspective that’s going to simplify the concept of planning and help you execute your plans with confidence and clarity, regardless of what you’re planning.

I cover the following topics:

• The essence of “backwards” planning by visualizing the end result you’re aiming to achieve: “Begin with the end in mind,” as coined by Stephen R. Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
• Using the example of planning a Thanksgiving dinner to break down the 5 parts of planning anything.
• How to take this framework beyond event planning and use it in all other areas of your life. 

Remember, planning is a powerful tool that empowers you to create the life you desire. By starting with the end in mind and embracing the key elements of planning, you can transform your vision into reality.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for an incredible listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)

PLP Episode 137: How to Create a Vision Board That Works 

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While I don’t presume to know what your life is all about, I bet I can guess one thing about you: you handle a LOT. Whether you’re handling the mental load of caregiving or your mind is overflowing with ideas (or both), it can be overwhelming. It can feel amazing at times, all the while draining you and keeping you from functioning at your best. Luckily, the solution is more simple than you might think. It’s all about the art of “capturing”: taming the mental clutter so you can remember what’s important and boost your focus and creativity. This week, episode 228 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to avoid forgetting things when life gets hectic!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m digging into a concept called capturing. I share the origins of this technique, what it is, how it connects to mind sweeps and clutter, and give you actionable steps to take right now to try it for yourself. 

I cover the following topics:

• The negative impacts of an overwhelmed and cluttered mind. 
• The concept of “capturing” as outlined in David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” (GTD) productivity framework.
• How to properly do a “mind sweep” and two resources you can use when you’re ready. 
• My personal approach and preferred tools to this technique of capturing in my multi-passionate life.

Don’t be afraid to keep trying until you figure out what works best for you. The best system for you is the one you will use.

If you’re interested in any of the tools or resources I mentioned in this episode, you can find them all linked on the RESOURCES page of my website. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for an incredible listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)

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Positive habits are the cornerstone of a productive and fulfilling life, but mastering them can be a challenge. Today I am continuing our conversation about habits with more advanced strategies to help you maximize your productivity, reach your goals, and unlock the secret to sustainable, long-lasting change in your life. This week, episode 227 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about combining and stacking habits for better results!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m sharing a strategic habit building technique that helps you reach your goals faster and gives you actionable steps to take right now to incorporate these game-changing techniques into your everyday life.

I cover the following topics:

• Reviewing the science behind habits: how we create them, why they’re so hard to break, and how powerful they can be. 
• Where the term “habit stacking” comes from and a simple formula for how to do it.
• Ideas and examples for how you can incorporate habit stacking and anchoring throughout your day.
• How focusing on building keystone habits can help you maximize the positive habits you create.

Habits are your building blocks of a productive and fulfilling life. There are so many ways habits, especially when we combine the right ones, can change our lives for the better. What habit will you work on next?

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for an incredible listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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Resources

Work with Lisa! 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)

Ep 15: How to Harness Habits to Achieve Your Goals

Ep 225: How to Rebuild a Lost Habit or Create a Better One

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People are so quick to strive for work-life balance, but there’s a reason we struggle to achieve that balance. Nicole Mixdorf joins me on the podcast today to challenge this narrative, sharing the true nature of a balanced life and how it’s not just a balance between work and personal life we should be focusing on, but rather a wholeness in every area of our life. This week, episode 226 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to balance your life through wholeness pillars. 

Nicole Mixdorf is a #1 International Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Energy Healer, and the Founder & Chief Wholeness Officer of Balance by Nature. She is a multi-award-winning corporate wellness consultant and conscious business leader in Los Angeles. She is passionate about teaching executives and busy professionals how to create sustainable balance to thrive in all of their 10 Pillars of Wholeness.

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Nicole shares the importance of bringing balance to all areas of our lives (not just work and personal) to feel complete so we can show up as our best selves, and she offers simple steps you can take to address imbalances. 

Nicole and I cover the following topics:

• 10 pillars of wholeness that we need to assess to ensure balance in our lives. 
• Some of the more common imbalances and areas we often neglect (you won’t be surprised that stress and lack of self-care are part of this list).
• The transition from focusing on wellness, to well-being and into wholeness.
• 3 steps to assess and realign your pillars to show up as your best self, reach your full potential, and live your best life. 

Reclaiming your wholeness and feeling complete within yourself allows you to show up in the world as your best self. When that happens, you can experience and find enjoyment and richness in every moment, and give to the world in a much bigger, more beautiful way.

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!

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Embracing Change with Nicole Mixdorf | Positively Productive Systems LLC

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Habits can be both our greatest allies and our toughest adversaries. When we’ve painstakingly built up a routine that serves us well, it can be frustrating when life throws us a curveball, disrupting our hard-earned habits that we mistakenly thought were set in stone. But these disruptions don’t have to be the end of our progress. In fact, they can be an opportunity to reassess, rebuild, and replace habits in a way that are in alignment with our evolving needs. This week, episode 225 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to rebuild a lost habit or create a better one!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m diving deep into the world of rebuilding habits–how to create them, why they sometimes fizzle out and actionable steps to take right now to rebuild habits that serve us in our current season of life.

I cover the following topics:

• A review of how habits work (as explained by authors Charles Duhigg and James Clear).
• Why our habits tend to fizzle out when they are disrupted by life events, stress, or changes in routine.
• 4 tips for rebuilding or recreating habits and examples of how you can apply these steps in your daily routine.

Remember, getting back into the groove of a habit takes time and patience, but the rewards are significant. Be kind to yourself, celebrate every small step, and stick with it. Consistency will help you reach your goals.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)

How to Use Body Doubling to Focus Better on Tasks

How to Harness Habits to Achieve Your Goals

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As the saying goes, “The only constant in life is change.” The extent of that change and how it unfolds can vary, sometimes feeling fairly minor and other times throwing us completely off balance, shaking the foundation of who we believe ourselves to be. When change happens, you may feel unsure of how to move forward. I have experienced this many times, and I’ve come to both respect the challenges it presents and appreciate the growth it brings. I hope to share some of that wisdom with you today. This week, episode 224 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about figuring out your next steps after big life shifts. 

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I discuss the journey of self-awareness and self-discovery that needs to come after a big life shift and give you actionable steps to take right now to keep moving forward confidently.

The topics I cover in this episode include:

• Lack of self-identity is a main contributor to feeling unsure of what to do next after a big change. 
• How self-reflection and self-discovery are essential to define your next steps. 
• Five tips to apply to this self-reflection journey: giving yourself time to grieve, reflecting and connecting to what matters to you, exploring and experimenting with new options, seeking support, and embracing the journey (and the imperfections that come with it). 

You are not alone in this. We all go through seasons of change in our lives and I am here to cheer you on and encourage you to take those next steps needed to heal and move forward. 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)

PLP: Pay Attention, Find Your Purpose with Michelle Perry

PLP: Authenticity in Life and Business with Mallory Schlabach

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It is problematic that we tend to look at being productive as a standalone thing, without considering the other aspects of our lives. The reality is that life doesn’t happen in a vacuum and even the small things can have an impact. Everything we are and feel, especially grief, affects what we do and how we do it. This week, episode 223 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to live a productive life while grieving.

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m sharing a glimpse of my personal journey with grief throughout my life and giving you actionable steps to take to acknowledge your grief and move forward with what you can do, while also giving yourself grace for what you can’t.

I cover the following topics:

• Defining grief—the emotional response to loss of any kind (even including the change we welcome into our lives). 
• How grief can manifest physically, cognitively, and emotionally, significantly impacting every aspect of one’s life.
• Acknowledging the presence of grief in our lives is the first step to moving forward with it.
• Planning our personal approach with realistic goals, self-care, and support from others. 
• Adjusting our expectations and reframing what “productivity” means, can create the space needed for healing.

Acknowledging and working with—not against—grief is not only a kindness to ourselves but also a key to unlocking our productivity potential.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Could you use some support? Ready for a quick win and to try coaching with Lisa? The Productivity Boost session is a speed-round strategy that is highly effective for shifting a habit, quickly reviewing your weekly schedule, discussing productivity related tech and systems, and moving past decision hurdles for prioritizing. You'll walk away encouraged and inspired to take action! Go to https://www.positivelyproductive.com/plpboost for a very special listener discount!

CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Favorites Page.)

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Content Warning: Today’s conversation has very brief mentions of the loss of a loved one, and the loss of a child by suicide. If these are triggers for you, I gently encourage you to wait to listen or proceed carefully. 

Grief is a universal human experience, yet it can feel deeply isolating when we’re in the throes of it, often feeling hopeless and stuck. It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, and feel impossible to move forward. Carrie Hopkins-Doubts, a grief coach, knows this feeling well as she experienced it herself and now guides others on their journey to rebuild their life after loss. This week, episode 222 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to rebuild your life while grieving.

Carrie Hopkins-Doubts, PCC, is a Spiritual Resilience Coach working with men and women experiencing major life transitions, whether in relationships, careers, health, or spirituality. As the founder of Life’s Next Chapter Coaching, Carrie’s passion is helping men and women discover new dreams for themselves as they consciously and powerfully rebuild their lives after loss by guiding them to reconnect with their heart, reclaim their power, and realign with their purpose to create their life’s next chapter.

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Carrie Hopkins-Doubts shares specific steps to help you identify where you are in your grief path and offers actionable steps to move forward and rebuild your life after loss. 

Carrie and I cover the following topics:

• How grief affects individuals on multiple levels - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, often leading to a shift in identity. 
• Conscious grief: meeting and honoring your emotions with compassion and self-love, rather than avoiding or suppressing them.
• Self-care during grief is an essential habit to create the capacity for change and forward movement.
• Finding a safe space, whether through a support group or a trusted individual, when processing your grief. 

As you navigate grief, remember that you are not alone and you have the resilience to rebuild your life in a way that honors your loss and allows new growth to emerge.

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

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Navigating Grief through Humor with Katie Rössler 

How We Grow through Grief with Katie Rössler 

Coping with Grief by Giving Back with Lindsay Taylor

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Content Warning: Today’s conversation involves mention of medical trauma and near-death experiences. If these are triggers for you, I gently encourage you to wait to listen or proceed carefully. 

Grief is so much more than losing a loved one. We can grieve after breakups and when we purposely choose to change; we can even grieve the loss of opportunity and parts of ourselves as we grow and age. But when society has conditioned us to grit it out when faced with something difficult, we realize that not only do we not know how to grieve, we don’t know how to support others through their grief. Janice Scholl joins me on the podcast today to share her personal story of navigating crisis and grief and the value of having support from others during challenging times. This week, episode 221 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about how to help people dealing with trauma and grief.

Janice Scholl is a podcast host, speaker, and former commercial banker. She spends her time talking to parents and experts about raising strong, confident, resilient girls, as well as family finances and family-driven career breaks. Her podcast, Raising Middle School Girls, helps parents worldwide support their tween and teen girls navigate common challenges such as friendships, family communication, confidence, social media, and so much more. 

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Janice shares her perspective on grief as a fundamental identity change and she gives you actionable advice you can take to recognize and cope with grief, and how to support others who are grieving.  

Janice and I cover the following topics:

• Having the emotional maturity to hold space for someone’s emotions without trying to “fix” the situation. 
• Both devastation and gratitude can coexist; finding joy and appreciation comes from knowing the opposite. 
• Three things you can do to help someone who can’t verbalize what they need in a time of crisis.

Let go of your fear of getting it wrong and take action with the right intentions. Grief is a journey we all share at one point or another and the more we can hold space for each other, the better off we’ll be. 

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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Motherhood and Money with Janice Pica-Scholl

Navigating Grief through Humor with Katie Rössler

How We Grow through Grief with Katie Rössler

Coping with Grief by Giving Back with Lindsay Taylor