Kathi talks with Writing at the Red House instructor Cheri Gregory about accountability. Cheri tells us all about her new favorite productivity tool called Focusmate. It’s an accountability system for all of us who work from home and are social learners. It’s especially valuable for a time like this when most of us are maintaining our social distance but thrive on working together.

The "Rules" for a Successful Co-Working Session:

1. No socializing
2. No collaborating
3. Come with a mindset: "This is a work session"
4. Pre-decide what you're going to work on
5. Show up a little early
6. Share what you'll be focusing on
7. Invite your partner to share what they'll be focusing on
8. Decide together: mic on or mute?
9. *Set a timer and focus for 50 minutes
10. When the timer goes off, briefly share how it went, offer each other encouragement, and sign off

* Kathi's alternative idea for 9, when you want to work with a friend and need to focus on a project: Focus for 45 min and then reward yourselves with 5 min of "friend time."

Writing at the Red House

Focusmate

Cheri Gregory

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Kathi and Cheri Gregory continue the conversation about gutting your office. Do you have a hard time knowing what to do with the old projects stacked up in your office? Cheri shares the insights that kick started her office gutting project from the book Atomic Habits by James Clear.

• Electronic systems for keeping your valuable information organized.
• How to leave a road map for your future self.
• The question to ask yourself to help you know where to start.

Writing at The Red House

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Duck Pack & Track

Overwhelmed by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory

Michele Cushatt

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The post 185 What Do I Do with All My Old Projects Part 1 with Cheri Gregory appeared first on Communicator Academy.

Author Michele Ule asks, “I’m wondering how you’re handling old research, information, old versions of your writing in your home office/computer. Do you toss/give away old books/manuscripts/ideas? I have a filing cabinet filled with odds and ends…”

Have you been wondering the same thing? Does fear, guilt and shame keep you from cleaning it out?

This is the podcast episode for you my friend! Kathi and Cheri Gregory give us the one true antidote to the fear, guilt and shame of the clutter in our office. Cheri has faced down her office clutter fears and lives to tell the tale. She’s not shy about sharing her shame so you can find freedom in your fears.

• The antidote to fear, so you can bravely reclaim your workspace.
• How to decide what stays and what goes.
• The reason we hold onto all the things, and how to overcome it.

Writing At The Red House

Cheri Gregory

Michele Cushatt

Michelle Ule

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Clutter Free Home

The Cure for the Perfect Life

Sensitive & Strong

Exhale

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Join us for next week’s episode for Part 2 and you won’t want to miss it!

Kathi talks with her special guest Susan Seay about getting all the things done, by not doing all the things. In part two, Susan shares the remainder of her tips for getting it all done while keeping your business and relationships intact.

• How to simplify the things that must get done.
• How to grow the relationships that will help you grow your business.
• How to keep the important relationships strong.
• How to say *gulp* no to protect your commitments.

Susan Seay’s Podcast

The Four Tendencies – Gretchen Rubin

The Clutter-Free Home – Kathi Lipp

Ready For Anything – Kathi Lipp

Shari Braendel

Writing at the Red House

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Susan Seay, author, speaker and homeschooling mom, carves out some time to visit with Kathi. Kathi asks, “How do you do it all as a professional communicator, a mom to seven kids, a wife, while being active in your family’s business?” And friends, Susan’s advice is rich with wisdom and practicality.

1. Have a DON’t do list.
2. Identify Your Inner Control Freak and Learn to Let Things Go.

Writing At The Red House

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