Monday

"I have strength within me."

Happy Monday! We’re beginning this week of self-care with:

• How to set professional boundaries

• Always late? Tips to be on time more

• This small change might save the planet

• Discover a surprisingly simple productivity method

How to Set Professional Boundaries

Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, anxiety-inducing, and more.

It can be even more nerve-wracking and challenging if you’re trying to set boundaries with a boss, a coworker, or a client. Not only do you have to navigate your personal feelings, but you also want to be sure you’re respectful in setting those boundaries, as it can impact your relationship.

State your capacity: Remind the other person of your workload, and state that you don’t have the ability to take something on. This can be difficult at first but is important so you don’t burn yourself out.

Clarify priorities: If you’re asked to do a task but you have other things on your plate, ask what the other person would like you to prioritize over other things. This is a great way to set a boundary that you can’t do everything at the moment, but you can shift gears on tasks if necessary.

Define your role: Having a clear definition of your role and responsibilities — including what is and isn’t your responsibility — can make it easier to set boundaries and focus on specific tasks.

Be respectful: You don’t have to be rude to set and enforce boundaries. Remember to be respectful and communicate clearly. It will likely be more effective and well-received!

How to Be More on Time

We all run late from time to time, whether it’s due to circumstances out of our control, like unexpected traffic, or scrolling on our phones too long after getting out of the shower.

However, for some of us, it’s a habit more than others.

If you find yourself constantly looking at the clock and panicking as you’re on your way to a destination, there are some simple steps you can implement to help yourself be on time.

• Plan to get there long earlier than you need to: If you perpetually run late, it may be helpful to plan to get to a destination 15-30 minutes earlier than you need to. This will help ease some of that panic and ensure you’re getting there with a buffer.

• Ask yourself if tasks can wait: Consider any of the tasks you may do before leaving the house, like loading the dishwasher, putting away laundry, and so forth. Take a moment to consider if it can wait until later. If the answer is yes, press pause and save it for when you return.

• Time your tasks: When getting ready to go somewhere, set a timer and see how long it actually takes you to do everything you need to get done. You may discover that specific tasks take longer than you think, which can contribute to lateness.

• Use the clock: Setting your car or other clocks a few minutes ahead can help you get in the habit of leaving a little earlier. You can also set alarms to help remind you to get ready and break away from other tasks you may be focused on when you need to go.

This New Toilet Paper Just Might Save the Planet

Every 24 hours, 27,000 trees are cut down to make toilet paper. To us, that feels like way too many — and Honeycomb agrees. That’s why this small, female-founded brand created luxury, three-ply toilet tissue made from bamboo. It feels just like regular high-end toilet paper, but doesn’t harm trees.

So why bamboo? It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world — growing 100 times faster than the average tree — which means thousands of rolls can be produced in the time it takes for a single tree to grow back.

Even better? Code NTS30 will give new customers 30% off their first order for the next 24 hours.

Get started here.

Thank you to Honeycomb for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Discover the “Ivy Lee Method” for Productivity

If you have a seemingly never-ending to-do list, it can make it difficult to stay focused on everything you want (or need) to accomplish.

Could one simple hack be the key to getting more done? The “Ivy Lee Method” has been used for over 100 years — and it’s still with many people today for its effectiveness.

The method gets its name from productivity consultant Ivy Lee, who was hired in 1918 by Bethlehem Steel Corporation President Charles M. Schwab to help boost productivity.

Ivy Lee’s method was extremely simple, yet quite effective:

• At the end of the day, create a list of the top six most critical things you want (or need) to finish the next day.

• Rank those items in order of importance, with 1 being the most important thing you’d like to accomplish.

• The next day, begin tackling each task, starting with the first item on the list and working your way down.

• At the end of that day, take inventory of everything you checked off.

• Anything you didn’t accomplish, at the end of that day, you can incorporate into your next list for the following day!

This simple method helps us prioritize all of our tasks and remain focused on those that are most important, inspiring us to accomplish things one at a time!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False! Research found that more casual dress codes made employees 61% more productive!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Lean into the things that help you maximize productivity!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!