Productivity @ Home

Summer Won't Kill My Productivity -- and Other Promises I'm Making to Myself

This is the last week of school for my teenage son Adam, who will enter his senior year of high school in the Fall. As I woke him this morning, I mentally thought to myself "two more days".

Two more days of struggling to wake a teen who (in his mom's opinion) never gets enough sleep.

Two more days of packing him off and then having the bulk of the day home alone while he attends school, music practice and other activities.

Two more days of asking, "Did you do your homework?"

Two more days of cleaning my kitchen and having it stay that way until dinner.

Two more days of knowing that my heart is fullest when my home is fullest...

While the end of the school year throws a bit of a kink into my work schedule, I luxuriate in the less busy days of summer. But there's always a tendancy -- as someone who works from home -- to view these three months until school resumes as "time off". And this year, I truly can't afford any time off. So the following is my effort to mentally formulate a plan that will have me emerging as a winner in August -- a mom who played plenty, but also who got stuff done.

In no particular order, here are a few of my goals for having a non-productity-killing summer:

1. Stick to a schedule. While Adam's allowed to sleep in, Mom's not. Working during the early morning hours when my teen is lingering in bed will allow me time later in the day to enjoy his company and have my work complete for the day.
2. Have realistic goals. This summer is not the time to write a new book, to launch a new project, or to make any life-altering decisions. But it's also not the time to work aimlessly.
3. Take time to dream. Summer is the perfect time for pondering the possible. I'll be traveling quite a lot this summer, and those travel hours always seem to be a great time for brainstorming, making new connections, and imagining the options.
4. Play. More. With one son pretty well launched and another on his way out the door, I recognize the treasure of family time and its fleeting nature too. So while I don't want this summer to be all about not-working, I do plan to lighten my load a bit. I will be taking an extended (and unplugged) vacation for the first time in several years -- and frankly, I can't wait!

Does summer vacation throw your schedule for a loop? How do you keep on track while still enjoying needed refreshment and treasuring family time?

Need a Nest?

Have you heard the buzz about the "Nest", the new "learning" thermostat? Designed to track and emulate your heating and cooling habits, this eye-friendly device is now selling in stores like Lowes and the Apple Store. 

As someone who completely steers clear of my husband's fancy thermostats (which seem to require an advanced degree in engineering to operate) in our home, the simplicity of the Nest appeals to me, but I wonder if this isn't just another slick gadget appealing to my "it's new" nature...

I doubt we'll be installing the Nest in our home any time soon, but I'd love to hear from readers who have seen one firsthand. And kudos to those using design skills and a sense of style to make energy efficiency both stylish and simple!

One Mom's Social Media Punishment

Right or wrong? What's your take on this mom's doling out of punishment via social networking?

Behind the Launch

Over at Mashable, it's possible to get your "reality TV" fix on while perhaps learning a thing or two about launching a startup. "Behind the Launch" airs twice weekly as a team of young entrepreneurs gives birth to a new business. I'm late to the party, but will definitely be watching.

What I Learned at High School Graduation: Lesson 4 -- Deciding to Make a Difference

Today, I continue my weeklong series on lessons learned by attending our high school's graduation last weekend. This weekend, I had the joy of attending the graduation ceremonies for my son's high school. Adam is only a Junior this year, but we were on hand to celebrate with several of his senior friends. Perhaps since my own son wasn't graduating, I did a better job of listening to each of the five individuals who spoke. I found that I took away a lesson from each of their speeches. This week, I will be highlighting one of those lessons each day.

The second student speaker at Saturday's commencement, nationally-ranked forensics competitor Shaun Lichti, set the stage by inviting us to imagine ourselves at the foot of the steps of the Great Library of Alexandria. 

"Awesome," I thought to myself, "I love libraries! Let's go!"

Then Shaun shared the catch -- you are an impoverished man with no access to the building that holds the collective sum of all the world's knowledge. You can stand on the steps and contemplate the core of all learning, but your station in life prohibits you from embracing it. Even if you could enter the building, your illiteracy would prevent you from making any sense of the tomes surrounding you.

My, how our world has changed. Shaun rightly reminded me how prolific information is in our world today. We lack former civilizations barriers of access to education. 

But so too do we lack that desire, the burning pattion to learn, to grow, and to share our knowledge with others. The prevalance of so much data, so much information, and so much noise around us has dulled the part of us that is desperate to climb those library steps and take it all in.

What I Learned at High School Graduation: Lesson 3 -- Dare Yourself to Win the Race

Today, I continue my weeklong series on lessons learned by attending our high school's graduation last weekend. This weekend, I had the joy of attending the graduation ceremonies for my son's high school. Adam is only a Junior this year, but we were on hand to celebrate with several of his senior friends. Perhaps since my own son wasn't graduating, I did a better job of listening to each of the five individuals who spoke. I found that I took away a lesson from each of their speeches. This week, I will be highlighting one of those lessons each day.

The third speaker at the University High graduation was a student. Zeina Rousan, elected by her peers to give a commencement speech, must have spent the majority of her lifetime making her parents very proud. She's the type of young lady you immediately know is a winner. Poised, articulate, quick witted and extremely eloquent, Zeina most definitely has a bright future ahead of her.

Zeina's speech began by inviting those of us in the audience, and especially her graduating peers, to imagine ourselves running a race. She peppered the run with anecdotes of her fellow students, inviting us runners to take the breaks we needed, but also to push forward to the finish line. Then she asked us:

Did you win the race?

What I Learned at High School Graduation: Lesson 2 -- Discovery, Diversity, Distinction

Today, I continue my weeklong series on lessons learned by attending our high school's graduation last weekend. This weekend, I had the joy of attending the graduation ceremonies for my son's high school. Adam is only a Junior this year, but we were on hand to celebrate with several of his senior friends. Perhaps since my own son wasn't graduating, I did a better job of listening to each of the five individuals who spoke. I found that I took away a lesson from each of their speeches. This week, I will be highlighting one of those lessons each day.

Lesson Number Two came in the form of a brief, yet insightful address from California State University, Fresno Provost Dr. William A. Covino. Dr. Covino's remarks for the gradutates highlighted three themes -- they are likely on his mind as the focal point of the newly launched Fresno State logo. But this wasn't simply a marketing speech. Rather, these three watchwords are relevant for any of us seeking to pursue personal excellence.

• Discovery -- Experience the thrill of learning. Always strive to expand your mind.
• Diversity -- Surround yourself with all elements of the human fabric. This makes it possible for us to learn from one another. Embrace the difference in others, seeking out in a special way that which is new, strange and different. This is how we grow, both as individuals and communally.
• Distinction -- Demand of yourself the rare. Pursue your passions with energy and dilligence.

What I Learned at High School Graduation: Lesson 1 -- Average Isn't Good Enough

This weekend, I had the joy of attending the graduation ceremonies for my son's high school. Adam is only a Junior this year, but we were on hand to celebrate with several of his senior friends. Perhaps since my own son wasn't graduating, I did a better job of listening to each of the five individuals who spoke. I found that I took away a lesson from each of their speeches. This week, I will be highlighting one of those lessons each day.

Lesson 1: Average is No Longer Good Enough

The first speaker at graduation was Dr. John D. Welty, President of California State University, Fresno. Since University High is a charter school founded by faculty of Fresno State and situated on the University's campus, Dr. Welty's presence is an annual tradition at graduation. 

The first thing that struck me about his remarks were that they were addressed directly to the graduates. This meant that Dr. Welty took to the podium, but delivered his address squarely pointed at the young men and women for whom his remarks were intended, offering his side profile to the rest of the audience. "How wonderful," I thought to myself. "This is their day."

Dr. Welty's remarks were brief, but delivered with the passion of a man who has dedicated his life to education. He referenced Thomas Freidman's recent New York Times article, Average is Over. In it, Mr. Friedman makes a strong case for the absolute necessity of an advanced degree in today's world. Citing the rise of technology, but also an increase in the efficacy of foreign production, Friedman concludes:

There will always be change — new jobs, new products, new services. But the one thing we know for sure is that with each advance in globalization and the I.T. revolution, the best jobs will require workers to have more and better education to make themselves above average. 

Dr. Welty's reiteration of the message that "Average is no longer good enough," was likely not lost on a group of graduates who will almost entirely be pursuing a college education. Nor was it missed by this mom -- I found myself nodding in agreement, but also asking myself, "In what ways have I allowed myself to think that average is sufficient?"

Quitting Facebook? Not Me.

Facebook buzz has reached a fever pitch this week as everyone's favorite (or most detested) social network launches its initial public offering tomorrow. Some have questioned the skyrocketing value of Facebook, and plenty of others have questioned whether it has any merit at all and is not simply a collossal time dump. This article at CNN today discusses why one tech columnist won't be ditching Facebook any time soon. I thought I'd chime in with my own take on that topic:

20 Sites Every Cool Mom Should Know - What Would You Add?

Birchbox is a monthly subscription that delivers beauty and lifestyle samples to your door. It's a great way for any mom to discover the latest releases and find tips from industry leaders.Birchbox1

Child's Own Studio turns children's drawings into unique stuffed animals. While the creator is not currently taking orders, her one-of-a-kind creations just might be worth the wait.Child's Own Studio2

GrubHub tells you which restaurants deliver near you or that you can order take away. You can place your order online, read reviews and get coupons.GrubHub3

via mashable.com

A bit late for Mother's Day, but I'd still like to know what you feel is left off of this list of "Cool Sites for Moms" -- my take: no reference to faith, which is a huge part of so many moms' lives. Granted, I'm biased, but it would have been great to have seen at least one faith oriented site on this list...