Productivity Tips – Dr. Melissa’s Blog
Working from Home…how research informs our current and future world of work
In July 2020, I was invited by Mike O’Neill of Bench Builders, a workforce consulting firm, to speak on a webinar about working from home (WFH). It seemed like everybody and their brother was writing articles providing WFH tips to people and businesses who had...
How psychological tests can change your life…and the world
Psychometrics is “the science of measuring mental capacities and processes.” Early in grad school at Virginia Tech, I was a psychometrics nerd. I loved learning about how to construct psychological tests and assess their statistical validity and reliability. I...
When your Core Values Flash Before your Very Eyes
A few weeks ago, my 18-year-old daughter, Maddie, was driving home around midnight. There were train tracks ahead, but the barrier arms were raised, and no lights were flashing. So, she drove across the tracks… …and saw a blinding headlight attached to a...
Good, Fast, and Cheap…Pick Two
I was in my early 20s when I first heard the truism above in a project management class. The implications of “Good, fast, and cheap…pick two” are: If it’s fast and good, it’s going to be expensive If it’s good and cheap, it will require lots and lots of time If...
How to flourish in work and life: Be a HERO
Psychological Capital (PsyCap for short) is a framework that organizational psychologists use to predict important outcomes like job satisfaction, job performance, organizational commitment, and absenteeism. Many companies have bought into this concept and...
What are your Lessons Learned from Quarantine?
I lead seminars at companies and conferences. When not quarantined, that is. I love public speaking and miss it greatly right now. One of my most popular seminars is Project Management for Regular Folks. I’ve been teaching that course since 2016 because I...
When you have all the time in the world but no motivation to do anything…
When I retire, I’m going to take up fly fishing… When the kids are grown and flown, I’ll start that new hobby… When things calm down a bit, I’ll clean out that closet… While I’m stuck in quarantine, I’ll improve my life, my business, my home, my relationships, my…....
Do You Have a Pandemic Project?
You may have noticed something. I’m blogging more frequently now. For the past several years, I have sent you a productivity tip every other Tuesday. Now, I can’t let a week pass by without reaching out to you. It’s part of how I am dealing with this...
Are you struggling or thriving with working from home?
When I was doing research for the first edition of my book, Reduce Interruptions…you don’t have to be a victim, working from home was relatively rare. A 2014 article in the Harvard Business Review touted a meaningful increase in productivity among call center...
The Productive Practice of Gratitude
When work or life feels like it is falling apart, it is challenging for me to stay positive. This year, I have started a gratitude practice. When I set goals for 2020, I created a “Good Things” spreadsheet. Every Saturday, I list at least three good things that...