5 Tips for Being Positively Productive

I don't know about you, but sometimes I let procrastination get the best of me. When there's so much to explore on a sunny day, which we've been lucky to have so many here in Portland, it's easy to put everything on the back burner. This often leads to trouble - late nights, cram sessions, and just too much to do in so little time. So, my friends at Kabbage, a company that empowers small businesses (and blogs) to follow their dreams by providing funds to grow big and strong, inspired me to compile a list of some of my essential tips for being your most productive self!

#1 Write it down
Grab a piece of paper, a planner, or white board (whatever you're most likely to look at) u'd create a list of the tasks at hand. Whether it's to write a paper, do laundry, go for a run, or attend a meeting, having it all written down in ink will help you visualize how to schedule your time.

#2 Prioritize
Now that you have your handy dandy list, consider what's most urgent. Can the laundry wait? Is the paper due at midnight? I usually like to stick with whatever's due first.

#3 Brain Food
Being productive can be exhausting. Or, you may just get hungry out of boredom. Having something healthy to munch on will help you fight through mental blocks. My favorite productivity snack is a handful of raw cashews with dark chocolate chunks.  yum.  Oh, and a cup of coffee or tea will do wonders!

#4 The Perfect Playlist
Put in your headphones and pick a playlist on spotify - Chill, Focus, Intense Studying (whatever floats your boat).  This will help set the mood for a productive day.

#5 Minimize Distractions (aka put the cellphone away!)
Yeah, those text messages are just flooding in, but you won't get very far when your honey is trying to say hey. So do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Every hour take a 15 minute break and use this time to check in with friends.


{Brain Food Recipe} Bite Size Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Cookies


For entrepreneurs looking for some more productivity tips, check out Kabbage's website and blog!




[Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.]

Apple + Granola Breakfast Cookies

Do you ever skip breakfast just because there isn't enough time to prepare a meal on top of getting ready in the morning, making the next bus, or maybe just due to a bad hair day? If this describes you (& frizz gets to the best of us), meet your new best friend...

These apple + granola breakfast cookies will provide you with the fuel you need to get the day running with your best foot forward. They are packed with fiber to keep you fuller longer and are easy to grab and go when on the run. They're not only perfect for the working woman/man, but they are also super easy to pack in a kid's lunchbox for a healthy snack. Give them a try! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 medium apple, finely chopped
1/2 cup granola
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking pan with nonstick spray or oil.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, oats, and apple sauce. Mix.
3. Mix in the egg and butter.
4. Add the apple, granola, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir.
5. Place 2" balls of dough onto the baking pan. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes ~ 15 cookies