There’s something about the start of September that has new year energy. Every year, I have the same expectation that this is my year for inbox zero, new productivity hacks, and an overall more organized me. But, I also know myself: he to-do’s will pile up, and I will sleep through my alarm. That said, I’ve picked up some productivity habits that have stuck, including “bare minimum Mondays,” the “two-minute rule,” and protecting my 9 am to 11 am “power hour” by blocking off time on my calendar to do some head-down work. Here are some new methods I’m thinking about:
The “chaos method” of organization. With that name, how can you not try it?
The “Ivy Lee method” of tackling your to-do list. Ivy Lee was a productivity powerhouse a century ago, who execs would bring in to tell them how to get sh*t done. And his advice holds up.
Outsourcing some busy work to ChatGPT. Maybe that email can write itself.
— Anna Davies, writer, New York, NY
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How to De-Influence Your Feed
We’ve all been there — you’re just scrolling, and then suddenly you need that new moisturizer, bra, or water bottle that’s the size of your head. Almost half of Americans admit to making impulse buys after seeing something on social media, according to a survey by Bankrate. And surprise, surprise: More than half of them regret at least one of those purchases. But some social media users are wising up to this: They know that the influencer they’re watching doesn’t actually looove a random water bottle as much as the affiliate $$$ dropping into their bank account for the plug. That’s why “de-influencing” has become a major trend on TikTok and Instagram, with content creators sharing why you shouldn’t buy some products, giving tips on how to get over that “I’ve gotta have it” urge, or poking fun at the absurdity of endless hauls and restocks that are way too curated for the real world. But you don’t necessarily need to follow de-influencers to take control of your scroll. There are ways to cut down on shopping your feed.
Your Move:
Tweak your interactions. Out of sight, out of mind. If you cut down on engaging with posts that push products, you’ll see them less. “When we engage less with superficial and materialistic content, the algorithms will adapt. They learn our new patterns and begin giving us content that aligns more with our shifted interests,” says Nicholette Leanza, LPPC-S, a psychotherapist at LifeStance Health who often works with clients on their relationship to social media.
Take a break. Social media makes it way too easy to go from “oooh” to “add to cart.” But taking just a few moments to pause can make a big difference. “It's about creating that mental space between stimulus and response,” says Leanza, who adds that it’s good to ask yourself: “Will this really improve my life?” If you want, you can put it in your cart or save the link. Just give yourself time (preferably at least one day) before you make a purchase.
Get curious. The “scroll, see something, purchase” cycle gives your brain a dopamine hit, which then primes you to do it again… and again. Get curious about your feelings, says Leanza. If you turn to social media when you’re stressed, finding a new way to get that feel-good high (think: exercise, chatting with a friend, petting your pup) can help break that cycle.
ask an expert
We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:
I need to cut back on expenses. Where’s the best place to start?
FEATURED EXPERT:
Vanessa Martinez
CEO and cofounder of Expressive Wealth
Take a hard look at your last few months of spending. Print out your banking and credit card statements, grab some highlighters, and go through all your purchases. Highlight “needs” in one color (think: rent, food, utility bills, insurance premiums) and “wants” (think: takeout, vacation, ice cream runs) in another. Remember: Don’t shame yourself for what you’ve already spent. You’re just trying to look at patterns.
In general, “wants” are a lot easier to reign in than “needs.” Are you in the habit of going out to dinner a few times a week? Slash it down to one. Have multiple streaming services? Cut them down to the one you use the most. “Typically, smaller expenses are the easiest to cut,” says Martinez. Next, build your budget. You can do this via an app, or you can just write a list of your expenses on paper and then come up with a realistic amount to spend each month on your expense-line items, like groceries and gas. This may take some trial and error, but having a firm number in mind can help you avoid overspending. Aim for progress, not perfection. “Budgeting is about aligning your financial goals with your values as you decide where you’re allocating money. Being curious about your spending, learning about it, and adjusting accordingly can help you stay on track,” says Martinez.
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