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You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / {happy Monday + 3 tips on having a productive work week}

{happy Monday + 3 tips on having a productive work week}

October 17, 2011 · 33 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, for fun

Whew! What a week last week was. So so so so so so busy + productive. I really do love busy weeks though, because they help me to stay focused on what’s important instead of spending my time fiddle farting around on a bushel of other things ;]

And sadly, it seems that right now I’m sick. Maybe last week was too busy for me? I’ve been drinking lots of yummy Aveda tea and read quite a bit of Dave Ramsey’s new book last night. Let’s hope a little bit of relaxing is the medicine my body needs.

From the pics above, on Friday a friend introduced to me a new style of making eggs. YUM YUM! On Saturday I meet some friends at the Mall of America, including the darling Jacqui of Craftee McGee. Then yesterday, Zack and I scored some fun finds at this amazing thrift sore: a glossy yellow lamp, 2 wooden chairs for our front porch {I need to re-paint them}, and an awesome skinny tie + corduroy blazer for the hubbs. We found the stitched lamp shade at Target later that afternoon {love it!}, then came home to a crock-pot of simmering Beef Stew. I loooove easy dinners! And in between dinner and reading, I worked on a fun felt leaf project for our house.

I also found some inspiration yesterday in restyling some “old” clothes I have to make a new outfit, including this headband from my shop.

We had a full weekend, that’s for sure! How was yours???

PS. I found this t-shirt shop on Elsie’s blog, now I’m in love with this tee pee print!

* * *

One of my tricks for having a productive work week is to stay focused on what’s really important ~ what will help my business to grow. Here are some tips to encourage productivity, especially as the rest of the year gets busier & busier:

    1. Ask yourself, will accepting this task help my business to grow? If not, maybe you should pass

    2. Assign every project with a due date so no task goes forgotten {or done poorly}

    3. I shared some of my hubby’s wisdom recently on Facebook, but it is so good I want to share it again :]

    Write down your to-do list! It’s never as overwhelming on paper as it is in your head.

xoxo!

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33 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, for fun

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Comments

  1. Colleen says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Where did you get those plates?! They are awesome!!

    Reply
  2. kim b says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Always a fan, but stopping by to say hi from LMM’s blog :)

    Reply
  3. Kristin Smith says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:31 am

    So what do you call your new way of making eggs? My dad always called the “toad in a hole”!! :)

    Reply
    • Beth says

      October 18, 2011 at 4:39 pm

      That’s what we call them too!!! :)

      Reply
  4. Tara says

    October 17, 2011 at 7:53 am

    I love your 3 tips. They are so true! writing down your to do list is soo beyond helpful!! At least for me! When I write things down it helps me not feel SO overwhelemed AND I actually remember everything I wanted to get done!

    Reply
  5. Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops} says

    October 17, 2011 at 8:29 am

    I also love easy dinners. And, really, I am in the middle of a love affair with my crock-pot.

    Reply
  6. caroline {good times never seem sew good} says

    October 17, 2011 at 8:43 am

    i love all your photos from the weekend! :) get some rest and stay healthy!!

    you told me to let you know whenever I did a vlog… well, here it is, lady! ha ha http://sweetcarolinebumbumbum.blogspot.com/2011/10/padded-hanger-tutorial-vlog.html

    Reply
  7. Lindsay says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Such great tips :) I LOVE that new lamp you found! SO CUTE!

    Reply
  8. Cassie says

    October 17, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Hey Gussy! I’m stopping by from LMM today! =D

    Reply
  9. ilene says

    October 17, 2011 at 10:28 am

    to-do lists are my best friends! i keep them in a tiny moleskin notebook that i carry around everywhere. yes to productive weeks! woohoo!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 10:51 am

      i have a little notebook, too! i have one for to-dos and another for ideas. xoxo

      Reply
  10. Heather B says

    October 17, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Love the practical tips, practical tips are my favorite. So are to do lists. However today mine is short: To Do: Catch up on sleep!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 10:38 am

      hey! i did that this morning! i recommend it ;]

      Reply
  11. Skye @ Neathering Our Fest says

    October 17, 2011 at 11:57 am

    1) you used fiddle farting. i love that colloquialism! i find myself fiddle farting around too if i don’t make a to do list! :)

    2) egg-in-a-hole! that is my husband’s favorite breakfast! :) you can also add a slice of velveeta and turn it into a grilled egg-in-a-hole cheese sandwich. even more yum! :)

    3) did you color your hair again? darker and more purply? it looks great! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 1:47 pm

      i did color my hair again ;D
      10 points for you for noticing!

      Reply
  12. abby says

    October 17, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I have these plates too! Bed, Bath, and Beyoooond :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 1:47 pm

      you do???? oh that’s so fun! we are like twins :]

      Reply
  13. erin says

    October 17, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    your hubby and mine think alike. He’s always telling me to make lists and stick them on the fridge. I’ve finally decided to take his advice, and it is definitely helping to focus and de-stress. :)

    Reply
  14. Kacey says

    October 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Happy Monday! Great business/productivity tips. Good things to remember!

    Kacey

    P.S. I would be super unproductive without my to-do list!

    Reply
  15. Charli says

    October 17, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Hello! I’m wondering what your favorite thrift stores in Minneapolis are. My hubby and I are always looking for new ones! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 1:48 pm

      we love any of the Salvation Army’s ~ or Arc!
      xoxo

      Reply
  16. Pam says

    October 17, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Fun post to read :) We do our eggs that way too! I’ve heard them called “toad in the hole”, “flying saucers” and we call them “eggs in holes in toast” (? Yep) and on top of that we made up a ridiculous song about it to sing for our daughter when she was little! Sometimes you’ll do anything to get them to eat. Hope you feel better soon!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 1:46 pm

      hi pam! oh you are so sweet! :) will you come over and sing that song for me? please????? xoxo

      Reply
  17. karla @ bluegrass jewelry designs says

    October 17, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks for the tips. Hope you feel better soon.

    Reply
  18. Kim says

    October 17, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Yay for productive work weeks those are the best! Good tips on having a productive work week, keeping on track and moving forward always makes a world of difference

    Reply
  19. Breeann says

    October 17, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    I am, of course, already a follower, but stopping by from LMM!

    Reply
  20. Fifi says

    October 17, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Yummy indeed!! We used to call them “eggs in the basket” when I was younger! I’ve tried explaining this to the hubs, he has no clue what he’s been missing all of these years.

    Great weekend finds!!

    new follower!

    Reply
  21. Jo says

    October 17, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Just ‘stumbled upon’ your blog via Stumble Upon. :)
    Here in New Zealand we call those eggs Square Eggs (because the bread is square I guess). We learn to cook them in cooking at school aged 11. My daughters favourite!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 17, 2011 at 10:13 pm

      hi jo! thanks for your comment, and hellooooo to you in New Zealand! xoxo

      Reply
  22. Anya says

    October 18, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I do the same thing :) I have little lists, post its and notebooks everywhere, but I never forget my to-dos (even if I never do them, haha)! Stopping by from LMM :)

    Reply
  23. cinzia says

    October 18, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    Great tips! especially the first one!

    Reply
  24. Beth says

    October 18, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    I love toad in a hole!!! :) We make grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and then put the fried egg on top! It’s so YUM! :) I had my first one in Paris, at a little cafe next to Notre Dame Cathedral, 3 years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since!! :)

    Reply
  25. Erin Wilson says

    October 18, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Oooh your hubby is good. That last tip, so true. On that note, I’m off to write a to-do list. ;)

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of time these days to craft a letter when I wash dishes, take my kids on a walk, or take care of our garden. All that silence, it makes my internal monologue even louder 🤣. 

Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

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Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
🖤working on our school room, mid-process update 🖤working on our school room, mid-process update! this wall is inspired by @mygrandparentschair 👏🏻 

I saw her feature in a recent issue of “Better Homes & Gardens” and I was all 🤩🤩over her foyer. I’m using 1/2” black masking tape (mistake-making friendly) instead of paint, also renter friendly. 

Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
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