Don’t lose focus!
Stay mentally sharp during laid-back summers

Summer days and vacations can mean a more relaxed atmosphere at the office, making it harder to concentrate. Add to that the plethora of things already competing for our attention in the workplace, such as breaking news on the Internet, buzzing Blackberries and streaming e-mails, and it’s a recipe for constant distraction.
   
If you need to improve your ability to stay on target and focus on the task at hand, implement the tips outlined below:

> Set up your office for maximum productivity and minimum distractions. You need privacy to concentrate and discuss sensitive issues. Don’t take what you’re given; reorganize it into a configuration that works best for you. Keep in mind that physical clutter means mental clutter, so take five minutes at the end of each day to organize your workspace so you can hit the ground running in the morning.
> Avoid wasting time by daydreaming. But if you don’t use it to procrastinate, it can be very helpful. Harness its creative powers and use it for thinking time. Many of us need that time to let our minds wander to keep things fresh. Keep an “idea” journal on your desk for these moments.
> Remember things more easily. Busy people need good memory skills to help them remember details. Sharpening your memory can be as simple as using good memory tools: Keep a planner either written or online, always write things down, keep running lists, leave yourself voice- mails, etc.
> Focus on priority projects without getting distracted. Each morning, prioritize tasks. Be like a postage stamp: Stick to one thing until it gets to its intended destination. Learn to juggle multiple tasks and projects effectively, but don’t flit from one item to another without completing anything.
> Focus on one thing. Don’t multi-task or attempt to do too many things at once, like answering e-mails while working on your presentation. Start by focusing on one item and have a set time to tackle things, like answering e-mails first thing in the morning.
> Make lists of what you need to do. Capture every thought using either paper or electronic methods. This strategy pulls what you need to do out of your memory and relieves your brain of repeatedly thinking about what you need to remember.
> Read quickly and maintain concentration. Learn to benefit from new reading techniques designed to boost productivity, and toss whatever’s boring or useless. Getting through your reading more quickly frees up time for other priorities.
> Recognize signs of brain overload. If you freeze up and have no idea what to do first or where to begin, take a break. Walk away from your workspace, call home for a minute or do some deep-breathing exercises – learn what you need to refocus your brain.
> Get absorbed in a task. Become fully present. Learn to “get in the zone” and achieve a state of momentum where time  flys. Master your job, ensure no interruptions and strive to be in the moment.
> Concentrate first on a task that bores you or doesn’t really interest you. Even tedious tasks must be completed. To avoid constantly dreading those tasks, get them done early so the rest of the day is more enjoyable. Reward yourself for getting the job done and vary your activities.


You go green, girl!
A case for cloth diapers
By Kathleen Crain

The benefits of cloth diapering far outweigh those of disposables. For one, cloth diapers are cheaper. From birth to when your child is 2, you’ll save $1,200-$1,600. Use cloth wipes? You’ll save an extra $500.
   
Also, cloth-diapered babies potty-train faster because they can feel the mess against their skin; disposable diapers are too absorbent. Cloth diapers help prevent diaper rash, too.
   
Best of all, cloth diapers are better for the environment. From birth to 2 years, a baby who uses disposable diapers will generate two tons of non-degradable waste.
   
The most popular cloth diaper is the 3.0 one-size-fits-all from Bum Genius. It looks and works like a disposable diaper, but is reusable. Just 24 cloth diapers will last your child’s entire diapering experience.

Source: Jenn Labit, owner of Cotton Babies and creator of Bum Genius diapers


Novel ideas for moms
Whether you’re looking for a thought-provoking novel, inspirational non-fiction or pure chick lit, we’ve rounded up three must-reads for your list this summer:

“The Ten-Year Nap”
by Meg Wolitzer
Peer into the lives of four New York friends juggling female ambition, money, class, motherhood and marriage, and see what happens in one community when a group of educated women chooses not to work. A temporary leave of absence melts into a decade, as stay-at-home moms explore the various aspects and emotions of motherhood.

“Holding Her Head High”
by Janine Turner
Janine Turner, a well-known actress best known for her roles on “Northern Exposure” and “Strong Medicine,” now adds author to her list of accomplishments. Janine writes about 12 courageous mothers through the centuries who not only survived, but thrived, despite trying circumstances. By framing each chapter with the timeless scenario of each mother, offering life lessons and peppering it with aspects of her own struggles as a single mother, Janine provides a historical perspective on single mothers through the centuries with refreshing modern-day relevance.

“Certain Girls”
by Jennifer Weiner
The sequel to her 2001 best-selling first novel, “Good in Bed,” this new work revisits the feisty Candace “Cannie” Shapiro and her unforgettable journey through love, loss and the bonds of family.


Solution of the month
Can’t we just get along??

Ah, yes! Summertime…the rumble of lawnmowers, clicking of sprinklers and the harmonious sound of siblings playing together. Yeah, right! Let’s face it, sometimes siblings just don’t get along. But if that sometimes is turning into most of the time, here’s a little positive reinforcement that your kids can take to the bank:
   
Each time you catch your kids doing the right thing, whether it’s an older sibling helping a younger one tie his shoes, or the kids playing a board game together, put some money into a “brother/sister” bank. Ask your kids to set a goal. Once they’ve saved up enough, they can use the money to do something fun together, like catch a rainy-day movie or go miniature golfing.

By Maria Bailey | smartmomsolutions.com