Posts by Hillary
Kirkus Reviews: Productivity is Power II is “A compassionate, very practical blueprint for getting things done.”
I’m thrilled to share with you the wonderful review Kirkus Reviews gave Productivity is Power II: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals: The problem is procrastination, writes Rettig at the outset of her book. “Many people think they procrastinate because they’re lazy or undisciplined, but that’s wrong,” she contends. “We procrastinate because we haven’t been…
Read MoreHow to Get More Confident
One of my favorite TV shows is the 1969 BBC series Civilisation, hosted by Sir Kenneth Clark. A survey of European art, it’s intelligent, insightful, and gorgeous, with (for the time) outstanding production values. Yes, it’s also the epitome of white male, Eurocentric art criticism, but it still rewards watching, especially if you keep its…
Read MoreMy Eye!
So, I just had eye surgery. Not cataracts, something trickier and scarier. I will spare you the details except to note that the surgery is called a “vitrectomy.” Those who want to look up the icky details are welcome to. It took almost a year from my initial diagnosis to get my surgery—and not so…
Read MoreFive Questions to Ask if You’re Not Enjoying Your Creative Work
Creativity can, and should, be an incredible source of fulfillment, meaning, and joy—and so, if you’re not enjoying your creative work, something might be wrong. If so, try answering these five questions: 1) Do I really want to be doing this? Sometimes we take on creative projects for the wrong reasons, like ego or to…
Read MoreThe Easiest, Most Powerful Thing I Do For My Productivity
The easiest, most powerful thing I do to boost my productivity is a nightly ritual that takes about ten seconds. Before I tell you what it is, I need to explain two things: (1) I use two computers: Using two computers may sound like an indulgence, but it’s not, especially given the productivity boost it…
Read MoreProcrastination is Hoarding
We procrastinate, in large part, to avoid the hurt of criticism or rejection. If you don’t hand your work in, after all, it—and, by extension, you—can’t be criticized or rejected. And even if you do manage to hand it in, procrastination provides a built-in justification for any disappointing outcomes you receive: “I was rushed.” The…
Read MoreNew Book! Productivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals
Say hello to my new book! Productivity is Power II is for all writers, artists, performers, entrepreneurs, organizers, and others seeking to boost their productivity. It’s got lots of new ideas and solutions, so if my previous book The 7 Secrets of the Prolific helped you, Productivity is Power II will help you more. My…
Read MoreDisconnecting Shouldn’t be Radical!
(Excerpted from my book Productivity is Power. The original contains many citations, which are omitted here for brevity’s sake.) One of productivity work’s big divides is between those who try to work while connected to the Internet and its many distractions, and those who have figured out that that’s a really bad idea. The second…
Read MoreTwo Great New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year Everyone! I tend to be skeptical of New Year’s resolutions, which are often grandiose and built more around impulse than planning. But here are two good ones for 2023: 1) Reduce the time you currently spend on housework, chores, and errands by 25%, investing that time instead in “mission work” (creative /…
Read MoreMy New Book on Undergraduate Productivity is Out!
I’m thrilled to announce that my latest book, Productivity is Power: 5 Liberating Practices for College Students, is now out and available at all online and offline bookstores. Productivity is Power is for ALL undergraduates (and college-bound high schoolers), as well as for the parents, faculty, counselors, coaches, tutors, and others who support them. If…
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