February 2025

For the past year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, working with and supporting people looking for more productivity in their lives. A universal truth among them is that more productivity with tools, processes and strategies means less stress.

Can’t we all use a lower stress level in our lives? I think so!

So, now I’m going to shout a little louder about what I’ve been up to at Workflows by Ronna to those of you watching from the back.

I haven’t seen or heard from some of you yet, but I know you’re out there! 

And since it might take a little more encouragement from me to start your productivity journey, let me share more about my baby-steps philosophy for you.

I’ll jump to the punchline first: Life is hard enough. We have to give ourselves some grace. This pertains to how we approach the things we have to get done in work and life. Sure, there are deadlines and missed opportunities. Sometimes there are consequences if we miss them, but not always.

This is why I start my clients with baby steps by meeting them where they are with existing (or no!) systems, and tapping into the way they function best. I call it adaptive productivity. In our time together, we’ll figure out how your brain functions best and which tools and systems align with that.

Like almost everything else we do, this is a process and takes adaptability to build it and practice it. I will work really hard with you to set you up for success. 

If you are not a morning person, for example, why on earth would you get your most important or difficult work done in the morning? Increasing productivity is not at all a one-size-fits-all strategy. 

If you’ve seen coverage of the Notebooks with Ronna workshops, you’ve seen and heard from different perspectives. Yes, the process is mine for the past ten years, but we’ll make it work for you!

For those of you who I’ve met already in 1:1 time or workshops, thank you. Touch base with me, let me know how you’re doing. And, tell a friend about me because one of them could be standing in the back. If that’s you, give yourself permission to explore productivity tools with me. I’m a no-pressure, compassionate human who thrives on these systems and very deeply understands that everyone comes with a dose of trepidation.

Connect with me so we can talk! I’ve got you. 

- Ronna

Bailey with my Kindle

My Favorite Things 

I’ve mentioned here before that my intention this year is to block off more down time. And while I sometimes call it empty time, it’s really typically full of something that fills me up emotionally and recharges my battery. It’s often a walk or yoga, but this year it will be more of one of my favorite things: reading. 

I intend to read more this year. And because I'm taking more breaks and building more down time into my schedule between my big responsibilities of work and my family, I finally have the space to do it. When I read, it helps clear my mind so I can smoothly move from one thing to the next. And it’s good for the nervous system when I sit, feel the calm flush over me, and dive into a book. 

Happy to share some good reads (novels and productivity books, too!). Just email me by responding to this newsletter or message me on Instagram. 

What I’m Thinking About

I’m a believer in accountability, so here goes nothing: 

In October I told you that I haven’t quite figured out the best approach to managing my personal email. I said I’d report back, and here I am.  

So far, so good is my report. I’ve been blocking 15 minutes a few times per week to read my personal email. I always do it at the end of the day when my energy is low since it doesn’t require the sharpest version of me.

Though some might think my type-A personality would value a zero-inbox approach, I think that an empty inbox is unsustainable, not realistic, and frankly, not productive. 

I have found my renewed commitment to personal-email management usually translates to 15 minutes four or five days a week because, so far, I’ve been good about it and thus feel much less overwhelmed at the idea of looking at personal email at all. 

I’ll figure out a realistic cadence, but like I said, so far, so good.

Upcoming Workshops

There's still time to register for my March Notebooks with Ronna workshops! 

- Thursday, March 13th from 10am-12pm CST - virtually in the comfort of your own home or office

- Sunday, March 16th from 10am - 12:30pm in the beautiful Pelican Room space in Highland Park

During this workshop, you will learn the process of creating a Notebook that will organize and pace your personal to-dos for this year and the future, month by month, week by week. 

We will think about your responsibilities, how to organize them, and build a personal Notebook that will serve as a template for future years.

This isn’t a calendar or a planner. This is a guide to the tasks you do regularly, to help you map them out and get them done efficiently.

In-person participants will receive a Notebooks with Ronna-branded notebook that you can use to organize all of your tasks for the year. You will leave with one month fully mapped out and a blueprint for the rest of a full year.

Virtual participants will also leave with one month fully mapped out and a blueprint for the rest of a full year. They can use any notebook or enhance the experience by purchasing the Notebook with Ronna-branded Notebook.

Click below for more information and to register. And if you know someone who might be interested, I would be so grateful if you pass the information along.

Here's to investing in yourself!

Are you ready to explore how to avoid burnout, relieve stress and be more productive with customized time-management tools?

Fill out my contact form to set up a free 30-minute consultation.