Rena – Uplift Notes

Overwhelmed by Deep Work? Do This Instead

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Habits, Personal Growth, Productivity, Newsletter Highlights.

Reality Check: Deep Work is a myth Finding that 1-2 hour uninterrupted morning block sounds nice… But it’s not always feasible. There are days when I start my morning shift of work at 6am before classes. And I worked with a coaching client who was a nurse with 2 toddlers and a small business on the side. Interruptions and imperfections aren’t an excuse to procrastinate. But you also don’t need to force yourself to long deep work sessions. Meet yourself where you’re at. More Progress in Less Time: Interleaving Instead, try interleaving :...

Learn 2x Faster: My Neuroscience-Based System to Balance School, 2 Jobs & a Business

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Learning & Memory, Newsletter Highlights.

Is it possible to learn more while working less? I used to spend hours studying and creating content. Now, I study 2 hours a day while building an audience of 5,000+ and working 2 jobs. 3 neuroscience-backed tips to learn & work faster: Use Pockets of Downtime. Time management is like Tetris. Fit small chunks of learning into your busy schedule: Read e-books on your phone (Kindle for reading, Libby for free books) Review flashcards (try RemNote) Take thinking walks, meditating on specific learning questions These tiny habits create consistency, and...

Got Writer’s Block? Use the Infinite Ideas System to Grow a Loyal Audience, Stand Out & Work Less

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Creative Productivity, Newsletter Highlights.

Imagine this: It’s 7:07 AM. You woke up extra early before your grueling commute to start writing. Coffee in hand, headphones on. You open your laptop and it feels like being hit by a truck—none of the ideas seem to be sticking.When you set aside time to write but can’t generate ideas, it hurts to feel like it’s all a waste! Let’s change that today. Creativity is like being a DJ You don’t need to start from scratch, you just need to remix the ideas. Start with something that inspires you: a quote from a book, a common problem your audience faces,...

Discipline Is Overrated: How to Design Your Environment for Focus & Creativity

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Habits, Personal Growth, Productivity, Newsletter Highlights.

For years, I struggled to maintain focus and get things done. Then, I learned that you could design your environment for success. The Science of Environmental Cues Psychologist Daniel Kahneman suggests successful behavior change requires reducing resistance and increasing reward. Make your desired habits easier and bad habits harder. Here’s how: Increase Inspiration This enhances creativity & motivation. Make visual motivation boards with favorite quotes, photos, or designs. Display your goals and your “why” prominently. You can do this...

Got Creative Block? How to Enter the Flow State in 5 Minutes or Less

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Creative Productivity, Newsletter Highlights.

What if you could enter the flow state on demand, and unlock focus & creativity every time? The Science of Creativity Mihaly Csikzmentsky, who developed the flow state theory, identified concentration, clarity, and challenge as key components. Follow these 3 steps to enter the flow state: Concentration Before you start working, prime your environment for focus. Block distractions (notifications off, close extra tabs, listen to white noise/classical) and increase inspiration (gather your favorite quotes, curate a gallery, write a post it...

“Self Care” trends are BS. the Real Secret to Avoid Burnout

Written on January 20, 2025. Posted in Deep Rest, Newsletter Highlights.

Not all rest is created equal: Physical vs Mental You don’t need just physical rest. No amount of “self care” consumerism-bubble baths, face masks, gua sha, or fancy gadgets will save you if you’re feeling overwhelmed by an endless to-do list and stuck in a comparison loop.You need deep rest, mental rest.It’s complicated, and it’s not easy, but here are 3 mental blocks that are affecting your rest and what to do about them. “I didn’t do enough” Celebrate your progress. Reflect and recover. give yourself a “quick...

Author: Rena