Today I'm going to tell you why I ditched my work purse [permanently] for a work backpack.

Yes, a work backpack.

While this is a bit different than my typical professional productivity post, this choice has made a big impact on my life both in the day-to-day and for big events like conferences.

​So let's get started.

I gave a seminar just last week in my department about professional Twitter. Science communication has expanded to include Twitter, and social media is not longer relegated to personal life.

What's the difference between professional Twitter and non-professional Twitter? It's not a different site, it's just having an account for a different purpose. 

Read more to read what I have to say about should you or shouldn't you; key aspects of a professional Twitter; benefits of professional Twitter; and finally - a free download of my guide to setting up your professional Twitter.

Working from home is on the rise, according to the 2017 US Census. From increased work-life flexibility and employee productivity to decreased real estate costs and overhead, remote work (or "telecommuting") offers benefits for both employee and employer. 

Whether you're a grad student like me, self-employed working out of a home office, or telecommuting part-time, you've encountered the benefits and the challenges of working home. Challenges like distractions. 

In this post we'll talk about several distractions you may be all too familiar with, and how to help nip them in the bud. 

Why do people start their own business? It’s not easy, and the rewards can come and go. So why do it?
 
For some, the predictability of a 9 to 5 life doesn’t drive them – they feel unsatisfied and need something more. Perhaps they want more control, or they want to work for themselves. Both feed into the how small business owners do it all – accountant, data entry, HR manager, boss.

Discussing the challenge of coming up with new material, "Seinfeld explained his method for success: each January, he hangs a large Year-At-A-Glance calendar on his wall. For every day he wrote new material, he had the exquisite pleasure that can only come from drawing a big red "X" over that day."

Some other planner systems that might appeal to you are the Passion Planner and Planner Pads. We won't be talking about them specifically but you can click through to the links to learn more. ​