Listen, we need to have an honest conversation about productivity. As a consultant who’s spent the last decade helping high-achieving professionals get their lives together, I’ve noticed something: most of us are doing it all wrong. And I mean all wrong.
You’ve probably tried every productivity hack under the sun. The color-coded calendars, the time-blocking methods, and the fancy apps that promise to revolutionize your workflow. Maybe they worked for a week or two, but then life happened, and everything fell apart. I get it – I’ve been there too.
Here’s the truth that nobody’s talking about: productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it’s definitely not about squeezing every minute out of your day until you’re running on fumes and cold brew coffee.
The Real Problem with Your Productivity System
Working with clients from Fortune 500 executives to fresh-out-of-divorce entrepreneurs, I’ve realized that most productivity systems fail for one simple reason: they don’t account for who you are as a person. Your energy cycles, your natural rhythms, your actual life circumstances – you know, the real stuff.
When Sarah, a tech executive and single mom, came to me stressed about falling behind at work, she had been trying to wake up at 5 AM because some productivity guru said it was the “secret to success.” But Sarah’s a night owl who does her best work after 8 PM when her kids are asleep. Fighting her natural rhythm was making her less productive, not more.
Building a System That Actually Works
Here’s what I tell my clients: Your productivity system should feel like your favorite pair of jeans – comfortable, reliable, and tailored specifically to you. Here’s how to create one:
1. Get Real About Your Energy
Track when you naturally feel most alert and focused. Don’t fight it – use it. Some of us are morning people, others come alive at midnight. Both are valid. Your peak hours are your money-making hours – protect them fiercely.
2. Define What Productivity Means to YOU
Being productive isn’t about checking off the most boxes – it’s about moving the needle on what matters. For some of my clients, that means closing big deals. For others, it’s having energy left to help their kids with homework. Get clear on your definition.
3. Build in Recovery Time
Y’all, burnout is real, and it’s expensive. I’ve seen too many brilliant people crash and burn because they treated themselves like machines. Your productivity system needs to include rest, just like your workout routine includes recovery days.
Making the Shift
Here’s the part that might be hard to hear: creating a sustainable productivity system takes time. It’s not about downloading another app or buying another planner. It’s about really understanding yourself and being honest about what works for you.
Start small. Pick one aspect of your current system that feels forced and adjust it to match your natural inclinations. For instance, if you hate traditional to-do lists, try voice notes or mind mapping. If morning meetings drain you, start blocking them for afternoons.
Remember, you’re not broken if the popular productivity methods don’t work for you. You’re just different, and different is where the magic happens.
The Bottom Line
As a lifestyle consultant, I’ve learned that the most productive people aren’t the ones following every trend – they’re the ones who’ve figured out their own rhythm and stuck to it. Your productivity system should empower you, not exhaust you.
So take a step back. Look at what’s really working (and what’s not) in your current approach. Be willing to experiment, adjust, and sometimes completely start over. Because at the end of the day, productivity isn’t about doing more – it’s about doing what matters, in a way that works for you.
And if anyone tries to tell you there’s only one way to be productive? Well, honey, they’re selling something you don’t need to buy.
Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, transition-age youth (16–24) nationwide continue to bear the brunt of disconnection from education, employment opportunities, and community. In Louisiana and more specifically, Baton Rouge, fragmented access to education, employment, healthcare, and safe community gathering places has created an environment where youth are susceptible to involvement with the juvenile justice system and foster care. To address these challenges, we need initiatives in each of these areas to expand programming and resources dedicated to this vulnerable group.
The Current Landscape
Transition-age youth in Louisiana face significant hurdles, with data revealing a troubling picture:
Disconnected Youth According to the KIDS COUNT Data Center, as of the most recent analysis, 16% of youth ages 16–24 in Louisiana are classified as “disconnected,” meaning they are neither in school nor working. This is higher than the national average of 11%, underlining the acute challenges faced by this group in Louisiana.
Limited Targeted Initiatives Most statewide programming tends to focus on initiatives that support younger children. Prevention is an absolute must and these services are critical. We also know that for prevention to be successful, it must span all ages. Youth can enter foster care and juvenile incarceration at any age and older youth fare worse outcomes. Foster youth aging out of the system are particularly vulnerable; 23% of Louisiana’s youth exiting foster care end up experiencing homelessness within their first year of independence (KIDS COUNT, 2023).
Increased focus on Juvenile Incarceration Over 40% of youth exiting juvenile facilities in Louisiana are left without any formal reentry program, increasing the likelihood of recidivism and socio-economic instability. Yet, we continue to expand pipelines to juvenile incarceration without increasing diversion services and other alternatives to incarceration.
Early Childhood Focus Across each major agency, transition-age youth remain underrepresented in funding allocations. Yet, research shows that investment in transition-age services yields long-term economic benefits by reducing reliance on public welfare systems.
The Need for Expanded Services
The lack of comprehensive support for transition-age youth has led to alarming outcomes:
Educational Disengagement In Louisiana, 19% of 18–24-year-olds lack a high school diploma or equivalent, significantly reducing their earning potential and economic mobility. Programs aimed at addressing educational deficits are underfunded or inaccessible to many.
Mental Health Concerns The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among young people. As reported by KIDS COUNT, 25% of Louisiana youth experience symptoms of depression or anxiety, yet access to mental health services remains limited, particularly for those transitioning out of foster care or juvenile justice systems.
Workforce Integration A lack of job readiness programs leaves many youth unprepared for employment opportunities. Data indicates that 34% of Louisiana youth lack the skills necessary for workforce integration, highlighting the urgent need for training and employment pathways.
Recommendations for Action
To effectively support transition-age youth, the following strategies should be prioritized:
Enhanced Educational Programs
Expand access to GED programs and vocational training tailored to disconnected youth.
Provide alternative education models that include online learning and flexible schedules to accommodate work and caregiving responsibilities.
Establish partnerships with community colleges to offer tuition assistance or fee waivers.
Mental Health Services
Develop mental health programs specifically tailored to youth exiting foster care or the juvenile justice system.
Increase funding for school-based counseling and mobile crisis intervention teams.
Integrate mental health services into existing community-based programs.
Workforce Development
Launch public-private partnerships to create internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing opportunities.
Offer tax incentives to businesses that hire transition-age youth.
Develop job training programs that align with Louisiana’s key industries, such as energy, healthcare, and technology.
Housing Support
Implement transitional housing programs for youth aging out of foster care or leaving juvenile facilities.
Provide rental assistance and case management to ensure stable housing.
Expand programs like Rapid Re-Housing to include transition-age youth.
Community-Based Reentry Programs
Invest in community-based reentry programs like the Youth Oasis’ Resilient Futures Program, which provides mentorship and skill-building for youth returning to their communities.
Develop peer-led initiatives to foster trust and engagement among participants.
The Importance of Data-Driven Approaches
Utilizing data from KIDS COUNT can help inform targeted interventions. For example, identifying areas with the highest rates of disconnected youth can enable policymakers to prioritize resources where they are most needed. Similarly, analyzing outcomes for youth participating in pilot programs like YVLifeSet can help refine and expand successful models.
Conclusion
Investing in Louisiana’s transition-age youth is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. Addressing the challenges faced by these young people requires a coordinated, data-driven approach that prioritizes education, mental health, workforce development, housing, and reentry programs. By expanding and enhancing targeted programs through the Louisiana Departments of Juvenile Justice and Children and Family Services, the state can empower its youth to achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Injustice of Prosecuting 17-Year-Olds as Adults
Louisiana’s new law, designed to combat teen violence, has once again shown what happens when lawmakers disregard the people most impacted by a law. While lawmakers argue that this law is a necessary response to rising youth crime, the reality is starkly different. A vast majority of the 17-year-olds being swept into the adult court system are not violent offenders. According to recent reports, 69% of the 17-year-olds arrested since the law’s enactment were charged with non-violent crimes such as property damage, minor theft, or marijuana possession(Omaha Daily Record)(Juvenile Law Center). These are offenses typically tied to adolescent impulsiveness and survival rather than criminal intent.
For marginalized youth—particularly Black youth, who make up nearly 90% of those arrested under this law—the consequences are even more devastating. Instead of addressing the underlying causes of these behaviors, such as economic hardship or systemic inequality, this law treats them as criminals before they’ve had a chance to grow through the trauma of living in an environment with little to no protective factors. These young people are denied the protections and rehabilitative opportunities provided in juvenile courts and instead face the life-altering consequences of an adult criminal record.
The case of a New Orleans teen, arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle during a family dispute, underscores the absurdity of this law. In previous years, he would have been handled in juvenile court with a focus on rehabilitation. Now, with an adult charge, his future is shaped by a criminal record, limiting his chances for housing, employment, and stability.
A Contradiction of Pro-Life Values
Louisiana prides itself on its pro-life stance, advocating for the protection and care of young lives. Yet, the passage of this law, which prosecutes 17-year-olds as adults, fundamentally undermines these values. Instead of offering troubled youth the support and rehabilitation they need, the state is now stripping them of their right to growth and recovery.
The juvenile justice system is designed to provide youth with a second chance—a system that acknowledges that youth are still developing the skills that lead to good judgment and focuses on rehabilitation over punishment. Studies show that youth tried in juvenile court are more likely to benefit from programs that are restorative, leading to lower recidivism rates and a greater chance of reintegration into society. This approach aligns more closely with values that prioritize life, opportunity, and long-term success (ProPublica).
However, under this law, 17-year-olds arrested for non-violent offenses are thrown into the adult system, where they face public criminal records and prison sentences that follow them for life. These records severely limit their access to employment, education, and housing—basic needs that are critical to breaking cycles of poverty and crime. For these young individuals, the law represents a life sentence of poverty, homelessness, complex trauma and a host of other societal ills that depress their chance for stability and successful civic participation.
The inconsistency in values is clear: how can a state that claims to protect life deny young people access to the services that could help them build productive, healthy lives? By prosecuting these teens as adults, Louisiana is turning its back on its pro-life promise and, instead, perpetuating a system that sets vulnerable youth up for failure.
Real-Life Consequences for Youth
As a provider in the Youth Services space that manages a transitional living program for 16-21-year-olds, I see firsthand how laws like this leave vulnerable youth without the resources they need to succeed. In our program, we provide critical services—housing, life skills, transportation, and basic needs support—specifically for justice-involved youth. Now, 17-year-olds charged as adults are no longer eligible for these services. Did the taxpayers agree to absorb the financial ramifications of this law?
This means that a 17-year-old, arrested for something as minor as trespassing or theft under $1,000, is now ineligible for non-secure care. Instead of receiving guidance and rehabilitation, they face the cold, harsh reality of adult jail or prison. These young people, who are often still maturing and learning how to navigate life, are denied the support systems that can help them transition into productive adulthood.
Without access to housing or transportation, many of these teens are forced into unstable environments, increasing their likelihood of reoffending. The law essentially abandons them at the exact moment they need help the most. These are not hardened criminals—they are adolescents making impulsive mistakes. But with this law, they lose their chance to learn, grow, and reintegrate into society, which ultimately creates a cycle of recidivism, generational poverty, and disconnection.
The consequences extend far beyond the courtroom. Once these youth enter the adult system, they face lifelong barriers to education, employment, and housing. It’s a system that imposes a punishment that far exceeds the crime. And for youth already facing challenges, such as those who are LGBTQ+ or youth of color, the effects are even more severe.
We’ve Done This Before. It Didn’t Work Then, It Doesn’t Work Now
The long-term consequences of prosecuting 17-year-olds as adults are far-reaching and devastating. Once these young people are thrust into the adult criminal justice system, they lose access to the rehabilitative programs that are proven to help reduce recidivism and support positive development. Instead, they are subjected to harsher sentences, public criminal records, and a permanent label that follows them for the rest of their lives.
Research shows that prosecuting juveniles as adults increases the likelihood of reoffending. Youth who go through the adult system are more likely to commit new crimes, partly because they lack the resources to reintegrate into society after their release.
Instead of receiving education, mental health services, or vocational training, these youth are left with a prison record that blocks access to jobs and stable housing.
There are effective alternatives to this punitive approach. Rehabilitative and restorative justice programs have been shown to address the root causes of youth crime far more effectively than incarceration. These programs focus on providing counseling, life skills, and educational opportunities that help youth make better decisions and build a future outside of the justice system. States that have invested in such programs have seen reductions in youth crime and recidivism.
Louisiana needs to shift its focus away from punishment and toward solutions that support youth development. By providing these young people with the tools they need to succeed—housing, life skills training, counseling—we can help break the cycle of crime and incarceration. This is especially important for vulnerable youth, such as those in foster care, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth of color, who are disproportionately affected by these harsh laws.
We Can do Better by Doing More
Louisiana’s new law does more harm than good. It strips vulnerable 17-year-olds of the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and access the resources that could help them build a better future. As a state that claims to protect life, we must reflect on what that truly means. Rather than funneling teenagers into a system that sets them up for failure, Louisiana should be investing in rehabilitative, community-based alternatives that give youth the chance to grow, reform, and thrive.
We owe it to our young people to be the adults we needed while growing up. We can’t be that if they are behind bars.
As an aspiring small business owner, you’ve been self-funding your vision. You also know that, at some point, you will need to find the right funding to take you to the next level. It is important to start managing your business finances for growth from the beginning. Building your vision includes building a strong financial foundation. You have to position your business to secure funding, and sound financial records are a part of that positioning. In this blog, I’ll show you how to start managing your business finances and provide actionable tips to help you position your business for funding and long-term success.
Understanding Your Finances
Let’s start by reviewing the basics. Before you can effectively manage your finances, it is essential to understand your business’s financial status. This includes your revenues, expenses, profits, and cash flow. You can create a simple spreadsheet to start tracking these expenses. I know a few of you will tell me that you prefer paper and pencil or you have a notebook, however, try and trust me on this – you need a spreadsheet, or at the very least some type of financial tracking system that will compensate for human error. You can try a spreadsheet, like this one. You will need to make a copy to use it. If you are ready to take the plunge with an online system, here is the one I used to get started. It’s free and pretty user-friendly (I’m not affiliated).
If you haven’t opened a business banking account, do that today. It is a mistake to put this off until you have “significant funds or sales”. Start practicing this muscle early and often. Separate and manage your business finances in a separate account. There are plenty of banks that have low opening deposit requirements.
Managing Your Finances
The next step to managing your business finances is to create a budget using the spreadsheet you created in step one. The budget is a financial plan that outlines your expected revenue and expenses over a specific period. It is important to note that the budget I’m referring to here is your working budget, not the budget you created for your business plan. This is where you are going to record what you spend on your business and the amount of money you have invested in your business to cover those expenses.
If you are self-funding your business (and if you are a forced entrepreneur you most certainly are) use this process to manage the integration of your personal life with your business life. Starting a business is a stressful journey and finances will play a large part in that stress. Create a process that helps you manage early financial concerns by determining how much of your personal finances you can comfortably contribute to your growing business. In the beginning, you will want to do this by month to account for unknown changes in your environment. Life is complex and by accounting for these complexities in your budget, you can still grow your business without worrying that you are taking something away from your personal life.
Use the sample budget I linked earlier and put the amount you’ve determined in the first line of the Income section titled “Personal Investment”. Complete the rest of the budget by replacing the sample numbers with your actual numbers.
Positioning your Small Business for Funding
Business funding refers to the financial capital that businesses use to start up, expand, or operate their businesses. There are many different types of business funding, including loans, grants, and investments. Each type of funding has its own set of qualifications and criteria, however, the most important step is making sure your business has sound financial practices.
Why Good Financial Management Practices Matter for Small Businesses
Good financial management practices are critical for any business, regardless of its size. They help you make informed business decisions and ensure that your business remains financially healthy.
But for small businesses, good financial management practices are especially important. This is because small businesses often operate on tight budgets and have limited resources. Without good financial management practices, small businesses are more likely to run into financial problems, which can lead to missed opportunities for growth and even business failure. In addition to creating a budget, here are some other tips to help you position your business for success.
Create a Financial Plan
One of the first steps in good financial management is to create a financial plan. A financial plan outlines your business’s financial goals, strategies for achieving those goals, and the resources required to implement those strategies.
The financial plan is more than a budget. It can help you identify potential funding sources and determine how much funding you need to achieve your goals. It can also help you determine the most effective use of funding and ensure that you have the resources to repay any loans or investments.
Monitor Cash Flow
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Without sufficient cash flow, businesses can’t pay bills, purchase inventory, or invest in growth opportunities.
Small business owners should closely monitor their cash flow to ensure that they have sufficient cash on hand to meet their business’s needs. This means tracking inflows and outflows of cash, predicting future cash needs, and having a plan in place to manage any cash shortfalls.
Small business owners often find themselves bailing out their businesses by covering expenses as they come up. Determining the amount of your personal investment and sticking to that number is an example of monitoring cash flow. The financial plan then helps you identify potential cash flow problems before they become critical and take steps to address them.
Maintain Accurate Financial Records
Accurate financial records are essential for good financial management. Small business owners should keep track of all financial transactions, including sales, expenses, and investments. Simply put, keep track of everything you spend or receive as it relates to your business.
When you have a clear understanding of what’s going in and what’s going out, you can better understand your business’s financial health, identify areas for improvement, and make informed business decisions.
Accurate financial records are also important when seeking funding. Investors and lenders will want to review a business’s financial records to determine its financial health and potential for growth.
Seek Professional Help
You don’t have to go it alone when it comes to financial management. Seeking professional help from an accountant or financial advisor can provide valuable insights into a business’s financial health and strategies for improving it. Learn early that you don’t have to know it all, however, you do need to know how to get the help you need.
Professional help can also be valuable when seeking funding. Accountants and financial advisors can help small business owners prepare financial statements and projections that demonstrate their business’s potential for growth and profitability.
Build a Strong Credit History
A strong credit history is essential for small businesses seeking funding. Lenders and investors will review a business’s credit history to determine its creditworthiness and potential for repayment.
Small business owners can build a strong credit history by paying bills on time, maintaining low credit card balances, and avoiding opening too many new credit accounts at once. They can also establish relationships with banks and lenders to demonstrate their creditworthiness and increase their chances of securing funding.
Diversify Your Funding Sources
Small business owners should not rely on a single source of funding. Instead, they should diversify their funding sources to reduce their risk and increase their chances of securing funding.
Diversifying funding sources can include seeking loans from multiple lenders, seeking investments from multiple investors, and exploring alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding or grants.
By diversifying funding sources, small business owners can improve their financial stability and position themselves for future growth opportunities.
Conclusion
Good financial management practices are critical for small business owners seeking funding. By creating a financial plan, monitoring cash flow, maintaining accurate financial records, developing a budget, seeking professional help, building a strong credit history, and diversifying funding sources, small business owners can position themselves for funding opportunities and take their businesses to the next level.
While implementing these practices may require some effort and investment, the benefits are well worth it. Good financial management practices can improve a business’s financial health, increase its chances of securing funding, and ultimately lead to long-term success.
So if you’re a small business owner looking to position your business for funding, start implementing these financial management practices today. With the right strategies in place, you can achieve your business goals and take your business to the next level.
Accessibility as a Key Component of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become buzzwords in recent years as individuals and organizations strive to create a more equitable and inclusive society. However, accessibility is often overlooked as a critical component of DEI. Accessibility means designing out any unnecessary barriers that make it harder for people to engage and take part in everyday activities. In this installment of DEI Evolved, we’ll explore why accessibility is integral to achieving DEI and how designing for accessibility benefits everyone.
Why Accessibility is Key to Achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
When we think of diversity, we often focus on visible differences such as race, gender, and ethnicity. However, diversity encompasses much more, including differences in ability, age, and socio-economic status. If we design products, services, and environments without considering accessibility, we exclude a significant portion of the population from participating fully in society. When we create barriers, we limit diversity and, by extension, limit opportunities for equity and inclusion.
The Benefits of Designing for Accessibility
When we are designing our business, we often think about the average user. The principles of DEI encourage us to think about the disenfranchised user. Who might benefit from your services if there were no barriers? When we design from that premise, we create business practices that benefit everyone. For example:
Improved usability: Designing with accessibility in mind can lead to better products and services for everyone. For instance, subtitles on videos benefit people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they also benefit anyone who wants to watch a video in a noisy environment.
Increased market share: People with different lived experiences represent an opportunity to increase your business’s market share. By starting with a mind toward inclusivity, your business is primed to evolve as the market evolves, creating a stable customer base.
Enhanced reputation: By prioritizing accessibility, your business can demonstrate its commitment to inclusion and equity, which enhances its reputation and brand image.
How to Design for Accessibility
Designing for accessibility doesn’t have to be complicated. Some essential considerations include:
· Use inclusive language: Avoid using ableist language that may offend or exclude people with disabilities. For example: Instead of saying “wheelchair-bound,” use “wheelchair user” or “person who uses a wheelchair.” Describing someone as “wheelchair-bound” suggests that their wheelchair is a negative constraint on their life, when, it’s simply a tool that helps them navigate the world. Using person-first language, like “person who uses a wheelchair,” centers the individual and acknowledges their humanity.
· Provide alternative formats: Provide alternative formats for information, such as braille, audio descriptions, or transcripts. Start by ensuring that your website is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes using alt text on images, providing closed captions on videos, and ensuring that your website is compatible with screen readers. You can also include a statement on your website that acknowledges your commitment to accessibility and provides contact information for individuals who need assistance accessing your website.
· Don’t forget your policies: Create policies that promote inclusion and accommodation. For example, you can have a policy that allows for reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, or a policy that ensures that your products or services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. You can also train your employees on how to interact with individuals with disabilities in a respectful and inclusive way.
Check out this website for more tips on integrating accessibility in the workplace.
Final Thoughts
Accessibility is a crucial component of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Designing out barriers is essential to creating a more equitable and inclusive world for all. By prioritizing accessibility, we can create better products, services, and environments that benefit everyone, regardless of ability or background.
As individuals, we can start by being more aware of the barriers that people with different abilities face and advocating for more accessible products and services. As organizations, we can prioritize accessibility in our designs, ensuring that we are creating inclusive spaces for all.
In conclusion, designing for accessibility is not only the right thing to do, but it also benefits everyone. By breaking down barriers, we can create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully. Remember that the goal is liberation, and we can’t get free alone.
