About Me

I was not born organized or productive.

<gasp>

I became organized and productive through years of self-education and trial-and-error early in my career.

<sigh>

I learned that productivity is a skill set, not a personality trait.

 

I graduated from Wake Forest University using a weekly calendar and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.  But even more than my 25+ years of corporate and small business management experience, being a mom has taught me the importance of being organized, setting priorities, and balancing work and life.

In 2007, it occurred to me that other businesspeople shouldn’t have to struggle with getting organized like I did, so I quit my corporate job and hung out my shingle as a productivity coach, speaker, and writer. Since then, I have helped thousands of businesspeople nationwide maximize their effectiveness, balance their priorities, and generate outstanding results.

Here are some things that I love:

  • My family (of course – all else pales in comparison)
  • Helping overworked and underappreciated people (this is my business after all)
  • My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (his name is Dobby)
  • That my husband does all the grocery shopping (I cook the food)
  • Outlook Tasks (sometimes Trello)

I dislike raw onions and the feeling that I may have let someone down.  I believe that perfectionism is a key cause of disorganization, and I blame my ridiculously unattainable desire to be perfect for the struggles I often have to manage my time and not overbook myself.  Yes, even organized folks have these struggles.

If you are still reading, then it’s probably time to stop.

Still here?  Hey, how about we connect on LinkedIn?

Okay, it is really time to stop.

…but make sure you sign up to get my blog in your inbox before you leave.

 

Melissa Gratias, Ph.D

Melissa Gratias, Ph.D

Dr. Gratias is a productivity specialist who finds life-affirming messages in Muppet movies and Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes.  Despite being a time management expert, she can’t read analog clocks well at all.  Follow @melissagratias on Instagram, but don’t ask her what time it is.

What do people say about working with me?

I have been very satisfied with Melissa’s work on the two occasions that I hired her, but most significantly the last time when I was taking over as head of my division. Her advice on organizing my ... Read More

General Counsel

Melissa delivered a 4-hour productivity workshop to our management team, focused on time management and Outlook productivity tips. She is informative, engaging, funny, and she really, really knows Out... Read More

Tim Schoap, Training Manager
Southern Champion Tray

“How do you feel your 13 scheduling systems and to-do lists are working for you?” This was one of the first observations/questions asked when Melissa Gratias spent 4 hours in my office evaluating t... Read More

Bob McWilliams
Mass Mutual

The most beneficial/valuable thing that I learned was that all of the paper is not needed, we have just been taught that way. A paradigm shift is needed to enhance our ability to be resourceful instead... Read More

Compliance Manager

Melissa is a high energy consultant who will assist you in maximizing your potential through tested organizing techniques. Her efforts have assisted me with better project organization and time manage... Read More

Privacy Manager