In 2011, when I was only 4 years into entrepreneurship, I was eager to learn as much as I could so I attended a conference in Atlanta that was organized and hosted by the NAPO Georgia chapter of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. You’d be shocked by the number of folks I met during that one-day event with whom I’m still connected… As I was meeting new people, I chatted with a fellow graduate of Wake Forest University who shared my passion for psychology and belief in continued learning, not to mention how we also discovered that we are Kappa Alpha Theta sisters. We clicked immediately, and I remain inspired by all that Melissa Gratias attacks with passion, grace, intelligence and courage. Industrial and Organizational Psychology was always my favorite class as a psychology major, and that is precisely what Melissa does every single day. I feel such synergy in how our brains work, and I love reading all the research that Melissa shares across her social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

About Melissa Gratias

Dr. Melissa Gratias is a productivity specialist who was not born organized. She became organized. Melissa graduated from Wake Forest University using a weekly calendar and earned a Ph.D. while working full-time as a corporate executive. Melissa decided that other businesspeople shouldn’t have to struggle with productivity like she did, so in 2007 she opened her consulting firm. Since then, she coached and trained thousands of professionals to be more effective at work. Her latest and bestest venture is The Crazy Productive Academy, an online Hogwarts that helps people find balance and success through community, education, and Magic 8 Balls.

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Melissa Gratias

How would you describe the company you founded and its products?

Crazy Productive helps overworked, overwhelmed people feel focused, balanced, and successful. We offer transformational one-to-one productivity coaching, over 25 live training courses, and a fun and comprehensive online academy.

Why did you start your company?

I began my work as a productivity coach and speaker in 2007 after about a decade in corporate HR. I had struggled tremendously in my early career to juggle my work tasks and responsibilities as a parent.

Then…BOOM! I decided that productivity is a skill set, not a personality trait. I learned the skills, I tailored them to my work style and environment and felt in control of my work for the first time ever.

When I was finally able to breathe, I looked at my coworkers and realized that so, so, so many of them were struggling, too. So, I quit my upwardly mobile corporate job to help other overwhelmed professionals be more effective in their work and kinder to themselves.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

The people! As a Doctor of Psychology, I have always been passionate about helping people make leaps in their lives. What has given meaning to my work are the clients who experience radical transformations in how they work, and more importantly, how they feel about themselves.

About what are you most proud?

That I have so few repeat clients!

When I check back with clients I worked with a decade (or more) ago, they still report that they apply the systems they learned and still experience the benefits.

Those with whom I do repeat work have typically experienced major job or life changes that necessitated tweaks to their productivity systems.

FYI, this is a terrible, terrible business strategy! 😊

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

I was not born organized at all. According to every personality test known to psychology, I am a flighty, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants optimist who thinks planning is for fools who don’t like surprises. I detest making decisions because variety is FUN!

Note to the reader: Please refer to the “productivity is a skill set” realization above.

I am not married to specific productivity tools because a car is only as good as its driver. My favorite productivity skills include:

• Using verbs in every task subject

• Assigning progress dates to tasks (not fake deadlines)

• Firing yourself from the job of remembering stuff

• Teaching one’s kids to manage their own darn calendars from an early age

• Delegating early and often

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

Please be kind to yourself. The more you try to “beat yourself into submission” with productivity tools, the more you will avoid said tools because they make you feel horrible.

Take baby steps.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

I believe that a client should start with the tools they already have as part of their work. If they work in a Microsoft environment, they can use Outlook Tasks, OneNote, Calendar, etc. If Google, we can try the native productivity tools there first.

Only introduce more complexity to your tech stack if you must.

How do you feel about work / life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

Don’t try to separate work and life…you are one person. I recommend keeping ONE calendar and ONE task list.

About what causes are you most passionate?

I am passionate about equity and fairness in the way that our government operates, in how companies make decisions, and in how we treat our fellow humans.

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

Meditation. Focusing on my breath is a massive anxiety reducer. I love the Calm App because it helps me stay focused on the present while being kind to myself.

What is your favorite author / book?

My family loves the Harry Potter series, particularly the audiobooks read by Jim Dale. Our dog is named Dobby, and we planned an entire trip to Europe because my husband scored tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London’s West End. We’re kind of nuts for ‘arry.

What are your favorite inspirational quote?

From Beauty and the Beast:

Gaston: Lefoux, I’m afraid I’ve been thinking.

Lefoux: A dangerous pastime!

Gaston: I know.

What is your go-to accessory?

A sports bra.

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

Watching Dermatologists’ YouTube videos, trying too many products at once, and getting mad at the zit on the end of my nose.

What is your favorite food?

Chicken Francese at Provino’s Italian Restaurant

What movie could you watch on endless loop?

Forrest Gump. Definitely.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

I had a summer job in Paris during college. Living there was as wonderful as you can possibly imagine. I enjoy revisiting the city as well.

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?

In Flagler Beach, Florida, almost all restaurants and stores are locally owned. I love it! Here are my favorites:

Restaurant = Flagler Fish Company

Store = Hammock Thrift Shop
Craft brewery = Coquina Coast

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Flying. Or teleportation. Or both. Is both an option?

What advice would you give your 21-year old self?

Darlin’, you are not responsible for the happiness of other people.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

Maya Angelou. I would just want to listen to her read poetry to me. She had the most melodious voice.

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