Lori Vande Krol - Life Made Simple, LLC

06/01/2026

😵‍💫Feeling overwhelmed? The best thing you can do for yourself is to pause and take a moment to revisit your priorities.

The following 5 steps can quickly reframe your mindset and your day.

1️⃣ Write down everything that's on your mind. Put them in categories if you can.

2️⃣ If anything on your list can be done by someone else, put an arrow next to it with that person's name (or a task to research someone who can help).

3️⃣ Cross off anything that does not support your mission, vision, and goals.

4️⃣ Review what remains and add target dates. What should be done today, this week, or at a future time? Don't put off the "important but not urgent" tasks or projects. While these don't typically have external deadlines, if they support your goals, then they are important.

5️⃣For the current week's tasks, schedule them into your calendar or planner.

I guarantee that taking this time to review and reset will reduce your stress and give you more control over your time and your priorities.

➡️Looking for a tool to help you do this regularly? Check out the ProAction Planner. It provides the space to make this process a habit, reducing overwhelm and stress daily and allowing you to focus on what really matters. Find it at www.ProActionPlanner.com

🙋🏼‍♀️If you would like some coaching and support to live and work more intentionally, reach out! I assist busy professionals in person and virtually to manage time, space, and information.

05/14/2026

💥New Blog Post Alert!💥

Paper clutter may not seem like the biggest office challenge anymore, but for many businesses and households, it still creates significant stress, wasted time, and unnecessary cost. Even in today’s digital world, the “paperless office” remains more of a goal than a reality.

In my latest blog, I share a practical 5-step approach to creating a near-paperless environment without feeling overwhelmed. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s creating systems that reduce clutter, improve efficiency, and make information easier to access and manage.

Key highlights include:
✔️ Simple ways to reduce incoming paper and automate processes
✔️How to define what “paperless” should realistically mean for you
✔️Recommended tools and systems for scanning and digital storage
✔️ A practical action plan for decluttering and digitizing documents
✔️ Tips for maintaining a sustainable paper management system long-term

🔗 https://www.alifemadesimple.com/paperless-office/

💬 Comment or message me for your free Office Clean-Out Day Checklist!

05/06/2026

I don't love mornings, but meeting my friends and fellow business owners at Moxie makes it better! 🌞

Thanks to the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce for offering this monthly opportunity and specifically today to Jen from for her amazing "Give + Get Think Tank" facilitation on revenue roadblocks. It's all about understanding your customer, keeping things simple, and knowing and showing your value.

I have a lot of tips, tools, and new ideas to think about.

04/24/2026

🎉 Congrats to our winner!🎉

Lexi won our drawing for a FREE 2-hour Email Management Power Session at the Womens Empowerment Event this week! 💥

In this value-packed 2 hour session, Lexi will learn how to use the ART methodology to create systems to simplify decision-making, clear the inbox, and be confident that tasks and emails won't be lost.

📨 If you are overwhelmed by email, I'd love to help you as well! Reach out or schedule your email power session here: https://bit.ly/4d3NhYP.

04/22/2026

I had a great morning as an exhibitor and attendee at the Womens Empowerment Event, sponsored by . We heard from many great speakers in a beautiful setting at .

04/10/2026

🥴Feeling overwhelmed by A.I.?
🤔Not sure whether to love it or hate it?

You are definitely not alone. A.I. has been on my mind a lot because I think it could help humans to do so many great things - better and faster. BUT, it also carries a lot of risk.

I created the A.I.M. Model(TM) as a small way to help users be more intentional and responsible in their use of A.I. I'd love to know what you think.

Want to dig in a little more? Take a look at my latest blog at:
🔗 alifemadesimple.com/blog.

04/02/2026

Artificial Intelligence has been on my mind a lot lately. Everywhere we turn, there’s either a new tool promising to make our work faster, easier, or more successful, or a doomsday headline on how it's going to ruin the world.

But instead of debating whether AI is good or bad, I think we should be asking a better question: How do we use it responsibly?

In my latest blog, I take a different approach to the AI discussion - focusing on how each of us can play a role in using AI responsibly to minimize risk and increase its potential to truly add value.

https://www.alifemadesimple.com/ai_isnt_the_enemy/

Artificial Intelligence has quickly become one of the most debated topics in business and society. I believe the conversation we should really be having is this: “How do we use AI responsibly in ways that advance the greater good?”

02/27/2026

📧Email Management Tip!📧

For many busy professionals, the most overwhelming type of information to manage is email. The first step in attacking the email beast is to reduce what is coming in.

💥One quick action you can take immediately is to create a separate Gmail account you use when an email is required for non-urgent actions such as online orders, subscriptions, and memberships or in-person purchases. Below are some added tips for setting up and managing this account:

📨Keep this email address simple so it is easy to provide verbally if needed.

📨There is no need to organize or clean this "junk" inbox. If you need a receipt, coupon, or want to check on a prior order, just search. You can periodically delete older emails if space is an issue.

📨A built-in Google function will periodically ask if you want to be removed from mail lists that you haven't opened in a while. A quick click takes care of unsubscribing for you.

Your new "junk" email account will allow you to keep your work and important personal accounts clear of unneeded clutter, allowing you to focus on what matters most. 🎯

What more email tips and strategies? My 2-hour, virtual Email Management Power Session is one of my favorite services to offer.

🔗Reach out for more info or schedule a session at linktr.ee/lifemadesimplepro

02/25/2026

I am excited to be participating in a panel at the Entrepreneurs of Iowa Gala and Conference on Saturday in Des Moines. My panel will discuss "Scaling Fast and Intentional."

You know I am all about living and working intentionally! I will be sharing tips from a productivity preparation standpoint - what can you think about and put in place BEFORE scaling to make the process go as smoothly as possible?

The conference features...

4 keynote speakers:
• Reid Wilson - Founder of Vast Network & Elevate One
• JJ Hardy - Founder of Victory Leadership Coaching
• Lisa Behrends - Founder & Owner of Intentional Connections
• Elijah Bluhm - Founder & CEO of Entrepreneurs of Iowa

3 panels:
• Leaders of Iowa
• Overcoming All Obstacles
• Scaling Fast & Intentional

And dinner and networking with entrepreneurs from around the state.

Consider joining me this Saturday at Hotel Fort Des Moines!

Learn more and register here for a discount ⬇️⬇️
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneurs-of-iowa-winter-gala-business-conference-event-tickets-1981462914918

02/19/2026

I recently had an uptick in sales of the ProAction Planner and always search to see what caused it - maybe a mention in a news article or podcast.

When I searched, I noticed that Google's AI function put together a pretty nice summary of the planner and related ProAction Process. Nice to see the accuracy and attribution!

If you'd like to learn more about living and working more intentionally (from a real, live person 😉), I'd love to chat!