Meet the team

Who We Are

Miki Giurescu – PAST Executive Editor

What first got Denis, Florina, and I together was a shared thirst for crossing the boundaries of our minds, a need for taming the wild nature of our moods and emotions. Frustration, fear, stress, procrastination, poor communication skills, an untrained memory, an inability to focus, is what we’re set on debunking.

Humor, relaxation, a good physical condition, a great breathing plan – as over the top as it may sound –  are just a few of the measures we’ll put forward straight off the bat. And no stone is to be left unturned in this long journey towards reaching a higher performance.

These people’s work has guided me throughout the years and I highly recommend them: David Burns, Paul McGhee, Susan Jeffers, Mircea Miclea, Michael A. Salinger, Simon Sinek, Byron Katie, Mihaela Miroiu, Paul Arden, Ryan Holiday, the list can really go on for ages, honestly. For productive people work is never done, is it? I’m also a really big fan of what Jonathan Levi, Evan Carmichael and Goalcast are doing with their amazing teams.

Personal disclaimer:

Even though I have a formal education (an MS degree) in clinical psychology, psychotherapy and psychological counselling, I’m not an expert by continuous training – a requirement for all professionals of this field. I don’t work as a psychologist. BUT the advice provided to you will be a summary of the best and latest clinical studies, expert trainers, and last but not least, our own testing.

Sgarbura Denis – PAST Marketing Specialist

Four years ago I was miserable. I had a poor mindset.

As soon as I realized I had a choice, I decided to change.

At first, I started to experience new things and to learn more about people, from people. I’ve started to read about our ways of communicating, our fears and desires, pet peeves, our basic psychology.I thought it was enough, but it wasn’t.

Then, I realized that I wanted to do more, to inspire people and help them get over the same obstacles I faced. I’ve decided to become a leader. But to be able to do something for others, I had to work on myself first.

I believe all you need is someone who understands you, who has walked in your shoes, and is there to guide you through this challenging, but very rewarding process.

At least, that’s what I needed (I still do).

In a nutshell, I’m a work in progress (we all are) and I’m proud of it. I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m always willing to walk the extra mile.

Here are a few books that totally changed the way I think and act:

Outwitting the Devil, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Who Moved My Cheese?, and Flowers for Algernon.

Florina Ionescu – PAST Content Specialist

Hello! I’m Florina and I’m passionate about personal development and growth, personality traits, and all things related. When I’m not working on improving myself, I enjoy hiking in the great outdoors, reading, watching movies, and taking care of my indoor garden. But my strongest passion will always be self-help.

I’m not an expert in these things, but I have thoroughly researched the topics throughout the last few years as I’ve been struggling with beating procrastination and being productive AND creative at the same time.

The following resources had the biggest impact on me:

• Marshal Rosenberg’s non-violent communication – a true gamechanger for those struggling to get their point across and develop genuinely meaningful relationships at work and in their personal life. This video stands as a great introduction to the whole concept, and this workshop, albeit older, is one of the most comprehensive resources on the matter.

• Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence – a highly educational read – yet lighter than you’d expect.
• Nathaniel Branden’s Six Pillars of Self-Esteem – a timeless resource that everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY should read, no matter how high or low your self-esteem is.

I initially got the idea for this website after being stuck in a rut with a new project at work. I’ve searched the web for a reliable yet approachable resource on self-help but struggled to find all the information I needed in one place.

I wanted a website that would make me a better communicator, an efficient thinker, a more reliable coworker, and a better friend and while I have found some great resources online, they all seemed to lack something.

After absorbing all the information I needed to help myself and realizing how radical the change was, I decided to try and give something back so I started the Iwanttobeproductive.com website.

Claire Newton – Contributor

Based in Northumberland in the UK, Claire Newton is director of Creatively Conscious, a company which aims to empower people to think creatively using fresh and dynamic techniques to get the most from their work and life.

Claire has over 15 years of experience in arts and project management, working across the cultural and heritage sector and is a personal development coach/mentor for creatives and artists.

Claire lives with her partner who is a Movement Coach and is mum to a four-year-old boy. They are a slow lived family and recognize the beauty of time spent outdoors, enjoy taking care of their five pet chickens and walks along the beautiful Northumberland coast.

Enthusiastic about yoga, meditation, and mindful crafts, Claire is currently exploring the art of bookmaking using a variety of binding techniques and runs regular workshops on wellbeing and productivity in North East England.

Claire writes a blog about a conscious and sustainable approach to pushing creativity underpinned by wellbeing and her personal work and life balance. She is a fan of tagging the sparkles in life and looking for the bright spots of connectivity.

Erin Clark – Contributor

Erin is a productivity expert from Wisconsin who has been writing online for more than four years. On her blog Refined Revelry she helps women reach their goals by teaching them how to manage their time, their money, and their lives.

Erin became passionate about productivity and time management when she graduated college and began running her blog alongside her full-time job. She was struggling to create balance in her life, and knew her readers were likely dealing with the same struggles.

In addition to writing about productivity, Erin runs an Etsy Shop where she sells personalized notepads to help people get organized and manage their time.

When she’s not writing, Erin can usually be found reading personal development books (you can find a few of her favorites here) or binge-watching TV with her boyfriend and dog. Erin also loves to spend time outside hiking, biking, or trying new restaurants in town.

Erin also loves to travel and is constantly dreaming of and planning her next adventure.

Follow Erin on Instagram to get more daily tips on productivity and personal development, as well as behind-the-scenes shots of her life.