12 Simple Ways to Organize
Admit it! Sometimes you can be overwhelmed by seemingly endless streams of paperwork and wonder if you will ever be able to organize it all. Emails or Ezines that you want to keep, ideas you found on the Internet, school papers, notes of ideas that popped into your head as you waited to have a tooth filled, newspaper clippings... You just file and file and file and then forget where that ONE article was that you needed to complete the project that was due last week! Phew! It is all very tiring.
Being a list person is a great help. If you are busy juggling a 9 to 5 work life, family time, a home-based business and taking care of your household, as well as having a number of hobbies -- well its time to start thinking about becoming a list enthusiast. Time to simplify your life!
WE ALL SEARCH FOR GOOD WAYS TO ORGANIZE OUR LIVES.
For all of the super-busy people in this world, there are a number of very clever and yet simple ways to help organize your life and keep your sanity.
1) Use Notables: Keep a small notebook and pen handy. Take it wherever you go and then just jot down ideas or appointments or things to do instead of trying to remember them and then forgetting them later on.
2) Use Good Telephone Habits: Establish a time limit for each telephone call and make sure you tell your caller. That way you save yourself lots of stress from trying to end the telephone call. This will also aid your caller in condensing the information they want you to hear. This one sounds meticulous but is a major saver.
3) Use Waiting Time: The next time you visit your dentist, meet with your boss or while waiting for your dinner to cook, take the time to catch up on reading or planning. When that is done use, the time to sort, tidy or just think.
4) Give Thanks: The next time someone helps you out with something, be sure to offer praise. This can be to a subordinate, co-worker or to a member of the family for any effort you have noticed. They will be happy to help you again, next time you need them.
5) Do it Now! Do not allow for the luxury of procrastination. If you do, this will only stress you out when you think about that hateful "to do" item on your list. You will end up blowing your to do list right out of proportion and it will become almost impossible to accomplish. Start by tackling the largest or most disliked job first, dividing it up into manageable tasks. At this stage, the other jobs will be a breeze!
6) Administrate Chores: Delegate those tasks that you have no time for or team up with someone who can help you most.
7) Make a Group Effort: Save time and footwork by collecting everything to bring with you to complete errands or to distribute in each room of the house instead of making too many trips. Make a fast list while planning out your route and be sure to plan each stop along the way so you do not have to backtrack and lose time.
8) Schedule in Some Fun Time! Take the time just for YOU. Allot some time in your agenda and even make an appointment for yourself and keep it, even if it's only a leisurely 30 minute bubble bath or a 20 minute walk in the fresh spring air!
9) Make More Space: Go through your entire file system and then weed out any old unneeded files to free up space in your filing system.
10) Deal with it Only Once: Handle each letter and each piece of paper only once. Read it and file it, redirect it to somewhere else, schedule it in your day planner or toss it. Do not add it to a never-ending pile on your desk in hopes that you will get to it eventually. You WILL NOT!
11) Be your own Post-Master: Use those handy sticky notes to write errands needed to be done. Stick them to your front door or your fridge, to remind you as you are headed out. These work great!
12) Be your own Systems Engineer: You simply find there is too much time wasted every day on searching for things. Find a new system that works for you and your lifestyle and then apply it to absolutely everything! Use it like clockwork and you will find new time slots you never thought existed!
Use visual reminders for remembering your goals.
Point Drawer
It is not something created for you, I know you might think that others control your life, and that you are not in control, but that just is not true.
Create a launch pad area where you keep your to do list, returns & receipts, directions, and anything else you will need for your day. Keep under your sink. Use it like clockwork and you will find new time slots you never thought existed! It's all there without any effort on their parts, and they dont have to earn a thing. So instead of managing it, we must manage ourselves and use our time well. They are the ones you would call on first when you need help to get something important done.
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