50 Ideas to Get Organized andEnjoy Your Scrapbooking Hobby by Maria Gracia Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! Besides being relaxing and fun, it also allows you to be creative and to spend quality time with your family and friends. Plus, it results in a storybook of lifelong memories. One very important element of scrapbooking is getting it all organized. This includes, but is not limited to:
storing all of your supplies in an organized fashion so they can be found instantly when you need them.
remembering what supplies to pick up at the store, and eliminating duplicate purchases.
finding time to research new and creative ways to spruce up your scrapbooks.
finding enough time to enjoy the art of scrapbooking in your busy life.
TELL A STORY. Plan your photos, before you shoot. Instead of taking random shots of someone standing here, or someone else sitting there, tell a story. For example, let’s say it’s Halloween. You may plan on taking four photos of your child:
on the hayride taking him/her to the pumpkin field.
looking for a pumpkin.
finding a pumpkin.
with the carved pumpkin later.
GREAT PHOTOS. Photos for your scrapbooks can be extra nice if you take a little bit of time to learn some basic photography. Getting organized has a lot to do with preparation. Read everything you can from photography sources.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. Organized documentation is important for the serious scrapbooker. The main goal is to eliminate future questions such as "Who or what is that?", "Where and when was this photo taken?", and so on. Click here for a printable Scrapbook Documentation Form to help you document photos as you’re taking them, so you’ll know exactly what is on each roll of film. That way you’ll be prepared when you’re ready to organize the photos in your scrapbooks.
TAKE CARE OF THAT UNDEVELOPED FILM. If you find rolls of film around your house that are ready to go to the developer, bring them today. You may consider mailing all of your film to a supplier such as http://www.yorkphoto.com/ so you don’t have to spend time dropping off film or picking up photos. Simply mail your film out, and you’ll get your photos back in the mail a week later. From now on, always get your film developed as soon as you take the used rolls out of your camera.
STORING PHOTOGRAPHS. Once your photos are developed, you need a place to store them until you’re ready to put them in your scrapbook. Keep them separated by year or event, in Ziplock bags. Label each bag with a number, and put a corresponding number on your Documentation Form. Then, store them in a photo box. Keep the box in a dry, cool place to protect your photos until you’re ready to put the photos into your scrapbook.
ORGANIZING BOXES OF PHOTOS. If you have boxes of photos that span from the beginning of the 1900’s to now, it’s time to start getting them organized. Schedule a day and time to begin sorting through them and stick with your appointment when the day rolls around. Get your kids, or friends, to help out. Begin by making piles, categorized by event or year. If you don’t know the exact year, at least sort them by decade. This may take a little while, but once everything is separated, scrapbooking your photos will be much easier and more pleasant. Once they’re all sorted, store your photographs as mentioned above.
WORK BACKWARDS. If you’re planning to scrapbook lots of photos from way back, start with the most recent photos you have, and work backwards. Chances are, you have a journal describing recent photos, and even if you don’t, you can probably recall the details more easily. Older photos--the ones that you don’t have a journal for--will take a little more thinking.
BABY STEPS. If your scrapbooking hobby seems like a colossal job to you, it’s not going to be fun. Don’t feel like you have to put ALL of your photos into scrapbooks. You can always put the majority of your photos in acid-free photo albums or photo boxes where they will be safe. Choose a small set of photos to begin scrapbooking. Once you’re done with this small set, you can then decide whether you want to dig into your photo albums or photo boxes and continue scrapbooking them, or leave those photos where they are, and simply scrapbook any new photos in the future.
DOUBLE PRINTS. Double prints will do you no good if they’re just sitting in your photo box taking up space. Do something with them. Perhaps send them to someone who is in the photograph. It’s a great way to keep in touch. Or, pass the doubles onto your young children who may like to create their own scrapbooks. It’s a great way for them to learn your beloved hobby and decide if they would like it to be a hobby of their own.
RELATED STUFF. Sometimes, for the purpose of creatively decorating your scrapbook, you may wish to keep tickets, brochures, maps, postcards, and so on, that are related to a particular trip or event. Use manila file folders or catalog envelopes for this purpose. Label the folder/envelope so that you know which photos/Documentation Form it corresponds to. File these until they’re ready to be used.
KEEPING IT ALL TOGETHER. Already have a pretty good idea of stickers, diecuts, etc. that you’re planning to use with a particular set of photographs? Keep them in the same Ziplock bag with the photos until you’re ready to put them into your scrapbook. This way, everything will be in one place and ready to use.
STICKERS AND SHAPES. Stickers and punched shapes can be kept in acid-free sheet protectors, plastic baseball card sheets, business card sheets, or even Ziplock bags that are 3-hole punched. Each sheet should be categorized and labeled by theme: birthday, Christmas, Halloween, wedding, springtime, etc. Insert these sheets into a 3-ring binder. If you have a large number of stickers and shapes, you may want to use index dividers labeled with general categories. For example, a general HOLIDAY category, may hold Easter, Christmas/Hanukkah, Halloween, etc., a general SEASONS category, may hold Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, and so on.
TINY STUFF. For very tiny diecuts and other small items, consider storing then in empty film canisters. The clear ones are best, but if you only have opaque ones, simply stick a label--or the actual diecut attached with a piece of tape--on the canister indicating what is inside. Baby food jars serve the same purpose well.
PAPER. Where do you keep all of that cool paper until you’re ready to use it? You can get a plastic, portable filing container--research its composition to assure archival safety--that holds hanging file folders. Label the hanging files by theme or color. You may want to place a manila file folder into each hanging file folder, to keep your papers from curling. Or, you may buy file folder pockets or sheet protectors that fit into a 3-ring binder and store your papers inside each pocket, categorized and labeled. By the way, be very careful not to store acid-free paper with other paper.
STORAGE CONTAINERS. Do a little bit of research and purchase a scrapbooking organizer, which will hold papers, supplies, etc. There are many products on the market that can help you keep it all together. Many office supply stores carry six-drawer organization stations. They’re vertical and have 6 see-through drawers of equal size. Each drawer can be designated for a different purpose--papers, templates/diecuts, stickers, etc. Plus, they have wheels, which makes them very easy to transport from one room to another. Or, if you often bring your scrapbooking supplies outside of your home, such as to a friend’s house, use a portable system that isn’t too heavy or cumbersome, and comes with a handle.
STENCILS. Put your stencils/templates into sheet protectors that can be purchased at any office supplies store. Then insert them into a 3-ring binder for easy access. By the way, you can store two templates in one sheet protector with a piece of paper in between each--white or colored depending on the color of your template. This will make it easier to see the designs and eliminate them from catching onto each other.
SUPPLY CADDY. If you always scrapbook at home, use a kitchen utensil caddy with a number of divided compartments, like those you normally keep tall kitchen spoons, ladles, and spatulas in. The ones that spin will keep everything you need at your fingertips.
HANG IT UP. If you’re lucky enough to have a room specifically designated for your scrapbooking hobby, hang a large pegboard above your work area. You can then attach scissors, templates, crimpers, rulers, stencils and more, all within easy sight and reach. In addition, you might hang a small ledge or shelf nearby, to store all of your corner rounders, photo corners, and so on. If you prefer everything out in the open, this system will work like a charm.
RUBBER STAMPS. Store rubber stamps in shallow, plastic containers, a rubber stamping organizer, or a plastic organizer with shallow drawers. Don’t stack stamps. They should be stored in a single layer, so that you can always see the top of the stamp showing the design.
OTHER STORAGE IDEAS. Fishing tackle boxes-- with compartments and levels that expand and collapse-- are wonderful for storing scrapbooking supplies and tools. Plastic tool boxes, with many see-through drawers are also great for this purpose.
SCRAPBOOKING MAGAZINES. Is your closet full of scrapbooking magazines? There are a few things to do about this dilemma. 1) You can go through your magazines, find the articles you wish to keep and organize them into file folders by category. In other words, keep the article, toss the magazine. 2) Or you can keep the magazines in cardboard magazine boxes. If you do this, you should always keep a list of the title/issue of the magazine, the pages that interest you, and a few words describing why they interested you. This way, you can just scan your list, instead of going through the entire magazine to find what you’re looking for. You can even use your computer and create the list in a word processing file. Then using the Find feature, you can simply search for key words in your document.
HOLD THAT THOUGHT. Rather than keeping all those great scrapbooking ideas and tips in your head--you know, the ones you pick up from magazines, web sites, etc.-- keep a 3-ring binder with some notepaper inside for all your thoughts and ideas. Plus, when you see something in a magazine, you can simply tear the page out of the magazine, 3-hold punch it, and place it in your binder. The same goes if you see something on a web site that you wish to refer to later; just print it out and insert it into your binder. You can even separate the binder into a few different sections, such as page layout ideas, organizing ideas, neat tools/supplies, etc.
CHOOSE A DESIGNATED WORK AREA. Scrapbooking is more fun and less of a chore, when everything is in one place and in close, accessible proximity to your working area. Designate a room, or a portion of a room, in your home for this activity. You should be able to retrieve your supplies, photos, etc. in seconds, without having to walk into another room, or rummage through a closet.
SHOPPING. Use an organized shopping system so you remember what you want to pick up for your hobby -- scissors, crimpers, papers, etc. This will also eliminate purchasing items that you already have. When you think of something you need, immediately put it on a SCRAPBOOKING PICK UP list, and bring this list with you when you go shopping. Using 3 inch x 5 inch index cards, make examples of your cuts and punches on them. Label and keep them in your day timer, or a tiny 3-ring binder. Bring these cards with you when shopping for scrapbooking items, and you’ll never buy duplicates. This also works great for remembering what color pens/pencils you have. Just draw a line on your index cards and label them.
USE WHAT YOU HAVE FIRST. Resist the urge to buy a million new papers, punches, and so on, until you’ve used some of the craft supplies you already have. Unless you’re planning on opening a scrapbooking warehouse, it’s best to be choosy before emptying your wallet on new items, when you already have items you could use in your current supply.
SHOP ONLINE. You’ll save a lot of time running back and forth to the store, if you commit instead to making your purchases online.
TRADE. If you have something that you haven’t used in a year or more, such as craft scissors, stickers, etc., swap them with a friend. Who knows? Perhaps your friend will find immediate use for this item, and you will get something you can use right now in return.
GOALS. Always set goals for your scrapbooking hobby, perhaps one to two pages a week. This is especially necessary if you’re creating a scrapbook for an upcoming special occasion.
PLAN. Before you start working on your pages, plan ahead. Arrange your photos in chronological order and gather stickers, diecuts, etc. that correspond with your photos. Think about your layout and how you plan to document each photo. This will ensure you’re going to be happy with the final results, and will reduce the need to redo things.
DO THE TWO STEP.
Step One: Assemble your pages with your photos, documentation and critical diecuts.
Step Two: Decorate with stickers, stamps, etc. The two-step process will help you get the critical part (step one) done faster, and then you can continue with the second step (less important) later on.
KEEP YOUR PAGES SIMPLE. Although you may really feel the need for creating a work of art on occasion, if your goal is to get a scrapbook done as quickly as possible, keep it simple. Getting photos and documentation in the album is the main goal. Save your really creative moments for extra special scrapbooking projects. And remember, too much stuff on any one page, takes away from the photos.
QUICK COLOR SCHEMES. Quickly, organize your scrapbooks with colors that compliment each other, by referencing a good color harmony book. You can pick one up at your local bookstore. They include hundreds of color combination examples. Color Harmony, by Hideaki Chijiiwa, is an excellent book for this purpose.
MULTI-TASKING. Looking for a few minutes here or there to catch up on your scrapbooking? Take and make all your phone calls in the same room as your designated scrapbooking work area. Then, while you’re on the phone with your friends or family, you can crop, frame or mount at the same time. Or, instead of making punches when you need them, make a bunch of punches at once while you’re watching television, or are on the telephone, or when you’re waiting for a pot of water to boil. This will save time later because your punches will be ready when you need them.
GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED. Many people like to get their kids involved with the actual project, such as arranging stickers, applying diecuts, etc. If you would rather your kids were not involved with the actual project, give them a project of their own. You can always find a few photos that you’re not going to use in your scrapbook, some inexpensive paper, kid scissors, etc. Then have each child make their very own scrapbook. Either way, the kids will be occupied, which will give you time to enjoy your hobby.
ELIMINATE BICKERING. If you have more than one child that is involved with a scrapbooking activity, get them each their own plastic storage box and/or accordion files to keep their own supplies in. This way, when they want to work on their scrapbook, all of their supplies will already be separated. You may even color code their supplies, plastic boxes, etc. so they always know which stuff belongs to them. For example, blue container, blue scissors and markers labeled in blue for Billy, and all pink for Sally.
FAMILY TIME. Scrapbooking is a great way to spend some time with your family. Get the whole family involved and around the table at the same time. It’s a great time to share ideas and dreams with each other. Can’t seem to get the male family members involved? Perhaps they can sit at the table while the females are scrapbooking, and they could do something they enjoy at the same time. At least everyone will be together and having fun.
TEAM UP. Scrapbooking is a great way to spend time with your friends and catch up with each other. Start a scrapbooking club and meet at each other’s homes one day every few weeks. Make a party of it!
IDENTIFY. The next time you get together with friends, or a scrapbooking club, put a little piece of colored tape on your scissors’ handles, the sides of your punch tools, pens, etc. Then, everyone could share, but you’ll be sure to get your tools back when it’s time to go home.
DON’T TAKE THE KITCHEN SINK. If you’re going to be scrapbooking at a friend’s home, take a few minutes to plan what you want to work on. By doing this, you will only have to carry those supplies you’re going to use. In other words, if you’re going to be working on a wedding theme, there’s no reason to be carrying all of your holiday items with you.
CLEAR THE WAY. If you are spending too much time looking for supplies, background papers, photos, frames, that great rubber stamp and so on, then, it’s time to organize your work station. Declutter and toss out or trade those items you don’t need, you don’t like, etc. Organize your supplies into binders and storage containers. You should always be working on a clear surface, with only the current project in front of you.
CLEAN UP THE SCRAPS. If there is a wastepaper basket right near your work station, all of the scraps that you’re not planning on using can be tossed immediately. Don’t leave trash on your work surface. If you visit a friend’s home, you may want to carry along an empty tissue box so that all scraps can be discarded immediately, and make clean-up for your host quick and easy.
PUT IT AWAY. Always have a home for your supplies, and when you’re finished using them, take a few moments to put everything away. You should be able to start fresh with a clear mind and a clear surface.
BIG ITEM/SMALL ITEM. Never place a big item over a smaller item, because if you do, it will be out of sight, and difficult to find quickly.
ERGONOMICS. Organize your work area for increased productivity. Make sure it’s well lit. Have a comfortable chair to sit on. Your supplies and tools should be within arms reach.
SAFETY. Organize your scrapbooking with safety in mind. Use a protective covering for your table. Craft mats are great for cutting on. Scissors and other sharp tools should be face down in a holder, and out of a young child’s reach.
MAKE IT EASY. Different personality styles require different organization systems. Make sure you use an organization system you can live with--one that works with your style and that allows you to find things without delay. If you find things easier when they’re alphabetized, then use that type of system. Perhaps you’re better at finding things by color. Then use that system. Your organization system must work in harmony with your personality.
DON’T DO SO MUCH. Finding the time for your scrapbooking and/or rubberstamping hobby can be difficult if you have too many things going on in your life. Reduce or eliminate the activities you don’t truly enjoy. Reduce the activities of your children. Get on an organized cleaning schedule, so you’re not wasting the entire weekend cleaning up. Make easier dinners that are healthy, but take half the time to prepare. Get your family to help out with household chores and obligations.
SPARE TIME. Those spare minutes that we all have can be put to good use. Have to wait at the doctor’s office for your appointment? Sketch out a quick layout idea. Waiting for the wash cycle to finish? Sort out some photos, or gather supplies for tomorrow’s scrapbooking project.
WRITE IT DOWN. Don’t ever leave your home without a small notebook in hand. You’re bound to come up with a thought, or a cute caption, for your scrapbook. If you don’t write it down right away, you may forget about it. You may also want to keep a small pad and a pen right near your bedside, in case you have a bright idea in the middle of the night.
ENJOY! Plan, organize and schedule some time to enjoy your creations with family and friends. Scrapbooking is all about fun, laughter, memories, and touching moments!by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web sitehttp://www.getorganizednow.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, June 1, 2008
June 2008 Checklist
____ June 1 Finalize your summer camp plans for the children. Be sure to confirm that all of the required supplies are on hand and that the children are current on immunizations and doctor visits. Just a little bit of advance planning and preparation can make a world of difference when you are packing for that week at camp.
____ June 2 In many parts of the country, swim season is in full swing. Protect your car’s upholstery from wet swimsuits, towels and swimming gear. Keep a plastic bucket in the backseat or trunk of your car. The wet gear can go into the bucket and into the house easily.
____ June 3 Make an extra set of keys to your home and car and leave that set with a neighbor. This way, if you get locked out of your house or car, you will have a set that you can access easily. This should be a neighbor who is generally easy to find at home.
____ June 4 Get together with your neighbors and plan a neighborhood block party. Be sure to check with city officials to make sure you follow all the required rules if you have one large enough to close the street down. Have an assignment sheet of who brings what, and who is responsible for games and such. A teenager or group of teens might enjoy planning activities for the younger children. This is a good way to get to know your neighbors.
____ June 5 Check your propane tank on your barbecue grill for leaks or cracks. If you are in doubt, turn it in and get a new one. No need to try launching an unmanned rocket from your deck!
____ June 6 Are you having problems with household pests? Call in an exterminator to catch the problem early enough so that it doesn't become an ongoing issue.
____ June 7 Are you entertaining out of town guests this summer? Be sure your guest room is ready for guests. Stock up on toiletries, magazines, extra towels and bedding and any other amenities that you think would make your guests more comfortable.
____ June 8 Clean out the fridge to make room for summertime salads. Starting the week with a clean fridge gives you a head start on the week.
____ June 9 Visit a local farmers market. Fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods and craft items are in abundant supply. And after cleaning out the fridge yesterday, you have tons of room for storing your produce purchases!
____ June 10 Do you have a new novel or other book that you just haven't had time to get to? Take a personal day off from work and take your book to the park. Spend an enjoyable day relaxing and reading.
Want tons of great ideas for getting organized at home and in the office? Check out my new books, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home and Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ June 11 Take time to do a mid-year snapshot of your income tax status. Better to find out mid year that you need to make adjustments in your withholding than to pay a penalty on under-withholding in 2009.
____ June 12 Do you have an at home project starting up? Whether it is a DIY project, a decorating project, or you've hired a contractor for renovations, start a project notebook. Keep everything that is related to the project in this notebook; notes, receipts, estimates, appointments, etc. You'll begin your project organized and have everything you need at hand.
____ June 13 Are you having trouble finding room in your closet for hanging clothes? Spend a bit of time decluttering and removing items that no longer fit or haven't been worn in six months, excluding seasonal clothing. Then measure your existing rod and purchase another rod that is two thirds as long as your existing rods. Purchase chain and eye hooks to hang the new rod below the existing rod. You've doubled your hanging space for shorter items and still have room to hang longer items.
____ June 14 Do you find yourself occasionally having trouble finding a location you drive to only infrequently? If you don't have a GPS system, keep a small notebook with directions in your car.
____ June 15 (Father's Day). Have your children been expressing themselves artistically since school ended? Frame their artwork and hang it around the house. Their framed artwork will also make wonderful gifts for Father's Day and other occasions.
____ June 16 Do you find that your answering machine or voice mail fills up with saved messages? Get into the habit of dealing with each message as you listen to it. Write down your message in a phone log that includes the action required and the required date of completion.
____ June 17 Are you feeling like your budget is out of your control? Starting today, keep a log of where you spend money, whether cash, checks, debit, credit or electronic file transfers for bills on autopay. If you do this for 1 week, you will have an accurate picture of exactly where your money goes and how to change habits and spending patterns.
____ June 18 Get into the habit of spending ten minutes before bedtime each evening doing a clutter pickup. You'll wake to less clutter and stress and start your day much less frustrated.
____ June 19 Leaving for vacation? Be sure to stop mail and newspaper delivery. Set up timers for inside lights that mimic your normal patterns for lighting your home. Be sure sprinkler systems are on an automatic timer also. The more normal it looks around your home, the less likelihood that it will look attractive to a burglar.
____ June 20 Visiting a new vacation destination? Check out the website of the Chamber of Commerce for the town you'll be visiting. These websites often have a listing of interesting facts, things to do and places to see at your destination.
Keeping on top of everything going on in your life is easy, when you have the Get Organized Now!™ Easy Organizer. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ June 21 Do you sometimes forget your daily medications or supplements? Buy a daily pill sorter and on Sundays fill each day’s compartment with the pills for that day. Put the sorter in a place where you are sure to see it each day and you won't be as likely to forget to take your pills.
____ June 22 Start your final planning and prep for the 4th of July holiday celebrations. If you are hosting a get-together, finalize with everyone if it’s a potluck. If you are doing all of the prep and serving, start now to do as much ahead as possible to avoid having to do everything at the last minute. This enables you to enjoy your celebration too!
____ June 23 Do you find that you run out of day before you run out of to-do’s? When putting tasks and appointments on your daily calendar, add 25 percent more time than you think it will actually take. This should enable you to complete everything on your calendar and also give you a few minutes of slack time during the day.
____ June 24 Get started now on your Christmas gift list if you haven't already. You'll still be ahead of the rush and will be able to take advantage of sales and bargains without rushing through trying to squeeze it in at the last minute.
____ June 25 Are your cleaning supplies taking over the cabinet where you store them? Pull all of the cleaners out of the storage area and consolidate where you can. Get rid of those you don't use. If you have a multi-story home, keep supplies on each level to avoid many back and forth trips.
____ June 26 Take a mid-week vacation day and spend the day with the kids at a museum, aquarium or exhibit of some kind. Not only will you reap the benefits of a fun day, you'll be building great memories with the kids at the same time. You might even learn something new in the bargain!
____ June 27 Are you finding that you spend each day running from daybreak to bedtime? Take time to go through your daily calendar and pare down the number of commitments you have scheduled. Many of us have activities and commitments that we can eliminate. We are all over-committed and need to reassess where we spend our time.
____ June 28 How long has it been since you took your car in for an oil change. Either call your dealer and schedule an appointment or visit one of the many businesses that offer drive up lube services.
____ June 29 Are you planning many picnics or informal get-togethers this summer? Make sure your supply of disposable plates and cups is sufficient. Nothing worse than running out mid-picnic.
____ June 30 Do you have exposed plumbing areas in your home? Inspect for dampness and mold. If you find any problems, get them corrected now. Mark your calendar to perform this same inspection again in December.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
____ June 2 In many parts of the country, swim season is in full swing. Protect your car’s upholstery from wet swimsuits, towels and swimming gear. Keep a plastic bucket in the backseat or trunk of your car. The wet gear can go into the bucket and into the house easily.
____ June 3 Make an extra set of keys to your home and car and leave that set with a neighbor. This way, if you get locked out of your house or car, you will have a set that you can access easily. This should be a neighbor who is generally easy to find at home.
____ June 4 Get together with your neighbors and plan a neighborhood block party. Be sure to check with city officials to make sure you follow all the required rules if you have one large enough to close the street down. Have an assignment sheet of who brings what, and who is responsible for games and such. A teenager or group of teens might enjoy planning activities for the younger children. This is a good way to get to know your neighbors.
____ June 5 Check your propane tank on your barbecue grill for leaks or cracks. If you are in doubt, turn it in and get a new one. No need to try launching an unmanned rocket from your deck!
____ June 6 Are you having problems with household pests? Call in an exterminator to catch the problem early enough so that it doesn't become an ongoing issue.
____ June 7 Are you entertaining out of town guests this summer? Be sure your guest room is ready for guests. Stock up on toiletries, magazines, extra towels and bedding and any other amenities that you think would make your guests more comfortable.
____ June 8 Clean out the fridge to make room for summertime salads. Starting the week with a clean fridge gives you a head start on the week.
____ June 9 Visit a local farmers market. Fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods and craft items are in abundant supply. And after cleaning out the fridge yesterday, you have tons of room for storing your produce purchases!
____ June 10 Do you have a new novel or other book that you just haven't had time to get to? Take a personal day off from work and take your book to the park. Spend an enjoyable day relaxing and reading.
Want tons of great ideas for getting organized at home and in the office? Check out my new books, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home and Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ June 11 Take time to do a mid-year snapshot of your income tax status. Better to find out mid year that you need to make adjustments in your withholding than to pay a penalty on under-withholding in 2009.
____ June 12 Do you have an at home project starting up? Whether it is a DIY project, a decorating project, or you've hired a contractor for renovations, start a project notebook. Keep everything that is related to the project in this notebook; notes, receipts, estimates, appointments, etc. You'll begin your project organized and have everything you need at hand.
____ June 13 Are you having trouble finding room in your closet for hanging clothes? Spend a bit of time decluttering and removing items that no longer fit or haven't been worn in six months, excluding seasonal clothing. Then measure your existing rod and purchase another rod that is two thirds as long as your existing rods. Purchase chain and eye hooks to hang the new rod below the existing rod. You've doubled your hanging space for shorter items and still have room to hang longer items.
____ June 14 Do you find yourself occasionally having trouble finding a location you drive to only infrequently? If you don't have a GPS system, keep a small notebook with directions in your car.
____ June 15 (Father's Day). Have your children been expressing themselves artistically since school ended? Frame their artwork and hang it around the house. Their framed artwork will also make wonderful gifts for Father's Day and other occasions.
____ June 16 Do you find that your answering machine or voice mail fills up with saved messages? Get into the habit of dealing with each message as you listen to it. Write down your message in a phone log that includes the action required and the required date of completion.
____ June 17 Are you feeling like your budget is out of your control? Starting today, keep a log of where you spend money, whether cash, checks, debit, credit or electronic file transfers for bills on autopay. If you do this for 1 week, you will have an accurate picture of exactly where your money goes and how to change habits and spending patterns.
____ June 18 Get into the habit of spending ten minutes before bedtime each evening doing a clutter pickup. You'll wake to less clutter and stress and start your day much less frustrated.
____ June 19 Leaving for vacation? Be sure to stop mail and newspaper delivery. Set up timers for inside lights that mimic your normal patterns for lighting your home. Be sure sprinkler systems are on an automatic timer also. The more normal it looks around your home, the less likelihood that it will look attractive to a burglar.
____ June 20 Visiting a new vacation destination? Check out the website of the Chamber of Commerce for the town you'll be visiting. These websites often have a listing of interesting facts, things to do and places to see at your destination.
Keeping on top of everything going on in your life is easy, when you have the Get Organized Now!™ Easy Organizer. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ June 21 Do you sometimes forget your daily medications or supplements? Buy a daily pill sorter and on Sundays fill each day’s compartment with the pills for that day. Put the sorter in a place where you are sure to see it each day and you won't be as likely to forget to take your pills.
____ June 22 Start your final planning and prep for the 4th of July holiday celebrations. If you are hosting a get-together, finalize with everyone if it’s a potluck. If you are doing all of the prep and serving, start now to do as much ahead as possible to avoid having to do everything at the last minute. This enables you to enjoy your celebration too!
____ June 23 Do you find that you run out of day before you run out of to-do’s? When putting tasks and appointments on your daily calendar, add 25 percent more time than you think it will actually take. This should enable you to complete everything on your calendar and also give you a few minutes of slack time during the day.
____ June 24 Get started now on your Christmas gift list if you haven't already. You'll still be ahead of the rush and will be able to take advantage of sales and bargains without rushing through trying to squeeze it in at the last minute.
____ June 25 Are your cleaning supplies taking over the cabinet where you store them? Pull all of the cleaners out of the storage area and consolidate where you can. Get rid of those you don't use. If you have a multi-story home, keep supplies on each level to avoid many back and forth trips.
____ June 26 Take a mid-week vacation day and spend the day with the kids at a museum, aquarium or exhibit of some kind. Not only will you reap the benefits of a fun day, you'll be building great memories with the kids at the same time. You might even learn something new in the bargain!
____ June 27 Are you finding that you spend each day running from daybreak to bedtime? Take time to go through your daily calendar and pare down the number of commitments you have scheduled. Many of us have activities and commitments that we can eliminate. We are all over-committed and need to reassess where we spend our time.
____ June 28 How long has it been since you took your car in for an oil change. Either call your dealer and schedule an appointment or visit one of the many businesses that offer drive up lube services.
____ June 29 Are you planning many picnics or informal get-togethers this summer? Make sure your supply of disposable plates and cups is sufficient. Nothing worse than running out mid-picnic.
____ June 30 Do you have exposed plumbing areas in your home? Inspect for dampness and mold. If you find any problems, get them corrected now. Mark your calendar to perform this same inspection again in December.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Sunday, May 25, 2008
7 Tips to Get Organized - From Mr Disorganized Himself
By Roger Elliott, a happy www.mftrou.com client.
Roger Elliott is Managing Director of Uncommon Knowledge Ltd, a small and vigorous team of dedicated people who are really, really pleased he finally got organized.
Recently, my team and I have completed an organizational process that has revolutionized the way we work, and multiplied productivity, focus and effectiveness. Here are my 7 tips for those of you who, like me, thought yourselves terminally disorganized.
1. Write your goals down
Yes I know you’ve heard it before. Now stop nodding knowingly and write them down, all of them, in no particular order. You can prioritize them later. Do this for yourself and get each member of your team to do it too.
2. Write a one page goal plan
Write a 1-year plan containing the title of every goal with who owns it. Make it one page only – if it’s any bigger shrink the font size. You want it on one page so everyone can call it your ‘one page business plan’. That way, it will never feel overwhelming. If there are two many goals for one page, put them into a ‘backburner’ document.
3. Plan and do monthly one-to-ones
Organize monthly one-to-one’s with each member of your team. Put them in the diary now. You will use these to review progress on goals and make sure your team members have everything they need to move forward with their objectives.
4. Plan and do quarterly reviews
Organize quarterly review meetings with your whole team. Each member presents his or her results for the past quarter, and tells everyone what they are going to do next quarter. Store the documents for next time so people know they have to make realistic predictions and live up to them.
5. Reward success
Reward people who do what they say they are going to. Nothing extravagant, just enough to let them know you noticed (a music voucher, a night out), and to let the rest of the team know you’re watching.
6. Set external deadlines
Set external deadlines for yourself, and encourage your team to do so. Points 1 to 5 will accomplish this to a great extent, as everyone knows they are responsible to the rest of the team. Most people would rather avoid the embarrassment of saying to others they've missed goals, and prefer to bask in the glorious sunshine of completing goals.
7. Keep at it
Keep doing it. You will slip. Do not let that discourage you. I promise you, I was the most terminally disorganized team leader before Lyndsay Swinton showed me the light. I will never go back.
Article written for Lyndsay Swinton, 'Management for the rest of us' (>mftrou) Become an experienced manager, overnight!
Roger Elliott is Managing Director of Uncommon Knowledge Ltd, a small and vigorous team of dedicated people who are really, really pleased he finally got organized.
Recently, my team and I have completed an organizational process that has revolutionized the way we work, and multiplied productivity, focus and effectiveness. Here are my 7 tips for those of you who, like me, thought yourselves terminally disorganized.
1. Write your goals down
Yes I know you’ve heard it before. Now stop nodding knowingly and write them down, all of them, in no particular order. You can prioritize them later. Do this for yourself and get each member of your team to do it too.
2. Write a one page goal plan
Write a 1-year plan containing the title of every goal with who owns it. Make it one page only – if it’s any bigger shrink the font size. You want it on one page so everyone can call it your ‘one page business plan’. That way, it will never feel overwhelming. If there are two many goals for one page, put them into a ‘backburner’ document.
3. Plan and do monthly one-to-ones
Organize monthly one-to-one’s with each member of your team. Put them in the diary now. You will use these to review progress on goals and make sure your team members have everything they need to move forward with their objectives.
4. Plan and do quarterly reviews
Organize quarterly review meetings with your whole team. Each member presents his or her results for the past quarter, and tells everyone what they are going to do next quarter. Store the documents for next time so people know they have to make realistic predictions and live up to them.
5. Reward success
Reward people who do what they say they are going to. Nothing extravagant, just enough to let them know you noticed (a music voucher, a night out), and to let the rest of the team know you’re watching.
6. Set external deadlines
Set external deadlines for yourself, and encourage your team to do so. Points 1 to 5 will accomplish this to a great extent, as everyone knows they are responsible to the rest of the team. Most people would rather avoid the embarrassment of saying to others they've missed goals, and prefer to bask in the glorious sunshine of completing goals.
7. Keep at it
Keep doing it. You will slip. Do not let that discourage you. I promise you, I was the most terminally disorganized team leader before Lyndsay Swinton showed me the light. I will never go back.
Article written for Lyndsay Swinton, 'Management for the rest of us' (>mftrou) Become an experienced manager, overnight!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Save a Minute, Gain Hours!
by Maria Gracia
Here are a few ideas that can each help you save a minute a day. Add them up, and that's a lot of time saved each day!
USE ADDRESS LABELS. Stop writing out your return address. Get a set of pre-addressed labels, and use them when sending out cards, bills, letters, etc. In addition, keep some with you at all times. There are going to be occasions when you're in a store and are asked to fill out your name and address on something. Just pull out a sticker and you're done in seconds.
STOP SHARING INEXPENSIVE TOOLS. If you're sharing your scissors, or three-hole punch, with someone in your office, then you're wasting precious minutes walking back and forth borrowing it, and returning it. Save time, and buy one of your own.
TYPE OUT DIRECTIONS--ONCE! If you find yourself wasting time constantly writing out directions to your home or office, type out the directions once, coming from north, south, east and west. Print it out and make copies. Keep them filed in your filing cabinet. Next time someone asks, your directions are ready to mail or fax. They can also be e-mailed if you saved the computer file.
MAKE CHECKLISTS. Make quick checklists for things you, or others, have to remember, and keep these checklists visible. For example, keep voice mail instructions right on the telephone. Affix 'How to Record a Program' instructions, on the VCR. Use a magnet and affix a checklist for the babysitter to the refrigerator. You won't have to waste time explaining what needs to be done.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Here are a few ideas that can each help you save a minute a day. Add them up, and that's a lot of time saved each day!
USE ADDRESS LABELS. Stop writing out your return address. Get a set of pre-addressed labels, and use them when sending out cards, bills, letters, etc. In addition, keep some with you at all times. There are going to be occasions when you're in a store and are asked to fill out your name and address on something. Just pull out a sticker and you're done in seconds.
STOP SHARING INEXPENSIVE TOOLS. If you're sharing your scissors, or three-hole punch, with someone in your office, then you're wasting precious minutes walking back and forth borrowing it, and returning it. Save time, and buy one of your own.
TYPE OUT DIRECTIONS--ONCE! If you find yourself wasting time constantly writing out directions to your home or office, type out the directions once, coming from north, south, east and west. Print it out and make copies. Keep them filed in your filing cabinet. Next time someone asks, your directions are ready to mail or fax. They can also be e-mailed if you saved the computer file.
MAKE CHECKLISTS. Make quick checklists for things you, or others, have to remember, and keep these checklists visible. For example, keep voice mail instructions right on the telephone. Affix 'How to Record a Program' instructions, on the VCR. Use a magnet and affix a checklist for the babysitter to the refrigerator. You won't have to waste time explaining what needs to be done.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Time management 101 – The first lesson: three major principles:
There are millions of websites that you could scour to understand what time management is all about. However, everyone needs a set of basic time management principles that are consistent and complementary on all of these sites. The three major principles of time management are:
1st Principle:
First and foremost, time management is individual to each person. Not two people can handle time in the same way. Therefore, time management needs to be molded according to your personality and attitude. Time is a science, and managing it is an art that needs to be defined by you, and only you.
2nd Principle:
Secondly, time management is an on-going project. Just building your routines and budgeting certain blocks of time for certain tasks and projects does not automatically allow you to be able to manage time. It takes effort and consistency to be able to manage time.
3rd Principle:
Thirdly, and most importantly, it is imperative to change. You will have to change yourself, your habits, your attitude and your mindset regarding time management. The lifelong principles inculcated in you would have to be left behind and new principles will have to be adopted. Therefore, open your mind and let the change, change you.
1st Principle:
First and foremost, time management is individual to each person. Not two people can handle time in the same way. Therefore, time management needs to be molded according to your personality and attitude. Time is a science, and managing it is an art that needs to be defined by you, and only you.
2nd Principle:
Secondly, time management is an on-going project. Just building your routines and budgeting certain blocks of time for certain tasks and projects does not automatically allow you to be able to manage time. It takes effort and consistency to be able to manage time.
3rd Principle:
Thirdly, and most importantly, it is imperative to change. You will have to change yourself, your habits, your attitude and your mindset regarding time management. The lifelong principles inculcated in you would have to be left behind and new principles will have to be adopted. Therefore, open your mind and let the change, change you.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
May 2008 Checklist
____ May 1 Today is National Day of Prayer, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Ascension Day. Use this day as one of contemplation and reflection.
____ May 2 Pick your ROTM (Room of the Month) to work on. Which room deserves your special attention for the month of May? Just a little bit each day will make an enormous difference.
____ May 3 Plan your meals for the next week. Be sure to leave one night for leftovers.
____ May 4 Been a while since you changed your toothbrush? Pick up a new one for each member of your family.
____ May 5 Go buy yourself new undergarments. Toss anything older than a year and freshen up your wardrobe.
____ May 6 Bathroom looking a bit dark? Consider replacing your shower curtain and bathmat with a nice bright, cheery, summer color.
____ May 7 Check if your car is ready for an oil change. If it is, schedule an appointment.
____ May 8 If you're thinking of having a Memorial Day get-together, make an invite list and a game plan.
____ May 9 Pick up some small herb pots at the local garden center. With a little sunshine and a sprinkle of water every other day, you'll have wonderful flavors for all of your recipes.
____ May 10 Toss all of last year’s sunscreen and buy a new batch. Sunscreen doesn't last more than a year and you don't want to take a chance with skin cancer.
Want tons of great ideas for getting organized at home and in the office? Check out my new books, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home and Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ May 11 Today is Mother's Day. Do something special today in celebration of mothers around the globe.
____ May 12 Check all of your clocks in the house to be sure that they are all running on the same time.
____ May 13 Pull out all of your shoes. Look for any that need to be cleaned or polished. Toss any that are no longer looking their best.
____ May 14 Check your BILLS TO BE PAID file. Make sure to pay anything that’s due or overdue. Schedule payments for anything coming due. If you're in a financial bind, call the creditor and try to work out a payment plan. The worst thing you can do is pretend it will go away.
____ May 15 Overdue for a haircut? Treat yourself to a smart, new look for summer.
____ May 16 Have an email backlog? Delete at least 10 percent today. Dump anything not important--such as the piles of jokes and other forwards you've received.
____ May 17 If you have photos sitting on a camera memory card that you haven't downloaded, get them into the computer, erase the card and put it back into the computer fresh, empty and ready for your next batch of photos.
____ May 18 If you have children who will be home over summer vacation, start a binder full of ideas. You can include information on places to visit as well as a listing of fun crafts and games.
____ May 19 Get your summer wardrobe out of storage and pack most of your cold weather stuff away. Give it a chance to air out before wearing.
____ May 20 Clean out your car. Empty out both the interior and trunk of anything you don't absolutely need.
Keeping on top of everything going on in your life is easy, when you have the Get Organized Now!™ Easy Organizer. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ May 21 Check the outside exhaust vent for your clothes dryer to be sure it’s not blocked with lint. It can cause a dangerous situation if not unobstructed.
____ May 22 Check through your pantry to see if any of your staples such as flour, sugar or rice need to be refilled or purchased.
____ May 23 Today marks the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend--a time of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Take a few moments today to remember our military service people, both those who have passed on, and those currently serving their countries.
____ May 24 Empty out part of your TIVO or DVR. While you're ironing or catching up on other chores, treat yourself to some entertainment and declutter your recorded backlog at the same time.
____ May 25 Pick one surface such as the dining room table, coffee table, desk or kitchen counter that needs to be cleared off and take care of it.
____ May 26 Make 3 phone calls that you've been procrastinating on and check them off your list.
____ May 27 Challenge yourself to do 3 loads of laundry from start to finish. Wash, dry, fold and put away.
____ May 28 Check the batteries in all of your flashlights.
____ May 29 Jot down 6 things you'd like to accomplish this year--one for each month. See if you can make a plan to fulfill them.
____ May 30 Take a quick peek through your fridge and toss any thing that’s not fresh.
____ May 31 Bring your car to the car wash or have it detailed.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
____ May 2 Pick your ROTM (Room of the Month) to work on. Which room deserves your special attention for the month of May? Just a little bit each day will make an enormous difference.
____ May 3 Plan your meals for the next week. Be sure to leave one night for leftovers.
____ May 4 Been a while since you changed your toothbrush? Pick up a new one for each member of your family.
____ May 5 Go buy yourself new undergarments. Toss anything older than a year and freshen up your wardrobe.
____ May 6 Bathroom looking a bit dark? Consider replacing your shower curtain and bathmat with a nice bright, cheery, summer color.
____ May 7 Check if your car is ready for an oil change. If it is, schedule an appointment.
____ May 8 If you're thinking of having a Memorial Day get-together, make an invite list and a game plan.
____ May 9 Pick up some small herb pots at the local garden center. With a little sunshine and a sprinkle of water every other day, you'll have wonderful flavors for all of your recipes.
____ May 10 Toss all of last year’s sunscreen and buy a new batch. Sunscreen doesn't last more than a year and you don't want to take a chance with skin cancer.
Want tons of great ideas for getting organized at home and in the office? Check out my new books, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home and Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ May 11 Today is Mother's Day. Do something special today in celebration of mothers around the globe.
____ May 12 Check all of your clocks in the house to be sure that they are all running on the same time.
____ May 13 Pull out all of your shoes. Look for any that need to be cleaned or polished. Toss any that are no longer looking their best.
____ May 14 Check your BILLS TO BE PAID file. Make sure to pay anything that’s due or overdue. Schedule payments for anything coming due. If you're in a financial bind, call the creditor and try to work out a payment plan. The worst thing you can do is pretend it will go away.
____ May 15 Overdue for a haircut? Treat yourself to a smart, new look for summer.
____ May 16 Have an email backlog? Delete at least 10 percent today. Dump anything not important--such as the piles of jokes and other forwards you've received.
____ May 17 If you have photos sitting on a camera memory card that you haven't downloaded, get them into the computer, erase the card and put it back into the computer fresh, empty and ready for your next batch of photos.
____ May 18 If you have children who will be home over summer vacation, start a binder full of ideas. You can include information on places to visit as well as a listing of fun crafts and games.
____ May 19 Get your summer wardrobe out of storage and pack most of your cold weather stuff away. Give it a chance to air out before wearing.
____ May 20 Clean out your car. Empty out both the interior and trunk of anything you don't absolutely need.
Keeping on top of everything going on in your life is easy, when you have the Get Organized Now!™ Easy Organizer. Now available in both print and digital PDF format.
____ May 21 Check the outside exhaust vent for your clothes dryer to be sure it’s not blocked with lint. It can cause a dangerous situation if not unobstructed.
____ May 22 Check through your pantry to see if any of your staples such as flour, sugar or rice need to be refilled or purchased.
____ May 23 Today marks the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend--a time of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Take a few moments today to remember our military service people, both those who have passed on, and those currently serving their countries.
____ May 24 Empty out part of your TIVO or DVR. While you're ironing or catching up on other chores, treat yourself to some entertainment and declutter your recorded backlog at the same time.
____ May 25 Pick one surface such as the dining room table, coffee table, desk or kitchen counter that needs to be cleared off and take care of it.
____ May 26 Make 3 phone calls that you've been procrastinating on and check them off your list.
____ May 27 Challenge yourself to do 3 loads of laundry from start to finish. Wash, dry, fold and put away.
____ May 28 Check the batteries in all of your flashlights.
____ May 29 Jot down 6 things you'd like to accomplish this year--one for each month. See if you can make a plan to fulfill them.
____ May 30 Take a quick peek through your fridge and toss any thing that’s not fresh.
____ May 31 Bring your car to the car wash or have it detailed.
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!™
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now!™ Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now!™ Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Too Busy Getting Organized?
Too Busy Getting Organized
© 2002 Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting
This wildly busy world places a high value on organization. If you appear to be organized you're held in high regard. Desk free and clear? Calendar clearly marked? Latest in organizing gadgetry on hand? You must know what's happening and how to get things done.
It's true … organizing does add value. It saves time (less searching and scrambling for information). It conserves money (less cash wasted on supplies buried too deeply to find). It minimizes effort (less backtracking when running errands or delegating tasks).
Still, it is possible to spend so much time getting ready that you never quite deliver the goods. When it comes to the world of organization, there is a point of diminishing return.
Making a list is useful. Making a list look pretty is overkill.
Separating high from low priorities is helpful. Setting perfectly ordered priorities through the use of complex mathematical formulae calculated to three decimal points is absurd.
Sorting paperwork and supplies for easy access is a real timesaver. Maintaining perfectly manicured files and lining up pencils so the erasers all point in the same direction chews up time that could be spent getting the job done.
Keep the potential return on investment in mind as you go about your daily work.
If you're setting up a new system to handle paperwork or tasks, don't feel that you have to integrate the current backlog. Create the system now. Use it to handle tasks that come in from here forward. The leftover items from the past will eventually work their way through and you'll have experienced the advantage of a new system sooner rather than later.
Be smart about the papers you choose to file. When the most current version of the information is regularly posted to a website, toss the paper, bookmark the URL and put the internet to work as your filing system.
If someone else in your organization is the official manager of back issues or archives, resist the urge to create your own. Don't save, organize and file information that is already maintained by someone else. Not sure who's saving what? Adopt the ‘you make it, you save it' rule. Everybody else can toss with abandon.
Not sure if there is anything of value in that stack of paper growing in the corner of your office? If you've not dipped into it for weeks, the chances of any of it being needed are slim. You could live dangerously, take a chance, and dump it now. Or you could make a time saving compromise. Box it up. Note the contents on the end (i.e.Unsorted Papers - July - Dec, 2000). Give it a future kill date (i.e.- Toss after June 30, 2001). Store it in an out of the way location where you will be able to do a search if it becomes necessary. Toss on the kill date, freed from investing the time to sort.
Don't assume that you must have every single detail of a project organized before you begin. Many times the work teaches you as it unfolds. Begin, adapt and reorganize as you go along.
Remember…prolonged prep is not performance.
Patricia Katz, MCE CHRP, works with the overloaded and overwhelmed to accomplish what matters most and find more peace of mind in the process. Based in Western Canada, this speaker and author of three books specializes in productivity and perspective. To bring Patricia’s expertise to your organization, call toll free (877-728-5289).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: You are welcome to reprint or repost this article with the understanding that: 1) Optimus Consulting retains full copyright. 2) Contact information is included as it appears at the end of the article. 3) Patricia Katz of Optimus Consulting is contacted and sent a copy of the publication or notice of the link in which the article appears
Taken From: http://www.patkatz.com/articles/a-toobusy.shtml
© 2002 Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting
This wildly busy world places a high value on organization. If you appear to be organized you're held in high regard. Desk free and clear? Calendar clearly marked? Latest in organizing gadgetry on hand? You must know what's happening and how to get things done.
It's true … organizing does add value. It saves time (less searching and scrambling for information). It conserves money (less cash wasted on supplies buried too deeply to find). It minimizes effort (less backtracking when running errands or delegating tasks).
Still, it is possible to spend so much time getting ready that you never quite deliver the goods. When it comes to the world of organization, there is a point of diminishing return.
Making a list is useful. Making a list look pretty is overkill.
Separating high from low priorities is helpful. Setting perfectly ordered priorities through the use of complex mathematical formulae calculated to three decimal points is absurd.
Sorting paperwork and supplies for easy access is a real timesaver. Maintaining perfectly manicured files and lining up pencils so the erasers all point in the same direction chews up time that could be spent getting the job done.
Keep the potential return on investment in mind as you go about your daily work.
If you're setting up a new system to handle paperwork or tasks, don't feel that you have to integrate the current backlog. Create the system now. Use it to handle tasks that come in from here forward. The leftover items from the past will eventually work their way through and you'll have experienced the advantage of a new system sooner rather than later.
Be smart about the papers you choose to file. When the most current version of the information is regularly posted to a website, toss the paper, bookmark the URL and put the internet to work as your filing system.
If someone else in your organization is the official manager of back issues or archives, resist the urge to create your own. Don't save, organize and file information that is already maintained by someone else. Not sure who's saving what? Adopt the ‘you make it, you save it' rule. Everybody else can toss with abandon.
Not sure if there is anything of value in that stack of paper growing in the corner of your office? If you've not dipped into it for weeks, the chances of any of it being needed are slim. You could live dangerously, take a chance, and dump it now. Or you could make a time saving compromise. Box it up. Note the contents on the end (i.e.Unsorted Papers - July - Dec, 2000). Give it a future kill date (i.e.- Toss after June 30, 2001). Store it in an out of the way location where you will be able to do a search if it becomes necessary. Toss on the kill date, freed from investing the time to sort.
Don't assume that you must have every single detail of a project organized before you begin. Many times the work teaches you as it unfolds. Begin, adapt and reorganize as you go along.
Remember…prolonged prep is not performance.
Patricia Katz, MCE CHRP, works with the overloaded and overwhelmed to accomplish what matters most and find more peace of mind in the process. Based in Western Canada, this speaker and author of three books specializes in productivity and perspective. To bring Patricia’s expertise to your organization, call toll free (877-728-5289).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: You are welcome to reprint or repost this article with the understanding that: 1) Optimus Consulting retains full copyright. 2) Contact information is included as it appears at the end of the article. 3) Patricia Katz of Optimus Consulting is contacted and sent a copy of the publication or notice of the link in which the article appears
Taken From: http://www.patkatz.com/articles/a-toobusy.shtml
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