Some people love to make "TO DO" lists. But some of those list makers just make lists and never actually "DO" anything on the lists.
Making lists makes those people feel like they have accomplished things - but they really haven't.
Writing things down is a pretty powerful tool. It makes things "real". But you have to actually "DO" what's on the list to be able to say that "you accomplished something".
This might sound silly and very "basic" to a lot of people - but I have run across many people that never get past "the list".
So step back and ask yourself - "are you ever really going to (accomplish this task)"? If you really know you have no intention of completing the task - or really don't have the time - Don't put it on the "TO DO" LIST.
Maybe you could make a "I'll have someone else do it" list!
Being honest with yourself (and your spouse) will save you a lot of time and aggravation. And it will make your list a lot shorter.
Remember - after you write it down - the next step is "DOING IT"!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Organizing Your Life
People seem to think of organizing as something that you do to "things", but you can also "organize your life". Just like having an organized room, having an organized life definitely reduces your stress.
You don't have to go overboard and have every detail of your personal life organized and outlined in your "Franklin Planner", but by knowing what you are going to do and what you have to accomplish you will be more productive and less stressed. If you want to have a great weekend or a great vacation they need to be planned out. If you want to have a great "date" it needs to be planned out.
By taking charge of your life and treating it as something that is just as important as your job and by giving it the same thought and careful planning, you will function better and there will be fewer "surprises".
Planning and organizing your life instead of leaving it to chance also means that you are in better control of our finances, which in turn helps to alleviate stress.
So take some time for yourself and think about how in control you are of your life. Write down all of the things that you feel you are "not in control of". Number them in order of importance. Then write down some ideas on how you might want to change those things.
It can be as simple as coming up with a calendar that everyone in your family uses so that you know what everyone is doing. Or scheduling extra travel time for your appointments so that you aren't always running late and getting stressed. Or taking some things off of your schedule so that you aren't over scheduled and have more time for your family.
You can also think about re-organizing some of your routines to make your day run smoother. Things such as "getting your next days clothes ready the night before". This gives you more time in the morning and reduces your stress in having to make decisions while everyone is trying to get out of the door.
Or how about making a list of all of the errands that you have to do during the week and planning your trips so that you aren't backtracking from one side of town to the other.
There are a lot of ways that you can "organize your life" and make your life run smoother. Just take it one step at a time and you will soon be on your way to a "more organized you".
Happy Organizing !
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
You don't have to go overboard and have every detail of your personal life organized and outlined in your "Franklin Planner", but by knowing what you are going to do and what you have to accomplish you will be more productive and less stressed. If you want to have a great weekend or a great vacation they need to be planned out. If you want to have a great "date" it needs to be planned out.
By taking charge of your life and treating it as something that is just as important as your job and by giving it the same thought and careful planning, you will function better and there will be fewer "surprises".
Planning and organizing your life instead of leaving it to chance also means that you are in better control of our finances, which in turn helps to alleviate stress.
So take some time for yourself and think about how in control you are of your life. Write down all of the things that you feel you are "not in control of". Number them in order of importance. Then write down some ideas on how you might want to change those things.
It can be as simple as coming up with a calendar that everyone in your family uses so that you know what everyone is doing. Or scheduling extra travel time for your appointments so that you aren't always running late and getting stressed. Or taking some things off of your schedule so that you aren't over scheduled and have more time for your family.
You can also think about re-organizing some of your routines to make your day run smoother. Things such as "getting your next days clothes ready the night before". This gives you more time in the morning and reduces your stress in having to make decisions while everyone is trying to get out of the door.
Or how about making a list of all of the errands that you have to do during the week and planning your trips so that you aren't backtracking from one side of town to the other.
There are a lot of ways that you can "organize your life" and make your life run smoother. Just take it one step at a time and you will soon be on your way to a "more organized you".
Happy Organizing !
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, June 4, 2012
End of School Organizing
School is about to end for most schools. Kids will be cleaning out their lockers and bringing home - well, lots of stuff! Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like Tupperware!
They will also be bringing home lots of papers and other things that they have cleared out of their lockers, maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway where they came in. And drive you nuts in the process.
So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!
First, throw out all of the garbage.
Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...
Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.
Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as Art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade).
Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicate when you get the rest of their school supplies.
Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).
The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!
Have a great summer!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
They will also be bringing home lots of papers and other things that they have cleared out of their lockers, maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably just dump it all in the hallway where they came in. And drive you nuts in the process.
So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!
First, throw out all of the garbage.
Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...
Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.
Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as Art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade).
Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicate when you get the rest of their school supplies.
Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).
The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!
Have a great summer!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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