If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick the kids up from soccer practice, or lost a sticky note with an important phone number on it, this is your year to get organized. There is no better time than now to recommit ourselves to bringing some order to the chaos that is our modern lives.
Admitting that your memory is not as good as you think it is is the first step down the road that will eventually lead to a more organized, more productive you. Below is a discussion of a few of the Do and Do Nots of personal organization - they are tried and tested, so do yourself a favor and trust me on the Do Nots. Try all of the Dos until you find the best system that works for you, then stick with it.
Do NOT write things on your hands. This system may have worked well in high school when you had a relatively blank calendar of events to remember. However, in the adult world you will lose a lot of respect if you have phone numbers tattooed all over the back of your hand.
Do write it down. The best way to remember something is to write it down precisely so that you will not have to remember it. You can write that meeting time and place down on a blank calendar, record a phone number straight into your phone or rolodex, or keep a notebook where you record all of your assignments and tasks. The most important thing to remember when trying to get your life organized is to write it down!
Do NOT rely too heavily on sticky notes. Despite the modern technological innovations that gave us mobile phones, hand-held computers, and high-speed internet, science has still failed to provide us with sticky notes that actually stick. Besides, they are too easily lost and tend to clutter up workspace. They are great for taking temporary notes from phone calls or quick conversations, but any important information should be transferred to your blank calendar or planner.
Do find a system that works for you. There are plenty of options out there for people looking for an organizational system to help them get control of their lives. Because I spend the majority of my time in my office, I find that simply printing a blank calendar that I can keep close by works well. Others use traditional day planners or PDAs to keep track of appointments and to-do lists. Software is available that enables you to keep track of everything on your computer - something that is especially handy for students or professionals who have a lot to keep track of and who have to spend their time constantly on the go. If you try one system and it does not seem to work for you, try another option until you find one that does.
Do NOT expect others to keep track of your schedule for you. At the end of the day, you are responsible for what you did and did not get done. Take responsibility for the time you have and get the most out of it. Watch others who seem to be good at staying organized and try to do what they do. Take the initiative to follow the guidelines in this article and get organized.
Do make getting organized a priority. It is not easy, but it is definitely worth it. Most people are already so busy that they barely have time to eat during the day. Ironically, spending more time organizing and thinking about your day will save time in the end. And natural laws of entropy dictate that you are going to have to put in a little energy to bring order to your days. With so many other things demanding your attention, making your calendar a priority will mean it actually gets done, rather than just another unchecked item on your daily to-do list.
Do NOT give up. Getting organized is a habit, and like any other good habit it is going to take time to become a permanent part of your life. You may do great one week and completely lose it the next. Just regroup and recommit yourself each Monday morning to take your calendar by the reins and make the most of each day. We all have 24 hours each day to do all that is required of us - getting organized will determine in large part how much we are able to get done each day.
Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For organizational software that includes a 10x marketing, check out 10x marketing.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove .."I find it interesting that the very cape I tried... Read More
Many of us spend long hours at our desk. To... Read More
Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More
Do you wish you could work less and play more?... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
Handle small emergencies fast: When a small emergency does pop... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More
How do you manage your time? Or is the more... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Ever feel that you spend too much time shoring up... Read More
How many times have you remarked to someone that there... Read More
From Potential to PerformanceOne of the great things about life... Read More
Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I... Read More
It is not enough if you are busy. The question... Read More
Get a grip. Is it possible to manage time? Can... Read More
How can you get an extra hour out of each... Read More
You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More
Fitting an education into a busy lifestyleMany people have aspirations... Read More
Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More
The concept of Mercury Retrograde is very well known even... Read More
It is common knowledge that creating and living according to... Read More
Still awaiting the birth of my baby (I am overdue),... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Are you drowning in a sea of unread papers? Do... Read More
Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More
Last week I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More
What keeping time really means is...being on time!You know, there... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Do you have plenty to do, but don't have enough... Read More
What would you say to me if I told you... Read More
Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More
* spreading yourself too thinTaking on too many things at... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
A simple kitchen gadget is transforming my life. I don't... Read More
I have a habit of sending a thank you letter... Read More
Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More
Number Yourself: Count yourself as an important individual. You are... Read More
It's 6:00 a.m. I'm awake. I'm pumped! I'm ready to... Read More
In this digital age, the importance of being able to... Read More
Balancing a family's varying schedules can be near impossible. Soccer,... Read More
Your time and energy are the two most precious gifts... Read More
At Home? Keep related items together, for example the coffee... Read More
Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More
Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More
Time Management |