January is Get Organized Month and even though it’s the last day of the month, there’s still lots you can do in the upcoming days and weeks to make good on your goal to get more organized.
To help you along, I asked several pro organizers and productivity experts to share some of their favorite tips…great for you DIYers. Check them out below…and click here, here, and here (and here, too) to see past tips.
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1. 
Melanie Dennis Keep computer passwords organized by using an address book. Gather all those post-its stuck on the computer and in the desk drawers and enter them — A for Amazon, B for Barnes and Noble and so on. Great for children and older adults. With so many people going paperless on investments, it will be important to those handling estates to be aware of your accounts. I feel better knowing that my husband could close accounts and my website if anything happens to me.
2. 
Cris Sgrott-Wheedleton A good daily routine is the most critical step in being organized.
3. 
Naomi Seldin Organize things in a way that makes sense to you where you can see them. I don’t keep everything I own out in the open, but I try to organize as much as I can this way because a) I’m a visual person, and I find it a lot easier to find things I need quickly when I can see them, and b) It reinforces to me how much I have and keeps me from acquiring more than I need.
4. 
Janice Simon Write it down! Get it out of your head.
5. 
Janet Barclay As you add new items to your to do list, organize them according to type of task (e.g., phone call, email, online, errands, etc.) rather than general categories such as client, marketing, personal, home and so on. You’ll be much more productive when you focus on one type of activity at a time instead of popping from one to another throughout the day. It will also give you a better idea of how much time you’re spending on those activities and help you plan your schedule more accurately in the future.
6. 
Brandie KajinoWhen choosing a technology tool, make sure you think before you click. Consider the cost, learning curve and easy of use. What’s right for another person may not be right for you. Take your time, and pick a tool that will work for you long term. Choose wisely and make the tools work for you!
7. 
Sandy Jenney When sorting use Black trash bags for trash & white trash bags for donate. So you won’t accidentally mix them up.
8. 
Julie Bestry Follow the Ice Cream Rule! When you return home with groceries, you immediately put ice cream away in the freezer to keep it from becoming a melted, sticky mess. By putting away the ice cream, you’ve followed a basic rule of organizing: “Don’t put things down; put them away!” Treat each thing you bring into your home…and eventually, each item you endeavor to organize, as if it had the potential to create the same sticky mess as melted ice cream. Teach the metaphor to your family or housemates so that you can encourage one another to “put away the ice cream”
“In our 24-7 connected world, work life can definitely creep into personal life, but Americans may becoming a little too attached to their smartphones. The 5th Annual National Staples Small Business Survey found that 60 percent of small-business owners spend more time holding their mobile devices than they do hold their significant other’s hand.”
Read More:
Survey Says: Americans Are Literally in Love with Their Smartphones | AOL.com | 1.19.11
OTR friend and co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, Nick Friedman, explains several ways entrepreneurs can hang on to their sanity.
As an entrepreneur, maintaining balance and sanity while setting, meeting and exceeding personal and professional goals can be astruggle. I have been fortunate enough to pick up a few simple rules and techniques that allow me to avoid fatigue and maintain my focus. Co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, Omar Soliman and I recently published our first book, Effortless Entrepreneur, in which we illustrate the path we took to reach entrepreneurial success.
Entrepreneurship is an adventure that requires discipline, willpower and intelligence. In our book, we describe 10 business commandments we followed that guided us during the 5 years we have spent developing College Hunks Hauling Junk.
Here are what I consider to be the top 5 keys to maintaining my entrepreneurial sanity:
1. Never sacrifice health, family or friendships for business reasons. Everyone should sign off on this before embarking on the wild voyage of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs tend to stay “on the clock.” Most stress comes from what we call “small business-itis”– feeling overwhelmed and inferior to other businesses — usually triggered by financial or operational issues.
2. Mistakes are problems only if you don’t learn from them. Don’t set mistakes aside and hope they won’t happen again. When something fails, we try to discover why, how we can prevent the mistake from being repeated, and anticipate similar issues that could arise. Thomas Edison said of his failures, “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.”
“You can’t do it alone. Find exceptional people and put them in a position to succeed.”
3. Create effective systems to keep your business on track and enable individuals to succeed. Many small-business owners don’t understand that people don’t fail. It’s the system, or lack of a system, that causes failure. The ideal business can take the least qualified employees and put them in positions to do the most productive work.
4. Work ON the business from the outside, not IN it. A great entrepreneur builds systems to run the business as if it were a machine, and stands over it instead of being ground up in it’s gears. A business owner grows the business. A self-employed person works in the business to generate income.
5. Develop staff, client, and community loyalty. To generate any sort of employee loyalty, a company culture must be created where employees feel smart, valued, and important. A company culture is the heartbeat of any organization. At College Hunks Hauling Junk, we believe our employees come first. In addition, we believe in wowing clients. You want to leave them marveling about the level of service your company delivered from start to finish.
I believe that habitually following even just one of these practices will radically transform your abillity to maintain balance and focus in your life, both personally and professionally. Keep in mind that you can’t do it alone. Find exceptional, intelligent and passionate people to fill your organization and put them in the position to succeed.
Then, you won’t have to barely keep your head above water, you’ll just float.
About the Author
Nick Friedman is the Founder and President College Hunks Hauling Junk. He grew up in Potomac, MD and attended Sidwell Friends High School. Nick, along with classmate and friend (now co-founder and CEO) Omar Soliman, had the idea for College Hunks Hauling Junk. After college, Nick took a job as a research analyst with the International Monetary Fund. Although he worked the business evenings and weekends, he soon found the office job mundane and within three months emailed Omar ready to pursue College Hunks Hauling Junk full-time. What began as one beat up cargo van has turned into over 33 franchises across the US, a fleet of over 50 trucks, 30 corporate employees and over 100 employees system-wide.
Connect with Nick: Effortless Entrepreneur | Web | Twitter | Facebook | E-Mail
For years, I was a huge Blackberry fan. Then, I crossed enemy lines and jumped on the iPhone bandwagon. Loving it! I manage my calendar, contacts, blog ideas, and more with my phone. I would be lost without it, even for a couple of hours. Well, I’d get by but I wouldn’t be happy.
There is a gadget that can help you remember to take your phone with you: ZOMM Wireless Leash. Simply connect your car keys to ZOMM and it will use Bluetooth® to let you know when you get too far away from your phone (20-30 feet) by flashing, vibrating, and sounding an alarm.
Think about it – as you open the front door without your phone, ZOMM starts blaring and gets you to reunite with your device. Isn’t that nicer than being blocks away and suddenly realizing that you have to turn around?
ZOMM can also be used as a speaker phone for hands-free talking. So, no more digging in your purse to answer that ringing phone. Answer it with ZOMM. The device also acts as panic alarm and lets you dial emergency assistance. There’s no software to download or monthly fees.
What’s not to love? I don’t have one myself, but from some of the reviews I’ve read, battery life may be an issue along with random alarms. Test it out to see what you think, but find out what the return policy is just in case you need to send it back. If you try it out, please leave a comment with your review. Price: $79.99
Check out this video by ZOMM CEO, Henry Penix (whose wife is the co-founder), to learn more.
Getting organized is not a one time deal. It’s a continuous process of maintenance and if you build up a success routine, you’ll never again sweep anything off the table into box that ends up in a closet. No more rushing around to “pick up” when someone visits unexpectedly.
There are quick things you can do in five minutes, some in ten, and others that will take more time. The key is making sure they get done regularly. Here are three things you can put on your weekly to do list.
1. Get the Junk out of Your Trunk. Take a couple minutes each week to clear out any trash, business cards, shoes, books, toys, diapers, etc. lying about your car. Add a trunk organizer for stuff you carry around often and a bag to collect garbage.
2. Get Clothes Happy. You know those clothes hanging on the chair in your bedroom or the ones in danger of becoming one with your carpet? Put them back in the closet, on a hook, or throw them in the laundry.
3. Get Your Ducks in a Row. You could line up all your kids’ toys in a nice, neat row, or you can look ahead to see what the coming week will bring. Don’t let your to do’s get the drop on you. Start a list and pick your top two or three priorities. Make a plan and work it.
What’s on your weekly to do list?
Do you watch detective shows? Not just Law and Order (love Stabler and Benson), but those reality TV shows where the detectives tell you how they finally solved that crime and caught the killer. I watch those shows. I’m intrigued by how law enforcement and forensics experts piece together all the minute details to solve cases.
I’m impressed by how organized those detectives are and how they work together to get the job done. But, I’m also amazed (not in a good way) that the bad guys are pretty organized themselves. I watched one program where a serial rapist kept all his tools together in a bag in the trunk of his car. He was a planner. He was careful. He picked his victims strategically. He made them take a bath after the ordeal was over. He took the sheets and all evidence with him.
There were others who even eluded capture for 30 or more years. Some spare your life but try to take your money. All of it. A couple years ago, Chris Hansen of MSNBC investigated people who try to con Americans into giving away their life savings. They’re smart and they get away with it.
Is that just luck? Seems like they don’t need any, which means that the rest of us need to be prepared. Maybe I watch too much TV and you can call me paranoid, but it can’t hurt to do everything we can to prevent the bad guys from getting another win…especially since they’re so great at planning and executing.
Do the Basics
Ok, folks, you know the drill. Get an alarm system and keep your doors and windows locked. Here are a couple more that you’ve probably heard before…
1. Be alert. Look around and be aware of your surroundings. A little hard to do if you’re always on your cell phone chatting away, so keep that in mind.
2. Have your keys out and ready to use. Don’t fumble around at your car or house door looking for them. That’s just enough time for someone to get the jump on you. Once inside, lock the door straight away.
3. Those dark, lonely alleys. Don’t go down them. Even if it will get you to your destination quicker. Remember Jack the Ripper? He liked dark alleys. Can you tell that I watched a profile of Mr. Ripper recently?
4. Travel in a pack. You don’t need a huge entourage, but you, by yourself, that’s a no-no.
And, Do a Little More
5. Take a self defense class. Why not take a class? You’ll get a little exercise and learn a few self-preservation skills.
6. Get a pet. You’d be surprised how even the smallest pet can deter someone who wants to get up close and personal with your valuables. A barking dog can send that person away quickly.
7. Install automatic light timers. These timers will turn lights on at random times, so it will look someone’s home when even when no one is.
8. Get a bodyguard. Ok, just kidding. =) …at least try #4 first.
“We know that multi-tasking, shallow breathing, pre-occupation, physical side effects of stress (heartburn, stomach upset, headaches and shoulder tension are a few of the more mild side effects) and anxious thinking will decrease your effectiveness and productivity exponentially. Did you know that you could regain as much as 40% of your time by decreasing your stressful multi-tasking habits?”
Read More:
Decrease Stress, Increase Productivity | Inc.com | 11.15.10
Need a little pick me up? …a little something to help you get up and go or get stuff done? Today’s guest blogger, Kim Starry, shares how she stays motivated.
We all have experienced it, times we are discouraged or maybe even depressed. Times we need to be motivated to make it through the day. We may find it hard to motivate ourselves. I learned early in my adult life that I could either be discouraged and depressed or find a way to rise above it.
I was a young Navy wife and mother of two young children far away from my family with a husband who was frequently out to sea. I realized I could find tools to overcome those feelings and motivate myself. I then found myself being the designated cheerleader for other Navy wives, helping them through the difficulties of deployments and the stresses that long separations could bring to family life. I found my motivation through the writings of people like Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, Martin Luther King, Jr., and most importantly, the Bible. I found myself pulling their quotes and saving them in a file for just the right situation. I knew that every quote I saved at some point would help somebody at just the right time.
Fast forward many years and along comes social media such as Facebook and Twitter, once again another wonderful opportunity to pull those quotes out and share them with friends, colleagues, and people around the world that I have never and will never meet. Some days when I may be feeling a little overwhelmed with life, it is so uplifting to receive a note saying, “Hey I was having a bad day and that quote you posted was just what I needed to hear.”
“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” ~James M. Barrie
It makes my day to know that a quote that I posted has touched someone in a special way, helped them if only slightly make their day just a little brighter. While there can be some negative things out there on the internet, I have found that sharing motivating goals has been noting but positive. I have received only nice, uplifting notes from many people, some of which have evolved into friendships. I find it amazing how something that started out as a way to help me get through a lonely day and be the best mom and wife I could be, all of those years later is still not only motivating me, but many others too.
I’m often asked “What is your favorite quote?” It’s almost like asking a mom which child is her favorite. Well, not quite, but I have so many favorites it’s really hard to pick just one or two. My favorite quote is which ever quote I just read or the last one that I posted. If you would like to read my quotes, please feel free to follow me on Twitter at KStarry. If you have ways that you motivate others I’d love to hear it. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011.
These are a few of my top picks from some of the quotes that Kim has posted on Twitter. ~Deb
» “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to always try one more time.” ~Thomas Edison
» “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” ~Henry Ford
» “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” ~Jim Rohn
» “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ~Albert Einstein
» “Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.” ~Maya Angelou
» “Obstacles are the things we see when we take our eyes off our goals.” ~Zig Ziglar
» “If you really want to improve your life, learn to laugh.” ~Tony Robbins
About the Author
Kim Starry is the owner of the Virtual Transcription Team. She started her business in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and today, she lives in Orlando with her husband along with her dog Maggie. Business is thriving providing transcription services for businesses in the social media industry as well as for college professors and market research firms. Stay tuned in the first quarter of 2011 for the roll out of exciting new services.
Connect With Kim: E-Mail | Blog | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
If you spend a lot of time sifting through voicemails, you know it can be frustrating and time consuming…and you need to have a paper and pen handy to write all the info down. You can recapture a little time by reading your messages instead. Here are four ways you can do that.
1. PhoneTag. Get your messages sent to you via e-mail or text message. Works with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and other mobile providers. Added bonus: unlimited voicemail storage.
2. Jott. We already know that Jott is great for reminders and capturing to do’s. Just like PhoneTag, Jott will deliver your messages to your phone or e-mail box (or you can use the web interface), and works with several carriers. You can also set reminders to call back anyone who’s left you a message. Try it free for a week to see if you like it.
3. Google Voice. Voicemail messages are automatically transcribed so you can read or search for them (just like you would with e-mails). That search feature comes in handy if your want to share a voice message. After logging into your account, search for the message and then simply e-mail it. Watch the video below for more info.
4. Callwave. Get your messages on your smartphone, inbox, or on the web. Choose between three plans: Pro, Exec, and Business depending on the volume of messages you normally receive. Works with iPhone, iPad, and BlackBerry. Try it free for 14 days.
Are you battling piles and piles of mail? You can get out from under all that paper by setting up a dedicated mail station. It will be time well spent and give you one specific location for all things mail.
Here are a few basic things you’ll probably need, but feel free to add all the things you like to have on hand when you’re going through mail. If you have everything you need, you’re less likely to get distracted and more likely to completely process your letters.
• Clear surface for processing mail (preferably a desk and not the kitchen counter)
• Basket or bin for incoming mail
• Shredder
• Garbage bin
• Recycling bin
Other things you might need…
• Letter opener
• Stamps
• Return address labels
• Pens and Sharpies
• Desktop Scanner (scan then shred – check with your tax advisor before shredding financial paper)
Read More: Mail Control in 3 Easy Steps
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