Yesterday, the hubby and I watched an amazing and awe-inspiring program on NatGeo - Witness: Tornado Swarm 2011. It was shocking that a record number of tornadoes occurred in April 2011…folks, this was just last month and over 300 people were killed.
So, I turned to my husband and said: “I don’t think we have everything in place if there’s a tornado in DC.” It might seem unlikely that we’d get a tornado here, but there are other things we should get ready for. We get storms all the time and it seems like the weather has turned on its ear lately.
Are you ready for any emergency? You can be by checking out Ready.gov. This site can help you to:
1. Create an emergency supply kit.
2. Create a family emergency plan.
3. Be informed about several types of disasters and threats.
Do you already have a kit and an emergency plan? How long did it take you to pull it together?
Read More About Emergency Preparedness
Memorial Day is a holiday for those of us in the United States. We’re taking a break at OTR and hope that you’re having great times wherever you are…and that you’ll take a few minutes to check out our Article Round Up from last year.
“Juggling many tasks…can divide attention and hurt learning and performance. Does it also hinder short-term memory? Research shows that multitasking takes a significantly greater toll on the working memory of older people. People between the ages of 60 and 80 have significantly more trouble remembering tasks after experiencing a brief interruption than do people in their 20s and 30s.”
Read More:
Multitasking Takes Toll on Memory, Study Finds | NYTimes.com | 4.11.11
Our Thursday article is usually reserved for a guest blogger, and today we’re sharing a post from OTR friend, Rajeev Edmonds, from a year ago. Enjoy!
What makes a good business blog that brings more sales and authoritatively asserts your dominance in your domain? Well, here are some of the essential components that can make a successful business blog, provided they are followed and implemented in a correct manner.
Purpose : Why Blog?
Business blogs are made with a purpose that clearly underlines the primary goal for which they are made. They are governed by company policies that define their scope and objective. Depending on the requirements, a business blog can take any shape that may or may not look like a regular blog.
1. News and Announcements Outpost -A good percentage of business blogs falls under this category. They start as a normal blog and gradually mutates into a news and announcements platform with virtually no interaction with visitors. What a waste of time and money.
2. Hardcore Selling Counter - Blogs have the power to influence and change human minds. It’s a powerful tool if cleverly used, can help boost your sales exponentially. Some businesses use their official blog to aggressively promote and sell their products. They do it through extensive reviews and sales pitches driving prospects to the main website product’s sales landing pages.
About the Author
Rajeev Edmonds is a Social Media Enthusiast who blogs about how to blog. A developer by profession, he started blogging in 2008. Rajeev is also a technical reviewer of books with subjects ranging from Web Developement, WordPress and Social Media.
Connect With Rajeev: Web | Twitter
Trying to manage your time better? Try these two simple tricks to stay focused and manage your time better.
1. Estimate How Much Time You Need
Sometimes we underestimate how long a task will take and then become overwhelmed when one single activity takes over our day…and nothing else gets done.
Solution: Before you start your next project, write down the time you begin working and the time you end. This will give you an idea of how long you need or how you can shave off a few minutes. Once you figure how much time you really need, set a timer and get to work!
2. Breaks Tasks Into Smaller Steps
Not sure where to start? I helps to figure out the steps you need to complete so you can finish your project.
Solution: Write down all the parts or actions needed to reach your goal AND then go back to #1. Figure out how long you need to finish each one.
*Bonus Tip*
3. Say No to Distractions
Do those bright and shiny things have you under a spell and focused on everything except what you need to do?
Solution: Tune everything and everyone out as much as you can. Limit your distractions but also figure out what shifts your productivity mojo in high gear. Do you like working with music or drop dead silence? Do you need to work with people around you or go solo? Set the stage, kick the distractions to the curb, and you’ll be more successful with getting stuff done.
It may not be every day that put your trash in the freezer, but perhaps it’s about time that you start.
No, I’m not suggesting that you stuff a full garbage bag in there…just a few of the stinky things that, if left in your garbage can, will very quickly present you a less than fabulous odor.
So, pick a spot in your freezer for stuff that you might find in your fridge or after making a meal:
• Fish bits and other seafood
• Spoiled food
• Raw scraps
Put the offending food items in a Ziploc or other plastic bag and label it “trash.” On garbage day, simply add the frozen – and non-smelly – trash to the rest of your garbage.
No odor, no problem.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Have you ever gotten the “deer in headlights” look from someone? You say something and they look at you like you just rattled off something in a foreign language.
That happens to me sometimes when I tell people I’m a professional organizer. There’s usually a bit of a pause followed the “Did she say something in English?” look and a statement that sorta goes like this: ”What exactly do you organize? Parties?” These conversations tend to go quite well and I usually hear a lot of “Oh, now I get it.” And, “the look” goes away.
I have to confess that though I’m normally on the receiving end of “the look,” I was recently giving it in full force. My brows were furrowed and my head cocked to the side…as if that was going to help me figure it what I was hearing…well, seeing.
While channel surfing this weekend, I found a show called Pregnant in Heels. I learned that there’s also a profession known as a Maternity Concierge. So, naturally, I wondered: “What the heck does a Maternity Concierge do…exactly?? Why would anyone need a maternity concierge?”
Hypocritical? Maybe. But, I was really confused…so, I watched three episodes back to back. Then, I really understood the various reasons why some people would need help in that department. Just like how some people need my help. There will always be someone who needs some kind of assistance, and, hopefully, a provider who can jump right in with solutions.
The whole point is, if you need help with something – anything – get it.
It may seem odd, weird, strange, and you might hear “Girl, are you really spending money on that?,” but if that’s what you need, don’t sit and languish. Choose to flourish instead.
4 Ways to Flourish
1. Delegate to your child. Pay them in kind or cash, but give your mini-me a job, show them how it needs to be done, and stop stressing. You need help and this is a great way to get it, and even spend a bit of time bonding with your child. Don’t have children? Your neighbors do. And so does your sister.
2. Grab a friend. Friends always want to help, especially when they think they’re saving you from yourself. If they agree to help, cue up their favorite music and make sure to have some good eats on hand. And, return they favor when they need it.
3. Work when you’re at your best. If you’re tired, in pain, or hungry, you’re not going to feel great about doing that thing you’ve been putting off. Pick a time of day when you’re most alert and feeling energetic to tackle that project a little at a time. Deadline looming? Schedule multiple points during the day when you’re in optimum shape to get stuff done. This is also where #2 comes in handy. Why not enlist the help of a colleague?
4. Hire a professional. Ok, folks, now that we know that there’s a maternity concierge out there, can you imagine what other types of professionals are available to make your particular problem hit the road? Don’t sit and wonder. Mr. Bing and Mr. Google can help you find the one that’s right for you.
Moral of the Story
No matter how crazy it may seem, get the help you need.
Related Articles
- Pregnant in Heels: Advice From Rosie Pope (money.usnews.com)
- New TV Obsession: Pregnant in Heels (2blu2btrusreviews.wordpress.com)
“Donald Rubin* is the CEO of a software firm and a venture capital professional and an e-mail hoarder—14,651 unread messages to be exact. 1,535 of which have been flagged as important. Rubin has tried to use technology to climb out of the rubble…and he still ends up with over 150 e-mails in [sic] inbox every single day.” *Not his real name
Read More:
How to Clean Out Your Inbox Without Guilt | OpenForum.com | 4.29.11
Guest author, Michelle Nguyen, shares her journey to entrepreneurship.
In the last year, I dove headfirst into being an entrepreneur and have been designing print goods and party accents for clients. It feels so great to finally say I love my job!
However, I also have a full-time office job – and I intend to keep it. Having something that takes up at least 40 hours of my week leaves less time to design. I stand by my #1 rule to never design while I’m getting paid at my day job – simply put, it’s unethical. So that leaves me with evenings and weekends for Hey Love but I also have a life to maintain. People to see, exercise to be done, food to be prepared and eaten, a dog to take care of, and me time to be had. Oh, and that thing called sleep!
So how do I balance it all? Let me list the ways.
1. Make lists(see what I did there?). Having a visual idea of what needs to get done helps you be able to prioritize and see what you’ve accomplished as you check the items off. What has to get done right away? What can wait another day or two?
2. Clue the customer in. Most of my clients know I have a full time job, as do they, so they’re understanding of time constraints as well as scheduling time to meet up if I am delivering a product to them. Communicating regularly with your client lets them know they are still my #1 priority and that I’m not just being a slacker if a few wrenches are thrown my way.
3. It’s okay to say no sometimes. When you find your schedule is pretty demanding and a potential customer needs something in an unreasonable amount of time. It’s okay to say no. It breaks my heart to turn someone away, and thankfully I have only declined a few projects, but when I’m insanely busy, it takes a toll on my body and can produce sloppy work for the client.
4. Schedule me time. With all this planning you’re doing to accept (or turn away jobs), most importantly you need to plan to do nothing. A little TLC for yourself will keep you and your business strong and happy whether it’s just having couch time, taking a workout class, or soaking in a bubble bath with some wine.
Doing all this keeps me manage juggling two jobs as well as have a life and take care of myself.
About the Author
Michelle Nguyen is the owner of Hey Love and provides print design services as well as party accents, DIY projects, and free printables. When she’s not designing or working at her full time office job, she can be found playing with her dog, Nico, eating sushi, or taking a nap.
Connect With Michelle: Web | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook
*The intent of this post is to offer a chuckle, not to offend or harm.
Image Credit: CartoonStock.com
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