There are many ways that you can get of track with how you well you manage your time. You might under estimate how much time you really need to complete your tasks. You might stuff your to do list with too many things. Or, you might have difficulty saying no. You may find yourself always saying yes to everyone who asks you to get involved with a new project.
The good news is that there are solutions to each of those circumstances.
1. First, you can start regularly using a timer to see how long you really need to finish your tasks. You can also keep the number of items on your to do list to a reasonable number.
2. And, instead of agreeing to every request you get, you can say yes…with conditions. This is a simple but tricky solution…and it will probably take some practice to stop yourself from automatically saying yes to everything. You’ll need to find out how much time you really have to devote to new projects. This will mean taking the time to look over your calendar and your tasks list to see if there’s any room for more stuff.
This also means saying “maybe” or “I’ll need to think about that.”
3. Finally, though it might be really hard to do, there will be times that you will need to say “no” (nicely, of course) the next time you’re asked to take on something new.
One of the tricky things about organizing your home or office is that you may not be sure how to let go of specific items, like eyeglasses. You might be tempted to through them in drawer or box even though you can no longer use them. The good news is that they can be useful to someone else.
You can donate your gently used glasses to:
- OneSight.org and their volunteers will distribute them during one of their Global Clinics around the world.
- New Eyes for the Needy will distribute the following items to international charitable organizations:
- plastic eyeglasses
- reading glasses
- sun glasses
- metal eyeglasses in any condition (proceeds from sale are used to support voucher programs in the U.S.)
Packing (and unpacking) for a trip doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you use packing cubes. They can help you keep dirty and clean clothing separate from each other. And, if you’re sharing a suitcase with someone, you’ll be able to easily find your stuff. Did I mention that they come in a variety of colors? So if you wanted to organize clothing/items by person or even activity, you could do that easily.
Depending on the brand you select, you can either purchase individual bags or a three-set collection of varying sizes.
eBags Packing Cubes, 3-Piece Set Eagle Creek Pack-It Quarter Cube
Each bag has a mesh top panel for easy identification of contents and ventilation.
Use packing cubes to keep your t-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks (or anything you’d like to take along with you) organized.
Have you ever been quoted or featured in a newspaper? Whether your company was mentioned or your annual family picnic was showcased, it’s pretty exciting to see your name in the paper. If you’re interested in preserving your achievement (without buying all the editions you’re featured in), there are a few things you can do after cutting out the article:
- File it
- Put it on your bulletin board
- Keep it in a sheet protector
…or you can contact the folks at In The News. They will use a custom laminating process to create a display of your feature. The end result is a plaque that you can mount in your home or office. According to their website, the “plaques are beveled, matted, and trimmed to give you the look and feel of a picture frame with the guarantee of quality and durability.” And, you can choose from several finishes, like natural, whitewash, and walnut, to name a few.
The sample below is in ebony. If you decide to give this a try, I’d love to hear what you think.
To help keep your bedroom organized, there are three things that are essential to have every bedroom of your home. They work well together to help you control how often something lands on the floor. Seriously, don’t be stingy – be sure to keep these three items in every bedroom:
1. Hooks. What’s a bedroom without hooks? One that has favorite sweaters, lingerie, towels, scarves, and just about anything you wear strewn about in no particular order. A set of well placed hooks will help you keep control of your belongings and leave your carpet (or floor) free of tripping hazards. Hooks work well on walls, inside closets, and on doors. Use them and you’ll reap the benefits of an organized space.
2. Hamper. Your laundry basket will also save you from having to collect dirty clothes from the floor…or chair…or bathroom counter. Keep your hamper in an easily accessible area so that you’re more likely to use it.
3. Waste basket. Use a small trash receptacle to collect garbage (e.g., tags from newly purchased clothing, water bottles, tissues, wrappers, etc.) off the floor and your bed. That means less to do because you won’t have to run around your room to clean up. All you’d have to do is empty the garbage bin. See, it’s saving you time already.
Lots of spend a fair amount of time developing good grooming and hygiene habits. You might not think about it much, but you also need to spend some time keeping your technology clean, too. I recently read that many people take their gadgets to the bathroom. That’s a very good reason to find out how to keep your tablet, laptop, or phone clean.
Here’s a video I found that tells you exactly how to do that:
I’m still on that mini-sabbatical, so while I’m gone, check out this post about designated texters.
Today’s quick tip is a no-brainer. Friends don’t let friends drink and drive and they shouldn’t let them text and drive either. Think about it. If you’re in the car with someone who’s texting, aren’t you in danger?
If you’re the passenger, why not volunteer to be the designated texter? Is there a designated texter in the car with your son or daughter?
I’m on a mini-sabbatical and have lined up a few posts ahead of time, like this one for all you folks working on projects. So, basically, everybody. And, for this one, size really doesn’t matter. Do these three things consistently and you’ll almost always be guaranteed a happy ending. Yes, we are talking about productivity. Ok, now off you go. J
Whenever you’re tackling a big or small project, there are a couple things you need to do to make sure that you get it done on time.
1. Map out a plan: What are all the steps you need to take to get the job done?
2. Get help and delegate: Who can you bribe ask for help? Who – including you -will do what?
These steps are needed, but one of the best ways to make sure that you actually finish the project is to figure out who will do what WHEN. When is very important.
3. Make an appointment with yourself. Everyone involved needs to do one simple thing – put the project on their calendar. That’s it.
In theory, it’s simple. And, in reality, it can be simple, too. It’s just that life throws a few hot peppers in your soda sometimes. But, you’ll stand a better chance of making progress if you write it down, just like you would write down a doctor’s appointment or that performance review meeting with your boss.
When something is important and you want to remind yourself to work on it, you put it on your calendar AND you block off uninterrupted time to focus on that something.
Now, don’t go giving that time away to something or someone else. That time is special time for you and your project to do a bit of bonding. Now go make nice with that project. It is Valentine’s Day after all. ;)
Give it a shot and see how it works. Or, if you have a better idea, leave a comment. I’d love to hear it.
I’m on a mini-sabbatical but while I’m away, check out this video by Donna Smallin Kuper on how to get your container lids under control. Need more help? Here’s an oldie but goodie on what to do When Plasticware Attacks. J
I’m taking a sabbatical and have lined up a few posts ahead of time, like this one about getting control of meal times. What are some of your favorite tips for staying on top of things?
Many of us struggle with food…what we eat and how much…and sometimes, what to cook (for those of you who are fond of spending time in the kitchen). While decluttering is very much like dieting, today I’m focusing on ways you can get a better handle on meal planning.
It might take a bit of time in the beginning, but once you get in the swing of things, you’ll be happy you spent that time planning so you can get on with the business of eating!
The Six O’Clock Scramble
Aviva Goldfarb, author and founder of The Six O’Clock Scramble, wanted to find a way to help busy parents cook healthy meals…often…AND save time and money. Sounds like a great combo to me! You can also search for specialty meals, like gluten- and dairy-free, vegetarian, low-sodium, etc. recipes.
When you sign up for one of her three subscriptions, you will get:
• Family-tested meals
• Grocery List (weekly)
• Healthy Eating Tips
• And, a bunch more stuff!
Get Two Weeks Free with The Scramble
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Plan to Eat
Plan to Eat lets you keep your recipes, shopping lists, and meal planner all in one location. You can import and share your recipes (and shopping lists, too) and tag them for easier searching. Use the drag and drop feature to plan your meals with the online calendar. Even better, your shopping lists are taken automatically from your meal planner.
Sign Up for a Free 30-Day Trial
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