Comments on: What are your best organizational tips?

By: Paper Shredders

Paper Shredders — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:10:03 +0000

This is great advice! The last line really hits home. I try to clean my computer desk with my computer on. A new email comes in and…there goes my attention!

By: fabuleuxparis

fabuleuxparis — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:29:24 +0000

I am by no means a great organizer, but I try. I think what helps me most is to have some semblance of a routine. IE: wake up at certain time, have lunch at certain time, etc.
Also, since I am totally NOT a morning person, I do some things the night before like laying out my clothes and showering. And it works. A few weeks ago, I had not layed my outfit and accessories out the night before, so I left the house wearing 2 different shoes! (blushes)
It was a harsh reminder to stick to my routines and habits. LOL!

Fashionable Fun.

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:24:54 +0000

Stake out the extremes. Being disorganized isn't great, but life actually gets more complicated when you pay too close attention and become obsessive.

By: K.

K. — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:57:19 +0000

I write my master To-Do list on a dry-erase board. I'm not sure why this helps over writing it down on a regular piece of paper, but it does for me! I sit down with my coffee at the beginning of every week and write down my goals and intentions and I plan out my week's To-Dos. I also use the Lifestyle Map from Style Statement as a list template and write down something under each area for the week that I want to do, reflect upon, accomplish, etc. I also used IWantSandy.com to create text reminders and appointment reminders as prompts through my day to keep me on track, but now that the service is ending, I'm going to have to find something new!

Also, I have to say that I am a huge fan of the Entrepreneurial Time Management System's ideas of Focus Days, Buffer Days and Free Days. Danielle, I think you linked to it a few weeks ago -- I started implementing it in my own life and I have to say, I can really see a transformation! So thank you!

By: Lori_from_Texas

Lori_from_Texas — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:07:34 +0000

wow! and thank you.

By: Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

Linda Borland-Fitzgerald — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:37:18 +0000

Oh, I thought of something!! The mail never gets any further than the kitchen counter where I go through it immediately before I do anything else. I open it then separate into the following piles:
-recycle bin (flyers, envelopes without our names, etc.)
-to be filed in'bills to be pd.' folder
-to be shredded (anything with our name & address on it, credit card cheques, etc.)
Our shredder is located on another floor in the office/studio and I'm considering buying a second one to keep close to where the sorting takes place.

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:45:18 +0000

That time share idea of yours is very practical! I think its a great idea: Not many people know where their time really goes.

By: LeeAnne

LeeAnne — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:32:36 +0000

Ahhh organization - my constant quest to organize our stuff and our time. Here's some things that have helped me:

1- I keep my earrings in icecube trays in my drawer. One pair per 'cube'. Helps me see them easily & at a glance. (Make sure the trays are white and not opaque; makes it easier to see your earrings).

2- I keep a major to do list with 'categories' so I don't forget to focus on things like sensuality, health etc.

3- For my overall business plan, all my strategic tasks are on an excel list so I can sort them by goal, timeline etc. If you haven't discovered excel lists try them- they are fantastic and easy.

4- I keep empty bins around the house and regularly fill them with stuff to donate to Value Village (clothes I don't absolutely love, toys the kids don't play with)

5- after way too many frustrating mornings looking for the kids' library books, I tucked a simple cardboard file box out of the way in the dining room. Library books and only library books go in there now.

6- organizing, sorting, systematizing relaxes me and makes me feel on top of the world. One of my kids is the same but my husband nor my other kid is not. I've tried to take the time to teach them, after my husband pointed out it doesn't come naturally to them. Spent an afternoon digging out my son's bedroom which was actually kind of fun when we found places for all his stuff and when I realized that being able to display some of his collections was important to him, we saved the best for last. Bought a great IKEA display unit off craig's list and which he filled it with glee!

By: ChaseLisbeth

ChaseLisbeth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:27:33 +0000

He's such a genius, right? I was really glad to see your post, since the Getting Things Done approach has been a godsend to me. Getting things out of your head, having an empty inbox – I just have so much less *mental* clutter when I stay on top of things GTD-style.

By: shannon

shannon — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:42:22 +0000

At work I have recently started writing my “to do list” for work on flip chart paper & putting them up on my wall (thankfully I can do this in calligraphic italic lettering, so it looks good too)- It has been amazing to see how this affects everyone…staff and board members alike have seen an item and offered to help, or get it done and I have had far fewer interruptions…maybe because everyone can see what's on my plate, and that I'm taking care of, or intending to take care of. I put up new sheets every Monday with little carry over from the week before. Of course a large wall calendar also keeps us all on schedule with everyone's appointments. At home I have a full blackboard wall where I (we ) can write lists and draw sketches, intentions, ideas and messages..I love it! A tip I got a long time ago was to aim to handle every document once,…maybe not always possible, but it keeps things from piling up. I dislike piles of anything so when I have one I spend the time to go through and deal with everything in the pile; whether it gets filed, thrown out or dealt with. I used to find that I have more ideas than I can realistically act upon so I found a job that allows me to give away or develop my ideas for other people….that seems to help with the creative clutter…. a kind of inspired delegation.