I decided to take a few days off and get some projects done around the house.  It’s been a nice time for me to decompress before the school year starts (since my little one is starting school this year!).  The particular project I am working on has been on my mind for about three years, and it feels good to be crossing it off my list!

Do you have unfinished projects around the house?  Been procrastinating?  Here’s a few tips to get them off your list:

1. Is this project really important to me? Home improvement and other projects can stack up like Saturday morning pancakes.  Stop and think about what projects are important to you, and make them a priority.
2. The Yearly Review: Take time once every year and decide what projects you want to accomplish this year.  Put all the others on a staggered list of 2, 5, 10 years and beyond.  Keeping that list fresh in your mind will work its magic in getting those things done!
3. Set aside time to actually do them. There’s no use in having a great list of things you want to do if they never get done.  No one is making more time, so you have to make it yourself.  Put it on the calendar, and get moving.
4. Simplify and let it go. Do you have things on your list that are just plain crazy and not really what you want to do?  Give yourself permission to get those darned things off your list and breathe a sigh of relief.  Honestly, you’ll thank yourself.
5. Get organized and get it done. Once you have your project on your radar, you’ll need to do some planning.  What do you need to get it done?  Are there things you need to purchase?  Do you already have things you can use to get the project done?  Do you need specialized help?  Knowing the whole picture will not only help you get it done and done right,  but also help you know when you are actually finished!

A while ago, I read a post on a blog (now offline) Work at Home Balance entitled: “Simplifying Your Life: When Less is More”. This part was my favorite:

“Make time for simplicity. Even if we can’t completely simplify our lives, we can definitely make time to connect with ourselves in quiet, simple ways. Things like meditation, prayer, quiet reading time, or even sitting in a park for a few minutes can refresh us and make us feel more relaxed. The important thing to remember is: chaos outside encourages chaos within; and peacefulness within will promote peacefulness in our surroundings. Spending time honoring our connection with our inner selves is a far more powerful solution than anything we do externally.

In the end, living a simpler life is really a choice we make moment to moment. Simplicity is a state of mind. It’s about learning how to let “stuff” enhance our lives, without relying on it for our happiness. Rather than seeking fulfillment from the latest greatest gadgets, we simply need to turn within and notice that it’s already there, waiting for us.”

Simplicity in a different light.

Before reading this,  I had never thought about simplicity as a state of mind. It’s true that outside things affect what is going on inside of us, and vice versa. Think about it – where is the most relaxing place you have ever been? What did it look like? Personally, I feel that the beach (preferably a quiet one), Japanese hot spring resort and a convent are the most relaxing places I have ever been. None of these places normally have a lot of things laying around (driftwood doesn’t count). For the most part, they are monochromatic (very soothing) and quiet. Taking time to be in the moment in these places also increases their beauty and calm.

Imagine how much more we could appreciate our environment and people we love around us if we just took time out of our everyday life to “make time for simplicity”?

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photo credit: jenny downing

This post was originally posted in June 2006.

No matter where you’re at, working from home can be quite productive.  You need a few tricks up your sleeve, like “Lab Days” and a way to track projects.  Join Brandie & Des as they discuss some strategies for working from home.

Show Notes:

Connect with Des:   Twitter: @deswalsh |  deswalsh.com |  xeesm.com/deswalsh

My favorite “tree killer” notebook & planners:  Moleskine

“To those whom much is given, much is expected.”
- John F. Kennedy, from The Uncommon Wisdom of JFK: A Portrait in His Own Words

photo credit: Patrick Hoesly

I’m glued to the TV this week and next.  It’s an Olympic year, and I am just fascinated by it all!  These talented athletes are shining and showing the world what they are made of on their day of competition.  Let’s not forget what got them there.

The path to the medal podium starts with an every day commitment.

It’s easy to get caught up in the glory and excitement of the athletes and the crowd, and forget how much impact everyday decisions had on the path to this event.  Commitment to practice, eating the right foods, building muscle, honing skills and arranging a calendar around a training schedule is what takes to get to the top.   Most importantly, waking up in the morning and making the decision to follow through on that commitment.  That’s what makes these athletes who they are, and why we remember them from the cover of a sports magazine or the front of a cereal box.

The story behind the headline.

What does it take to be a superstar?  I love listening to the athletes’ stories.  The heart break, the injuries, the comeback against all odds, family situations, financial strain and the grateful nod they give to coaches and mentors.  I’ve noticed three common elements of most of these amazing champions  we can apply to any situation, including the upkeep of a home office.

Work at it everyday.   Make a decision once a day.  File the mail, make the phone calls, get through the email inbox.  Then, tomorrow, wake up and make that same decision again.  Little by little, day by day, things change.

Have a great attitude.  You don’t have to be delusional, but try looking at the brighter side.  Fall down?  Get back up.  Keep a good attitude and I believe you’ll be happier all the way around.  There’s that saying, “…whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”.

Get help to improve.   Confession: I hate bookkeeping.  So, I have someone to help me with it.  She’s better than I am, and I’m happy to have her around.  If there is something you need to work on, get help.  None of us can do it all…. well.

What’s your story?  What elements will you commit to?

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photo credit: Patrick Hoesly

Is your to-do list almost too long to read every day? Or have you simply given up trying to keep a current to-do list. Don’t give up; get your to-do list under control to compliment your time management strategies. To begin, you need to understand that a to-do list is a “hot list” not a planning pad, wish list or long term idea starter. Your to-do list is for tasks that must be accomplished in 48 hours or less. For anything further ahead, use advance planning list or add the items to your day planner for the appropriate due date.

Take Inventory

Start by writing down every task you need to complete on individual index cards. Arrange the cards in three piles: Must Do, Need to Do, Want to Do. The “Must Do” pile is the tasks that have to be completed in 24 hours.

The Approach

Take any “Must Do” items that could wait an extra day and place them on the next day’s to-do list. These are what some time management systems call the “A” level tasks. Next sort the “Need to Do” or “B” level tasks. These are important to do in the next day or two but not as imperative as showing up for a presentation or catching a plane.

Productivity is Yours

Finally, deal with the “Want to Do” or “C” level tasks that could be done any time in the next several days. Some time management systems suggest that you toss out the “C” tasks or add them to a “Someday” list for when you have extra time. Of course, that’s humorous since you need a time management system because you are already overscheduled. If you want to include these, just make sure they don’t serve as a distraction from necessary items. For example, you might enjoy surfing the net for collectible books but you don’t need to do that “C” item when you have an “A” list report due in four hours.

The Superhero Syndrome

How many items can you manage on a daily to-do list? It depends on whether each item is a one step process or multi-step process. With complex tasks, you may only be able to reasonably complete 3 or 4 “Must Do” items in a day. As you are adjusting to this time management technique, make a note by each item about how much time you expect to spend on this task.

Using Your Tools

You can create a paper to-do list or one on your computer, just as long as it’s easily accessible during the day. When an item is done, cross it off, make a checkmark beside it or in some way be able to see what’s done from what needs to be done. If you use an electronic to-do list, you can add color background for each level. The advantage of color-coding items is that you can quickly see how many yellow highlighted Must Do items are left compared with the green highlighted Need to Do items.

When Day is Done

At the end of the day, transfer any remaining important items to the proper category on the next day’s to-do list. When you finish the day and see most or all of the “Must Do” items finished and crossed off your list, it’s a great sense of relief and motivation to keep your time management system working for you.

About the author:   Deanna Maio, The SavvyGals Coach, teaches women business owners to stop wasting time and start making more money. With her coaching programs and speaking, she helps busy self-employed women get the information, structure, and support, they need to deal attract more clients, grow their businesses and having a fulfilling personal life at the same time. For more information on her programs and products, visit her website: www.savvygals.com or call 503-922-2688.

New Year Resolution #8:
Learn Something New

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

Learning goes beyond the educational halls.

Learning is part of life.  It seems too many of of stop when we leave school.  It’s understandable – you realize you can read for pleasure and not for a test the next day.  Learning seemed hard then, a struggle and a thing many choose not to do when they aren’t forced to.  But, does learning really stop when we get the diploma?

Alternative: Lifelong learning starts with curiosity.

Four years ago, I was curious about blogging.  I wanted to learn how to do it.  I liked to write, and yet couldn’t bring myself to write regularly.  I thought blogging would be a good way to get in a practice of writing on a regular basis.  So, I did some research, listened to those who had done it successfully and read up on the subject.  I didn’t know a plugin from a widget, or how it was possible for a stylesheet to cascade.  But, I started with a purpose in mind, and I plugged into the WordPress community.  I found mentors and people who were doing what I wanted to do.  I joined in the conversation, read other blogs and took on little projects along the way.  Little by little, I learned.  It wasn’t always easy.  Blogging is much more than just producing content (who knew?).  Could I be better at it?  Of course.  There is still so much to learn, so I have time in my calendar to make sure I am moving forward.

No better time than today.

Start today, don’t wai.  Is there something you want to learn?  Is there something you need to learn?  What’s holding you back?  What would it feel like to be have that knowledge or skill?

Here’s a few organization tips to help you learn something new:

1. Pick one thing you are interested in, and write it down.
2. Research a class at your local community college or go to your local library with a notebook and pen to take notes.
3. Mark time on your calendar to continue learning and practicing your new skill.
4. Start a file or an envelope, and put your research in it.  If you have more information, use a small portable file box.  Make it easy to maintain and organized enough to find it later.

If you are ready to learn something new, when will you start?

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New Year Resolution #6:
Spend More Time with Loved Ones

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

Title

Spending time with those we love is something to strive for.  It never seems to be enough, even when we make it a priority.  Extra appointments on the schedule, events we’ve committed to and other things get in the way.  Or do they?

It’s not the quantity, but rather the quality.

How do you remember your childhood?  I remember moments of happiness:  seeing my parents in the stands at a volleyball game, sharing a holiday meal or tearfully hugging my little sister at the airport when I left for a year abroad as an exchange student.  I’ll bet you can remember some of those things too.  I believe in making moments special, and being truely engaged in that moment. Here’s some ways to spend some quality time, and really being “in the moment”:

1.  Plan for it.  Get chores done, wash the clothes, put things away, whatever.  If it’s on your mind, and you can do it quickly, take care of it.

2.  Turn off distractions. The “always on” cell phone can be really distracting (I get it, really I do) so put it on vibrate in another room for a period of time.

3.  Quit procrastinating and start acting.  If you can’t spend time with those you love because life is out of control, take action.  Get control of your action paper, find a way to focus each day or discover and address what is really bothering you.  Get to the heart of the matter, so you can breathe and enjoy life.

What can you do so you can spend more time with your loved ones?

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Want to win the ButtonedUP Birthday.book &-Greetings.stash? Leave a comment below, sharing your resolution and how you could use organization to help you achieve it. Enter by 1/10/2010! (Read the ButtonedUP giveaway & special reader discount details here.)

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New Year Resolution #5:
Enjoy Life More

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

Is it really so hard to enjoy life?

All this week, I’m discussing how we can make New Year Resolutions a reality, using organization as a tool.  One of the resolutions is “Enjoy Life More”.  This means various things to different people.  I happen to be in the camp of “bloom where you are planted”.  No one’s life is perfection.  That’s the way it is.  I think life is more about our attitude toward it, and less about what we do in it.  It really comes down to being a choice whether we enjoy life.  Gratitude for what you have will improve your attitude.

Is there so much in it, that it’s hard to notice the good things?

I’m subject to having too much going on, and too many belongings in my life.  I use organization to help me weed it out and keep things under control for my own sanity.  I also listen to my inner voice when I know I am reaching a breaking point.  I say “no” a lot.  I think if we say “no” more than “yes”, our commitments and “yeses” mean more.  It’s about being real, recognizing how much we can really handle and staying true to the boundaries we set up.  When there’s too much in your life, there’s not a lot of time to stop and enjoy the ride.  All you feel is the rush of the wind, and all you see is a blur as you barrel down the road of life at 100 mph.

Packing light for the journey.

Peter Walsh spoke at a conference I attended two years ago.  He told a compelling story of how organizers work for clients, and what we help them with.  Picture yourself on a road, walking, with lots of baggage you must carry yourself.  In your mind, take one bag away at a time.  How do you feel when your load is lighter?  If you’ve ever traveled with a lot of baggage, you know how stressful (and expensive with bag fees) it can be.  You’re more focused on all the belongings you have to keep track of and less about the views, people, places and experiences around you on the journey.

Less stuff = more time to enjoy life.

Ready to enjoy life more?  Here’s a few tips to get started:

1.  Today, pick three things you don’t use, and can pass on to someone else.   Make this a regular exercise.

2.  Look at your calendar and see if there is anything you can stop doing.

3.  Is there something intangible in your life that needs to go?  How can you make that happen?

How will you enjoy life more this year?

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New Year Resolution #4:
Reduce Stress

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

What stresses you out?

What’s for dinner?  Wasn’t my best client’s birthday yesterday?  Did I have a meeting today?  What was the thing I wasn’t supposed to forget to do today?

How can you reduce stress?  Here’s three tips:

1. “Will this matter in 5 years?”

As a young newlywed, I had a great more “experienced” friend who helped me with some perspective on stress.  I admired her ability to remain cool under pressure (she had 5 grown children & several grandchildren who frequented her home and an aging parent living with her at the time).  When I asked her how she she seemed to keep a cool head when things got crazy, she replied, “I ask myself, ‘Will this matter in 5 years?’ “  If the answer was “no” she didn’t worry to much about it.  Wise words, and they still ring in my ears today.

2. Structure isn’t a four letter word.

I recently heard a quote by T.S. Elliott:  “When forced to work within a strict framework the imagination is taxed to its utmost–and will produce its richest ideas.  Given total freedom the work is likely to sprawl.”

When I talk to people at my workshops or presentations, many of them are afraid of structure.  I get it, I really do.  I am not a very linear person, and I used to poo-poo the idea of structuring my day.

When I had my son, I learned that children need and crave structure.  Breakfast at 8am, nap at 10:30, lunch at 12:30, nap at 3:00, dinner at 6:30, bed at 8:00.  I learned that my son was happier, well adjusted and just plain more enjoyable to be around when we stuck to the schedule.  Now, of course we took side trips, went to special events and did other activities that called for flexibility in our schedule.  However, we soon eased back into the routine when things got back to normal.

I found when I structured my day, planned out tasks and arranged my calendar, it was easier to get the important things done.  I didn’t worry about what I needed to do, because I had already planned it out and had some flexibility when other matters came up.  I know when things start to slip and get out of control, it was time for a check-in to see what needs to improve.  Guess what?  When I stick (sometimes somewhat loosely) to a schedule, I’m a happier, well adjusted, less stressed and just plain more enjoyable to be around…  Go figure.

3. Find an outlet.

I love to read.  I love self-improvement books, but I also love period fiction (like Memoirs of a Geisha).  A friend asked me once, “Where do you find the time to read so much?”  I responded, “I make time.”  Reading is an escape, a chance for me to go into another world and watch a story unfold.  I wonder what the characters will do, say or experience next.  I think about what I would do in that situation and what I can learn and apply to my own life and mind.

24 hours might not seem like a lot, but it really is.  It’s amazing how much time I can fritter away without even thinking about it.  But, I always make time for things I like to do.  I believe it’s essential to reducing stress.  If we don’t give ourselves little pockets of time to do what we like, we’ll soon have nothing to give to others or our business.  Make time for an outlet of enjoyment, and see how you feel.

How are you going to reduce stress this year?

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New Year Resolution #2:
Get Fit… and back into the skinny jeans

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

I’m not really a runner.  One year of middle school cross country may have turned me off for a lifetime.  But, several years ago, I took up racewalking… and learned a lot about myself and what it takes to get to the finish line.

It’s crazy, but I just did it.

A few years ago I did something crazy:  Portland to Coast Relay.  Then, I did it two more times after that and actually finished the race.  Then, I did something even further out of my comfort zone: a half marathon.  Then, this year, I did it again…. only this time I actually trained for it and improved my total time by quite a bit…. and I didn’t have crippling blisters on my heels… and I didn’t sleep for three days afterward… or feel like I wanted to cut off my own feet…

Training & a coach was way better than going it alone.

My lovely friend talked me into doing the Portland to Coast Relay the first time.  I thought, “Oh sure, I can do that.”  The first time I did it, I could count on one hand how many times I went on a training walk.  Let’s just say I did one leg (I was supposed to do three), and then had incredible nausea and fatigue and couldn’t continue.  Yeah, nice teamwork (my teammates had to pick up my slack… *insert intense guilt here*).

The second time I did it, I decided to train (a little) more and felt better afterward.  The third time I hired a racewalking coach and my body thanked me due to much improved form.

Then came the half marathon… There’s strawberry shortcake at the end?  And a shiny medal?  Oh, alright.

I convinced two of the Portland to Coast friends to do it with me.  They obliged, and we set off to do it.  Because I’m a bit of a slow learner, I only did about a handful of training walks preparing for the race.  If  you only walk about 5 times, you FEEL every inch of that 13.1 miles.  Even if it is all flat terrain.  I “hit the wall” at 8 miles.  I had to practically crawl the last 5.1.  And they were out of that luscious strawberry shortcake when we finally arrived at the end.  Great.

Then I made the commitment, on my calendar.

So, this year, I decided I was going to do the half marathon right.  I found a real training schedule, put it in my calendar, sweet talked my neighbor into doing it with me and started a Facebook group to hold me accountable.  You know what?  It worked.  Did I do all the walks?  No.  Did I do most of them?  Yes.  Did I do them all on the exact days they were on my calendar?  No, but I got about 85% of it in.  That felt really good.

Then, we did the race, and I took 25 minutes off my total race time.  I felt like a million bucks when I was done!  It wasn’t perfect, but I made progress over my last race time.  The race wasn’t about the race.  It was about the commitment it took to GET to the race and finish to the best of my ability.  The hard work, organized effort and determination to be better got me there to receive my second finisher’s medal.

It doesn’t take a half marathon, but it will take commitment.

If you’re making a resolution to “get fit” this year, you don’t have to do a half marathon or go on a reality weight loss show.  What I learned was to commit to something that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and then mark it in pen on my calendar.  When it’s in front of you everyday, there’s no guessing and no getting out of it.  Does that mean you’ll do it perfectly?  Probably not.  But that doesn’t mean you to fall off the wagon and lay there in the mud.  Get back up, check the calendar in the morning and get moving.

Get fit in the New Year:

1.  Set a goal

2.  Get on a schedule

3.  Set up reminders in your calendar

Make a commitment to yourself and follow through, however imperfectly.  Just get moving!

New Year Resolution #1:
Get Organized

This series is all about the top New Year Resolutions. One of those is “Get Organized”. Have you ever made this resolution? How did it go? Did you do a “crash & burn” weekend on Jan. 2nd and everything was back to the way it was by Jan. 10th? Try using organization as a tool for whatever change you desire. You may surprise yourself!

Organization helps you identify and honor the “big rocks”.

Organizing is a tool, for living and for working.  Getting things done requires us to identify the important things and giving them a space in our regular schedule.  To illustrate, here’s a “Big Rocks” video from Franklin Covey:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Organize your calendar.

Let’s take using a calendar as the first step to getting organized.  Put in the “big rocks” first, assigning a specific time, or just marking the day you will do your task.  Paper or electronic, it matters not: choose one and try it out for 30 days.  Make sure you know where it is.  If it’s paper, be sure it’s a size you can carry with you at all times.  An electronic calendar integrated into smart phones or an online solution like Google Apps is easy to carry around and access anytime (with the added benefit of automatic backup). Always put it in the same place, and review it at the start and end of the day.  This will help you keep on track.

Tips to get organized this year:

1. Use organization as a tool

2. Remember the “big rocks” first, and “fill in” later

3. Use a calendar to make sure the important things get done

How will you use your calendar to help you get organized, making room for the “big rocks”?

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Want to win the ButtonedUP File.starter? Leave a comment below, telling us your resolution and how you could use organization to help you achieve it.    Enter by 1/10/2010! (Read the ButtonedUP giveaway & special reader discount details here.)

Resolutions: we’ve all made them and broken them.  Is there a tool we can use to make them stick?  Perhaps.

Last year I did a series on small steps for organizing your office.  This year, I’m bringing the series back, with a little different flavor….

What’s your resolution?

We’ve all made resolutions, and we’ve all fallen off the wagon at one point or another.   One of the most popular New Year Resolutions is “Get Organized”.  Did you know organization can help you accomplish your resolution throughout this coming year, no matter what it is?  Ok, so we’ll leave off the “Quit Smoking” & “Quit Drinking” ones, but the others are fair game.

Organization is a powerful tool for change.

This is my case for making organizing a priority this year, and how if you pair it with another resolution, it can certainly happen for you.  The key here is action, so I offer up some quick tips to get you moving in the right direction this year.

(Check back here often, links will be added as the posts go live over the new 8 days.)

Be sure to share YOUR resolution or theme for the new year too!

8 Days of Resolutions

1.  Get Organized

2.  Get Fit

3.  Managing Money

4.  Reduce Stress

5.  Enjoy Life More

6.  More Quality Time with Loved Ones

7.  Make the World a Better Place

8.  Learn Something New

Cruising through my Google Reader today, and found some very interesting (and useful) stuff.  Enjoy!

A Keyboard for Gmail…

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Gmail and Google Apps.  One of the many things I love about Gmail are the shortcuts!  There are so many to remember, but this handy little device, the “GBoard“, is like a little Gmail Shortcut Cockpit.  And it looks so gosh-darned fun to play with!

Broadband for America:

Undress for Success wrote up a post about what this organization is doing.  Imagine, every home in America with high speed internet access.  (One of the biggest challenges we face is the sheer enormous size of our country.)  I’m excited to see what they do!

Getting ready for the holidays…

WorkShak has a great article on how you can prepare your freelance business for the holidays. On a personal note, I took a little over a week off for the Thanksgiving holiday recently, and I feel 100% better, refreshed and ready to go!  You can do the same, with a little preparation.

The electrical outlet gets a makeover…

There are times I would love to just plug a USB charger into the wall.  Little did I know, you can actually do this!  Mashable shows this new outlet that allows you to plug right into your outlet. It’s due to ship sometime in 2010, and you can pre-order it now.  One less adapter to use!

I’ve been exploring some articles through my Google Reader, and thought I would share them with you:

Unclutterer shows a “light switch rack” – a great idea if you are a visual type!

SimpleMom is talking about finding more time in the day.

Des Walsh at ThinkingHomeBusiness.com gives his thoughts on the etiquette of cancelling an appointment.

Whakate has some note taking tips.

Stepcase Lifehack has some great tips on managing email so it doesn’t manage you.

Tick-tock goes the clock…..rushing to get this thing put away, this plant watered, this document filed, this email sent, just this one quick stop, one little note……Man! I’m late! How did that happen?

Just one more thing, and then I’ll go.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone – you’ve got lots of company, including yours truly. There are so many things to do in a day, and it seems there is never enough time to do them all. However, if “simplicity is a state of mind” then it’s time to figure out what is really important!

Are you placing more importance on your time or someone else’s?

Several years ago a friend was upset with me about being late to a weekly rehearsal.  During a strained discussion, he was pretty clearly fed up when he said, quite directly, “Well, I can never get you to show up on time!”  Wow, that hurt…. and he was right.  What  I didn’t realize was how much I was hurting him, the others involved and my own reputation.  Shortly after this candid remark, I heard something interesting:  more often than not, chronically late people are perfectionists and just flat out trying to do too much.  Chronic lateness is also placing more importance on our time than everyone else’s.  (Again, ouch.)

It’s time to go.

As I was trying to get a smattering of things done this morning, I had a commitment to be somewhere at a certain time.  Suddenly, I realized that the clock was ticking by quickly.  So, I set a deadline where I would stop, pick up and GO.  It turns out I couldn’t get my task done before leaving. However, what’s amazing: I could still do it later when I got back. And you know what? It was done just as well and not at the cost of my being late.

If you’re anything like me, and feel you need to squeeze one more thing in, here’s some tips to get you there on time:

1. Change the time on your calendar. If I have a meeting that starts at 12:00, I put the time for the meeting down as 11:30 and the description as, “Meeting (12:00).  I found I feel much less stressed when I am at least 10 minutes early.  Marking my calendar in this way helps me know the actual time of the meeting and yet visually I know I will be there early.
2. Get ready ahead of time. This won’t always be possible, but when it is, it makes a huge difference.  Pack the night before, assemble supplies in the morning for an afternoon engagement, etc.  This minimizes the chance you will be scrambling at the last minute.
3. Set a timer. I started doing this, and it really works.  Too many times I get carried away writing or working on a project, and lose track of time.  Set the timer for when you need to get ready to walk out the door (I allow about 15 minutes).  When the timer goes off, drop what you’re doing and go.

Have you ever tried completing a project and then halfway through you realize that you don’t have everything you need, or have you become confused about what to do next? This can happen to the best of us, and for entrepreneurs, who tend to “wear many hats,” you might not be sure if you have all the right tools or even know what tools you need.  Because being a business owner can feel like huge undertaking (sort of like climbing a steep mountain), having the right set of strategies in your arsenal can come in handy. If your toolbox is empty, throw a few of these tools in…

Are you getting the kids (or yourself) ready to go back to school?  It’s a great time to get things at home (and in the home office) under control, and start the year off with a bang!

Recently I participated in a webcast put on by Office Max, featuring Peter Walsh.   He had a teacher, parent and a couple students joining him as they discussed strategies on how to help students get organized.  Here’s the video*, followed by some notes.  Enjoy!

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Tips for Home
1) Find the Vision you have for a Space
2) Make Organization a Family Value
3) Use the Right Tools for Great Organization

Tips for Organizing Your Child
1) Show that you Value Organization
2) Establish Clear Limits and Routines
3) Always ‘Finish the Cycle’ (Complete a Task)

Tips for the Classroom
1) Establish Clear Routines
2) Involve Kids with Classroom Organization
3) Use Words, Pictures and Color to help Organize

*You will need Microsoft Silverlight to watch this video.  Also, the video won’t play in Google Chrome, so use Firefox or IE.

Do you struggle with time management?  Always trying to get one more thing done? Tried everything to get places on time, but need a motivator?  How about using a consequence?

I had a meeting today, and one of the members of the group shared a strategy he uses to make sure he is on time:

“If I’m late, I pay.”

This particular day, he was late to our meeting.   I was surprised when he picked up the tab for the entire table.  He shared with us that he was happy to do it, and it was a strategy he set for himself so he would be on time.  It’s simple:  if he’s late to a meeting, he pays the bill.  He figured out that money is motivating factor in managing his time.  He knows it’s going to cost him tangibly, and therefore helps him manage his intangible time better.  Brilliant!

If you struggle with managing your time, what consequence or rule could you put in place?

photo credit: 1Happysnapper

How do you track projects?  There are a gazillion ways to keep track of tasks, but how do you know you are getting projects done?

I love, love, love technology – especially the “helps me be productive” kind (i.e. PDAs, etc.).  However, sometimes there is a really steep learning curve, not to mention crashes and other annoyances.  So, I think a simple solution can be a great thing when you just want to get things done.  Like, now.

Know where you’re at.

I happen to love pencil and paper for working on projects.  I’m also very visual, and learn things by doing (check out this audio if you want to learn more about that).  Having whatever I’m working on right in front of me is crucial – otherwise it fades into the ether!  I also like simple solutions.  Know what I mean?  Ok then.

It’s easy.  I promise.

I started using the Todoodlist system for tracking projects a couple months ago, and I’m loving it!  It’s similar to a simple mindmap to track your projects and their associated tasks.  Also, since I can’t leave well enough alone, I adapted it by using a task list to the side of little things like making phone calls, errands and emails I need to send on a separate piece of paper.  That way, when I think of little things I need to do which aren’t associated with projects, they don’t get forgotten either.  Since I use a small notebook, everything’s in front of me and completely portable – love that!

Go check it out.

The Todoodlist ebook (yes, it’s ironic, since he advocates using paper) is a really quick read.  I read it in one night.  It helps me know where I’m at on the things which are important to me in business and life.

Let me know what you think!

Click here to view more details on Todoodlist

Interview with Rich Sloan of StartupNation!
Think that 50% of small businesses fail in the first 5 years?  You might be surprised.  Is organization important for small businesses?   Want to know your odds of success as a small business?   Want to hear Rich get on his “high horse” about entrepreneurship?

Listen as we have a little fun and learn some great stuff at the same time!

Listen by clicking HERE

Resources:

EquityNet

Startup Nation Success Calculator

Books:

Seth Godin’s book, “The Dip”

The E-Myth Revisited