Let's Get Organized - Part 1

I'd like to share some information that I found in a workbook about getting organized. For me, organization is the key to start making changes in other parts of my life.

There are a dozen or so steps involved in becoming an organized thinker. One of the steps involves sitting down at night (after everyone else has gone to bed and it's just you and the dog) and planning the next day. Make a list of things you want to do on separate index cards. Then put the cards in order of priority. Make sure you have a card for shopping, meeting your bff for lunch, and getting a massage by Raul. Some people like to use blank business cards as these are easier to slip into a pocket or purse.

Another idea is the "do-it-now" system, where you don't put anything in a "pending" stack. Deal with paper and phone calls when they are first acquired. This will involve making instant decisions on some matters, but once dealt with, they're DONE! For instance, tell the collection company that is calling, you "just don't have time" to pay the bill! When reading mail or listening to messages, try scanning for major ideas to determine importance. If food, prizes, or gifts are mentioned, it's probably junk mail and you should immediately dispose of it. (Remember to shred anything with your name and address on it so that the info does not end up in the wrong hands.) If a phone message does not need a response, delete it and go on.

A "Lesson in Honesty" is to always do what you say you will do. If you give your word to complete something by a deadline, make sure that you keep it. If you can't keep your word, cry, plead and rant until you are dismissed. Then make a new deadline. Follow through on promises made. People remember who they can count on, and Kids remember...everything!

In communicating with others, be concise. Don't jerk anyone around. Write memos or emails instead of letters. Keep your words in memos and telephone calls to a minimum. Avoid long explanations or reasoning, as it sometimes alters your original idea. Say, "I can't go to lunch," instead of "I can't go to lunch because I've got so much work to do, and I have to make a doctor's appointment and pick up the dry cleaning, and yadda, yadda..."

Lastly, try to not spend your entire day blogging or on Facebook! I know it's addicting, and there is so much exciting stuff going on, but if you set a time limit for the computer (like we do for our kids with games, TV, etc.) AND stick to it, you will feel content that you participated, and still had dinner on the table by 6:00.

Good luck. Let me know what you think!