Manage your emails and phone calls
a. Never check email or voice mail first thing in the morning b. Schedule regular times to check emails and stick to it c. Read recent emails first d. Allocate the amount of time you will spend and stop promptly e. Create email signatures to sign off with one click f. Read it, delete or move it
Pre-plan and then plan again – keep your eye on your large goals
a. Plan next week either on Friday afternoon (business) or Sunday evening (mom) b. Plan your day before it plans you!
Set your intentions and goals for the day in advance of that day
The day before, the night before or in the morning before you begin your tasks for that day c. Allocate specific time slots for recurring tasks, do them over and over at the same time each week
Gasoline, banking, grocery shopping
Calls, reports, marketing d. Arrive early for appointments
Spend the time you wait for others to plan what you want to accomplish in the meeting
a.This will decrease your stress level b.You will appear poised, professional & in control of your schedule instead of harried and disorganized
Umbrella Your Day (create chunks of time for related activities)
Divide your main responsibilities into 5 days, for example:
Monday = Planning Day
Tuesday = Current Large Project
Wednesday = Outside Appointments, Errands
Thursday = Bills / Paperwork
Friday = Research Day
Create an exit area in your office for all items that need to leave your space.
a. Place things there as you find them.
b. Choose an area on your desk or credenza that is positioned towards the door
Create ‘To Do’ Lists
a. Complete the three most important tasks each day before you move onto anything else
Take Control Your Papers
a. Check it, move it into a predetermined place off the counter until you are ready to take action
b. Handle it only once before you work on it
Learn to say NO
a. Don’t volunteer until you take a moment to determine whether you have the time to fulfill the commitment
b. Give yourself permission to reconsider commitments Delete unnecessary tasks from your schedule that detract from your BIG picture goals
c. Don’t automatically respond to another persons problem / fire before you determine whether it is going to foul up your agenda
Kathi Burns, CPO is a Board Certified Professional Organizer and Image Consultant and author of Master Your Muck.
Her website addSpaceToYourLife.com, is known for it’s straightforward organizing advice and simple solutions for home and business. addSpace To Your Life is also a powerful resource for wardrobe, image and time management challenges.
Kathi’s new book, How to Master Your Muck, is filled with illuminating stories and empowering methods designed to teach us that growth requires space. Muck sabotages creative expression. It acts as a roadblock to our success. Muck blocks our ability to be free. Kathi’s tips, sidebars, and action steps train us to release what no longer serves us and to create space for inspired living.
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