Getting Organized...Screaming Meme Style!
~Keep an {action file} ~
Get a file, a folder, a huge zip lock bag or whatever works for you....Make it something portable so that you won’t mind carrying it with you to and from your car, home, and the office....
This {action file} is to be used for papers or small items you need for TODAY ONLY!.... Here’s an example.... You’ve got a coupon for the dry cleaners, some bills that need to be mailed, that survey that needs to be filled out, a birthday card for you need to fill out, and a magazine you’d like to look through..... Put all of them in your {action file}. As you go through your day, you have everything you need....clean, protected, and ready for you to grab and go.... If you get a ticket back from the dry cleaner put it into your file.... Every night, empty your action file, sort it out, and get it ready for the next day.
~Organize {two things} every day~
The thought of spending a Saturday afternoon cleaning out a closet is enough to make you quit before you even begin. So how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time....or two at a time ;)...Go to that closet. Pick two things to organize, and do it today. Whether that’s two shelves, two boxes, two piles, or simply just two items...Now you’re not overwhelmed by the job. But think....if you organized two things every day, and there were 20 pieces of junk in that closet, you’d have the job done in about two weeks! It all starts by aiming for that simple, reachable goal of just {two things} every day.
~Set Goals~
Most people plan their vacations more carefully then they do their lives....Start the organizing process by taking time to think about what is important to you and your family...what you want to achieve and experience..... Goals give purpose and direction to life. There are two types of goals, short term and long term. Both should include how much and a completion date or deadline. Saying “someday” doesn’t cut it. A goal has a beginning and an end.
Examples of {short term goals} ...
- Clean out my desk, one drawer at a time, and have it done by the end of the month. One drawer per week....
- Paint the desk and chair bright red within two weeks...
- Call my Grandparents by Sunday...
- Return the platter to the neighbor's by Friday...
Examples of {long term goals}...
- Plan the family reunion...do it by March...
- Start a dance class by the end of the year...
- Plan a garage sale with neighbor's by May....
- Paint the house by October...
Make sure that you keep all of your goals in one place. That could be a notebook, a planner, a cork board. Just know where to go to write them down when they come to you.... Don’t rely on memory.... Seeing them in writing creates a belief that you will follow through....
~Prioritize~
Effective time management is putting first things first...day by day...moment by moment....So start with a plan. This can be done most effectively using a planner...Find a size that suits you... People will go buy the biggest planner they can find. It doesn’t have to be big to work...It has to fit your style and your needs.... Even a pocket size planner will do for some of you....I personally need a bigger one...I make a lot of lists and goals...But if you don’t make lists...maybe a monthly visual calendar might be more suitable for you...
From your list of {goals} and {to-do} list, decide at the end of each day which items are priorities for the next day.... A priority is a must do rather than a want to do....Do not transfer more than six priority actions from your {goal} list to your daily list....You might not be able to get through more than that and your day will end in frustration....What you want at the end of the day is to celebrate success!!!
Scheduling is an important part of setting your priorities. If you are trying to complete a big {project}, create a timeline.... Be sure to follow through with it....Once you’ve made a decision to go forward...do not procrastinate! This requires self-discipline.... If your are a morning person, schedule demanding or unpleasant priorities first on your calendar, and then enjoy the rest of the day....If you like doing it later in the day...that is fine, too...Most importantly...Do not try to be perfect...try to do the best you can...You will get used to it...and you will have more time to do the things you want to do....
Scroll down and catch up on some great posts my girls have been writing!...They are getting PUMPED for an awesome first year on the Project! We are planning to post 3-5 posts a day...So, that you can get your Blog Land fill all in one place!...Look for our upcoming themed days!!! We are ready to bring it! ;)
Written by Screaming Meme...If you can't get enough of me...Well...then...follow me to Screaming Meme's...I hear it's going to be a SCREAM over there! http://thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com
