A few, common-sense ideas that can help you get better organized.
From Get Organized Now

DETERMINE YOUR GOALS.
Before you start anything, determine its goal. If you don't know where you're going, how will you ever get there? Set mini-goals and reward yourself for successes.

DECLUTTER YOUR DESK.
An uncluttered desktop erases unnecessary distractions and helps keep your mind on tasks that need immediate attention. Keep only the items on your desk that relate to your current projects.

DON'T RELY ON YOUR MEMORY.
You run the risk of letting tasks fall through the cracks. The best way to never forget an appointment, a deadline or a detail again, is to write everything down.

CONSOLIDATE SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.
Instead of starting and stopping at different levels of activity, you'll save time by making all of your outgoing telephone calls together, taking care of all your errands at once, etc.

CLEAN OUT YOUR FILES.
Before you go through the expense of purchasing more file cabinets, folders, etc., take the time to purge all unnecessary paperwork and materials.

USE ONE CALENDAR.
The biggest mistake people make when using planning calendars is to keep more than one. Keep personal, professional and family items on one calendar. It will help to eliminate scheduling conflicts. Remember, 'the man who wears two watches, never knows the correct time.'

REDUCE TELEPHONE TAG.
Plan telephone calls (whether to doctors, plumbers, clients, etc.) whenever possible. Have all necessary materials in front of you. Write key questions down in advance.

SET UP FILES FOR PROJECTS.
Don't waste time searching for papers when you need them. Keep all paperwork that pertains to a certain project together in one large folder.

SET TIME LIMITS.
Say, 'I've got only 5 minutes to talk.' Outline your calls, Say, 'I'd like to discuss these 2 possible solutions to problem A . . .'

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.
Make at least one screened appointment with yourself each day. Screened time is quiet, uninterrupted time allowing you to concentrate on a project or catch up on your reading.

DELEGATE.
Realize that you can't do everything. Delegate in the office and at home. To use an effective delegation system, you must train, entrust, follow-up and evaluate.

DON'T OVERSTUFF FILING CABINETS.
There's nothing worse than having to file papers in a file cabinet that is overloaded! Leave enough room in file drawers so that you're not using all your energy to get a piece of paper in or out.

DEVELOP FALSE DEADLINES.
If you have a deadline at the end of the month, record the deadline four days earlier. You'll eliminate the last-minute rush to complete the project because you'll have given yourself ample padding.

USE TIMERS AND ALARM CLOCKS.
Allocate time for your daily activities, from working on projects to doing household chores. Then set timers or alarm clocks to keep you on schedule.

MAKE GOOD USE OF SPACE.
Add shelving for reference books and manuals. Add space extenders in desk drawers. Buy full-suspension file cabinets. Use stacking bins.

SET TIME LIMITS.
If you have to work late, or during the weekend, set time limits for yourself Whether you work for two or four hours, stop working at the end of that time and enjoy the rest of
the evening or weekend.

ELIMINATE BRUSHFIRES.
Brush fires are almost always caused by disorganization. Eliminate the disorganization and you'll eliminate the brush fires.

DETERMINE YOUR BEST TIME FOR TASKS.
Use your most productive time to do your most productive work. Alert in the morning? Afternoon? Tackle your most difficult, important work during the time of day when you're at your best and you're most likely to complete it.

USE MASTER LISTS AND TO DO LISTS.
Take control of your time. When used properly, these effective tools give you a specific idea of what you need to accomplish.

SET DEADLINES.
Setting a deadline forces you to work towards it. Set a definite date and time. Saying, 'When I get a chance' or 'Sometime in the near future' is insufficient.

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