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Posted in Productivity

Many of these tips come from Smead, with a smattering of mine thrown in for good measure.

Get Started

Generally, the most difficult step in getting organized is getting started.

1. Analyze your situation or hire a professional organizer
2. Research storage options
3. Choose organizing products you like
4. Consider daily activities
5. Know why you want to get organized
6. Set long-term and short-term goals
7. Develop a system for paper flow
8. Keep your organizing simple
9. Learn how to throw things away
10. Plan ahead

Enhance Your Organization Skills

You need a consistent approach to organizing.

11. Spend a few minutes each day organizing
12. Write down “how to” instructions
13. Create a comfortable environment to work in
14. Don’t throw too much away
15. Organize gradually
16. Stay ahead of yourself
17. Admit to the mistakes you have made, learn from them
18. Reduce clutter
19. Stop and think
20. Remember, when organized, you work faster and more efficiently

Use Filing to Your Advantage

Whether electronic files, paper documents or other objects, you need to know where to find them.

21. Alphabetize items
22. Number things
23. Date materials
24. Use different colors
25. Create a place for everything
26. Put everything in its place
27. Sort items of importance
28. Use color folders to keep track of papers
29. Create a filing system
30. Use hanging folders to organize folders off your desk
31. Use file tabs to locate hanging folders faster
32. Keep loose notes in a notebook
33. File away last years stuff in storage
34. Keep only the current year in your work area
35. Use organizing products to help
36. Put your most important papers in the front of folders

Make Organizing Tools Work for You

Having the right tool for the right job will make organizing easier.

37. Make the most of the basics
38. Keep papers together with staples and paper clips
39. Identify everything with labels
40. Reduce clutter with a desk organizer
41. Use larger paper for notes, don’t tear small pieces that can get lost
42. Use a three-hole punch to gather loose notes in a binder
43. Create a phone log to track important calls
44. Use a calendar
45. Use a personal organizer or PDA to stay on track
46. Consider new products that may work for you
47. Add extra life to your folders, protect labels and tabs
48. Store files electronically
49. Make organizing fun

Manage Your Space

It’s not the size of your space, it’s how you use it.

50. Maximize space
51. Customize your space using a system that works for you
52. Control your paper and don’t let it control you
53. Write things down so you don’t forget
54. Reduce, reuse, recycle
55. Don’t be a pack rat
56. Break bad habits
57. Be willing to take a fresh approach
58. If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, get rid of it
59. Rearrange items to reduce clutter
60. Create a space to call your own
61. Donate old materials to charity
62. Do things right the first time
63. Use shelf filing to save floor space
64. Limit storage to a confined area
65. It’s okay to create a few piles, temporarily
66. Keep everything you need in sight
67. Keep all of your information in the same place
68. Use containers to store documents or supplies
69. Don’t just set it down, put it in the correct place

Prioritize

You have to know what needs to be done first and when.

70. Categorize your work
71. Prioritize your schedule
72. Manage your time by completing the most important task first
73. Prioritize your folders: Immediate, Current and Background
74. Concentrate on the big picture
75. Keep an inventory of organizing items most often used
76. Be concise
77. Take advantage of “down time”

Stay Organized

Like any system, you have to maintain your productivity processes.

78. Create a strategy
79. Review and adjust previously set goals
80. Find what works for you
81. Don’t overwhelm yourself
82. Take one project at a time
83. Relax, don’t panic, organization is a process
84. Don’t make excuses
85. Use common sense
86. Reward yourself for being organized
87. Stay focused when organizing
88. Don’t give up
89. Enjoy the benefits of being organized
90. Dust when necessary

Organize Your Workplace

Make the system work, at work.

91. Develop an organizational system within your department or company
92. Select one person to assign tasks
93. Share tips on how to become a better organizer
94. Save time with better organization
95. Organize yourself before starting on others

Get Things Under Control at Home

96. Make sure everyone is responsible for their own stuff
97. Create a centralized family message centre
98. Don’t “store” things on every flat surface; the table is for meals.
99. Co-ordinate errands with the parental taxi service.
100. Regularly edit and purge possessions.
101. Make it fun for everyone.

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Posted in Communication

Have you ever received an e-mail message saying something like this:

“I need the first quarter sales reports”

or have you sent such a message? There’s no greeting, no thank you, no signature, nothing to make the message look professional.

There are many people who use e-mail a some sort of instant-messaging system. They think they can dispense with basic communication principles by using a couple of smilies and an “lol”.

Like any form of communication, the business e-mail you send tells the recipient a great deal about you. The old “first impression” adage applies to email just a much as a face-to-face meeting. If you are inconsiderate in your email, that’s what people will remember about you. If you approach e-mail with professional business attutude, that’s how the reader will see you.

Every email you send should contain three basic elements:

• A Greeting – Even if it’s as simple as “Hi”, you start off your message with a positive tone. Mobile e-mail users might use a shorter greeting to save key strokes, while desktop users have opportunity to add a name to the greeting.
• Courtesy – If you require something from the recipient, ask politely. Learn the word please. Ask for the information; don’t demand.
• A Signature – Always end with a “Thank You” or “Sincerely”, then your name and business name. This is quite simple. Every e-mail client —whether desktop or mobile— has the option to set an automatic signature. Take a moment to configure that setting and every message you send will have a closing without having to type anything extra.

You don’t know what benefit may come from your next e-mail message. Make sure it is conveying the best impression of you.

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Posted in Motivation

Why is it some people are optimistic about life and others pessimistic? The real question is, what makes a person optimistic or pessimistic? At the foundation is their thinking, which controls their attitude and vision.

Optimism is measured by how you define events. If you can learn to define positive events as being a result of something you did; a sign of good things to come; and a sign good things will occur in other areas of your life, you’re halfway there. Then, if you can think of negative events as not being your fault and have no bearing on future events or other areas of your life, you’re the rest of the way there!

Consider the “Creed for Optimists” written by Christian D. Larsen in 1912. Use it to inspire yourself choose your thoughts, attitude and vision to release your full potential.

Promise Yourself-

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

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“Don’t join an easy crowd; you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high.” —Jim Rohn

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Posted in Money Matters

Canadians love the joy of giving to charities close to their hearts and especially at Christmas. Recent statistics show that 91% of Canadians give to charities on a regular basis. Since we normally only hear about the massive donations made by big name philanthropists, many average Canadians sometimes experience a “why bother” feeling when considering a charitable donation. Sure some people are able to give thousands of dollars but here are some ways to make donations on a limited budget work for you:

Use your credit card to make a gift. By using your credit card -especially for larger gifts-you can create a significant tax savings now and pay the bill later. If your credit card has a loyalty program the benefits of giving this way just keep coming!

Get a receipt. If you only have a few dollars a month you can spare to donate, getting a tax receipt can be tough. One good way to get a tax credit for a small monthly donation is to sponsor a child through and organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada. You will have your receipt well before the time you do your taxes.

Every bit counts. Sure you may only have a few dollars to spend but think what that might mean to a family who lives on less than a dollar a day - and think about your tax savings! Websites like www.ccfcanada.ca offer a gift catalogue where $15 can by a soccer ball or school supplies for children in need while providing you one more tax deduction.

- News Canada

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Posted in Friday Funny

1. No matter how many boxes you have, you will never have enough.
2. The more your friends promise to help, the more likely it is they will be deathly ill or out of town the weekend you are moving.
3. Whatever it is that you need, it is always in the bottom of a box that has already been taped shut.
4. Now that you are moving and no longer need it, you will always find something you have been looking for, for years.
5. The tape, the scissors, the markers and the screwdriver all know how to play hide and seek.
6. The thing that gets broken will always be an irreplaceable antique heirloom - never something cheap that you didn’t like anyway.
7. Regardless of how long the drought has been going on, it will always rain on moving day.
8. You will always loose your checkbook, your car keys, the remote control or the telephone.
9. If you stay up all night packing to be ready for the movers, they will be late.
10. No matter how large the new place is, it will shrink before you move in.

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As I have done for the past couple of years, I am once again hosting an on-line kettle for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal. You will soon see the familiar Salvation Army kettle (or bubble) on street corners and in shopping locations. Now there is also the option of making a donation on-line.

Please help fill the kettle I’m hosting by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link to donate: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2024031

Thank you

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Posted in the Simple Life

One of the most common story lines in Christmas episodes of television shows is the conflict arising from the expectations of visiting family and friends during the holidays. I suspect the recurring use of this theme is due to its resonance with viewers.

There’s an expectation that major holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Bringing a group of people together with a range of ideas and expectations as to how the holiday should be celebrated can lead to stress and discontent leading to

A little planning will go a long way to minimize the relationship friction which can occur. Here are ten tips to help keep things simple at when dealing with company for the holidays.

1. Determine expectations up front. When you start planning who is going to be visiting at Christmas, find out what their expectations are.
2. Coordinate everyone’s expectations. Create a master list. Figure out which expectations are similar; which are different; which can be done individually; and which are group activities.
3. Decide how much you are going to do. Create a schedule. You’re not going to be able to meet every expectation for every person. There’s only so much time. Put the time to the best use.
4. Simplify the plans. The less complex an activity is, the more likely it will be enjoyed by all.
5. Decide who will help with each activity. Let the visitors know that their help is needed if expectations are to be met.
6. Don’t do everything together. If half the group wants to go skating and the other half to a carol service, let them go. Don’t try and force everyone to share all the activities.
7. Plan your meals. You don’t have to cook for them all, every time. If visitors are going to be with you for a couple of days, prepare meals ahead of time. If the visit is longer, include dining-out or take-out options. If appropriate, ask your guests to plan and prepare a meal or two or at least help out in the kitchen.
8. Do less. Figure out which things are necessary to do, which would be nice to do, which can be put off for a few days. The vacuuming can wait a couple of days so the group can go skating on Boxing Day.
9. Have some “me” time. Nothing can suck the joy out of the holidays faster than waiting on others hand and foot. Whether an hour with a coffee and a book or a corner table at your favourite coffee shop, allow some down time, by yourself or with a partner.
10. Enjoy. The whole point of getting together during the holidays to to enjoy yourself and each other’s company. Don’t fill the schedule so full that there’s no time to visit. Don’t make activities so complex that you’re exhausted at the end of the day.

Celebrations don’t need to be high-stress times. Figure out what’s important, plan, and plan early. Then sit back and get the most out of the holiday.

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Posted in Productivity

There’s nothing like a major holiday, such as Christmas, to ratchet up the pressure on your schedule. Parties, concerts, shopping, visiting all add to an already full schedule. While you may find a couple of quiet days around the holiday, the rest of December can be quite stressful.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help:

• If you’re selected to plan the office Christmas party, put together a group to help you out.
• Get family members involved in shopping, decorating, baking, etc.
• Charitable organizations often run gift-wrapping services as a fund raiser. You can save some time and support a worthy cause by getting your gifts wrapped.

Holidays can add the expectation of the personal touch to all that happens. Don’t feel you have to do everything. Ask for help.

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These calendars won’t improve your productivity, but they can be part of your holiday planning, helping the family count down to Christmas.

December 1st is the day people starting popping the doors on Advent calendars and eating the little chocolates inside. The following on-line advent calendars won’t produce any confections, but you will be able to mark the passage of the next 25 days. Some of these calendars are based on the liturgical calendar. The Advent season begins on November 30th this year.

The traditional calendar consists of two pieces of cardboard on top of each other. Twenty four doors are cut out in the top layer, with a number ranging from one to twenty four on each. Beginning on the first day of December, one door is opened each day, counting down the days remaining until Christmas Eve, from twenty four to one. Each compartment displays an image, which can be either a feature of the Nativity story and the birth of Jesusholly). or a piece of paraphernalia to do with Christmas (e.g., bells or holly).

Advent calendars can also consist of cloth sheets with small pockets to be filled with candy or other small items. Many calendars have been adapted by merchandisers and manufacturers to include a piece of chocolate or other confectionery behind each compartment —Wikipedia

• http://www.smile-a-day.com/advent-calendar.shtml
• http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm
• http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/
• http://www.cartoonchurch.com/advent/
• http://www.boowakwala.com/calendar/online-advent-calendar.html
• http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/1504/kal/kal_frame.html
• http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/advent125.htm

You can even make Your Own:

• Here are PDF templates for an Advent Calendar that you can put together http://www.janbrett.com/christmas_treasury_advent_calendar.htm
• eHow.com has instructions for making an Advent Calendar using a bath towel and brown paper bags: http://www.ehow.com/how_11216_make-advent-calendar.html
• And here’s a more complex, sewing project at Sewing.org: http://www.sewing.org/html/eo_advent_calendar.html

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