Sleep

I love when my week goes according to my plan. I go to bed early and sleep well. I get up early. Ahh. But that doesn't last long as then my body refuses to go to bed early as it is not tired so then I am back to staying up late and then of course not getting up as early as I'd like.
So what does that have to do with time management you ask. Well, I cannot always control my sleep patterns but I can put things in place so I can control my day instead of having my day control me and so can you. For example: schedule your priorities nearer to the beginning of the week as time is less available as the week progresses. Schedule tasks to be completed ahead of the deadline date so you are well prepared in case of an emergency or illness. I know of what I speak as I recently experienced this. I had set aside time a week before a project was due and then I got sick. Well, that means I lost 3 days and ended up having to use some valuable week-end time to work on this project.
The other tip I'd like to leave with you is to schedule tasks, appointments, etc. in ink in your planner instead of pencil. Ink is more permanent and you are less likely to change something that has some permanency to it.
Until next time, take some time for you so that you are then able to give to others!
Anna

Squirrely

I was sitting in my living room this fall and caught a glimpse of a squirrel in my huge spruce tree out front. As I watched, the squirrel scampered along a branch and then leapt from limb to limb. He was gathering food for the winter. I thought about what he was doing and the fact that he was very focused and organized. He had a task at hand and he was scurrying back and forth in order to complete it. Now take us on the other hand. We might scurry back and forth - but often are not focused on one task at a time and therefore not as organized as we could be. We multi-task, to our detriment as our busyness and hurriedness can leave us feeling frustrated and out of control. Maybe we need to "slow down" and think about the task at hand and become more like the squirrel - who really is quite organized and productive. You know, nature is really excellent in providing us with examples to follow!

First Blog

This is my first step onto the world of blogging. This blog will be my regular advice column to do with Organizing Paper, Offices, and People. Please check back regularily for tips and suggestions for Getting Organized.