In our efforts to be effective and organized, it is helpful to understand why things happen and why we do the things we do. It is even better to be able to correctly predict what will happen in the future based on what we will do, right?
I heard a very interesting radio interview a while back of Dan Ariley, the author of Predictable Irrationality, and I want to give you a link to his website. You may find it interesting as well as helpful as you sharpen your skills at increasing your effectiveness at work.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Healthy Body = Organized Mind
Scientific Mind has a great article about keeping fit and staying sharp mentally. Staying sharp mentally is what being organized is all about, to me. See what you think after reading the article.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
More Than a Minute
Here's a tip: If you find you're being interupted often by coworkers asking for "a minute" that turns into MANY minutes, try this.
Coworker: Do you have a minute we can talk?
You: Will it only take a minute? If it will take longer, can we schedule it for later?
You will need to judge when to do this. When your boss asks for a minute, you'll want to give it to him or her. Use this technique when you are sure the conversation is probably not going to yield the results you want for the time you spend. Let your coworker know that you appreciate their time, and you want to be able to give them your full attention. Let me know how this works for you.
Coworker: Do you have a minute we can talk?
You: Will it only take a minute? If it will take longer, can we schedule it for later?
You will need to judge when to do this. When your boss asks for a minute, you'll want to give it to him or her. Use this technique when you are sure the conversation is probably not going to yield the results you want for the time you spend. Let your coworker know that you appreciate their time, and you want to be able to give them your full attention. Let me know how this works for you.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Books On the Subject: Time Management
Alan Lakein - Get Control
One of the first and best books I read about personal time management was "How To Get Control of Your Time and Your Life" by Alan Lakein. Among his many clients has been Neil Diamond, and one of his followers through his book has been Bill Clinton. That should give you some idea of the type of people who have benefited from this book.
This book explains well the "A,B,C" and "1,2,3" method of prioritizing your To Do Lists. In a nutshell, make a list of your things you want to do today. Put an "A" by the items that you MUST do today. Define "must" by asking, "Will not doing this items today cost me money or embarrassment?" If the answer is "yes", it is an "A" item.
Put a "B" by the items that it would be very important that you get done today, but they won't cost you money or embarrassment. Lakein discusses "C" items, but I find that my list usually contains only A and B items, anyway.
Next, go back to the items that are "A" items and number them in the order of which one you can do the quickest. This is different from Lakein's method which is to number them in the order of their importance. I find that, since all "A" items are important, I can better go about accomplishing them by working on the ones that can be done the quickest. All "A" items should be done anyway, and it lessens my stress levels when I can check off tasks I've accomplished.
If you read the book, leave a comment.
One of the first and best books I read about personal time management was "How To Get Control of Your Time and Your Life" by Alan Lakein. Among his many clients has been Neil Diamond, and one of his followers through his book has been Bill Clinton. That should give you some idea of the type of people who have benefited from this book.
This book explains well the "A,B,C" and "1,2,3" method of prioritizing your To Do Lists. In a nutshell, make a list of your things you want to do today. Put an "A" by the items that you MUST do today. Define "must" by asking, "Will not doing this items today cost me money or embarrassment?" If the answer is "yes", it is an "A" item.
Put a "B" by the items that it would be very important that you get done today, but they won't cost you money or embarrassment. Lakein discusses "C" items, but I find that my list usually contains only A and B items, anyway.
Next, go back to the items that are "A" items and number them in the order of which one you can do the quickest. This is different from Lakein's method which is to number them in the order of their importance. I find that, since all "A" items are important, I can better go about accomplishing them by working on the ones that can be done the quickest. All "A" items should be done anyway, and it lessens my stress levels when I can check off tasks I've accomplished.
If you read the book, leave a comment.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Keeping Organized
Fat Folders
One of the best ideas I've heard of so far to clear your desk of clutter and paper quickly is to use the "Fat Folder" technique.
Take a normal manila folder and begin quickly to put in it any paper, publication, report, etc in it. Don't stop to make any judgement about whether you need to act on it or trash it, just put in in the folder. As you put each item in, write a brief description at the bottom of the front of the folder. This way, you'll be creating an index of what you have in the folder. The item in the farthest back will be at the bottom of the front of the folder. The item at the top of the pile will be at the top of your list.
After quickly clearing your desk of all paper items this way, you can eliminate your cluttered desk top to one or two "fat" folders. Now you can easily search of the needed items by simply checking the index. You also can put in your planner a time set aside to clean out the folder by either acting on it, filing it in a more permanent location, or trashing it. This technique will allow you to clear your desk, reduce your stress, and focus on only the item that you want to act on next.
When you decide to wade through your list, you can use the ABC labeling technique to help you decide what is most urgent. Never work from a pile on your desk. Usually the most important items are lost in the stack or on the bottom!
Try it and let me know how it works for you.
One of the best ideas I've heard of so far to clear your desk of clutter and paper quickly is to use the "Fat Folder" technique.
Take a normal manila folder and begin quickly to put in it any paper, publication, report, etc in it. Don't stop to make any judgement about whether you need to act on it or trash it, just put in in the folder. As you put each item in, write a brief description at the bottom of the front of the folder. This way, you'll be creating an index of what you have in the folder. The item in the farthest back will be at the bottom of the front of the folder. The item at the top of the pile will be at the top of your list.
After quickly clearing your desk of all paper items this way, you can eliminate your cluttered desk top to one or two "fat" folders. Now you can easily search of the needed items by simply checking the index. You also can put in your planner a time set aside to clean out the folder by either acting on it, filing it in a more permanent location, or trashing it. This technique will allow you to clear your desk, reduce your stress, and focus on only the item that you want to act on next.
When you decide to wade through your list, you can use the ABC labeling technique to help you decide what is most urgent. Never work from a pile on your desk. Usually the most important items are lost in the stack or on the bottom!
Try it and let me know how it works for you.
Web Resources for Organization
Whether you use a Franklin Planner or not, you'll find interesteind and inspirational quotes and stories at the Franklin Covey site. It is also a quick link to Franklin Covey to order your planner materials.
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