Business tips

Thoughts and tips on using a paper planner

organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Business tips, Getting started, Setting up a planner, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar , , , , , , ,

I’m a big proponent of using a paper planner over a digital planner. Here’s why.

The Internet
When you log into an e-planner, you face all the time sucking temptations of the web: checking email, surfing YouTube, reading Facebook or Instagram posts, and, and, and… If you are trying to get organized for the day – or keep organized during the day, the last thing you need is a temptation to lose focus.

Working in a quiet place of your choice
You may keep a paper planner at your desk – or you may work in a quiet place away from your desk. Wherever it works best for you to plan and focus, a paper planner goes with you. No electricity or log-in required! Continue reading →

Taking care of TMIs – The Most Important Stuff

organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Business tips, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Tips on using a planner , , , , , , , ,

One of my favorite bloggers, Leo Babauta at ZenHabits, often writes about TMIs: The Most Important Stuff. This is the stuff that you know you need to do and whether you write it down or not, you are probably going to get it done.

So why write TMIs in your planner?

Because you want to stop thinking about them. Once you are organized, you learn to trust that if you write something in your planner, it will either get done today or you’ll move it to another day. But it will get done. Trust that. Because you are organized 🙂

Continue reading →

Tips on using a calendar and planner

organizationalhabits Business tips, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Setting up a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar , , , , , , ,

I know. It’s a calendar and planner – how hard can that be? There’s nothing tricky but I’ve seen calendars with so many notes and cross-offs you can’t read them. And I’ve seen planners with nothing in them – so here’s my advice for working with both tools in an efficient manner.

And let me say again that the best part of being organized, besides getting a lot done, is having peace of mind knowing that the most important work will be done. Keeping a calendar, planner pages, and Continue reading →

Organizing the long list

organizationalhabits Business tips, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities , ,

If you did the exercises in my post about “Getting Started”, you brainstormed a long list of everything you have to get done, added big projects, and honestly thought about what might be missing in your life. That’s great. And here’s the bad news: You can’t get it all done.

As my favorite organizational guru David Allen famously says,

“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”

So now you have to: Continue reading →

Getting started

organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Big project ideas, Building your personal brand, Business tips, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Productivity tips for work, Staying focused , ,

Getting started animal artStarting something new is never easy, and if you aren’t already a little organized, I know the idea can be daunting. What helps me is to have a goal in mind. “I want to get organized so I have time to do (blank).” Your (blank) could be anything, but it should be juicy enough to entice you to stick with a new organized habit.

If you don’t have something in mind, try this. Block out about an hour of time. Find a pad of paper and a pen. Get yourself situated somewhere where you won’t be interrupted. And take a deep breath. Continue reading →