The disorganization habit

December 4, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Building your personal brand, Changing habits, Decision making, Organizational Exercises, Productivity tips for work, Staying focused, Tips for organizing your house, Tips on decluttering, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar Changing habits, decluttering your life, forming a new habit, getting organized, getting things done, Getting work done, How do I use a planner?, how to get organized, How to stay focused, Organizational Exercises, organizational tips, Tips on decluttering, tips to be more productive, Using a planner

Have you ever uttered these words?

I’m not messy – I’m creative
I’ve always been disorganized
Someone will remind me if I forget
I run late – people are used to it
Don’t mind the mess at my house – it’s my mess and I love it

Then you may be in the disorganization habit. And maybe it’s working for you. But if you’re reading this post, then maybe you’re looking for a change. Continue reading →

Holiday organizational tips

November 27, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Decision making, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar Decision making, getting organized, getting things done, How do I use a planner?, how to get organized, How to stay focused, Organizational Exercises, organizational tips, organizing big projects, Prioritizing tasks, tips to be more productive, Using a planner

Getting through a holiday-laced December can be fun – and it can be exhausting. Having a plan in place will help you feel more in control and help tilt things more toward fun and less toward stress. Planning also helps you stick to your priorities rather than making last-minute decisions on the fly.

Good planning starts with a schedule. Take a look at December and block out time now for:

Special events and family events

Is there anything that needs to be done or prepared before the event? Games? Food? Decorations? Invitations?
Plan in time to clean for any events that are at your house – but know that this is probably not the best time of year to start a big decluttering project!
If you have a special family event, try to keep a solid block around that time so you can focus on family and be present! Continue reading →

How to be more productive

October 5, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Big project ideas, Business tips, Changing habits, Decision making, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar Big project ideas, Changing habits, forming a new habit, getting organized, getting things done, Getting work done, How do I use a planner?, how to get organized, Organizational Exercises, organizational tips, Using a planner, working on big projects

If you find yourself saying, “I wish I could get more done,” stop for a minute and think about exactly what it is you want to get done.

Do you want to finish projects you’ve already started?
Do you wish you were doing more interesting stuff?
Do you have big ideas and aren’t sure how to take the first step?
Or are you just feeling like you’re wasting time?

Continue reading →

How to change a habit

August 24, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Changing habits, Organizational Exercises, Planning impacts on your health, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar Changing habits, forming a new habit, getting organized, getting things done, Getting work done, how do I exercise more?, How do I use a planner?, how to get more sleep, how to get organized, how to lose and sustain weight loss, How to stay focused, Organizational Exercises, organizational tips, Using a planner

Want to change a habit?

A couple of months ago, FastCompany published a great article on ways to change the habit of exercise.

A control group was asked to exercise once in the next week. 29% of them exercised.
Experiment group 1 was given the same task along with detailed information about why exercise is important to your health (i.e., “You’ll die if you don’t”.) 39% of them exercised.
Experiment group 2 was asked to commit to exercising at a specific place, on a specific day at a specific time of their choosing. 91% of them exercised.

Continue reading →

Thoughts and tips on using a paper planner

August 10, 2016December 9, 2019 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 getting organized, getting things done, How do I use a planner?, how to get organized, how to save time, organizational tips, using a paper planner, Using a planner

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 →

Running errands efficiently

August 8, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Organizational Exercises, Tips on running errands, Tips on using a planning calendar forming a new habit, getting organized, getting things done, how to get organized, how to save time, organizational tips, save time on errands

Tightening up on small tasks during the day saves time and helps keep your head clear when you’re super busy.

For example, if you have errands to run that don’t have specific deadlines, pairing them up to run them as a group saves time and energy – both yours and gas in the car.

Here’s a quick organizational exercise to help you run errands more efficiently. Continue reading →

Making space between projects

July 21, 2016December 9, 2019 organizationalhabits Big project ideas, Planning impacts on your health, Tips on using a planning calendar getting organized, getting things done, how to get organized, organizational tips, organizing big projects, Using a planner, working on big projects

Going task-to-task can leave you feeling like a hamster on a wheel!

That’s not a great way to get good work done.

I love the idea of getting off the wheel and making space between projects. It’s great to be organized. And it’s great to get a lot done. AND it’s important to take a break – especially between big projects. Continue reading →

What are you holding back on creating?

July 19, 2016 organizationalhabits Baby steps to start getting organized, Big project ideas, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Tips on using a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar Big project ideas, figuring out my life work, getting organized, getting things done, organizational tips, Using a planner, working on big projects

Zen organization isn’t about being neat and orderly – it’s about being focused and mindful of how you use your time. Are you using your time to do good work? If not, maybe you need a big project to work on. Get through the daily tasks so you can get to the good stuff!

Feel like your big project list is lacking? Add a dose of curiosity and see what stirs your soul. Continue reading →

Tips on using a calendar and planner

July 9, 2016January 1, 2020 organizationalhabits Business tips, Getting started, Organizational Exercises, Setting organizational priorities, Setting up a planner, Tips on using a planning calendar getting organized, Getting work done, How do I use a planner?, how to get organized, organizational tips, Prioritizing tasks, Using a planner, Which planner should I use?

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 →