If you have taken the time to “get” organized, then honor the precious effort you spent by “staying” organized.

How?

TIP: Live by these 2 simple action-oriented guidelines:

• Don’t put it down; put it away (designate a home for everything; you won’t waste time searching when you know where you’ve placed items)

• One thing in; one thing out (if you obtain something new, donate something you no longer use)

 

 

 

Have you ever quickly searched a website and before you know it, 45 minutes has passed?  This will help keep track of time.

Time Timer is a visual timer that shows the passage of time.  As the time elapses, the red disk disappears. A digital stopwatch is NOT the same; your brain sees that as abstract.

Every age group benefits:

• Toddlers: Use it for time-outs or say “When the red disk disappears, it’s time to go.”
• Teachers – Set it for 15-minute assignments.
• All ages – Use it for practicing instruments.

TIP: My favorite use is to keep meetings effectively on track!

 

 

 

You’ve resolved to pare down.  How do you now decide what to keep? Choose the question that speaks to YOU and ask it of every item:

• Does this serve me in my life today?
• If I were shopping right now, would I pay full price for this?
• Would this be worth packing up if I were to move?
• Does it lift me up or drag me down?
• Am I keeping this out of obligation?
• Would someone else enjoy this more than I do?

TIP: Listen to your gut. It always answers you immediately.

 

 

If you look at an unread stack of books that you intended to read long ago, and feel “bad”, pass the pile along. If you are “happy” at the prospect of reading them, keep the books.

Our belongings elicit emotions. Our emotions dictate how we feel about ourselves, how we treat others and how effective we are.

TIP: If you say “I should keep this”, it may signify you do not really want to save it.

• For items you “can’t” get rid of yet, box them up with a post-it reminding you to open the box 1 year from today.

 

Does this sound familiar – you need to keep an email for a while yet not forever so it sits in your inbox and you constantly scroll through your emails asking “Can I delete this yet?”

Instead, after responding to an email, drag it into a folder titled the current year “2016”.  Don’t waste time agonizing over whether to save or delete.   Your computer’s search function can find it anytime needed.

• What remains in your inbox are emails needing response.  

TIP: Treat the folders like tax archives – as the newest folder is created each January, delete the oldest.