| Written by Lisa Hood,
on 02-19-2008 15:53
|
Views : 570  |
Favoured : 64 |
Published in : , Personal Organization |
Tags : productivity strategies, reminder cards, birthdays anniversaries, file folders, wrapping gifts, twenty four hours, morning routine, article ideas, paper bags, hairspray, return address, tissue paper, gift wrapping, birthday parties, deodorant, time management, toothbrush, scissors, best time, time out |
I am always trying to squeeze more time out of each day. Twenty four hours is just not enough to do all the things on my list. I’ve searched for tips on time management and increased productivity strategies, even adopting a few with varying degrees of success.
The best time saving strategy I’ve found is to be organized. If my keys are in sight on my way out of the door, I just saved 10 minutes of frantic hunting. If my child’s schedule of school activities, birthday parties and doctors’ appointments is posted on a calendar, I’ve saved time hunting through invitations and reminder cards. If my article ideas and resource information are in one place, I don’t spend time flipping through books, magazines or file folders. Here are few of the ways I’ve learned to be more organized:
1. Group things according to purpose
I read a book which recommended setting up zones in your home: for work, for play, for sleeping, etc. Each zone would be organized according to the activities you do in that area. I’ve taken that idea and narrowed it down, way down. I organize according to a particular task: wrapping gifts, correspondence, paying bills or my morning routine. I admit this requires some duplication, but I’m never going from room to room to gather my supplies.
Gift wrapping stored in a large kitchen trash can, include: rolls of paper, bags, tissue paper, bows, ribbon, gift tags, a pen, scissors and tape. When I wrap gifts, all the supplies are right there. Nearby I keep a box of cards, which also has a printed sheet of names, addresses and dates (birthdays, anniversaries, etc), a pen, envelops and stamps. I save even more time by having return address labels printed.
It’s not easy making myself presentable each day, so for my morning routine I have one basket on the counter that contains all my tools; toothbrush & paste, hairbrush, dryer, hairspray, deodorant, perfume, lotion, tweezers, nail clippers, vitamins arranged in a daily dispenser and makeup. This way everything is in arm’s reach and it goes right back in the basket when I’m done, so no cluttered counters. Once a week I fill up my vitamin dispenser so I don’t have to open several bottles a day. You might not think this is a big time saver, but let me say it takes TIME to open all those childproof caps.
2. Keep what you need and get rid of the rest
If I’m not writing, I’m reading; books, magazines, newspapers or cereal boxes. It doesn’t matter the source, I’m constantly finding precious gems of information and inspiration. I take these jewels and store them in my own version of a treasure chest, an index card file, so I can retrieve them when needed. Once upon a time I would keep boxes of books, magazines or spiral notebooks for reference, but I rarely (if ever) could find a particular piece of information when I needed it. Instead, I would waste hours searching and rereading half the text. Now, if I find something intriguing, I make a note on a 3 X 5 card, including citation information and I feel comfortable letting the source go.
I resist the urge to horde things. I want to hold on to stuff because I think I might need it some day and then regret letting go. What I’ve learned from experience is the things I save for someday are usually lost, broken or outdated by the time I need it. In the meantime, if I pass it on, someone may be able to get value from it now. I’ve had few regrets about letting things go, and many regrets about holding on to stuff too long.
3. Once and only once
No matter what it is, I do it once. I read a book once, open the mail once, and clean up the clutter once…You get the picture. I couldn’t count the minutes I’ve wasted moving a piece of clutter from one room to the next, because I didn’t know where to put it, or I was too lazy to put it away. Now, if I touch it, I touch it one time and put it in its proper place. If it’s an orphan item, I find it a home (not a foster home either).
The day after Christmas, I start finding homes for the gifts I’ve received. I will prune the old to make room for the new (clothes, games, dishes, movies, cds). I’ve learned it is better to replace then accumulate, because the less time I spend organizing stuff, the more I can accomplish.
4. Make a List
Repetitive tasks like making a grocery list, paying bills, gathering personal information or contact information, can be set up once and updated. Rather than making a grocery list every week, I have a printed list of the items we consistently buy. I put it on the refrigerator and everyone checks items they need. If it’s not on the list, they just write it in. I save time not having to create the list, or run back to the store because someone has a Pop Tart emergency.
I’ve also collected all the information on my accounts in one place so I don’t have to search through multiple files to find a payee’s address or account number. For charitable donations, the organization’s tax id and address are usually required, so I’ll add this to my file as well. Then I don’t have to look it up every year at tax time. I’ve also added information for appliances and electronics: manufacturer, phone numbers, model and serial numbers in case I need emergence service. This is good for insurance purposes as well.
I highly recommend on line bill paying. You can set up recurring payments, avoiding the tedious chore of writing checks, plus your payments will be delivered on time.
Other time saving resources online:
Clothing, shoes and accessories – I avoid buying clothes on line because I’ve had trouble with the sizing and returning items takes time away from productive activities. If you do have to return, consider local super centers that have postal services rather than US Post Office. You’ll save hours, if not days! Fortunately, I’ve had much more success with shoes and accessories purchased on line.
Books, Movies, CDs – Minimal risk purchasing these items from well established businesses. I have received bad DVDs which I returned to the store’s brick and mortar location. I have joined a book and movie club to buy new releases and I can usually get a second selection for a reduced price. You may also try movie rentals through mail. Not only will you save time, you save gas driving to your local video rental shop.
If you take the time to make a list, keep it for future use. You can always update it, but why start from scratch each time you need it?
I’m far from perfect but as each area of my life becomes more organized I’ll have time to focus on others. Before you know it, I just might have enough time to get it ALL done. I can dream right?
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