Saturday, April 25, 2009

Where's your launch pad?

Time or Task- You Choose How to Get Things Done

When it comes to adding things to the To Do list think in terms of describing your goal as a time or a task.

For Example:
Desk
Time: 15 minutes at the end of each day
or
Task:
-File two inches of paper from a pile to be filed
-Repeat

Remember we can't do a project. We have to break it down in to smaller manageable pieces.

1. Think about how you can break things down in to smaller and smaller manageable pieces that are easier to get you started.
2. What are the beginning and the end of the job?
3. Decribe your time or task so you are able to say "yes" or "no" to whether you completed your goal.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Time or Task- You Choose How to Get Things Done

Time or Task- You Choose How to Get Things Done

When it comes to adding things to the To Do list think in terms of describing your goal as a time or a task.

For Example:
Desk
Time: 15 minutes at the end of each day
or
Task:
-File two inches of paper from a pile to be filed
-Repeat

Remember we can’t do a project. We have to break it down in to smaller manageable pieces.

1. Think about how you can break things down in to smaller and smaller manageable pieces that are easier to get you started.
2. What are the beginning and the end of the job?
3. Decribe your time or task so you are able to say “yes” or “no” to whether you completed your goal.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Sticky Do’s and Sticky Don’ts

Do use sticky notes for:
  • Marking catalog and magazine pages
  • Reminding your self of special tasks (on bathroom mirror, front door, fridge).
  • Out of office notice-have sticky notes prepared to leave on your office door such as back in 10 minutes, at lunch, working at home, in a meeting.
  • Flow charts and scheduling.
  • To avoid writing on original documents.
  • Brain storming sessions.
  • For quick lists (errands, groceries) to place on your to do list.
  • For daily affirmations. Put a positive message on mirror.
  • To enter the fax number on a document you are faxing.
  • Writing positive notes to employees and family members.

Don’t use sticky notes for:
  • To remind yourself of day-to-day activities or projects.
  • When there is more than one task to complete.
  • As a record of phone messages. Use a notebook instead.
  • As a method of retaining information on permanent documents. They can get knocked off and will dry out after awhile.
  • To label computer disks and CDs
  • For external or formal correspondence.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

When a Shoe Thing is No Longer a Good Thing - When to Say Goodbye to Those Extra Pairs

When a Shoe Thing is No Longer a Good Thing - When to Say Goodbye to Those Extra Pairs
A shoe thing is more than just having a reasonable amount of shoes to wear, it’s about collecting them and not letting any of them go. It’s a good time to retire a pair of shoes when:
1. They are scuffed up and worn so they lack support and tread and cannot be repaired.
2. Your toes can’t move in them and the last time you wore them left you in pain and having to rush for a chair.
3. You are waiting to stretch the shoe before you can actually leave your home in it.
4. You really can’t walk in them properly no matter how hard you try.
5. You are waiting for the style to come back.
6. You are regularly hiding your shoe purchases from your partner.
7. The odour your shoe gives off arrives in the room before you do.
8. You are holding onto certain footwear for sentimental reasons.
9. You have dozens of shoes for every activity known to man. The problem is you don’t do half of those activities.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Routines Rock!

Routines Rock!
Here’s how to create a rockin’ routine or to rework one you already have:
1. Make a list of some of the regular activities you do in the run of a day like getting the kids ready for school, exercising, email or a report at work.
2. Estimate how much time it takes to do each task.
3. Try to group actions by similar activity and location to minimize the amount of time you spend running back and forth, such as preparing supper, getting dressed for work, or items to be photocopied or sent out at work.
4. To finish your routine, write down your tasks in the order you will perform them along with the time allotted for each.
5. Use the times to limit the amount of time you spend on an activity (like getting dressed or primping).
6. Add up the times to determine a start time to begin your routine.
7. Be sure to give yourself a buffer zone of extra time for unexpected events.
8. Save time and adapt to curve balls by completing tasks before you need to do them.
9. To create some new habits try linking them to ones that are already in place. Put a load of laundry in as you start to make supper.
Once you make your routines rock, you’ll see how it can save you time, toil, and trouble every day.