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How to get —
and stay — organized in 2003
Already
broken most of your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t
fret; it’s not too late to give it another try.
One of the most widely made resolutions people make
is to get more organized. The folks at At-A-Glance,
the maker of calendars and organizational supplies,
say the keys to organization are to plan in advance
and develop a routine.
Here are some quick tips to help you manage the clutter
this year:
•
Write down your goals — Create a list of
your professional as well as personal goals and keep
it handy at all times. Review and update the list when
necessary to keep it current and relevant.
•
Assess how you currently use your time —
For a few days, keep a log of how you use your time.
Eliminate activities that are “time wasters”
and focus your energies on those activities that will
help you reach your goals.
•
Take time to plan — Take five to 10 minutes
to plan your day. It can be done the evening before
or early that morning.
•
Learn to be flexible — Things will happen
everyday that are out of your control. You can regain
some control, though, by realizing delays will occur
and allowing for buffer zones in your daily planning.
•
Break down big projects — Tackle the big
events and projects by breaking them down into smaller
and more manageable tasks.
•
Utilize waiting or travel time — Listen
to books on tape while you commute to work. Keep a file
marked “reading materials” and insert magazine
and newspaper articles that you would like to read but
never seem to have time to get to. Take the folder with
you when you travel.
•
Be considerate of others’ time — Plan
all meetings and communications carefully. Publish meeting
agendas and stick to them.
Data:
ARA Content
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