5 Tips for Time Management

There never seems to be enough time in the day. Well, there is - it’s just of matter of managing the time you’re given to be as effective as possible. Whether it’s work related or a family meeting, here are some tips to managing your time:

1.    Paper vs Electronic. Choose between the two. If you remember things better by writing it down, then use paper. Both of them are great for looking at what needs to be done overall and checking it off the list, too.

2.    One Calendar. There shouldn’t be multiple calendars for different functions. If you’re using Google Calendar for work and a spiral planner for personal life, they need to be consolidated. You’ll be able to schedule more quickly by only having one place to confirm an opening.

3.    Others should have access. Your spouse or kids should also have access to your calendar, when appropriate. This will teach them to share, time manage, and coordinate as well. Plus, in case of emergencies, they will be able to contact your upcoming appointments.

4.    Don’t overbook yourself. It’s easy to forget to put something in your calendar but make it a habit to schedule even simple things as soon as plans are made. Sometimes it’s difficult when people don’t confirm until the last minute, so you should identify the event somehow to show you might be open.

5.    Set timers. You’ll be mentally prepared and more in control of your schedule by setting timers. Whether it’s on your phone or the kitchen stove, setting a timer will push you to being prepared. The last 15 minutes before you have to leave always fly by, so set those audio notifications to high.

Create an Oasis

The winter seems to be lingering. Everyone you know seems to be going to faraway places with fresh air and sunshine. Maybe you yourself were lucky enough to take a trip over this winter, but now you’re longing for it again.

Everyone has been cooped up in the house so it’s time to bring some of that sunshine inside. Create an oasis in your home for relaxation. Bedrooms should be void of any projects; if you want to be able to relax in your room then there shouldn’t be too much stimulation in it. If there is another room you want to make relaxing, then take out technology. TVs are too tempting for catching up on the latest episodes, and it’s easy to get lost on the web with your phone or computer. Make a “phone free” zone to rest your eyes, mind, and body.

Keeping True to Your Resolutions

We’re already a month into the new year! This is usually about the time that people discontinue the good habits they made a resolution to keep. If you already quit or are slugging behind, take a deep breath. Don’t wait for another year to go by to make the resolution again!

Get back on the horse, and make time for your resolutions today. People always say that there is not enough time in the day. Is it that, or is the time you do have not managed well enough? Was your resolution to broad or overwhelming? Look at the real reasons why you’re not sticking to your resolutions, then take action.

Find some inspiration by going on Pinterest (but not for too long!), then get to work! If your resolution was eating healthier, look up some recipes, and go to the grocery store to stock up on healthy ingredients. Or, maybe your resolution was to get organized. Check out my other blogs to find inspiration on different areas in your life you can better organized.

Cleaning Up Your Computer

Just like your desk, your computer can get a little cluttered too. Lucky for you it’s National Clean Your Computer Month. Set aside time to go through your digital “paperwork.”

You can approach cleaning your computer the same as when you clean your desk:

·   File documents

·   Convert file types

·   Discard files you don’t need

·   Empty the trash out at the end

Make sure you backup all your records! You can never be too sure, so there’s nothing wrong with two or three storage solutions.

Doing Things On Purpose

A key aspect to staying organized is remembering what you’re doing. Really try to focus your thoughts on what you’re doing at the moment. We all have a million things running through our heads that we have to remember to do; even running out the door, it seems, there’s always at least 10 things you have to make sure to do before you leave.

Keep a notepad near you to write things down that are going through your head. Don’t use your phone to take notes because some kind of notification will probably distract you. (I’m looking at you, Facebook!)

Pay attention to where you put things. We’re all guilty of this. There’s nothing like looking for your phone that’s in your hand or your glasses that are on top of your head.

Don’t self-sabotage because you’re rushing. Being mindful of what you’re doing and where you put things will prevent that panicky feeling of forgetting something or feeling crunched for time.

Clean Off Your Desk Day

There comes a time when you’re working at your desk and you become so frustrated with everything that is strewn across it. It happens to the best of us. Take time before diving into your next project to declutter. Remember: there’s a difference between to-dos and projects. To-dos are everyday tasks, and projects are less regular. But, if you can manage to clear your space now You’ll feel refreshed, relieved, and ready to take on the coming challenges.

Here are some tips for cleaning off your desk:

·   Have folders ready to file away papers

·   Keep a garbage can nearby

·   Have a planner handy so you can write down tasks

·   Pick a time when you will have the least interruptions

Packing Away the Holidays

The holidays have come and gone and the New Year is here. It’s time to pack away all the decorations, all the wrapping paper and gift bags. Schedule time to do it either a little everyday or one day where you sweep through the whole house. Think about what your schedule will allow you to do. If you find that you have a lot of interruptions or get distracted easily, then break it up into 15 or 30 minutes everyday.

If you’re packing away ornaments then save the old, ripped tissue paper to wrap and protect them. And, if you’re storing everything in bins, label them and go into detail about what’s in the box. This way you won’t be digging through every box because six of them are labeled Christmas. You want to make it easy to find things in a year when you pull it all out again.

Organizing Resolutions

For this New Years, make good on your resolutions. Getting organized is the second most popular resolution (StatisticBrain.com). If it made it on your list this year, here are some tips for starting out and keeping it going:

1.    Write things down on the calendar. If you’re using a calendar in your phone or a hard copy planner or even both, write things down as soon as you make plans. Don’t only write down meetings and appointments, but things like what you’d like to make for dinner that night, people to call, and chores to complete. You’ll be able to look back to see what you did when, if you ever need to. It also helps you remember what your goals for the day/week/month are while keeping you accountable.

2.    Designate certain chores to certain days. This will make your schedule smoother and chores won’t fall behind. If you dust every Wednesday, then you will be able to keep up with it. Make your own schedule, though, so it works best for you and your lifestyle.

Storing Your Gift Wrap

Gift giving isn't just for winter holidays. Birthdays, baby and wedding showers and more happen all year long. Eventually, you’ll need wrapping paper handy. There are some nifty ways to store it without it getting damaged:

Tall, plastic containers are great for keeping rolls of wrapping paper. You can see each design easily, but you won’t be able to stack anything on top of it if you’re looking for extra space. It can be a specialty item for wrap, or something as simple as a clean waste basket or 5-gallon bucket. There are also products on Amazon for storing rolls of wrapping paper that are waterproof and see-through.

Other great hiding spots for gift wrappings are under the bed: out of sight, out of mind. They can be hung on the back of a door, like a closet, or in the corner of the closet.

Bags, wrapping paper, ribbons, and tissue paper can be used more than once, so store them in a way that won't crush or tear. Again, this can be something specific to gift wrap or as easy as an old shoebox. I'm also a big fan of using a paper or reusable shopping bag to store other gift bags, bows or more.

Keeping Track of All the Festivities

It seems around the holidays that you think of so many people you want to catch up with. You were so busy throughout the year that the timing to connect with them never was really great. Now, you have a bunch of parties to go to this holiday season. Here are some tips for keeping it all straight:

·   Mark all the parties in your calendar. Writing down all the party dates and when you need to RSVP is critical to running the next few weeks smoothly. You’ll also be able to plan ahead with them all in one spot.

·   Keep invitations in one spot. Don’t have them scattered across the kitchen counter and the dining room table. Keep them all centralized for easy viewing.

·   Notes if you need to bring something. Write down notes if you need to bring anything like a dessert or salad. If it’s a family party, there might be an anniversary or birthday you missed, so be prepared with a card or gift.

·   Casual or formal? Plan what you will wear before. Take note of whether the occasion is more casual or if you need to dress up.

·   Don’t overbook. By writing all the parties down, you’ll know if you’re overbooking; so prioritize and keep yourself sane during the crazy holidays.