Where’d I Put That Metrocard?

I’m sure this has happened to you at least once — you are running for the subway and realize you can’t find your metrocard.  It’s happened to all of us.  Or you realize that you don’t have enough money left on the card for a ride and the train goes whizzing by you.  Yep — it’s unfortunate and avoidable.

Metrocard Overload

This very thing happened when I was with my friend Danielle recently — she was searching and searching for a card with $2.25 for a one-way trip on the NYC subway.  She found 7 cards total — none of them had enough on them.  We missed our train. I always keep my metrocard in the exact same place so I don’t lose it.  But not Danielle…sigh. Read more

The “Hit Time” Method for Getting More Done

In TV news we use the term “hit time” a lot.  It means the time that your story will be “hitting the air.”  We will say “what time is your hit?” or “this hits in 10 minutes,” or “are you going to make your hit?” Using strict deadlines in the news business works — the newscast will carry on with or without you.  So you better be prepared and make your hit time.  I’ve carried over the idea of hit times into my daily life.

Using the “Hit Time” Method

When I get dressed in the morning I have several “hit times” where I know if I’m not doing a certain thing at that time — I will be late.  For instance — if I’m not out of the shower by 7:15am — I won’t be able to do my hair, makeup, eat breakfast, read the newspaper and check my email.  I like doing all those things (and yoga) before I leave in the morning.  I know by this “hit time” what I have time to do and what I can’t do so I can still make it to work at a reasonable time.  Read more

6 Steps to Simplifying Your Daily Routine

I have a problem getting out of the house in the morning. I do a lot of things like make lunch and pick out my clothes the night before.  So that’s helpful.  But in the morning I check emails, I tweak my blog, I post to Facebook, I poke around Twitter…all while I’m trying to get ready.  It drives my husband crazy.  I suppose even I could use a list for getting out the door in the morning.

I actually wrote one in my ebook called “The Top 10 Lists Every Mom Needs.” Download it and check it out.  But I could always use some fresh ideas so that’s why I asked organizing goddess, Tracy McCubbin, for a little insight.

6 Steps to Simplifying Your Daily Routine

by Tracy McCubbin

Most of us know the benefits of de-cluttering, especially if you’re reading this blog, but what we don’t realize is that clutter causes stress in our everyday lives. How many times have you scrambled in the morning to find your keys, a matching shoe or even your purse?

It’s my goal to help everyone, whether you’re a mom of quints or a single 20-something, develop livable systems of organization they can incorporate into their daily lives to make it more enjoyable and less stressful.

Here are six simple steps you can take to give your daily routine a makeover. Learn it, live it, love it. Read more