Lists help to make you more efficient, save money and time, boost your memory and aid in decision making. But how do you make your lists? I’ve found that doing a combination of things has helped me to be more organized. Maybe it will work for you too.
1. Handwritten: For me, I feel like it’s not really a to-do list unless it’s written out. I also write out my packing lists and my pros v. cons lists. Read more
I basically tell anyone who will listen to me about how amazing Evernote is. It’s an app and website that keeps track of nearly anything you want it to. A friend who is also obsessed with it once called it an “extension of her mind.” I think that’s pretty accurate. Anything you want to keep track of but might forget — should go into Evernote.
Here’s how I’m using it: Read more
I have a confession to make…I can sometimes be a paper hoarder. I keep things because I “might need them.” I’ve gotten better now that a lot of records and statements can be found online. But when the mail comes sometimes it hard to part with some of the pieces “just in case.”
But I’ve been getting better thanks to my organizational friends like Bonnie Joy Dewkett. She’s a professional organizer and owner of The Joyful Organizer. These tips will help you tackle any pile of mail, bills, magazines or flyers in a flash!
Top 10 Paper Organization Tips
By Bonnie Joy Dewkett
Paper is one of the biggest problems we have as a society. Here are ten quick tips to get you organized and keep you that way!
1. Have a big pile of paper? Flip it over and start sorting at the bottom. Chances are that most of the stuff on the bottom is old, expired, or no longer valuable to you. Read more
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I haven’t always been a morning person but with a “regular” 9-5 schedule – I didn’t have a choice. So I’ve embraced it. Every morning before work I:
1. Read two newspapers
2. Practice yoga
3. Sip green tea
4. Eat a healthy breakfast
5. Read through and respond to several emails
6. Listen to news radio for 15 minutes
7. Check my Twitter and Facebook feeds
8. Take a shower and get ready
9. Walk for 15 minutes
Most people barely have enough time to jump in the shower, take the dog out for a walk and scarf down some breakfast before they get to work. I don’t do all of the things on that list because I HAVE to – I do them because I WANT to.
My husband thinks I’m crazy but I wake up at 6:05am every morning so I can do all of those things before work. It’s hours before I have to get to work but I love that time to be productive and do the things I want to do for myself.
I recently read an e-book called, “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast” by Laura Vanderkam and it turns out a lot of successful people do exactly the same thing as me. They meditate, exercise, read, practice hobbies and do anything that they like way before they get to work.
As it says in the book — if you do things before work in the morning there’s a higher chance you’ll actually get those things done and out of the way to feel much more accomplished and productive before you sit down at your desk. You’ve all been there… you procrastinate, make excuses and get tired by the end of the day so you may never get to the gym. For me — I don’t like to be rushed. I like to give myself enough time to get ready and wake up.
Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project” gets up an hour before her family to check email and headlines and start her day. I like to do the same thing so that when I actually get to work – I can start working right away and only have a few emails to distract me.
So what do you do in the morning?
Musee d’Orsay Clock (Photo credit: PatrickS)
I’m all about shortcuts and saving time, which is why I absolutely love apps. My co-workers and friends are always asking me which apps I like the best. Here’s a bunch that I put together using a SkinnyScoop.com list generator. Please add the ones that you’ve found that help you be more productive!