ARoundTuit Organizing & Productivity

High-value habits require very little effort for significant results. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is planning a day’s work the night before.  Sean D’Souza of Psychotactics summed it up brilliantly (I must say) in his blog post Three Minutes That Save Three Hours.

Also, storing frequently used items on the side of your dominant hand. This makes retrieval instant and replacement convenient = far more likely to occur.  This is a high-value organization habit, believe it or not.

Here are some prize … Continue Reading

“I bet this is the worst mess you’ve ever seen”, you say. “Not by far”, I say, and close the subject.

But then, what do I think when I enter an office (or an entire building) full of clutter?  In-boxes filled with hundreds of unread emails? Months and months of unopened office mail?

Or,when I meet a talented professional who’s disorganization is hurting his or her career?

In most cases, these thoughts come  to mind:

1. Your are under a lot of stress. It is eating away

… Continue Reading

Here are the three killer questions I ask clients to help them take action against clutter:

Do you need it?

In this category fall the many types of document a business is required to keep for a limited period of time, and some not at all.  Digital files are now acceptable in many instances, which allows you to move the originals off-site, or even destroy them (WHAT?!).  Also in this category are some types of statements and invoices.

Ask a CPA or visit www.irs.gov for the latest on document retention requirements and recommendations for your type … Continue Reading

Organizing is to productivity as the heart is to the body: a driving force when efficiently maintained, or a source of anxiety and pain when neglected.  Be that what it is, a person isn’t a just a heart.  There is a system of organs, muscles and bones that make vital contributions to a person’s sickness or health.

A good professional organizer looks at the organizing project as part of a whole system, including other areas, tasks, people, and dynamics.

Without knowing this, it’s understandable why clients ask organizers for a quick fix – grant it, sometimes that’s all it takes.  Now … Continue Reading

This ability to stay above the emotion allows me to give clients a fresh, empowering perspective.  One that only comes from the outside in.  Many people can not do this on their own when under stress.

Many of my clients are not naturally disorganized or scattered people.   They can feel in charge of their lives, and manage their time and space with intention.  However, it’s an understatement to say they are “busy”.  Some live like a circus contortionist, spinning 10 plates on sticks while riding a bicycle backwards on a tightrope. Raise your hand if … Continue Reading

Less is More

Translated: Choose organizing systems that require as few steps as possible from start to finish.  It doesn’t really matter how attractive it is (read: elaborate color coded filing systems) or how wonderful the professional organizer (who LOVES to organize, mind you) on tv says the systems is.

 For example: It is probably not necessary to file all your bills by year and type, in pretty color-coded hanging files in the file cabinet.  This requires you to sort bills, place them individually in the files, and maintain the filing system year after year – or it ends up like the one … Continue Reading

Problem: MIA purse / wallet / sunglasses / earpiece / security card / PDA.

Professional Organizers know to choose a home for such “mobile” necessities.  This is something people understand right away.  So, they choose a “safe” place, like their top dresser drawer, or the overburdened kitchen counter.  But items still go missing.  Humph.

“Assigning a home hasn’t helped”, they bemoan.  “I must be hopelessly disorganized”.

Not so, not so.  Assigning a home is only half the equation.  The other essential half is that the home be convenient.  “Convenient” means on the flight path to your usual first stop once you enter the house.  In most … Continue Reading

Birds of a feather should flock together.  In the supply closet as in your desk drawer, dedicate a home for each type of item: writing, paper, electronics, office supplies, etc.  By keeping like items together, you’ll find what you need, every time.  Not only that, but you’ll never waste money again purchasing supplies you already have.. but can’t find!

The more steps separating us from a task that needs to be done, the less likely we are to do it. That’s why the trash can, recycle bin, office supplies and (surprise!) water cooler, should be located near where they are used.

Yes, it’s that simple!

I’m going to go out on a limb and blog about an item not related to office productivity – at least not directly. It’s because I care about you, and I know how much you or someone you really care about is irritated by those big boxes of unsorted photos hidden in your guestroom closet. Yes, the ones you have been meaning to take care of for.. years.

How did I know about them if I’ve never met you or been to your home? Because the overwhelming majority of people I’ve ever met have at least one box of unsorted photos … Continue Reading