We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around the house. This can cause major frustration because many of us don't do them efficiently, and most of us fail to complete our entire list of chores! You may take comfort in comment from a commiserating colleague: "A creative mind always has more ideas than the physical body is able to carry out. The only people who finish their 'to do' list are dead." So, relax, there is only so much time in the day, and ask yourself, "What's the most important thing to do today?"
It is important to make the most of your time and energy, but many of us take the long road to accomplish our work, when it turns out there was a short cut all along. Wouldn't you love to lower your stress and add "free" time to your day? Here are a few tips you might try to accomplish your routine work more easily.
? Create a communication center on the fridge for messages, chores etc. Add a cartoon now and then to add a smile to your day!
? Make a master calendar for scheduling family commitments. Use a different color for each family member.
? Create a checklist for groceries arranged in the order of your grocery store aisles posted where family members can add items as you run out.
? Sort recipes in categories that make sense to you ? "potluck ideas" or "company ideas."
? Keep related items together, for example the coffee filters and coffee "live" above or near the coffee maker.
? Designate every location or container for a specific purpose -- a drawer for tools, a shelf for single size linens, or an attractive wastebasket for umbrellas.
? Keep cleaning supplies in a bucket other plastic container for easy portability.
? Identify a specific place to put car keys, gloves, umbrellas etc., for quick access when you leave the house.
? Use an answering machine or service to control calls. Return calls at your convenience. Keep a notebook by the phone for messages. Identify messages for family members with initials.
? Teach your children to use an alarm clock or clock radio.
? Choose clothing and accessories and pack lunches the night before.
? Start a child's file system with a simple container, basket, file or shelf. It may contain information about their medical records, medicines, education, extra curricular activities, memorabilia, etc.
? Run errands at non-rush hour times if possible. Keep stops sequential to avoid driving in circles. Take one child along for one-on-one time and stop for ice cream or a look at the petstore.
? When opening your incoming e-mail, apply The FAT System? (File-Act-Toss). Sort actions requiring action by category such as "Call," "Discuss" or "Pay."
? Attach the old message when replying to an e-mail to help the recipient remember its original content.
? Keep your filing system simple. Don't create too many categories, it's better to put information into the largest general category first, and break it down when it becomes too bulky.
? Finish one task at a time. Distractions will leave you with a lot of chores that are half way done.
? Practice the Art of Wastebasketry®. Ask yourself, "What's the worst possible thing that would happen if I didn't have this? If you can live with your answer, toss it ? and live happily ever after!
Your daily routine will take time. And don't beat yourself up if you can't get it all done. But remember, a little organization can go a long way. Often it's a simple change that makes a big difference. You may find your self saying "why didn't I think of that before?" You can contemplate that thought at the end of the day, while you relax in a lounge chair, enjoying your free time.
© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More
Our daily lives are inundated with a crammed to-do list.... Read More
OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More
Balancing a family's varying schedules can be near impossible. Soccer,... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More
Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the... Read More
We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More
"Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More
* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More
A common remedy for improving your time management is to... Read More
Time and money are both very important in business. Yet,... Read More
Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that... Read More
One of the most challenging aspect in life is time... Read More
It's 6:00 a.m. I'm awake. I'm pumped! I'm ready to... Read More
Almost everyone in business knows the balancing act between the... Read More
I have a habit of sending a thank you letter... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
Determine Your Procrastination PersonalityBrook Noel is the author of The... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
It's been said, "That no one has enough time yet,... Read More
I keep a fossil on my desk at all times.... Read More
As mothers we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More
One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More
One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools... Read More


A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More
I would like to touch upon a subject that it... Read More
One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
Why Read?It's been said that there are three kinds of... Read More
If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More
Whenever I've worked on 'de-cluttering' my living or working space,... Read More
Most of us have a to-do list ? some of... Read More
* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More
In this fast and crazy world, we want to multi-task... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More
One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More
Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More
Many folks tell me that they just don't have time... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
Everyday life can present us with opportunities to make us... Read More
Many of the clients I work with in success coaching... Read More
Time - it is the one thing that we are... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More
Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More
Clarity brings accomplishmentOne of the most important things you can... Read More
"Because there will always be something more to do, we... Read More
Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
"It's just been one of those days?I can't seem to... Read More
Years ago when I started in this business, it seemed... Read More
Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I... Read More
Most people want to start a home-based business to make... Read More
Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
"At my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying... Read More
Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
Time Management |