Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook prepares tasty meals in a hectic, rush-rush environment, and does it all with a smile? The answer is simple: A system. The next time you are in a little diner for lunch purposefully sit in a place where you can see the short-order cook preparing the food. It is like poetry in motion.
What you will see is a system where food orders are delivered to the kitchen by a waiter or waitress, which usually clips them to a spiraling clipboard. The cook reads the order and starts the "music." For a traditional breakfast order he would quickly begin frying strips of bacon, beating eggs, and browning toast. Doing this for not just one order but many at the same time. Once the food is done, the cook plates the food and sends it out to be served. This system has been used for decades, even in our high-tech world, there is not a better system for the short-order cook.
What about your world? If it is like mine, your world is filled with to-do lists, appointments, meetings, phone calls, and projects. Like the short-order cook, without a system in place your world would not be very productive and probably very chaotic. However, with a system you will be able to focus on multiple tasks at once, prepare for appointments, and make good use of your time.
The first step you must consider in your system is your calendar. Do you have one? Just one? Is it helping or hindering you? Your daily calendar should be the tool that tells you?
What to do ? your task list
Who to call ? your contact list
Where to be ? your daily calendar
Many people that I come in contact with say they don't need a calendar or don't need to write everything down because they can log it all in their memory bank. Always remember, the faintest ink is better than the best memory. I have gotten up many times in the middle of the night to write something down. Even if God speaks to you during the night, or during your prayer time, there is no guarantee that you will remember it unless you write it down. Now, where do you write it? Having one central place to write all of your important information is best. However, when an inspirational thought or a simple to-do hits your mind, write it down anywhere. You can transfer it to that central place later.
One tool that hit the market a few years ago is the Pocket PC (PDA). The vote is still out as to who loves them and who does not. However, many feel they can't keep up with a PDA and a manual calendar system. I would quickly agree. Also, for many, they are comfortable using the paper system and would be lost not having something to write an appointment down in or a piece of paper to write notes to themselves.
I was one of those type people, always caring my manual calendar/planner system with me. The thought of using a PDA was scary, but I have found a balance that will work for most anyone. I have also found great benefits from this system. The benefits of using a PDA is its?
Sync-ability ? I keep my PDA updated with what I want to do, calls to make, and calendar items. I have the ability to connect the PDA to my computer. This connection synchronizes all my "new" data from my PDA to the computer and visa versa. Therefore, my computer and PDA always have the same information. I can print reports or set alarms right from my desktop computer. This has helped me because when I leave my office I carry a tool (my PDA) that is up to date with all my latest information.
Flexibility ? I keep my PDA in a small binder that has rings for notepaper. If I think of a person that I want/need to call, something that I need to do when I get to the office, or if I make an appointment I can write it on my notepaper and then transfer it to the PDA when I have time. Sure, I could add it to my PDA at the time, but I have found this system much easier and more efficient.
Expandability ? My PDA has much more on it than just a calendar system. I can type letters, design spreadsheets, play games, check the weather, and read the Bible. My PDA has expanded as my life has expanded. Something I could never get from my old "paper" calendar system.
Record-ability - My PDA has become a very useful tool to me. One last benefit is note taking. I can pull up someone in my contact list and record notes from a meeting. Therefore, when I speak to them again I can refer back to these notes. This really makes me look organized.
In order to reach your potential each and every day you must have a system. I hope my personal system ideas will be become gold nuggets of information to you.
About The Author
If you need further help in setting up a system I would be glad to become your "Organized For Life" coach. Coaching you to your potential is success in my book. Feel free to contact me at jeff@jeffearlywine.com or check out the website link below.
green cleaning service Glencoe ..I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
You arrived on earth without clutter. Your parents and doting... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More
It happens without warning. One day you notice your home... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More
I've noticed that in the two years since the major... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
Here's a little lesson I experienced while packing boxes for... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |