Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember them from school: the ones who always had well-organized pencil cases equipped with erasers, sharpeners, pens, scissors and glue-sticks (probably in duplicate). Their hair was always neatly done; their clothes ironed and bearing a full complement of buttons.
Grown up and in the work force, The Organized Ones highlight the deficiencies of the rest of us. They have neat desks. They have coordinated diaries, Palm Pilots and computers. Worst of all, they have to-do lists that actually end up with all the little boxes checked. I may have been born a Virgo, but I was not born organized. My life seems to have been a constant battle with missing buttons, uncooperative kids, piles of paperwork, and endless lists.
Ah, lists. Now we're getting to the bottom of things. I've bought and read books about getting organized, but none of the advice works for more than 48 hours. I know all about making a list of things you need to do and ranking them A, B or C. I know you have to do the A things first. I know it helps to do the small tasks first (do them in five minutes, cross them off, and hey! you bask in a sweet glow of accomplishment.)
Then you have the "Do the hardest thing first" advocates. Tackle the biggest task while you're fresh, they say. It's so much easier. But what if it takes 2 days to do the 'big task' - and meanwhile, the other 37 tasks awaiting attention loom ever more ominously?
Two weeks ago, the crunch came. I was swimming my early morning laps and mentally scrolling through all the tasks I had to do that day. Then I thought about the projects that had to be done the next day.... then the projects that were coming up Real Soon Now.
It wasn't long before I concluded that I needed at least 36 hours in every day (for the next six weeks) to get through the pile. And that's forgetting about sleeping and eating.
It seemed like a tempting option to just sink to the bottom of the pool and stay there. Let someone else run the business. ;-)
Nope. There had to be a way. I turned and swam another lap. There had to be a method of turning my piles of paper, my endless, unfinished to-do lists and my looming deadlines into a workable system.
That's when I came up with The Red Zone.
The Red Zone System
The Red Zone system is dead simple. It's based on the to-do lists and the organizers we all know so well. But it's tactile. It's in-your-face. And because it's stuck to the wall, I can't lose it.
This is what I did.
I drove to K-Mart and bought:
Yellow Zone means "Start work on these. Will need to move to Red Zone soon."
Blue Zone means: "Think about these. Be ready to move to Yellow." Feel free to choose your own colours. I already had paint - you may have to add that to your shopping list.
Then I hung the noticeboard on the wall right near my computer.
I sat at my desk and (one per notelet) wrote down all the tasks, projects, and deadlines I had pending. Some were urgent. Some needed to be done soon. Some were due in a week... some in two weeks... some were not due for a month but needed thinking about now.
I divided the notelets into three piles, then started pinning them up on the noticeboard. Red Zone filled up pretty fast. Yellow wasn't far behind. Blue Zone actually had some space.
I phoned people and emailed contacts to let them know that I needed two full weeks to clear the decks. If they needed information, they could contact Rob, my husband and business partner.
I looked at the Red Zone notes, picked the one that absolutely couldn't wait, and started work.
Has it worked? Well, I'm ten days into my new system. So far, yes, it's working. Better than the endless to-do lists that got lost in the paper storm on my desk... this is on the wall and immediately visible. Better than electronic organizers (for me - I'm the hands-on type, obviously).
I've removed a dozen or so 'urgent' notes from the Red Zone tossed them into the wastepaper bin - mission accomplished! I've moved others from the Yellow Zone over to Red, and one from Blue to Yellow. I've even had people look at the board and offer to take over a task - things I would never have thought of delegating. Another notelet gone!
I'm getting back some control.
Best of all, I can see how this system would work for anything. Household organization. Family budgets. Writers' deadlines. Craft projects. Business tasks... and a whole lot more. I've got my life back!
(c) Copyright Marg McAlister
Marg McAlister has run a successful home-based business for the past 12 years. For the past four years this has gradually moved to being totally internet-based. Marg has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/ and get tips and advice for online business at http://www.writing4success.com/
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhat does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
Life is about maintaining a balance of all aspects. At... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
Clutter is postponed decisions?. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
You arrived on earth without clutter. Your parents and doting... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
We are in a society where people are applauded for... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |