Tips and Tricks on Getting Organized (and staying that way!)

Every so often I post on Facebook all the things that I’ve accomplished for the day.  Inevitably, someone will say “I wish I was that organized” or “I wish I had time to get all that done”.  I don’t get everything done because I’m some Samantha who twitches her nose, or Jeannie who bobs her head.  It’s certainly not because I have tons of free-time on my hands or work from home. 

(Side note – whenever someone says that they work from home, don’t think that they sit around in their pjs all day drinking hot tea and watching the soaps.  Well, maybe some do, but in order to run two successful businesses AND keep your house in order and not lose your sanity, that’s just not gonna happen…sorry pjs!)

The reason that I get things done and have time to do fun stuff is because I finally learned to follow some of my mom’s best advice – do your work first and then you’ll have time to play.  Along the way, I’ve also learned a few tips and tricks of my own that can only be taught at the school of “Hard Knocks”.  So, my goal with this blog is to share those tips and tricks with others, and to hopefully someday have enough of a following to be able to answer questions and to give advice on getting organized (and staying that way!)

So for those who don’t know me, let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I’m a wife and “mother” to two wonderful Border Collies.  (No, we don’t have kids –yet- but that does NOT mean that what I have to say here doesn’t equally apply to moms with kids, and that these things aren’t possible with kids.  Because THEY ARE.)  We live in San Antonio, TX and are currently building a house and staying with a family friend while it’s being built.  (This will enter into lots of my entries!)  I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m a former teacher, and I currently run two businesses from my home – I am a travel agent, and I sell Pampered Chef products.

GOAL NUMBER ONE:  Realize that it’s not so much about how MUCH you get done as that you finished what you HAD to finish.

Ok, so every day you wake up and you can make a decision about your day.  Whether it’s a good day or a bad day.  Whether you are going to smile and be successful or frown and get nothing done.  Let me tell you about a little website that I love – it’s called Buttoned Up.  (www.getbuttonedup.com)  I have several of their products and today I’m going to tell you how their Nothing Else Pad has helped me achieve organizational freedom.  (And no, they aren’t paying me for this advertising!) 

The Nothing Else Pad starts with something simple – the date goes at the top of the page.  Then it has sets of three bullet or “button” points for each of six sections.  These sections include: “If I get NOTHING else done today, I must…”, “If I call NO ONE else today, I must call…”,  “If I email NO ONE else today, I must email…”, “If I do nothing else at work today,  I must…”,  “If I do nothing else at home today, I must….”, and “Someone else is counting on me to do this today…”

Organization does NOT happen overnight, but this little pad will help you.  I fill mine out the day before.  When I think of something that I need to do such as run an errand or call a specific person, I add it to the next day’s sheet.  By the end of the day, I have the next day planned.  You can start at the top of your sheet, at the bottom, or in the middle, but by setting three simple goals in each of these sections, you are setting yourself up for success.

Each day shouldn’t be about running around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to accomplish everything you possibly can.  You need ME time.  That’s the time when you can sit back and do whatever you want.  If it’s read a book, then read.  If it’s work a logic puzzle, work a puzzle.  If it’s Facebook, then Facebook.  You will NOT be happy with your life if you are constantly running a rat race and feeling like you can’t accomplish everything.  You also won’t feel satisfied if you shuck it all and accomplish nothing because there was just too much on the list to even get started.

The best thing about the Nothing Else Pad is that it’s TRULY OK if you get NOTHING ELSE done all day!  Realizing this was FREEING for me.  I wish that I had discovered this while I was teaching.  It would have revolutionized my life so much sooner!!

Another great thing about the Nothing Else Pad is that it’s red.  It’s gonna sit there on your desk and bug you until you’ve done everything on it.  Then, you THROW IT AWAY!  That page goes in the trash.  If you’ve had a rough day, tear it into bits, shred it in your shredder, or perhaps you like to look back and see all you’ve accomplished and you’d rather keep it as a shrine to your former self and how great you are now. 

It’s helped me to realize that it’s really true – Rome was NOT built in a day: The house was not cleaned in a day.  The room was not organized in a day.  The bathroom was not cleaned in a day.  The kitchen was not organized in a day.  Clients were not called in a day.  Quotes were not researched and sent out in a day.  Cooking shows were not planned in a day.  Because, honey, that’s simply too much to do in one day!!!!!!!!!!  But if I put simple things on my Nothing Else Pad like “dust”, “sweep”, and “clean toilets”, then those three household chores can get done today!  I’ll save “laundry”, “clean shower,” and “vacuum” for tomorrow!

So – take some stress off and prioritize your life.  It truly will revolutionize your life, and you’ll start finding time to “stop and smell the roses” and life really will start looking up.  I promise.