When your disorganization trumps your good intentions

Let's be honest: We all have a messy closet, a junk drawer, hidden stashes of "something" or a desk/table where you carry out most of your daily activities. I am right, aren't I? Your office appears neat and clean, but, wait! ...Don't you dare open those upper cabinets! Your bedroom is a model room...if you only looked under the bed! Uff!...OK, maybe if you truly are more organized, maybe you have just a tiny corner in your house, a small box with "items" (yet, you still labeled the box "random things"), a little shelf (a hidden shelf, of course!) that holds a few papers or "stuff". The hidden disorganization. I believe I can live with that!

The reason why I decided to write about disorganization, is because I believe chronic disorganization can ruin our goals. This is so sad. I've seen people giving up because they couldn't find their "to do list" they were working on and after starting a new one, they once again misplace it. I've seen people not going to the gym because they postponed doing their laundry, didn't check detergent was actually missing and had nothing to wear to the gym. Their enthusiasm, so great, was eaten up by disorganization. I've also seen people avoid calling important people, or getting back via e-mail because (and they told me that), they misplaced their contact info! Wow!
I've experienced being silently ignored by someone who had so much, so much in his hands, he couldn't even schedule answering me back in his amazingly busy 24h day. He told me he didn't sleep, so I figured ... "Hey, maybe I have a chance of receiving an e-mail from him, even if it's at 3 a.m. I wouldn't mind!" He couldn't really fit me into his 24h day, and while I move on, my perception of him changed quite a bit.

I wrote a previous post about the following: We live in a society. No matter who we are, who we want to be or what beliefs we have, it is how OTHERS PERCEIVE us that will, partly, influence how successful our social life, our social interactions are. If you come across as a snob, yet you feel you are not one, you are clearly doing something wrong. If you come across as rude, yet you are perplexed to hear that Mary gossiped to Lauren and John about your rude remarks and they all agreed on it, you're certainly doing something wrong! Don't kid yourself. This is serious stuff.

If I interact with you one day, and the next day I meet you say, in your office, you are inviting me in to explore more of who you are. If your office is a mess, a chaotic dump, you are telling me this about you. I might continue to consider you an extremely, friendly, outgoing, fun, capable, knowledgeable person, yet, I will also think of you as messy and disorganized. Will this have a negative impact on my future judgement of you? Maybe.

Chronic disorganization at the workplace, in your Association, in your Club, even at home, sends signals to others that something is not in sync with you. Can we really, really reach full efficiency if our surroundings are messy? Think about it. Do you picture your dream workplace as a messy place? Honestly, I don't think you would. Some would argue that most geniuses were totally disorganized. OK, but are you a genius like Einstein or Galileo? Hm.

I have a few hidden, junk drawers, junk closets and "holds whatever"- cabinets. Both at work and at home. I live peacefully with my mess. I call it organized mess, because it doesn't affect my day, it doesn't affect my goals, it doesn't bother me. Many of us realize the mess, ignore it and literally suffer from the negative effects it has on us, on our goals and possible negative perceptions others can have of us.

If you are doing business where people need to have very positive perceptions of you, re-think your office mess, your mess in your car (picking up a client for lunch?), your mess in your purse (does it take you 15 minutes to locate your business cards?). You have goals to achieve in your social and business interactions, and don't let your messy surroundings ruin them for you!

Manage your Magazines!

I love magazines. I truly believe magazine subscriptions are great, because, knowing I will buy them anyway, I actually save money when subscribing! This thought pattern has led me to create a magazine "library" at home, where you can find some great publications, such as Fortune, Conde Nast Portfolio, Business Week, Working Mother, InStyle, Money, Parenting, Golf, American Baby, Tea Time, Southern Lady, Health, BEe and my beloved Pink.

You are probably wondering how in the world I would have time to read all of these magazines. I understand what you mean, as I often wonder about the same thing.

I decided to create a "scan and file" process, where I tear out my favorite articles and file them in a folder. The folder has different tabs and organizes my articles into different categories.
I use the articles in the folders as references, as a past-time, I give it to friends and family, sharing as much as I can.

Now, I have 4 heavy piles of magazines already scanned and filed, waiting to be placed into the recylcing box. I would probably need 4 boxes, at least.

I enjoy reading quality magazines so much because of different reasons:

• They relax me (easy reading)
• I can carry them around with me
• Many times, they add value to my life
• Many times, they inspire my work
• I truly enjoy reading about successful people and companies

...and accompanied by a cup of coffee, even better! Talking about coffee, have you read the post below on Dunkin' & Starbucks?

The art of Eating-on-the-Go

Honestly, eating-on-the-go is not my preferred choice of dining.
First, let's get acquainted with three eating-on-the-go scenarios:

• You are driving, and in your cup holder you have your soda. With one hand you stir and drive, while the other hand holds your sandwich. The fries are nestled between your legs - Easy access.
• You are sitting at your desk (work!), and don't have time to take a lunch break. So, you strategically place your drink and plate/brown bag/Tupperware on your desk, so that you can work and eat without losing one second! - Efficiency
• You skipped breakfast and lunch because you weren't able to squeeze in any time for that, however, (thank goodness!) you have a cocktail party to go to tonight, and while you mingle and meet new people, you make sure to try all possible hors d'oeuvres, not forgetting the free drinks! - Excellent!

Why are these not my preferred ways of enjoying a meal? The simplest reason of all is: It's hard to ENJOY a meal this way. I love food, and I want to make time to enjoy the dining experience, whether at home, at work, or at a party.

The answer given by most people "I don't have time" reflects not the lack of time, but rather the choice made when allocating time and setting priorities. So, it's not really about not having time, but choosing to do something else instead with that time available.

The 1st scenario is a disaster waiting to happen! You may spill your drink on your clothes, your hands may slip and you may cause an accident. Instead of saving time, you can end up losing much more. Your food may fall on the ground and I just hope your phone doesn't ring! Your car will smell like food, and guess what?...so will you! Your rushed eating is not healthy nor safe or elegant.

The 2nd scenario sends mixed messages about your professionalism: Your efficiency at work should be reflected in your time management skills as well. You should have time to take a break and have lunch. If you are the boss, consider your subordinates' opinions on you eating at your desk. the bottom line is: If you consider yourself efficient, there should be time for a lunch break.

The 3rd scenario will not benefit your mingling abilities. You will have sticky fingers and too much to carry around while meeting and talking to people. Not to mention the possibility of food getting stuck in your teeth without you being aware of it. My suggestion is to reconsider it.

One of my future posts will be on restaurants rushing us to finish our meals and to get us out of there. Sounds crazy, but I'm sure most of us have experienced that before!

I'm sorry for the delay!

We all know the holiday season is a very busy time of the year. Can you believe it already passed and we are in 2009? Sometimes, we feel we are so involved with all the parties, office parties, cooking, baking, wrapping gifts, decorating, opening gifts, entertaining, taking pictures and reading holiday cards, that days go by and the holiday entertainment and atmosphere do not seem to cease!

Then, we realize the difficult thruth: We forgot to THANK people for their caring gift they gave us and our family in the month of December. Well, you know you thanked them verbally, but you really wanted to send out a nice Thank You Note expressing your gratitude.

Now, you find yourself already in January! What should you do?

The best thing to do is to be creative!

• Make a very small compilation of your favorite Holiday pictures on which your kids, your loved one, your pets or the beautiful natural scenery is displayed.
• Use these pictures to create a fun Thank You card where you not only thank the person for their gift(s), but where you also wish them all the best for the new year!
• You may use colorful paper to crate your cards or a fun computer software can help you as well. Even a simple word processing program can create nice cards!
• You may want to add a small note on your card simply apologizing for the delay

There is a "social rule" that asks for Thank Yous to be given no later than 48h. You can call or send a card. I understand we sometimes have the best of intentions, but are unable to stay withing these 48h. While this short time span demonstrates a strong commitment from your part, don't feel bad if you are unable to stay within it.

Think about how you can learn from this experience as well. How did it make you feel when you wanted to send out the Thank You cards but didn't do so "in time? Then, how did it make you feel to end out personalized cards with holiday pictures and a handwritten note?

Think about using your weekly/daily goal strategy to your advantage before the holiday season comes again. Choose a day around those December days that you will dedicate to writing your cards. To increase your efficiency, you may even want to think about pre-addressing the envelopes sometime during a quiet day of the year, or choosing which card will go to what family/friend, and save time by doing so!

E is for Thank You Etiquette.

E is for Efficiency.

Setting goals - Part II

Hello!

I hope you are very enthusiastic about your weekly and daily goal setting. Moreover, I hope you realize what an achievement it is, to have a successful day (and week!) where all your goals have been accomplished.

REWARD YOURSELF!

I am not in favor of depriving ourselves from what we want, especially if it makes us happy. Nevertheless, as a motivation, maybe you might want to shift the day you'll buy yourself that new scarf or the new laptop sleeve...Set it for the end of the week, after you've had a successful completion of your goals.
Let me know later how this made you feel!

Setting goals for the New Year!

E is for EFFICIENCY! By setting and achieving goals, we live a more efficient life!

Why is it important to set goals?

1. By setting goals, we are making a compromise. We are emphasizing the desire we have to achieve something, and by simply setting goals that are believable and achievable, we may act and live our lives towards achieving these goals;
2. Goals frame what we want to do. If one of my goals is to read 2 books about Personal Communication per month, it probably means I am interested in learning more about Communication. It could also mean that I want to increase my vocabulary and dynamic reading skills;
3. When we set goals, we have more structure in our lives. We look for ways to achieve our goals, and organize them so that we can accomplish important steps each day or each week. This structure enables us to make efficient use of time, and finally,
4. Once we achieve our goals, we feel proud, accomplished, motivated and happy!

How can I set goals for myself?

(1) Start out with daily goals that you write down the night before you go to sleep.
Make a list of the things you want to accomplish today. The list can be written on paper or can be inut into your smart phone or PDA. Make a list of the things you need to buy, people you need to contact (call or meet), places you need to go and things you need to do at home. Do these in order you will be carrying them out. Example:

Tuesday, December 30:
9:15a.m., CALL: Mary (about dinner next weekend), ABC Store (about an order I placed), Mom (about beans recipe)
1p.m., GO TO: Post Office to mail package to cousins, Target to buy New Year's decor
BUY (see above): New Year's decor
4p.m., AT HOME: vacuum all couches, take stain off white shirt, marinate chicken for tomorrow, water all plants

• Carry your list everywhere you go! Make it easily accessible to you at all times.
• By dividing things into categories, you save time!
• Use colors to enhance your list and visually catch your attention.
• To save even more time, don't forget to write them down in the order you will be doing each task.
• Cross out each item once it is completed!
• Avoid adding any new item unless it is of utmost importance and cannot wait until the next day.

(2) Once you've mastered setting and accomplishing daily goals, move on to weekly goals:
You may use a dry-erase board, an agenda, or a custom self-designed table on Excel or on paper.
Write down the days of the week as collumns, one next to another.
Devide each collumn into A.M. (morning), P.M. (afternoon) and NIGHT (you will set the time for what night means to you. For me, it would be after 8 p.m.)
On the top of each collumn you will write the "Goal of the day", which is the most important thing you want to get done.
In your A.M. section, you will write the most important goal for the morning and you will do the same for the P.M. and the NIGHT collumn.
You will increment your daily collumns with daily goals, so that your weekly goals list will guide you to create your daily goals list! An example:

MONDAY, December 29:
Buy a bigger car seat!

AM: Meet with the new pool cleaning company
PM: Go to the mall to buy a bigger car seat
Exchange Bday gift to a smaller size
Gym class
Walk neighbor's dogs

NIGHT: Premiere of the XYZ Show

You will write a brief weekly goals list for each day of the week, and from there you will develop your daily list. Your weekly goals list should be written on the same day/night each week, so that you can create some consistency.

The daily goals list for this (above listed) Monday, would be as follows:

9a.m., CALL: Guard gate to let the pool cleaning company in
9:30a.m., MEET,: John, from pool company
12p.m. to 3p.m., GO TO: Fashion Mall, to buy larger car seat / exchange my gift/ look around/ have a coffee
5p.m., GO TO: Gym, step class
6:15p.m.: WALK Susan's dogs and turn on her porch lights, get her mail/ get my mail/ sort mail out
7:15p.m.: Shower, dinner (eat Sub from last night!)
8:30, WATCH: Premiere of XYZ Show!!
9:30, MAKE LIST for tomorrow!

On a next Post, I will talk about monthly goals and yearly goals. This is very exciting, as I hope that by the next time, you will be mastering the weekly and daily goal setting, by enjoying and learning from it.

Let's all live a more efficient life! I am curious to read your comments and smile at your achievements!

May the New Year start off very well for you! I wish you all the very best!
Happy New Year!