Business Admin Services

For the price of one massage.....

2011-06-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Get Organized for the price of one massage
Special extended through July!

Special Pricing - Virtual and OnSite Admin Assistance

2011-05-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

VIRTUAL SERVICES

Tips for Real Estate Twitterer's

2011-05-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Be the Voice of Authority ...

2011-04-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

for YOUR TEAM and YOUR BUSINESS! Twitterfeed @twfeed is a great way to use your blog as a hub for posts to Twitter and Facebook. Give yourself the HOME-TEAM advantage. For more info on how to implement, please e-mail: planabrand@gmail.com #socialmedia #sm #smallbiz

PILE CRISIS SYNDROME©: Don’t let it run you life.

2011-04-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

To learn more about how to use these gems on your desktop, go to: http://theworkorganizer.com/dont-let-pile-crisis-syndrome%C2%A9-run-you-life/

Closet Efficiency

2011-04-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

In simplifying a workspace closet area with this client, we took the bottom 2 drawers and pulled off the facing/handles and turned those two drawers into one filing drawer. After the drawer was built, we put the facing back onto the front and, voile, a stellar filing drawer.

To learn more about becoming more efficient, follow us on http://twitter.com/WorkOrganizer and join the discussion on http://www.facebook.com/theworkorganizer.

www.theworkorganizer.com

Working With Small Spaces - Utilizing a Closet

2011-04-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Measuring the depth of the closet will determine whether there is enough space for the cabinets. 25" is a standard size and it's most important the that closet doors and sliders clear the front handles on the drawers.

http://www.facebook.com/theworkorganizer

Powerpoint Tip - Embedding Video

2011-04-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

Amazing Space Saving Desk

2011-04-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

If space is an issue for you, this IS IT - Brilliant! Check in out

Facebook Tests Real-Time Ad Targeting

2011-03-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Facebook Tests Real-Time Ad Targeting

Be prepared - Be On the Go READY

2011-01-25T05:28:00.001-08:00

Here's an excellent article by Ready In 10 Network: www.readyin10.org

Be ready for emergencies!

Space Saving: Kindle

2010-12-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

My husband just got me a Kindle and a special lighted case for my birthday. I can't tell you how much I love it; I can read it anywhere, download books from anyplace there is 3G and wireless and it's small, compact, and has a really clean reading screen.

This morning when I woke up, I showed Michael the way the case lights the screen and how great it is that I won't be accumulating more books and he said,"... it's a real space saver... looks like something for the Work Organizer."

Hence this post. If you are looking to simplify, maximize a small space, or want the convenience of an electronic book reader, the Kindle is it.

To watch a review: http://reviews.cnet.com/amazon-kindle-review-wi-fi

Mobile Work Center for small spaces

2010-12-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Talk about keeping things tidy!

2010-11-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

I love this!

Makes perfect sense.

twitter.com/workorganizer

PILE CRISIS SYNDROME: Don't let it run your life.

2010-10-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

Are you sick of piling instead of filing? Would you like training to be more efficient on your computer? CLICK HERE to bring in 2011 - Get right with your computer now..

When Possessions Lead to Paralysis

2010-09-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Statistics

2010-08-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

STATS

For those who love post it's

2010-08-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

Need help organizing cables?

2010-08-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Cable Organizer

2 Minute meditation

2010-08-04T07:12:00.001-07:00

Water at 718 Frames Per Second - Fastec Imaging from Tom Guilmette on Vimeo.

15 Minute Action: De-Clutter Tip

2010-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Click for Clutter Clear Up Tip

Ready in 10 - Emergency Plan

2010-07-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

For more info on "Ready in 10," please visit: http://www.nokep.org/readyin10a.htm

Five Ways to Increase Sales From Existing Customers

2010-06-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Entrepreneurs who want to grow their companies often spend copious amounts of time trying to entice new customers to buy their products or services. Trouble is, new customer acquisition is expensive and time-consuming. Instead, you should tap your existing customers for additional business. Read on...

Is Your Brain Out To Get You?

2010-06-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you are having a slow day... like me. It's raining, I've lit a candle and I'm listening to my Afro Celt Sound System radio station on Pandora.

Now, what about that brain of yours; is it giving you a hard time during hard times? Is your brain out to get you?

If so, here are several things you can do to BE productive:

1) Catch up on all the scanning that you have been putting off
2) Take 15 minutes to organize and purge:
   * 1 pile
   * 1 paper file - purge and relabel
   * 1 computer file - see what you can purge
3) Catch up on social networking. Check status of your connections on LinkedIn, Twitter and friend 1 to 3 people on each.
4) Meditate for a few minutes - Try this virtual meditation clock:
http://theworkorganizer.com/mind-benders/

For more information on how to be productive, go to: www.theworkorganizer.com/office-productivity/

Time Management - Pac-Man Wasteland!

2010-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Google Pacman Game: 4.8 Million Work Hours Consumed In Celebrations

Pac-Man consumed $120,483,800 in costs for the lost work time, where the Google user is paid $25 per hour.

Click here to read article about My Social Media Campaigning!

2010-05-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

37 Reasons to Blog...

2010-05-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

Blogging, An equal opportunity employer

A blog is just a tool, but it is the easiest, most effective publishing tool to share information with customers and prospects.
A blog can be the center of your content marketing strategy. As you widen your net to attract prospects and customers through social media, your blog is the place you point them to. It's your magnet. ...

Read on...

Time Sucking... or Time Wasting... or should I say...

2010-05-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

First, I had a perfect cup of coffee, then I wanted to find a nice image to put in here and came across several things this morning.

http://www.alanlepofsky.net/ had this image - I found it under time waster. Love it! Now I have a new Tweet I'm following. I found out through time sucking/wasting, that maybe my time is only seemingly wasted because I actually found a software "Socialtext" which may help one of my non-profit clients.

What does this have to do with wasting time? Need I explain? Within one day, my cousin lost her best friend to brain cancer, I avoided writing a business plan outline (which equates to making money,) I started a new business but have no idea how to launch it (because it takes TIME,) have 150 pages left to read in 'Outliers' (1/4 thumbs up so far) before my book club meets at 1:00 today.

One thing at time, they say... NOT! Gotta check up on Twitter today. Haven't done so for a week, not good. Trying out TweetDeck; not sure what I think about it yet. More later.

Blackberry and Outlook - Time Sucker

2010-05-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

Just another day spent on the phone with RIM. They are the most helpful of any device manufacturer I can think of. It took ALL DAY to figure out the solution for the sinking feeling that my life would end because my data was 'corrupt!' But Blackberry (Andrew) helped me and it's fixed. These sync issues between Outlook and Blackberry can be quite trying because it's hard to decipher and retrace steps - the problems seem to expand as I delved further into the abyss and back. I am on the other side! Yipee!

Social Media: REAL world in REAL time!

2010-05-07T07:15:00.001-07:00

We get to be a part of a HUGE interconnected world.

Need HELP? Cindy@TheVirtualOrganizer.com.

Send and receive information about what YOU'RE interested in. It's your social network and it's awesome!

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Clearing Clutter But Were Too Disorganized To Ask!

2010-05-06T07:12:00.001-07:00

SB Women in Communications - April from dolphingal805 on Vimeo.

Panel Moderator: Social Media Literacy: Wed. May 5 at 5:30p

2010-05-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Click on invite to RSVP!

Project Management Freeware through Google

2010-04-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

As Usual, Blue's Win

2010-04-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Spring Cleaning Your Twitter Account

2010-04-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

Social Networking EVERY day

2010-04-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

There is so much to do and not enough hours in the day; most of us know that one.

What I know is that I want to stay a current as possible with my social media networking and updating. Doing this helps me to feel current with myself, my business and my reality.

I have 1 website and 3 blogs:
www.theworkorganizer.com
www.planabrand.com
www.theworkorganizer.blogspot.com
www.cindyfaith.wordpress.com

It's a lot of work to keep them 'fresh.' I spent my first 1 hour on the computer doing an extended session today. But I must draw a line on when to stop or I will not move on to my next task and a client appointment.

So, I will be signing off for now.

Planning, that means IN ADVANCE

2010-04-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my client and friend gave her 30 minute Dissertation Defense - she is now officially a PdD!

My mission was to see to it that she have a clear head to focus on her presentation. I took care of all the little details including giving her a sign when there was 15 minutes left in the presentation, and then again when there was 5 minutes remaining. It's usually awkward because I know when they see the sign, there is a good chance they'll get distracted. She was right on target! She was well-rehearsed and did a stupendous job.

What I discovered is that every SINGLE detail is important. I knew I would be timing the defense but decided AT THE LAST MINUTE, to use the Blackberry's timer feature (which I set to vibrate.) It was my FIRST TIME using the timer feature. Why I decided to do this at the eleventh hour, is beyond me. Must have been my 'cocksuredness' to think that I would KNOW how to! Well, the good news is that it worked. And what it taught me is about THINKING THINGS ENTIRELY THROUGH.

I will do even better next time!

24/7 - Earth Day 2010

2010-04-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I work everyday on something - maybe a little, maybe a lot, but weekends are not JUST about relaxing though I do take advantage of my time.

Today, I have a proposal to work on, phone appointments, e-mails, and catching up in the office; then I can do what I want.

Happy Earthday Everyone!

New Thoughts

2010-04-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

This morning, I am on a course to get 2 of my clients under control by noon. That means sitting here, deliberately, AFTER I've had my coffee and have done my best to catch up on Facebook. I love playing Scrabble with my homies, but haven't checked out 'the scene' for several weeks.

I spend a lot of time working on Facebook, Blogger, Twitter etc., updating for clients, but that doesn't leave much room for me. So, this morning, I will allow myself to enjoy 30 minutes of uninterrupted time with ME, visiting The Real Blogger and other sites that will teach me more and more!

And as Edith Ann would say, "...and that's the truthhhhhhh!"

Another Busy Day...

2010-04-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

doing I don't know what. That's how the day started. I'd like to say I got out and did something but I was tethered to my computer all day.

Blogging first thing in the morning with my coffee, has helped me to stay on track. Somehow, setting out on a course and then doing as I say I'm going to do helps to keep me focused and feeling good about my day.

Today, the day simply got away from me before I had a chance to post this lovely picture - is that one nice cup of joe or what?

I have 4 folders in my step file that I'll be working on tomorrow. More about that then.

Media Communications Team

2010-04-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

All I can say is that in this age, we need team efforts. There is too much to be done all alone!

Yesterday I met with my 3 Board Sisters from AWC (Association for Women in Communications.)

Multi-faceted Amazing Women:
Amber Sims www.allstagesmarketing.com
Nancy Black http://www.mercurypress.com
Nancy Marriott http://www.nancymarriott.com

And the horses are on the track

2010-04-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Fully loaded day. Their hoofs are scraping the gravel.

In the midst of a full day, this is the 1st anniversary of Gabriel's death. Gabriel was my husband's 21 year old son that took his life a year ago today. Not much can be said about the tragedy except just that; it is a tragedy.

Gabriel Feingold-Swain
(1988-2009)
Memorial Website

After a full day of work, Michael, Julian, Lisa and I will go to the beach for a sunset walk. Then we will have dinner together.

Life is a precious journey, not to be missed, but we will miss Gabriel forever. With love. http://www.independent.com/obits/2009/apr/21/gabriel-swain/

OMG! Monday A-go-GOOOO!

2010-04-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

5:30a and my mind was already ticking. I had to work hard, lying in bed, to slow down the thought process before getting up to make my coffee. What a chore!

I am now sitting in front of my computer with a very full day. This is a good thing and it's the life I envisioned and have created for myself. Having been in Entertainment's corporate America for over 13 years, I now have a life lived without ONE master. I have many masters - they are called my CLIENTS :) and I am free to construct and arrange my work WITH my lifestyle. This is the absolute beauty of being ones own boss.

That said, there are always commitments, deadlines, frantic e-mails and phone calls, and a plethora of responsibilities on a daily basis. Today, my day has started with

1) Amazon issues regarding my music/UPC code and straightening that out - they have a call back number. You simply enter your phone number and they call you back immediately, if you like. So, what used to take hours, now takes about 10 minutes. The problem is being solved.

2) Make Michael's lunch - My husband JUST informed me that he's leaving early... that means MY TIME is being rearranged. So, I am off to do that right now....

3) I created a special "Favorite Folders" within Outlook for certain 'follow up' items. Most of them are client related. I have one client that needs my complete focus this morning and it's all right there in a folder for me to work on. As I take care of each item, an e-mail related to the task will be DELETED - Yeah! Anytime I can delete something, I am happy. It's the little things that thrill me.

4) Then onto a coffee and several other meetings this afternoon.

Gaaa gooo gooo

Sunday Shazaaam

2010-04-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's an overcast day, re-runs of Law & Order are playing behind me at a very low volume, I've just about finished my latte :( and my cat Smidget is sitting next to me watching the crows fly by.

Tis a wonderful morning to gather my wits. There is a small pile of paper in front of me to tend to and then my desk and my brain will be clear.

My goal is always to leave this office in order - whether I have to leave for a meeting, errand, or switch tasks and/or course, there is no better way to feel good about the next move, than to have myself centered. Yes, there are days when I have to leave this pile on my desk, but if it ever feels like it's getting out of hand, lessening it becomes my TOP priority, and so it is, on this Sunday morning, top of tasks!

Friday.... LIST REVIEW

2010-04-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

This is a very good day to review this past week and make a NEW list based upon what didn't get done; there are several phone calls, return phone calls, and prospecting left undone. I am always amazed too, at how much I DO get done. If you want to KEEP your SANITY, or GET BACK your SANITY back... try it for a month. LIST IT!

Heartbeat of the World 101

2010-04-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

I am searching for colleagues on Twitter that I'd like to follow. I have so many talented friends and colleagues. I love to hear their thoughts. Once again, Social Media is a great way to stay connected to

* Twitter: All the Buzz
* Facebook: Friends
* LinkedIn: Business Buzz
* RSS Feed: Fave Blogs

It's the heartbeat of the world.

AWC Panel Discussion at Canary Hotel

2010-04-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

I spoke on a panel with 2 other organizers (Lori Cooper & Juli Shulem) in Santa Barbara - it was a great time. Lots of good questions and a terrific moderator, Patricia Diorio. I have a lot of good material to share in the coming days. Really good questions were posed.

April 7th - Clutter-Busting in Santa Barbara @ Canary Hotel

2010-04-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

Lori Cooper, Juli Shulem and Yours Truly, are speaking on a panel - Hosted by Women in Communications - Santa Barbara chapter.

Click on invite to RSVP - Hope you come!

http://www.mypunchbowl.com/partypage/0720843d748d429b

Cindy Faith Music and Pictures....

2010-04-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

For more about my music: http://www.cindyfaithmusic.com

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!

2010-04-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Social Media network is a very large, yet manageable undertaking once you get a hold of it. I am finding that the only way up, is to go through the process and that what I put into it is what I get out of it.

These days, it's a MUST. There is no way around it. There is no way (that I know of) to quantify ROI in Print and/or TV advertising. In Social Networking there are several tracking devices to measure success such as Google Analytics and assorted available site counters.

To some, this is old news, but to most of my clients, which is probably 80% of the population, this may be news.

I can help you with your struggles in this new world of Social Media. cindy at theworkorganizer.com

20 Minutes Until My Next Phone Meeting

2010-03-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Switching from one task to another requires forethought. In other words, I need to ramp down what I'm doing just about now and start shifting gears. That means that as soon as I finish with this post, I will straighten my papers, put on my shoes and prep for the call. Immediately following the phone call, I have to leave for another meeting and I'll be ready to fly. STOPPING what I'm doing to make the transition is the hardest thing I do each day.

Sunday

2010-03-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

My day to make a list for the week. There are so many projects I am working on at the moment that if I don't PHYSICALLY write it on paper, I will get lost. I started the list yesterday and as I remember things, I write them down. It's a 'work' brain drain.

I played guitar and sang my songs at a House Party last night. It was really fun. The reason I thoroughly enjoyed it, I believe, is because I didn't have ''loose notes' floating around in my head.

The key to freedom is peace of mind; I get that peace from making lists and keeping on track. If I don't get to something, maybe it isn't a priority or perhaps it is something to carry over to the next day...

Pareto's Law - 80/20 rule

2010-03-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Stay focused on the 20% that matters. Those tasks in the 20% will likely produce 80 percent of our results. So, it’s critical to identify and focus on those things. When the “crisis of the day” begins to eat up precious time, remind yourself of the critical 20% you need to focus on. If anything on the list of activities and action items has to fall by the wayside – left undone – be sure it isn’t listed in that critical 20 percent.

April 7th - Speaking - Spring Cleaning - Clearing the Clutter

2010-03-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

Lori Cooper, Juli Shulem and Yours Truly, are speaking on a panel - Hosted by Women in Communications - Santa Barbara chapter.

Click on invite to see the invitation. Hope you come!

http://www.mypunchbowl.com/partypage/0720843d748d429b

Some Ways to Keep Up With Your Day

2010-03-24T13:10:00.001-07:00

1) Eat
2) Drink Water
3) Pause for a few minutes
4) Make lists during the day to see if you're on-track
5) Go the the bathroom when you THINK of it!
6) Review your list / calendar at the end of the day
7) Carry over the loose ends from today which you didn't finish
8) Merge the loose ends with tomorrow and re-prioritize
9) Get up a little earlier in the morning
7) Start tomorrow

If there is too much on your plate, you are bound to feel frustrated. You will see it when you review your list. Try to see what might be a more long-term plan / 'back-burner' task that you can get to over the weekend or later in the week, month, year.

Be Wary of Gadgets in Blogger!

2010-03-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

As my new best friend Chuck says, ... "Be very careful with third party software!"... Now, I am not always sure that I'm using third prarty software. It seemed safe; I got the 'gadget' from the Blogger site! But, I am now absolutely sure to read up on a gadget, either through Blogger.com or Google/search engine.

THE MAN of the hour: www.nitecruzr.net: Chuck knows his stuff! Thank you for a relatively simple solution to what seems a horrible invasion of privacy. You're on my hit list!

Cindy

Setting Goals - Cleaning Up

2010-03-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

David Allen Podcast: How NOT TO beat yourself up!

Sunday - DAY OFF!

2010-03-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

To the store to do a return, then to the gym, and then finally, for my first time, going to the Granada for SB Symphony Orchestra. They are performing Barber's Adagio for Strings today! The post-it's are going onto a paper list tomorrow. Lots of things to do this week. More about that on Monday. It's my rest day.

Organizing Saturday 'To-Do's'

2010-03-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

I have 4 post-it's stacked in front of me on my desk this morning - things that came up yesterday that I need to get to before the end of the weekend; mostly computer related tasks for clients, organizations I belong to, and some phone calls to return.

When I am working at my desk, I never let anything 'slide' that needs to be tended to. If the best I can do is grab a post-it and jot it down quickly, then that's what I do. I don't want all those little notes jammed up my head!

One of the most important things on my desk is this:

I don't think I could live without it. It's anchored so when I'm on the phone, I only need one hand to pull the paper. I don't have to tweak my neck out putting the phone between my shoulder and cheek. It's alway there 'by my side.' One of my best desk-partners.

Once the tasks are complete, the post-its go IMMEDIATELY into the recycle bin.

Get to those to-do's today!

A Fresh Start - The Work Organizer BLOG!!

2010-03-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

I spent the last 5 days in Rancho Mirage working for 2 of my clients - who also happen to be my very close friends. It was an eye-opener as usual. When I travel away from my routine, I get to see in a new way. Linda Jeffers is my life coach and a fabulous photographer. We have known each other for almost 19 years and she's seen me go from the Corporate World of Entertainment (www.warnerbros.com) to my journey as the Work Organizer.

Linda has a wonderful online central headquarters/hub Linda Jeffers which consolidates her:

1) Gottago's Adventure site
2) Portfolio of Photography
3) Blog

Seeing her in action with her many passions inspired me to start anew, so here I am.

Working with my other friend Sandi (who I have known for 20 years,) also helps me to see in a new way. She is a jovial, lovely woman, and one of my closest friends that works her patooty off as a Coldwell Banker Real Estate Broker www.SandiGeisler.com

They are both ENERGIZER bunnies, I'm not kidding. Other than my Mom, I've never seen 2 women so active - EVER! My hats off to both of you fabulous women.

So my journey begins with my newest, latest blog!

Come on back - I'll be giving great tips just FOR YOU!

XOXO
Cindy Faith Swain
CPO, Chief Productivity Officer
www.theworkorganizer.com