20 Minutes Until My Next Phone Meeting

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

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

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

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

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!

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

David Allen Podcast: How NOT TO beat yourself up!

Sunday - DAY OFF!

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'

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!!

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