20 Time Savers

  1. Use a monthly calendar and a daily 'to do' list.
  2. Maintain a 'contact list.'
  3. Prioritize your 'to do' list the night before.
  4. Don't watch television during the day.
  5. Eat a light lunch.
  6. Attend all the meetings available to you. Try other people's ideas. See someone successful? Do what they do. Don't reinvent the wheel!
  7. Set aside unimportant things.
  8. Use small segments of time productively.
  9. Do two things at the same time. Listen to the news on the radio while getting dressed instead of reading the newspaper.
  10. Carry your calendar/datebook/organizer with you at all times. Important information will be quickly accessed.
  11. Eliminate clutter.
  12. The phone is your friend. It can save you hours of time. Use it to schedule upcoming events, use it to find an item you need instead of driving from store to store.
  13. Learn to say "no."
  14. Handle paperwork once.
  15. Read mail with a pen in hand. Respond immediately.
  16. Delegate.
  17. Concentrate on only one thing at a time until it is done.
  18. Put 'waiting time' to good use - read, write thank you notes, schedule appointments, etc.
  19. Don't worry. About 40% of what we worry about never happens.
  20. Don't waste time regretting what you didn't do.

By effectively using your time, you will end each day with a feeling of well being and you will be energized because you reached your goals for that day.

Just as a building is completed one brick at a time, your dreams are reached one at a time.

Time is precious! Enjoy life!

Organization Tip of the Week #8

Use labor saving items. Permanent press clothing is a good example since you don't have to iron the clothes which saves time and electricity.

Organization Tip of the Week #7

Do two jobs at the same time, such as exercising and watching TV.

Organization Tip of the Week #6

Be flexible. This may be the key to survival.

Organization Tip of the Week #5

To use your time wisely, don't just list what you need to do. Write down what you actually accomplished each hour today.

It can be eye-opening to see where your time is really going.

May 2009 Checklist

Welcome to the 365 Days of Organization monthly organizing checklist. There is a different organizing suggestion for you to do every day of the month -- all easy, down-to-earth, and no thinking 'what should I do?' required. When the month changes, so does our checklist.

May 1
Clean the main bathroom until it sparkles and shines.

May 2
Check your trimmer, clippers, lawn mower, and other gardening tools to make sure they are in working order for the upcoming season.

May 3
Take the time to check your calendar for any birthdays or holidays, including Mother’s Day later this month. Write down and shop for any needed gifts or cards.

May 4
Clean out your underwear drawer. Toss old socks that no longer have mates. Clean out any old or worn out bras and underwear and toss them too.

May 5
Give away 3 books you no longer want or need. Some suggestions include a friend, a doctor’s office, a homeless or women’s shelter.

May 6
Change out your clothes for spring and summer. Make sure everything still fits.

May 7
Make your vacation plans for later in the summer season. Make any needed reservations needed.

May 8
Recycle any old newspapers except for today’s edition, and throw away any catalogues that you are not planning to order from.

May 9
Order mulch and annual plants for the garden season.

May 10
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there. Take the time to recognize the strong women in your life. Spend the day with your family and do something special.

May 11
Take the time to write a handwritten note to someone special in your life.

May 12
Wash your summer linens. Clean and air out any blankets and linens from the cold season.

May 13
Clean out your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of any outdated or expired medications.

May 14
Dust off three flat surfaces, such as a bureau, nightstand, desk, coffee, end table, or dining room table.

May 15
Make a double-batch of supper tonight (maybe lasagna, soup, or meatballs, for example). Freeze the leftovers for another night when you are busy with a late meeting at work, swim practice or another sports activity.

May 16
Take your car to a car wash or instead wash it yourself. Get the kids involved and have some fun with the hose.

May 17
Sweep any debris from your front porch, driveway, &/or walkway.

May 18
Weed out ten file folders in your home office. Be sure to shred any paperwork with personal information.

May 19
Wash your automatic coffee maker. Run white vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits in the machine.

May 20
Buy or create a new first aid kit for summer. Include such items as Band-Aids, Polysporin, gauze, scissors, ace bandage, ice pack, tweezers, insect bite medicine and allergy medication.

May 21
Plan a day at the library and borrow some good summer reading books. See if there are any special summer programs for kids and sign them up.

May 22
Toss any junk mail.

May 23
Plan out a meal plan for the week. Try to plan for one night of leftovers.

May 24
Check over your supplies for tomorrow’s celebration. Ensure you have enough paper plates, napkins and charcoal for the grill, and anything else need for a fun time with family and friends.

May 25
Today is Memorial Day in the US. Fly your flag high and proudly. Discuss with your children what this holiday represents. Chat about members of your family who are, or were, in the service. Also mention the wonderful people serving in Iraq and other parts of the world.

May 26
Enjoy some of the fresh spring air. Take a bike ride, go for a jog, run, or walk outside.

May 27
Delete at least 25 email messages from your computer inbox.

May 28
Challenge yourself to do three loads of laundry from start to finish. Wash, dry, fold and put away.

May 29
Use a power washer on the outside of your house &/or deck.

May 30
Return three items that you have borrowed lately.

May 31
Clean or replace make up brushes that can be full of cosmetics and oils.