Take Control Organizing
Professional Organizer in Eugene-Springfield Oregon | For everything, There is a place!
Your home is spotless. You keep your counters wiped up and the beds made every day. And yet, you still feel that haunting feeling that your systems aren’t working for you. That’s because there is a fundamental difference between cleaning and organizing. This week on the show, Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright share how you can amp your organizing and get clean in the process!
In today’s world of smart technology, there is an app for everything! There are many apps on organizing your to do list and how to be more productive during the day. I use some of these apps, there is a time and a place for everything. However, sometimes I find it’s better going back to the basics! Using an old school way of organizing your information…. A Classic Whiteboard!
Yes, a classic whiteboard, that you can get at any home or office store. I recommend this tool for my ADHD clients, especially if the smart phone apps just don’t work. Many of these apps are just too complicated and not easy to keep up. The little phone becomes a rabbit hole and you never see your information again. For many, we need to see it front and center, in big writing, right in front of us. The whiteboard fits this need.
The whiteboard can be used in a variety of different ways. It can be used in your office to help manage your projects and capture your important tasks for the day. It can outline your schedule, hold important phone numbers and reminders. It can be a place where you brainstorm ideas and thoughts. You could place your favorite quote on your whiteboard for inspiration.
You can use a whiteboard at home to help with family communication. You can write notes back and forth from each other, it can contain your shopping lists and your to do list. It can include the families schedule for the week or day with important reminders. It can include meal plans and important phone numbers. There are so many options.
The most important thing about using a whiteboard effectively is making sure the old stuff gets erased and it is only being used for current information. If old content stays on the board then you may not trust it as a reliable resource and this is when your effectiveness of the system will start to break down. Actively use it everyday, by constantly adding and deleting information. To do this be sure to place the whiteboard in a convenient place, where you can see it and get to it easily.
Sometimes going back to the basics is good enough!
Happy Organizing!
We all forget. That’s why we develop systems, accommodations that help us remember the things we need to remember, when we need to remember them. But for those struggling with ADHD, working memory is a core part of the executive function system, and when not functioning correctly can impact more than simple processing. This week on the show, Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright talk about the critical importance of a sharp working memory to living the organized lifestyle, and reduce the stress and judgement that comes with dealing with ADHD, memory, and taking control of the systems in your life.
Boundary Setting
In the podcast this week we talk about boundaries and how they effect your productivity and time management. The better you are at setting boundaries, the more productive you will be. By setting boundaries you are being very clear about what is most important. Your time is then dedicated to what matters most.
Here are a few extra tips on setting boundaries and making the most of your time:
1) Be aware of your worst distractions. A big part of setting boundaries is understanding what is holding you back in the first place and starting from there. If Facebook is a time stealer for you, be committed to not looking at it during the workday. Make an appointment with yourself when it’s more convenient and not when it’s robbing your time. If co-workers are a distraction, make it clear when you need uninterrupted time to work on a project. You can do this in a very nice and respectful way by letting them know when you are available and follow up at that time.
2) Take your time before giving an answer to a request. Your first instinct may be to please and say yes, but when you say yes, you say no to something else. Check your calendar and ask yourself is this something you really want to give your time too. By giving yourself time to answer, you are aligning your priorities with your schedule. You eliminate overlapping scheduled activities and you are taking control of your time.
3) If you are taking on too much, consider getting help. Delegate to co-workers or to family members. You don’t have to do everything, all the time. If someone offers to help, take it. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed, just say thank you and appreciate the extra set of hands.
4) Respect others boundaries. This may seem like common sense but if you want a co-worker to respect your shut door, you have to respect theirs. It goes both ways.
Setting clear boundaries protects your time.
Happy Organizing!
Take a look around you. Before long, you’ll see them: distractions. Maybe it’s your family. Maybe your email. Maybe your neighbor. Whoever they are, they’re all competing for your precious time. It’s your job to keep them under control! This week on the show, Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright talk about the importance of setting boundaries and protecting yourself from all the things vying for your attention!
Join the TCO Mailing List:
Recent Comments