Lists and Notepads

I'm always talking about making lists.  And I want you to use to lists efficiently rather than let them end up as more paper clutter.  So here are good notepads to keep on hand that let you scribble down things for your to do list and keep you on track without overtaking your desk:

I love my Moleskine notebook.  This tiny pocket size fits neatly into my purse side pocket, making it easy to grab when I need to quickly write something down.

These Post-It notes are lined; perfect for making lists.  And then you can stick them where you need them (if you're running errands for the day, stick it to the front door so you can double check everything before you leave) and toss them when you're done.

Very self explanatory, these notepads will keep you on track. 

This classic spiral notebook (with a cute little cover, I might add) is easy to tote around. I just ask that you use it consistently and consecutively and toss it when you're done.  Don't switch back and forth between pads, leaving a collection of half used notebooks.  That just adds to your piles of clutter!

Tell me, Appleshiners, what type of notepads do you prefer to use?

Whittling Down the To Do List

Hello, there!  Hope you had a fun weekend.  I love the first weekend in May for more than just the KY Derby (always the first Saturday in May) because, to me, it represents the official start of warm weather.  Even if there's a less than sunny day coming up, my mind stills tells me that it's Spring and it's warm.  And that makes me happy.

Know what else makes me happy?  Checking off things on my to do list. And I did alot of that this weekend, while still leaving ample time to drinks juleps and cheer on horse racing.  And come Sunday night, it felt great to settle for a 'night in' at my apartment with an unclogged sink, a working toilet, a new lightbulb in the fridge and an empty checklist.  Just in time, too, since I'm off to DC for a couple days to help a client get organized in their new home.  Remember when we were packing him up before his move?  Can't wait to show you how this project goes, too!

I might be gone from the blog for a few days while I'm away on this project but I'll be back (with good before/afters) soon enough ;)

Tell me, Appleshiners, what did you cross off your to do list this weekend?

Does Technology + Office = Productivity?

(Stuart Isett via The New York Times)

An office is a place for work.  Work is defined as an activity of mental/physical effort to produce a result.  Let's assume that our office is place of productivity. While the evolution of technology has greatly influenced the workplace, is it fair to assume that it's also increased our productivity there?  Or are we overrun with technological advances that leave us catching up to where we'd like to be?

I believe that a clear mind and a clear space are equally as beneficial to an organized lifestyle.  And technology, while proving to be organizationally effective and efficient in many ways, can also create mental clutter.  Sometimes, it's best to turn off the machine and go back to a slower pace in the workspace, if only for a few minutes.

David Allen wrote an interesting article in the NY Times about technology overwhelming an office. He mentions common complaints such as too many emails, meetings or new responsibilities brought on by technological progress to get any 'real' work done.  He challenges us is to find out "how to participate productively in this new and turbulent world and not be paralyzed by it."

Allen outlines 5 steps to enable yourself to be "present and able to trust your inner wisdom", ie- ways to slow down, define what's important and maximize your time and, therefore, productivity.  Those 5 steps are: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Review and Deploy your Attention Appropriately.  And he encourages doing all of this by grabbing a pen and paper and simply making a list.

I agree with the need to assess one's productivity and entertain the idea of looking beyond a computer screen.  In fact, I often use post-its to scribble down notes or ideas.  I guess it's my 'offline' way of evaluating my work, both what I've accomplished and what I've left to do.

So tell me, Appleshiners, does office technology ever slow down your productivity?

How to Sort Through Business Cards

(Oh, Hello Friend)

I kinda feel like my desk looks like this...times 50.  I've got lots of business cards to get through and follow-up on.  So I took my own advice:  take 10 minutes each day to tackle a task.

I separated them into 3 categories: record contact info, email a follow-up or email a referral.  The contact info was quick and easy to enter.  Then the follow-ups weren't too bad.  Each was a simple message of "nice to meet you, let's get together soon".  After I knocked out those piles, I moved on to referrals.  They took a little more time because it was usually an e-introduction or needed more info.  But over the week, with an average of 10 minutes each day, I got it all done.

Piles of paper clutter can be very daunting.  Yet if you break it down into 10-minute tasks, it'll be much more manageable.  And once you score down your cluster of business cards, try collecting the keepers in one of these cute card organizers.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what's cluttering your desk today?

PS- Look at this before/after of a Tribeca office or this before/after of a home office.  They were lot's of work but had great results!

Time to Rise and Shine

Holy moly, I'm just gonna put this out there- I've been getting up suuuper early for the past two weeks and it's starting to catch up with me.  I usually consider myself a morning person, provided I get a full night's sleep.  Yet, somehow, I talk myself into staying up too late every night.  It's like I just can't get enough of my already very long day.

But, alas, I need my sleep.  When it comes time to rise and shine, I get a little help from my alarm clock.  And not just any 'ole alarm clock.  But a really amazing, sunrise alarm clock that gradually increases it's 'natural' light, nudging me awake.  It's pretty fantastic and second only to the actual sun (because I haven't figured out how to set it to 6:15am on the dot).

Funny looking thing, isn't it?  Yet such a happy way to wake up in the morning.  And starting your day off right is a good beginning for a productive day.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what gets you going in the morning?

PS- Here are some helpful tips to getting things done when there aren't enough hours in the day.  Or maybe it's one of those days that you'd rather relax instead.

Time Management

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  I had a lovely time at my friend's baby shower, hanging with girlfriends while the boys entertained themselves with boats, cigars and future man-room ideas.  We let the day get away from us and ended up eating homemade pizza and rootbeer floats while watching a made-for-tv movie.  It was that kind of day.

Now the week's upon us and my schedule's looking a little full.  Staying on top of my calendar is my number one trick to time management.  You have to know the 'when, what and where' before anything else.  Here are a few other helpful tips for time management:

1) Make time for your priorities and make them consistent.  Exercise is high on my list, especially pilates classes and run club.  I keep those appointments on a re-occurring timeline so when something else comes up, I won't forget to schedule around them.

2) Be realistic about the time needed for an appointment.  Trying to cram too much to do into too little time will leave you in a frustrated frenzy.

3) Discuss your calendar with your partner: business, loved-one, children or others.  If your schedule tends to interact with someone else's schedule on a frequent basis, then keep each other up-to-date to eliminate confusion.  Create a joint Google calendar with your partner to keep track of eachother's events.

4) Know when your downtime is and use it wisely.  Sometimes I actually mark-off 'Downtime' on my calendar to remind me to run a few errands, catch up on my reading or just have some decomp time to myself.

5) Recognize the difference between a priority and a wish-list.  Priorities are things you are willing to make time for.  Wish-list items are things that you'd love to get done IF you have extra time.


Tell me, Appleshiners, what tips do you have for time management?

Also, here's a great article in the Wall Street Journal about being too busy (or so we think).