SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL.

Organization is a significant component of success. What tools you use for organization may vary depending on  your skills.  I suggest the basics.  An agenda, outlook calendar, color blocking, and a weekly/daily/monthly review.  The skills you possess-you know yourself best-don't be afraid to learn different tools to get the job done. Sharpen your pencil if you will.

I will give a few tips based on my experiences.  In my business world-a fast paced and ever changing industry-a lot of details are either stored in the cerebral matter or by using 'to do lists' or post its.  There are significant appointments, meetings, conferences, educational sessions, and work time that is a part of every week.  Networking and other events occur after the normal work day or even on weekends.  I use an agenda to write in a title of the appointment, etc. in red ink.  Red is for the important things.  It catches my eye.   I write phone numbers in blue/red ink under a clients name to save time from looking up a number.  I highlight my tasks in yellow upon completion.  Outlook and a #2 pencil are great when you need to constantly change your schedule.  Keep a little pencil sharpener handy to sharpen your pencil!  I also like the thought of an old wall pencil sharpener; may serve as an exercise to reduce stress.

Color blocking is for a cluster of hours to do a project(s).  Something that may take several hours.  Using a color marker to mark off a period of time during the day or color code in outlook.  The key:  do not answer the phone, open and review email, or leave your office door open for passerby's to interrupt  to maximize the effect of color blocking activities.  Keep the time and day of the week consistent for regularly occurring work.  Tuesday through Thursday may be best production days or networking days.

Take a few minutes on Sunday night or early Monday morning to review the events scheduled for the week.  It's much like planting seeds, weeding the garden, and harvesting the crops.  There is a beginning, a level of maintenance, and an end.  Next week, the process begins anew.  Be consistent.  This is like any other work behavior.  The learning factor depends on how you learn i.e. by audio, visual, hands on, note taking or a combination of these methods. Change is best over time.  Slowly.  It lasts longer!

Don't forget to examine your weeks' production at either the end or beginning of the new week.  Were you organized?  Were you late to appointments?  Did you over schedule?  Most people set unrealistic goals of  10 when they usually are only capable of completing 2 or 3 appointments/tasks in a  day in addition to their regular maintenance and job responsibilities.  Be honest;  is your number realistic?  You can certainly strive to add more with time as you become proficient in certain areas.  Remember:  everyone has the same amount of hours in a day and same number of days in a week.