5 Ideas for Organizing Your Life

Robert EbsenOP-ED

Organizing here means not only putting files in their place, but also a multitude of tasks that you want to complete each day. You may be doing many of these things but, heck, even if I give you ONE good idea, it's worth it, right?

Use the computer

Create a file for each “task,” such as “TRIP LIST,” “BUDGET,” “TAXES,” “ACCOUNT,” “JOKES,” and “COMPUTER.”

Write related notes on WORD documents and place them in the appropriate folders.

Use Super-Stick post-it notes

Buy a pad with 3×3 inch sheets. Cut them vertically in three sections. Each strip will be about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long, with the sticky side at a 1-inch side. Use these money-saving strips to stick your notes and memos to the sides of your monitor. Don't trust regular post-it notes to stick for very long.

Use a countdown timer (for multi-tasking organizing)

Buy a timer that beeps or rings for at least 1 minute. Those short burst DING timers won't do because you would likely have been outside when the DING went off and missed it.

Multi-tasking becomes a problem if you forget about those tasks that result in water spilling over in the pool, water boiling over in the pot, cookies burning in the oven.

Set the timer and put one or more of those super-sticky strips on it (with task labels) and relax!

Use a monthly calendar — at least 9″ x 12″ in size.

Fill in monthly birthdays, anniversaries, meetings and other important dates.

Call yourself on the phone when you're away

Got a great idea? Or maybe something you wish you could put on your calendar — which is at home. Call yourself and leave a message. When you get home and check the phone message(s), that's your reminder.

Now do you feel more confident about getting organized?

How about a Super-Sticky that says “email robertebsen@hotmail.com“?