TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) is a set of global conferences dedicated to “ideas worth spreading.” This talk, given by Graham Hill, discusses how we can edit our lives. Its less than 6 minutes and well worth the time to view. It will get you thinking about your “stuff”.
Have you edited your life? How would you like to edit your life in the future? Simply Placed can help you achieve whatever edit you want today. Contact us to make an appointment!
For many businesses the summer season brings a different pace to the office. Anxious to get out and enjoy the nice weather, spend time with kids out of school on summer break, and take a vacation, we seek ways to get our work done faster. For some companies, the summer months also bring a slow down of business. This can be an optimal time to employ some strategies that will both help you get out of the office earlier to enjoy those nice summer days, as well as put you in a position to be even more effective and efficient for when business picks up again. Here are a few tips that can help you leave the office earlier today, while still getting the important things done.
1. Clear the clutter – you know it should be done periodically, but do you know the benefits? You’ll eliminate distraction (those papers in front of you that you don’t really need) and make it easier to find what you need, when you need it (saving time every single day). Go ahead and take one of those slower summer days in your office to get rid of anything that’s getting in the way of your optimal productivity. Clean out old files, toss papers you no longer need, unearth your desk so you have space to work, take out trinkets you’ve collected over time that are crowding your work space. Breathe deeply and enjoy the space!
2. Christmas in July – it may sound like a crazy idea, but what if you took care of the task of ordering and preparing your business holiday cards this month? You certainly can wait to send them until early December, but why not take the time now to do the legwork while you have it, and save the time for a busier season when there’s other demands on your time. Not thrilled about the idea of doing this task so early? If you really want to stand out from your competition (who also send out holiday cards in December), send “Happy Summer” cards or “Thank You for Your Business” cards to show appreciation and recognition right now. Consider printing address labels and postage with one of Dymo’s printers to save even more time on the job.
3. Review and revise your plan – If you have an annual business plan, marketing plan, or set New Year’s resolutions, the summer months are a great time to take a look, assess where you are, adjust your sails (if needed) and create a fresh action plan that will help you accomplish your goals for the second half of the year.
4. Eat a Frog for Breakfast – you’ve heard me preach this one before … if you really want to get out of the office earlier while still getting the important things done, then do the important things first.
5. Design a new system – have a process that you do repeatedly? Now might be a good time to see if you can train someone else to do it (helpful for vacation coverage or for ongoing delegation to free up your time for things that only you can do), find a way to automate it or simplify it, or create a system to support it. This might be a new filing system, documenting a process for a policy and procedure manual, or brainstorming with a team that all performs similar tasks on best practices or time-saving ideas to streamline the process. Slower times are perfect for tackling these types of projects that will save you time immediately, and most importantly, when business picks up again.
What do you do when business slows a bit to develop new business and/or to prepare you for the busier times that are right around the corner? What strategies do you count on that help you get out of the office a little earlier or take a break to play, vacation or get some R&R? We’d love to hear from you. Comment away!
Enjoy the lazy hazy days of summer!
Disclosure: This is sponsored content and we have been given nominal gift in recognition of our time to do this post. That being said, we do not blog about anything we do not believe in and Dymo did not edit our post or direct our content in any way.
Some of you may have heard us discuss our involvement with NAPO. Sound ominous? It simply stands for our professional organization: the National Association of Professional Organizers. We have a conference once a year, and a couple of us just spent a few days in San Diego, soaking up information on organizing methods, new organization products, and tips and tricks to help us better serve our clients.
While there was more than enough information at the conference to make any Professional Organizer drool, we were most excited to learn about an organization which won NAPO’s Organizing Excellence in Community Service Award: Soles4Souls.
Soles4Souls has one simple mission: to collect shoes and get them to those who have none, both in the US, and around the world. They began in 2004, just after the Southeast Asia tsunami. Watching the devastation on television, the founder, Wayne Elsey, called friends and sponsors, seeking to collect shoes to send to the victims. He began again, when Katrina hit the gulf coast.
They have since expanded efforts to include providing shoes to the poor in less dire circumstances, though they continue to focus on disaster relief: Japan’s tsunami victims and domestically the Southern states’ tornado victims are current recipients.
Simply Placed felt an instant connection with this organization, which has an overall goal to collect 11 million pairs of shoes in 2011. We’d love to help them reach that number and you can help make this goal a reality.
Simply Placed is looking to collect new, gently used and even single shoes and shoes needing repair, to send to Souls4Souls. If you, or anyone you know, would like to donate shoes -regardless of their condition- we encourage you to do so by contacting us at sharon@itssimplyplaced.com. We’ll be accepting shoes during client appointments, by special arrangements and at particular events over the next few months.
In the immediate future, we are staging a large collection on Saturday, May 14th from 9:00AM-3:00PM at the All West Seattle Garage Sale. If you will be in the area and have shoes to contribute, please email sharon@itssimplyplaced.com for the specific drop off location for this event. If you’re not available that day, but wish to gather up shoes from friends, family, your work place or school, please let us know, and we will happily collect them from you to send them to the organization.
One note: for those who can afford to do so, we are asking for a donation of $1 per shoe, to cover the cost of shipping to the Soles4Souls warehouse.
You can change the world - one pair of shoes at a time, or, as Debbie says, “turn your clutter into contribution.” We look forward to hearing from you!
For many of us, it is the same routine day in and day out. We get up, get ready, head to work, work for 8 hours (or more), drive home, eat dinner, try and throw in a workout somewhere, and go to bed. It’s like they say, rinse, wash, repeat. But what is lacking here? Sure, we need to work in order to make money to live our lives, buy groceries to feed our family, and juggle errands and everything else for the wheels to keep turning. But are we being as productive as we would like to be or THINK we are being throughout this seemingly mundane routine?
What if there was a way to make those boring, tedious, draining tasks more fun? Do you think you would become more productive? Might you even find a way to slightly enjoy them? Would you feel more motivated? What could you accomplish if it included an element of fun?
We recently stumbled across this YouTube video that beautifully puts the following question to the test: What do you need to add an element of fun to in order to encourage you to do it?
While you are doing your taxes, do you blast really bad music (but secretly love) that you would only listen to so long as no one else is around? Maybe you absolutely hate working out but find if you bring your dog along for a jog it’s a little more tolerable? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear what element of fun you throw into the equation to make the tasks of life more productive and enjoyable.
I’ve been asked recently about my personal philosophies on setting New Year’s Resolutions. While I don’t think they’re for everyone, I DO think goal setting is. Anyone can set a goal. Everyone can be successful in achieving SMART goals if they follow some simple tips. Since tip # 6 is all about sharing your goal with others, I encourage you to do so. What do you want to accomplish in 2011? A networking colleague asked specifically what goals members of his network were setting for a healthier 2011. I thought I’d share mine in the spirit of tip #6, so here they are:
For my personal health I’m resolving to stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day. I’m also going to continue my committment to exercising for 30-60 minutes 5-6 days a week. (3 days cardio, 2 strenth training and 1 yoga/pilates) My energy level and productivity both benefit in huge ways when I do these things (plus I’m a lot more fun to be around – and this benefits the health of my relationships).
For the health of my business, Simply Placed, I resolve to “Eat a Frog” each day before I get on (or lost) in email, and “reactive mode”. I will do 1 high priority task first thing that will make the biggest difference to our clients, or to business development, before any lower value tasks. (“Eat a Frog” is a term coined by author/speaker Brian Tracy, and something I’ve talked about during presentations and written about on our blog – such a great, productive concept!).
OK, so I’ve shown you mine, will you show me yours? Let us know how we can support you in achieving your goals in the New Year.
I know some people that have made their last resolution ever … the have resolved not to make any more resolutions. Are you in this camp?
For others, this time of year is a popular and optimal time to set goals, to look ahead, to create an action plan. There are several things I’ve seen people do that increase their chance of success in accomplishing their goals.
Be clear and specific about what you want and what “success” looks like.
Set a deadline or target date for completion
Write it down.
Post it where you will see it often (this could be a written or pictoral vision for the end result, or a simple statement of the goal).
Create an action plan – breaking down the steps needed to accomplish the goal and scheduling tasks into the days, weeks and months ahead. Set mini-deadlines for the different tasks or components associated with the action plan.
Share the goal and action plan with others. Declare your intentions, discuss your plan, seek support, request accountability.
Review the goals and action plan regularly. Note progress, make any necessary adjustments to the plan, decide when to review next.
Celebrate the small and the big. Reward yourself for significant progress made, for mini-goals accomplished along the way to the end result, and of course, for your ultimate accomplishment. Establishing small and big rewards that are motivating and really wanted, can help fuel the fire and keep you going when the going seems tough.
Ask for help. Figure out where you’d save time, money or stress in accomplishing your goal by asking for and accepting help.
So, if you decide to set goals or resolutions for 2011, we hope you find these tips helpful. We’d love to hear about your goals, progress, and accomplishments. Please let us know how we can support you along the way.
As you think about the year you’d like to have in 2011, begin by reflecting on the year that is coming to a close.
What went well in 2010? What were your wins? Proudest moments? Times when you felt your best? What was the most fun? Brought you joy? Made your heart sing? Made the biggest difference for your work or your life?
Next, think about what challenges presented themselves. What surprised you? What roadblocks did you face? What obstacles got in your way? What drained your energy? What did you try, but didn’t like?
Now, with answers to these questions, think about what you’d like to build on, or what you’d like to overcome and conquer in 2011. What kind of year would you like it to be? What one business goal are you most excited to accomplish? What one personal goal, when achieved, will add quality to your life?
What intentions and goals are you setting in 2011? We’d love to cheer you on!
Watch the blog for more on Planning for Success in the weeks to come. There are some powerful things you can think about and do to set yourself up for success in 2011. We’re excited to share the year with you.
How do you start your day? Do you hop on email and then never get off? Many people do and then wonder where the day goes.
What can you do first, to jumpstart your day? To pave the path to maximized productivity?
I love to exercise in the morning. Let me clarify – I don’t love to exercise, but I love to do it in the morning because I love the results. There’s the long term health benefits, of course, but for me, there’s also the “I did it” feeling and the natural adreneline rush I get right afterwards. This fires me up for the day and I’m ready to go. I know that days that I exercise in the morning, I’m much more productive for the rest of the day. When I get into a rut and don’t get up to run or go to the gym for a number of days (or weeks – gasp!) in a row, my energy level is negatively affected. This affects my productivity.
Another way to jumpstart your day is to get the most important thing you need to do all day done first. Steven Covey calls this “First things First”, and suggests that successful people make this a habit (I agree!). That’s right, before you get on email, tackle the #1 priority for the day. Accomplish, or make significant progress on the one task that will make the biggest difference in your personal or professional life. Imagine the feeling you’ll have when you get that done and there’s still much of the day in front of you! For me, this strategy give my day amazing momentum.
I also know myself well. I know that if I leave these things (exercise and a high priority task) until later in the day, I will likely not do them at all. I may procrastinate, fill my time with lower priority tasks, or come up with excuses as to why not to exercise or tackle that important thing until later (which never comes), so getting these things done first thing in the morning helps assure that they happen, and then they are out of the way and I can move on (and celebrate!). Author and speaker Brian Tracy calls this strategy “Eat a Frog for Breakfast” and even wrote a book on the concept. His idea is that if you had to eat a big, ugly frog on any given day, wouldn’t rather eat it in the morning for breakfast and get it out of the way than having it stare at you all day? I think, yes.
How do you like to start your day? What fires you up? What do you do that propels you or gives you energy or momentum to take on the rest of the day? I’d love to hear from you.
Do you have good intentions and want to make a change, but find it hard to follow through? Do you set New Year’s Resolutions or Goals and lose steam by mid-January? Do you vow year after year that “This Year Will Be Different”? We can help! Whether you’re in our local service area or across the nation, we’ve got a package that you can take advantage of that allows us to consult with you virtually.
From now until January 7th, 2011, we are offering a “This Year Will Be Different” Mini Package which includes:
The Simply Placed Time Log
The Six Word Lessons To Be More Productive book
A one hour Phone Consultation (We’ll discuss your time management or productivity challenges, how to use your time log, reflect upon last years goals, your 2011 personal and/or business goals, and how to achieve those goals to help you get and stay organized for the New Year)
Two 15 Minute Follow-Up Accountability Calls
A monthly e-subscription to the Simply Placed News including strategies to help you increase your focus, organization and productivity.
We’ll help you find more time to focus on high prioirity tasks and more time to spend on what matters most to you.
Get a jump start on 2011 and be ready to hit the ground running come January 1st.
Investment: $125 with Jessica (Residential) & $225 with Debbie (Business)
What would happen if you increased your focus, organization and productivity? What goal, if accomplished, would launch your 2011 off to a powerful start?
Let us know if you have questions or are interested in taking advantage of this special!
As you may remember, I’m training for a half marathon that takes place in late June. I have a plan – a specific training plan that spells out what distances I will run on which particular days. In my head, I know that sticking to this plan will prepare me for the race. My goals are to finish, perhaps to shave a little time off my last (and first) half marathon, and to do so injury-free.
The other morning I was scheduled to go out for a run. I really didn’t feel like running. I was tired, it was early, and my motivation seemed to have gone AWOL. I got up and went out anyway, convincing myself that just getting started was the first step.
Once I began, I settled in to the run. In fact, it was one of the better runs I have had for a while. The air was fresh, the temperature comfortable, and the time passed quickly. I had some good music to listen to and brainstormed a few ideas for Simply Placed. I do some of my best thinking while out on a run.
So even though I didn’t want to do it, I’m so very glad I did.
For me, this reinforces the benefit to setting a goal for something that is important to you and having a plan of action. Lastly, some discipline to stick to the plan, even if it means just committing to taking one step to get you going, will take you a long way.
What’s in your plan for the day? What will you do if your motivation hides from you for a while? Need more ideas? Please let us know.
