We live in a world of distractions, a world where during the course of a single meeting, you can get five notifications on your cell phone – two recurring notifications for obsolete meetings, a spam text, a voicemail from your significant other, and a Facebook notification. Using a paper planning system helps you focus without …
Continue reading “Paper Planning – Goals Without Interruptions”
Make your vacation less stressful by preparing ahead of time. Be sure the house is picked up and the kitchen and bathrooms are clean before you leave, so you won’t come home to a list of chores. Ask friend to check your mail, get someone to take care of your pets, and even hire yard …
April is Workplace Conflict Month – and no, that doesn’t mean that it’s time to go start the fight with the loud eater in the cubicle next door. There’s a big difference between constructive conflict, or an honest, respectful meeting of ideas, and destructive conflict, where the personal realm taints workplace relationships. Here are some …
If we’re honest, most of us will admit we can’t make it in business alone. We rely on others to keep things flowing so we can focus on our areas of expertise. Without help, we’d sink. Wednesday, April 24th is Administrative Professionals’ Day. Don’t forget to recognize the professionals who keep you going each day. …
Mother’s Day is always the second Sunday of May. This year, it’s May 12—a little later than you might have expected. But that’s no reason to procrastinate your gifts for the mothers in your life. You’re sure to remember your wife, your mother, and mother-in-law, but you may also choose to do something special for …
Graduation is a celebration of a milestone, but it isn’t the end of the journey. In many ways, it’s the beginning. It’s great to give your graduate a gift that symbolizes the importance of this stage of life—preferably something he or she can use in the future. That’s probably why so many people choose a …
Who says spring-cleaning should stop when summer arrives? This spring, set up a great system for keeping your spaces clean. For your messiest spaces, like your kitchen and bathroom, store the appropriate cleaners nearby. Then when you see a mess, you won’t have to cross your house twice to clean it up. Maintaining a clean …
Your body has its own schedule – maybe you prefer waking up with the sun, or maybe you usually burn the midnight oil. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, the best time to plan for your day is when you’re most awake. Take 20-30 minutes at the start of your day, or …
Continue reading “Time Management – Morning Person or Night Owl”
As the days count down to April 15, it’s time to start gathering your documents. The sooner you submit your taxes, the sooner you have peace of mind (and possibly your refund). As forms from your employment and bank accounts come through the mail, put them in a Tax Organizer and keep them together. Whether you …
Health and safety are precious commodities. As you start your spring cleaning, promote both by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and cleaning out your medicine cabinet. Fire safety is incredibly important – once you’ve replaced the batteries, set off a surprise test for your family members and make sure that they can hear …
Continue reading “Spring Cleaning – Dead Batteries, Expired Medicine”
During the holidays, all sorts of cards and good wishes come from distant friends and family, giving reminders of old times and updates on the latest events. But by the time spring rolls around, it’s so easy to lose touch again. Take the time this week to sit down and write a simple letter, detailing …
On an episode of the TV series Seinfeld, Jerry ribs George about his overstuffed wallet – it’s so full, that George sits on a slant. While it’s generally a good idea to keep receipts in your wallet, there is a limit. Go through your wallet and sift out the receipts you actually need to keep. …
We’re three days away from Valentine’s Day – have you made your plans yet? Here are some things to consider: Surprise – if you’re planning on surprising your romantic interest, be sure to let him or her know beforehand. If both of you plan surprises on the same night, then one of you will go …
Have you ever been on your way to a birthday party and realized that you neglected to purchase a card? Help prevent this situation by setting aside one day each year that you go to the store and select birthday cards for your family and friends. Make a list of everyone and their birthdays, …
How organized is the system you use to keep track of addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.? The address tabs in your planner may need an update, or you may need to freshen up the contacts on your smartphone. Set aside an hour to get things in order so all of the people you care …
Many of us are looking to improve our work habits and our career situation. But what happens when a new job opportunity presents itself? Are we ready to put our best foot forward at a moment’s notice? Take some time now and look over your resume. It is up-to-date? Have you added skills that aren’t …
The weather outside may be frightful—unless you’re planning a winter adventure. But it’s the perfect time to organize your home. The shorter days force you inside with hours to burn. Why not spend some of that time making sense of your closet, cleaning your oven, organizing your pantry. You may even decide to get a …
Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over, take some time to write Thank You Cards. In today’s rushed world of emails, Facebook messages, and instant messaging, a hand-written thank you card means a lot. It tells the giver that you cared enough to put the same kind of thought and …
It’s December 31st, the last day of the year. Now is the perfect time to reflect on the year that was and consider the year ahead. It’s time to set some goals. (Let’s not call them resolutions because we tend to break those.) This year, lets not set goals that are too lofty and too …
From all of us behind the GO Community, Happy Holidays to you and yours. We’re looking forward to seeing you in an organized 2013!
