Skip to main content
Category

Quick Organizing Tips

Mar 05
Love0

Organization Tips: One-in, One-out Rule

By Blog, Closet Organizing, Quick Organizing Tips No Comments

Home + Office Organization Tips

 

Looking for effective organization tips? This one will have you off to a great start!

 

 

The One-in, One-out Rule

 

Apply this rule to all things in your office, home, and calendar.

 

When you bring something new into the space, remove something else to make room for the new item. A good office organization tip will help you control the amount of clutter you have AND help you get it organized.

 

For example, let’s say you love books and your bookshelf is at full capacity. If you keep buying books, eventually the books will be piled all over the floor and surrounding surfaces.

 

So instead, when you buy one new book, take out one book that you no longer need and give it away.

 

 

Decide the books you’ll part with using these key Q’s:

  • Do I use it for reference?
  • Will I read it / read it again?
  • Is the book still relevant to me?
  • Is the information inside up to date?
  • Does the topic align with my current goals?

Your donation will be new to someone else who will be very grateful for finding it! Plus your bookshelves won’t be too stuffed.

 

Which leads us to the next organization tip…

 

Why Wait to Spring Clean?

Welcome in the fresh air and get a head start this year
with our free Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist!

Download Here!

Decluttering Your Clothes Closet

 

This rule is also easily applied to closets!

 

When you buy new clothes, simply remove the same number of pieces.

 

It’s in good practice when downsizing your closet to pick clothes for the to-go pile that no longer fit your current lifestyle. This includes clothes that no longer fit or look the best on you, pieces you haven’t worn in 12 months, or are out of your current preferred style.

 

Donate these clothes to a charity or pass them on to friends!

 

 

What office organization tips can you not live without? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏼

Organizing Your Closet Twice a Year Can Help Your Favorite Charity!

Feb 11
Love0

Task Batching: Choosing Your Planner

By Blog, Business Organizing, Quick Organizing Tips, Time Management No Comments

Task batching is easily one of the most overlooked productivity tools.

 

This is because when you batch tasks together and schedule blocks of time to do them, it actually takes you less time to complete them.

 

For example, checking your email throughout the day will waste your time far more than checking your Inbox during preset blocks. So will making phone calls throughout the day or week as opposed to scheduling regular times for follow-up calls.

 

Being intentional with your most productive hours is key to showing up as your best self at work, home, and in life.

 

This makes task batching the perfect first step to becoming the most organized person you know!

 

Let’s talk about Planner Options

 

Lots of highly organized people still use paper planners for task batching. Some use solely digital, and a rapidly growing number are opting for a hybrid combo of paper and digital planning systems.

 

While all three essentially do the same thing, there are some main differences.

 

PAPER PLANNERS are physical and tangible, which limits their use to being physically present. But at the same time they are also very hands-on, and this act of writing can be very helpful for one’s memory.

 

DIGITAL PLANNERS, being virtual and often set up with a personalized account, are easily accessed through almost any device and always available at your fingertips.

 

One very important point to think about is what types of visual and creative aspects you would like to have while task batching. Since this is a very personal preference, you will need to decide on this one for yourself!

 

But some other key things to consider when deciding which style of planner fits your needs are; accessibility, automations, data input, storage and backup, and customization.

 

Not sure which is a fit for your task batching needs?

 

See below for the detailed pros and cons:

 

vs.

Accessibility

Pros:

  • no batteries, power source, or internet connection
  • access anywhere at anytime, easier to refer to or add to in a pinch if not good with tech

Cons:

  • must carry around the physical book
  • limited to the physical location of the book

Pros:

  • only need a device with an internet connection
  • can share group projects or collaborative calendars
  • environmentally friendly

Cons:

  • requires a power source and internet connection
  • limited offline use
  • contributes to screen fatigue

Automation

Pros:

  • has page index
  • premade sections and title pages
  • page numbers for easy recall

Cons:

  • requires manual input and checking
  • cannot set alarms or reminders

Pros:

  • ability to set alarms and reminders
  • set reminders for others on a shared calendar

Cons:

  • may not be able to create the reminders you need or want

Data Input

Pros:

  • 42% more likely to reach a goal when you write it down
  • manual writing, for those who enjoy the pen-to-paper feel
  • writing by hand helps to process and remember information better
  • doesn’t require technical know-how

Cons:

  • limited space for writing, can quickly become cluttered
  • harder to recall information
  • not as easy to edit or correct
  • no tech skills required 

Pros:

  • easily input, edit, and update information
  • categorize and filter information
  • search bar for easier retrieval
  • let others set up appointments with you

Cons:

  • difficult to learn how to use
  • all planning systems are different, may have to try a few to find one you like
  • must like using apps and tech
  • must be okay with looking at small screens for different devices

Storage and Backup

Pros:

  • information is all in one location
  • can keep old planners for archives (only if needed, not to clutter)
  • have control of information, can restrict access and keep private

Cons:

  • not as easy to share with others
  • if lost or damaged, cannot be recovered

Pros:

  • calendars and data can be stored and backed up to cloud storage
  • easily shared and accessed by multiple people
  • control syncing, manual or automated

Cons:

  • risk of data loss
  • might not sync to some devices
  • hacking can compromise your privacy
  • technical errors

Customization

Pros:

  • can make drawings and take notes anywhere on page
  • purchase all kinds of customized planners
  • design your own planner online – cover design, layouts (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly), subject matter (academic, everyday, wellness, faith, etc.)

Cons:

  • designs and layouts can be limited
  • once printed, cannot change

Pros:

  • most systems offer a wide range of customization options
  • change templates, color schemes, fonts, and layouts

Cons:

  • learning curve for customizing in planner program
  • may not be able to customize in the ways you want

The #1 Tool I Recommend: Asana

 

There is one tool I highly recommend using for task batching (for 100% digital or a hybrid of paper and digital).

 

I use this amazing, all-in-one digital system both in my business and personal life. It has the capability to manage all of my client projects, work tasks, and keep my team up to date with everything in-between.

 

While it may look overwhelming at first, once you begin to catch on and understand the flow of the program it is very user-friendly. The best part is, 90% of the time I use it just on my phone!

Intended to be used alongside time blocking, task batching is when you group similar tasks together to complete in predetermined time slots.

 

Similar tasks can be similar in nature or just tasks from one project.

 

After you have figured out which tasks to batch together, you can begin scheduling them into your day using time blocks. A time block can be any length of time.

 

Once you’ve created an overview of everything you need to complete for the day, section your most productive hours into appropriately-sized time blocks for your batched task.

 

Then get to scheduling!

 

 

Are you new to and just learning about task batching, or a seasoned batch-making pro? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏼

10 Ways To Stay Productive At Work Over the Holidays

Jan 19
Love0

Simple Organizing Tips Each Week – Goals

By Blog, Inspiration, Quick Organizing Tips

organizing tipsEach week we will share with you simple organizing tips for your office, home and life.  By the end of 2011, you will be amazed at all your accomplishments by following these simple organizing tips!

 To ensure success in achieving your goals this year and staying on track with your organizing tips: 

  1.  Get an organizing buddy – Success is keeping yourself accountable to your goal and being persistent.  Just like exercising, having an accountability partner will be your success factor to your organizing success
  2. Use Sherry as your accountability partner at www.facebook.com/Association-Business-Organizing

PS – This “tip” was taken from our latest newsletter.  Are you getting our newsletter it is full of organizing tips?  Sign up by clicking on “Get Your Free Report” at the TOP RIGHT of this page and you’ll also receive our FREE 7 Ways to Organize Your Workspace.

Looking forward to hearing your favorite organizing tips from the year ahead!