Organize Your Life! :: Organizing and Time Management Tips

Organizing & Time Management Tips

Time Management Tips For the Home Office

Set up accurate filing system so files do not pile on your desk.
Set up separate mail system. Mail system should be separate from your files.
Photocopy Schedule C (Internal Revenue Form for Small Business). Use the categories on Schedule C to make up a tax file.
Handle every piece of paper only once,
Schedule time in your day to open mail and to respond to the to-do items on your mail folder.
Use a calendar to post bills to give you a broad perspective of your finances.
Use technology. Buy a palm pilot or personal organizer. Sync information to your computer.
Visit Home Office web sites for ideas. See links
Keep a telephone log near telephone. Jot down information about telephone call and timing of incoming and outgoing calls. You will impress your clients.

Time Management Tips For Moms

Purchase a devotional book for mothers. Read it daily.
Wear flattering clothes. Throw out stained clothing.
Purchase some cotton wash and wear clothes for being at home with the troops.
Change into more attractive clothes before your husband arrives home.
Write and recite a daily confession that will empower you as a mom.
Remember you are not a work mule for your children. Make it easy for them to care for their personal needs by making sure everything are easily accessible for the kids.
Plan a mom's night out with other mothers.
Do something for special for yourself.
Change your outer appearance. Get your nails done. Change your hair style.
Buy some new make-up and some new clothes. (Put these items in your budget).
Read a good book.
Smile more often!
Subscribe to mothering magazines.
Attend moms support groups.
Schedule time for play with the kids

Time Management Tips For Kids

Prepare as far in advance as you can (at least a 24 hours) for family events, work and commitments to offset last minute surprises. You will be calm and so will your child.
Talk to other parents who have children older than your children to alert you to certain developmental behaviors so your surprises will be minimal. Knowing what to expect helps you to be mentally and emotionally prepared to offset crisis.
Provide eye level hooks so kids can hang their clothes up. They will feel good about themselves and you train them young to do be responsible for their things.
Give kids their own laundry baskets to be responsible for their own laundry. Each child can have their own color.
Set a certain time limit for children to help you. (i.e. Dusting for an hour) They will realize cleaning or helping out is not an all-day task and thus more cooperative. You can even set a timer for an hour. Make certain you quit when the specified time is over.
Give children incentives for helping out at home. A sticker chart is a good place to begin. Or you can give points. Accumulated points can be used for family treats.
Make jobs easier for smaller children. Line your bathroom wastebaskets with several waste bags so all the kids have to do is empty them. Remember to replace bags weekly so that waste baskets are always lined.
You can also teach older children to remove a waste bag and replace it at the same time.
Separate toys into categories and place them in plastic storage boxes. Stack them or place them on shelves. Toy boxes damage toys and can be overwhelming to small children.
Look your child in the eye and give verbal and physical (i.e.-hug) praise and affirmation when your child has completed a task.
Use sniff-n-scratch stickers to motivate a small child to help out around the house.

Organizing Tips For the Home

Wet your child's shoelaces before tying them. You won't have to re-tie them all day.
Put a steno pad (instead of a tear-off pad) and pen near your telephone. No more little pieces of paper.
Purchase indoor/ outdoor olefin or propylene mats to catch incoming dirt.
Everyday" do an inventory task in your home-wash dishes, laundry, clean up, etc.
Allow children to only play with a few toys at a time.
Post a family calendar in the kitchen.
Purchase individual laundry baskets (assorted colors) so children can sort and put away laundry.
Guard against perfectionism-clean for hygienic reasons not just for aesthetic beauty.
Label kids' bureau drawers so they will put clothes in the right draws. Use pictures (i.e.-from magazines) for small children who cannot read yet.
Post chores chart so everyone knows who is responsible for what job.
Put a ribbon on your car antenna so you can quickly locate where you parked your car in a mall.
Carry a calculator and coupon file with you to the supermarket.
Write down the aisles of your favorite supermarket. Photocopy it. Make your list using the aisles as a guide.
Use baskets to store small items in

Organizing for Personal Growth

Read books that spur you to spiritual, intellectual and personal growth.
Make schedules with yourself to review your goals.
Get an accountability partner.
Set goals for personal integrity. Vow not to gossip or speak negatively about others.
Guard your quiet time.
Prepare for it like you would a special date.
Place items you will be using during your morning quiet time together at night.
Read a segment of what you will be reading during your quiet time before you go to bed.
Use a basket if you do not have a room or space you can use for quiet time.
Talk to others about your quiet time.
Journal before, during and after your quiet time if necessary.
Specify a goal in your quiet time.
Early morning is a prime time for quiet time.