Writing Practice Prescription

Forgetting Too Many Things?

13 Tips for Getting Organized and Staying Focused!

A new book by Martha Weinman Lear, entitled “Where Did I Leave My Glasses?” addresses the increasingly distressful (to many of us!) issue of memory loss. Fortunately, she puts the issue in a more positive light and refers to our forgetfulness as “nature’s priority filing system!” Two of her key recommendations for improving ones memory are “Get Organized” and “Concentrate More.”

Elizabeth Hagen, CPO®, couldn’t agree more! Ms. Hagen offers the following tips.

For eliminating physical clutter:

1. Place an easily accessible “Give Away” box on each level of your home or office.
2. Continually ask yourself, “What is the worst possible thing that would happen if I didn’t have this.” If you can live with your answer, put it in the “Give Away” box.
3. Encourage those around you to do the same!
4. As soon as the box is full, take it to the nearest donation center.
5. Continue the process.

For eliminating mental clutter:

1. Use 3×5 index cards for writing reminders. (They’re cheaper than sticky notes, easier to process!)
2. Keep index cards in your purse, the bathroom, the bedside table, the car, beside the TV – wherever you might think of something you need or want to do.
3. Every time you think of something you should do or want to do, write it down – one item per card, so you can easily put the reminder where you need it – e.g., your calendar, your shopping list, give to your spouse, etc.

For staying focused on what really matters to you:

1. Before you leave work, or go to bed at night, identify the three most important things to accomplish the next day.
2. Implement a system to record those three things – for example, a reminder in your calendar, a note on your mirror, or a file in the middle of your desk.
3. Complete at least one item BEFORE you open your e-mail! If you can accomplish all three, even better!
4. Implement a system to remind you to return to your priorities whenever you get distracted.
5. At the end of the day, express gratitude for what you have accomplished!

Organization, like any other behavior change, is all about habits. Using some of these tips even some of the time will go a long way to make 2008 your most productive and stress-free year ever!

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Hagen is a dynamic and inspiring productivity expert and speaker who has motivated thousands to take action and get organized. She is President of ElizabethHagen.com and works with overwhelmed people to help them get focused, organized, and more productive. Her newest book and manual “Organize with Confidence” will change your life! Subscribe to Elizabeth’s free ezine “Extraordinary Results” at http://www.ElizabethHagen.com and receive the “31 Tips to Simplify Your Life” as her gift to you.