Posted by
Petra Geiger. Owner & Founder Beehive Co-op
I am so tired this morning but it was worth it. I just couldn't take it anymore! My office/studio was a pile of papers (mind you they were neatly stacked) but I couldn't find anything and it had been 6 years (since the last move from San Francisco to Atlanta) since I had reorganized. I couldn't concentrate on my work anymore. So, even though I have a ton of work to do, yesterday I spent an hour at OfficeMax getting the tools I needed (they had some really nicely designed binders and file folders). Last night, until my back couldn't take it anymore, I went through my piles, my files, boxes and bins and reorganized. It's amazing what you can find when you go through everything..but I digress!
People often ask me how I manage to keep up on all the things I need to do. I think it's 2 things. 1) staying organized 2) using time wisely. Alot of this is genetic, I mean can you grow up with a German father and not be organized? Lining up our shoes at the front door was just the tip of the iceberg in our household. But I do believe alot of it is learned and just takes practice and perseverance. That and making the time. It's hard to take a day or two out of your crazed schedule to reorganize BUT the payoff is 10 fold! Here, for what it's worth, are a few of my strategies...
1. Always find the right tools and buy organizational tools that you enjoy and will use. I will always pay slightly more for a notebook or file folder that I will get pleasure out of using.
2. Think about your work flow and devise an organizational strategy BEFORE you start. Put it down on paper, think about it, and then implement.
3. I only keep the files or items I use weekly in my office/studio area. The rest I file in a metal cabinet in the basement. That way I don't get overwhelmed.
4. Create a place for everything! Once you've established that place, train yourself to put things back in the right place as you use them - that means right away. It's easy, saves time in the long run and will help you avoid making PILES! This also goes for the files on your computer!
5. Finish what you start. Whether it's getting organized or is a specific task. Set the goal and complete it. It is rewarding and productive.
6. Make to do lists. For the day & for the week. You may have to rework these every few days but by then end of the week you should have accomplished what you set out to do.
7. BUT set reasonable goals and to do lists. You will constantly be disappointed and frustrated if you try and do too much in one day or week. Don't fight the clock, learn to work within it.
8. Don't put off for tomorrow what you can handle today. I live by this. I take care of things right away if I can. This saves energy on worry and things are less likely to fall through the cracks.
9. Be flexible and creative with your time. For instance, when my kids are doing homework, I will work on something too. But it's something that I can do while being interrupted. So find the right time for the right task.
10. Pare down what you have. For instance do you have a jar, drawer, box full of pens/pencils/markers that you haven't used in forever? Get rid of it, it's clutter. Buy a few of your favorite pens, cherish them, and put them back in the right place.
Well, I hope that was helpful! Since I'm organized again I feel like I can tackle all of the projects that I am now behind on. But it was so worth it!
Hope you're enjoying NY. I am headed to Beehive this afternoon with my sister in law, who is in from Albuquerque. Happy New Year! Tina
Posted by: Tina Engberg | January 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Hi Petra, welcome to New York!
I say that as a well established brooklynite (3 months) :)
I'm excited that you're here. I'd love to see you if you have the time. I'm working at a non-profit and sewing dresses out of sweaters in my free time.
Well, I'm glad you made the move and I'm excited that you plan to open a Beehive.
Best wishes,
Susan
Posted by: Susan Voelker | January 10, 2008 at 02:15 PM