Asking for Help

/10 Comments/in , , /by

 

asking for help

Is it not in your nature to ask for help?

Have you asked for help and you heard crickets?

Is it easier to procrastinate about something rather than ask for help?

 

Let’s admit it, asking for help is hard.  It may seem like it’s a signal about deficiency or weakness. It may be about fear and vulnerability. It may be a lack of a skill or an undeveloped skill.  It could even be about being stubborn. A lot plays into asking for help.  It’s time to acknowledge we are all not good at everything and play to our strengths.

 

It’s the best way to conquer a tough project though.  It helps you move forward when you are stuck. It saves you time when you are struggling with a task or technology.  Bringing together more hands and ideas can improve your project too.  Is it time for you to assess asking for help?

 

Start small

The best way to start anything new is to start small.  Ask for help with a small time commitment or piece of the project.  Isolate just one thing that is holding you back on a project.  Ask a trusted resource to help you with that one small task.  If you are not sure what that one small thing is, ask a trusted resource to process the steps in the project to create the series of actions for completing the task.

 

Asking for help at work

Collaboration is a great strategy for asking for help at work.  Create a team that works well together who create energy and more together.  Find resources for a variety of needs that you have, whether tech, writing, calculations or other needs.  Sweeten the pot with an offer to assist with a strength you have.

 

Email is your best tool for asking for help.  Be sure to include a specific request with a deadline.  Think of potential solutions as options that your resource can help you with, especially the small simple solutions.  Think about additional resources like coaches, professional organizers, and productivity consultants who can also provide support and increase your productivity.

 

 

Asking for help at home

We often think our family is an unreliable source for help.  However, asking for help at home is an important part of family cohesiveness.  Even if you think it’s easier to do whatever yourself, teaching how to help others and team work is worth the extra energy and time.

 

It’s easiest to ask by starting with a family meeting.  Even if there is a lot of eye rolling, your family will be happy to help with simple, small tasks that can be done quickly.  Use a family chart to keep everyone on track.  Set a time and date for your helpers to complete their work.  If someone is already doing that task, count that.  Find tasks everyone can do at the same time together to get a big job done too.

 

Finding resources

Have an array of resources at your disposal.

  • My first go to is google and find online resources. Finding answers can be as simple as a few keyboard clicks. It takes a few minutes and already I know new tricks.
  • My next step is to find someone in my inner circle who can respect my request.  There are many colleagues, family and friends who have skills that compliment mine. I return the favor by offering something to help them as well.
  • Finding resources in your community are a great collaboration as well.  In my arena I love having interior decorators who work on color and space design, handymen who repair and hang pictures,  and tech people who help make my computer and smart phone work well.
  • Who would be a bonus to you as a resource?

 

Not matter the challenge, there is help there for the asking!  Remember to share your gratitude for their help.   It’s not only about how to ask for help, it’s also how to appreciate those helping out too.

 

Tricks and tips for any organizing or productivity challenge here!

 

 

5 Tried and True Techniques for Productivity

/6 Comments/in /by

productivity

 

When we have tried and true tools and techniques, we trust these won’t fail us.  When it’s crunch time it’s easier to be more productive.   There are so many different tools, tips and remixes for each of us to use.  I have learned to trust these 5 techniques for making sure I am efficient and effective, especially when it’s down to the wire.

 

I always trust my planner

My first instinct as an organizer is to run to my planner and write stuff down.  In just seconds I won’t remember an appointment, a task for a client, or to return a call.  Writing stuff down means I don’t have to remember it and I can trust my planner with all dates and details.

 

I rely on percolation time.

I have learned that working on projects when they are broken down into smaller units works for me.  I think and work hard for an hour, then I leave the project for a few days. In the days between, I have new thoughts and additional energy.  The time between the work periods is what I call percolation time. It’s the time things “percolate” to the top. I can continue and complete the project feeling I have done my best.

I do my best work early in the day.

You’re either a morning person or an evening person.  For me my best work is done earliest in the day. Thoughts flow easily and content comes together.  I take a walk-run early and then head immediately into work time.  Do you know when is your best work time?

 

I start each day with a list and knowing my 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs)

Without my Maps app, I won’t be heading anywhere in my car. Without my 3 MITs, I am not heading in the right direction either.  My Most Important Tasks usually revolve around calendar (Note: it was first on this list) and client responsiveness.  Know your goals and set these up for success by prioritizing the day’s tasks.

 

I love and trust routine and use it wisely.

If you looked in my planner, you could easily see my daily routine.  Client appointments are scheduled in 3 hour units, parallel times each day.  I especially love my bedtime routine.   I am a person of great routines and consistency.  Each of us has some routine already existing. It’s in adding in what will benefit you, rather than rein you in, that routines do us the most good.

 

 

What are your tried and true tricks for productivity?

 

More ideas on Powerful Productivity.

 

More tricks and techniques each month!

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/1 Comment/in , /by

Your Most Organized Year Ever

 

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Your task list is a mile long! You know you won’t get it all done, but you have magical thinking that it will be all done.  What’s the best way to feel accomplished?  Prioritize your top three tasks for the day.

 

Find your 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs)

Your three tasks may be the most urgent due to the deadline. Your three tasks might be the ones that bring in revenue.  Your three tasks might be established by your boss.  Write your three tasks out the night before so you are ready to work the next day.

 

Start your 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs)

The only task you can be sure of each day is the first one you start that day.  Get started with your tasks before you review email so you can use crucial thinking time when you are at  your best.  Start with a timer if you need to jump in right away.  Work for an uninterrupted hour and see how much you accomplish.

 

Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with prioritizing your 3 most important tasks (MITs).

 

Join my newsletter for a boost of productivity!

 

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Your Most Organized Year Ever

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Your productivity depends on setting up a well suited work space.

 

For most of us, an uncluttered desk in a well lit office creates an efficient and effective work space.

  • Keep only on your desk what you use each day.
  • Create a command center for action papers.
  • Set up easy to access files for references.
  • Clear your desk daily to keep it efficient.

 

If you work at home, your work space might be mobile.

  • Set up a portable command center for papers.
  • Include electronic cables and other essentials for mobility.
  • Take time out during the day to eat, take a walk and be sociable.

 

Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with a well suited work space includes elements that make you happy and productive.

 

Need a boost of organizing energy? Join my newsletter!

 

 

 

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/0 Comments/in , /by

 

Your Most Organized Year Ever

 

 

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Checklists make performing or completing anything easier.  When there are many complicated steps to complete a project, a checklist helps you remember and complete each step. When there are many parts to a project, a checklist helps you keep them all together.

 

There are so many different ways to use checklists.

  • Create and use a checklist for your end of the month procedures.
  • Use a checklist to complete paying your bills each month.
  • Create and use an annual home maintenance checklist to be sure all maintenance is complete.
  • Create and use a packing checklist to be sure nothing gets left behind.
  • Where will a checklist help you?

 

Check out these checklists to help you this year.  Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with checklists to help you stay more organized.

 

Ideas to make you more productive at home and work on my Powerful Productivity pinterest board.

 

 

 

 

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/0 Comments/in , /by

Your Most Organized Year Ever

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Email floods in daily.  The best way to keep ahead of the wave is to triage daily.

 

Triage? It’s when you sort through your email, delete all that’s not needed immediately, and leave what’s important to work on, add to your project list and do what can be done in 1 minute or less.

 

  • It takes decisive action to keep your inbox chopped down to size.  There are some basic email solutions, but the triage approach makes a difference.
  • Check your email just three times a day with this strategy. If you check more, you won’t be as decisive.
  • If you are struggling with a task or project in the email, move that to a list to complete later.
  • Check email from your computer mainly, rather than your smart phone, to make the most of this strategy.  Never check email at a stop light or while driving.

 

What if you have gotten above 1000 emails in your inbox?

  • Sort by subject view, group together, and either delete or move to subfolder.
  • Spend an extra 15 minutes a day for a week just deleting emails.

 

Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with email triage.

 

If paper is overwhelming too, check out this paper triage post.

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Your Most Organized Year Yet

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Accountability is being willing and obligated to a task.  It’ not always easy to feel or be accountable to others. It takes a trusting relationship and a perspective of learning from missteps.

 

There are many ways to accomplish a goal using accountability.

  • Working together as a team can help you get a task accomplished.  When you are accountable for your step of the project, you know you will follow through.  You have team ownership.
  • Just speaking out loud about a project, describing it and discussing it, can help you process your thoughts on a project.  You are more prepared to complete it because you have clarified your work.
  • It may be just to speak about a project out loud and it’s enough for you.

 

Check out all 31 Tips for Your Most Organized Year Ever.

Your Most Organized Year Ever

/0 Comments/in , /by

Your Most Organized Year Ever

Each year as we start the new year, we think of ways to make a change and improve our lives.  Did you know that organizing is one of the top three goals each year?  Throughout the month of January, I will be offering 31 tips to help you have Your Most Organized Year Ever.  Implement just one of these tips, tools, techniques or tweaks this year. 

 

Do you have notes written on the back of envelopes, paper plates or whatever?

 

Are small piles of post it notes everywhere?

 

Feel like your to do’s are over the top?

 

Task lists, aka to do lists, are a great way to consolidate information. You may have tasks in your email, from meetings or monthly reports that need to be done.  Having it all consolidated on one task list makes it easy to keep track of all these details.  It’s a visual reminder and easier than trying to remember it all in your head.

 

Your task list could be as simple as a spiral notebook.  Be sure it’s easy to carry with you.

 

Your task list could be an app.  My clients love Evernote and Toodledoo.  My personal favorite is Notes, which looks like a small post it note on your smart phone.

 

Your task list could be a series of post it notes stuck on a wall.  You can peel them off as you finish each task.

 

Make this Your Most Organized Year Ever with a task list.

 

Check out these apps and see what will work for you.

 

Don’t miss a minute of organizing or productivity ideas.  Join my newsletter.

 

Favorite Blog Posts 2014

/0 Comments/in , , /by

It’s almost a wrap! The year 2015 starts this week. Thank you for your commitment to organizing and learning new tools, tips and techniques on Ellen’s Blog this year.  Here are your favorite blog posts for 2014!

 

 

organizing your add family

Organizing your ADHD family

 

3 steps to organize your desk

3 Steps to Organize your Desk

 

14 productivity tips

14 Productivity Tips for 2014

Best Practices for Holiday Productivity

/0 Comments/in , /by

best practices for holiday productivity in the office

It’s the time of year when most of your colleagues are out of the office. Because you have used all your vacation time or as just as a personal choice, you are spending a few days in the office between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s quiet and there’s a slower pace with fewer deadlines looming. You may feel it’s the least productive time of the year. It’s truly the perfect time to get a few tasks finished up, get organized and learn new technology.

 

Finish up administrative and financial tasks

Make a list of unfinished year end tasks to complete. Throughout the year, administrative tasks and financial reports can be put on the back burner. Prioritize the most important of these tasks, especially monthly administrative or expense reports. Take advantage of technology to scan receipts quickly with your Neat to complete your expense reports efficiently.

 

 

Get Organized

It’s been a busy year and your office shows it! It’s time to eliminate paper and see the top of your desk and floor again. Set a timer to get you started and go through all papers. Recycle or shred multiple copies, drafts, or printed emails. Create paper files or scan information to consolidate and create effective document management.

 

 

Learn new technology

A quiet, undistracted environment is the best place to immerse yourself in learning. Perhaps you have been put off updating equipment, adding your Neat scanner, or learning new software. Holiday time is when you can have more time in case things don’t go as smoothly as you like or installation requires a call to experts.

 

 

As the new year begins, you will feel ahead and be more organized because of your extra time spent in the office.  A little productivity at holiday time makes a difference.

 

Want to have your most productive year yet?  Join my newsletter!