[ real neat ] eNews - march / april 2009

2009 : March April eNews

online @ [ real neat ]

[ real neat ]
P.O. Box 333
Georgetown, KY 40324

p : 859-321-4759
e : getneat@realneat.com

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[ real neat ] project : procrastination

Now that I'm back online, I'll be sending out my monthly newsletter again. Consider your inbox forewarned!

In my search for ideas and inspiration, I discovered that the third week of March is known as "Procrastination Week." Imagine that!

So, now that it's April, I'm ready to send out the newsletter that has been taunting me for the last few weeks! Aargh! (It makes complete sense that April is "Stress Awareness Month," doesn't it? I am far too aware of the stress in my life lately!)

If, like me, you need a few ideas to help you reduce the negative effects your current stressors, check out these "52 Proven Stress Reducers."

Professional Organizer

[ real neat ] serenity prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr ~

[ real neat ] procrastination prevention plan

Act After You Plan

start with a written plan of action to avoid getting distracted
keep your plan simple and straightforward
start with the one thing you must get done today to feel productive
this should be a manageable item you can complete in 10-15 minutes
break the day up into a number of "action sessions" for other tasks
balance the time spent planning with time spent creating or doing
avoid over-planning (another method of procrastination)
before ending your day, spend 10 minutes reviewing your progress
take time to plan your actions for the next day

Be Vision-Directed

your tasks should match your values or purpose
if not, you will find it hard to summon the energy to tackle them
bring each task into congruence with your basic mission
if you can't, take it off of your list

Bite-Sized Pieces

don't put any "to-do" on your list that takes more than 30 minutes
if it takes longer, it's actually a series of smaller "to-do's"
break each step out and list it separately
you don't have to tackle all the steps of a project in one sitting
spread a large task out over several work sessions
you will see greater progress as you check more items off your list
you will avoid getting bogged down in one large task or project

Decide to Schedule It

determine how much you can do or tolerate at a time
don't push yourself too far or you'll get bored or frustrated
plan these project "pieces" into your daily activities
set a "completion point" for accomplishing each small task
completion points give you an end in sight to look forward to

Good Enough Is Good Enough

don't try to do everything perfectly
perfectionism often causes procrastination
perfectionists would rather put it off than do an incomplete job
rather than perfection, aim for progress
any small step toward completion is an accomplishment

Just Do It

do the worst job (or part of the job) first and get it out of the way
once you tackle the part you are dreading, the rest is a breeze
stop spending time planning and just jump into doing it
set a time limit—"I'll file papers for 5 minutes"
alternate unpleasant jobs with tasks you enjoy
delegate out items you can't make yourself do

Plan Around Interruptions

interruptions tend to occur in identifiable patterns
notice when interruptions occur, by whom, and why
take steps to prevent those interruptions before they occur
if they can't be prevented, learn how to delegate to someone else
if they can't be delegated, learn how to delay until you are finished

Remember to Make It Fun

make the project and environment as pleasant as possible
play music, open a window, have a cold drink, etc.
give yourself the best tools and work space for the project
take a few minutes to organize your work space
a clean desk allows you to focus without visual distraction
it's only a chore if you think of it as a chore

Staying Motivated

find an "accountability partner" to track your progress
schedule a regular time to check in with a friend or colleague
rewarding your accomplishments encourages productivity
give yourself a break, a treat, a nap—whatever is a reward for you
reward every step along the way, not just the end result
the bigger the accomplishment, the bigger the reward

~ Guest Author : Ramona Creel ~

Content provided by OnlineOrganizing.com—offering "a world of organizing solutions!" Visit www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau, a referral for a Professional Organizer near you, or help starting your own organizing business.

[ real neat ] organizing parties

Need a girls� night out? Wish you could have an individually-tailored one-on-one organizing consultation, but stuck with a tight budget? Love to have tons of fun as you learn new skills? You need to host an organizing party!

How It Works: You invite at least 3 friends over to your place, provide some quick and easy snacks and drinks, and then I'll take care of the rest!

For a meager $10 per person, you will receive...

	Private shared access to organizing expertise in the comfort of your own home,
	Built-in accountability to friends who will motivate and encourage you after the party, and
	Hands-on organizing assistance from an expert.
	Bonus: Free hostess gift!

So, what are you waiting for? Schedule your first organizing party today!

The girls will love you for it!

[ real neat ] blog highlights

Last month, 8 new organizing tips & ideas were added to my blog.
Some of the most popular entries were...

	[ real neat ] return http://www.realneat.com/realorganized/?p=328
	Monday Mission : Weed Out Your Wardrobe http://www.realneat.com/realorganized/?p=8553
	Monday Mission : Spend Time with Your Family http://www.realneat.com/realorganized/?p=9324

In addition to some new favorite links, I have added an Amazon.com widget. Product suggestions will appear based on the content of the blog page that you are reading. So cool!

Don't forget to e-mail me some of your toughest organizing dilemmas? If I feature an answer to your question on my blog, you could win some real neat organizing goodies!

Receive instant updates when new entries are added; use your favorite news reader and subscribe to: http://www.realneat.com/realorganized/feed/.

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[ real neat ] organizing seminars @ Scott County Library


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