Posts tagged as:

Time Management

Control Your Emails, Control Your Time

by Michaeline on April 21, 2012

Don’t let emails disrupt your day and steal your time.

Here are some techniques you can use to manage emails:

  • When sending emails:
    o Use brief but detailed subject lines. Don’t leave it blank. Leaving the subject line blank makes it difficult to file or search not only for the recipients sake but yours too.
    o Keep messages short and simple. Important information should go in the first paragraph.
    o Create lists with groups of addresses especially if you send message to the same bunch of people frequently.
    o Don’t abuse email by forwarding every joke.
  • Receiving emails:
    o Set aside certain times of the day to answer email so it doesn’t become a distraction. You can set rules to color code emails from important people so you can handle promptly.
    o Use the spam files and rules functions. You can set rules to automatically file email messages from selected addresses in a particular folder.
    o Ask people who respond to all to kindly stop doing so needlessly.
  • Email oorganization:
    o Use folders and sub-folders.
    o Organize by sender, subject matter, project or any combination that makes sense to you.
    o Empty your delete folder regularly or set it up to do so automatically.

Set up some project time now to clean out your emails and then schedule time weekly (or on a regular basis) to keep on top of email organization.

By using these techniques and with scheduled routine maintenance you can be in control of your email.

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Organizing for Out-of-Town Guests

by Michaeline on July 9, 2011

I recently had the pleasure of opening our home to a friend for an overnight visit and we are expecting a visit from out-of-town family in two weeks.

In preparing for guests, besides cleaning there are things that you can do to help make your guest’s visit enjoyable. There are many sources out there and tips one of the websites that I thought had interesting points was http://simplemom.net/tips-to-help-guests-feel-welcome/

Here are a few additional tips from me:
• Schedule time ahead of the visit to de-clutter and clean your home so you are not exhausted when your guests arrive.
• Ask your guests if they have any food preference or allergies ahead of time.
• Have a variety of breakfast and snack foods available including fresh fruits, veggies and bottled water.
• If possible, determine what meals will be eaten at home or out so you don’t have to do too many grocery runs during the visit.

A little project management can help ensure a great visit anytime. Of course, having great guests helps too! And I love my house guests!

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The Journey Into Clutter Busting: My Basement Project

March 12, 2011

Well I learned something from my journaling last week. I am great at project management…tackling a cutter busting project and making it happen. What got out of control for me this last year was time. Now it is a myth that you can manage time. We all have only 24-hours in a day. We have [...]

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Starting Your Day Out “Right”

October 16, 2010

In the past I have talked about using routines to serve you…as a tool to eliminate stress and worry and help you accomplish things so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Routines remove a lot of decision making by setting standards or patterns. So have you developed a morning routine? What are mornings like in your home? [...]

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The Calendar: Your Best Friend

September 25, 2010

Another great time management tool is your calendar. There are a variety of them out there from electronic to paper. It doesn’t matter which one you choose. What matters is that you have only one calendar and that you use it. Using a calendar gives an overview of all appointments, scheduled events and important dates. [...]

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Give Me a Routine Any Day

September 18, 2010

In a previous post, I referred to using routines as a time management technique. Planning is one of the best time management tips and routines are one of my best planning techniques. Whether you are raising your family full-time, balancing family with working from home or splitting your time at the office and home it is [...]

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The Time Trap

September 11, 2010

The other week I worked on a Saturday. I am not sure if my intent was to catch up or get ahead of the game for the next week. I knew that I had a few items that if completed would put me in a better position at the start of my work week. So I created [...]

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Time Management: Fact or Fiction?

September 4, 2010

Time management… the elusive skill. Or is it? We all have 24 hours in a day and it is our choice on how we use them. If you feel that you need more time than 24 hours a day. If you are overwhelmed on a daily basis it is time to take control. Begin by [...]

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You Time…Replenish Your Energy

February 6, 2010

“We need time to dream, time to remember and time to reach the infinite. We need time to be.” ~ Gladys Faber Are you taking time for yourself? Do you spend time refueling yourself? Make yourself a priority and take time for you. It is not selfish. By taking time for yourself you will have [...]

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No Time to Organize…None Needed

July 11, 2009

Are you waiting for enough time or the right time to organize or de-clutter? Sometimes beginning is the hardest thing to do especially when you feel you don’t have enough time or feel buried under a lot of stuff. If you feel that you don’t have enough time to get organized you can get started [...]

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