When you need to work on a focused 'paperwork' task, do you prefer sound or silence? I recently asked this question in a web poll on my web site. Here's how GON readers responded...

39% It has to be perfectly quiet. I don't want to hear a pin drop

31% Light music playing in the background is my preference

24% Light background activity, like the sound of kids playing outside, works for me

3% I work best with energetic music on

3% I need lots of activity around me, like in a coffee shop

There have been studies conducted which have resulted in researchers discovering that the sounds of a city (traffic and such), people chatting with each other, and even light background music can actually lead to a decrease in productivity and performance for most people...even though it may be perceived that the background noise is helping.

A lab in Glasgow conducted research on whether noise affects cognitive performance. Participants were exposed to different types of noise ranging from everyday sounds, light background noise, high-energy music, calm music, etc.

EVERYONE (100%) did worse when there was any kind of noise in the background compared to when they performed those tasks in silence. I can see that. For important paperwork projects, I prefer silence which allows me to really zone in on that work without chance of distraction.

By the way, every time you're interrupted and have to stop what you're doing, refocus, and start again, that equals diminished productivity.

This all being said, I believe that:

1) Not all paperwork projects are worthy of complete silence. For instance, I'll sometimes put light background music on if I'm working on 'light' paperwork, like filling in a basic form or writing out Christmas cards. For these types of projects, even if it takes me a little longer to do, it's OK, because you don't have to necessarily get everything done in record speed. In fact, sometimes it's relaxing to take a few minutes longer to do something because it gives your mind a rest.

2) As noise levels increase, focus and productivity is going to go down. I feel I can drown out most light background noise, sometimes not even realizing there is any background noise...IF that noise is not too loud. For instance, I used to work in an office with cubicles. Most of the time, working in this environment was fine. But sometimes, if someone sitting nearby was on their phone, and I was just hearing 'parts' of the conversation (talking...pause...talking...pause) or if someone had a visitor at their cubicle, it could get pretty distracting. At these points, if I was working on something important, I opted to do that project at a quieter time...or in a closed conference room.

In summary, be cognizant of any noise thats causing you to have to constantly stop and restart whatever you're working on. Move to a quieter environment, or wear earplugs, if you have to work on important paperwork, but you can't 'turn off' the sound around you. Finally, know that whatever paperwork project you're working on, the more important/detailed the project is, the quieter it should be.

P.S. If you are always on the lookout for new perspectives and creative ideas that inspire and entertain, I have something very special for you this week. It's called Anything and Everything and it's available to you with TONS of complimentary bonuses and ALL of the back issues...but only until this coming Monday! Visit:

www.getorganizednow.com/anything-everything-sl.html

Scroll down to the bottom of this issue for full details.

Hi Maria, Regarding storing nuts, screws, and other small items, my dad was a builder and in the basement of our home he had a workbench with a shelf overhead. He nailed or screwed mason jar lids to the underside of the shelf. He then filled jars with nuts, screws, and such...and screwed the jar to the attached lid.

It frees up a lot of space and is easily visible at eye level. If there is no room in the basement, add a shelf in the garage, instead, to accommodate jars.

Keep your great tips coming.

--Karen Chapman, Wellington, Ontario, Canada

P.S. From Maria Gracia: Great idea, Karen! This idea also works for any type of small item, like small office supplies (push pins, paper clips, binder clips) OR crafting supplies, like beads, small pom poms, googly eyes, or brads.

Organizing Kids: Make Your child's teacher a Teacher Survival Kit
getorganizednow.com/organizing-kids-teacher-survival-kit.html



Organizing Men: Become an involved father or grandfather.here's how
getorganizednow.com/organizing-men-involved-father-grandfather.html



Dirty Little Secret 1: Feeling under the weather? Here's my go-to soup for colds...made in minutes
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-soup-colds.html



Dirty Little Secret 2: My socks and tights are beautifully organized in my drawer. Here's what I do...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-socks-tights.html



Dirty Little Secret 3: After applying my makeup, I do this one thing so everything blends perfectly. Here's what it is...
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-makeup-blends.html



Organizing Quick Tip: Be more positive.attack negativity with this simple tool
getorganizednow.com/organizing-quick-tip-negativity.html



Mini Challenges: September is a super time to do some updating...here are 5 challenges related to updates you can do easily. Have fun getting them done
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-updates.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: Rather than buying tons of wrapping paper, do this
getorganizednow.com



New Web Poll? What social media do you use? Take our web poll and let us know. It only takes a second, and you'll be able to see up-to-the-minute results
getorganizednow.com



September Checklist: Autumn is the perfect time of year to turn over a new leaf and get organized. Start today with our NEW September 2017 Organizing Checklist
getorganizednow.com



Theme of the Week: Quiet. Enjoy our home page quotes, that reflect our theme, for added inspiration and motivation this week
getorganizednow.com

Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.

Frank Ocean




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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Our lives pull is in many different directions. It's on these paths that we find joy, inner peace, laughter, wisdom, compassion, serenity, balance, love, creativity, motivation, inspiration, and fulfillment.

It's very easy to step off these paths and spend the majority of our time hanging out in the alleys of TO DOs, obligations, and chores. Of course, we have to hang out in those areas for a little while each day, but life can be so much more than that...if we allow it.

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ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is created in full color...you can print it out if you'd like...or read it on your tablet or laptop. Each month, you can relax and enjoy it while snuggled on your sofa with a cup of tea, outside on your patio in the fresh air, in a park while you're listening to the birds sing--whatever strikes your fancy.

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In a nutshell, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is your perfect companion for being your best self...and living the life you were meant to live...the beautiful life! For more details, visit:

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P.S. It gets EVEN BETTER! Until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, when you obtain your annual subscription to EVERYTHING and ANYTHING...you will get 10 eBook bonuses as follows...

* 100 Incredible Happiness Hacks
* Acres of Diamonds
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* Live Improvement Tips
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Plus, you'll get ALL the BACK-ISSUES (more than a year's worth)...but only until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, at midnight. For details, visit:

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