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Happy organizing and thanks so much for continuing on your organizing journey with me!

Maria Gracia

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Have you ever been so hungry that you fill up your dinner plate, eat the whole thing, go back for more, and by the time you're done, you're so full that you feel like you're going to explode? Most people have put 'too much on their plate,' at one time or another, and regret it later.

Just like it's easy to put more food on our plates, it's just as easy to 'fill our Time Plates' with more TO DOs than we can accomplish in a day, in a week, in a lifetime. Doing so almost always end up in half-finished projects, feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and never having the satisfaction of being 'caught up.'

I've been consulting with a client on his time management this past week. I asked him to send me his current task list. I kid you not...it was seven pages long, on college-ruled paper, and there was a task on every single line. Fun fact: there are roughly 33 lines on college ruled paper. 33 times 7 comes out to 231 TO DOs.

All of these TO DOs were mixed up together...a mish mash of random tasks. He said he was overwhelmed and didn't know what task to do first. I wasn't at all surprised.

The first thing we did was organize his TO DOs, by sorting them into 'like categories.' We did this in a spreadsheet so he wouldn't have to keep writing his list over and over again.

Some of the categories were household TO DOs, like replacing a bulb, fixing a squeaky door, and changing the filter on the fridge. Some topics were vehicle TO DOs (checking the air in the tires, vacuuming the interior, and determining if he was going to renew his lease). Some of the tasks were work TO DOs (checking up on an employee, writing a letter to a vendor, contacting past clients). Some topics were health and wellness TO DOs (set up a running schedule, get app to track water consumption, schedule annual doctor's appointment). I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Once we had all of his TO DOs categorized, this list of 231 TO DOs became his organized 'Master List.' If he had to add to it, he simply added the task to the proper category. Once a task was complete, he could easily remove it.

Then, I told him that he should be choosing a total of 4 tasks from this list at a time to remove from the Master List and transfer to TODAY'S TO DO LIST. The rule was to work on each of those tasks until complete, and not open that Master spreadsheet again until those 4 tasks were done. At that time, he would could then choose, if he desired, to transfer 4 more tasks over.

How to choose a task?

1) Choose by priority. Well, everyone has different priorities, and I always recommend at least one of those 4 tasks contain one high priority...something that has to get done quickly and will result in either something good happening and/or prevent something bad happening. For instance, if you don't pay your mortgage, something bad is going to happen...you're going to have to pay a late fee. If you RSVP to a wedding invitation, something good is going to happen...you'll have a space reserved at the ceremony and reception.

2) Choose by ease of completion. Some tasks are important AND are also very easy (and not very time-consuming) to accomplish. For my client, scheduling a doctor's appointment is as easy as a quick phone call. Changing a light bulb? Pretty easy and not very time-consuming if you have the bulb at home. Scheduling an hour to do 'quick tasks' can get a whole lot of tasks removed from the list pretty quickly.

The goal should not be to have a crazy-long list of TO DOs staring you in the face every day, leaving you wondering when you'll ever accomplish them all. The idea is to be productive AND to have some breathing room in between to take a break, to do something fun, to live your best life.

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the SEPTEMBER 2021 issue, 12-pages and all in full color. I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND ALL of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the SEPTEMBER Issue...

Finding the Motivation to Cook at Home
9 ways to inspire yourself when your 'motivation meter' is on empty

Combat the Blues
22 strategies to help you get your mojo back

Chill Out
Feeling hot with anger? Here are 7 ways to cool off

Make it Last
How to prolong the life we get out of our purchases

Tricks that Make Life Easier
You'll wish you would have known them sooner, but will be thrilled you know them now

Meandering Has its Benefits
Take the slow road now and then

Pumpkin Pasta with Toasted Walnuts and Spinach
Pumpkin and pasta: perfect fall partners for this yummy dish

That's Punny
My favorite plays on words

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

We have thousands of readers who LOVE it...and I'm certain you will too!

Maria

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on SEPTEMBER 3: When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

___ 1. Do today's task on my August Monthly Organizing Checklist. The August 29 TO DO focuses on the kitchen sink. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my August Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Sort your Master List of TO DOs. Get your tasks categorized, like items with like items, to help you get more accomplished.

___ 3. Spark some happiness. Feeling unhappy? Doing this can help spark some much-needed happiness. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my Organizing Happiness article on this topic.

'There is nothing so fatal to character as half finished tasks.' (David Lloyd George)

I'd love to hear from you.

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And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2021 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia