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Ideas, insights and inspiration for people on the go Friday, February 4, 2005 |
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Top Sponsor
Come to the G3 Birthday Bash Enjoy big savings Gifts with EVERY Purchase http://go-getglobal.com/currentspecials
Editor’s Scribbles
I’ve been busy, have you? Chinese New Year next Wednesday kicks off the Year of the Rooster. The kids have a week off from school and I’m tempted to take the week off as well.
Not so much to celebrate big time but to try and work off some of my business backlog. Fact is I don’t celebrate big time. I prefer to hibernate and not have to entertain if that is at all possible (LOL). Nice thought.
We’re celebrating Go Get Global’s first birthday with a Birthday Bash. If you’re a netpreneur, stop by and check us out. We’re giving away a gift with every purchase for a limited time. Perfect time to crow about your business with big savings (LOL).
Enjoy this issue and have a great week. Ciao for now.
Kit Editor/Publisher Website: http://MinuteChaser.Go-GetGlobal.com Email: chaser@go-getglobal.com
Brainwave 7 Secrets for Accomplishing More in Less Time by Marnie Pehrson The number one question people ask me is “How do you do it all? How do you run 10 Web sites, raise six children, and write books?” Whenever someone asks me this I just chuckle and tell them that if they could see my house, they’d understand! Or sometimes I admit to workaholism. But there are clear and definite ways to maximize your time to accomplish more without getting out of balance. In this article I’ll share a few. 1. Work with your moods. You know how most people look at everything they have to do and start with the worst first. They say, “I hate to do it, but I really have to get my bills paid today. Uggh! I’d rather be writing or designing my web site or calling new customers, but I’ve set aside Monday’s to pay my bills, so that’s what I’ve got to do today.” Bills do need to be paid, but if you’re in a creative mood with ideas and energy that want to go elsewhere, follow your creative energy where it leads. Then when that energy has passed, do things like paying your bills and other tasks that don’t need that creative flow. This is the way I’ve worked for years. If I feel like writing, I write. If I feel like tinkering with my web site, I do that. If I feel like finding new ways to market my business or develop new income streams, I do those things. If I feel like finding out how much money I’ve made or have to spend, I do my billing and bookkeeping. When you work with your moods you’re in a state of flow and when you’re in this state you accomplish more in less time. 2. Lean on a Higher Power. When you know that there is Someone higher than you … Someone infinite and eternal who can do anything and that this Someone is on your side and ready and willing to help you, you can accomplish anything! You are not alone! You don’t have to jump those hurdles by yourself. Acknowledge your own inability to climb the mountain, ask for help, expect it, and watch miracles occur. 3. Prioritize Your Day. In the morning carefully consider what you feel you should accomplish for that day. Listen to your moods. Pray about what you should do, and listen carefully for answers. What do you feel inspired and motivated to do? Write these down. Act on them! It’s important that you do! After writing down 1-2 important things you’d like to accomplish that day, make a list of smaller activities and keep them handy for when you have a spare moment (more on this later). 4. Learn to Hop with Focus. With a husband, six children and customers vying for my attention, I have to be able to write, take a phone call and then restart mid-sentence. I must be able to get up and get a snack for a 3-year-old and jump right back into programming my web site. Have an overall objective clear in your mind and then when distractions come, make sure you return to task when they’ve passed. 5. Use Small Bits of Time. Keep a list of little things that you need to do that can be accomplished in 5 minutes or 10. In five minutes you can set an appointment, feed your pets, empty a dishwasher, download your email. In ten you can load a dishwasher, fold a load of laundry, take a walk to clear your head, answer an email, make a change to a web page. Never “kill a few minutes” use them instead! 6. Eliminate Time Wasters. The number one thing that most people spend time on that I do not is watching television. I watch maybe 1-2 movies each week and the rest of the time I’m either working, caring for my family or reading. Think about it, a person who comes home from work and averages watching 5-6 hours of television per day, just flushed 35-42 hours/week down the toilet! He could be working an entirely second job, spending time building lasting relationships with his family or enjoying a productive hobby and developing new skills. Think of what you could accomplish if you had twice the hours of the normal person! 7. Remember: Daily tasks, performed consistently over time yield great results. People look at all I’ve accomplished and say, “Wow! How do you do all that?” Well, I’ve been in business for 15 years. Every new skill acquired builds on the last. Plug along with purpose, vision and direction and give it time. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Most of all it helps to have a spouse and children who allow you to reach your full potential, who help, put up with a less-than-immaculate-house, and who believe in you. You may or may not have that type of support system, but at least now you know a few of my practical secrets to accomplishing more in less time. I hope you find them helpful in reaching your worthwhile desires! For more information on building a dynamic business that supports you in your life's mission, visit BelieversAtWork and download your free copy of Nothing Is Impossible for Those Who Believe. ----- About the author: Marnie L. Pehrson is a wife, mother of 6, author and consultant who helps talented professionals discover, define and deliver their message to the online world. She is the creator of IdeaMarketers.com, BelieversAtWork.com, LocateACoach.com, and SheLovesGod.com. You may reach her at marnie@pwgroup.com or visit her projects through http://www.pwgroup.com and read her books at http://www.MarniePehrson.com.
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Modern Living Does Your Storage Make Sense? by Ramona Creel What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know exactly where to go when you are looking for something? Is your system logical? Designing a meaningful storage space requires a lot more than just putting stuff in a closet, drawer, or cabinet. You need STRUCTURE -- some proven guidelines to follow while setting up your storage spaces. Let’s begin with these basic organizing principles: PLAN BEFORE YOU ORGANIZE You can’t create a truly useful space unless you have an END RESULT in mind. Start by asking yourself what you want from your storage. Are you concerned about maximizing space? Being able to see everything you own? Protecting your treasures? Cutting down on time spent dusting? Creating a focal point for the room? Displaying or concealing your belongings? Then remember these objectives as you organize. Your choice of supplies and storage location should be determined according to what you hope to accomplish with your organizing efforts. Everything you do -- whether it’s cleaning out or buying a container or expanding a closet -- should be an effort to accomplish these goals. BIRDS OF A FEATHER Look around your house -- do you see anything that is clearly out of place? Any bowling balls stored in the kitchen or power tools thrown in with the toys? Don’t laugh -- I’ve actually seen both of these situations! Your storage will serve you better if you think in terms of logical categories. Think back to those exercises when you were in kindergarten -- “which of these things go together.” Begin by sorting your belongings according to purpose -- sports, travel, grooming. Then group similar items together travel accessories with your luggage, rags in the same place as other cleaning equipment, office supplies in one spot. Don’t forget accessories and related items -- keep the knife sharpener with your cutlery and the extra bits with the drill. GET IT TOGETHER Before you can create an organizing “grand plan,” you need to take stock of your belongings. Do you have sporting goods scattered all over the house, clothes in three different closets, and miscellaneous “homeless” items here and there? Make a room-by-room tour -- be sure to collect up everything you want to store in a particular storage space BEFORE you begin organizing. There is nothing more frustrating than designing the perfect closet, then realizing that you forgot 15 pairs of shoes! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION A large part of being organized is having a set spot for everything you own. As you sort through your stuff, create a pile of "homeless items" that need to be incorporated into your storage spaces. Then do your best to find a logical place for each -- no halfway spots allowed! You shouldn’t have to guess where to put something. Each time you assign an item to a storage space, ask yourself why you are stashing it there. Because it’s close to where you will use it? Because it will be easy to see or reach? Because that’s the first place you would think to look for it? If you don’t have a GOOD REASON for storing an item in a certain place, please rethink your decision. The worst mistake you can make is to randomly stash your belongings around your home or office -- how will you ever find them again?! MOVEMENT MATTERS Getting at your belongings shouldn’t require a lot of strain or effort. Take a quick look at your existing storage -- do you bend and stretch to reach items you use all the time? You can make your life great deal easier by keeping motion in mind as you organize. Throughout your home or office, you will find a variety of places in which to stash your stuff. Storage spaces that fall at or near eye-level are considered PRIMARY storage -- these areas are easily accessible, and should really be reserved for items you use on a daily basis. Look around -- is your primary storage cluttered with objects you rarely touch? Could these be moved a bit further away -- to a SECONDARY storage area between knee and shoulder height? And what do you do with those incredibly inaccessible spaces -- such as the garage, high cabinets, or the back of the closet? This TERTIARY storage is meant for items that you use only a few times a year -- like holiday decorations, memorabilia, and archived records. MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR SPACE You should strive to choose a storage space that is APPROPRIATE for it’s contents. There are so many factors to take into account -- an object’s size, shape, “breakability,” and weight. Are you storing heavy boxes on a high shelf? Sounds like a concussion waiting to happen! And you should always try to match form with function as you evaluate your storage spaces -- how can you best use shallow shelves, a tall thin cabinet, or a deep desk drawer? Organizing requires a balance between creativity and common sense. PROTECT YOUR TREASURES You can’t just throw any old box of stuff in a storage space and call it “organized.” Some of your belongings are going to require a little more special treatment. Even those items that you wouldn’t normally consider to be “fragile” can be damaged by the climate. Attics, garages, and basements are usually the most at-risk. Are your storage spaces climate-controlled? Do they get really hot in the summer? Cold in the winter? Damp when it rains or is humid? Do you have problems with insects or other rodents? You may need to wrap an item, toss in some cedar chips, or purchase a special container before you stash your belongings away. If you think there is any chance of damage, pick a different storage space. STORAGE “PARAPHERNALIA” Have you ever had to open 6 different boxes to find what you were looking for? Organizing supplies should make your life easier, not hide your belongings away from the light of day! Use see-through clear plastic containers and label everything -- shelves included! You should immediately recognize the contents simply by looking at the container. Accessories such as drawer / shelf dividers, lazy susans, pull-out baskets, and stackable shelves can also help you make the most of your storage by subdividing larger spaces. PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE Remember that your storage is an ever-changing and dynamic part of your life. You can’t just set up a storage system and think that you are “finished.” As you acquire new possessions -- as your lifestyle and interests change -- your storage needs will evolve. The first rule is don’t fill your cabinets, closets, and drawers to capacity. Leave approximately 15% of your storage space free for all those great future purchases. Also be willing to adjust your system as your needs change -- what seemed like a good idea at one point may require some improvement down the road. ----- About the author: Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com -- offering "a world of organizing solutions!" Visit http://www.onlineorganizing.com for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau -- and even get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all the tools you need to succeed. If you would like to reprint this article, please send in an e-mail request to ramona@onlineorganizing.com
Offpeak Hours Stress Buster Getaways By Michele Webb Research has shown that taking a short trip, or getaway, has the same effect on reducing stress and relaxing us as the long trips. The Stanford University psychiatrist noted that our minds are generally more relaxed the FIRST couple of days of a trip as compared to the last few days. So, if you are feeling tired and in need of a getaway, here are a few planning tips: 1. Close to home. Stay close to home – don’t spend the entire time away in transit to and from your destination. For example: if you live in Dallas, don’t go to Miami Beach. Find somewhere that is in close proximity for this “mini” getaway. Think about where you have always wanted to, places you have not visited yet or places where you know you can get away to and relax and have fun. 2. Check the season and weather. Not all of us can getaway only to warm and sunny locations, and you may need to take a break now instead of waiting for good weather to come about. If you like the beach, but it is off season, just plan and pack accordingly. Instead of basking in the sun’s rays you can stroll through the antique shops or bookstores, layer on the warm clothes and take a walk along the shore, or get a table inside your favorite seafood restaurant instead of outside on the patio. 3. Pamper yourself. A getaway is a time to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a top-of-the-line hotel. Explore the city or local area, visit the spa, and indulge yourself in those activities that you normally do not take the time for. Order room service, read a good book, get tickets to the local theatre or playhouse … getting the picture? After treating yourself to a relaxing and fun getaway, you will come home refreshed and with a new perspective on life. To keep the getaway fresh in your mind and to remind yourself of the fun you had, bring back a small reminder or souvenir that you can place in your home (i.e., on the refrigerator, window sill of the kitchen, bathroom counter, bulletin board). When you look at this souvenir you can take a “mini-vacation” to that spot. Remember how relaxed you felt and how much fun you had. These short breaks will help you keep your perspective until the next getaway! Planning the next getaway can be fun too! Take turns with your spouse, partner or traveling companion picking the next destination. This gives everyone something to look forward to and ensures that you will take care of your needs and keep the stress levels manageable. ----- About the author: Michele Webb owns her own website and is a member of a number of organizations for women Netpreneurs and business owners. She has over 20 years experience in health care, clinical trials, management, project management and software development. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA with her two dogs. Visit her website at: http://www.ebooksnstuff.com. Or, email the author at: mailto:support@ebooksnstuff.com
Over Coffee
Our valued reader, Janet Emo, shares her time-saving tip:
“Do little chores, while I'm waiting for downloads; and defragmentating . Make hubby's coffee the night before.”
Thanks for sharing, Janet :o)
***
We’re celebrating Go Get Global’s first birthday. Enter our Birthday contest this month. It’s simple. All you have to do is link to our Birthday Bash page to help you pick the correct answer:
Which box contains the most expensive gift? A. The red box B. The green box C. The purple box D. It could be any of the boxes.
Send your answer and 3x60 text ad to me here. Only one entry per subscriber please.
One correct entry will be drawn at random on February 28, 2005. Winner will be announced in the first issue of March. Winner’s ad will be posted at the Global Mall for one week.
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IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Scribbles Brainwave 7 Secrets for Accomplishing More in Less Time Featured Sponsors Find stuff you need Modern Living Does Your Storage Make Sense? Offpeak Hours Stress Buster Getaways Co-op Ads Over Coffee Send in your response and your free classified ad
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Issue 0502-04. Copyright 2004-2005 Minute Chaser Ezine. All rights reserved in all countries. |
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Hello fellow Chasers. A warm welcome to our new subscribers as well as our current readers. Warm indeed it is, 94 degrees F out as a matter of fact with a humidity of 80% to boot. How’s that for warm (LOL)?
