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Ideas, insights and inspiration for people on the go Friday, January 14, 2005 |
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Editor’s Scribbles
The weekend was non-stop - breakfast meeting with a client, another meeting at college, last-minute dash to buy books (previously out of stock), baking ingredients (special request for chocolate chip cookies for recess) plus a hundred other things. Ouch, there’s never a dull moment around here (LOL) but I wouldn’t have it any other way :o)
Since it’s the first month of the year, it’s probably a good time to look at how you can optimize and organize your work life. I’ve got tips for you today so you can go ahead and get started on yours. Don’t wait for me :o). I do my housekeeping in the slow summer months (LOL).
The girls and I spent an afternoon making and filling potpourri bags and I was thankful for the quiet time, just the quality time we needed to tone down after a hectic weekend. Did that give you an idea for some quality time of your own with your kids? More ideas in today’s Modern Living article.
Kick back for a bit and enjoy this issue. Headed for another busy weekend? You can handle it, just keep smiling. Ciao for now.
Kit Editor/Publisher Website: http://MinuteChaser.Go-GetGlobal.com Email: chaser@go-getglobal.com
Brainwave Organizing Your Office by Ilene Drexler Being organized at the office involves managing a few key activities effectively: -Emails -Phone -Meetings The increase in productivity from investing a small amount of time in efficiently managing these activities upfront is more than worth the result. Email Management Keeping up with the daily onslaught of emails is a major challenge for most of us, both personally and professionally. The following tips will help you manage the daily flow of emails: - Create an electronic filing cabinet, much like the physical cabinets you have, with electronic folders for category names - Once emails have been read and responded to (if an action is required), move the email from your inbox to your storage folders. This makes it easy to track which emails still need an action. Many companies impose limits on ''inbox'' size. By moving your mail out of your inbox to a personal folder, an added benefit is that the restriction on size will not interrupt your day at precisely the moment you need to send an email. - If your email program includes previous email content for that email string when replying, be sure to delete earlier versions of the string to avoid redundant emails filed. This makes it much easier to find the latest copy in the string when searching later. - If your email has an attachment file, detach and save it as a file in your electronic filing system for future reference, so you won't have to go searching through your emails to find the file later. Relying on email subject headings can create a time consuming search for the file later. - If you frequently send the same type of email, save a copy as a draft or template that you can reuse over and over (changing the specifics such as name, date and amount for each email) - If a document is available electronically, but you refer to it frequently, print it and keep it in a hanging file or on your desktop. - Every 6 months or so, go through your folders and delete emails no longer needed. This will save disk space and make your searches more streamlined. Phone Management - When you leave a voice mail for someone, if the issue you are calling about is a straightforward question, ask it on voice mail to avoid playing telephone tag. Also, encourage the responder to leave the answer on your voice mail if they miss you. However, if the issue is complex, do not leave a lengthy voice mail explaining the issue (out of consideration for the recipient). - If you know you will be in meetings or unavailable at certain times, let the person know o avoid voice mail telephone tag. - If you are in the middle of a complex task that requires an uninterrupted thought process, let voice mail answer the phone. Otherwise, take the call to avoid a pile up of messages to return later. - Phone messages should be responded to within 24 hours. If you have been too tied up to answer a question or inquiry, at least respond to the person who called to let them know that, and then give them an expected date by which you will have the answer for them. This way you still seem responsive, even if you cannot address their request immediately. Meeting Management - When calling a meeting, always draft an agenda and attach it to the meeting invitation. The agenda will serve multiple purposes: o Help attendees prepare for the meeting o Provide a sense of time allocated to each subject, so attendees can be mindful of intended time allotments o Focus attention on the key issues to discuss (in case the meeting agenda gets sidetracked) o Demonstrate to others that you value their time and intend to make the meeting productive This works equally well for small or large meetings, but becomes even more essential to productivity with a large meeting - After the meeting, it is helpful to prepare ''meeting minutes''. The minutes provide a summary of the key points discussed, and the associated outcomes and action items. They serve as a helpful recap for the attendees, as well as others who could not attend, but who have an interest in the subject matter. A track record of accurate meeting minutes also helps to keep meeting size to a manageable volume, as all of the affected parties will feel less of a need to attend the meeting in order to understand its' directional outcomes. - The day before the meeting, make sure to arrange for copying of any required handouts. - If co-workers are always dropping by for impromptu meetings, don't hesitate to create a ''Do Not Disturb'' time to be used for those complex thinking projects, where being interrupted has a big impact on your train of thought. ----- About the author: As The Organizing Wiz, Ilene Drexler works with residential clients who want to get organized in their home or home offices. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), as well as the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), Ilene is a part of the industry's leading resources for professional organizing. Ilene has honed her organizing skills during 20 years working in corporate operations management, where her work was focused on redesigning and streamlining processes, and organizing project teams.
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Modern Living Simple Living in a Materialistic World by Mark Brandenburg We were sitting in the family room. My kids had finished their first day back at school after the holiday break, and my wife was working late. Michael, my six-year-old son, was finger knitting. Sarah, my eight-year-old, was knitting a scarf. I sat near them and folded clothes. Occasionally someone would share something that had happened during the day, but otherwise it was quiet. And as we sat there doing our chores, I began to appreciate this time we were spending together. The orgy of presents, travel, and Christmas cookies was over. The routines and rhythms of the work week had begun again. My kids needed structure as badly as I did. We were getting it by being together in this quiet, simple way. As I sat there folding clothes, I marveled at how little we really needed to be happy. It was quite enough to just be together as we did our work. Many of the gifts my kids received for Christmas were already put away. As often happens, there was a brief flurry of excitement when the gifts were first discovered. Shortly after, the thrill of ownership faded away. And while my kids may be too young to understand it, I'd like them to know that possessions don't really make them happy. When you live in a consumer-driven and materialistic society, it's just the message you receive. As author Christopher Lasch states, "A mass advertising culture creates consumers who are perpetually unsatisfied, restless, anxious, and bored." I'd like my kids to know someday that the pursuit of possessions has made more people unhappy than happy, and that it actually ends up limiting their freedom of choice in the world. I'd like them to know that possessions can keep them focused on their own self-interest, rather than focusing on how they can benefit others. And I'd like them to know that one of the keys to a happy life is the pursuit of simple pleasures, which, in today's day and age, is an act of courage. I thought about all of the possessions I had somewhere in the house. How many of them had I really used in the last 6 months? How many of them really had an impact on my life or made me happy beyond the first few minutes of receiving them? Only a handful. And as I sat there with my kids enjoying our time together, I sensed that more trips to the Goodwill were in order, as well as a greater commitment to simple living in our family. John Burroughs, the nineteenth-century naturalist, observed that "the number of things we can really make our own is limited. We cannot drink from the ocean be we ever so thirsty. A cup of water from the spring is all we need." As parents in America today, we're often made to feel thirsty. We're made to feel as though we need to provide the latest gadgets for ourselves and for our children. And it seems that at the rate we're going, these gadgets will cost us most of our money and most of our time. Don't be fooled. All that you and your kids really need is a "cup of water from the spring." It may not impress your neighbors, but it will help your family to feel happier. It may even change your attitude about folding clothes! ----- About the author: Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life and improve their family relationships. For a FREE twenty minute sample session by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FREE newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com. or email him at mark@markbrandenburg.com.
Offpeak Hours 12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile! By Dr. Philip E. Humbert Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time of renewal, celebration of new opportunities, and great optimism. Please accept our best wishes for a year of peace, joy, and success. And, note that any time of year is a great time to re-commit to the things that are most important. Our highest values and our dearest aspirations need constant attention, constant renewal, and constant reinforcement. Life has a way of distracting us. We get busy, and we forget who we are and what we truly want for ourselves and our loved ones. In the spirit of friendly reminder, here are "12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile". 1. Take time to dream – it hitches your soul to the stars. 2. Take time to work – it is the price of success. 3. Take time to think – it is the source of power. 4. Take time to play – it is the secret of youth. 5. Take time to read – it is the foundation of knowledge. 6. Take time to worship – it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes. 7. Take time for friends – they are the source of happiness. 8. Take time to love – it is the source of joy. 9. Take time to laugh – it helps with life’s loads. 10. Take time for beauty – it is everywhere to be enjoyed. 11. Take time for health – it is the true treasure of life. 12. Take time to plan – it is the secret to getting the things you desire. Once again, Happy New Year! ----- About the author: Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
Over Coffee
Instead of a question a week, I’m posting a new question each month so you’ll have more time to write in. There are no right or wrong answers, these are just for fun.
This month’s question is:
What are the favorite things you do to save time? Share your time-saving tips with us :o)
Submit your response to January’s question, and your 3-line by 60-character classified here. I’ll be posting your responses and your ads in next week’s issue. So the sooner you send me your response, the sooner your ad runs. |
IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Scribbles Brainwave Organizing Your Office Featured Sponsors Find stuff you need Modern Living Simple Living in a Materialistic World Offpeak Hours 12 Things that Make Life Worthwhile Co-op Ads Over Coffee Send in your response and your free classified ad
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Issue 0501-14. Copyright 2004-2005 Minute Chaser Ezine. All rights reserved in all countries. |
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Hello fellow Chasers. Welcome once again to Minute Chaser. Another busy week? Has it been for you too? Certainly it has been for me.
