Okay, I have no idea why my sidebar moved – I thought I was done with all this technical stuff when they moved to the new blogger.

I removed the latest thing that I added to the sidebar (nothing changed) so I’m putting it back – it’s the Organise your Wardrobe section.

So this will have to wait until later today until I get home so I can play around with my latest post because that’s probably the culprit!

Thanks, Laura, for the heads-up

I mentioned in yesterday’s post on focus that I have a special something to help me stay focussed.

This is it – a timer.

It is one of my favourite organising tools for these three reasons:

1. it keeps me focussed and on task
2. it helps me to work quickly
3. it helps me to plan for project work

You know that work expands to find the time available? This is called Parkinson’s Law. That’s why if you plan to clean your house the entire day, you will take the entire day. But if you’re going out and you only have 2 hours to do it, it will get done in that time.

1. I use this one in the kitchen (because the oven one doesn’t work properly) and in the laundry area. When I have something in the oven (like now as I’m typing this), I take the timer with me so I don’t forget about my cooking.

2. And I use this one in my study for the computer and in the bedroom when I’m sorting cupboards or doing some quick reorganising (like I need to do this weekend with my handbags)

Do you use timers? How else do you use them?

Read my other favourite organising tools posts by clicking on the label below.

5 steps to a tidy desk

You won’t believe all the excuses I get from people about their untidy desks! “It’s because I’m creative” or “I know where everything is”.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

This may very well be true. However, for most people, an untidy desk makes you feel overwhelmed and out of control. And how can you be productive when you feel overwhelmed? Right?!

The good news is you can have a tidy desk in just 5 steps:

1. Set up your desk properly
If you answer the phone with your left hand, then keep the phone to the left of your computer. Now this might seem obvious but you’ll be surprised at the number of people I encounter who have to scramble and reach behind their computer to get to the phone. It’s like that game Twister!

2. Touch each piece of paper once only
This is going to force you to make decisions – throw away, action, forward or file. Those are the only choices you have

3. Have one notebook for all your notes
When you take messages or need to quickly jot down a note, write it in your ONE notebook. There should not be 10 post-it notes and lots of other pieces of paper on your desk. Better still, write the date on the top of every page so you can reference old information quickly. And start each day on a new page – literally

4. Clear junk regularly
Every time you get up to go to the loo or for a coffee break, clear your desk of empty mugs, glasses, snacks, etc. The same goes for all those dry markers and pens that don’t work. Throw them out!

5. Have only the papers you are actually working with on your desk
I have a rather strong fondness for plastic envelopes (R6,99 for 2 at Pick ‘n Pay). I use these nifty tools to keep my many projects sorted. When I want to work on something, I just grab one of these and open up on my desk.

See? Easy! You can also have a neat and tidy desk in just 5 steps.

Now, let the games begin…

I would love to see your desk – before and after you used these 5 steps to organise it. The best entry gets the Your organised home – BASIC pack.

Now get organising!

And remember, even if you don’t win, you still get the peace of a tidy desk.

If you have a blog, please post your pictures on your own blog and link to this post. Otherwise, you can email your photos but only if you compress them to around 50kb each. The competition closes next Friday 7 Sept – 2pm South African time.

I am so late posting this but hey, it was my tackle, right?! I have this list of computer work that I have to do. It’s a running list, meaning I just add anything I’m thinking of and then I choose which tasks I want to do in a particular week (I like weekly planning).

My tackle this week was to blog about these two products for women. This item has been on my list for about 2 – 3 weeks and time is running out so I had to do it this week before Aug runs out I’ll tell you why later!

Self-confidence handbook

A 16-page handbook working through self-esteem, self-confidence, assertiveness and setting healthy boundaries
Price: $ 9.95

Women’s health and wellness manual

A 26-page manual covering healthy eating habits, women’s health issues, stress management, work-life balance and self-care.
Price: $ 19.95

Women’s makeover pack

Both the Self-Confidence Handbook & the Women’s Health & Wellness Manual

**buy both and save $4
Price:$ 25.90

Now the reason why I had to get this done before end Aug?

I am giving a further 20% off any of these products if you’re a subscriber to my weekly tips newsletter. Just because it was my birthday this month. See the purple box over there —>>>

I am sending out the weekly mailing tomorrow and the discount code is in that email. For subscribers only!!! Go sign up now.

If you don’t want the newsletter, go directly to the shopping page

and this one!

These buttons came out exactly as I imagined (even without knowing exactly what I wanted) so clearly Tina gets me! She was so patient with my non-techno side when I asked silly questions like, “what on earth are pixels?”

Thanks again, Tina, I am over-the-moon happy with the results

BTW, click on the buttons to go to all my posts in that particular category.

This question from a reader made me laugh out loud

1. I measure out extra dry ingredients every time I bake.
2. I always cook double as far as possible and freeze the leftovers.
3. I prepare vegetables once a week so I only need to chop and dice once.
4. I use my rules in Outlook to file emails for me immediately.
5. I have MANY templates set up in my business so all I do is F3 and the autotext appears.
6. I only file paper when my in-basket is full (about once every 7 – 10 days) but then it takes about 5 minutes because it’s all organised.
7. I only do laundry once a week so that I don’t waste time loading, drying, etc. a couple times a week (this won’t work for most of you).

What kinds of things do you do to save you time on a daily basis?

Remember the Clutter Control Freaks blog?

I have a whole series going on there answering the top organising question: Where do I start?

Click the button over there —->>> and have a read. Oh, and leave comments so we can all learn some new tips and tricks!