|
Nothing is so fatiguing
as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
-William James
"To arrange by
systemic planning and united effort. To form into a coherent unity or
functioning whole." Webster,
1995
On a scale from 1 to 5,
please rate how each question describes you.
1
2
3
4
5
Not at all
Hey, this is me
| _____ |
1. When I am away,
co-workers can locate needed information in my office or on my desk. |
| _____ |
2. I can easily reach the
items I need to do my job: computer, working files, telephone,
calculator, planner/calendar. |
| _____ |
3. In one place I have
systemically recorded everything I have to do or remember. |
| _____ |
4. I have identified a
place for everything, and everything is in it's place. |
| _____ |
5. when working on a
task/job, I keep my desk clear of all other materials and clutter. |
Sound impossible? Did you
score low numbers on the quiz above? If so, you probably already know that
you tend to be less than organized. Check out a few of the references noted
below to help you in organizing your thoughts and your life!
 |
As noted
in the Wall Street Journal, the average U.S. executive wastes six weeks
per year searching for missing information in messy desks or files. |
|
A loaded
desk is not the sign of a very busy, very important person; it is the sign
of disorganization. |
|
It is
critically important to listen to your instincts. What works
beautifully for one person may tire and frustrate someone else. |
 |
To keep
information located in one place make a to-do list, or maintain a system
to identify prioritized work and things to remember. |
|
Keep
clutter at a minimum by utilizing a variety of storage items. |
|
Store
as much information/data as possible on your computer hard drive or disks
to limit paper clutter. |
|
Keep
all of the "tools" needed to complete a job within easy reach. |
|
Open
your mail near a wastebasket or recycling bin. |
|
Concentrate
on one item at a time. |
For additional information about
balancing work/life, check out the OSU
Leadership Center website.
Some resources we recommend are:
Organizing
from the Inside Out
Julie Morgenstern. Henry Holt & Co., 1998.
Includes:
 |
Causes
of Clutter, p. 17 |
|
Psychological
Obstacles to Beating Clutter, p. 25 |
|
Why
You Want to Get Organized List, p. 45 |
|
Kindergarten
Model of Organization, p. 50 |
|
Is
Getting Organized Worth Your Time?, p. 57 |
|
What's
Causing You Problems?, p. 75 |
|
Ways
to Sort Paper, p. 80 |
|
Cubicle
Workstations, p. 102 |
|
Mobile
Offices/Travel, p. 110 |
|
Tips
for Traveling Light, p. 113 |
|
Using
Travel Time Productively, p. 117 |
|
Auto
Travel, p. 119 |
|
Organizing
Computer Space, p. 230 |
|
Organizing
Paper Mail and Faxes, p. 237 |
|
Dealing
with Interruptions, pp. 44-48
|
The Procrastinator’s Handbook
Rita Emmett. Walker & Co., 2000
Includes:
|
12 Tips
for Working More Effectively at Your Desk, p. 116 |
|
Importance
of Lists, p. 118 |
|
Best Time
of Day to Get Things Done Quiz, p. 126 |
|
Organizing
Quotes, p. 132 |
|
12 Steps
to Less Chaos at Home, p. 161 |
|
Decluttering
Tips, p. 167 |
|
Decluttering
Quotes, p. 174 |
|
Commuting
Hints, pp. 204-205 |
The Telephone and Time Management: Making
It a Tool and Not a Tyrant
Drew Scott, Ph.D. Crisp Publications Inc., 1988
Includes:
|
Organized Desk quiz,
p. 52 |
The Time Trap
Alec Mackenzie. AMACOM,
1990.
Includes:
|
Disorganization
Information and Quiz, pp. 110-117 |
|
Meeting Information
and Quiz, pp. 136-142 |
|
Paperwork
Information and Quiz, pp. 143-149 |
|
Travel Information
and Quiz, pp. 183-188 |
If you
would like to borrow these or other resources from the OSU Leadership Center,
please click on the logo
 Home
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Balance  Making
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Priorities Managing
Procrastination
|
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