HELP! I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP!
Authored by Linda Peters-Getchell
Shhh! Listen a minute. Can you hear it? Your pen has rolled off the stack of mail, flipped over the stapler, and underneath the pile of sticky notes with a week’s worth of notes and messages written all over them.
It is calling out to you, but its voice is extremely weak and nearly lost in crinkly sounds of paper as you fumble to find it while holding the phone between your shoulder and your ear, freeing both hands for the search. Can you relate?
In the January issue of Insider newsletter, I wrote about the Gravity of Clutter and a wonderful little book, 10-Minute Tidy, by Shannon McGinnis. You know that old saying, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” I was so ready and up popped Shannon.
At any rate, I ran out of my allotted space in the newsletter so I am continuing here with clutter in the office. In her book under the chapter “Office,” Shannon offers a definition of an office that goes, “An area where actions and activities are accomplished.” My heart quickened, I knew I could accomplish actions and activities just as soon as I found my pen, right?
Remembering that this is a blog rather than the start of my own book “ME AND MY TIMER – CLUTTER-FREE,” let me list a few of the tips and systems subject titles. If they speak to you, head immediately to http://www.organized4success.com and order your copy. (I tried on Amazon, but it is not there yet). Keep in mind, you are only asked to spend 10 minutes to begin to tackle each of them, if you need more time, take it or at a later date take another 10. You will be amazed what you can accomplish in 10 minutes when focused and in competition with the clock.
Some office titles and tips: Eliminate clutter from all areas of your life, even the electronic space, Delete Unwanted Files from Your Desktop; Run a Back-Up On Your Computer; Delete Unnecessary Email; Create Folders In Your Email Accounts. Then there is Relocate The Trashcan, Recycling Bin, and Shredder So That All Is Within Reach; Sort Office Supplies In Your Desk; Donate All Old Or Excess Office Equipment; Sort Today’s Mail; Set Up An Easy Mail Processing Area; Sort Your Inbox (this is a wonderful system creating Vertical Action Files); Organize and Label Electronic Files To Match Paper Files. The list goes on, but you get the idea, and under each title she offers little systems or suggestions to accomplish the task.
So grab your timer and clear the clutter. You can do anything for just 10 minutes, right? Now if you get carried away with the task and lost in the thrill of the moment, spending an additional 10 minutes or so – well so be it. Carpe diem! Enjoy!
Where is the first place you will take your timer and take a 10-Minute Tidy action?
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Linda Peters-Getchell has 20 years in restaurant management and food and beverage customer service. She has owned her own restaurant and catering service, developed unique training programs and won two Key Player Awards for her customer service programs at Showboat Casino Hotel. She is currently a powerful creative force for Smile Button Enterprises, serving as Fairy Godmother.
