|
It's About Time
Ruth Wong
|
End the year with a final review
How much further along the road to organization have you come this year?
As I complete the recap of this year's columns, check off the topics on which you've taken action:
1. Almost everyone wishes there were more time for certain meaningful and special activities.
In September, I encouraged you to recoup valuable time by eliminating or curtailing the unnecessary. Have you replaced time stealers such as mindless TV watching, shopping or excessive Internet surfing with activities that give you pleasure and positive results?
2. For those who end the day with the frustrating feeling of lack of accomplishment, I offered this simple three-step exercise: (1) Write a daily to-do list. (2) Number your things to do in order of importance. (3) Rewrite the list in order of importance.
This should take just a few minutes, but can give clear direction for the day and help ensure that you're focusing on priorities. By doing so, are you enjoying the satisfaction of getting important things done?
3. With our lives so busy, it often seems we're on an endless treadmill. In October, I encouraged you, in the midst of your busyness, to savor special moments.
Experiences such as seeing the sunrise or sunset, enjoying the delicious smell of coffee or solving a problem are all moments to savor. Are you taking time to notice, enjoy and appreciate the special moments in your day?
4. One way to foster continual improvement is by doing a simple evaluation.
After the October earthquakes, which everyone agreed were a wake-up call to be better prepared, I suggested a simple three-step exercise: (1) What went well? (2) What didn't go well? (3) What would you do differently next time to be better prepared?
Did you take a few minutes to evaluate your experience? Will you be better prepared if/when disaster strikes again?
5) In November, I shared the Japanese tradition of clearing out and cleaning up for the new year. Have you been wrapping up unfinished projects at work and at home? Have you been clearing out the clutter? If so, you are probably experiencing the relaxing feeling of freedom and relief.
I hope you've all made good progress this year. If so, celebrate the improvement! If not, you might take a few minutes and ask yourself what you can do differently in order to make more progress, and resolve to take advantage of the fresh start you'll get next year!
See you in three weeks!
"It's About Time," by
Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail
features@starbulletin.com