|
It’s About Time Ruth Wong |
It’s important to be a
do-er, not just a readerCan you believe 2003 is almost over? This is a good time to reflect on the year's accomplishments and progress, or lack thereof.
I began writing this column in February, a total of 16, sharing tips and steps of action to help you to better organize and prioritize your tasks.
Have you made progress? Have you been a do-er and not just a reader? Here's a recap to see how you've done. Check off those steps that you've taken action on.
1. In February I invited you to get organized. Did you identify areas in your life, home and work that are disorganized and need change?2. In March I asked, "When is enough enough?" and encouraged you to identify items you have too much of. Have you begun to part with your excess?
3. In April I shared the "Friends, Acquaintance, Strangers" game to help you to decide what to keep and what to let go of. Have you gotten the "Strangers" out of your home/office? Are you living mainly with your "Friend" items?
4. In May I encouraged you to free your brain by writing down your ideas, thoughts and to do's. Are you getting things off your mind by logging them into a system you trust and use, such as a planner, PDA or computer?
5. In June I encouraged you to practice Time Management Mathematics. Have you added something important to your life? Have you subtracted unimportant tasks and time wasters? Have you multiplied your effectiveness by dovetailing or streamlining tasks? Have you divided tasks by delegating or hiring out?
6. In July I shared that planning is the key for a successful transition for college-bound students. If you faced, or are facing a life change, have you taken the time to plan?
7. I also encouraged you to rethink your holiday gift giving. Have you simplified your gift giving to make it more meaningful by perhaps deciding not to exchange, giving to charities instead, drawing names of just one person, or substituting spending time with each other?
8. In August I encouraged you to finish half-finished tasks and projects. Have you identified the "long engagements" hanging around your home and office and begun to create "marriages"?
9. For creative right-brain types whose joy comes from starting projects instead of completing them: Did you pick at least one project and focus on it to completion?
10. In September I wrote that on a typical messy desk, 40 percent of what's there probably needs to be put away, 40 percent needs to be tossed, and only 20 percent represents actual work to be done. Did you take the time to unclutter your desk?
11. To celebrate Get Organized Week, did you take any of the "20 Simple Steps to Get Organized"?
12. In October, I wrote about the pitfalls of trying to declutter too many areas at once. Did you focus on one area and create an "oasis of order"? Did you maintain that oasis, and create another one? And another?
13. Procrastination doesn't need to be an option. Are you tackling important things on your To Do list whether you feel like it or not?
14. In November, I shared Henry David Thoreau's Experiment in Simplicity at Walden Pond. Have you begun to identify and clear out possessions and obligations that are complicating your life?
15. I learned from a homeless man that happiness doesn't depend on the amount of things we own. Have you identified the things and people that truly make you happy? Are you making more time for them and letting go of the extraneous?
16. In December, I wrote that staying one day ahead of yourself is one way to give yourself a margin of peace. Are you practicing being ready for tomorrow today? Are you enjoying the peace of mind that brings?
How did you do?
Of the actions that pertain to you, if you scored 70 to100 percent, you are definitely a do-er and not just a reader. You put into practice what you learn. Good for you!If your score was 40 to 70 percent, you're above average.
If you're at 20 to 40 percent, you're about average. Many people begin to act, but aren't consistent or persistent enough to really make a lasting change.
At 0 to 20 percent, you're either very organized already and don't need to improve, or you mean well but don't quite get around to putting good intentions into action. Remember that "The smallest deed is greater than the grandest intention," and that even small deeds add up to big results.
Getting organized and managing time better is a step-by-step process. Each step is do-able and a reward in itself. The good news is that you don't have to wait to be completely organized (are we ever?) to enjoy the reward of your labor. Do what you can when you can, and you will see a difference!
Here's to a decluttered and well-organized new year! See you in two 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