"Hi, my name's Laura, and I abuse Post-it notes".
- Hi Laura.
Do you?
When you get a good idea? Post-it. When you think of something you might forget later? Post-it. When you want to remember to do something? Post-it. Deadline, recipe, URL, bill, phone number? Post-it, post-it, post-it, post-it,post-it!!
And that, my friends, is how this week my "mobile office" folder came to look like this:
- Hi Laura.
Do you?
When you get a good idea? Post-it. When you think of something you might forget later? Post-it. When you want to remember to do something? Post-it. Deadline, recipe, URL, bill, phone number? Post-it, post-it, post-it, post-it,post-it!!
And that, my friends, is how this week my "mobile office" folder came to look like this:
EEEEEPPPP!!!
I'd like to show you how I turned my post-it pahlooza into an actionable, well organized, weekly plan. Hooray for do-able!
1. OK, first off, I collected all the notes together - for me that wasn't just the ones in my folder, there were some on my desk, a couple on the window above my desk, one on my phone, one next to my bed and two on the fridge. Yikes.
2. One of the best parts - I threw out the post-its I'd already actioned. Go me!
3. Organise. Sorting the notes into groups is something you will tailor to your needs. For me, I sorted things by "can do straight away, need to do soon" and so on.
I'd like to show you how I turned my post-it pahlooza into an actionable, well organized, weekly plan. Hooray for do-able!
1. OK, first off, I collected all the notes together - for me that wasn't just the ones in my folder, there were some on my desk, a couple on the window above my desk, one on my phone, one next to my bed and two on the fridge. Yikes.
2. One of the best parts - I threw out the post-its I'd already actioned. Go me!
3. Organise. Sorting the notes into groups is something you will tailor to your needs. For me, I sorted things by "can do straight away, need to do soon" and so on.
I then sorted into like-minded items together (see all my newsletter post-its). This showed me that some of them were duplicates - yay to throwing those away!
4. I had a number of things that could be done in the background, so I actioned those immediately - upgrading my iOS and downloading some image files. This is a great way to start any to-do - with those "quick wins". It gives you a kick-start. If there are things you can action immediately (without being distracted from your Post-it Sea for too long) do them now!
4. I had a number of things that could be done in the background, so I actioned those immediately - upgrading my iOS and downloading some image files. This is a great way to start any to-do - with those "quick wins". It gives you a kick-start. If there are things you can action immediately (without being distracted from your Post-it Sea for too long) do them now!
NEXT
At this point it was imperative to take a small break so I didn't get completely overwhelmed ... that way leads to RUSHING and CUTTING CORNERS. Boo!
I used my break to play with my gentleman cat, and proudly admire my growing rubbish pile!
At this point it was imperative to take a small break so I didn't get completely overwhelmed ... that way leads to RUSHING and CUTTING CORNERS. Boo!
I used my break to play with my gentleman cat, and proudly admire my growing rubbish pile!
So, all the Post-its are in the order that makes sense to you. From here, this is my process:
i) I keep a plastic sheet near the start of my planner where I stick those post-its for things that can't be scheduled just yet. Before scheduling the next round, I check back here first.
ii) I make Project Pages for my projects (and of course, put them into My 2013 Planner), outlining the steps I need to take - in this case, that took up about 3 post-its
i) I keep a plastic sheet near the start of my planner where I stick those post-its for things that can't be scheduled just yet. Before scheduling the next round, I check back here first.
ii) I make Project Pages for my projects (and of course, put them into My 2013 Planner), outlining the steps I need to take - in this case, that took up about 3 post-its
iii) I worked through all the other notes, adding them to my schedule in order of importance, and grouping things together that make sense (all the web research items on one day) and balancing out my to-dos with my other commitments.
That is really important!! My weekly to-do list always looks a little empty on Wednesdays ... but I work 8-5 and then go to school 6-10 on Wednesdays - so realistically, there isn't time to get things to-done on hump day!! Write your commitments in your list as well, so you don't accidentally over-schedule yourself.
That is really important!! My weekly to-do list always looks a little empty on Wednesdays ... but I work 8-5 and then go to school 6-10 on Wednesdays - so realistically, there isn't time to get things to-done on hump day!! Write your commitments in your list as well, so you don't accidentally over-schedule yourself.
The final result:
And voila! The little one on the left is my personal planner, and the big one is my business planner - I got to throw out all my post-its and ended up with a clear action list for my week.
Now, rather than drowning in a sea of Post-its, I've just got to check my planner in the morning and I'm ready to hit the ground running.
It's AWESOME!
I want this feeling for you! Sending all my planning power your way, with love,
Now, rather than drowning in a sea of Post-its, I've just got to check my planner in the morning and I'm ready to hit the ground running.
It's AWESOME!
I want this feeling for you! Sending all my planning power your way, with love,
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