Helping U out with Time Management Tools

[shop4uniquegifts]

Where does all the time go! Check out our new poll and vote on the tool you use! I can't stand it went I can't get all the things I need to get done. I had to learn that tomorrow is another day and prioritize what is important and urgent and the rest would follow. But that wasn't enough I need a tool to help me achieve this after various trials and errors. I finally realized less is more, for me any way. A simple pen and paper used on a home made large and I mean large like presentation size, lol calendar. It works for me not only do I allocate what needs to be done on what day but the time I need to spend doing it. No matter what tool you use for your time management items the idea is to try it for at least a month and get used to using it. That's right USE IT. The more you use it the more it becomes habit for you they say you have to do something at least 18-20 times before it becomes a habit. If you have a tool that you use to help with your time management items let us know about it you may just help another member(s). LET"S GET ORGANIZED!!! Carla:) --

[kalamazooclipper]

I have a monthly calendar tucked under my computer keyboard. I write down all my appointments and work dates there...which means my hubby knows where to find me! ha ha For eBay... I always check eBay messages & my email before beginning order-processing for the day, as well as the note section on the PayPal receipts. Quite often I get those "oh I moved, here's my address" notes there. Since I can have up to 100 orders in a day, I fill them in the order they're paid by following the order of PayPal receipts. That way if I actually run out of time to fill them all, first ones in are first ones out. Lorna

[shop4uniquegifts]

Thanks Lorna for your input. A great reminder to look at those notes in paypal sometimes we overlook those. Thanks for the reminder. I see you use the simple method of the calendar too :)! Nothing like being tracked, ha, lol!;) 100 orders OMG! You have got to be organized and your common sense method of first paid first shipped is very pragmatic! Great going! It has obviously worked well for ya. Thanks again. Carla :) --

[msleo816]

"...and I mean large like presentation size calendar." I use my living room wall and some markers! The spray paint was just too much. It's a rented house! What?? Okay.. I've been using a weekly monthly planner since Jan 01 and.. it actually works. It opens up to either a full month or week with plenty of room for notes. There have been some gaps where I didn't use it, but I'm quite manageable when I use it properly. Wait.. that didn't sound right. I'm NOT manageable. I'm a Leo. But I can be organized! MsLeo -- If you want to know what I'm REALLY doing Tweet Me

[paulajeansjewelryandcloset]

I use a big chalkboard for my daily todo list, I know this sounds silly but I like writing on it. I also use a monthly dry erase board for an at-a-glance view of what I need to do. I combine both business and personal on these and they both make my life manageable. Something I have gotten out of habit of using is my timer. (yikes...where does the time go...LOL) Paula --
Paula Jean's Jewelry and Closet

[shop4uniquegifts]

MsLeo you had me going there for a minute with the wall thing, lol! ;) Great to see you use the calendar also. Paula...I see you like that teacher effect of writing on the chalkboard, lol. Interesting with the dry erase board too I bet this really helps you remember what needs to be done. Next entry don't forget the timer, lol! Thanks ladies for your input --

[ds_gifts]

LOL Msleo, I actually liked your idea of writing on the wall. hee hee You can buy chalk board spray paint now. I had a friend that sprayed the door leading to her garage with it and turned the whole door into a giant chalk board. She used the top part for grocery lists and notes and the kids used the bottom part. Maybe I need to think of doing something like that here. LOL Actually, I have been thinking of getting one a big desk pad that is a calendar/note pad. The only thing that is holding me back is I haven't figured out if I want to keep the months that have gone by or toss them in the trash. If I get the desk pad I will have to throw the used months away. I like being able to look back to see what happened and when. It's a memory thing. LOL I really have enjoyed this months topic of Organization. I have seen a lot of really neat ideas. Thanks everyone. D -- ~Educational Books Toys Homeschool Clothes Jewelry~

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[treasurecoop]

Every day, except weekends, as soon as the really important things are done(dogs taken out, cats fed, child fed) I grab some coffee & check email. Then it's time to throw in the 1st load of laundry & do whatever is the most pressing next. Weekends vary but at some point, I do get online here & there. The "top priority" stuff gets marked on the kitchen calender & that gets checked daily. What I really need is a personal assistant! lol

[auntielala12000]

Man, I wish I had a schedule oriented day. I just play it by ear, which is probably why I have nothing in my store at the moment...that and the evil trolls...I mean the angelic children....have been getting into everything when I try to do a simple short task. I have several calendars and never really write in them at all. I need someone to get me organized and then to yell at me...ok gently suggest that I get off my butt and do something....to get going. I am glad to hear that people are having success with organization, me...not so much!! Man, I wish I had 100's of orders to fill...I might actually make some money and be able to help pay bills. I am not even selling enough to cover fees these days. Lisa --

Books, Children's clothes, and Toys

[sandies_treasure]

LOL Lisa .. I could use a good kicker a lot of the time too! WOW Lorna .. I'm jealous, wish I had even a 1/4 of that many sales .. that'd really keep me motivated! I could actually envision MsLeo spray painting her TDA list on the cave wall!!! ROFL I'm a combination person I have a paper day planner but tend to use my computer planner more often than not - I type much faster and it's faster to forward stuff when needed . If there's a lot I need to do I print out that days page so I can carry it around with me and mark stuff off as I go. I also have a calender that hangs above my desk where I mark important appointments to keep them in front of my eyes at all times even though they're also in my planner. I just love the check mark :-D Quick notes to remember go on my white board temporarily. Then there's my "fly" sheets. These are 5x7 colored pages that I've printed my AM, Afternoon, PM, Weekly, and Daily TDA's that I then laminated and use a wipe off marker to check off the items I've completed -- these are my favorite pages! Stuff I do every day but still need to be reminded to be sure I do them. Like you Paula, I seem to have misplaced my timer. That think really did become my very best friend 3 years ago but seems to have gotten lost somewhere. ...TDA note: find that timer!! ROFL :^O --

[kalamazooclipper]

Ahhhhhh....yes....100 orders. Those were the days. Now it's more like 50. Keep in mind that these are $1.99 orders, with maybe only a few a week in the double-digit category. We recently cut back as our newspaper supplier changed their delivery time, which just shot a hole in our orders. Timing is everything when everybody's selling the same thing. Sandie, I like to "fly" too...but I'm back at the shiny sink stage. My timer is missing too. Lorna

[sandies_treasure]

:-x I'm actually back to the shiny sink stage too only I keep skipping that part and don't seem to get past my AM routine! I found a nice timer today that sits on my desktop. It's one of those widgets from yahoo - I made mine a nice bright orange and the beeper is REALLY loud! Gonna try it out in actual work conditions after the 4th weekend since we leave in a few days and I have GD now so we'll be doing fun stuff the next couple days instead of work. --

[cozydaisy]

There are some really great suggestions here. Listing in the past has been my evil time zapper. It's not so much the listing itself it is the fact that I tend to get sidetracked when doing it. (Researching something to death is not very productive) I started last week with setting a 5 per day goal and so far so good! I try to make myself focus on getting those 5 knocked out then I can do all the other necessary items for the day. I know 5 per day isn't a lot but it is manageable and by the end of the week that adds up to 25 and in one month I should be at 100. P.S. I also taped a large note to my desk that states the obvious...NO LISTINGS = NO SALES = NO MONEY (so far that has helped keep me focused on the most important thing...LISTING!) -- -- Edited by cozydaisy at 06/29/2009 7:27 AM PDT

[kalamazooclipper]

NO LISTINGS = NO SALES = NO MONEY LOL Oh how true!!!! :^O Lorna

[paulajeansjewelryandcloset]

Guess what everyone, I found my timer...it has fallen behind my desk between the wall and leg. There was alot of stuff back there too...LOL :) Paula --
Paula Jean's Jewelry and Closet