Tips to Get Control of Your Day

No words of wisdom from myself today. I'll let another comment.

Bob Prosen's Tips to Get Control of Your Day
1. Determine your top priorities. There should only be three or four. Write them down, and keep them on your desk so you won't get distracted.
2. Delegate, delegate, and then delegate some more. Remember, delegation is not the same as abdication. You don't just turn your back. Stay involved at appropriate points until your goals are realized. Obviously, if you have hired smart and surrounded yourself with pros, delegating effectively is pretty easy.
3. Perform a two-day time study. Write down where you're spending your time for two days, and at the end of those two days, assess yourself:
Are you spending time on too many things that aren't priorities?
What types of activities are taking more time than they should?
Where are you gravitating in the business?
Is that the best place for you to be spending your time?
What issues are coming to you that shouldn't?

Be brutally honest with yourself, and make whatever adjustments are required. Be certain to communicate those changes to your team, or they won't understand why you're doing things differently.
After you re-prioritize, block out time on your schedule for planning and for thinking about the Big Picture and the Next Big Thing as they relate. If you don't schedule it, you won't do it.

The Art of Living

To develop to the fullest,
You have got to understand,
That things don't always function
In the way that they were planned.

There's a special art to living,
And the challenge must be met,
But the longer that you try it,
Why the better you will get.

Don't waste your time in waiting
For the world to come to you,
You have to climb the mountain
to appreciate the view.

by Grace E. Easley

May you love only what can serve you simply.

It has come to my attention that I can further my "organized" education by learning more about space planning for garages. Now the topic excites me but the study... not so much. I haven't mastered my own desk enough to feel ike I have time to learn the fine art of sorting thru the outer limits. Mind you, if we pre-sorted and streamlined alot tof things "pre-garage" they would never end up there in the first place.

That is my mind set now. We havent had a garage for a couple years now so alot of "Garage type thingys" ended up in the basement.

Right now I am looking at 3 separate sewing containers near my desk. Why you ask?
Uh, I'm asking myself why!!! At one point I had a bigger home where I kept a small sewing container in the bedrooms- sort of a point of use dealio. But many bedrooms no longer exist so its time to consolidate. I have weakness for nice containers so that makes it harder.

But I am undaunted in the consolidation desire. My love of neat containers is now sort of a bain
now that I have less space.

The good news is that someone will find my old containers of much use in their own home
after I give them away. So to whoever gets my shaker basket "God Bless You".
May you love only what can serve you simply.

'Tis the gift to be simple- Good enough for shakers, good enough for me

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn 'twill be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn 'twill be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

shaker song - simple gifts - joseph brackett - 1848

My Inner Nag is my friend

I’m suffering from sorting burn out. Too much sorting makes Jane a burnt out girl.
Yesterday was almost a sort free day.
Yes, I still hated the sorting mess but the inner nag was put to rest for a day. Now if the Inner Nag had gone into a coma, I would have been worried but since she was having a vacation I didn't feel so bad.
Actually most times my Inner Nag is my friend. She can sometimes be my only source of motivation beyond pure shame.
She whispers sweet nothings about the organized clutter free life. She is the voice of reason
when I think I should be sentimental for someone else's benefit.

She enjoyed a nice mimosa while on one day hiatus. My day was rather boring.
She's much more glamorous than me. Her streamlined life inspires me. ...Sigh...
Back to the grind.

Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better

Sorting isn't one of my favorite things.
Sure I like the eventual outcome -less stuff.
But for someone heading toward their silver anniversary I’ve accumulated a lot before I even started to get organized.
I had a sentimental mother (not a bad thing) now I seem to be sorting through her saved items from my childhood-baby shoes,doll clothes,toys,books,etc. Since we are downsizing these things that I ignored in the basement,they can no longer be ignored for someday. So have 2 generations of stuff to sort through. A burden indeed.

So my living room is covered with bits of paper & notebooks (some love notes from my dh that I wont be tossing). Not sure how that got lumped in with other things but it was a source of joy in the mist of alot of stress. I'm glad I kept them. I really needed a boost of reassurance when I came across them. No regret there - they don't take up much space (thank God).
Most of the doll clothes will go to Salvation Army. Most in the trash. Seems I had love for trying to redesign things by cutting arm or leg holes (not sure which) into perfectly fine clothes.

So my house right now looks like some bizarre clearing house for gray plastic tubs,old notebooks & doll clothes. Weird for someone who doesnt have kids at home.
If it looks like that next month - I’ll be in trouble! Its another case of "it wont last forever-its only temporary"syndrome. But for now its driving me nuts!

Too Busy for Your Kids?

This poem so touched me about over commitment and being too busy. The author is unknown.

TO MY GROWN UP SON

My hands were busy through the day
I didn’t have much time play
The little games you asked me to
I didn’t have much time for you

I’d wash your clothes and sew and cook
But when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun
I’d say, “A little later son.”

I’d tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers… turn out the light
Then tiptoe softly to the door,
I wish I’d stayed a minute more

For life is short, the years rush past
A little boy grows up so fast
No longer is he at your side,
his precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away
There are no longer games to play
No good night kiss, no prayers to hear,
that all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands once busy are now still
The long days are hard to fill
I wish I could go back and doThe little things you asked me to do.
-anonymous

I then spend two hours trying to find something I can get at to get rid of

I was determined to throw or give away at least one thing away yesterday. I have that look in my eye like “nothings sacred” look out! I then spend two hours trying to find something I can get at to get rid of. The two hours was not all at one time but I did keep track because the length of time was driving me nuts.
I finally gave a way some curtain clip rings that I was never in love with (they came from a “too cheap to pass up” sale). I did use them before we moved so it wasn't like I never used them.

Granted this is not a quick process right now- my left hand is burning like fire so that makes things grievous to do. Other things have been taking precedent, like shredding old bank statements from 2002 ( which I do regularly now). With online banking these days you don't even need to get mailed a statement. I can’t think of a bank that doesn't have it.


The week before I quickly rifled thru my old issues of Cottage Living & found I could part with ONE issue *sigh*. I like that magazine for its way of dealing with smaller spaces. Not everyone has a home here they can have ten foot couch. I actually liked the ideas even when I lived in large home. We found an idea in CL to redo a bathroom in white bead board- very cottagey and super easy to install. It was a success.

I don't keep all my old magazines for “someday” but I do keep some. It actually keeps me from running out & buying more. I love magazines. I think they suite my attention span for reading. I use them as visual idea fodder as well.

I love decorating but found its not of much use if things are so cluttered the first thing eyes go to is the clutter NOT the Monet print.

I say all this to say "DONT GIVE UP"! Your small achievement today can lead to a bigger one tommorow. You may think you didn't do much but something is better than nothing. Right?

We’ve been moving -please sympathize

I realize my blog is lagging behind but we’ve been moving so
any of you who’ve done that lately can sympathize.

In moving I learned the obvious
1) I have too much stuff
2) I’m more sentimental than I used to be. Must be that getting older stuff.
3) I’m horribly addicted to new curtains
4) Moving can cause an inordinate amount of spouse bickering.
5) You will live through it all
6) No one loves your home as much as you do.

Any prayers for home sales appreciated. Thanks

Preparing a Hurricane Evacuation Plan

Evacuation plans should be set in motion once a Hurricane Watch is issued because there is only a window of 24-36 hours before the storm hits. Start preparing a hurricane evacuation plan with a safe destination either inland or completely out of the anticipated hurricane strike zone and map out an evacuation route with awareness of flood zones. Be sure to check your car and fill the tank with gas. You should also begin securing your residence. If you have hurricane accordion shutters, roll down shutters or removable storm panel system, they should be securely locked in the closed position. If you do not have approved hurricane protection devices, securely nail in place three-quarter inch plywood over all accessible window and door openings. On the roof, all turbine ventilators should be removed and securely capped. All solar hot water panels should be securely shrink-wrapped.

If a Hurricane Warning is issued, you have 24 hours or less to prepare. Gather all the personal essentials including clothing, medications, cash/credit cards/checks, extra food, water, important documents, phone numbers, insurance papers and first aid kits and pack your car. Also have an evacuation alternative in mind, such as a local Red Cross Shelter. Be aware that pets are not allowed in shelters and that they are not likely to accommodate specific medical needs or provide food. In regards to protecting a residential home or condominium, all outside furniture and loose objects by the pool, on the deck or balcony and in the yard should be taken inside. All fragile objects and valuable possessions should be moved away from the windows and sliding doors. South Floridians with screen pool enclosures and/or screen patios and balconies should cut the screens at the bottom of each section to relieve pressure off the building structure in the event of winds measured at 90 miles per hour and over.

In the event that an evacuation is issued, get out fast and take these last protective measures for your residential home or condominium to avoid massive hurricane damage and remodeling. Double check that all faucets, stove and oven fixtures are in the closed position. Folded towels should be placed at the bottom of doors, windows and in the interior tracks of sliding doors to minimize or eliminate water intrusion. Prior to leaving your residence, unplug electronic devices to avoid possible power surges that may damage home electronics and appliances or cause fire.

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