Monthly Archives: May 2017

Get ready to hit the road!

Memorial Day is the official kick of the summer driving season.  Some of us may just be taking a quick trip to the mountains or beach.  Others may be taking a long road trip to visit family and friends. No matter the distance or duration, it’s important to make sure your car is in tip-top shape and stocked with essentials before you hit the road.

As a family, we mainly vacationed by car.  We had a large station wagon we affectionately called the “Blue Racer.”  Yes, it was blue, but, trust me, it never, ever “raced.”  There were seven of us: Mom and Dad always in the front; the oldest three siblings nestled in the middle seat; and being the youngest, my brother and I rode facing backwards in the far back (ugh!).  The “Blue Racer” took us to the mountains, beach, sand dunes, Grand Canyon, and multiple trips to our grandparents’ homes.    Although my father was incredibly diligent about regular car maintenance both inside and out, he ALWAYS took it to the mechanic before we started any  family trips.  Because of his diligence, I don’t remember any car-related issues on any of our trips.  That wasn’t accidental, it took planning.

Here’s a short checklist to get you started:

1. Take your car to a trusted mechanic. Most have a multi-point checklist, but if not, ensure they perform at least the following services:

• Check the battery and plugs.
• Check the belts and coolant levels.
• Ensure the tires have plenty of tread and the appropriate tire pressure.
• Check the air filter to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Change the oil.
• Check wiper blades.

2. Clean your car.

• Get rid of what you don’t need. Summer road trips are much more enjoyable if you aren’t dealing with old food wrappers, outdated receipts, and hats and scarves from the winter season.
• Vacuum both the seats and floors thoroughly.
• Protect the interior with a good leather or vinyl protector
• Wash and wax your car. Be sure to check for and repair any scratches that may later result in rust or corrosion.

3. Make sure your car is stocked with essentials:

• Vehicle manual in case of breakdown.
• Jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, flares, warning triangle, and security vest.
• Extra windshield washer fluid, coolant, and a fire extinguisher.
• Small tool kit.
• First aid kit.
• Flashlight (be sure to check batteries).
• Cell phone charger.
• Pencil and notebook for games or just taking notes along the way.
• Snacks. Make sure the snacks won’t melt if the car gets warm.
• Water. Have enough water for however long you will be in the car on any particular day. Due to potential health risks, you don’t want to store disposable water bottles in your car for extended periods of time.

(I know it looks like a ton of stuff to carry around, but, just like good insurance . . . you hope you never need to use it, but if you do, you’re glad you have it.)

With careful planning and a positive attitude, your summer road trip will be safe and full of fond memories.

Now, go enjoy some summer fun!

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Member Color - Web
National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter Vice President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 website
Institute for Challenging Disorganization:
Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.
Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD.
Coach Approach for Organizers
Graduate of the Comprehensive Training Program: Coaching Essentials; Strengths-Based Coaching; Brain-Based Coaching; Life and ADHD Coaching; and Organizer Coach Integration
Graduate-level training: Body-Based Coaching; ADHD Coaching Competencies

 

What are you meant to do?

Some NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) colleagues and I participated in a service project this weekend at the University District Food Bank.  My “job” was to work with the food bank’s amazing Director, helping him declutter and organize his office so it would be more inviting to his team and donors.  About an hour into the organizing process, he stopped, shook his head, and asked me “how in the world can you do this every day? I’m exhausted!”  My response: “because  it’s what I am meant to do.”  I wake up every morning looking forward to helping people get unstuck, physically or emotionally, and move forward in their lives.

How do you determine what you’re meant to do?

  1.  Start with a Values and Needs exercise.  It’s important to know, at your core, what makes you tick.  Using myself as an example, my top Values are honesty, loyalty, and affection.  Anyone that knows me well, knows I’m a hugger; deeply dedicated to my family, friends and clients; and don’t tolerate dishonesty.  So, I would not do well in an occupation that doesn’t afford me deep, meaningful personal contact.  My top Needs include family, peace, and self-worth.  Again, those close to me know I will drop everything if someone I’m close to needs me; I don’t do well with conflict; and knowing I’m providing a valuable service to my family, friends, and clients is what drives me.  (Note:  The link to the Values and Needs exercise is an example only.  I do not specifically endorse the authors or their works.)
  2. What are you good at?  Years ago I participated in Tom Roth’s StrengthsFinder exercise.  Not surprisingly, my identified strong traits markers include Stretegic, Discipline, Relator, Learner, and Responsibility.  All of these traits serve me well as a Professional Organizer and Coach.
  3. What are you NOT good at?  Knowing what you aren’t good at (or just don’t want to do) is as important as knowing what makes you tick.  Deep down, I’m a bit of an introvert.  Get to know me and I’m very open and communicative.  But, in a crowd of people I don’t know, I’m a wallflower.  Hence, I would not make a great salesperson.
  4. What are your skills? Some occupations just flat require some very defined skill sets.  Although I’m a kinesthetic learner, I don’t have fine dexterity skills.  I should not be a surgeon.  But I am really, really good at process, so people are constantly asking me to organize projects and events (and I love it!).
  5. What makes you smile when you think about doing it?  I don’t like to garden. It does not make me smile. I know people that do love to garden and when they think about going outside and getting their hands dirty, they beam!  On the other hand, I love to organize stuff and help people move from where they are (physically or emotionally) to where they want to be.  It makes me smile even thinking about it.  What makes you smile?

Are you frustrated or unhappy doing what you’re doing?  If so, maybe you’re not doing what you are meant to do.

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Member Color - Web
National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter Vice President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 website

Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.

Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD.

Coach Approach for Organizers
Graduate of the Comprehensive Training Program: Coaching Essentials; Strengths-Based Coaching; Brain-Based Coaching; Life and ADHD Coaching; and Organizer Coach Integration
Graduate-level training: Body-Based Coaching; ADHD Coaching Competencies

 

Think. Plan. Act.

(What’s wrong with this puzzle picture?)

I frequently work with clients on their time management challenges.  I remind them that “time management” is really just a balance between what we need to get done and the time in which we have to do it.

Efficient time management really boils down to a few simple processes:

Think:  Devote time to thinking about what really needs to get done and by when.  To do this, I suggest implementing the following processes:

  1. Create a list.  Take a few (or a lot) of minutes to do a brain dump of everything that needs to be done.  It doesn’t matter if the repository is paper or electronic, just make sure it’s out of your head and recorded somewhere.  I also ask my clients to estimate how long each item will take them to complete.
  2. Determine what needs to be done and group those things together: phone calls, items requiring a computer, errands that require transportation, things that can be delegated, etc.  Just like organizing physical items “like with like,” grouping action items is equally as efficient.
  3. Prioritize items within categories.  Doing this will help you determine when they need to be fit into your schedule (high, medium, low or by due date).

Plan: Now that you have a list of things that needs to get done, where they need to get done, and when they need to get done by, the next step is to put a plan together to get them done.

It’s critical to set aside time to work through your list.  Even  five-minute tasks need to have dedicated time for them to get accomplished.  Make and keep an appointment with yourself to work through your list.  I suggest setting a Time Timer and eliminate distractions just as if you were having a meeting with a client.

Different actions require differently planning processes.  For example:

  • “Create mission statement” may be something that can be done at any time and almost any where, but time to complete the process still needs to be slotted into your schedule.
  • “Complete taxes” is something that really needs to be done by April 15.  This type of item, and the specific tasks that need to be done to accomplish “complete taxes,” need to be scheduled with more critical thinking.
  • “Grocery shopping” may be a recurring weekly task, but still needs to be slotted into your schedule before you run out of milk.

Also think about items that you can do outside your office or home and take supplies with you.  For example, you can make dentist appointments while you are waiting to pick up your children from school or you can text the babysitter while you are waiting in line at the post office.

Act:  Now that you are done thinking through your plan, your next step is to act.

According to Elbert Hubbard “Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”  Self-discipline is sometimes hard, but focusing on the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, will make you incredibly more productive and efficient.

 Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Member Color - WebNational Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 websiteLevels I and II Certified (8 certificates) Member, Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Coach Approach for Organizers

Want Some Flexibility in Your Work Schedule?

It’s 70+ degrees in Seattle today and I’m loving the fact that I can be doing some of my work from home and enjoying this beautiful weather.  That got me to thinking about how each of us can create the perfect work schedule for ourselves.

So, ask yourself . . . .

Is your work schedule working for you?

How productive are your feeling right now?

How worried are you about:

  • Getting home in time to pick up the kids?
  • Your lack of energy because of the 12-hour days?
  • Spending way too much time in traffic getting to and from work?
  • Knowing that your most productive hours are in the evening, but your shift starts at 7:30 AM?
  • A 40+ hour work week no longer fits your situation and you really only want to be working 24-32 hours?

If you are interested in getting more out of yourself, and life in general, you may want to think about requesting an adjustment to your work schedule to become happier, more focused, productive, and successful.

Before you make your request, spend some time processing how an adjustment will benefit your employee and you personally.

Some benefits to your employer:

  1. Staggered shifts mean more hours of coverage.  This is becoming more and more important in our global economy.
  2. Tailoring an employees’ shift to their internal body clock may result in more productivity (are they “morning people” or “night people”?).
  3. Happier employees are more loyal, reducing turnover and attracting top talent.

Some benefits to you:

  1. Less stress.
  2. More work-life balance.
  3. Less commuting saves time and money.

Thoughts on making your pitch:

  1. If a custom or flex schedule is new to your employer, they may be very uncomfortable making the adjustment.  Be respectful of that concern.
  2. Spend a great deal of time thinking about how a revised schedule benefits the company.  Your job is to help make the company more successful.  How will your requested schedule serve that purpose?
  3. Give serious thought to IF the revised schedule is really an option for your responsibilities.  If you work on a multi-person production line, customizing your schedule may not be possible.  However, if you largely work independently, the adjustment may not impact your employer or co-workers at all.
  4. Clearly detail what type of revised schedule you are requesting:
    • Revision from five 8-hour days, to four 10-hour days?
    • Co-working (two people sharing one position)?
    • Full tele-commuting?
    • Partial tele-commuting?
  5. Consider how your employer can hold you accountable. 12+ years ago I had employees that wanted to work from home.  This was all new to me and I was uncertain how to ensure they were working when they were supposed to be (were they doing laundry or watching Oprah?). Together we came to an agreement about availability and productivity when they weren’t physically in the office.
  6. Present your request in a professional manner.  Your request will be given much more consideration if it is presented as a fully thought-out proposal vs “hey boss, I’d like work from home from now on.”  Include your proposal:
    • The requested schedule.
    • The “why” behind the request and how the company will benefit.
    • Your vision of accountability.
    • Considering this may be new to your company, ask for a trial period to prove the viability of the new schedule.

Flexible work schedules are certainly on the rise and becoming more the norm.  In large part, this new way of working is due in large part to those employee pioneers that proved flexible schedule really do work . . . benefiting both employers and employees.

Owning my own business allows me to create a work schedule that works for me.  My guess is, given appropriate thought and consideration, you can create a work schedule that works better for you too!

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Member Color - WebNational Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 websiteLevels I and II Certified (8 certificates) Member, Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Coach Approach for Organizers