Okay, so I’ve been a mess lately. A real mess…so much of a mess, I can’t begin to describe. But this week, in the midst of the out-of-control craziness, I’m finally taking steps to get my life back in order.
To that end, first I want to apologize to anyone who was waiting for a contest prize from me and hasn’t received it yet. I finally went through my contest email and responded to everything in there. If you emailed me and haven’t heard from me by this morning, please email me again.
Also, I’ve asked the other Plotmonkeys to help me out in handling the choosing of the contest winners for the Saturday ONE THING posts. Whoever picks the Friday contest winner will also do the Saturday drawing so that all winners are announced on Sunday. That will be a huge help.
However, as I went back and checked posts since we started ONE THING back in May, I’ve found that I’ve been lax in announcing a few winners. So if you are on the following list, please email me: julieleto at gmail dot com and please put “ONE THING winner” in the subject line.
Back list book from the following authors…and I’m including truncated email addies to avoid any confusion…
Jill Shalvis #36 Gillian (gillian.l…@gmail.com)
Mary Jo Putney #13 Carol (misty…@aol.com)
Susan Crandall #28 Andria (college…@yahoo.com)
Tanya Michaels #2 Diana D (djd…@hotmail.com)
Katherine Garbera #8 Jane (janie…@gmail.com)
Lori Handeland #6 MickeyMac (Mickey…@aol.com)
JoAnn Ross #20 Anne-Marie (amar…@hotmail.com)
Brenda Novak #27 Donna S (bacchus…@myself.com)
Eloisa James #22 Juanita Shoemaker (nita…@yahoo.com)
Jo Leigh #12 Lee (Rlz…@yahoo.com)
The rest of the month of August is going to be all about organization. One thing I’m going to try and do is start making lists…the kind of lists that can’t be lost (which is what I usually do with lists.) I’m going to use my big dry erase board so that I have to stare at it all the time and I can’t run away from it or hide from it.
Any other tips you all can share to help me out? I know the one thing at a time approach is best…and “don’t go hide in your bedroom under the covers” is probably good, too.
Any others?
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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LOL. I can so relate. Organization is so not my strong suit. Lists are great. I like having a phone where I can make notes and lists. And even set up alerts on the calendar. Extremely helpful. Other things I’ve done are to email myself reminders too, usually from work to home, vice versa. Not quite useful for someone who works at home. There’s something online called Memo to Me which helps for future events too.
Hope I was able to help!
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I live by email. If I don’t want to forget it, I email myself or tell people to email me. Because I’m anal and like a relatively clean mailbox, this helps get things done and organized. I also tell friends, EMAIL ME. If you want me to do something, remind me in email or it won’t get done! I’m also a huge list person. I keep paper/pad and pen in my bathroom (STOP LAUGHING) b/c most ideas and things come to me early AM when I’m getting ready; and I take that AM list with me throughout the day, crossing off as I finish. Doesn’t mean my office isn’t a mess, but once a week or so I sit down and clean off the desk. It’s my method to my madness but it works for me! That’s the key. Figure out what works for you. Make one day a week your MAIL/EMAIL cleanup day and same time every week, nail that stuff. You’ll feel so much less overwhelmed! Oh and can I mention ASK FOR HELP? YOu didn’t ask us to help you, Leslie had to offer when you said you were overhwhelmed! We’re HERE!
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I’m a list person. I make a to-do list just about every day. If I need to get things done around my house, I make a list and cross each item off one by one until everything is done. Makes me feel like I’ve done something as I see my list getting shorter.
I use my email and the calander in my phone for reminders too. I just have to make sure I set the reminder alarm for an hour out.
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After factoring in priority, I try to group things so if they’re similar in task you can do those at the same time. I also try to think of it in groups of five so based on how long the list is if you get five thing done you’re doing great. You still have stuff to do but you can see you accomplished something.
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Did you know that in women/girls ADD and ADHD symptoms include severe disorganization? I have had to force myself over the years to be organized but I also knew I had to choose my battles. So work won out and home is a mess, but it works. I almost lost a very important job because of this and was glad I had my epiphany when I did.
On that note, not only do I make a list ( I keep post it pads, the bigger ones) around, including on my dressing table when I do my morning routine. I write things down and night and add to them in the morning and take it with me; but I make multiple lists.
I have an app on my new phone. I kept my blackberry because I have ongoing/stable lists on there. My jeep has a hands free bluetooth system and it also lets me leave myself memos, so if I remember i have to pick something up and I’m driving, I can just hit the button and record it. I call myself and leave a message. I live by Google calendar which is synched with my phone.
I find multiples works for me. Others don’t get it, but I do.
I have started doing stuff at home, but with time constraints, it’s been hard. So I am doing the 10 minute thing- I set the timer for 10 minutes, turn everything off and go clean a drawer or a surface or a toilet or something. It’s working. I can still see the top of the computer desk.
To see me at work you would never know that I am this disorganized and a hoarder or whatever at home. Talk about a split personality.
I can’t wait to see what others come up with. Maybe I will add something to my list of aides! And no, I’m not anal at all.
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Do you have an iphone? I just use the ‘note’ section and email it to myself. Like Carly, I always tell people, “Email me”. I am very visual. I think it comes from having a dude on the spectrum, it’s made me REALLY visual.
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When I start working on my list I set a time limit or I tend to dawdle. I don’t usually answer the phone or email until that item is complete.
Tami B.
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Confusion is my middle name. Try doing one of the easiest tasks first and then work your way up. I always feel better when I get one thing done, then it helps to pave the way to complete another.
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I use the calendar in my phone as an alert for my important events, shows to watch, etc…set the alarm. I also make lists and I tack them up over my phone. When I get in organization mode, I set aside a day to get everything done…note: I make sure that the stuff on the list can get done in one day. I make both a long term and a short term list, which seems to work for me. If anything doesn’t get done, it’s because I was too lazy to do. I like Carly’s idea of emailing yourself. I do that some times, but one of the things on my list is to purge my email, which can be quite overwhelming, so if you are like me, don’t go that route. Do what works for you, Jules. It will get done. And as Carly, says, “ASK FOR HELP!” I do that when it is time to sort and shred files. Well, I must say you have taken the first step…admitting you have a problem…LOL!!! Will check back in later.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I don’t know how you guys manage to write so many books, take care of your families and do this blog too! So, no worries about being behind.
I have a daytimer that I keep open on the present month. Everything is written there so I can look at it at a glance and see what’s coming down the pike.
Have a good day all,
Cher
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Oh yeah, I forgot that I keep a large monthly calendar in my purse at all times. In case modern technology fails me.
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Wait? You mean hiding under the covers is doing it wrong? Dang. No wonder things in my life are such a mess!
Okay. White board list is a must! I group my list by tasks. For instance, all errands are listed together. Then I group by room or task. I finish one group, erase and start the next group, working through until the board is clear.
I also live by the calendar on my iPhone. ALL important events are there with alerts!
One step at a time, Julie. We’ll both get there!
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I’m not electronic, so, there are probably easier ways to have lists, but, though I don’t work outside the home (retired, yeah!), I do have a Down’s daughter that has Ulcerative Colitis & is on Gluten-free products, so, I have lots of stops to buy certain items. I have a list for every day, written by time (not clock time), but, what to do lst, & each following stop. I leave space to add items, as I remember them. If I don’t finish something that day, it’s added to tomorrow’s list. Yesterday, I had stops at 6 stores before picking up my daughter at school at 2PM. The list allows me to shop saving time & gas (prioritize the stops to save both).
Maybe, this might help a little.
Patricia
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I like to plan everything out… I tend to write little notes to myself or notations on a calendar… taking one step at a time helps, but also a moment to collect myself…
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Sorry to say Julie, I’m not a real organized person! Many years ago when I was married & keeping track of all four of us for dentist, doctor, school events, etc. I started keeping a calendar. The calendar has morphed through the years! I still have an appointment calendar that goes everywhere with me, it is small would fit in a larger purse but I keep mine in a canvas bag that goes almost everywhere with me. If I make any kind of plans, appointments, travel etc. it goes down on the calendar, all of that also goes on my Yahoo calendar which sends me reminders 10 days & 1 day in advance. That is what works for me in that respect. For house organization I don’t have much of any suggestions. I did try the 10 minute task and that worked quite well but I stopped doing it!! It is amazing what one can do in ten minutes & often times when the 10 minutes was up I just kept going. Maybe you could assign specific things that your daughter & husband are responsible for and keep a list for yourself of what you want done. Don’t try to tackle it all at once. I moved almost two years ago & it sort of looks like I moved recently, boxes stacked here & there that need to be dealt with!
I have to confess to really not even seeing it anymore. On the other hand it isn’t going anywhere so I can start anytime!! 
Maybe one box at a time. A lot of it is papers/paperwork acquired over a long period of time and much stuff that has to be shredded! 
It is difficult at times to get motivated! 
Good luck, keep us posted. If you are really desperate there are professional organizers that can help you.
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I hate to be disorganized, but the fact that you’ve recognized it is the first step to solving the problem, right???
Sometimes it’s easier to get the momentum rolling by starting with smaller and easier projects. I have a tendency to procrastinate on the big or difficult stuff, so if I get a few little things done, it makes me more positive about the other challenges. Good luck!!!!
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I’ve embraced the fact that I will never be organized in a traditional sense or in a way that will make other more organized people happy. Like some of my ex-bosses. . .
When I was in college if I didn’t want to lose something, I threw it in my laundry basket. People would laugh at me, but if I wanted to find something, all I had to do was go through the laundry basket. There was no way it would fall behind a shelf or get lost under the bed. I did retire that idea once I got more space, but I still stand by it.
Another thing that helps is identify what you have particular trouble with and try to come up with solutions. One of my big ones is losing keys. I used to keep an extra set of house keys in the car and an extra set of car keys in the house. Now I don’t have a car, but I have a place where I hang up my house keys right by the door and I try to make it automatic. Before I leave the house I hold up the keys and say to my 18 month old son, “watch mommy put her keys in the purse.” I’m not allowed to shut the door until I’ve done it. It’s another one that is a little silly, but it works! I never get locked out of the house and I hope I’m training my son to be more organized than I will ever be.
Now I’m definitely still a work in progress! One of my new favorite tricks with an active toddler is “just do 5 things.” I’m not talking about 1. empty the dishwasher, 2. make the bed 3. do the laundry 3. grocery shopping, etc. etc.
I’m talking about breaking it down into the absolute smallest steps I can. As in just put away 5 dishes. And then once I’m done I can think about the next 5 things. It isn’t perfect, but I feel less overwhelmed and I am actually getting a little bit more done than before.
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I can so relate to this post!! My FB status one day last week said something along the lines of: Plan to get organized derailed due to lack of organization.
I hate being disorganized, but I’ve been a mess myself lately. But I’m also taking steps to get it under control.
One thing that we do that has really helped me is color-coded Post-It’s.
If someone has something to do, I write it on their color Post-It and stick it to the back door. That way, no one leaves the house without knowing what they’re supposed to be doing. Sounds crazy. But it has really helped.
As for lists…I love lists. I have lists all over the house. Everywhere!! Looking at them, and actually doing the things on the list is another matter entirely.
Good luck in getting it all under control!!!
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I color code my lists too.
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I’m organized at work but not at writing but I use the microsoft calendar to stalk me by posting pop up messages. I’m disciplined enough to not dismiss them until I’m working on the task or finished. Okay, most of the time i am.
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I’m so glad I’m not the only disorganized person out there! Ever since coming home from RWA, I’ve been at sixes and sevens. Made a little progress today, but I’ve got so much more to do!
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I’m THE last person you would want organizational advice from, so I won’t offer any.
Have a great day.
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List are great. Emails are great. I use both. My advice is don’t get frustrated with the lists. I sometimes use several shorter lists so I can see more accomishments. Look at the positives. You’ve already started by making the list for this blog. Congradulations. You have begun.
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LOL I hear you… I usually have to make a sticky note to find my notes/lists!
I’ve started keeping a TODO List on my desktop in on going Notepad file in addition to the wipeoff board (yep I use on of those too).
I try to put mine in groups of work, personal, etc. also group the ones that occur regularly together (like pay hosting). I know marking them off makes me feel like I’ve acomplished something in my hectic life.
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If I have something to remember I usually wither put it one the calendar in my cell phone(it has an alarm that I can set to go off when ever I want) or I’ll program my computer’s calendar(which also has an alarm)
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Thanks for all the advice and commiseration, ladies! I did get a great deal accomplished today…not as much as I wanted to, but slow and steady wins the race, right? A couple of today’s things will be on tomorrow’s list…I’ll let you all know next week which things worked and which didn’t.
BTW, as much as I love, love, LOVE my iPhone, I need a new calendar. It’s great for appointments, but not so great for to do lists. Must go check the apps and see what’s available.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only person who struggles with this!
I did hear from most of the winners today…and if you emailed me, you should have received an email back from me. If you didn’t, please post here in the comments.
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The Franklin-Covey Daytimer is the best that I’ve ever found. In fact, I’m going to go back to carrying one of those myself. My CP gave this great calendar for this past year, but with the Daytimer, there is a place on each page to make lists, and a ticker system in the back. It really is awesome.
Here’s the website so you can check out online what they have, but Staples and Office Depot carry their products (mine carries a limited supply) if you want to go actually look at them.
http://store.franklinplanner.com/store/category/cat1850016/US-All-Planners-%26-Refills
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Try this tip…instead of trying to organize everything at once, take 15 minutes every day to organize “something.” Who can afford to spend an entire day (or in my case, a month) cleaning and organizing the garage? And who wouldn’t give up and walk away after the 3rd day? But if we do it in smaller segments, the job becomes manageable. At least, until the next deadline looms and finding 15 minutes to spare becomes impossible.
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My hubby says that I am obsesive compulsive. I won’t do anything else until I finish what I am working on.
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any winner from shiloh post