Find More Time by Laura Stack

Author:Laura Stack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780307418982
Publisher: Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale
Published: 2007-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

I’m a Walking Junk Drawer

I used to carry around a behemoth briefcase, packed with my planner, folders, and projects “just in case” I had time to work on them. After discovering I rarely had time to get them out and suffering chronic neck pain from a huge weight on my shoulder, I pared down. Now I carry a very small all-in-one wallet/purse and a smaller leather briefcase with my planner. I’ve also recently switched planner sizes from the Franklin Covey Classic to the Compact version. I’ve determined that if I’m productive during the day at work, there’s no reason to attempt to take work home. My mantra is now “light and portable.”

ALWAYS PUT IT BACK. If you put your keys and cell phone back in your purse each time you use them, you’ll never have to launch a fifteen-minute search in the morning when you’re racing out the door. Then always put your purse and briefcase in the same place so you don’t wonder where you left them. Never say, “I’ll just put this here for a minute” or “I’ll only do this once.” That’s a bad habit waiting to be formed.

LOADING YOUR BRIEFCASE. Here are some ideas.

Start with something lightweight and durable. I like Swiss Army and Kenneth Cole totes. Look for something with several built-in compartments and zippered pockets.

Once a week, dump out the contents of your briefcase.

Get rid of old pens, dry cleaning slips, extra change, and receipts you no longer need.

Put library books in your car to be returned on your way somewhere.

Remove and file project folders you no longer need and 100-page reports you won’t have time to get to.

Put items you use every day back in your briefcase—your PDA, phone, planner, and iPod—in their own slots/pockets.

Organizing accessories are not just for women! Add a sun-glass case, a zippered case for important documents like airplane or train tickets, and a mesh bag for small, easy-to-lose items like Post-It flags or pens.

JUST FOR WOMEN. If you must haul a mini-medicine cabinet, convenience store, and portable office with you, then at least do it smartly. Here are some additional tips for organizing a purse.

Unload your purse each day. If you stuck a toy or snack for your kid in your purse or a magazine clipping someone handed you, be sure to take it out.

Pare down multiple items. Do you really need to carry around six different colors of lipstick?

Go through your purse and throw away grocery lists and receipts, old film and dry cleaning tickets, receipts for purchases you made six months ago, photos of people you don’t know, and so on. Put toiletries and emergency items (like first-aid wipes and Band-Aids) into small mesh bags.

It’s inefficient to keep transferring items from a larger to a smaller purse when you don’t want to carry the bigger purse around. If you’re going to the zoo and might need those Kleenex, safety pins, and antiseptic gels, carry them separately in a fanny pack or backpack.

If you work, it’s always

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.