Ready or not, here comes life!

Time seems to be elusive because we never know for certaiin what will happen in our day. Life happens. One of the reasons to be ready when "life happens: is so you can live the life you truly want by focusing on what is important. First you have to know what IS important. Another key to being ready for life is good organization and focus.

Being organized may start with a clean desk or properly scheduling your day, but it really means being able to handle ANYTHING that comes your way with little or no stress. Think about it. Organization comes in handy when things go awry. These are times when DIS-organization is easy to spot - life is stressful, chaotic and just messy.

Space is cluttered, feelings are overwhelmed and the mind races in circles trying to figure out what to do first!

Being organized enables you to look at the unexpected situation, step aside, decide on what needs to be done, do it and keep moving forward. Organization helps you focus on what is important

Here are three ways to Get Ready for Life!

1. De-Clutter: Use the "3D" method to take control of your space:

Do it, Delegate it or Dump it

Take some time to clean off your desk, clear out your inbox, tidy your files, organize your closet, whatever happens to be out of organization. THEN whenever you walk away from your "space" make sure you are leaving it organized so that you can return to a "clean slate," ie always leave your office with a clean desk.

2. Keep Focused:

Write down your goals in a "To-Do" list format.

Prioritize them in order of importance (update this daily).

Only have ONE project (on your clean, uncluttered desk).

When distracted, ask yourself "Does this move me toward my goal?" If it does not and it is not an emergency, it can wait. 3. Limit Distractions

Work in "Time Chunks" of 60-90 minutes

Turn off the phone, pager and cell.

Close your door.

Shut down your email and internet (unless you need this).

Only open the application you need on your computer.

Keep focused on the the ONE task for at least 60 minutes without having to worry about other distractions and see how much you accomplish.

Do these three things consistently for at least two weeks, starting with De-Clutter and you will notice a great difference in your productivity, focus and overall feeling of achievement. Most of all you will be more readily able to handle the important stuff that life throws unexpectedly.

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On."
Robert Frost

Copyright (c) 2006, Susan H. Kim