[Organise It] 4 ways to banish e-clutter for good

4 ways to banish e-clutter for good
By Marcia Francois

You know how when the seasons change, the shops start stocking gorgeous, new clothes?


I get very excited; don't you?


Dion and I have a house rule - we have to get rid of some things BEFORE we bring new stuff into the house. Or if we really couldn't resist, then as we pack the new clothes away, we have to
unpack some other items to give away.


That is my number ONE decluttering tip - one in, one out.

Because of the August Decluttering Challenge on my Organising Queen blog, I've decluttered things every single day of the month. I do the happy dance when I can give things away - seriously!


The thing is, I use the exact same principles to keep my inbox, digital photos, PDF and other
documents under control.

Here are some other tips to eliminate electronic clutter:

1. Make time daily to delete emails. I've told you before that my goal is to delete 100 emails daily
so I go through my inbox, sent items, folders, etc. every couple of days.

2. When you download photos from your digital camera, choose the best ones there and then and delete the rest. I don't know about you but I usually take about 3 or 4 pictures if I can (if the subject is not moving) so that I can choose the absolute best pictures.


**Bloggers, once you've published your post, delete the photos from your hard drive.

3. If you download checklists, forms, recipes and e-books regularly (like from my site), set aside
some time to regularly go through your folders (!) to delete the ones you no longer find useful.


When I read e-books, I make a note of the ideas to implement and then delete the PDF file unless it's really something WOW or I've paid for it :)


This tip applies to PDF files, Word and Excel documents. The only things I don't delete with such ruthless abandon are the tools, checklists and e-books that I've created ;)

4.Make a date with yourself for 15 minutes every week (starting this week) to eliminate your
electronic clutter.

Your challenge this week is to spend at least 30 minutes decluttering electronically.

Are you up for it?

Want to use this article in your ezine or on your blog? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb.

Marcia Francois Marcia Francois is a time management and organising coach who empowers small business owners and other busy professionals who want to make the most of their time. You'll get simple, practical organising and time management secrets to help you work less and enjoy life more! Visit http://takechargesolutions.org for your free Organising Success Pack.

Make big leaps with a step a day

How to make BIG leaps with just a step a day

by Marcia Francois

Remember that HIGH importance, LOW urgency quadrant we spoke about before??

What if you took just ONE step closer to your goals every single day?

Just one.

It sounds harder than it is.

Honestly.

Let's say your goal is to write a book. Would it surprise you to know that the majority of people have this on their "things to do before I die" lists? That's why I know this resonates with a lot of you.

What is the absolute first step? Decide what to write about. This step looks simple but you need to see if people would read it, if publishing houses would buy it, if there’s a market so it will actually sell.

So maybe the first two weeks is spent checking all that out.

The rest of the month might be outlining the whole book - what do you need to cover, how many chapters? Etc, etc.

And then comes the writing. Now if I were coaching you, I'd make you write at least 5 minutes a day because writers WRITE.

To some, that seems like nothing much but 5 mins a day is 35 mins a week which is over 2 hours a month, at the very least.

And of course, some days just getting those 5 minutes done will be a miracle ;) but other days, you’d spend 30 minutes or more easily writing.

That's exactly what I mean when I say you can make big leaps with just a step a day.

People ask me how I get so many things done and it's because I do exactly this.

Now I will tell you I don't always feel like writing or working on marketing or _______ (fill in whatever it is you don't always feel like doing) but I do know that it will move me towards my goals.

I have a rule. EVERY WEEK, come hell or high water, I need to do AT LEAST one thing to move me towards my goals. This helps me focus on outcomes even when I'm really busy.

Think about one of your goals. Let's say you want to go on a holiday to Ireland ;)

Let's break it down.

1. Decide exactly where in Ireland you want to visit.

2. Investigate prices of airfare, hotels, B&B's, tourism, food, etc.

3. Check your savings account to see what you have available.

4. Based on the shortfall, decide on the amount of money you need to save every month.

5. Decide length of holiday and itinerary while there.

6. Book flights and check if you need a visa.

7. Book accommodation.

8. Book car rental/ decide on method of transport.

9. Pack your bags

10. Go!

Grab a piece of paper and write the steps for your own goal.

Your challenge this week is to take at least ONE step towards your goal this week.

Want to use this article in your ezine or on your blog? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb.

Marcia Francois Marcia Francois is a time management and organising coach who empowers small business owners and other busy professionals who want to make the most of their time. You’ll get simple, practical organising and time management secrets to help you work less and enjoy life more! Visit http://takechargesolutions.org for your free Organising Success Pack.

Tuesday 9 September

Ask the Organising Coach Q&A call

Marcia answers all your business, time management and organising questions on a live coaching call

F-r-e-e- to all VIP Inner Circle members. Not a member? Join now

12PM - 1PM Eastern Standard Time/ 6PM - 7PM South African Time

Tuesday 23 September

Everything you need to know about organising your computer

Coaching call with guest expert and computer whizz Janet Barclay

F-r-e-e- to all VIP Inner Circle members. Not a member? Join now

12PM - 1PM Eastern Standard Time/ 6PM - 7PM South African Time

[organise it] 5 steps to dealing with overwhelm

IN THIS ISSUE

1. A note from Marcia


2. Conquer your email


3. This week's article: 5 steps to dealing with overwhelm


4. Where in the world is Marcia?

Hi everybody

Happy April!

I'm usually very slow to wake up in the mornings because I'm a TOTAL night owl! But on Monday morning I woke up INSTANTLY when Dion announced, "a quarter of the year is gone; how are you doing on your goals?"

Well, that word GOALS got straight through the morning FOG that is my brain and I jumped straight out of bed - LOL ;)

Seriously though, I am hugely excited about the first 3 months of 2008!

I had an article published in a local magazine (check here for details), I've already launched new products, new coaching programmes and am now doing AUDIOS!

Here's what a client said about one of my latest audios, Increase your Self-Confidence in 10 easy steps:

"I've been listening to the self-confidence CD and am enjoying it very much. Better still, I'm excited that I can listen to it over and over again!"

Get your copy at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2 before the self-development products DISAPPEAR from my store forever.


CONQUER YOUR EMAIL

Are you spending an hour or more a day processing email?

WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER BE DOING?

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, 15 April. Only 9 spots left for this LIVE TELESEMINAR with the Organising Queen herself ;)

Read more and see if this teleseminar could benefit you:
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=33

Oh, and I'm giving you a $10 disc.ount for one week only!


HOW TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER

Are you passionate about organising?

Join in on the group coaching programme. You get instant access to the MP3 downloads so you can catch up. This is the ONLY time this programme will be offered at this low pri.ce!

You can check out the details and reserve your place here:
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=25

Remember the survey some of you took in January?

Well, I'm still busy answering all your GREAT questions so this week's article lists a number of different ways to DEAL WITH OVERWHELM.

Enjoy the article!

================================================
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE
5 STEPS TO DEALING WITH OVERWHELM
================================================

So many of you write in with this question: Marcia, how do I deal with overwhelm?

A few weeks ago, I was dealing with my own overwhelm.

I had many meetings day after day after day (which means you get behind on the office stuff), my normal business activities plus I had to re-write a LOT of the copy for the website. All on deadline!

Add to that the stuff of life like cooking and cleaning and gym and you can see why I felt overwhelmed.

Doesn't it feel good to know you're not alone?!

We all have our own stories but the FEELINGS are exactly the same - a sense of being out of control and a to-do list a mile long!

So what did I do to cope?

1. MAKE A LIST
I printed out 10 of my master to-do lists (in your welcome pack when you signed up to this list) because it felt like I had hundreds of things to do.

I used one page for each project - website, clients, etc...

The amazing thing was my imagination was much worse than reality because in the end, I only needed 4 of those 10 pages ;) Honestly, it does help to see how bad it really is, or isn't.

Here's that master to-do list - http://takechargesolutions.org/Master%20list.pdf

2. ASK YOURSELF A KEY QUESTION
When you feel overwhelmed, it's important to realise that "this too shall pass" and to CONTINUALLY ask yourself this question:

What is the MOST important use of my time right now?

Remember, it's not about being busy, but about being effective!

3. CUT OUT ALL NON-ESSENTIALS
Once you have the answer to that question, it's easier to cut out the non-essentials.

Let go of the minor website changes and the email responses to your blog comments. Rather answer only client emails.

When the busy period is over, re-look at those non-essentials and REALLY question whether you even need to add them back into your life.

4. FOCUS AND EAT YOUR FROG
Now that you know what is MOST important, switch off cell phones, email, etc. and get it done.

If you have to do a proposal for a company, do nothing else til it's done. That's so that even when your day is done and the to-do list is still half a mile long, at least you have a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT in having completed that task.

Read more about Eat the Frog here
http://tinyurl.com/27tuz9

5. CATEGORISE AND BATCH
Once you've eaten your frog, and you still have energy, then categorise whatever's left and tackle those items in batches.

Take your to-do list and use letters in the margin, like P for phone, E for email, etc. Then pick up the phone and make all your phone calls in one go. You save energy because you prepare once instead of 5 different times in the day.

And THAT is how I dealt with my overwhelm.

Has this been useful for you? I'd love to hear what you think so I'm leaving the comments open on this blog post.

Have a wonderful week!

Love and (organising) success
Marcia Francois

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Conquer Your Email teleseminar at http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=33

P.P.S. Don't forget to check out the store at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2

================================================

MARCIA'S CLEA.RANCE S-A-L-E

===============================================

All the SELF-DEVELOPMENT products will be removed from the store soon.

So please go have a look at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2 and get what you've been wanting now.

AND...if you buy any 3 products (downloadable and/ or audio), I'll give you the f-r-e-e ECOURSE of your choice.

What's available?

• Dream Life Kit
• Self-confidence MP3 and workbook
• Awesome relationships MP3 and workbook
• 8 secrets to success
• Who am I? A guide to discovering yourself
• And much, much more

==========================================

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MARCIA?


THURS 20 MARCH - 24 APRIL
How to become a professional organiser - Group coaching programme
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=25


TUES 15 APRIL
Teleseminar - Conquer your email
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=33

SAT 19 APRIL
Business Organising Intensive - spend the morning with the Organising Queen herself ;)
Read more here
http://www.takechargesolutions.org/?page_id=34

==========================================

[Organise it] Getting motivated to organise your home and office

Hi everybody

Good thing the beautiful weather is holding up, because I'm on a mission to get my fitness levels up.

There will be LOTS of walking on our upcoming holiday to the UK and I'm starting NOW. It's amazing what happens mentally once I strap on that pedometer – I go into COMPETITIVE mode ;)


========================
NEW WEBSITE
========================

I am SO PLEASED with my new website. Already, many of you (the Skypers) have emailed me.

Please go have a look at http://takechargesolutions.org and let me know what you think.

You'll notice that I'm a lot more focussed in my offerings and because of that, I'm having a … clear.ance sale (see below).


============================================
7 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
============================================

If you haven't signed up yet for the f-r-e-e audio course, go here to sign up: http://tinyurl.com/2etlkp. These are short snippets of about 3 – 4 minutes each and will be delivered to you every second day.


=====================================
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER
=====================================

Are you passionate about organising?

Do you want to turn your uber-organising skills into a business?

The PO group coaching programme started last week but you can still join in and get the MP3 downloads to catch up. This is the ONLY time this programme will be offered at this pri.ce - you have my word on it!

You can check out the details and reserve your place here:
http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg


========================
CONQUER YOUR EMAIL
========================

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, 15 April. I'm doing a teleseminar called CONQUER YOUR EMAIL.

Bookings are open NOW because I will be restricting the call to only 10 participants so that everyone gets all their questions answered. The MP3 will be available within a few hours if you can't make the actual call time of 7PM South Africa time/ 1PM Eastern Standard Time (New York). Book your place now at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2


This week's article lists a number of different ways to GET MOTIVATED and tackle areas we all commonly procrastinate on.


Enjoy the article!


================================================
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE
GETTING MOTIVATED TO ORGANISE YOUR HOME AND OFFICE
================================================


This week, let's tackle some of those tasks around the home and office that we don't get around to doing.

I'm specifically choosing Quick and Easy ™ tasks so that you can build up some momentum and feel good about getting things done.


WHAT GETS YOU MOTIVATED?

Is it MUSIC? Then put on some 80's tunes to get yourself energised.

Is it COMPETITION? Then challenge yourself and see how many of the tasks you can accomplish in an hour.

Is it being ACCOUNTABLE? Then post a comment telling me what you're going to do and come back to tell me when it's done!

Is it SOCIAL INTERACTION? Then make a coffee date with a friend, but ONLY once you've done an hour's organising.

Is it reaching a GOAL? Then reward yourself once you've done all the tasks.


Right! So now that we know what motivates you, let's get to it!



IN THE HOME

1. Declutter and sort through all the old magazines. Tear out the articles and toss the rest.
2. Organise your launch pad – that place in your home where you DUMP things when you walk in the door.
3. Collect all the clothes you need to dry-clean, declutter or get mended.
4. Clear off the front of your fridge. Toss the magnets and recipes you're never going to use.
5. Throw away any old food in your fridge and freezer, and give the surfaces a good wipe down.

And now for some…


OFFICE ORGANISING

1. Do your filing.
2. Collect all the bills and invoices from around the home and schedule the payment dates in your planner.
3. Shred any junk mail with your name on it.
4. Organise your desk.
5. Delete 100 emails from your Inbox and Sent Items ;)


Whatever you manage to do, give yourself a pat on the back!

Have a wonderful week!


Love and (organising) success
Marcia Francois


P.S. Calling all professional organisers. Check out http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg

P.P.S. Don't forget to check out the store at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2


============================
MARCIA'S CLEA.RANCE S-A-L-E
===========================

All the SELF-DEVELOPMENT products will be removed from the store within about 10 days.

So please go have a look at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2 and get what you've been wanting now. Basically, anything NOT on the MAIN website will be removed.

AND…if you buy any 3 products (downloadable and/ or audio), I'll give you a f-r-e-e ECOURSE.

What's available?

- Dream Life Kit
- Self-confidence MP3 and workbook
- Awesome relationships MP3 and workbook
- 8 secrets to success
- Who am I? A guide to discovering yourself
- And much, much more



==========================================

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MARCIA?

THURS 20 MARCH – 24 APRIL
How to become a professional organiser – Group coaching programme

SAT 29 MARCH
Christian Family Church – 7 things you must do to achieve your goals

SAT 12 APRIL
Business Organising Intensive – spend the morning with the Organising Queen herself ;)
Read more here http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2

TUES 15 APRIL
Teleseminar – Conquer your email

==========================================

[Organise It] Clear out your closet!

Hi everybody

Brrrrrr - we're enjoying unseasonably cold and rainy weather here in Johannesburg. The electric blanket is back on the bed and I'm enjoying hot chocolate again.

Our readers in Cape Town, however, are enjoying beautiful warm weather with temperatures up to 32 degrees Celsius.

============================================
7 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
============================================

Well, that Skypecast last week was crazy!

It started off well and then as the participants increased all the way up to 91 (!), it got so noisy that I had to stop the call and get people to skype me individually, which they did. Fortunately, it was right when I was doing the last of the 7 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS ;)

So I'm going to do one more call - this one will be a hidden call so you'll have to register. Let me work on some dates and I'll get back to you.

In the meanwhile, I've put together a f-r-e-e audio series, one for each of the 7 tips. These are short snippets of about 3 – 4 minutes each and will be delivered to you every second day if you go here to sign up: http://tinyurl.com/2etlkp

=====================================
LAST CHANCE! HOW TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER
=====================================

Are you passionate about organising?

Do you want to turn your uber-organising skills into a business?

The PO group coaching programme is just for you and starts on 20 March. This is the ONLY time this programme will be offered at this pri.ce - you have my word on it!

You can check it the details and reserve your place here:http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg

========================
CONQUER YOUR EMAIL
========================
In the meantime, mark your calendar for Tuesday, 15 April. I want to give all of you a heads-up on a teleseminar I'm doing called CONQUER YOUR EMAIL.

Bookings are open NOW because I will be restricting the call to only 10 participants so that everyone gets all their questions answered. The MP3 will be available within a few hours if you can't make the actual call time of 7PM South Africa time/ 1PM Eastern Standard Time (New York).

Book your place now at http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2

========================
FEATURED PRODUCT
========================
HELP! I NEED MORE TIME
(a step-by-step guide for busy people who want to FINALLY take control of their lives)

Check it out here: http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/

This e-book is only available for a limited time so get your copy now.

This is Clear Out Your Closet Week so this week's article talks about decluttering your clothes.

Enjoy the article!

================================================
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE
DECLUTTERING YOUR CLOTHES - easy as 1 2 3
================================================
Wherever you are in the world, the seasons have changed and it's either warming up or cooling down. Whatever your situation, it's time to sort out your wardrobe.

Pareto's Principle states that 20% of your efforts result in 80% of your results.

Did you know that this principle also applies to your wardrobe? That's right - you only wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.

The aim of your wardrobe is to have clothes you love, that look good on you and that flatter your body shape.

Here's some tips:

• If you wore the fashion the first time around, you shouldn't be wearing it this time ;)
• Even if it still fits you, the styles and colours will have changed.
• Pleated and tapered pants are out for all body shapes. Aren't you glad?!

Now let's get busy purging and organising your clothes.

1. Put on some upbeat music and call a friend or professional organiser to help you.
2. Set aside an afternoon and remove everything from your wardrobe.
3. Make 3 piles:
== Clothes you don't love, don't suit your lifestyle or don't look good on you
== Clothes you love and that fit you properly
== Clothes that you're not sure about, for whatever reason
4. Action the piles
== Donate or throw out
== Organise in your wardrobe or on your shelves according to your personal preferences - by colour, style (smart, casual), etc.
== Move to another place in the house or to a storage container. Diarise a to look at again date (I think of this as a pending file for your clothes).

When you look at this pile again, fit everything on. You will then be able to look at the clothes unemotionally and decide whether they deserve to take up space in your wardrobe (you want to keep them) or whether they need to be donated.

I have my own pile from earlier this year, some of which I've already donated simply because I've already reached that unemotional state. The rest will be donated if they still don't look great on me.

Rather have half the amount of clothes and be able to wear everything than a full-to-overflowing wardrobe where you can only wear some items.

Happy Organising and have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Love and (organising) success
Marcia Francois

P.S Calling all professional organisers. Check out http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg
P.P.S. Don't forget to check out "Help! I need more time" at http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/

==========================================
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MARCIA?
==========================================

WED 19 MARCH
Christian Family Church – Do this one thing and stand out from the crowd

THURS 20 MARCH – 24 APRIL
How to become a professional organiser – Group coaching programme

SAT 29 MARCH
Christian Family Church – 7 things you must do to achieve your goals

SAT 12 APRIL
Business Organising Intensive – spend the morning with the Organising Queen herself ;)
Read more here http://tinyurl.com/2bncn2

TUES 15 APRIL
Teleseminar – Conquer your email

==========================================

[Organise it] Organise your home office today

Hi everybody


I’ve had a FABULOUS week since I last wrote to you – new clients, lots of book sales ;) and a GREAT coaching call with my own coach.

I hope you’re also keeping track of YOUR business and personal successes. If not, here are the forms for download (I use these same ones every week):
http://takechargesolutions.org/bus.pdf
http://takechargesolutions.org/pers.pdf

One of my goals for the year is “3 speaking engagements every month” and after tomorrow night, I can cross another one off my to-do list ;)


SKYPECAST
Are you joining me tomorrow to hear the 7 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?

I'd love you to be on the call. All you need is an internet connection and if you want to talk and ask questions, a microphone too ;)


*****IMPORTANT*****
I am bringing the call time in South Africa forward by ONE HOUR because of daylight savings time!!!
That’s 7PM South Africa time/ 1PM New York time (Eastern Standard Time)

Please check out the time on YOUR side of the world – this is the link to the World Clock site
http://tinyurl.com/35tk9l

You can read more and get your handout here, and I’ll “see” you on the call tomorrow!
http://tinyurl.com/yrmjd5


GIVE YOURSELVES A HAND ;)

I want to applaud you for stepping up and taking back your time. That really is awesome since we all know that successful people TAKE ACTION ;)


HELP! I Need More Time
(a step-by-step guide for busy people who want to FINALLY take control of their lives)

Check it out here: http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com


HOW TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER - group coaching programme

Are you passionate about organising?
Do you want to turn your uber-organising skills into a business?

The PO group coaching programme is just for you and starts on 20 March. This is the ONLY time this programme will be offered at this pri.ce – you have my word on it!

You can check it the details and reserve your place here:
http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg


I found out that yesterday was Organise your Home Office Day. Isn’t that fun?!

This week’s article is dedicated to organising YOUR home office. If you don’t have a home office, then apply the tips to your desk, okay?

Enjoy the article!



THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE
3 QUICK WAYS TO ORGANISE YOUR HOME OFFICE


It’s hard to be productive when your space is not only a mess, but also disorganised.

60% of people are visual (I am too!) so clutter and “stuff” strewn all over the place will just drive you up the wall!

Before we start, let’s get ready:

(a) put on some upbeat music (not slow love songs – fast music!)
(b) make sure you have a BIG wastepaper basket
(c) get another plastic basket for items that belong in another room


SO WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?


1. BACK UP YOUR FILES

Do NOT open your email programme before you start or you’ll get sidetracked!

DO put a recurring reminder in Outlook to do this on a monthly basis, or sooner.

Remember last year when I lost EVERYTHING on my flash drive? It only translated to about 2 hours’ work because I’d backed up my computer a few weeks before that.

Now, while your computer is backing up…


2. CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK

You can do this in 30 seconds (that’s why you have the upbeat music). Yes, really. Play a game with yourself and say, “by the end of this song, my desk is going to be clean”. Works for me ;)

Put all items belonging in another room in the plastic basket. Don’t go to the actual room to put away – you’ll get sidetracked!

Throw any cooldrink cans, sweet papers, etc. in the wastepaper basket. Put all the little notes inside your desk notebook (you do have ONE desk notebook, don’t you?) and set to one side.

If you don’t use the item on a DAILY basis, it shouldn’t be on your desk. By the same token, if you use something every day, make a place for it within arm’s reach.

E.g. My headset for Skype calls is on a hook on the wall above my desk – near enough that I can just reach for it, but not taking up valuable real estate on the desk.

See? 30 seconds and you’re done!

I *do* know this is the Quick & Easy – if you want ALL the detail, check out 7 easy steps to organise your office at http://takechargesolutions.org/oyo.html


3. SORT OUT THE PAPER

Take out the desk notebook. I use a spiral-bound notebook with a lovely, bright yellow and lime-green cover because it makes me happy to write my notes in a beautiful notebook ;)

Write down all those bits and pieces – your internet provider’s helpline, website addresses, people to look up on Facebook, etc.

Throw away all the junk mail and paper you don’t need (and take it to your recycling bag later).

Put all the filing in ONE pile – you can do this in front of the TV later!


Now doesn’t that feel better? A nice, neat and organised office!

Did you know you can spend a half day with me in my own office on a Business Organising Intensive? I show you exactly how I set up my own business systems and we go through all the computer and email tricks you could possibly imagine. *email me if you're keen*

Be sure to set aside 5 minutes a day to keep your home office organised.

Have a productive week!

Love and (organising) success
Marcia Francois


P.S. Don't forget to check out "Help! I need more time" at http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/

P.P.S Calling all wannabe professional organisers. Check out http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg

P.P.P.S See you tomorrow on the Skypecast. Read more and get your handout at
http://tinyurl.com/yrmjd5

[Organise it] The 5 minutes that will change your life

Hi everybody


I love the start of a new month – it’s like a lovely, fresh, blank piece of paper just waiting to be written on.

I exceeded many of my goals for February which always makes me happy ;) and I’m eager to do the same (or better) in March. One of my main goals is to get all the planning out of the way for our upcoming trip to the UK in May. Suzanne and I keep emailing each other our progress - we are going to have such fun!

So many people write to me saying, “I wish you lived here in ______ because I’d love you to come talk to my women’s group/ church group/ business group" and so ………

I have good – no, GREAT – news for you!

SKYPECASTS!!!

No matter where in the world you are, you can attend one of my talks. In fact, I’m hosting a Skypecast next Thursday 13th and I’d love you to be there. All you need is an internet connection! If you want to talk and ask questions, you’ll need a microphone too.

And best of all, you can sit in your pyjamas and paint your nails while you listen in ;)

Go here to read more and to get your handout
http://tinyurl.com/yrmjd5


HELP! I NEED MORE TIME
(a step-by-step guide for busy people who want to FINALLY take control of their lives)

Check it out here: http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/

If you get "Help! I need more time", I'll throw in ANOTHER book, "How to set and achieve your goals", for f-r-e-e. But only until this Friday, 7 March.

Many of you have already taken me up on my offer so well done for taking action towards your goals!

By the way, you won't see this offer mentioned on the link above because it's only available to YOU, and not to the general public! Don't miss out.


HOW TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER - group coaching programme

Are you passionate about organising?
Do you want to turn your uber-organising skills into a business?

The PO group coaching programme is just for you and starts on 20 March.

You can check it the details and reserve your place here:
http://tinyurl.com/2gzulg


Finally, enjoy this week's article on the 5 minutes that will change your life.



THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE
THE 5 MINUTES THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE – REALLY!


How would you like to start every day off on the right foot?

Wouldn’t you like to feel a sense of excitement as you start your day?

You CAN if you do something for just 5 minutes a day.

This is not some crazy statement – it really is true. I promise ;)

If you spend 5 minutes every evening (or at the end of every day) planning the next day, your life will dramatically change.


SO WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?


1. GRAB A NOTEBOOK OR MY EAT THE FROG FORM (http://takechargesolutions.org/downloads.html)

The point is to have something to capture your thoughts.


2. ASK YOURSELF ONE OF THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

* Which 3 – 5 things, when accomplished, will move me towards my goals?
* What is the best use of my time tomorrow?

I expand much more on this subject in Help! I need more time at http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/


3. THINK EFFECTIVE, NOT BUSY

Busy means you’re doing lots of things. Effective means you’re doing the RIGHT things.

E.g. Yesterday, after I downloaded email, I had two choices – keep BUSY by reading newsletters and replying to all my blog comments & personal emails, or be EFFECTIVE by responding to a journalist who wants to interview me, and write this newsletter.

Guess which I chose to do? ;)


4. NOW WRITE DOWN NO MORE THAN 6 TASKS

Mary Kay, one of the world’s most successful businesswomen, said that the secret of her success was to only tackle 6 tasks a day. If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me ;)

I actually showed a client my own planner a few weeks ago. When I think I’m Superwoman and put down more than 6 tasks, I never get them all done. But when I put 5 or 6 tasks on my list, I get them all done.

Did you know you can spend a half day with me in my own office on an Organising Intensive? I show you exactly how I set up my own business systems and we go through all the computer and email tricks you could possibly imagine. *email me if you’re keen*


5. NUMBER THEM IN ORDER OF PRIORITY

Only now (in step 5) do you number them. Don’t try and number them before you get them down – you might get stuck in analysis paralysis ;)

You’ll hit the ground running the next day when you start on number 1 and move through your list until you complete number 6.

Now you can relax and enjoy your evening.

Have a productive week!


Love and (organising) success
Marcia Francois


P.S. Don't forget to check out "Help! I need more time" at http://helpineedmoretime.blogspot.com/

P.P.S. If you know someone who would enjoy this article, please invite them to subscribe so that they don't miss out on future articles ;) thanks so much :)

P.P.P.S Will I “see” you on the Skypecast?