Comments on: Organizing tips and tools

By: Anita Rodriguez

Anita Rodriguez — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:26:46 +0000

I spent some years as a high school art teacher and came under the spell of teacher plan books for a time. It helped me to see things in blocks of time that needed attention everyday. The problem was portability. After using this system (7 color-coded areas), I began to pare things down & switched to a little memo pad (I can’t deal with big purses anymore)and a 5×7″ calendar with both months and weeks pages. Also back at the high school, the web guru told us to use only one calendar, probably for the reason you mentioned Alyson: not being by the computer all the time… and it’s just too confusing!

By: Michael Lynn Adams

Michael Lynn Adams — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:18:19 +0000

I use many of David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” techniques to get organized. They have saved my gobs of time and helped reduce that overwhelmed feeling. I have years of practice in disorganization. So implementing his ideas on sorting information, email and paper have been very effective. I have recommended and even given this book to others. Allen is not big on making priorities, believing that his productivity techniques take care of them. For me, I need priorities, and found that a weakness in his method, but one easily overcome. I commute and an hour a day and listened to his book in audio form. If you have to commute and/or travel, I recommend CD version.

By: Deborah O'Sulivan

Deborah O'Sulivan — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:30:51 +0000

Thanks for this! I like the moleskine in the purse idea! I need to have my list on paper. I LOVE my Dayrunner. I have a small one that consolidates all of my important dates -personal and business. And I use the large Pro planner for my business. I have one page per day and they have Memory pages where I write my -To Do’s, then use their system to prioritize. I , also, use the alphabetized tabbed sections not only for my mailing list but I file important pages like art show entries, vendor info, etc which are also cross-referenced in the index section so that I can find everything easily. Sounds complicated but but works really great.

By: Jan Yatsko

Jan Yatsko — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:32:03 +0000

I, too, prefer paper. For probably the past 15 years I have used a FranklinCovey planner/concept. At the beginning of each week you list (plan) your goals for the week. These goals include professional, personal,family and communtiy life. It is about achieving your goals while maintaining a balanced life.

By: Tina Mammoser

Tina Mammoser — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:32:43 +0000

I also prefer paper. On your last ‘Get Organized’ class I discovered the Plannerpad and it’s perfect! Sounds a lot like your lists – just one at the top of the week, then I filter it down into daily lists. On top of that I now have a “priority” list that I got from ideas on the Accidental Creative and I think Lisa Call? You mention something like this in the newsletter. Mine is my Big Rocks list: the handful of things that must get done that week. The things that my business is based on, the things that without them the rest is pointless, or a single task that will bring in income. So for example, making sure I do paintings! Can’t promote and market paintings if I’m not doing them. Todd from Accidental Creative has a ’2 things per day’ list, which yours reminded me of. I tend to have 4-5 things for the week.

By: Charlotte B. DeMolay

Charlotte B. DeMolay — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:17:21 +0000

I’m in the middle of “Getting Things Done” (recommended by you!) and I’m very excited about seeing a light at the end of my over-whelming paper tunnel. I DO spend time making art, I DO spend time marketing it..but I pile anything associated with that or anything else onto my desk which is about 3 feet taller than it should be! I’m getting there…keep reminding us!

By: Peggi Habets

Peggi Habets — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:06:45 +0000

Great newsletter article. With three boys, a child with special needs, a husband, a dog and an art career, I feel like I can’t squeeze another ounce out of my day. After reading your book, I came up with a form that I use that helps me account for each hour in my 14-hour day while helping me stay balanced. I posted it on my blog at http://habets-studio.blogspot.com/2008/04/great-big-balancing-act.html.

By: Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:42:27 +0000

OH! I know your newsletter was based on something that everyone already knows… but OH! I NEEDED it. I love this from you, “Think About This . . . Are you prioritizing your schedule in a way that honors your life dreams?” Those dreams slip away every time I let them. Thank you Alyson! ~ Kathy