Really? One Year to an Organized Work Life Filled with Hapiness?: September 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Assessing the Situation

Today I assessed the situation as they teach you to do in any emergency. Well...this isn't really an emergency, but a life emergency. I'm ready to go forward, but I have to acknowledge where I am to get to where I want to be.

Planning ahead is of vital importance. If you don't take the time to plan, you'll get somewhere, but not necessarily where you want to be. And if you spend too much time planning, you won't get anything done.

I organized my to do list, took pictures of the state of my office, and got to work! It's worth getting back into the habit of the program.

Is it working even though it's been a bit dormant? You bet! I was looking for a quote for door replacement that we received in 2007 and I FOUND it in the Building Team file!! Yippeee!!!

The pictures are more bleak than reality and reality isn't that bad. So hooray for getting back on the horse. Let's ride it out and get some files organized. This week I will organize files into archive (to CJW to file in storage), reference (big cabinet in my office), currently working on regularly (desktop file holder), and items referred to regularly (inside desk file drawer).

Next week I will put things to be scheduled in my accordion file sorter and make it a habit to reassess what's where each month. I may add some manila folders for far off projects so I hold on to the ideas, but don't worry about accomplishing them in the next 12 months. If it is done well eventually, I will be happy. Too much on the plate right now to think I can get it all done in a short period of time.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Month 3 begins today!

Today is the day I get back to the task of organizing my work life. When I typed in the Habit of the Month, I had to refer to the book to see what it was. Do you think I found the book quickly? You guessed it! It took me a few minutes to find it, but I did find it. So what if the Third month is supposed to be March? If I slog through it and it takes two years instead of one, will I feel bad at the end? No! I'll feel great that I have adopted the habits to keep work organized and get me nearer to sane than I'll ever be without the process.

Weight progress

11/10 173.2
11/3/12 174.3
10/27/12 175.2
10/20/12 174/8
10/13/12 172.8
10/6/12 175.0
9/29/12 175.0
9/21/12 174.2
9/14/12 174.8
9/7/12 175.2
8/31/12 175.0
8/24/12 175.2
8/17/12 175.0
8/10/12 174.0
8/3/12 172.4
7/28/12 173.2
7/21/12 173.2
7/14/12 175.4
7/7/12 173.6
6/30/12 172.6
6/23/12 172.0
6/16/12 171.6
6/2/12 171.6
5/26/12 172.0
5/19/12 171.4
5/12/12 171.0
5/5/12 171.6
4/28/12 171.2
4/21/12 173.0
4/15/12 174.4
4/8/12 174.4
4/1/12 174.4
3/25/12 175
3/18/12 174.2
3/11/12 Whoops! I forgot to weigh-in !!
3/4/12 173.8
2/26/12 176.4
2/19/12 174.4
2/12/12 176.0
2/5/12 178.2
1/29/12 178.6
1/22/12 179
1/15/12 179
1/8/12 182
1/1/12 183

How I said yes to life and no to overworking in May:

5/14/12 Went to Fusion class and read before bed
5/13/12 Visited with in-laws, parents, sister's family, then went to daughter's softball game
5/12/12 Went to YMCA interval class
5/11/12 Made potato salad to add to dinner prepped by hubby and went to Rebecca's softball game
5/10/12 Read before bed time
5/9/12 Went to Power Yoga at the YMCA
5/8/12 Didn't run errands on my lunch hour.
5/7/12 Fusion at Just Breathe Yoga Studio
5/6/12 Spent some quality time with hubby
5/5/12 Went to see friends on a last minute invitation and read on the way there.
5/4/12 Had dinner at Sam'z and read before bedtime
5/3/12 Went for a walk with my husband after dinner.
5/2/12 Went to Power Yoga at the YMCA
5/1/12 Went to Rebecca's softball game.

Home Habit of the Month

Month 3: Get rid of and file all mail and incoming paper from school, work, and play as soon as it comes in. (Touch it once!)

Accomplished on: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

This includes reading newspapers and recycling right away and cutting coupons and recycling the remaining paper right away. There are two visual measures to this success in my house.

1. Dining room table free of clutter

2. Kitchen counter free of clutter

On May 1 the dining room table is pristine. The small kitchen counter has a to do pile, which I'll put in a folder so it isn't as noticeable. That way I will have a visual reminder. Is the small counter clear? Yes. Good. No? Take care of it every day!