blog about it

Update 5.20.2010: I just struck out the last item, learning new website tips. I recently found a new thumbnail creation site that I like. And I’ve been actively using Headspace2 and Keyword Statistics plugins for my work blog.

Update 5.15.2010: I just struck out the business cards from the list below. Actually I finished them last weekend. And these are the cards for my writing.

Why Organizing topped my Prep List

Next month, my certification training begins, and I’m all set—except, I need to improve my organization to increase my productivity. Organizing my workspace. It’s the most important part. And with that almost completed, I will be able to coast through the next few weeks.

It matters so much because knowing where things are is critical for me. Two reasons are: I’m forgetful, and easily distracted between multiple tasks. Organization adds a strong measure of sanity to the mania of busy-ness.

Things get really out of hand here, since I choose to divide my attentions between what I’m doing and what’s asked of me, by my family and others. Usually, it doesn’t get me off task by too much—usually.

Still, pulling different files, books and such, for different projects, often means things don’t get put away immediately. And the piles, eventually looking like my prison, must be dismantled. Besides, searching for things that could be right at hand really slows me down.

Getting Things Done

I’m off to a good start with tearing down the stacks of books and papers, returning them to their places, or better organized positions. And there were a few background things that needed doing before training. These are things that come to mind and get dismissed for other more urgent things.

Recently, I decided to start knocking them out as they recurred to me. As you can see several are already completed. The rest are well underway. Being organized will make it easier to finish as I make ready for big fun beginning next month.

1. Clean up my Gmail account for contacts
2. Design new business/networking cards
3. Post about Read Write Poem’s closing
4. Add link to my Amazon aStore, The Blog About It Store, I’ve been sitting on this for quite a while now and time was a-wasting
5. Add a page for The Blog About It Store
6. Finish my last 9 poems in 9 days for NaPoWriMo on Telling Stories
7. Write posts for my very quiet work blog
8. Update account information on different sites; it’s nice to have money going to the right places
9. Learn some new and needed website tips

This week has been about updating and knocking things out that are due or long over due. Operating from an organized workspace is a great way to move through things efficiently and quickly. What’s on your plate right now? How does organization improve your productivity? What else do you do to boost your productivity?