Comments on: Confessions of a Disorganized Entrepreneur

By: Back to school – a new beginning for the entrepreneur :: The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:20:33 +0000

[...] homework space, organize his school supplies and backpack. It’s time I did the same. My office isn’t as bad as it’s once been, but it’s not perfect. From my desk I can see a sweater I haven’t worn for two months, some old [...]

By: Blogging Boomer’s Carnival #80 | Fabulous After 40

Blogging Boomer’s Carnival #80 | Fabulous After 40 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:29:35 +0000

[...] it all on the line as she shares her deepest, darkest secret…about her messy desk. This BabyBoomer Entrepreneur tells how she’s going to overcome this bad [...]

By: Rita

Rita — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:35:31 +0000

See my blog for clutter tips. I write a blog called The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide at boomerconsumersurvive-thrive.typepad.com.

Click on Clutter or Organizing in the left column.

Rita

By: John Agno

John Agno — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:42:43 +0000

Piles of papers stacked high on your desk? Hustling about trying to find where that client file is? Feeling anxious? Knowing you’re not being as productive as you’d like to be?

For many executives and professionals, these events are a daily occurrence. But they don’t have to be. Experts say the act of getting organized is easy to put off because of seemingly more important tasks that require immediate attention. According to organizing specialist Alita Marlowe, of Marlowe & Associates Business and Efficiency Consultants in Southfield,MI, the most common reason executives put off getting organized is it wasn’t taught in school.

“Procrastination and clutter is actually delayed decision making,” she maintained. “Time management skills are also usually underdeveloped.” Marlowe added the biggest mistake professionals make is putting blame on a single person in the firm for the disorganization that “actually is the result of a faulty or nonexistent organizational system.”

To drive home the point of just how costly inefficiency can be, Marlowe gave the example of a professional who bills $220 an hour. According to her calculations, if that person encounters six distractions per day at 30 minutes per distraction, there is $660 of lost productivity in one day, $3,300 in one week and $13,200 of lost productivity in one month. “Poor time management and disorganization costs at least $13,000 per month and causes lots of stress,” she contended.

Marlowe recommended the first change that should be made is reducing distractions. “Each interruption costs 20 minutes of refocusing time plus the time of the original distraction,” she said, recommending disorganized executives use self-assessments, self-help books, personal coaches and instructional videos to develop a unique leadership and organizing style.

Source: Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 21, 2006, http://www.MILawyersWeekly.com

By: Scottsdale Realtor

Scottsdale Realtor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:00:29 +0000

Hi Andrea,

A clean uncluttered desk is the sign of a sick mind. With that said, every now and then I get to the “glass” and can see thru my desk. It usually is accompanied by a celebration with the Windex, only to be returned to the paper strewn mess it was only moments before.
Irene

By: Elizabeth Hagen

Elizabeth Hagen — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:01:03 +0000

Hi Andrea,
I’m proud of you for having the courage to start the organizing process! And, to implement the Command Center again. It really works! Once it’s set up and in a good place just make sure you put things in daily and take things out daily and you’ll be good to go!
Elizabeth

By: JoJami Tyler

JoJami Tyler — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:48:04 +0000

Mine is a mess too, but I have found the binders work GREAT, so go for that for sure!

We just need a spot for everything. That is the biggest problem I think. My bedroom is spotless,and I never have to clean it. Its easy, I have a spot for my clothes, underwear… you get the picture.
My office, well, thats another matter.

Also, I hear that the trashcan should be our best friend!!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:27:12 +0000

I will be looking for the photo!! Getting an organizing system in place is not easy, making a start is a big step. Maybe your 15 min could take place just before or after lunch (or breakfast for those 4am starts). As long as it gets done once a day does it really matter when? I tend to use my calendar for things like that. I just slide it to a time that is appropriate for that day but never to the next.

By: Andrea Stenberg

Andrea Stenberg — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:50:55 +0000

Kelly,

Good idea. Problem is, when working from home I’m not always sure when the end of the day is … that’s another problem for another day!

Janet,

Thanks for the link. Love the title, can’t wait to read the post.

Andrea

By: Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:18:11 +0000

Andrea, this is such a common dilemma that I wrote an article about it last year, If I Can’t See It, I’ll Forget About It! I think you might find it helpful!