If you’ve been reading The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur for a while, you know I struggle with organization and productivity. I had a small brainwave yesterday that I thought I would share.
When my desk is cluttered or my inbox is full of messages I’ve read but haven’t dealt with, there is a simple reason for it. The paper or electronic clutter is a result of “I’ll do it later” thoughts. If it’s something I have to do, but not urgent and not time consuming I’ll leave it on my desk or in my inbox as a reminder to do it later. After all, it will only take a minute.
The problem is, when later comes, I have a pile of stuff to do and it’s hard to know where to start.
So my new motto is “do it now”. If something will only take a minute or two to complete, “do it now”. I only check my email three or four times a day. If it’s time to check my email, it’s time to respond. Then I’ll either delete it or file it – anything to keep my inbox empty.
If I’ve got a paper in my hand and whatever the task is will only take a few minutes, “do it now”. If it needs filing … you got it.
I don’t know how this new motto will serve me, but I suspect I’ll have less clutter and get more done.
Andrea J. Stenberg
