Faith-Based Finances:
Get Organized

50 Simple Organizing Ideas

Here are just a few, simple ideas that can help
you get better organized.

1. Determine your goals
   Before you start anything, determine its goal.  If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you ever get there?  Set mini-goals and reward yourself for successes.
2. De-clutter your desk.
   An uncluttered desktop erases unnecessary distractions and helps keep your mind on tasks that need immediate attention.  Keep only the items on your desk that relate to your current projects.
3. Don’t rely on your memory.
   You run the risk of letting tasks fall through the cracks.  The best way to never forget an appointment, a deadline or a detail again, is to write everything down.
4. Consolidate similar activities.
   Instead of starting and stopping at different levels of activity, you’ll save time by making all of your outgoing telephone calls together, taking care of all your errands at once, etc.
5. Clean out your files
   Before you go through the expense of purchasing more file cabinets, folders, etc., take the time to purge all unnecessary paperwork and materials.
6. Use one calendar
   The biggest mistake people make when using planning calendars is to keep more than one.  Keep personal, professional and family items on one calendar.  It will help to eliminate scheduling conflicts.  Remember, ‘the man who wears two watches, never knows the correct time.’
7. Reduce telephone tag
   Plan telephone calls (whether to doctors, plumbers, clients, etc.) whenever possible.  Have all necessary materials in front of you.  Write key questions down in advance.
8. Set up files for projects
   Don’t waste time searching for papers when you need them.  Keep all paperwork that pertains to a certain project together in one large folder.
9. Set time limits
   Say, ‘I’ve got only 5 minutes to talk.’  Outline your calls, Say, ‘I’d like to discuss these 2 possible solutions to problem A…’
10. Make time for yourself
    Make at least one screened appointment with yourself each day.  Screened time is quiet, uninterrupted time allowing you to concentrate on a project or catch up on your reading.
11. Delegate
    Realize that you can’t do everything.  Delegate in the office and at home.  To use an effective delegation system, you must train, entrust, follow-up and evaluate.
12. Don’t overstuff filing cabinets
    There’s nothing worse than having to file papers in a file cabinet that is overloaded!  Leave enough room in file drawers so that you’re not using all your energy to get a piece of paper in or out.
13. Develop false deadlines
    If you have a deadline at the end of the month, record the deadline four days earlier.  You’ll eliminate the last-minute rush to complete the project because you’ll have given yourself ample padding.
14. Use timers and alarm clocks
    Allocate time for your daily activities, from working on projects to doing household chores.  Then set timers or alarm clocks to keep you on schedule.
15. Make good use of space
    Add shelving for reference books and manuals.  Add space extenders in desk drawers.  Buy full suspension file cabinets.  Use stacking bins.
16. Make the most of idle time
    Catch up on your reading while you wait for appointments. Audio cassettes of an educational or motivational nature are a great way to make use of your time while driving to work.
17. Get the kids off to school quicker
    The trick is don’t leave decision-making for the morning.  The night before, help your children choose their outfits, decide what they want to eat and determine what they need for school.
18. Set time limits
    If you have to work late, or during the weekend, set time limits for yourself.  Whether you work for two or four hours, stop working at the end of that time and enjoy the rest of the evening or weekend.
19. Identify
    Don’t just toss your spare keys and other widgets in a shoebox without first identifying them.  Label each item or packet.
20. Eliminate brushfires
    Brush fires are almost always caused by disorganization.  Eliminate the disorganization and you’ll eliminate the brush fires.
21. Determine your best time for tasks
    Use your most productive time to do your most productive work.  Alert in the morning?  Afternoon?  Tackle your most difficult, important work during the time of day when you’re at your best and you’re most likely to complete it.
22. Use master lists and to do lists
    Take control of your time.  When used properly, these effective tools give you a specific idea of what you need to accomplish.
23. Set deadlines
    Setting a deadline forces you to work towards it.  Set a definite date and time.  Saying, ‘When I get a chance’ or ‘Sometime in the near future’ is insufficient.
24. Use a greeting card organizer
    Consider a greeting card organizer to remember birthdays, anniversaries and other special events.  These look like a notebook, except that each page has a monthly pocket to hold cards.  You can pencil in birthdays, events, etc. for each month, plus, you can purchase your cards ahead of time!
25. Plan your garden early
    Start planning your garden in the winter.  Decide what you’ll plant.  Read up on the proper care of your plants, flowers and veggies.  Sketch your garden out on paper.  When spring arrives you’ll be ready to ‘grow.’
26. Store similar items together.
    Categorization is very important when you’re getting organized.  Keep all bill paying supplies in one place.  Gather all of your craft supplies in a basket.  Keep your photo supplies in one plastic bin.  When you need to work on something, everything will be easily accessible.
27. Categorize your files
    First, decide on broad categories according to the particular work materials in your office.  Then, file alphabetically or chronologically within these categories.
28. Plan your meals
    Plan your meals before you write out your shopping list.  It will save time because you’ll know exactly what you need.  Your meals should:

• Be well-balanced and nutritious
• Offer variety
• Be within your food budget
• Fit your time and energy limit

29. Put things away each day
    Take time to put things back where they belong.  Put things back immediately after you’re finished with them or set up a 15-minute appointment with yourself to put things back at the end of each day.
30. Toss old reading material
    Go through your reading stack.  Get rid of outdated newspapers.  Ditch magazines older than 3 months.  Keep only a few catalogs that you truly enjoy.
31. Clean out your library
    Look through your bookcases and give away books you’ve had for years and will never look at again.  Charities are always looking for donations to their reading programs.
32. Enlist your friends
    Does your house need to be painted?  A great way to get the job done quickly is to throw a painting party.  They supply the help.  You supply the pizza, sandwiches, beverages and dessert.
33. Keep receipts together
    Keep an envelope in your purse or wallet to hold receipts that you many need for expense records or tax purposes.  When you get back to the office, put the receipts in pre-designated envelopes (business meals, fuel, rental expenses and so on), then keep all the envelopes in a larger expanding file or box.
34. Ditch outdated computer stuff
    Toss software disks, CDs, computer manuals, etc. for computer programs you no longer use and never will again.
35. Coordinate with others
    Work together with others – family, or co-workers—to come up with organizational systems that are simple and effective for everyone involved.
36. Use a desk organizer
    Keep a sufficient supply of pens, pencils, paperclips, scissors and other necessary supplies in a desktop holder on your desk or a tray inside your desk.
37. Create an effective work area
    Create a pleasant, well-equipped work area.  Whether it’s a nook, cranny or a large office, your work area should be conducive to performing your daily work.  It should contain all necessary supplies and equipment within arms reach or in easily accessible areas.
38. Magnetize your medicine cabinet
    Mount a long magnet along the back of your medicine cabinet to hold tweezers, clippers, little scissors and other small metal objects.
39. REST AND RELAX
    Get a good night’s sleep (7 hours or more).  Adequate rest tonight will help you to be alert, on schedule and effective tomorrow.
40. Make your move easy
    Color code your boxes with a self-stick yellow dot for those that go to the kitchen, a red dot for the office, a blue dot for the garage and so on.  Go to your new residence ahead of time, and place a corresponding colored dot on the appropriate rooms.
41. Prepare outgoing mail ahead of time.
    If you send the same brochures and other materials to prospective clients, make your packages ahead of time.  Include all necessary materials and store them away until you need them.  They’ll be all ready to go in a snap.
42. Create reference lists
    Reference lists are wonderful tools for remembering and accessing everything easily.  Create reference lists for:

• Personal goals and dreams
• Birthdays
• Favorite restaurant phone numbers
• Websites you’d like to explore
• Books you’d like to read
• Things to pack when traveling
• Gift ideas for friends and family
• Computer files
• A wish list for yourself
• …and more.  Your choices are endless.

43. Create forms for everyday tasks
    For example, type up your own Fax Transmittal Form that includes your name, company name and other pertinent information.  Make copies and leave them by your fax machine for efficient and effective communication.
44. Create a driving directions folder
    Create a file folder for Driving Directions to places you go to infrequently.  Write down the directions and keep them in this folder for future use.  You won’t have to keep asking how to get to where you’re going.
45. Give driving directions with ease
    Create driving directions to your home or office, coming from North, South, East and West.  Make copies and keep in a file.  When someone asks, you can mail them, fax them or read them over the phone.
46. Determine how long it will take
    Estimate how long it’s going to take to get there.  Divide the total miles of the trip, by your average speed (e.g. 60mph).  The result will be your driving time.
47. Cut down on junk mail
    Visit the Direct Marketing Association Website and ask them to remove you from direct mail lists you don’t wish to be on.
48. Combine your time
    Look for things you can combine to save time and accomplish more.  Walk your dog and you’ll be exercising at the same time.  Go to the beach with a motivational tape, and you’ll be relaxing and getting inspired simultaneously!
49. End each day on a good note
    Save your easiest tasks for the end of each day.  You’ll be able to complete them, and end each day on a positive, rewarding note!
50. Continuously improve
    Get organized and stay organized with the many available products from Get Organized Now!™

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