- What is the reason for the lack of composure?
- Useful Habits to Become More Focused
- How to focus on a specific task and not get distracted?
- Techniques for increasing organization
You should have written an article yesterday, the keys to the door disappeared at the most inopportune moment, and you remembered about the milk you went to the store for only after returning home? If this picture sounds familiar to you, then you may be interested in tips on how to become a more organized and collected person . In our article you will find useful techniques, techniques and applications
for phone and computer.
Don't put yourself in a box
It is generally accepted that organized people are extremely neat. However, this is more a myth than a reality. Live the way that suits you. In the event that you cannot imagine life without orderliness and your organization depends on it, keep everything around you in order. But, if you are a creative person and feel constrained in conditions of complete purity, then relax. Nothing bad will happen if things are out of place. But in comfortable conditions you can do much more.
Make lists
Organizing time, under the swear word “time management,” is a whole science. In America they are madly fond of organizing a whole movement out of any small process. Thus, a wonderful man named David Allen, the founder of the GTD technique, wrote an extremely useful (but tedious) book, “Getting Things in Order,” where he strongly recommends writing down every movement of the mind.
If you wanted to go to a museum sometime - write it down, you got an idea on how to furnish the room - write it down, you received an email that gave you an idea - save it. In general, an excellent approach that relieves your mortal head from the need to keep all the burden of possible tasks within yourself.
Don't strive for perfection
It often happens that a perfect result is not required. It is enough just to perform your tasks well. But people who strive for perfectionism focus on details and small nuances. In the end, this only leads to wasted time and sometimes bad results. The secret of organization: complete your tasks well and know how not to waste your energy on trifles that are not worth it.
Good and successful businessmen say that many novice entrepreneurs cannot start their own business for a long time because they are afraid of making mistakes on some small detail, so even before launching they polish their product to a shine. However, this does not bear any fruit and only delays the launch and real problems and tasks for improving the product as a whole. Do it to the “3rd level”, and then, if necessary, bring the business/task/product to “4th level” - maximum! There is no limit to perfection.
Is it possible to do without difficulties?
No!
In any case, you have to pay! The only question is: do you set your own goals or do something that you are not aware of. If you want new results and a better quality of life, you will have to pay with deprivation of pleasures, redistribution of time and other resources. Those who do not agree with such a high price will also pay, even if they do nothing. Lovers of beer (liters) in the evenings and sweets (kilograms) for tea can immediately cross out good physical condition from their own life achievements.
If you don’t know how to say “no” to laziness, delicious baked goods, TV series, computer games and other easily attainable pleasures, you will pay with dissatisfaction with your own life.
Always keep your to-do list handy
It's not enough to just organize your tasks. They need to be fulfilled. Therefore, the list should always be with you. Today there are many special mobile applications that will save you from notepads and pieces of paper. For example, Wunderlist is an excellent service that allows you to make a list of tasks, highlight the most important ones, set deadlines, and mark completed ones. An equally worthy and well-known application is RememberTheMilk. It is very simple and understandable. It has many settings that can be selected individually and ultimately get an indispensable assistant.
Disconnect from irritants
The biggest productivity killer is the Internet. And especially email and social media notifications. Kill the killer! Turn off social networks for the hell of it, because the bad habit of constantly checking Facebook confuses your sights and scatters your attention. The ego wants to receive additional stimuli of its importance in the form of personal messages and is constantly looking for a new dose.
We replace the surrogate joy of online messages with small victories of the task list. Once you do a couple, your mood improves greatly.
It's time to disconnect from the dregs of social networks
Don't spread yourself thin
Many people believe that organized people get a lot done because they can multitask. This opinion is wrong. Spraying on several tasks at the same time threatens to perform them poorly and often takes more time. Do as few things as possible at once. If you need to complete an important task, then eliminate any distractions and focus on it. And it doesn’t matter at all whether you are finishing an annual report, meeting with partners or relaxing with your family.
Katya's blog
How to organize yourself and your time
If you came to read an article with the title: how to organize yourself , then apparently you feel scattered, do not have time to do the necessary things on time, and also feel that you want to change your life. As often happens, you start a new thing, for example, going to the gym every day, and after 2 weeks you give up everything. If you start devoting 1 minute every day to pumping your abs, then it will be easier for you to organize yourself, because 1 minute is not so much. Start small, read the list of necessary steps to organize yourself and choose the most suitable steps for yourself.
STEP #1 Everything is in its place
1. Organize your space. Wherever you are at home or at work, your bedroom, kitchen, closet and desk should be tidy and organized. You should open the drawer and see what is there, and get rid of things that you have not used for a long time. Each folder must be signed and contain the necessary documents.
— Organized does not mean just neat. The purpose of organizing all things and objects is to quickly find the required item. However, organizing things can also help keep them clean and tidy by providing a quick, logical system for finding things, adding things, and removing things from the “system.”
Example: Documents may be folded into neat piles, but this does not mean that you will quickly find the required agreement. But if you put it into folders: contracts, accounting documentation, etc., then finding the contract will be much more convenient. And if in a folder, the contracts are arranged alphabetically or by date, then it will take you just a few minutes. Adding a new contract is also not difficult. If you organize your workspace, you will save a lot of time, which you can use in the right direction.
2. Always put things and documents in their place. If you decide to organize yourself, then you will have to organize the space around you. One is not possible without the other. Every thing should have its place. They took the thing, used it, and put it in its place. Place it right away, not later, later, etc.
Example: If you always keep your keys in the same pocket of your purse, then you will spend a couple of seconds searching for them, but if your bag is very large, has many pockets, and is filled with various small items, then searching for the keys may take several minutes. Saving time and your nerves in person.
STEP #2 Use a calendar, diary or your phone
- Use a calendar.
Buy a calendar, put it in the most visible place where you will see it every day, preferably in the morning. For most people, this place is either the refrigerator or the computer desktop. The most important thing is to develop the habit of working with the calendar and accessing it daily and more than once a day. As an option, place the calendar in the bathroom, and in the evening before bed, while you are brushing your teeth, write down important meetings and tasks on the calendar that arose during the day, and in the morning, while brushing your teeth, you can familiarize yourself with the important tasks for today. Using a calendar, organizing yourself and your time is quite simple. Use a calendar - Use a diary.
A diary is an indispensable thing for a busy person. Planning your affairs will organize you and your affairs. Write down all your plans for the day. Always keep your diary at hand and write down even such little things as buying bread or salt, then you can always look into your diary and buy everything you need for dinner before going to the store. Don’t clog your brains with unnecessary information, don’t overload your body, because keeping in mind all the important things for the next day, week or month is quite difficult, or rather practically impossible. Therefore, you often forget to do something important. Don’t force yourself and your body, use a diary. Use a diary - Use your phone. Time does not stand still and calendars, as well as diaries, are becoming a thing of the past, because now software for phones allows you to record important information directly into your phone. Among other things, you can always set a reminder, and the phone will emit the signal you need and remind you of the task that needs to be completed.
STEP 3 Make lists
1. Write down everything you need. Everything you need to remember you must write down. A note is always better than a memory, because the note will catch your eye, you will always remind yourself of the required task. Even if you have a great memory, no one is perfect. It's not that difficult to write down on paper. Record phone numbers, appointments, shopping lists, birthdays, etc. Keep your notes where you can always find them and refer to them daily. Don’t clog your brain with unnecessary information; let it spend its energy better in a different direction.
2. The daily to-do list must be realistic to complete. If you set yourself impossible tasks every day, then after a couple of days you will give up making a to-do list for self-organization. Experience will come with time. Perhaps at first you will not have enough time to complete all your planned tasks, or, on the contrary, there will even be too much time. Just force yourself to make a daily list of tasks for a week, and after this period you will feel that you have time to do an order of magnitude more things. And your attention will be focused on getting things done, and not on sloppiness.
Make to-do lists for the week, month, and even year. To-do lists can be made both in notepads and using stickers that can be stuck in a wide variety of visible places.
STEP 4 Stick to a schedule
- Go all the way. There's no point in creating to-do lists if you can't discipline yourself to complete all the tasks you set out to do. There are several ways to practice self-discipline to complete your to-do list. Stop wasting time on nonsense, such as social networks. Remove or try to ignore distractions. If something is keeping you at the very top of the list, then reconsider this task. Is it really that important? Is it urgent? Put this task aside. Don't focus on one thing for too long.
- Set a time frame. Setting a time frame for completing a task is one of the methods of self-organization. Knowing that the time allotted for completing a task is running out, you will begin to rush yourself, thereby trying to get rid of distractions and focus on completing the task. However, do not rush to finish working on a task if time is running out, complete the task and do your work efficiently. When in a hurry, you can always mess up.
- Combine identical and similar tasks. For example, make phone calls or do all your shopping in one trip.
Example: Your phone bill comes on the 1st, and your utility bills come on the 5th. Both receipts must be paid by the 10th. It would be wiser to wait for utility bills and pay bills at the same time, rather than waste time traveling, standing in line, etc. 2 times.
STEP 5 Multitasking
1. Try to learn how to do several things at the same time. This is a very effective way of self-organization. If, for example, one task does not require mental expenditure, but requires physical activity, then you can think about other tasks while performing it. For example, in the evening, while watching a video or report, you can play sports, for example, run on a treadmill or exercise on an exercise bike. Just remember that for some people, multitasking reduces the ability to focus on one thing at a time. If you are in a bad mood, then a selection of cool photos will help you lift it.
STEP 6 Delegate
1. Delegate your responsibilities to other people. Make sure that the person you assign to complete the task can handle it. Remember that sometimes it is better to teach a subordinate how to do some work correctly once and then delegate this part to him. It's difficult to organize yourself and your time if you tend to do all the work yourself.
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A joke for humor lovers :)
— Signed my wife up for karate. - Well? “I learned how to vacuum and cook, but I just hate doing laundry!”
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Learn to manage your energy
It will be very useful to know when and under what conditions you are able to work most productively. You may do better in the morning or when listening to calm music. Try to identify such patterns and subsequently use them to work more efficiently.
One good example of managing your energy and time is advice from Ryan Chartrand about the ideal routine of a remote developer. In the article he talks about the technique of constant movement and working in short “pulses” mode.
How quickly do you develop the skills of self-organization and managing your own achievements?
Not quickly and under two mandatory conditions.
The first condition is to consciously build a strategy for achieving results. Behind the complex formulation is a clear understanding of what you want and how it can be achieved.
The second condition is constant regular actions aimed at obtaining the planned result.
It is not enough to dream and want; you must constantly allocate resources to achieve your goals. Let at the beginning of the journey these be resources within the current capabilities; over time, the capabilities will expand.
Learn to relax
Many people work and live in a state of constant stress. Determine for yourself the most effective ways to relieve stress. Feel free to let go of your business. It doesn’t matter whether you relax as passively as possible, play sports or spend time with your family. What's important is that you know how to cope with stress and fatigue without compromising your health and productivity.
And a few more useful tricks
- LEARNING TO COUNT. The name of the “40−30-20−10” technique speaks for itself: you spend 40% of your time on the main task, 30 on the second most important task, 20 on the third. Dedicate the last 10 to everything else: this way you will be able to avoid the temptation to do everything at once.
- WE ARE STUCK IN THE MATRIX. No matter how many things you have to do, the 34th President of the United States clearly had more. He came up with the Eisenhower matrix, which allows you to sort tasks by importance and urgency. Urgently look for an example on the Internet!
- WE DEVELOP INTELLIGENCE. Mind maps are used by the top management of the largest companies: you draw many arrows from one global goal - and thereby describe an action plan from a to z. Don't like to draw? Use the MindMeister online service: it will do everything for you.
- WE EAT FROGS. We are not talking about a gastrotrip to Paris now. “Frogs” are tasks that are simple in terms of execution, but put pressure on the nerves: they prevent you from concentrating on the main thing. Make it a rule to eliminate at least a couple of similar cases once a day. Feel better!
- WE ARE RUNNING A BULLET JOURNAL. The technique is similar to “43 sheets,” but what if you like it more? Its author, designer Ryder Carroll, suggests dividing the diary into three parts. In the first you will write down goals for the year, in the second - for the month, in the third - for every day.
- WE MAKE CHECKLISTS. Nothing complicated or supernatural: if you’re too lazy to bother, just make a list of important things to do for a given period of time. We recommend the website 365done.ru - here you can design your own (and very beautiful) checklist.
Get rid of fear
It often takes several times more time to complete tasks. Why is this happening? It's simple. When you are not ready to start things, you are afraid to start them, then you resort to delaying them. This leads to a lot of wasted time. Fight with yourself. Get down to business as soon as it appears. By overcoming fear, you will not only gain a significant supply of time, but you will also be proud of your own achievements. And this is quite a big motivation.
One way to combat this type of fear is the 1-minute rule. It says that if you don’t feel like or are afraid to start a task, throw away your doubts and fears for 1 minute and do it. When the time is up, you will realize that in fact there was nothing terrible, most likely it was just laziness, and that it’s time to finish it!
Separation of work and rest
Most likely, you do not have a free room that can be used as an office. Otherwise, you would already be working there and not reading this article.
Therefore, you have two options: rent a larger apartment or organize a separate workplace for yourself. Everything is clear with the first option, let's talk about the second.
A workplace is a large table where you will work, where you can put your computer and all the necessary items. I have a daily planner on it, a notepad for detailing tasks, a mug of water and a laptop.
There should be nothing distracting on the table: move the things of children and relatives to another place, warn that your desktop is not touched or littered with unnecessary items.
Find a comfortable chair. Believe me, if you feel uncomfortable sitting and your back starts to hurt after a couple of hours, you will immediately start procrastinating: lie down on the sofa to relax, go on social networks for a second and disappear there for several hours.
The table should be easy to access. Don’t place it so that you have to crawl between it and the closet, sucking in your stomach - most likely, this will become another obstacle to your productive work.
Place a couple of washed fruits, nuts and a glass of water nearby so you don’t have to run to the kitchen for a snack or spend half an hour there with coffee.
Read more about workplace organization here.
Avoid time wasters
Social networks, computer games, entertainment resources, long telephone conversations, etc., take up a lot of time, but do not bring much benefit. Discard them. Does not work? Install special applications that will block all your favorite entertainment. For example, Rescue Time.
Disorganized people almost never succeed. They spend a lot of time on things that are not useful. They are constantly late and often forget important tasks. They live in constant chaos. Of course, you won't become organized overnight. This is not easy and long work. But it will bring success, orderliness and the opportunity to spend time on yourself in your life. Try at least a few of the ideas we suggested in practice, and share the results in the comments.
Independence and discipline
I've never worked in an office for more than two weeks, but I guess the discipline problem comes from habit. Home is clearly associated with relaxation, and the office with work, so the brain quickly switches from one to the other. And when you start working from home, you always want to rest and sleep, because your brain screams “NOW YOU CAN!”
Allow yourself this vacation! Work as needed for a few weeks, or even a couple of months. Sleep until noon, eat at your desk, work in the kitchen—break all of the above rules. Feel the freedom and thrill of now being in control of your time and place of work. Go somewhere for a couple of days, go for a walk during the day, hang out at a bar on Tuesday evening.
This stage in the life of a remote worker is very important, otherwise there will simply be no point in working from home. You must feel that you are free, and on your own come to the need to settle everything. It is quite possible that you will be comfortable working in such a chaotic format, or maybe you are a night owl and are most productive at night - then you don’t need any advice.
But if you feel that it’s hard for you, that you don’t have enough “kick” and order in life, you will begin to gradually achieve this order. This was the case for me, although I still sometimes break the rules of remote work so as not to feel constrained.
Take tips on organizing your workplace, install site blockers from this article, clearly plan your tasks for the next month, week and tomorrow. And begin to gradually cultivate independence in yourself: if a task is completed, hand it over to your superiors or customer and move on to the next one; if something is not clear, ask questions and Google; make a list of skills that you need to master for higher earnings and demand, and find several courses or open lessons on YouTube on them. Take life into your own hands.
5Don't be afraid to make decisions
Learn to make decisions within 10 minutes, do not put off solving complex issues indefinitely, this will not allow you to live in peace. Thinking about something for a month, tormenting yourself for hours about how to do the right thing, all this will not give you the opportunity to enjoy life. And, even more so, you should not lament the decisions that you have already implemented. An intelligent person will simply draw conclusions for himself and move on with life. Anyone can make mistakes, this is what makes them wiser.
Choose your moment
Most people work better under deadlines, and the first feeling of panic you experience when you see your to-do list is completely normal. This helps you focus, not get distracted by trifles, and actually complete all the tasks you have assigned.
Consider what time of day you are more productive, and assign certain tasks during this period. Even if it seems a little crazy to work after ten in the evening, after dark you are actually able to get more done - you can afford to do small projects even after dinner.
Of course, your entire schedule should not harm your sleep pattern - you absolutely need to have at least 7 hours of sleep per day, and also regularly monitor its phases. Lack of deep sleep leads to worsening chronic diseases, the development of Alzheimer's syndrome, increased anxiety and depression.
How to work effectively from home? Learn to keep your focus
Office visits are a discipline. If you're feeling down, a caring colleague or even a boss can always distract you from your disturbing thoughts. But if you are at home and got up on the wrong foot, no one will distract you from your dark thoughts. No one will pat you on the shoulder or pour you coffee. So do it yourself.
Hang up a poster or create any other message for yourself that will remind you every day why you wake up in the morning. Everything should have a meaning. Especially at work. After all, you devote most of the time of your life to it.
Finding meaning and not losing it “in any weather” is a real art. Master it and you will be successful.
Health
Of course, we all want to be healthy, and if some of us are not yet thinking about health, it is only because we have it. We know for sure that it is impossible to live beautifully if the morning begins with the fact that it is difficult for us to get out of bed.
Why do we think about health when it has already weakened, why do we not consider it necessary to take care of it from an early age? Why do we only think about the question of how to live correctly in order to preserve our health longer, when it has already made itself felt?
Don't forget to clear the space
I have a hard time throwing away important items that symbolize certain moments in my life: cards, concert tickets, plane tickets and photographs. But it’s these little things that can easily prevent you from organizing your workspace. This is why it is extremely important to do more than just general cleaning once a season: you will be surprised how much unnecessary stuff can accumulate in a few days. You can use the Healthy Shopping Rule: whenever you buy something new, throw out something old. If it’s still difficult to part with the details, then you can always make a special diary-photo album from important notes and memorabilia.
