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DAY 53

UPDATE: Tuesday, 12-Apr-2005 10:37 AM

I have more traveling at the end of the week, so once again, I am organizing my computer, paperwork and thoughts in order to get things done before, during and after the trip. A short one back in the good 'ol U.S. of A.

I wanted to discuss some of the organizing items that I have been using. I have a collection of two ring binders that contain all bills and corporate papers.

I also have places for most important papers, but that will not be discuss here. It will be up to you to research secure methods of storage for your papers.

I have also my "TO DO" list that I discussed earlier. It works great, as I have now organized items by degree of importance in the order of ONE to TEN and then within each degree by letter -A,B,C or D.

When an item's priority increases, I move the item. Also, when items get done, I move them out of the queue.

I also have a quick-glance list that is "IN MY FACE" type for organizing items that I have had problems getting done. In this case it is the items of press releases that is staring me in the face.

Many of the items that were 'to do' just a few weeks ago have gotten done.

Usually, what has happened is that staff working on other projects have taken up my time and I put off my own things to get their items done. Not a good practice.

I also suppose the quarterly trips and vacations don't help. However, you will find out that as I have, none of these systems are perfect.

What has to be perfect or nearly so is your determination and resolve to "GET it DONE" -- Ultimately, that is what makes the difference, regardless of the system that you are using for organization or how 'high tech' the planner or gadget is.

Technology is good. But not fool proof.

I also have type of notebook -spiral bound -that I use to make notes. Here is an interesting tip that I follow from time to time.

When I have a problem I write it down on the notebook. Then before I leave the office or in cases before I sleep, I read about the problem at hand.
Sure enough, during my shower or when I just wake up, I find out that I have a unique solution to my problem.

This idea came about by accident when I found out over a quarter or so when I worked from AM to PM, slept, then started over again (the early days as an Entrepreneur!) that this action led to many of the solutions that I came up with.

Now I use it regularly to resolve just about everything.

In my personal life as well, I try not to sleep when there is a problem to be discussed. I also practice that with my children --I don't let them go off to sleep angry about something. I should add that does not include going to sleep as an act. Often kids are angry about that, in itself. But, it's not difficult to turn that around quickly by talking about something that will happen later in the week or talking about a project that I am working on with the kids.

Anyway, the point is that prior to sleep, it is a good practice to 'plan in your mind' the next day, and revisit some of the items that you need solutions for. The 85% of the mind that we don't use all that often and the parts that are active at night will take on the item and have a solution waiting for you when you wake up.

Don't believe me? Just try it with something... Oh, yes, before I forget. I am assuming that you are one of the few earthlings that are getting a good 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. I try my best to do so. In fact, this was one of my goals when I got started with the blog, and I have been a good guy keeping up with the goal.

I read somewhere that Japanese are the worst at this and get only about 6 hrs. average per night of sleep and the Australians got the most sleep. May explain their laid back mode!

Any sleep is good. But, having the brain work on a problem while you sleep might be getting the best of both worlds.

Now on to a recent addition to my planning system. It was actually added while on vacation. I got a small note book. Just 1/4 of a A4 page size. Might be even smaller than that. I suppose it's not any larger than a POST-IT note type of pad. Anyway, I try to carry it everywhere I go as I use it to "jot down" ideas on the go.

I suppose a PDA with a stylus can also be used or even some of the newer cell phones. I don't even carry a cell phone, so I don't worry about that.

Why do I not have a cell phone? Well, that is another subject that I'll have to discuss at a later time.

So, the little notebook, the spiral notebook that is desk bound and my "to do" folder round out the planning items that I use regularly.

These with my trusty laptop round out the things that are carried around while I travel and setup 'office' where ever I am.

Well, that is about it today. Back to the items that I have to get done. A lot is happening, and I have to stay on top of it. Out now. Sam.

DAY 52 | Today was DAY 53 | NEXT DAY 54