organization

I am always runing about with things-to-do lists and I have those little pieces of paper that seems to get lost in my pocket or wallet, but I need my things-to-do lists. I look at them constantly, am always writing down new tasks, and just have no patience for my forgetting to do anything.

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Most of us have a couple credit cards that we use on a regular basis and we understand that credit card penalties and fees are a reality, and we've even paid a penalty at one time or another - whether for a late payment or missed payment. We all need to understand that charges on our credit cards are really loans that require repayment. Essentially credit card debt should be repaid on time with at least the minimum payment to keep you in good standing or you'll be paying out your nose.

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Stumbled upon a great financial organization tool today at Momeorganizer. It's a spreadsheet where you log all your important financial document locations so that if anything happened to you (death or severe disability) your husband or wife, children, attorney or other appointed person could locate such records.

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When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.

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A web release today had me thinking of my own wedding. My parents both had well-paying jobs, but they also made it clear that they planned to retire sometime within the next 7000 years, so I would have to cut down on expenses. Instead of a wedding dress off the rack that cost several thousand dollars, my dress was hand-made. I found a seamstress that would sew it for about $110, and I got to pick the fabrics. In other words, I designed my own wedding dress by deviating from the pattern in certain areas. This led to one of the strongest memories I have about my wedding, which occurred on the day of my wedding. I had been sewing sequins and beads on the sleeves, but hadn't finished. My dad sat on my couch, all day long, right up until it was time to get dressed, and sewed sequins on. I remember the way the light was shining through the window, an afternoon yellow glow that I haven't seen since I moved out of that state. My dad who learned to sew in the Air Force, sat and sewed the sequins on for his little girl, while everyone else, including bridesmaids, guests, ushers, and a cat intent on destroying the gown with every flutter, were crowding around a one bedroom apartment.

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For the past 35 years, I have raised children. Three of them just as I turned 40. For someone who loved philosophy, discussions, and coffee houses, I spent the last three decades listening to Big Bird, Burt & Ernie and Mister Rogers teach me my alphabet.

When there were a few quiet moments in the house, I used to tune into Phil Donahue & Dick Cavett. For a few miniscule minutes I could actually join the adult world I left behind in college. But it didn't last. Both talk show hosts were replaced by Oprah, Morey, & Jerry. Sesame Street began to look pretty darn good.

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Overwhelmed
If you're a writer, there's no such thing as the paperless society. At least, there isn't for me. When I started out in journalism, my desk was always covered with the stories I was working on (this was before computers). As a sub-editor, I also had to deal with other people's stories that I was subbing as well as my own work.

When I became an editor, even more stuff was added to the pile: draft page layouts, advertising copy, book proposals and so on. Once I began working from home, I had all my personal stuff to organise as well. And even though I've always known where everything is, at times the mountain of paper has threatened to overwhelm me.

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Early in my writing career I faced the unenviable task that all writers must tackle at one time or another: setting up an effective workspace. Though destined for naught but a small corner of my apartment bedroom, I knew my work environment could significantly influence productivity. An inviting and organized sanctum would provide a better medium for creative juices than the distracting, clutter-filled hodgepodge I operated in. Staring at my overloaded desk and piles of paper, I felt daunted. What elements would make my writing area "inviting?" How did one go about setting up the ideal work environment? Where should I begin?

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