Organizing Your Life

Staying focused on your current task, especially when it is an arduous one, is difficult when you truly do not feel comfortable working on the task.

So techniques that I know you know, but perhaps have forgotten.

1. A task shared is a task halved.

I know, asking for help is one of the most scary things that can happen. Some employers recognize that an employee needs help in a project or task they have assigned and are just waiting for you to recognize that same fact. When you sit and stare at that project until the cows come home and still have no idea what or how you are going to accomplish the task, you need to ask for help.

2. Bounce ideas off your co-workers. Sitting around an office or in the lunchroom, talk to your co-workers.

3.  By pooling your resources (knowledge in this case) you are building team work ethics.  Acknowledge that more brains are better than one brain.  It is well known that meshing out ideas works better in a group.   Use a “HOUSE” (tv show that I rarely get to  watch) technique.  Take that wipe off board and use it.  Mind map the problem out and use your resources (other people’s ideas, your own ideas, the boss’s ideas) and see where it takes you.

4.  For those of you who have a project where you are it and you know what you want, but something is eluding you, use #3 as a jumping off place.  Mind Maps are a great way to actually see the problem visually and if you can’t get through a roadblock, find a way to go around it.  But, just don’t quit!  If you’re stumped, call in the troops and talk it out.

5.  Time itself can be an enemy for some projects.  I started helping in a project in May, it is now November.  The project is due in two weeks.  For some reason it has taken this long to mesh out some ideas.  As organized as I am and as much of a bottom-liner as I am I just stopped one day and said to myself, I’m done.

Was that me saying I’m done?  Or was it the frustration of having a project that ran TOO LONG and without set parameters.  Anyway, as you might imagine.  I went and focused on several other projects and came back to the long winded one (one I enjoyed working on without frustration)with a fresh outlook.

Well, take the information above.  Realize you can achieve more when you use all your resources.  And relax.  Think positively, and  know that every experience is a learning experience and as long as you remember the lessons you’re learning in how to complete projects you will be a great success!

For now, have a great weekend!

Denise