Organisation - Getting Back To Basics

If you look at any major organisation, there is this trend for executives to use "palm pilots" in conjunction with software schedulers such as Microsoft Outlook.

What's really interesting is even with all this technology (and many of these execs are fortunate to have personal assistants) they are still disorganised. Organisation is not about having all the latest and greatest tools, it's about using common sense and sticking to what works. For some reason many people think that by using these (expensive) tools they will automatically manage their time and be more productive. Sadly, this is not the case. Technology is an aid, a tool. It has to be used and adapted to suit the human being using it.

In most cases a paper diary or planner has proved more valuable in helping people to be more effective with their time and their work.

In one organisation where I had been working with the Head of Department, who was much better organised when he was shown how to use a paper diary rather than the computer one, I had the Manager of Information Technology say to me "what are you doing? You'll have them all back to using pen and paper!"

Terrible, isn't it? To think the use of good ole pen to paper to write down your thoughts and ideas, things to do and follow-ups may actually work better than the use of a computer software programme!

Some of my clients have had to use the software in conjunction with their diary, which can easily be done when they are shown how.

I often find that some of the most 'high tech' people are the most disorganised, particularly if the technology breaks down.

At least with pen and paper, the only thing that lets you down is when the pen runs out of ink. If your organisation is adamant that you must use the electronic system so that other people know when you are available, then use it for that purpose. However if it isn't helping you get organised effectively, consider utilising a paper diary as well so that you can stay in control.

Don't be afraid to get back to basics if you find it all becomes too much.

About The Author

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi; lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

---

The Psychology of Being Organized

Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally constitute efficient and organized employees in their work environments, succeed in their personal endeavors and are, more... Read More

5 Reasons to Organize Your Home Today

Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward organized living. Even if you don't fall into those two stereotypes, you should consider learning and implementing... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed a system you could use to organize your office. In this article we will discuss what material is needed to implement that... Read More

Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life

Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day and a security guard at night. He needs these two incomes in order to stay above water... Read More

Getting Things Done: A Guide To Next-Action Lists

Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by David Allen. GTD increases your productivity by getting things out of your mind, and into a reliable... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Set Up Your Database

What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the contacts you make in your organisation? Do you:Collect business cards and throw them in the bottom of... Read More

Get Organized: 10 Universal Laws

The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in getting organized is to 3-pile everything:pile one is for those things to throw away, pile 2 is... Read More

Creating The Perfect Closet

Your closet is often the first thing you see in the morning, and its condition can determine your mood for the day. There is something about an... Read More

Dont Get Lost In The Shuffle

I have a good friend whom (also being in the same business) I often compare notes with.One of the things that I always give him a hard... Read More

5 Steps From Clutter To Control

Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are 5 practically painless steps to a clean slate.1. Begin by identifying the areas which are most impacting... Read More

Quick Organizing Tips From Assistance For You

Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic plan that can be implemented into everyone's daily life. Just by following these simple steps you can... Read More

How To Organize Your Paperwork

Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming paperwork. (Whatever happened to the paperless office?).Paperwork lands on your desk and somehow finds its way into... Read More

Four Tips For Clearing The Clutter

Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake with bright new leaves, flowers begin to bloom and the grass becomes green once more.Now along with... Read More

The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Organizing Your Kids Rooms

1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing a parent should do before decorating a kid's room?Get rid of the clutter! Because we are such... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Making Housework More Manageable

Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just seems overwhelming. Why is that? Because it never ends! You never get done! In order to make... Read More

Making Space - Letting Go of Clutter

To make room for new things to come into you life, you have to create space for such things. If your environment or life is packed with... Read More

10 Easy Maintenance Tips vs Piling on the Chaos

Whether you are in your own business or an employee (or neither) -- if you have a family and a home you are in the business of... Read More

35 Santity Savers - Get More Productive

Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you become more productive and get more done in less time, so you can get on with life!EmailOnly... Read More

Your Organizing DNA

Do you like storing your papers on top of your desk in trays, baskets or just plain piles? Do you have a preference for Post-it notes and... Read More

5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our... Read More

Relieve Vacation Stress By Planning Ahead

Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end of May. What a busy time! Memorial Day is just around the corner and the package for... Read More

Spruce Your Environment, Spruce Your Spirit

After a long winter, this is the time of year to spruce up your environment with a good Spring Cleaning. It's amazing what doing this can do... Read More

The 4-Keys to Clutter Free Living - Design a Space that Nurtures Your Soul

Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down into manageable steps. Tackling too much at once, or underestimating the time and effort it will take... Read More

Be More Productive at Work: Avoid These Eight Traps

Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The more producing you do, the more money you have and the greater success your company has. Right?... Read More

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your Life

Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your LifeAre you still looking for the perfect organizing tool? Is your Filofax too bulky... Read More

Clutter Clearing Tips that Work

Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than just catching up on overdue housework, and staying focused and motivated over the weeks or months it... Read More