I Teach People

Since it is a slow time of year for many people, it makes good sense to get organized, clean up your office, file important papers away, and back up your computer files so that you start off the new year fresh! I recommend backing up your files on a regular weekly basis, but like a weight-loss program, we start off with the best intentions, and somehow our enthusiasm fades. Like anything that is good for us, we often don’t follow best practices.

Why is that?

Time and procrastination are probably the top answers to this question. We skip our weekly office and computer clean up once, twice, or ten times and the pile builds up turning the usual 2 minute job into a massive project. Then we end up with a mountain of notes, magazines, junk mail, business cards, paper clips, receipts and what-not on our desk, plus our computer to back up, and we avoid it even more. There’s something about a clean desk that is inviting and productive looking. It’s easier to get down to work when our workspace is clear.

You’re probably wondering why I’m on this track. Well, this past week I started reading a book called Getting things done, by David Allen.

I really didn’t think I had the time to read another book, but since it was Christmas break, I took a couple of hours to do it anyway.

Wow, in the first 50 pages I learned several new tactics on how to break the cycle of things and projects sitting there waiting to get done. One of the best things I have put into use already is: Do the simple 2-minute tasks immediately as they come up, things like backing up your files. This advice works in all areas of your work and life. By the way Allen says that life and work are the same thing to him. I must agree. As a self-employed SOHO type the line between work and life is non-existent.

So as you start the new year, clean up your office, back up your computer files and start getting things done!

Happy New Year!