Forums > Social Discussion > Burning the candle...in the fire
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the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
How do you balance things when you are busy?
What techiniques do you use to get organized and make sure everything gets done?
How do you balance things when you are busy?
What techiniques do you use to get organized and make sure everything gets done?
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
Oh, I would certainly love to hear more about that one... 
got some ideas/ theories though... 
Oh, I would certainly love to hear more about that one... got some ideas/ theories though... the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'm a great fan of lists. I spill everything from my head onto a piece of paper and it allows me to see just how much stuff i've got to do (invariably less than i think). The easy quick things i can then knock off the list straight away (it's amazing how quickly the list shrinks) then i try and order the bigger tasks.
I look at the bigger tasks and try to get some sort of order to doing them. Sometime two or more bigger tasks can be done at the same time and others require you to do one thing first so having it written down instead of filling up brain space allows you to sort it all out and not panic!
I'm a great fan of lists. I spill everything from my head onto a piece of paper and it allows me to see just how much stuff i've got to do (invariably less than i think). The easy quick things i can then knock off the list straight away (it's amazing how quickly the list shrinks) then i try and order the bigger tasks.
I look at the bigger tasks and try to get some sort of order to doing them. Sometime two or more bigger tasks can be done at the same time and others require you to do one thing first so having it written down instead of filling up brain space allows you to sort it all out and not panic!
Gayle.....!
GOLD Member
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Posted:
www.projectkungfu.com
Its free, its handy, I use it for my daily tasks in work.
You create a project, then assign a list of physical tasks, each on has a context.
back on the main page you can tick off each task on the project list and the next one rolls up.
If you really want to get fancy you can use scheduling. Time your hours ect. Im nott hat fancy but it really helps me get these things done.
www.projectkungfu.com
Its free, its handy, I use it for my daily tasks in work.
You create a project, then assign a list of physical tasks, each on has a context.
back on the main page you can tick off each task on the project list and the next one rolls up.
If you really want to get fancy you can use scheduling. Time your hours ect. Im nott hat fancy but it really helps me get these things done.
Love is the law.
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Orga-whatnow?
My technique is close my eyes and pray
Orga-whatnow?
My technique is close my eyes and pray
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
I also am a great fan of lists but most times I forget where I put them... finding them 3 months later and notice: heyas, that got solved by itself. But then again, I neither have a job, or family to take care of... yet.
I also am a great fan of lists but most times I forget where I put them... finding them 3 months later and notice: heyas, that got solved by itself. But then again, I neither have a job, or family to take care of... yet.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
My serious answer
Linda (My lady) is a huge fan of lists, which really work for her.
Me, I'm a PC fan, so have everything written down in my Outlook calenday which is sync'd to my mobile phone with alarms and everything - so generally if someone asks me what's happening on so-and-so date - I'll always have the info to hand.
Then it's just a case of prioritising and lots of late nights
My serious answer
Linda (My lady) is a huge fan of lists, which really work for her.
Me, I'm a PC fan, so have everything written down in my Outlook calenday which is sync'd to my mobile phone with alarms and everything - so generally if someone asks me what's happening on so-and-so date - I'll always have the info to hand.
Then it's just a case of prioritising and lots of late nights
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
Posted:
Lists are good. Microsoft Outlook is like a hard copy of my brain when I'm at work! Everything goes down in the calendar, the task lists and I keep all my emails in different folders with proper names describing what's in them. I'm having trouble at the moment as I seem to have too many emails in different folders to keep up with where everything is! Never underestimate the Durbs technique, it seems to work for me when all else fails!
Lists are good. Microsoft Outlook is like a hard copy of my brain when I'm at work! Everything goes down in the calendar, the task lists and I keep all my emails in different folders with proper names describing what's in them. I'm having trouble at the moment as I seem to have too many emails in different folders to keep up with where everything is! Never underestimate the Durbs technique, it seems to work for me when all else fails!
Idolized by Aurinoko
Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....
Bob Dylan
old hand
898 posts
Location: Binstead, Isle of Wight
898 posts
Location: Binstead, Isle of Wight
Posted:
I'm a clock person, I set a time for things to do. For example; I'm gonna vavuum clean today around 1400.
And if I didn't manage to do it, I can slide the list to the next day, or the next or...
I'm a clock person, I set a time for things to do. For example; I'm gonna vavuum clean today around 1400.
And if I didn't manage to do it, I can slide the list to the next day
, or the next or... Ask a question and be a fool for a minute...don't ask and be a fool your whole life.
member
77 posts
Location: Dorking(home), Sunderland(uni)
77 posts
Location: Dorking(home), Sunderland(uni)
Posted:
I'd recomend a list even if you just write it and don't do the whole cross off thing it helps to focus your mind on what you need to do instead of getting frazzled because you have this and this and this to do but don't know which to start first. Also helps you not forget them. I suppose it depends on how organised you are or how organised you want to be.
I'd recomend a list even if you just write it and don't do the whole cross off thing it helps to focus your mind on what you need to do instead of getting frazzled because you have this and this and this to do but don't know which to start first. Also helps you not forget them. I suppose it depends on how organised you are or how organised you want to be.
Fear my wrath and call me muffin for I am the muffin of doom!!
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
It's what I am using now, and has served me well until recently, when I got overly super busy.
Like most, I am so good at making lists. I even remember where I put them (in my dayplanner!), but I don't always remember to look at it.
Now that I am in charge of so much, oh so much, I need to figure it out. Balance in my life is all wonky...and I am craving it.
At least I am getting to all my meetings on time.
Written by: Durbs
Orga-whatnow?
My technique is close my eyes and pray
It's what I am using now, and has served me well until recently, when I got overly super busy.
Like most, I am so good at making lists. I even remember where I put them (in my dayplanner!), but I don't always remember to look at it.
Now that I am in charge of so much, oh so much, I need to figure it out. Balance in my life is all wonky...and I am craving it.
At least I am getting to all my meetings on time.
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
member
77 posts
Location: Dorking(home), Sunderland(uni)
77 posts
Location: Dorking(home), Sunderland(uni)
Posted:
You could try assigning time for you to do the things on your list... set alarmed reminders to go off when you should be doing something. Only problem with that is that i's not always the most convenient time to do everything.
try having the list on the outsite of your dayplanner? so it's in a more obvious place. Or using brightly coloured paper or pens to draw attention to it. This will help you to remember it and will draw your eye to it everything you open your planner.
You could try assigning time for you to do the things on your list... set alarmed reminders to go off when you should be doing something. Only problem with that is that i's not always the most convenient time to do everything.
try having the list on the outsite of your dayplanner? so it's in a more obvious place. Or using brightly coloured paper or pens to draw attention to it. This will help you to remember it and will draw your eye to it everything you open your planner.
Fear my wrath and call me muffin for I am the muffin of doom!!
SILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
Posted:
How about getting a Personal Assistant to make your lists for you, and to do half the work? Where I work now I'm acting PA to about 6 different people, I could do with one of my own! Especially good if they know back massage techniques...
One way of not forgetting things for me involves my phone. I can set about seven different alarms to go throughout the day and assign photos to each one, so like, I get an alarm going in the morning with a picture of the pill and remember I need to take the pill, it goes again before I leave with a photo of a travel card and reminds me I need a new travel card before I can get the train, etc
How about getting a Personal Assistant to make your lists for you, and to do half the work? Where I work now I'm acting PA to about 6 different people, I could do with one of my own! Especially good if they know back massage techniques...
One way of not forgetting things for me involves my phone. I can set about seven different alarms to go throughout the day and assign photos to each one, so like, I get an alarm going in the morning with a picture of the pill and remember I need to take the pill, it goes again before I leave with a photo of a travel card and reminds me I need a new travel card before I can get the train, etc
Idolized by Aurinoko
Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....
Bob Dylan
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
I write a list for everything I need to do for the week and update it every day. I don't always get through everything because I tend to plan a little too many things in not enough hours, but at least I have an overview there with priorities, and what can possibly be shifted to the next day or week.
Crossing things out feels so good.
Maybe 1 alarm would be enough for you, Pele? "Check list in dayplanner!!!"? 
I write a list for everything I need to do for the week and update it every day. I don't always get through everything because I tend to plan a little too many things in not enough hours, but at least I have an overview there with priorities, and what can possibly be shifted to the next day or week.
Crossing things out feels so good.
Maybe 1 alarm would be enough for you, Pele? "Check list in dayplanner!!!"?
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
Pooh-Bah
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
Posted:
oooh, i had to learn to be really organised really quickly when i started my first job...even 3 years of working @ uni couldn't prepare me for managing a whole show (well part of one...)
so i did the list thing, it really works to get your brain sorted. depending on what it is i've got to do i sometimes plan my day out by time as well, so i know how long i've got to do each thing.
something stage management is good for is keeping track of other people as well. because actors never have a clue what they're supposed to be doing or when. you have to remember eveyone else's timetable as well as your own, i think stretching your brain and practising really works. now i have a really amazing internal clock, which is rubbish sometimes when i want to relax! but it means that i always have a kind of good idea what's coming up and what i should be doing.
Practice here!
oooh, i had to learn to be really organised really quickly when i started my first job...even 3 years of working @ uni couldn't prepare me for managing a whole show (well part of one...)
so i did the list thing, it really works to get your brain sorted. depending on what it is i've got to do i sometimes plan my day out by time as well, so i know how long i've got to do each thing.
something stage management is good for is keeping track of other people as well. because actors never have a clue what they're supposed to be doing or when. you have to remember eveyone else's timetable as well as your own, i think stretching your brain and practising really works. now i have a really amazing internal clock, which is rubbish sometimes when i want to relax! but it means that i always have a kind of good idea what's coming up and what i should be doing.
Practice here!
I had a dream that my friend had a
strong-bad pop up book,
it was the book of my dreams.
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
I came across this one
Now - I wanted to give you a link to his website and had to find out, that all sections are currently under development... hasn't changed since March 2005... which clearly shows me how human we remain, even if our concepts are so evoluted...
At least it points out that I'm not alone with the "mess of my life"..
I came across this one
Written by: Dr. Joe Dispenza
"I wake up in the morning and I consciously create my day the way I want it to happen. Now sometimes, because my mind is examining all the things that I need to get done, it takes me a little bit to settle down and get to the point of where I'm actually intentionally creating my day. But here's the thing: When I create my day and out of nowhere little things happen that are so unexplainable, I know that they are the process or the result of my creation. And the more I do that, the more I build a neural net in my brain that I accept that that's possible. (This) gives me the power and the incentive to do it the next day.
Now -
I wanted to give you a link to his website and had to find out, that all sections are currently under development... hasn't changed since March 2005... which clearly shows me how human we remain, even if our concepts are so evoluted... At least it points out that I'm not alone with the "mess of my life"..
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,750 posts
Location: Europe,Scotland,Both
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,750 posts
Location: Europe,Scotland,Both
Posted:
I am not really a list person, I do make them for packing, and final things like moving house or going for an interview, but day to day (and ive had some pretty complex jobs) I just let it flow out of me, but my unconcious works strange, i never learn things, i just read them once and out they pop at the right time.
my main peice of advice is, if theres something niggling you in the back of your brain, find out what it is! it could be a worm...
T
I am not really a list person, I do make them for packing, and final things like moving house or going for an interview, but day to day (and ive had some pretty complex jobs) I just let it flow out of me, but my unconcious works strange, i never learn things, i just read them once and out they pop at the right time.
my main peice of advice is, if theres something niggling you in the back of your brain, find out what it is! it could be a worm...
T
This is a post by tom, all spelling is deleberate
-><- Kallisti
SILVER Member
artisan
1,576 posts
Location: Berkshire, UK
artisan
1,576 posts
Location: Berkshire, UK
Posted:
at the moment I am not busy enough to make a definitive diary/organiser. I can happily organise roughly in my head
at the moment I am not busy enough to make a definitive diary/organiser. I can happily organise roughly in my head
SILVER Member
lapsed spinner
412 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
lapsed spinner
412 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posted:
I don't write physical lists very often, generally the grand plan exists only in my head - can be a problem though, especially if you're working on a team and need to all know what's going on. I generally try to prioritise according to the following:
1. Important and Urgent - do first!
2. Urgent but not important (try to spend as little time as possible here)
3. Not urgent but important (try to keep focussed on these ones the whole time, because they will eventually creep up on you! I find these are often the tasks most personal to me - like spending time with a friend, or getting some exercise. Currently i think my thesis may also be hiding in here because i don't want to think about it just yet! It's easy to get bogged down in no. 2 above, and not have time for your real priorities.)
4. Not urgent or important - always good to ask yourself, if it's neither of the above, is it worth the effort?
I do depend heavily on my diary and laptop to remember my actual schedule - like meetings or deadlines - anything external to me that I can't change. - my memory just isn't what it used to be!
I don't write physical lists very often, generally the grand plan exists only in my head - can be a problem though, especially if you're working on a team and need to all know what's going on. I generally try to prioritise according to the following:
1. Important and Urgent - do first!
2. Urgent but not important (try to spend as little time as possible here)
3. Not urgent but important (try to keep focussed on these ones the whole time, because they will eventually creep up on you! I find these are often the tasks most personal to me - like spending time with a friend, or getting some exercise. Currently i think my thesis may also be hiding in here because i don't want to think about it just yet! It's easy to get bogged down in no. 2 above, and not have time for your real priorities.)
4. Not urgent or important - always good to ask yourself, if it's neither of the above, is it worth the effort?
I do depend heavily on my diary and laptop to remember my actual schedule - like meetings or deadlines - anything external to me that I can't change. - my memory just isn't what it used to be!
Helen_of_Poi
EJC Ireland 2006 Organisational Team
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