Baby Steps

Today, Mama shares what you can do with that overwhelming to do list. I always get added to hers, so I'm not sure how they all work, but, check out the cool advice mama has to give: Sometimes making a to do list, or even looking over one doesn't motivate us much because we are looking at the "whole picture." I'm talking about those all cumbersome projects that keep getting put on the back burner; like cleaning out the closets, picking up in the garage, getting ready for a rummage sale, etc. Having those projects on top of your regular daily tasks can be overwhelming. Here's what you do... Block out 15 minutes each day and start on one project. Set a timer. Once those 15 minutes are up, you're done for the day. It's been my experience however, that once I start I'm so involved in what I'm doing that I'll easily use up 30 minutes or more, and my task is nearly done! Setting a goal of 10-15 minutes is a simple "baby step" to get yourself started. Sometimes, it's all you can spare in your day. So don't make it an overwhelming task just to get through your list. Be patient with yourself and your projects, and you'll have it all complete before you know it! Here's waggin' at ya!

Staying On Task

Whenever mama suggests we go somewhere or do something special I get so excited I can hardly stand it! I don't know what all I'm going to be doing, but going places with mama and doing special activities is always fun! Mama has to slow me down and remind me of my manners and take time to gather anything we may need to take with us. Mama says that often business owners, when they're just starting out are a lot like me. They get so excited about what they are doing that they have a hard time slowing down and taking things one step at a time. Here's mama's story on working with an anxious entreprenuer: Ah, yes, the eager business owner. He's just started his dream, and is excited about his new adventure! There are so many ideas floating around in his head he doesn't know where to begin. When he shares with you all that is going to take place, he jumps from one subject to the next and you aren't sure how to follow his enthusiasm! How does he stay on track with everything? Just beginning to work with the eager business owner, I have learned he just needed a start. So he's started with a notebook, writing everything down that comes to mind. We've also started with composing a few marketing peices and developing a business plan. From there we will know what the next important step is to take. He needs to be patient with himself and the process. Eventually important goals will be attainable and his mission will fall into place. Come back tomorrow to find out what to do with those overwhelming to do lists! Here's waggin at ya!

Hunt And Peck

Have you ever watched a dog bury their treasure and find it later? I carefully choose the place I think is an ideal spot. I will dig as deep as I think is necessary and drop the item there. My nose always knows where to take me to find it again. Mama doesn't quite understand how that all works, after all , to her a bone is a bone, and she thinks they all should smell the same. However, there are some differences. In the same way, people have their own way of organizing things so they can find exactly what they need, when they need it. Mama talks about that in today's blog: Have you ever met the employee that knows exactly what is expected of her, but her method of putting it all together is to hunt and peck? Fortunately, she knows exactly what pile and corner "it" all lays, but, how does that help out the co-worker that has to fill in for her when she is absent? I was an administrative assistant for a director who had piles upon piles in her office. If you asked her where client so and so was, she knew just what pile and how many folders down it was. I was fortunate that I rarely got a phone call from a customer asking for something that was buried in the heap of file folders. One day my director asked me to help her keep organized. I have to admit, as willing as I was to help her, I did all I could to keep myself from laughing. It seemed an unrealistic task. We actually did find a system that worked for the both of us. We organized and filed all important papers--articles, forms, things she could always go to when it was necessary, but they were not part of her daily routine. We got a new rolodex and started from scratch, eliminating contacts she no longer needed and adding those that recently had come. (These methods helped me as well) As for her client folders--well, those piles I couldn't break her from. She had so many projects going on with so many people at one time that it was just easier for her to sit at her desk with little space to write, and know she could get to any specific folder the minute a client called. For me it was a chaotic mess. For her it was just a simple reach across the desk. If you didn't mind sitting in her office, chatting with her around all those piles, she was a happy camper! Tomorrow's blog: The Eager Beaver! Here's waggin at ya! Bring your agonizing organization battle to mama at sb@acovs.com and mama will share with you special tips on how to handle your problem!

Talented In Clutter

Mama has been very irritated lately with those of us in the house that leave things lie around. It's not just in one room, but several rooms throughout the house. She's been trying to learn ways to keep things picked up and keep everyone happy at the same time. It's been quite the challenge! This is what mama has to say: How can those that live out of clutter function? It's one of those challenges that seem to be a constant source of irritation from both sides. The organized can't stand the look of clutter, let alone find anything, while the cluttered can't find anything that's organized! How do you determine what is the best route? In a home, those that are more talented in clutter may appear as having just left piles of messes throughout the thouse, but indeed have a specific system, or routine that they follow with some of it. It's learning what that system is, and how it can be applied to the various piles found in each room. In most homes there is a "drop off" spot when you enter through the door. Unfortunately, in our home, it's the kitchen table that is about 3 steps away from the door. You come in and everything get's dropped off. There are some family members who don't take what is on the table and put it away, and some that do carry through. Those that don't put things away create a source of frustration for those who work in the kitchen. What we have learned is that there are certain items that are purposely left on the table, and for good reason. So, how is this taken care of? Family members must come to an agreement. We agree on what can be "allowed" on the table and find a basket or box for those items to go into. This container can easily be removed for meal time. The rest of it must be taken care of immediately. Once all concerned are in agreement with what the "rules" are, the plan is put into action. If you find that following through this agreement becomes a challenge, perhaps a little wagering of consequences needs to be put in place. I remember my mother charging us a quarter for every item we left laying around. Once she was paid, our missing item was returned. It was tough to lose the allowance that was given to me, but it didn't take long for me to learn where things should lie! Read again tomorrow to learn how to work with the co-worker that is "strung all over the place." Here's waggin at ya! Write to Mama, sb@acovs.com for a free copy of her article, "What System?"

The Organizing Blues

Casey here--Mama is sharing all sorts of ideas about being organized this week. I have to admit, mama is one of the best organizers I know! Everyone talks about how she has it all together. We have a really good routine that we follow around our house. I always know where my things are and what's happening next. The following are some topics that mama will be addressing in her posts. Be sure to check back every day to see what ideas she has to share! Being the organized "guru" of our home, I often wonder how those that are...hmmm, shall we say, more talented in clutter than I can function. It's one of those challenges that seem to be a constant source of irritation from both sides. The organized can't stand the look of clutter, let alone find anything, while the cluttered can't find anything that's organized! How do you determine what is the best route for your family? What about the employee that knows exactly what is expected, but her method of putting it all togehter is to hunt and peck. Fortunately she knows exactly what pile and corner "it" all hides in, but how does that help out the co-worker that has to fill in for her when she is absent? Then there's the eager business owner. He's just started his dream and is excited about his new adventure! There are so many ideas floating around in his head he doesn't know where to begin. When he shares with you all that is going to take place, he jumps from one subject to the next and you aren't quite sure how to follow his enthusiasm! How does he keep on track with everything? I have worked with people in all of these situations. It's a challenge to keep them organized and on task. However, I have learned that everyone is organized--just in their own way. Check back tomorrow when we focus on those who are at the home front. Here's waggin' at ya! For more info on how to remember those all important phone calls, contact Mama, sb@acovs.com for a free copy of her article: "Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up"

Where Is It?

Mama was watching me go through my toy basket one day. I carefully took out all the toys that I didn't want and spread them all over the living room floor until I found the one I was looking for. With a big sigh mama said, "Casey, one of these days I'm going to figure out a way to teach you how to put those toys all back in the basket!" I guess cleaning up was never my forte, can't say that lining my toys up in any orderly fashion is either. I just dig in the basket until I find exactly what I want. Mama spends lots of time training me on manners and obedience, and in picking up after me. I don't know if she'll ever be able to get me to pick up my toys! Are you challenged with finding those things that you need or want? Do you put things back where they belong, or do you save that project for "tomorrow?" Do you remember where you've left your keys? Have you ever had so much to do that your to do list is overwhelming, and you either don't finish, or you don't know where to begin?! Every day this week mama will share her answers to organization and staying on top of it all. Visit again tomorrow to read mama say, "How do you determine what is the best route?" Here's waggin' at ya! Moving your office to another location? See how ACO can help you organize the big event, http://www.acovs.com/.

Traveling Treasures

I love buried treasures! I love to bury the treasures and hunt for them later! I try to hide my bones from my brother so that I can enjoy them again later, in hopes that he doesn't find them. I get excited when I get to dig a hole and bury my treasures! Mama is all excited about a treasure she found. The following is a story of her special finding. Earlier this week mama was talking with a cashier. The cashier had found a removable coupon on one of mama's grocery items. Mama had informed the cashier that she didn't have any coupons with her, and the little 55 cent savings was all she'd get for the day. The cashier claimed it was a day that "everyone" seemed to forget their coupons at home. That led mama to thinking about the days that she would spend hours looking through the newspaper ads on a Sunday afternoon, clipping coupons of all the items she thought we needed to purchase that week, or would be using within the next month. It was a lot of work to cut, sort, and organize into her little coupon expandable folder. What was disappointing is that she couldn't work it into her schedule to make the best use of those coupons when she needed to. She often forgot what she had cut out each week, and it wasn't in the budget to stock up all the time. Like many other consumers, she would also find herself arriving at the store only to find that she had forgotten her nice coupon file. It was frustrating! Mama also remembers the long waits in line while the woman 2 carts ahead of her handed over 50 coupons for the cashier to go through. Not only did she find herself impatient with the wait, but envious of the woman who could do so well in her savings. Mama knew if she'd stick with it, she would master the "trade", however she did not relish the thought of spending more time figuring out how to rearrange the busy family schedule that was already interrupted several times throughout the week. Then mama met George, and learned of an easier way to save without having to worry about sale deadlines, or the time spent in clipping, or printing out coupons! Road Trip savings allows you to discover a multitude of places to save, all with a simple key tag that is attached to your key chain. That's right, it's similar in size and purpose as your savings key tag that you use at your grocery store, only this tag allows you savings at all sorts of businesses--not just your local grocer. You don't gather points or rewards that add up to use later either. You use this at the time you shop! Here's how it works: Attach a free Road Trip Savings key tag to your keychain. When you visit a participating Road Trip Savings business, hand the cashier your key tag. They'll swipe it and you'll save money-it's as simple as that! Go to www.roadtripsavings.com and register your key tag, plus see the participating businesses where you can start saving right away. Stop back often, as the list is growing fast Where can you get your key tag? There are three different ways: 1) call Geroge, 414-745-5053 to order your key tag, and he will send one to you. 2) Pick one up at any of the participating Road Trip Savings businesses found on the website. 3) Register on line and your key tag will be sent to you. Hit the road to savings today and find your treasures! Here's waggin' at ya! Check out the savings from ACO featured on Road Trip Savings as well. www.raodtripsavings.com If you have any further questions regarding the services of ACO, call 414-241-4512 or visit www.acovs.com