How Can I Deal With It All?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile long? An in-tray that's about to collapse? Closets that are jam-packed with junk and a stack of family photos?

Now school is starting and things are just going to get worse! How can you deal with it all?

Often when we look at all there is to do, it can seem and is overwhelming. But if we chunk it down into smaller tasks the world starts to look a lot brighter. Try this 4S strategy.

Sort it.

First review the four areas you want to tackle and determine the following: 1) tasks you enjoy and only you can do such as attend to personal appointments; 2) the things you don't like doing and can transfer to someone else; and, 3) those items you've been meaning to do.

Start it.

Stop procrastinating. Start doing what you find fun and only you can do...now. Don't undertake everything at once or set unrealistic deadlines. Just do one small task to build momentum. Baby steps will turn into giant leaps. Remember make it fun. You'll have a good time and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Share it.

The items you designated as "don't like to do" are the ones you should delegate. If you really don't want to do these things then it's time to find someone else to do them. There will always be something else you prefer to do. So, those items that you are the least enthused about will continue to be a source of frustration and an energy drain for you. Find family members who can help out or hire someone to do the job.

Stuff it.

If there are tasks that continue to show up on your to-do list year in and year out, it may be time to drop them. All the magazines you've been planning to read, get rid of them. That fancy photo album/baby book you've imagined with stencils, calligraphy and witty comments might need to be replaced with a simpler version. Old baby clothes and toys, could be passed on to others. Make some choices and give yourself permission to let go. You'll feel great and get rid of clutter at the same time.

Lisa Martin, PCC, is the author of the acclaimed

In The News:


Ex-Mexico cop pleads guilty in US to organizing cartel hit squad
Chicago Tribune
(Reuters) - A former Mexican police officer accused of organizing a hit squad for the once-powerful Tijuana drug cartel pleaded guilty in a US federal court on Friday to racketeering and drug trafficking, prosecutors said.

and more »

BetaNews

Get organized with WikiPad
BetaNews
WikidPad is a simple text editor that allows you to construct a custom personal wiki on your own PC, perfect for organizing thoughts, ideas, to-do lists, contacts and more. How does it work? Suppose you need to buy a few birthday presents for someone.


CBC.ca

Teamsters trying to organize parkway truckers
CBC.ca
The Teamsters union is attempting to organize nearly 150 dump truck drivers working on the $1.4-billion Windsor-Essex Parkway. Union organizer Rick Parent said he's distributed union cards to several of the drivers. Parent said he couldn't gauge ...

and more »

SimplyUs Brings Couples Closer, With An App For Organizing Their Lives Together
TechCrunch
That idea comes from co-founder Jonathan James' background in productivity software โ€” formerly at Microsoft, James worked on early versions of its SharePoint application, and found that while he was incredibly organized at work, at home he and his ...

and more »

Akron Leader Publications

Organizing Memorial Day parades: A labor of love - and respect
SouthCoastToday.com
By Curt Brown Although the number of veterans who march are dropping in some communities, the organizers of Memorial Day parades on SouthCoast remain passionate and consider what they do to be a labor of love. "There's work involved, but I enjoy ...
Area Memorial Day ActivitiesFenceviewer
Old Coyote named Grand Marshal of Memorial Day paradeThe Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Memorial Day events & observancesWIVB

all 550 news articles »

Benefit being organized for Natick man with ALS
MetroWest Daily News
By Brian Benson/Daily News staff Family and friends of a local man battling ALS are organizing a benefit to support him while trying to raise awareness about the fatal disease and the need to support research to find a cure. Stephen Malieswski, an avid ...


Sydney Morning Herald

Quebec Students Protesting Tuition Hikes Organize on Twitter
Mashable
The hundreds of protesters that were arrested on Wednesday evening in the Canadian province of Quebec for rallying against university tuition hikes have been organizing their efforts on social media for months. The tuition hikes, which would raise ...
The Quebec Student Strike Celebrates 100th DayIn These Times
Mass arrests: Over 700 Canadian protesters detained in police crackdown (VIDEO ...Skim That

all 2,629 news articles »

Jewschool

Nominate someone for the Community Organizing Residency
Jewschool
by Kung Fu Jew [โžš] ยท Friday, May 25th, 2012 From our friends at Bend the Arc, the organization(s) formerly known as Jewish Funds for Justice-Progressive Jewish Alliance-Shefa Fund, the Community Organizing Residency is accepting applications โ€” and ...


Coupon Lady: Organizing your stockpile
The Augusta Chronicle
We would always start our summer vacation helping my grandmother clean, organize and get ready for the canning season ahead. I recall the smell of the Murphy's Wood Soap that we used to scrub the wall paneling and furniture.


Bin-Store's Wide Range of Products Gives Spring Fever to Eager Organizers
SBWire (press release)
Organizing the space around their homes and offices is no easy job, and often there is too much stuff but nowhere to put it. Long-term storage is one option, but most people want to have easy access to their affairs when they need them.

Google News

Spring Clean Your Life

Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More

Control Your Childrens Clutter!!

Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More

10 Common Roadblocks to Getting Organized

1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More

Declutter for Sucess

Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More

Spring Cleaning: Mission Garage Organization

Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More

A Simple Effective Tool To Get And Stay Organized

Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too... Read More

How Can I Deal With It All?

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More

What Momma Never Told Me About Housekeeping

A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More

Making Space - Letting Go of Clutter

To make room for new things to come into you... Read More

Getting Organized - Getting Fit

In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More

Creating The Perfect Closet

Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More

Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More

Thinking Outside the Box

Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More

Organizing - Time is of the Essence!

What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More

Letting Go of Clutter In Your Office

Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More

Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life

Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 1

The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More

Be More Productive - Books to Help You Be More and Do More!

How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More

Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life

Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More

Escaping The Clutter Trap? - 5 Steps For Increasing Productivity And Decreasing Stress

? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in... Read More

5 Easy Tips on Light that You Can Use to Improve Your Day

Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More

Kids Clutter: Organizing at Every Age

Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More

Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter

Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More

Get Organized: 10 Universal Laws

The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More

The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Organizing Your Kids Rooms

1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing... Read More