organization

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Need I say more than the title? I can't seem to get organized with my thoughts or my life. I have 3 kids and was able to get through school and finish with all A's, but now that I am out, I can't get a good schedule together. I can't seem to complete a thought. I interrupt myself, I shut down ... Housework is not done and is so out of control that it is overwhelming, I need to get a business plan together, but as of yet haven't done more than put a label on the folder. I do well with a detailed schedule and stick to it like and itinerary, but life isn't like that and I get fouled up too much. Besides being SO scheduled is very boring. As a child I was flighty, in a word, but without a cre in the world. Now I am so worried to miss something or mess something up that I can't get started or organized. I contemplate the failure before anything gets off the ground. I have tried to "just stop it" or "get over it". It doesn't work. I need education. I need tools.

I used to have a similar problem and I managed to get it under control with the use of todo lists. My day has so many things going on and so many interruptions I would really be lost without todo lists.

It's important not to waste your energy or brain space on remembering all the stuff you have to do. It's hard to get stuff done with a clogged head. Just write tasks down, set a priority to the task, forget about it, and continue to tend to the current task at hand. When you are interrupted during a task... Simply update the task in regards to where you left off and finish the task later.

The most critical thing I do is each night, I select my three most important tasks that I want completed the next day. This allows me to wake up in the morning ready to go with what I need to start working on... before the usual interruptions begin pouring in.

As for tools: I use Basecamp from 37 Signals. It's technically project management software, but it's really just a glorified todo list program. I use it for my business projects and personal life. I think software has a major advantage over paper todo lists because of the ease of organization and accessibility (Basecamp is web based).

Thank you so much. I love to do lists, but thought I was overdoing it by having to rely on them. Glad to know. I will look at the basecamp. Anything to help. I am starting my business in a few months, I am getting the final touches on it. Thanks again.

Hi Trialanderror

You can also make a list of the cleaning in the house. Dividing up the rooms. When you go to another room take something with you that belongs there. For example bring a bunch of old news papers from the living room to the shed when you go there. Or bring a tray from the kitchen to the living room to put dirty cups or plates on which you bring to the kitchen again when you go there. Never go with empy hands. I don't know how big your house is, but when you do the washing up you can clean also a few things like the table and a few tops before you start. If you don't have many artifacts the dusting goes quicker. Give everything it's own place, don't move stuff from side to side. Get rid of stuff you haven't used for at least 12 months or more. Clutter only makes more work. If you want to keep things file them away and put them in a spare room.
Good luck with you business.

It's very hard to stick to a schedule when you have 3 kids. Almost impossible, because kids will interfere with any schedule. Maybe remembering that, you can give yourself a break and realize you're doing the best you can. Good luck.

You've gotten some great advice. I'm a big fan of to do lists.

Also, Julie Morgenstern has written a great book about the household management called Organizing From the Inside Out that's at most libraries.

Here's a review of the book:
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/08/ ... nside-out/