Focus Tip #3

The “C” in FOCUS stands for:

Curb your screen time

The screen time I am referring to can be two different things – the computer and/or the television. To improve your daily focus, decrease the amount of time you spend in front of those screens.  If you want to increase your productivity and accomplish more each day, you must be aware of how you spend your time.  Many of my clients have made comments like “the internet is a black hole”, “I get sucked in if I sit down and turn on the TV”, or “I am addicted to Facebook”.  I understand that at times we are so overwhelmed by our situations, that the screen can be a nice escape. But we must control our time and how much we sit in front of a screen has a direct correlation to how productive we are.

To manage your screen time you can:

1. Set boundaries and manage when and for how long you will be in front of the screen
2. Use a timer to remind you when you need to step away from the screen
3. Plan your day and use the screen time as a reward for getting important priorities out of the way first

Focus Tip #2

The “O” in FOCUS stands for:

Opt out of a few things

As you go through your week be on the look out for things that crowd your life but do not bring value.

My mentor, Barbara Hemphill, always said  that a productive environment is “an intentional setting in which  everything around you supports your goals and who you want to be”.  Sit with that for a minute. ….   Now look around your desk, your home, your emails and what do you find there that does not support your goals and who you want to be?  Here are a few examples of things I have found that don’t bring value to my life:

1. Subscribing to a blog feed that I never read
2. Getting an weekly email that had quotes that I never found useful
3. Magazines that I never read
4. The weekend newspaper
5. A networking group that met in the evening

This short list is an example of how, over a period of time, we fail to see the things that are not useful.  While we do not “see” them, they do add to the mental clutter of our minds.  Seeing the weekend paper, for example, stack up on the entry table makes me feel guilty for not taking the time to read it.  I also feel the neglected newspaper is a waste of natural resources if I am not using it; after all, trees were cutdown to make that newspaper.

In order to focus, we must opt out of a few things.  These things may be in the “background” of our day to day life and we may not pay much attention to them.  However, they are still in our peripheral. If we want better focus and more time in our day, we need to get rid of the unproductive things to make room for life.

So, I’m curous. What can you opt out of this week?  Post a comment here.

Focus Tip #1

I’m tired of hearing that old cliche “There’s not enough hours in a day!”

News Flash:  There ARE enough hours in the day if you focus! I will be posting 5 tips, distinct actions, that you can implement to improve your focus. And just to be crafty, I am making “FOCUS” an acronym to help you remember.

The “F” in focus stands for

Forget multitasking

Multitasking is not an effective way to focus your energies.  It actually will slow you down.  Many people brag about multitasking (namely moms who have a million things to do).  But multitasking just gives you a false sense of productivity.  ” Those who multitask are actually less efficient than those who focus on one project at a time”, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Here’s my analogy of multitasking.  Stand at a light switch on your wall.  Now turn it on….

Turn it off

Turn it on

Turn it off

Turn it on…

Not only is that annoying but it will eventually make your finger tired too.  In this analogy, your brain is the light switch and your tasks (or areas of focus) are the light and the darkness. Your brain does not really do to things at the same time, it is literally switching back and forth between the tasks. You are losing precious time in the switching back and forth.

Warning – short term memory loss ahead!  How many time have you been frustrated about forgetting your train of thought or losing what you were about to say?  Multitasking can contribute to short term memory loss.

So in order to increase your focus do things one at a time to completion.  Don’t think about the next task until you have finished the first one, at least to some point of completion.

Creating a Menu Plan

Creating your menu plan is easy.

Just the first step is hard… Making the commitment!

Once you have made the commitment and started the menu plan, you are on your way.  Essentially all you need to begin is a sheet of paper.  There are many menu planning forms out there, here’s one I came upon recently. I have a small 3 ring binder in the kitchen cupboard that holds my menu plans.  Find a place to keep yours handy in your kitchen.

You can plan breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day, but I found that just having a menu plan for dinner was sufficient.  It is a great help in simplifying my evening routine.  To create a menu, first list the days of the week. Next, decide on an entree and side dishes for each day.

Here is a sample dinner menu plan:

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Chicken AlfredoSalad	Taco SaladChips	Turkey RoastGreen beans Stuffing Gravy	Sandwich Night!	SalmonRice Broccoli	SpaghettiSalad	HamburgersPotato SaladBeans

Once you have your menu written out, you can then create a grocery list.  Don’t forget to check your pantry for things you already have on hand.  If a meal you are preparing requires a recipe, put the cookbook and page number right on your menu plan.  Save the menu plans that you create because once you have 6 weeks worth or more, you can re-use them.  Again, it simplifies meal planning even further!  I have been planning menus for more than a decade and have a nice selection of menu plans to mix and match. No menu planning is a no-brainer!

Got to go!  Making chicken quesadillas for dinner!

Daily Recipe for Success

As a busy wife/mom/entrepreneur, by the time 4:30 rolls around each day I am ready to kick off my shoes, have a cup of tea, and just relax.  But, alas, I cannot.  It’s time to make dinner!

I don’t know about you but the last thing I want to think about is “What’s for dinner?“.  Or the panic feeling “Is anything defrosted?”.  I know that the easy way out is to pick up fast food, but that is not the healthy way out!  Having raised 5 kids, with 3 college kids still at home, dinner is always part of the daily routine.  Years ago, I discovered how to organize dinner time in such a way as to relieve my stress, save me time, and even save me money!  This daily recipe for success involves a menu plan.

A menu plan is a system for planning your meals.

• It helps with preparation because you can make a shopping list from the menu you create.
• It helps ensure that your family eats healthier than the McDonald’s menu.
• It saves you time because you simply follow your plan and take things out to defrost in time for meal preparation.
• It is flexible because you can switch the daily menus.  You have the ingredients on hand so, for example, changing the day you eat tacos will not mess up your week.
• It saves your sanity because you know what you are having and can prepare accordingly – no more last-minute panic!
• It saves money, because you do not buy extra things not on your list because you now know exactly what is needed.

It’s quite simple to make a menu plan – I’ll talk about that next time.  Do you have any questions about menu planning?

This is off the hook!

Really, I mean off the hook.  In other words, here are my thoughts on how to best use the hook.  A hook is an organizing tool that attaches  to a vertical surface and is used to hang things.  Sometimes, when organizing we forget about the ever important hook. Where there are space limitations, going vertical may be the answer.  Here’s a partial list of uses for a hook, categorized by room:

• In the Bedroom – hang robes, work out towels, jewelry, scarves, belts
• In the Guest Room – hang towels, laundry bag
• In the Bathroom – hand towels or clothes you will wear after bathing
• In the Kitchen – hang keys, aprons, shopping toes, display plate collections
• In the Mudroom – hang dog leash, jacket, purse, umbrella
• In the Hall Closet – hang ironing board, work out bag, hats

In Saturday’s newspaper (I only read the weekend editions) the Hints from Heloise column sported these ideas from a reader:

• Next to the kitchen sink to hang rings, watches, etc. while doing the dishes
• Install one near the back door for various uses
• Put one in the closet to hold belts, scarves, etc.
• Place one in the bathroom to hang necklaces, bracelets, etc.
• Use to keep training plants happy

What unique ways have you found to use hooks to keep things organized?  Would love for you to comment here!

Shoe Maintenance?? What’s that?

Since I just finished helping you decide how you would organize your shoes, I cannot leave the subject without mentioning the need for shoe maintenance.  I have some shoes that I really love.  I really love them because they are really comfortable.  I’m sure you have a few pair like that… I find that having a small shoe maintenance kit is a must since we want to keep our comfortable shoes for as long as we can.

Here’s a content list for creating a shoe maintenance kit:

• Buffing Brush
• Suede Brush (only if you own suede footwear)
• Sneaker cleaner
• Black and/or your color choice of shoe polish
• Scuff  polish
• Buffing cloth
• Shoe laces (if you wear sneakers or other laced shoes)

I put it all together in a clear zippered pouch (like those packages used for window valances you purchase).  You can store the shoe maintenance kit in your closet or the coat closet if you want your family to have easy access to it.

Here’s a photo of my shoe maintenance kit.

Shoe Storage Options

There are many types of products available to store shoes.  I am featuring three products that I have used personally.

The first one, a shoe cubbie system, is my favorite.  It holds your shoes in a relatively small space, they are easily visible and you can grab them out with one hand!  I love easy access.  That also means easy to put away!  This shoe organizer will accommodate 20 pairs of women’s or children’s shoes. Each individual space measures 4″w x 6″h, and allows you to use toe-to-heel storage placement for scuff-free storage.  You can also order this system with doors, in case this is not being put in your closet.

The next storage idea is the shoe container.  It is usually made of plastic and the see-thru or clear    types are best.  These can be stacked on top of one another or placed on shelves.  The downside is that you have to remove and replace the lid each time.  I have used these shoe containers on a shoe rack and put the lids beneath the shoes that I wear the most so that I do not hassle with the lids.  The upside of using lids is that it keeps your shoes dust free.  I also label each shoe container and organize the boxes so that all brown shoes, for example, are in the same row.                                            (But if you know me, you know that I label EVERYTHING!)

Lastly, if you like to put away the off season shoes, then I recommend using the underbed shoe storage bags. I take my off season shoes and put them away because it makes my closet area looks neater and there is not so many choices staring at me when it is time to get dressed (i.e. I don’t have to look past the sandals to find my rain boots!).  Another use for the underbed shoe storage bag is for the shoes that are rarely worn, like the formal shoes, or special activity shoes (such as my flamenco shoes… did I mention I dance??!)

In the end, these storage options are all very viable but you have to do what works for you; for your unique personality and your closet space.  Who knows, if you live on Hawaii you may just need a few baskets to throw your flip flops into and you’re all set!

Don’t touch the shoes!

I have been offering tips on clothes organization so far.  Dare I attempt the shoes next?

Okay ladies, I understand the love of shoes. I really do!  I remember when I was 16, I discovered Marshall’s and their shoe department.  The prices were so great and I had birthday money to burn, so I happily purchased 8 pair of shoes that day. Yes, 8 pairs in one day!  Thankfully I haven’t gone that hog wild since.  I usually purchase one pair of shoes at a time (unless my dear daughter is with me!).

In order to organize those shoes we have to first talk about purging a few pairs. If you are anything like me and my girlfriends more shoes come into the house than leave it….

Set aside some time and have a good CD or your iPod ready.  Next, gather all your shoes from around the house and pull all shoes out from your closet.  Put on the music, and sort your shoes into 4 categories.

1. Needs repair
2. Fall/Winter
3. Spring/Summer
4. All Year (these include those oh-so-comfy favorites)
5. and I forgot to mention this last one – Donate (don’t hate me!)

Now take the ones that need repair and place them in a bag by the door to take to the shoe repair shop the next time you do errands. Then, in another bag, put the shoes you have decided to donate.  My advice: have your spouse or friend drop them off at a donation center for you.  Saying good-bye won’t be so hard that way.

Now you are left to organize Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer, and All Year’s shoes.  Stay tuned for shoe organization products in my next post!

An Organized, Savvy Wardrobe

Still on the wardrobe topic – wouldn’t you like to have the most put together wardrobe of the season?

Are you ready to simplify your wardrobe? Here’s a formula ( and you don’t have to know algebra) for creating a wardrobe filled with possibilities. It’s called:

Capsule Theory of Wardrobing

Start with your choice of 4 bottoms ( skirts, skorts, pants, capris,etc)

Add your choice of 5 coordinating tops (tshirts, blouses, shirts)

These nine pieces, since they all coordinate, make for a total of 20 outfits combinations! But wait, there’s more….

Add one jacket and that equals a total of 40 outfits;

add another jacket and that equals a total of 60 outfits

and add one more jacket and the total combination of possible outfits equals 80 outfits!!

That means that with only 12 articles of clothing, you have 80 possible wardrobe combinations!  While I cannot illustrate the combinations for you on this blog post,  I can promise you that I saw this demonstrated live and it works!

I learned this useful technique from an image consultant, Lois Payne.  Using different pieces that coordinate enables you to have less clothing but a larger wardrobe… Brilliant! And we haven’t even talked about adding accessories..

So, is anyone willing to try this capsule wardrobe idea?  I am going to use it for my winter wardrobe this year… who’s with me?!