How do you organize it all?

1. 82

   Ben Zoltakposted 10 years ago

   How do you organize it all?
   
   I am a fly-by-the-seat of your pants kind of guy, but I concede, I need more or better organizational skills. Especially regarding my art and writing career, but also including other jobs and my families schedules too.
   
   I have quite a few projects going on at once, but also moving glacially, and none of them getting done currently. To do lists help, but I never seem to get to the most vital projects, either because they don't pay as much as the mundane work, or because I've got so many things going on, the best most creative tasks/jobs get pushed back and back.... Ad nauseum.

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2. 76

   Silva Hayesposted 10 years ago

   I have the same problem so I will be following the answers here.  My contribution is to break tasks down into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a time.  If I don't, it's too overwhelming.  Making lists helps, also prioritizing.

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3. 73

   The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years ago

   For my projects, I use a day planner and a desk calendar.  I also track my writing submissions/sales through a log that I keep in a notebook. For social things, my husband and I share a Yahoo! calendar to stay organized. Sometimes, however, I still lose focus on projects simply because life interrupts.

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4. 0

   Daveadamposted 10 years ago

   Live the way of zen buddy, & do only one thing at a time....You can't be as good at 2 things at the same time, as you could be by doing them both separately can you....Anyway get on top of everything in your life no matter how long it takes, & then do only one thing at a time with no music playing....Once on top, it's easy to stay on top. :-)

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5. 59

   lotaxhposted 10 years ago

   Personal using EfficientPIM to take note, manage tasks/events, keep diary, etc. (There are many paper management tools such as franklin planner or digital programs, choose the right one is very important )
   My steps below
   1. Set groups based on different items, such as for jobs/ for families
   2. Make a to do lists. (According to the importance/emergency, prioritize all of them, then focus on doing one thing, cross it out of your lists after you finish it. Repeat)
   3. Set a reminder. When facing many stuffs, we are easy to miss time and thing. So set a reminder to alert you when as it needs.
   4. Turn off your phone when you are focused on one thing, which will help you avoid being stopped especially regarding to your art and writing  career.
   Hope it helps

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   1. 73

      The Dirt Farmerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I've done Franklin Covey planner thing. It's great for helping you prioritize, and their seminars are excellent.

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   2. 82

      Ben Zoltakposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Iotaxh, well thought out answer, I will reread again tomorrow! I have only tried about half of your suggestions in the past, can't wait to try more!

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