N
 |
ProductivityNEWS An eNewsletter to help |
|
|
|
Organizing the creative person...and you know who you are Many of you know that during my workshops participants complete a quiz that tells them about their particular organizing style. Some take a more linear approach to things (you like ‘to-do’ lists), tend to be more analytical and have strong language skills—none of which insure an organized or effective time manager. Others are more conceptual in nature--‘big picture’ thinkers. They aren’t too fond of ‘to-do’ lists, but really seem to like Post-it® notes! For this style, traditional organizing systems might not work well. Their approach is more ‘have everything on top of the desk’. Your style is more casual, visual and creative. You know exactly who you are. Michael Csikszentmihalyi is a researcher and author best known for 1) the difficulty of his last name and 2) his book ‘Flow”. Based on his own unique creative talents and innovative approach, he works with companies showing them how to help employees develop more creative approaches to problem-solving and new product development. In addition to some skills needed for creativity, Dr. Csikszentmihalyi also says certain preconditions exist that include organizing and time management principles such as clear goal setting and a reasonable expectation of task completion. To meet these types of preconditions, a clear mental and physical environment is important. It helps creatives remain focused exercise their creativity which includes coming up with new ideas and incubating existing ones. Creatives need to do the same type of things we all do when we practice effective organizing and time management skills…they just might have to approach things a little differently. Organizing one way rather than another, using mind mapping rather than ‘to-do’ lists, using timers to bring you back from the creative dimension when appropriate, and peer coaching to help you keep track of goals, priorities and daily tasking. It's human nature to be strong in one area of our behavior and potentially challenged in the opposite. It's a rare person who is equally strong in all facets. If you're consistently feeling time-pressured or interrupted it is harder to work through a creative process. So do what you can to organize your desk and office in a manner conducive to your style and find tools and techniques to accommodate your style. Then try to minimize distractions while you're incubating ideas. Go ahead...you know who you are! |
|
|
If so, send an email by
|
Organizing Matters - Client stories of challenges, solutions and successes The Challenge... Isabelle was finding she was wasting time in her office because she didn't wasn't motivated to get to her priorities first. First thingi n the morning she found herself doing things that were easy but not necessarily the highest priority. After creating a gameplan for this challenge, she then realized she wasn't able to get into her 'routine' if anything interrupted it. This includes traveling or early morning meetings. The Soution... I encouraged Isabelle to stop being so hard on herself! Routines will forever be interrupted by the business of our business or the business of our life. Setting a more realistic expectation and a 'travel' or 'interruption' routine is probably the best course of action. Result? Anticipate stressors, visualize a non-cluttered environment and rewards yourself after you've organized your space. |
|
|
Book Nook - The review of a book that could help you improve your organizing and time management skills The Creative Spirit by Daniel Goleman, Paul Kaufman, Michael Ray Based on the PBS television series, 'the message is that creativity can be cultivated by anyone'. It talks about intuition, flow and the process of creativity, along with exercises that can help you get your own creative juices going. |
||
|
The CANBE reception
|
What's NEW at Organize it? Presentation sets new record for CANBE. I was fortunate enough to give a presentation to the Communicty Association of Non Profit Board Executives (CANBE) in Kansas City. It was the most attended event ever in their 6 year history with a crowd of over 130. My newest...Virtual organizing. Since I work with clients nationally, I travel a bit. Sometimes my work turns into telephone coaching. But technology now lets me offer another option...virtual organizing for private office assessments and consultations. Ask me about it! New coaching program. For the past couple of years I have been looking for an assessment tool to help clients experience even more success setting their organizing and time management goals into action. I've found an assessment that will be truly terrific tool. Learn more about it in the coming months. Sponsoring April 18th seminar in Kansas City. I am co-sponsoring an event in K.C. on April 18th in the Plaza. The morning seminar is entitled 'File it, Pile it or Scan it--Which should you do?' Interested in attending? Let me know. April 28-30 in Dallas. I will be conducting a breakout session for Certified Contractors Network at their Spring conference in Dallas. In print. I was quoted in the in the winter issue of BusinessWeek's SmallBiz magazine. I was also in the September/October 2005 issue of Flourish magazine here in KC. My 15 seconds of fame! |
|
|
Gadgets - to save time and space SwissMemory USB The Swiss Army knife has been updated. They have added a USB flash drive (detachable) as well as a pen and LED flashlight. By Victorinox, $60 to $160. The Keyboard Organizer That's right. The good old keyboard has been re-designed to include a clam-shell storage compartment underneath. It has enough room to store CDs, markers, business cards, stamps, labels, and other small items. And it does all that by being only 1/10th of an inch thicker than a normal keyboard. By My-KeyO. Goto www.keyboardorganizer.com. $24.95 to $29.95. Fold-Away Desk for Laptops This is ia very portable desk, but if you don't want to carry it you can bolt it to the wall. Go to www.russellandhazel.com or call 888.245.5837. it retails for about $135 and for you creative guys...it comes in different colors and arrives with polka-dot Post it ® notes, corresponding cards, and colorful magnets and pencils! |
||
|
That's It For Now Look for the next edition of ProductivityNEWS in the FALL. If you've got questions or ideas to share between now and then, send an email to cynthia@propartnersinc.com And always remember to... Clear your desk. Clear your mind. Organize it.® © Cynthia Kyriazis 2006 |
||
