Short-Term Goal Setting

My 10-year-old son’s goal was to finish a book. He made the following “To Do” list:
1. read
2. think
3. read
4. think
5. think
6. read
7. think
8. snack
9. read
10. think
His list continued to #23. I use lists for daily tasks, weekly chores, household projects, shopping, long-term goals, etc, which is why my child is making a list on how to read a book. Lists are helpful for me. They do not work for everyone. Here are a few ideas about setting short-term goals:

1. If the activity can be completed in less than 5 minutes, do it now.

2. Prioritize – pick 1 to 3 things you’d like to accomplish today.

3. Designate a specific time to complete the activity.

4. Estimate the time you’d expect the activity to take, and then add extra time to allow for interruptions and surprises. Some experts suggest doubling the estimate.

5. When you have a large project, break it into small steps. Focus on one step at a time.

Whether you make lists or not, planning is critical in achieving goals.

Our Throw-Away Mentality

I just watched a thought-provoking video at www.storyofstuff.com. According to the speaker, Annie Leonard, only one percent of products purchased are still in use six months later. Now, I realize statistics can be misleading. This statistic probably includes consumables like food and cleaning supplies. Yet, this does make me stop and think.

And so, I’m asking myself, “How much am I consuming and how fast am I consuming it?”

Every time a new item is purchased, you need to find a space for it. At some point, there is no more space and organizing the area is necessary. Limiting what comes into your home is the “green” thing to do, it saves money, and it makes organizing your space easier.

Take a look at what comes into and out of your household. Before purchasing, ask yourself, “Will I still be using this in six months?” “Do I already have an item that can serve this purpose?” “Can I rent or borrow this, instead of buying?” “Will I use this often?” “Do I absolutely love it and will I still enjoy this item next year?”

My resolve: I’m going to work on using less paper. What is one thing you can do to decrease your consumption?

In Case of Emergency File

A few years ago, a good friend of mine passed away. She had taken care of all the bills and record keeping. Besides dealing with the grief of her loss, her husband had to quickly get a handle on their financials, which only added to his incredibly difficult situation.

Who pays the bills, files important documents, keeps the financial records in your household? If something were to happen to that person, would someone else be able to step in and take care of the finances?

Donna Smallin, author and professional organizer, recommends making an “In Case of Emergency File”. Ask yourself, “What would someone need to know to take over the finances in this household?” Include necessary information in one file. This may include: bank acct numbers & passwords; phone numbers of attorney, accountant, financial planner, investment broker; location of important document: social security cards, insurance policies, will, power of attorney.

Let significant people in your life know about this file. Review this file yearly and make any necessary updates. This is a mundane job. Force yourself to take care of this. Your family will appreciate it in the unlikely event of a tragedy.