The Library
Everything you need to teach...and learn
how to become a successful entrepreneur!
Teaching It, Learning It, Doing It!
What sets those that succeed in life and business from those that don’t boils down to what they have been able to accomplish. That may be why they call successful people ‘accomplished’!
It’s easy to detect a very organized person, as well as notice a disorganized person. Whether it comes natural or not, it’s never too late to change or improve your serve. We all struggle in different areas, but getting organized seems to be something everyone struggles with at some point in their life.
I said EVERYONE struggles with organization at some point, and this is well documented
by the sheer abundance of material offered online as advice. So, instead of sending
you to 50 different sites that have great tips, I compiled the most frequently cited
tips-
1. Plan it and forget it
Several of the top organizing professionals insist that every task that you need to do must be written down on a master list. This is essential because your mind will subconsciously think or worry about that task if you don’t have a plan for it. Once placed in a list you have a plan for accomplishing, your mind will “forget” about it, freeing up your mind for the tasks at hand. Makes sense. I’ve found it to be very helpful.
2. Have a routine
Homeschoolers are known for their flexibility, some even refer to themselves as completely fluid. We all know that without some sort of plan, things will fall apart very quickly. One of the best time management tips I received a long, long time ago was to have a specific day for weekly chores. Instead of doing a little of everything everyday, with nothing really getting done well, designate a day for laundry and get it all done, another day to wash all the floors, another day could be bathrooms, etc. Everyone has a different load, but this is a top tip on most lists.
3. Simplify
That term is starting to annoy many from overuse, but we can’t ignore it’s beauty. How many times do you ask yourself, “Is this REALLY necessary?” in actions and activities...even words and possessions. Be ruthless, life is too short, prune the excess. (I’m really writing this to myself.....)
4. Get organized-
Talking to myself, here. How much time do I waste looking for things among the many
piles? When we say we don’t have time to get it all organized, we’re really not ‘thinking
it through’. I have several uber-
5. Make Lists, DayRunners, and Notebooks
Everyone knows about these, and there are libraries full of systems involving all different variations of list making. It all comes down to what works for you. Know what works, and then USE IT! The favorite online system that I came across most often is one called Achieve. Always give the free trial a run before you buy in case it’s not for you.
6. A Big White Dry Erase Board
We have a big dry erase board in our kitchen that serves many purposes. Aside from the occasional, “Congrats....You Did It!” or “Happy Birthday!”, it can list chores needing to be done, a reminder of an appointment that day, or any reminders, encouragers, or grocery lists you might want to use it for.
7. Best Time Management Tool:
A timer. For someone that lives with classic ADD symptoms, I couldn’t live without
a timer. Maybe I should say I wouldn’t have any time to live without a timer. I am
so easily distracted, that setting a timer keeps me on track. Especially with emails.
I set a timer for 31 minutes (I give myself a minute to open the folders, not wanting
to rob precious email time....) and that forces me to attend to the most important
emails first, and if there’s any time left over, I go to the ‘fun’ ones. Works for
me. So if you wondered why I haven’t answered your email....make it more fun? :-
8. Prioritize
Duh. Everyone knows that you should do the most important things first, but in the
tyranny of the urgent, we often get caught in the whirlwind of life. When you’re
homeschooling, often the most important times show themselves unexpectedly, such
as those prime moments when you know an eternal conversation is falling on open ears.
Filing that in the flex time, give yourself 2-
9. Get enough sleep
Like this one? Don’t see how you can do it? America has deified the workaholic, but that image is getting torn down in the last few years. Healthy living taking a predominant role, getting the proper amount of sleep has been proven to not only improve your health, but improve your productivity. Your thoughts will be more clear, you’ll have more energy, and your mood will be.....let’s say...much better.
10. Enjoy the process.
A schedule or time management system is meant to make your life run smoother, with
less stress. If your system is stressing you out, then you are trying to do too much.
Stress is a killer, not to mention a joy-
Top 5 Time-
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination
- Bad nutrition
- Never say no
- Do everything yourself
Top 3 Email Manager Tips:
- Have an opt out day
- Have a delete day
- Answer emails immediately-
or they pile!
12 Most Essential Tools For Any Homeschool:
- Answering machine
- Plan book
- Book shelves
- Lateral file
- Bucket/crate for each student
- School box
- Calculators
- Copier
- Computer
- 3 ring binders
- Prayer
- Optimistic attitude
Top 10 Time Management Tips
For Homeschool Entrepreneurs
©2008 Homeschool-
We don’t only teach them how to tell time, but they learn how to manage their time by watching us...
Scary, huh?
