From: MAKK Strategies [makkstrategies@topica.email-publisher.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 9:00 AM
To: dem@makkstrategies.com
Subject: [Test Group: HTML] Organized to Save You Time July 2003
MAKK Strategies Organized to Save You Time-July 2003
 In This Issue: July 2003 
•   Editor's Note
•   WORK--10 Time Management Tips for Professionals
•   KIDS--What to do when the toy chest becomes the toy HOUSE!
•   Pittsburgh's Original Ask the Organizer
•   HOME--Bathroom Basics
•   Entrepreneurial Spirit by Angela Rose-O’Brien
 Editor's Note
It has been a trying week for me. My website company inadvertently deleted all my information, including my emails and my website. Day 6 and countless customer service/technical support reps later, I decided to cut my losses and start anew. Check out my new and improved website at www.makkstrategies.com. There are a couple sections that aren't 100% complete but you will find many new features, including a shopping cart section to purchase organizational packages online as well as a calendar section of upcoming workshops. Hope you enjoy it!

Please be sure to check out the last column of this newsletter for an excellent article on Entrepreneurial Spirit by Angela Rose O'Brien, Publisher of Inspiring Times.

Until next time,

Deirdra

*Mention this newsletter and receive an ADDITIONAl 10% off our training packages!

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MAKK Strategies will teach you skills that can be used in every facet of your life.
 KIDS--What to do when the toy chest becomes the toy HOUSE!
Are you contemplating a move into a bigger home because you don't have enough space for your children's toys? Here a few tips to keep you from calling the realtor. :)

1. Toss sports equipment (you know, all the balls, bats, and gloves... that are littering your house) into large plastic bins. Keep these bins near to where your children run in and out. Place all baseball items together, all basketball items together, all tennis items together and so on. Label the bins so that the children will know what sport goes in what bin. It will help to keep all the equipment together and not spread throughout the house.

2. Suspend a net (hammock-style) from the ceiling for all the stuffed animals. Be sure it is low enough for children to be able to reach in easily. It gives the animals a nice "resting" place and keeps them off the floor.

3. Children bring home a ton of artwork from school. Make them feel like Picasso by storing the items in a "Display and Store" picture frame. (See picture to your right). You can order this wonderful invention at http://www.familycalm.com/picture_frame/getorganized.shtml. These boxes can be mounted on the wall, much the same as a photo or piece of artwork.

Click here to contact MAKK Strategies

 HOME--Bathroom Basics
First and foremost, have a few heavy-duty trashbags at your disposal.

Start with the medicine cabinet. Throw out all the expired medications and almost empty containers of shampoo, moisturizer and the like. Also, remove the outer packaging from the items that you are planning on keeping. You would be surprised at how much extra room it takes up. Do the same for the storage area under the sink, if applicable.

Once you have sorted everything and determined what is being kept, survey the items. Put like-minded items together. Use this simple phrase as a rule for containing any and all items: "If I were a ________, where would I be and who would I be hanging out with?"
Example: Shaving cream can be stored with after-shave on a shelf with your razors.

Would a container help to group items together? It is easier to remove a storage bin than it is to try and search thru a bunch of loose items. Purchase plastic containers, but be sure to measure the area you have first. Pipes under a sink may interfere so keep that in mind.

Another tip you might want to try is purchasing a shelf creator. You normally see these in the kitchen for spices or cans. It creates additional space for your items and allows you to see what supplies you have on hand at a glance.

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MAKK Strategies
 WORK--10 Time Management Tips for Professionals
1. PRIORITIZE your responsibilities, spending the majority of your time focused on the most important ones. BY remaining consciousl of activities that are not goal-oriented, you can steer yourself back to the assignments that help meet objectives.

2. SCHEDULE one day a week to concentrate on administrative tasks. Clutter can cost hours each day due to hidden paper and constant distractions. File away all your papers, discard all irrelevent files and paper, and prioritize your in-box.


3. LIMIT the number of face-to-face meetings you attend, opting out of those that don't directly involve you. If you do call a meeting, be sure to create a written agenda and distribute it before the meeting.


4. DELEGATE! Don't be of the "I can do it easier than trying to explain it to someone else" persuasion. Determine which jobs staff members can handle and DELEGATE!


5. SCREEN CALLS-Ask your assistant to screen your calls and, if possible, pass them along to others who can handle them.


6. PLACE RESPONSIBILITY on your calendar. Scheduling puts you in control of your day. Tend to your assignments the same as you would an appointment.


7. GET IN EARLY-Get in a little early to organize your desk and focus on what you want to achieve that day.


8. Check your emails TWICE a day ONLY. Do this the same time every day. This will free you up to focus on other activities. Handle each message you receive-no saving or filing away for later. Same goes for voicemail.


9. Learn to say NO. Try not to accept new projects until you complete the one(s) you are currenly workin on. Maintain focus on the ones already in progress.


10. IDENTIFY your biggest time wasters. Find out whether it is procrastination or simply unannounced visitors that are eating awary at your time and develop strategies to handle them.


Excerpts taken from "Beat the Clock" by Jennifer White.

Contact MAKK Strategies for more Time Management information...

MAKK Strategies can help with all your Time Management issues.
 Pittsburgh's Original Ask the Organizer
Dear MAKK:

I have a big problem trying to figure out what to do with all the mail I get. It just winds up in a huge pile. I am even starting to have problems paying my bills on time because of it. Please help!

A. Allen of Shadyside

Dear "A. Allen":

Yours is a common problem that a lot of my clients have. What you want to do first is to decide where you are going to open your mail. What I mean by that is-where is the "home" for all the bits of mail you decide to keep? I would suggest filing your bills and papers within your desk. Once you decide on a "home" for your mail, always go thru the mail in close proximity to the new "home".

*Immediately throw out the JUNK MAIL-don't even bother opening it.
*BILLS that need to be paid-have file folders or a temporary "tickler" file which have 1-31 on the tabs. Put the bills in the file that coincides with their due date. This way you can find the bills that need to be paid in time to pay them before they become overdue. Once the bills have been paid, put receipt section into a file bearing the name of the company or category. Example: Receipts for your gas bill can be filed either under "Utilities" along with water, electric, etc. or they can be filed under "Equitable Gas". The decision is yours-you must decide how YOU will look for it.
*CATALOGS-Go thru the catalogs immediately, ripping out the pages that have items you want to purchase on them. Don't forget to rip out the mailing envelope that is normally in the middle of the catalog. That way you have an envelope to group the pages together and you also have the contact information for the catalog at your fingertips. Once you finish ripping out the pages, put all the pages within a folder marked "To Purchase".

Using these tips will help keep that "Mail Monster Pile" at bay. Don't let the mail pile up! Good luck!


Ask the Organizer is a regular feature of this newsletter.
Please fax or email your questions to:
Email: dem@makkstrategies.com
Fax: 509-271-4363

If you have a pressing question that can't wait until the next issue of "Organized to Save You Time", let MAKK Strategies know and we will contact you directly with an answer.

Click here to contact MAKK, Pittsburgh's Original Ask the Organizer

MAKK Strategies
 Entrepreneurial Spirit by Angela Rose-O’Brien
We have all heard that a positive attitude, perseverance, wisdom, strength, teamwork, commitment, courage and vision all come together to make success. And I would agree with that statement however, there is one more variable to this equation that I feel is essential. That is passion. “Anything that a person does becomes a work of art, if motivated by passion. Any person that live by this spirit and gives of his/ her time to others helps to make the world a better place and brings more fulfillments to his/her own life.”

It has been my experience that people that choose to make a living out of something that they are truly passionate about, can’t help but to succeed in their endeavor.
People that have a tenacious attitude-armed with loads of persistence, patience, and a great sense of humor are the ones that become our leaders of tomorrow.

Self Discipline is an entrepreneur’s best friend. It is possible to control what happens
to you and your future if you:

Ø Keep A Positive Attitude. You’re bound to encounter obstacles along the road to success. Overcoming such roadblocks begins with telling yourself that you can handle challenging situations.
Ø Set Goals. Having goals motivates people to work harder. Make sure your goals are realistic-neither impossible not too easy to reach. Be certain your goals are your own- not ones that others have set for you.
Ø Know Yourself. Identify your strengths, so you can take advantage of them. Recognize weaknesses, so you can overcome them.
Ø Work to Reach Your Goals. No one will remind you to get your work done. But knowing that you completed the work because you wanted to can be very satisfying.
Ø Learn To Avoid Distractions. Resisting distractions can give you more productive time and contribute to your overall success.

In conclusion, Managing Your Time is a must. Following a daily schedule is the key to ensuring your success.

Angela Rose-O’Brien, publisher
Winner of the Seton Hill University 2003 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award

Inspiring TIMES
Family Publications
23 Carriage Road
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-836-6444
724-836-1047 Fax
InspiringTimes@aol.com

Click here for more info on Inspiring Times Publication

MAKK Strategies offers:
-Organizational Training
-Time Management Training
-Organizational Wellness Program
-Process Improvement & Redesign
-Seminars/Workshops
-Relocation Assistance for Businesses
-On and/or off-site Coaching

Call MAKK Strategies today to schedule your
no-obligation consultation for home and/or office at 412-414-2242 or email us at dem@makkstrategies.com

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