Five Cues That Will Keep You Calm and Collected

Are you a visual person? Do you use items to remind you to do things? You probably would benefit from using these five cues to help you be more organized, more focused and more effective. The reminders are often subtle—and are probably unique to you!  Consider using any or all of these to catch your attention!
Calendar.  Use your calendar to record reminders—not only lists, but to actually schedule. A half-hour planning session at the first of each week and 5-10 minutes each day will keep you on top of your game.  Seeing a looming deadline will spur you towards planning and preparing for it. Check it regularly—and check forward.  A calendar you never look at is of little use. If are using an electronic calendar of any type, use the audible reminders to keep you aware of appointments.
Contain.  Have a regular place where things go. The old adage “a place for everything and everything in its place,” still holds true.  Find an accessible, safe place to put things. Maybe it’s an action file box or a notebook. Or it could be a place in your digital files or on your computer desktop. A container near the entrance to your office of home in which to place anything that needs to go elsewhere will make your errands more efficient. And, a separate one for things coming in (your “in box”) will give you a place for new items without creating stacks.  Always finish the cycle of your activity—don’t put it down—put it where it goes!
Community.  Use the people around you. Ask a co-worker, a colleague, or a family member to remind you of a meeting time or to check in with you on the progress of a project.  Find an accountability partner. Having to answer to another person can be a real motivator!
Colors.  Use particular colors as “flags” to help categorize and clarify your time, your paper, and your space.  Colored sticky notes placed on top of a file or a pile can be a visual cue to remind you of a particular project or deadline.  Different colored files for different types of activities will catch your attention when you are looking for something.  Distinct colors of ink on your calendar or entries in your PDA can differentiate between business and personal commitments.  Spend a minute thinking about what particular colors might represent to you before starting this system (i.e. does red represent stop to you or urgent?)
Closeness.  Consider where you use the items.  Having objects, files, or information near the place you use them will make things more convenient to use and increase the odds of your putting it away when you are finished. Remember that, “the urge to play is greater than the urge to put away.” Most of us are willing to go through a little effort to find what we need. But we don’t want to expend much energy or time to put it back.
The first step in using cues is to consider what reminders would help and be clear to you. Be concise in your choices.  Give yourself a little time to “practice” using the cues and consciously watch for them until it becomes second nature. In no time at all, you’ll be more organized and effective!