How do you get organized?

[PixelRabbit]

Ok, so here's the deal, I have about a million things I need to do to get all of these damn ducks that keep mingling about randomly into a row so I'm better organized and actually start working on things instead of tripping over these darn ducks!

Currently I need to do things such as set up the darkroom, get my site done, business cards, printing, learn the darkroom, actively learn more about post work etc etc etc ... and shoot and do my good wifey stuff (I have someone coming next Friday to help clean the house top to bottom so I don't have dusty corners staring at me anymore!)

So, any tips on getting organized? How do you structure all the things that you need to do? I've always been horrid at wrangling ducks and this disorganization has almost always tripped me up in the past and I'm not willing to let it happen this time! I would rather not start shooting the little quackers but ...

Help?

 

[texkam]

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ha! No comment other than that reminds me of another task I need to do, she's just about ready

 

[Tee]

It wasn't until I took the class "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" that I learned how to truly manage my time. You can probably google "prioritizing your rocks" and find the excerpt that talks about the big rock, little rock theory (we often choose to manage the little rocks first).

 

[PixelRabbit]

Thanks Tee, I will check that out!

 

[sm4him]

Organized...organize...hmmm...I *know* I should know that word, but...

Organization is not a tool that seems to be in my shed. You call 'em ducks, I call 'em squirrels. Regardless, they are freakin' EVERYwhere, and the more I try to focus the more squirrels run straight across my path.

Generally, when I have TOO many different tasks to get done, I sit down and make a WEEKLY list instead of just a daily one. I write down which tasks need to get done on which day so that everything's done by the deadline...then I ignore the list and go chase squirrels until about Thursday of that week, then panic and drink lots of caffeine and stay up most of the night doing five days worth of work in one night. :lmao:

I do LOVE that "Big Rocks" illustration Tee mentions, though--I've used that in many of my women's ministry speaking engagements. I'm just better at talking about it than doing it.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ha Sharon that sounds quite familiar! I do make daily lists, if I didn't NOTHING would get done, ever lol
I like the idea of a weekly list, I'm going to give it a try!

 

[ratssass]

seems i'm always in the same boat,rabbit.sometimes i think it easier to,instead of prioritizing my tasks,i just tackle one...then another.after you knock out one or two,there is less to prioritize.(yeah,right)in any event,at least you have something behind you.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok, so here's the deal, I have about a million things I need to do to get all of these damn ducks that keep mingling about randomly into a row so I'm better organized and actually start working on things instead of tripping over these darn ducks!

Currently I need to do things such as set up the darkroom, get my site done, business cards, printing, learn the darkroom, actively learn more about post work etc etc etc ... and shoot and do my good wifey stuff (I have someone coming next Friday to help clean the house top to bottom so I don't have dusty corners staring at me anymore!)

So, any tips on getting organized? How do you structure all the things that you need to do? I've always been horrid at wrangling ducks and this disorganization has almost always tripped me up in the past and I'm not willing to let it happen this time! I would rather not start shooting the little quackers but ...

Help?

Well my own system of organization is probably a little different than most. First I sit down and make a highly detailed outlline with each task broken down into a series of steps. Then I meticulously detail a scheduled time for each task and put that into an organizational chart. Then I put that list on my desk where it is promptly lost in the deluge and forgotten about.

 

[The_Traveler]

I'm not familiar with the big rocks little rocks things but...........

(Because my wife can't do much, I end up with a huge bunch of things I don't want to do and don't care about.
I get up early so I have time to myself to do what I want before she's awake)

I make a list of big things and little things - ordered if they need to be.
Then I assign big obnoxious tasks to do them on a specific day, and start them first thing in the morning before I have time to anticipate and dread them, forcing myself along the path.
(for example, Wednesday is the day I clean a bit, change the sheets, do the laundry. I know Wednesday is a lost day for me)

Then whenever I have a moment, I do the little things. Thus each day I can see some progress both in what I want to do - and my 'chores'

I fill in any chinks in my schedule with things I enjoy. So if I am waiting somewhere, I always have a book or an Ipad. I try to use every free moment for a positive, enjoyable activity.

So I can glory in some days because there is no big crappy thing to do and I don't mind knocking off some of the little things.
I use the list as my taskmaster, rather than my memory and crossing each task off the list gives me tiny bit of pleasure.

 

[Overread16 4]

Ok, so here's the deal, I have about a million things I need to do to get all of these damn ducks that keep mingling about randomly into a row so I'm better organized and actually start working on things instead of tripping over these darn ducks!

1) Get husky

2) Release husky in Duck infested area

3) Slap texkam for his avatar because I just spent 5 mins trying to swat the darn bug on my screen.

That should solve your duck infestation problem.



As for organising it really depends, but I've a few methods:

1) Write a list. At first just list down what needs to be done then go through the list and put some structure to it. Sort it out so that you're going through things in the right order as well as a logical order (eg put darkroom together before trying to use it ). I find this good for tasks that need completing.
Remember to make a few of them and pin them up so that you're reminded do go through things (and cna tick them off as you complete them

2) Start a blog/diary/other thingy to document you're learning experience. I found that writing a blog after my shoots, esp the ones where I was really learning, helped because I put into words my experiences and my findings. It acts as a good calm period to gather ones thoughts; reflect on what happened and to reinforce the learning experience. It's also a good time to spot mistakes or new things you can try next time.
When organised you then have a selection of self written guides to reference as well as a progress history. Adds some time, but for education and learning something I find it worthwhile - if you publish the articles online you can also aim to get some feedback for further aid in the learning process.

Edit - few things that can help

1) Set key times to do things - times where nothing else should take place. This helps avoid distraction as that only slows down work and makes it impossible to learn anything because you lose focus

2) Turn the internet off during working key times unless its needed (if it is needed don't log into your emails )

 

[PixelRabbit]

seems i'm always in the same boat,rabbit.sometimes i think it easier to,instead of prioritizing my tasks,i just tackle one...then another.after you knock out one or two,there is less to prioritize.(yeah,right)in any event,at least you have something behind you.

If I could get past the list writing and unable to figure out what's first you are right! It is quite satisfying to have something behind. See Robins' post below, that's me lol!

Ok, so here's the deal, I have about a million things I need to do to get all of these damn ducks that keep mingling about randomly into a row so I'm better organized and actually start working on things instead of tripping over these darn ducks!

Currently I need to do things such as set up the darkroom, get my site done, business cards, printing, learn the darkroom, actively learn more about post work etc etc etc ... and shoot and do my good wifey stuff (I have someone coming next Friday to help clean the house top to bottom so I don't have dusty corners staring at me anymore!)

So, any tips on getting organized? How do you structure all the things that you need to do? I've always been horrid at wrangling ducks and this disorganization has almost always tripped me up in the past and I'm not willing to let it happen this time! I would rather not start shooting the little quackers but ...

Help?

Well my own system of organization is probably a little different than most. First I sit down and make a highly detailed outlline with each task broken down into a series of steps. Then I meticulously detail a scheduled time for each task and put that into an organizational chart. Then I put that list on my desk where it is promptly lost in the deluge and forgotten about.

I have two books nicely listed and ready to be acted upon lol I'm with you!

I'm not familiar with the big rocks little rocks things but...........

(Because my wife can't do much, I end up with a huge bunch of things I don't want to do and don't care about.
I get up early so I have time to myself to do what I want before she's awake)

I make a list of big things and little things - ordered if they need to be.
Then I assign big obnoxious tasks to do them on a specific day, and start them first thing in the morning before I have time to anticipate and dread them, forcing myself along the path.
(for example, Wednesday is the day I clean a bit, change the sheets, do the laundry. I know Wednesday is a lost day for me)

Then whenever I have a moment, I do the little things. Thus each day I can see some progress both in what I want to do - and my 'chores'

I fill in any chinks in my schedule with things I enjoy. So if I am waiting somewhere, I always have a book or an Ipad. I try to use every free moment for a positive, enjoyable activity.

So I can glory in some days because there is no big crappy thing to do and I don't mind knocking off some of the little things.
I use the list as my taskmaster, rather than my memory and crossing each task off the list gives me tiny bit of pleasure.

Thanks Lew, ideally my current method SHOULD work like that, a couple years back when we were trying to sell our house we had a bunch of renos to do, because Mr. R was working long hours it was my task to do it. It was the only time that I was able to list, prioritize and make progress, for whatever reason I can't get it going, I keep getting bogged down by something and nothing seems to be getting done.

 

[sm4him]

I have two books nicely listed and ready to be acted upon lol I'm with you!

I once bought one of those "organize your life" kinda books. I am absolutely not kidding when I tell you that I lost it before I even got through Chapter 2, then found it about six months later, under my bed with about 46 mismatched socks, some candy wrappers and the remnants of a junk mail factory. :lmao:
After that, I decided people like me weren't really designed for books like that...

 

[KmH]

The keys are: time management, assigning a priority to each task, making a schedule, the discipline to adhere to the schedule, dedication to refining the priorities and schedule, and an ability to stay focused.

If you fail to plan, plan to fail.

Admiral Josh Painter to John Ryan in - The Hunt for Red October:

The Russkies don't take a dump without a plan, son!

 

[The_Traveler]

Thanks Lew, ideally my current method SHOULD work like that, a couple years back when we were trying to sell our house we had a bunch of renos to do, because Mr. R was working long hours it was my task to do it. It was the only time that I was able to list, prioritize and make progress, for whatever reason I can't get it going, I keep getting bogged down by something and nothing seems to be getting done.

perhaps you could mobilize yourself with stick/carrot

for example, I can't have breakfast until I do xxxxxxxxxxxx

or I can have a cup of coffee if I do yyyyy first.

it sounds silly but it works for me.