Comments on: 5 Realistic Organization Tips from a Notoriously Disorganized Person

By: Imogen

Imogen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:37:46 +0000

My solution was pretty drastic. Get rid of everything I own, except for a laptop and one bag, grab my beautiful daughter and go vagabonding around Europe.

Now, I’m forced to stay clutter-free, as I have to carry everything I own! I keep all electronic files (in a folder labeled ‘Messy Desk Drawer’), never print anything (too much hassle to go to a net cafe or the library to use the printer) and have a cheap notebook beside me for totally disorganised – but incredibly helpful – doodles, notes-during-Skype-calls, and ideas. I’ll never be a neat worker… I like to call it creative brilliance!
.-= Imogen´s last blog ..Pet Peeves of Freelance Job Ads =-.

By: Meg{Moir} » Blog Archive » Blog-Curious: No More Snow Edition

Meg{Moir} » Blog Archive » Blog-Curious: No More Snow Edition — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:35:20 +0000

[...] 5 Realistic Organization Tips from a Notoriously Disorganized Person – Freelance Writitng Jobs. But….I love bins and baskets. [...]

By: Naomi Hamm

Naomi Hamm — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:01:41 +0000

thanks loads this is great advice. Although I would suggest to keep the printer in case you lose important documents. Better to be safe, huh. Yeah toss what’s not need out and what may work for you probably won’t do for others.

tag everything, tag tag………

By: Amber In Albuquerque

Amber In Albuquerque — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:47:17 +0000

I’m not Deb, but I have the same problem. I don’t like using post-its or other slips of paper to keep track of ideas because they just end up stashed in notebooks or in baskets or some other place that needs to be cleaned out every few months.

I’ve found that a combination of a ‘cloud’ calendar program with to do lists and a ‘cloud’ office application (e.g., Office Live) work great. For example, in Windows Live Calendar I set up a color-coded calendar for each of my two blogs. When I get an idea for a blog post, I put it on the to do list for that calendar, with or without a due date attached. Then, I use the cloud office application to type notes or the outline. Using the ‘cloud’ apps allows me to get the idea recorded virtually as soon as I have it and to access the information from any computer (or a smartphone if you use one). There’s almost always one wired computer on in our house and I type way faster than I write (and I can go back and actually READ what I’ve typed).

I just started doing this about two months ago and I’ve found that by keeping a calendar (with all of my ‘stuff’, not just writing) on the cloud I am constantly faced with my reminders (keeps me moving), I have access when I need it, and I don’t have a bunch of slips of paper floating around. I don’t use a smartphone, so I do occasionally end up scribbling something in the car when I’m waiting to pick my kids up from school, but I type that as soon as I get home and toss the paper.

So far, so good! I’m getting much more accomplished and not losing good ideas and words.

By: Melinda Evaul

Melinda Evaul — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:32:04 +0000

Forget the clutter and do the work. I know what goes in each pile. Well, most of them anyway. I’m the only one who uses the desk, so why bothter?

Actually, your tips are helpful. I have a file cabinet and try to use it. Problem is, many of the files land on the desk and stay there. Keeping work in folders helps. Even if I have a stack of them on the desk, at least individual snippets can go in the right folder.

Forget the printer. Ink costs too much. I organize by folders on my computer and on my flash drive. It’s only a few clicks away.

By: Melanie Garrett

Melanie Garrett — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:49:19 +0000

Great post, all made so much sense, right up until the terrifying ending. Unplug my printer?!?! Just thinking about it brought me out in a sweat…but maybe that’s because I can secretly see you have a point. But still. Unplug my printer?!?

By: Monica Nastase

Monica Nastase — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:31:01 +0000

Hi Deb, thank you for your very useful posts. I’ve been reading them for a while now! I’m a newbie at blogging, currently trying to start one.

My problem is not so much with the clutter and disorganization on my desk, but… in my head (disorganization, that is)! I have so many thoughts and ideas, all coming at once, that I cannot keep up with them and I end up losing many, frustrated that I cannot concentrate on one at a time. How do you get your ideas to stay in line?

Thank you!

By: Jessie Haynes / JHaynesWriter

Jessie Haynes / JHaynesWriter — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:52:21 +0000

Deb, I had so much to say that I blogged about in my organizing blog, Which Planner:http://whichplanner.com/2010/02/25/what-i-have-to-say-to-you-disorganized-people/. Looking forward to your input on my input.

By: Dawn Herring

Dawn Herring — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:39:34 +0000

Deb,
I have made it a point not to print out anything unless it’s absolutely essential. Makes for harder revising sometimes since I can’t bring a word document into another room if I don’t print it…but alas, less paper, less clutter. (I do get to those documents eventually, especially if I have them on a to do list!)

Throw away…now you’re talking. How about the delete button??

Thanks for a good post!
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance

By: Stephenie

Stephenie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:27:10 +0000

Every time I get up from my chair (to use the bathroom, get a drink, troll for sugar) I put 12 things away. It could be the paper pile next to me, the laundry, dishes, sorting coupons, etc.

Just 12 things doesn’t take long, and since I have a small bladder, I almost cleaned off my super cluttered table today.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:02:44 +0000

I’m with you about the baskets, they’re very pretty but completely useless for people like me (and you apparently lol).

My tip is download the Lightning calendar extension for Thunderbird, add deadlines, appointments etc. then set it to pop up and remind you of whatever you need to do. Having my email and schedule in one place has made a huge difference to my productivity.
.-= Kate´s last blog ..A Movie Music Memories Meme – With added alliteration =-.

By: Debbie Hildreth

Debbie Hildreth — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:18:04 +0000

Great post. I find filing cabinets to be the best thing ever for putting a finger on documents quickly, and they help keep the desktop clean. I totally agree with you about throwing things away. If I don’t use something within 6 months, it’s outa here. And having an idle printer is good: Go paperless, I say, as much as possible.