Do you ever feel like the whole day got away from you?  Here are a few simple tricks to help you make the most of your busy day.

Get started with a quick review.
Every morning review your to-do list and prioritize.

Have an action plan for paperwork.
If it requires action, act on it.  If it needs to be filed, file it.  If it's not needed, throw it away.

Check email only a few times a day.
Establish set times during the day and turn off visual or audio cues.

Stay focused and avoid multitasking
When you focus on one task, you're more accurate and efficient.

Make the most of technology.
Use your computer's calendar function to alert you to meetings and deadlines.

At the end of the day, make a list for tomorrow.
Check today's list and start a to-do list for tomorrow.

The workplace has changed radically in the past few decades. It’s hard to believe that my father had a huge roll-top desk in his office. It was as big and as hard to move as a piano! He knew he would work at that desk in that office for his entire career. Same job, same office, same desk. Imagine?

Today, people switch career streams and employers regularly. Most people work in a variety of locations. I am self-employed and am regularly on the road for speaking engagements and workshops. I work from home, on commuter trains, in hotel executive business suites, at off-site office pods, and even from my car. As a society, we are always on the move with laptops, smart phones and data filled USB sticks.

This generation is also more likely to integrate our working hours into our personal life. Who doesn’t take work home? And that means we also integrate personal activities into our workday too.
​
Keeping ourselves organized when we don’t have a “home base” can prove challenging, but I have created systems for myself that allows me to move information with me by using Post-it® Full Adhesive Notes which I can affix to the lid of my laptop and the back of my phone. The full adhesive surface means they won’t peel off when I pull my computer in and out of its case, or when I toss my phone in my purse.

The great thing about Post-it® Notes with adhesive backing is that I can grab the grocery list that is stuck on the fridge and stick it on my computer so I remember to stop at the store on the way home. I then grab the list from my computer and re-stick it to the handle of my grocery cart. The note goes where I go.
​
Thanks to hands free technology, I use my driving time to return phone calls. I write the names and phone numbers on a full adhesive Post-it® Note on back of my phone. Today I had a call that I knew I needed to ask three specific questions so I scribbled those on my phone’s Post-it® Note and adhered it to my car’s dashboard as a way to jog my memory.

he great thing about Post-it® Notes with adhesive backing is that I can grab the grocery list that is stuck on the fridge and stick it on my computer so I remember to stop at the store on the way home. I then grab the list from my computer and re-stick it to the handle of my grocery cart. The note goes where I go.
​
Thanks to hands free technology, I use my driving time to return phone calls. I write the names and phone numbers on a full adhesive Post-it® Note on back of my phone. Today I had a call that I knew I needed to ask three  specific questions so I scribbled those on my phone’s Post-it® Note and adhered it to my car’s dashboard as a way to jog my memory.

Guest Blogger: Inspiration That Sticks

You might remember my interview with my friend and professional organizer for Chicago Anytime Assistants, Hannah. She gave some tips on how to cut through the initial clutter in your work space. But how do you stay organized throughout the year? Part of it is buying the right organizational tools and products that you feel good about and that you actually want to use, like products by My Pretty Office.

My Pretty Office is a unique collection of pretty desk accessories and decorative office supplies. You'll find anything from cute mini notebooks and pens to chic staplers and pretty paper clips. These products will make you love getting--and staying organized. 

The new year is the perfect time for fresh starts, and 2016 is no exception!  Get your office in order with all the best in organization, and update with the latest new products to make work more efficient.

You know the old adage, "Time is money"? An organized office saves both.  When your workspace is filed, labeled and beautifully organized, you know exactly where to look for everything. There's no wasted time digging for those meeting notes from last week or that invoice that was supposed to be paid yesterday.  With the proper organizational tools, there's a place for everything.  Check out the Twist January Work - Life flyer, you'll find lots of ideas you'll want to put to work!  There's new products and technology to help you get more done in less time and make the most of your workday! 

This blog post was originally posted on the Smead Organamics blog

Coping with holiday stress is a huge concern for many people. Many people try to pack months worth of activities into just 6 short weeks. Most individuals admit to having stress directly related to this time of year. For mental and physical health reasons, coping with holiday stress is very important. In fact, there are four holiday stress-inducers that you can try eliminating to make your holiday season actually feel like a holiday:

1. Doing too much in too little time. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do more in the same amount of time. Unfortunately, the holiday season doesn’t grant us any more hours in our days. This year consider putting on hold some of your family’s activities during the holidays in order to accommodate the increases in your schedule. Things like your child’s piano lessons or your book club will easily resume after the holiday.
   
   
2. Having unrealistic expectations. Do you try to address greeting cards, do all your baking and finish up your shopping in just a few days? To quote Dr. Phil: “How’s that workin’ for you?” Instead, start your holiday preparations early. Things such as addressing greeting cards, stocking up on groceries for the holidays or doing the majority of your baking can be done in October or November.
   
   
3. Going into debt. Keep a close eye on those credit cards. Spending money you already have in your checking account will help you avoid additional debt and those January blues that come in the mail in the form of credit card statements.
   
   
4. Sticking to traditions. If truth be told, some traditions bring on stress and aren’t even enjoyable anymore. Maybe this is the year you choose an artificial tree versus cutting one down yourself or maybe you decide to decorate your home with only half the decorations you normally do.
   
   

Strategizing against the causes of stress will bring more order, calm and peace into your day. Just by coping with holiday stress you’ll have more enjoyable memories of the entire holiday season.
By: Audrey Thomas, Certified Professional Organizer®

Back-to-School season is a good time of year for all of us to get organized. I took the liberty (and channeled my former office worker self) to interview my friend, Hannah, who also happens to be a professional organizer. Did you know there was such a thing?! For those of us who are not-so-organizationally or spatially inclined, or are just plain messy, Hannah offers some great tips for my "duh" sounding questions:  

Me: I can't even see my desk because it's covered in stuff. Where/how do I start? 

Hannah: Start by sorting the easiest pile for you to trash or shred. This will make you feel accomplished so you avoid getting overwhelmed and quitting halfway through the organizing project.  I suggest finding a clear spot on your desk or the floor to lay your papers into categories as you sort.  This will help you visually see what you have before you start creating a filing system.  Be sure that your file categories make sense for your specific paper needs, and label your folders clearly.    

Me: Soooo much paper--how do I keep it in order?

Hannah:  Once you get a filing system set up and all of your papers in order, spend 5 minutes every day sorting and filing your current papers.  That way you won't get overwhelmed with growing piles of paperwork on your desk.  I suggest keeping a stapler handy to attach groups of papers as soon as you get them so they are sure to stay together.  Once or twice a year, reevaluate your filing system.  Determine what works, what doesn't work, and throw out files that are obsolete.  

Tip: Always open mail as soon as you get it and immediately throw out junk mail and any empty envelopes.
Tip: Reduce the paper flow and opt out of getting junk mail using handy apps like PaperKarma.

Me: I have a million pens-where do I put these?

Hannah: Get rid of some of them!  Spend 15 minutes testing them out, and only keep the ones that you like and that actually work.  It is surprisingly relaxing!  Then find a container to keep on your desk and resolve to never get more pens than can fit in that container.

Me: There is so much RANDOM stuff-staples, pushpins, stickers, tape, cards, etc. around. How do I find a place for these items? 

Hannah: If you have drawers, invest in some drawer organizers with multiple sections in a variety of sizes.  They are perfect for keeping your office supplies neat and organized.  If drawer space is scarce, find some desktop containers to contain your office supplies.  Be sure to purchase containers that fit your style- if you love them, you will use them!

Me: How do I know what to throw away and what to keep?

Hannah: Now that most documents can be accessed on a computer or online, it is not necessary to keep as many paper files.  As a rule, the IRS says tax-related documents should be kept for 7 years.  You can keep the following documents for a year or less: bank records, bills, receipts, and pay check stubs. Be sure to shred anything that has personal information!

Me: I can't see what's in my file folders. Help.

Hannah: If file folders aren't your thing, I suggest using horizontal desktop paper trays or mounted wall files.  Both are great options for visual people, as they allow you to easily see your files and access them quickly.  I like to use file folders for long-term file storage and these more accessible options for daily paper flow.  

Hannah Marsden is a Chicago-based professional organizer for Chicago Anytime Assistants, a company offering personal assistants that specialize in errand services, professional organizing, and moving and relocation.

By Avery Products Corporation

Haven’t filed your taxes yet? Neither have about 25% of other taxpayers. So, chin up. Take a deep breath. Then power through the process with these last-minute tax tips—and a little help from Avery.

Focus. Feel sharpest at a certain time of the day? Tax preparation requires concentration. And that’s especially true when you’re under pressure. So, work on your return when you’re peaking mentally. Snack on foods that fuel mental agility (such as almonds or walnuts), or boost your energy with a cup of green tea or coffee.

Gather that paperwork. Yes, it’s a pain. But, working on your return without first having all the necessary paperwork only makes the process longer. So, find whatever you need—which could include Forms W2, 1099-INT and 1098, as well as receipts for business, medical, real estate tax and charitable contribution payments. Use last year’s tax return to guide you. Make sure to only submit the forms and schedules the IRS requires.

Make organizing easier. Simplify the process of sorting paperwork by using different file folders for categories such as income statements, deductible expenses and investment information using Avery File Folder Labels.

Double-check your Social Security number. Believe it or not, many people incorrectly enter their Social Security number. This confuses the IRS—never a good thing. Besides, you’ll need an accurate Social Security number to qualify for credits, exemptions and deductions.

Make last-minute contributions. Many contributions must be made by December 31st of the previous year. But, you can often sneak in some tax-deductible contributions—such as IRA or Health Savings Account payments—before the April 15th deadline, and lower your tax burden. Check with your tax professional for more information.

Itemize. It’s tempting to just take your standard deduction when playing beat-the-clock with the IRS. But, itemizing could result in huge savings, especially if you’ve made large charitable, medical or real estate tax payments.

Sign the return. Sounds simple, right? Believe it or not, many taxpayers forget to sign and date their return. And that’s a problem. The IRS views an unsigned return as being invalid.

File electronically. Tax software speeds the preparation process, provides reminders about eligible deductions and catches most math mistakes. Many tax preparation companies offer free e-filings for basic returns, and the IRS provides free tax software to individuals who earn less than $60,000.

Ask for more time. Sometimes the smartest move is to request an extension. It’s better than rushing through your return, forgetting valuable deductions, overlooking required paperwork or making silly math errors. Filing Form 4868 usually gives you another six months to get your act together. You can also avoid late-payment penalties and possible interest charges by paying at least 90% of the estimated amount you owe. Can’t afford to do that? File for the extension, pay as much as you can and then set up a payment plan with the IRS.

Store in a safe place. Once your taxes have been filed, hold onto that paperwork. Keep your tax files in a protective storage container for future reference. Indicate what’s inside the container with Avery Full-Sheet Labels so they’re easy to identify at a glance. Use the free pre-designed templates on Avery Design & Print to create custom labels right from your printer in no time.

While Avery can’t figure your taxes for you, we can make the filing process simpler this year—and beyond. But don’t be too hard on yourself for being a tax procrastinator. It’s a busy world, and preparing your taxes may not be a priority for you. And, take solace knowing you have plenty of company. Just apply these tips to make the job a little easier…and then reward yourself when you’re finished!