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Articles from joshua zerkel | Selfgrowth.com
- Maintaining Your Systems to Stay Productive - by Submitted on Sep 13, 2012 from joshua zerkelGetting organized and boosting productivity isn’t a one-time activity. Certainly, you can focus some concerted time and effort on specific projects (a spring cleaning of your desk, for instance), but to really stay on top, you’ll need to devote a few minutes on a regular basis to maintaining any ...
Views: 994 - 4 Strategies for Beating Procrastination - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2012 from joshua zerkelUse these tips to stay motivated and cross those to-dos off your list! There are always going to be some tasks that we just don’t want to do, don’t like to do, or don’t feel like we need to do at a given time. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not important. Here are four strategies for ...
Views: 1210 - 3 Strategies to Eliminate Daily Distractions and Boost Your Productivity - by Submitted on Aug 17, 2012 from joshua zerkelEmail, phone calls, texts, tweets! Reduce the constant notifications and regain your focus. Here’s an experiment: think about how many different ways you might be distracted from the tasks you need to get done over the course of a given day. An email notification pops up in the corner of your ...
Views: 996 - Digitized Files: How Much Hard Drive Do They Take? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from joshua zerkelPDFs, Docs, and image files all take space, but how much? So you’ve gone paperless and are now storing all your documents on your hard drive. Great! By doing so, you’ve likely freed up tons of space in your office by eliminating the need for paper storage. Just because the papers don’t take ...
Views: 909 - Digitized Files: How Much Hard Drive Do They Take? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from joshua zerkelPDFs, Docs, and image files all take space, but how much? So you’ve gone paperless and are now storing all your documents on your hard drive. Great! By doing so, you’ve likely freed up tons of space in your office by eliminating the need for paper storage. Just because the papers don’t take ...
Views: 908 - What is The Cloud? Pros and cons of using Cloud Apps and other web-based services - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2012 from joshua zerkelYou’ve been hearing about it for a while now: The Cloud. Probably you’ve heard about it enough by now that you might be afraid to ask this simple question: uh… what is The Cloud? The Cloud is essentially the Internet. When people talk about storing data on The Cloud, think of it as files ...
Views: 566 - What is The Cloud? Pros and cons of using Cloud Apps and other web-based services - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2012 from joshua zerkelYou’ve been hearing about it for a while now: The Cloud. Probably you’ve heard about it enough by now that you might be afraid to ask this simple question: uh… what is The Cloud? The Cloud is essentially the Internet. When people talk about storing data on The Cloud, think of it as files ...
Views: 910 - Choosing the Right Tools for Going Paperless - by Submitted on May 25, 2012 from joshua zerkelPaper takes a lot of space to store, and especially if you’re used to searching for documents on your computer, rifling through paper piles and digging into file cabinets can seem practically archaic! Many people have been asking me lately to help them go paperless – that is, reduce the amount ...
Views: 674 - Managing Your Papers: Inbox, Outbox, and Everything In Between - by Submitted on May 08, 2012 from joshua zerkelSet up a system that syncs with the lifecycle of paper. No matter how organized the rest of your office may be, it’s easy to feel like things are out of control when your desk is covered with papers. Although you may have heard rumors that the so-called “paperless world” has arrived, you and ...
Views: 2754 - Partner Up for a Productivity Boost - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2012 from joshua zerkelWe all have so much to do - and it always seems like there's no time to get anything done. And it's true - when you try to do everything yourself, it can be challenging to complete all your personal or business tasks. But what's also true is that there are often opportunities to spread work ...
Views: 700 - Avoid the “Stuff Shuffle”: Make a Storage Map - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2012 from joshua zerkelCreating a diagram on paper of how and where your items are stored will make them easier to find—and easier to put away. So, you’ve bought your storage unit, and you’re ready to put everything away, right? Not so fast! Take a moment for one more step that can help keep things organized: ...
Views: 938 - 5 Strategies for Clearing Out Old Emails - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2012 from joshua zerkel5 Strategies for Clearing Out Old Emails Email gets old really fast—especially if you’re receiving lots and lots of emails every day. The ones you received last month, six months ago, or last year may not be relevant anymore. But if you’re not managing those emails as they come in, you might ...
Views: 983(1 vote) - Two Steps to Organizing Your Computer Files - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2012 from joshua zerkelBy following two simple but thoughtful steps, your computer files will always be at hand. Just like with our paper files, we want to able to find, retrieve, and put away electronic documents quickly and easily. Although most computers have pretty effective search functions, that still isn’t ...
Views: 865 - Easy Steps to Starting Your Organizing Journey - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2012 from joshua zerkelAs a business owner, you've probably already been faced with one of the biggest challenges – staying organized and productive. Realizing that you need to make time to get yourself organized is one of the biggest steps to getting organized. It isn't enough to simply say, "I'll file that ...
Views: 816 - Stuff-Free Productivity and Organization Gifts - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2011 from joshua zerkelWhether you plan ahead or do a last-minute scramble to the store, it can be tough to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. If you’re trying to think of something that your loved ones will actually use, this year think outside the gift-wrapped box and instead consider giving them a ...
Views: 1212 - 4 Steps to Upgrading Your Time Management System - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2011 from joshua zerkelWe all share the same finite resource – time. No matter what we do, we can’t magically add more time into our days, or extend our weeks. Therefore, how well we manage our time, and our tasks, is critical to our overall success. There are many time management books and systems out there, along ...
Views: 678 - 3 Tips for Sticking to Your Top Priorities - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2011 from joshua zerkelAs new tasks come at you, keep your top goals in mind. When you’ve got to stay on top of lots of different tasks in your job, sometimes it’s the biggest priorities that get lost in the shuffle. As little fires erupt around you, you fall into a reactive mode instead of a proactive mode. Sooner ...
Views: 650 - 3 Easy Ways to Get Tasks Off Your Plate (and Onto Someone Else’s) - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2011 from joshua zerkelYou can streamline, combine, and massage tasks ad infinitum, but most of us will reach a point where there are simply too many things for one individual to do. At that point, you have a few options - 1) reprioritize and remove some tasks from your list; 2) work around the clock to finish all ...
Views: 892 - What is a Professional Organizer, Anyway? - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2011 from joshua zerkelWith the incredible explosion of organizing TV shows, books, and magazine articles, many people are taking active steps to combat clutter in their homes, offices, and lives. Often, the easiest and most efficient way to get organized is to work with a Professional Organizer – a professional who ...
Views: 873 - Boost Focus and Productivity by Reducing Communication Distractions - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from joshua zerkelDuring the course of a given day, think about how many different ways you might be distracted from the tasks you have in front of you – a notification pops up in the corner of your screen letting you know you have a new email, your phone vibrates to let you know you received a new message on ...
Views: 691 - Why You Can't Get Organized In A Weekend - by Submitted on Mar 16, 2011 from joshua zerkelWhy You Can't Get Organized in a Weekend When talking with potential clients, I’m often struck by how distressed they sound with their organizing and productivity challenges, and how their businesses, and their lives, are affected by what’s going on in their space and systems. No doubt about ...
Views: 1000 - Organizing Your Personal Finances: 4 Steps to Getting Control of Your Receipts, Statements, and Bills - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2011 from joshua zerkelOne of my top requests as a Professional Organizer is to help clients organize their personal finances. For many of us, the myriad bills, receipts, and statements that enter our homes are quickly overwhelming us. It’s hard to keep track of all that information if you don’t have a good system in ...
Views: 955 - Strategies for Success! Reach your organizing goals with these easy tips! - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from joshua zerkelThe prospect of getting organized at home or at work can seem pretty daunting. Working towards your organizing goals can be energized with anticipation and effort, or can be derailed by frustration and confusion. It’s critical to understand that getting organized is a process – and as such, it ...
Views: 734 - Simplifying and Streamlining Social Media - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from joshua zerkelThe world of social media can be completely overwhelming. In addition to knowing and understanding the various networks and social media sites, you need to spend time managing your presence on each one. For most of us, managing social media is something that happens in our spare time - but there ...
Views: 828 - Top Organizing Tips for Creative Professionals - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2010 from joshua zerkelChaos and creation need not go hand in hand! As someone whose previous career was in the design industry, I know how much of a challenge it can be for busy, creative people to get and stay organized. When you’re faced with meeting client deadlines and marketing yourself to find your next gig, ...
Views: 814 - Moving Towards Effectiveness; It’s more than just being productive! - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2010 from joshua zerkelI recently met with a new client at her office, whose stated goal was to feel like she spent each day being very productive – that she got a lot of things done that day. In our culture of production and consumption, being “very productive” has become a goal unto itself. As a Professional ...
Views: 955 - Choosing a Professional Organizer - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2010 from joshua zerkelWith the incredible explosion of organizing TV shows, books, and magazine articles, many people are taking active steps to combat clutter in their homes, offices, and lives. Often, the easiest and most efficient way to get organized is to work with a Professional Organizer – a professional who ...
Views: 994(1 vote) - De-Cluttering Your Digital Photos - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2010 from joshua zerkelEasily organize your digital photos in 4 easy steps! Digital cameras make it easy and fun to capture your memories. Many digital cameras can store hundreds of photos at a time – many more than the 24 or 36 that film cameras can. Organizing the sheer number of photos that can come from one ...
Views: 929(1 vote) - 4 Tips for Eco-Friendly Organizing - by Submitted on Mar 28, 2010 from joshua zerkelSimplify your life while being environmentally responsible! Getting organized can be a fantastic way to simplify and streamline your busy life. The process of getting organized can involve weeding through (and discarding) some of the belongings that have been keeping you from living how you ...
Views: 1288(1 vote) - Managing Your Time - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2010 from joshua zerkelMaster your calendar with a few easy ideas! Time flies when you’re having fun, but what if you’re not having fun and your time still seems to “fly away?” Do you ever feel like your schedule runs you, rather than the other way around? Maybe you’re feeling like you can’t get everything done, or ...
Views: 1066(3 votes) - Making Your Workspace Work - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from joshua zerkelImprove comfort and increase productivity with a few simple tips! Once an afterthought, people who spend time at a desk have come to recognize the benefits of creating an ergonomic, efficient workspace. Whether you’re spending time at a desk at home or at an office, a comfortable, well ...
Views: 941(2 votes) - Reducing Paper Clutter - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2010 from joshua zerkelWe’ve got way to go to reach the paperless future shown in The Jetsons and Star Trek. During the course of daily life, many of us are faced with a deluge of paper, all of which needs to be dealt with in some way. Many people I’ve worked with are drowning in stacks, piles, and desks full of ...
Views: 973(1 vote) - Controlling Your Closet - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2010 from joshua zerkelSan Francisco living is great – many of us are fortunate to live in beautiful, historic buildings that are just bursting with character. Another thing that’s bursting is our closets. With more clothing and belongings than ever before, it can be a constant struggle to find places to put all our ...
Views: 1192 - Spring Cleaning Project – 4 Steps for Clearing Out Paper Clutter - by Submitted on Mar 17, 2010 from joshua zerkelFor many of us, spring is the time when a certain activity comes to mind – the annual clearing out of clutter that collects in our homes and offices. While it’s easy to focus on getting rid of “stuff” clutter – actual physical things – it’s important to look for ways to clear out the other types ...
Views: 989 - Organizing with Kids - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2010 from joshua zerkelAre you tired of asking your children to pick up and put away their things? If “clean up your room!” is a popular refrain in your household, there are some simple things that you can do to help your kids get on the organizing bandwagon. Give them control. Kids love to solve puzzles and are ...
Views: 817 - Productivity Ideas: Spring Cleaning in the Digital Age - by Submitted on Mar 10, 2010 from joshua zerkelWinter is nearly over, and the advent of spring offers up a chance at renewal. Just as nature signals the change of seasons, spring is a great time for us to signal change in our own lives by clearing out clutter that’s collected in our offices, homes, and beyond. The typical thought behind ...
Views: 837 - 4 Top Year-End Organizing Tips - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2010 from joshua zerkelThe final month of the year is here, and for many of us, it’s a time of wrapping things up before the new year rolls around. This year, as part of your year-end wrap-up, consider taking a few moments to revisit the systems that serve you every day, and see if you can improve them. Clean out ...
Views: 1251 - 4 Ways to Find Hidden Money by Getting Organized - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2010 from joshua zerkelClearing out clutter and getting more organized can have a wide variety of benefits in your work and in your life - from enjoying your space more, to helping you be more effective and productive (among many others). One frequently-overlooked benefit of getting organized is that it can actually ...
Views: 762 - 3 Steps to Clearing Office Clutter - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2010 from joshua zerkelIt's that time of year again, where resolutions have hopefully been started or implemented, and we're ready to move forward! But before we do, it's a great idea to do some pre-spring cleaning. Why wait for later to clear out the clutter? After all, a big spring cleaning can be a daunting ...
Views: 1205 - 3 Easy Steps to Emergency Preparedness - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2010 from joshua zerkelSeptember is Emergency Preparedness Month, and for many of us, it’s a time when we think about all the things we haven’t yet done to get ourselves, our families, and our businesses prepared for an emergency. After all, just like any organizing or productivity project, getting prepared for an ...
Views: 809 - The 3 Secrets to Getting – And STAYING – Organized - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2010 from joshua zerkelWhen it comes to organizing, routine does matter! Organizing is about so much more than developing the right systems to meet your needs or buying the latest organizing gizmo. While those things are undoubtedly important, the most critical factor of whether your organizing projects will be ...
Views: 902(1 vote) - Boost Focus and Productivity by Reducing Communication Distractions - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2010 from joshua zerkelDuring the course of a given day, think about how many different ways you might be distracted from the tasks you have in front of you – a notification pops up in the corner of your screen letting you know you have a new email, your phone vibrates to let you know you received a new message on ...
Views: 1018(1 vote) - Organizing Details – What to do with Receipts - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from joshua zerkelReceipts - everyone has them, but nobody wants them. As with most things organizing-related, most of us are never really taught what to do with those pesky slips of paper, so they tend to get pretty messy and out of control. Here are a few ideas for how to deal with receipts: Don’t take them. ...
Views: 886 - 4 Super Summer Organizing Tips - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from joshua zerkelSummer… ahhh. When summertime comes, there’s a palpable change in the air – a feeling of fun, relaxation, and freedom from worry. Or at least, that’s how it can seem! Of course, the details of life and work don’t just go away with the change of the seasons. Especially if you’ll be traveling this ...
Views: 880 - 3 Steps to Going Paperless - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from joshua zerkelOne of my areas of specialty in my productivity and organizing consulting work is paper management – helping my clients determine the best ways to process, manage and store the paper in their lives and in their work. I actually enjoy working with paper and processing information (hey, I’m a ...
Views: 957(1 vote) - Ways to Spend Less Time Processing Paper - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2009 from joshua zerkelBeing a Certified Professional Organizer, I actually enjoy working with paper – I know, I’m strange! Even so, I don’t want to spend too much time on it; like you, I have many other tasks on my to-do list. One of my big goals for 2009 is to reduce the amount of paper that I have ...
Views: 825 - Year-End Organizing Tips - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2008 from joshua zerkelThe final month of the year is here, and for many of us, it’s a time of wrapping things up before the new year rolls around. This year, as part of your year-end wrap-up, consider taking a few moments to revisit the systems that serve you every day, and see if you can improve them. Clean ...
Views: 1917 - Making Your Workspace Work - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2008 from joshua zerkelOnce an afterthought, people who spend time at a desk have come to recognize the benefits of creating an ergonomic, efficient workspace. Whether you’re spending time at a desk at home or at an office, a comfortable, well thought out space can go a long way towards making you feel more ...
Views: 931 - Organizing with Kids - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2008 from joshua zerkelAre you tired of asking your kids to put away their toys, clothes, and school books? If “clean up your room!” is a popular refrain in your household, there are some simple steps you can take to get your kids on the organizing bandwagon. 1. Give them control. You already know your ...
Views: 824 - Solve the Paper Problem - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2008 from joshua zerkelWe’ve got way to go to reach the paperless future shown in The Jetsons and Star Trek. During the course of daily life, many of us are faced with a deluge of paper, all of which needs to be dealt with in some way. Many people I’ve worked with are drowning in stacks, piles, and desks ...
Views: 970