But the thing is, it’s NOT about avoiding the administrative tasks.  It’s about avoiding YOU doing the administrative tasks.  There will ALWAYS be administrative tasks.  Once you recognize that they are not going away and that even if you don’t do them they are not going away, you can look to figure out how someone else can get them done for you.

The simple thing to do is to hire an administrative assistant.  But if that’s just not in the cards for you at the moment, don’t worry, you are not out of luck .  Look in your life and utilize your own experts.  When i’m in a pinch and can’t find a babysitter, the first thing I do is call my other mom friends because they’ll understand my situation and look to help out.  But the truth is, they are just as busy as I am and I should really be calling my friends that don’t have kids. To them, it’s a treat to get to take my son to the park for an hour in the afternoon.  Think about who else you can call for assistance and support – it’s often not the person you first thing to call.

The other way to get the administrative tasks done is to find someone who likes to do the things that you do not. There is likely someone in your circle of friends who loves to proofread documents, or do data entry or bake cookies for the school pta meeting.  And you will likely be able to do something that they don’t like to do – like organize a closet or send out holiday cards.

It’s about being resourceful about how to get things done, utilizing your experts and ultimately gaining more time to do what matters most.

I am the queen of the to-do list. I found that especially when I was heading out of town, I liked to have every single thing checked off my list so that I could relax and enjoy my vacation. This was the case until the day that I ran around like a crazy person doing, doing, doing until I got on a plane and caught myself. I sat down in my seat, got situated and took out my notebook to make a list of what I needed to do when I got back to town. What?! I’d just spent the last few days scrambling to get everything done so that I could have freedom! That’s when I realized… that there will always be a list.

Just knowing that I will always have a list allows me to look at my tasks daily and be ok with just being productive and crossing a few things off. I no longer have to worry about how many things are getting done and how quickly, but can remember to move forward every day on something that I want to get accomplished.

Plus, when I stop doing tasks on the list, and really think about why I even have a list in the first place, I realize that most of the items I’ve taken the time to write down on my list I chose to do because they will make a difference either for me or for someone I care about. Consider this: if you really don’t want to do something on your list – take it off. You can always add it back later if you really miss it – but give yourself a break and don’t keep something on there if you are never really going to get it done.

Know that the day that you don’t have a list is likely the day that you’re no longer here on the planet. Or, if you are here, check to see if you are making any kind of a difference in the world. Checking in with that allows me to embrace my list and even be grateful for it.

It’s also an opportunity to get together with people we never quite seem to see at other times of the year, but we look forward to the one annual event or holiday that we know we will spend together.  It’s even more fun to look back at the year together and share the events that have happened.

Now, with a young son, I’m looking for ways to create traditions.  Every year we go to Colorado for Thanksgiving.  Christmas is with his cousins.  Each fall we go apple/pumpkin picking and then the night before Halloween we carve a pumpkin.  Creating traditions around holidays is easy and a great way to mark special events.

Time is a big consideration for most people, but  creating traditions is the perfect way to save time.   When you don’t have to think about what you are going to serve for dinner or what you are going to do for a certain event – suddenly, the planning becomes easier and it becomes about what new and creative things you can do this year.  Think about it – cooking a Thanksgiving meal may be time consuming, but the menu planning is usually done in a snap.

So if you know that you’re the person who likes to throw the Halloween party and not feel pressured to host any other upcoming holiday festivities – do it.  Make it a tradition.  Other people will appreciate knowing that you’ve got that covered each year.  The stress of wondering what to do disappears because you’ll do what you always do –  maybe with a little twist.  You’ll also learn what works and what doesn’t  and laugh through the years at the things that didn’t turn out.  (Like the year someone in my house decided to play scary music when trick-or-treaters came to the door, but the first group of kids were too little and got scared and went running home)!  Ooops.  After that we decided not to be the house that played the scary music.

Sometimes things stick and just become traditions, but we can also choose to start an annual event and holidays are the perfect time.

Happy Halloween!

When one door closes another one opens. I’m a big believer in saying goodbye to one thing so that something new can come in. Now is the time of year where it is easy to get caught up in the busy day-to-day that fall brings with it. Last month we said goodbye to summer but in case you didn’t acknowledge this important ending – you have another shot.

Changing of the seasons in most places means changing of your wardrobe. Even if you have closet space to spare, its good practice to do a seasonal clothing change. Put the thing you will be wearing in the front of your closet for easy access and the summer things farther in back. It is not only a good time to move your clothing around, but also an opportunity to say goodbye to summer (and your favorite pair of strappy sandals!) and a great time to clean house (literally). Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Take a good look at the items that did not get worn all summer and say goodbye. If you are not quite ready to part with them, fold them neatly in a shopping bag at the bottom of your closet until you realize that you don’t miss anything that is in the bag and are ready to give it away to someone who will put it to good use.
2. Clean items so that they are pressed and ready for your upcoming winter break at the beach or in ready-to-wear shape when the warm weather rolls around.
3. Make sure you are using all matching hangers so that everything hangs neatly and your closet space is efficiently used.
4. Vacuum out the dust bunnies and make sure your closet gets a good cleaning before you put items back in – your clothing will appreciate it.

Now that you have said goodbye to summer, you are ready to pull out your winter garb. Do yourself a favor and take a good look at what you have before adding a few new fall necessities to your wardrobe. People tend to like certain things and purchase them over and over again. Make sure that you don’t already have five perfectly good black cashmere sweaters in your closet before you head out to do your fall shopping.

Last thing to do: organize. Be sure to re-read How to Organize Your Closet in 20 Minutes and let us know how it goes.

Remember every time you organize your closet, you have the opportunity to lighten your load and make space for something new to come in.

And I noticed that it all felt oddly familiar – like the feelings I experienced each year when I went back to school.  I loved school.

I checked in with my husband who was not nearly as excited about school as I was.  He was looking forward to experiencing the amazing school that Elias will be going to, but he wasn’t looking forward to it with the same excitement as I was.  He didn’t like school.

All of a sudden it occurred to me how much we bring our own experience to our kids.  My intention is that Elias has his own experience and forms his own opinions and feelings around his school experience.  But without stopping and noticing this, I will automatically bring my own past into his present.

My goal is not to shape him into the person that I wish I was when I was in school.  It is not for me to encourage behaviors and traits that I wish my parents had encouraged in me.  He is his own person with his own gifts and talents and my goal is to support him and to be his biggest cheerleader.

But,  it occurred to me that if I don’t stop and interrupt myself, I could bring my own experience to Elias.  I know that some of this can’t be helped, but if I stop for a minute and recognize what is going on – I can choose to have it be different.

It is the same thing that I do when I have anything challenging to do in front of me.  I stop, take a step back and consciously decide what I am creating.  It works for business, it works for daily tasks, now it can work in my personal life too.  Stop.  Look.  Choose.  I love the power of choice.

It’s always nice to get a kiss goodbye.  It completes the morning when my husband kisses me goodbye on his way to work and it’s nice to kiss good friends goodbye as a way to complete the visit.  I believe that it’s important to acknowledge endings so that you can open the door to something new. Even if it is a good thing, it is an ending and time to say goodbye. Soon, it will be the end of summer and the start of a new season; so before you say goodbye to summer, do something to acknowledge the end of it.

Here are some suggestions . . . Happy Summer!

1. Jump in the water! The ocean, a lake, a pond, even a pool will do…. just get wet!
2. Spend an afternoon with your kids doing a special activity of their choice. Call it an end of summer adventure day and make it a tradition.
3. Have a BBQ
4. Read a book
5. Get rid of summer clothing you didn’t wear once this summer
6. Eat an ice cream cone. And if you’re dairy, soy or gluten free, try Coconut Bliss, it’s delicious!
7. Get outside. Go to the mountains, the ocean or even a park. Be active or just relax but be sure to appreciate the beauty of nature.
8. Clean out your fridge. This may not be as much fun as a long summer bike ride, but it’s a must do each season. Check the expiration dates and toss anything that’s past its prime.
9. Take on a random act of kindness. Anything from volunteer work to helping a friend in need or buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line and see what gets created…
10. Take a hike
11. Watch a sunset
12. Organize your desk – think back to school. It can be quick, just go through the drawers and make sure they are neat and tidy. File papers you are saving, toss anything you never use and replenish any supplies that are used up.
13. Camp out under the stars, even if it’s just in your back yard!
14. Write a love letter. No sweetheart? Write one to yourself.
15. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Be sure to include at least one person on the list and share with them what you appreciate about them.

It doesn’t need to be summer to take many of these tasks on, but it’s great to acknowledge the ending of something so that you can be certain that the door can swing open for something new. Here comes autumn!

I love creating organizing systems and also believe in keeping it simple. Having done this for numerous clients, I am looking forward to being able to take my own advice. The first thing I did was put all of the dates into my calendar. Simple, but I’m always surprised at the number of people who don’t spend the 10 minutes required to do this and then wind up scheduling things on important school dates. And if you use an online calendar, it’s easy to share calendars to sync up the whole family.

Tip #1: Enter the dates into your calendar.

Next, I printed the list and put it – yes, you guessed it – on the fridge. A handy place as everyone knows to look there. Another option is to post the list somewhere that it will not accidentally get torn down and that I will always know where to look for it – in my son’s closet. If you really want to make sure the calendar doesn’t get lost, snap a photo of it on your mobile phone or tablet and save it in Evernote. That way, you always have a backup and you can refer to the list no matter where you are.

Tip #2: Post the information somewhere that it will be out of harm’s way for at least the next 9 months.

The next thing I did was make a list of what we needed for the first day of school. Pre-school doesn’t require pens, pencils, notebooks or any fancy organizing supplies but it will require a backpack of bag of some sort, ideally marked with his name as well as something to carry a snack, and a few other odds and ends. The best way to be prepared is a simple list. I started mine and will keep jotting things down for the next week, leaving me another two weeks to go out – or go online- and actually purchase the supplies.

Tip #3: Make a list

Finally, I decided how our morning routine will look so that I can start that plan ahead of time. I want to make sure that our mornings are not rushed and that we remember everything. A little planning and preparation makes everything easier!

Tip #4: Prepare

Last tip – coming up with a way to say goodbye to summer and ring in the school year. I love creating traditions / special times as a way to make them significant and memorable. Even if Elias won’t remember his first day of preschool, we will and it’s important to celebrate these small milestones.

Enjoying these tips? Check out a list of more topics in Consider it Done the Book

Two days before day camp was about to begin, we found out that our client’s daughter was not correctly enrolled.  The camp was packed and although they were willing to accommodate her, she would not be in the same group with her friends.  This was unacceptable.  She was signed up months ago.  I spoke with the client and let him know that I would not take no for an answer.  This proved to be trickier than I had imagined – they were not budging.

How do you manage to do something when there is an immediate deadline?  When the test is tomorrow – do you study harder and figure out how to get to the library?   When the birthday party is today do you figure out how to get the gift so your child doesn’t show up empty-handed?  Or, when you arrive at the dry cleaner just as he is locking the door, but you need your dress for the next day before you get on a plane….  what do you say or do to make sure they open the door and let you in?

What works when you absolutely need to get something done? Being nicer to people.  Doing whatever it takes.  Setting aside more time so that we make sure that we fit in whatever it is that must get done.  We don’t take no for an answer.

After many calls back and forth, speaking with managers and directors, we came to an agreement that yes, they would move her to the group with her friends.  I believe what worked was when I took a step back and looked at it from their perspective- why they would want to make the change.  And although they would have a larger group, it might just make life easier all around to have a happy camper.

We all know how to make things happen in crunch time -the trick is to get things done quickly and efficiently when there is no immediate deadline looming.

So, act as if it’s urgent.  Get the gift when the invitation arrives. Pay your bills as soon as you get them or set them to pay automatically.  Start to do things earlier than planned and watch things get done easily and the chaos turns to calm.  You will always have things on your to do list – you’ll just have more time to get them done.

Maybe it’s time to take a look at when waiting for the “perfect”‘ is taking up more of your time than it needs to.  Sometimes it’s better to get things done than to have them done the way we think is “perfect”. So get clear on your intention and let that lead you.  If your goal is to acknowledge your friend on her birthday, stop waiting to get the “perfect birthday gift” and just get a nice gift and get it on time.  And if your goal is to launch a new website by the end of the month stop waiting to make sure your website it “perfect” before it launches – just make sure there are no typos and get it up.  And for whatever else you are waiting to do until the timing is “perfect”, that time is now.   In the end, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and angst and it will all be… perfect.