Last year I made one New Year’s resolution – to dedicate myself to better health. This year, I’m still working on that goal and I’ve added another one: Invest time and money to streamline my home-based business, ultimately creating a wireless operation that’s more efficient, organized, and productive.
Whether it’s tidying queen Marie Kondo sharing her downsizing lifestyle on Netflix or Forbes publishing tips on boosting productivity, it’s hard to ignore our shared dedication to increased home and office efficiency.
With my 2019 resolution in mind, I’m using these tools and practices:
- Pen-and-paper lists. I’ve reinstituted a practice I followed for many years and purchased an old-fashioned composition notebook. I use it to log my phone calls, jot down ideas, and manage my to-do lists. In the past I loved this method of documenting calls and meetings, and my clients and colleagues marveled at my detailed notes. I find that this tried-and-true method keeps me on task and saves background details I might otherwise forget.
- A more efficient office. I’m planning to invest in new, streamlined office furniture and electronics so I can work wirelessly and organize my files electronically. Before moving furniture around or making any purchases, however, I’m taking time to sift, sort, and purge my paper files, e-documents, and email folders, reversing my lifelong packrat habits.
- Schedule exercise sessions. My new healthy lifestyle requires that I spend at least an hour a day exercising, whether I’m taking a Tai Chi or yoga class, working out with my husband at the gym, or listening to Spotify on a long walk. I’m scheduling my workouts on my Google calendar to ensure health remains a top priority. Making time for this is a must.
- An organized closet. I’ve shared my recent weight-loss surgery with friends, colleagues, and clients. I’m shedding clothing sizes, so I’m continually reorganizing my closet to make room for the next-smallest size. I’ve even gone down a half-size in shoes. Constantly purging my closet has made me more mindful of my purchases and has forced me to be better-organized and use my space wisely.
- Efficient meal-planning. My gastric sleeve surgery dramatically reduced my stomach, so I’m changing the ways I shop for food and prepare meals. I find that I’m more aware of everything in our pantry, fridge, and freezer. Our grocery-shopping lists include lots of protein, veggies and fruit, very few carbohydrates, and virtually no processed food. This isn’t just something I’m doing for me but it benefits the whole family.
Hopefully, these tips will spark ideas for better efficiency and, perhaps, even better health for you. As for me, I love starting anew with blank slate. Beginning the year right with a renewed commitment to better organization and better health gives me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction every step of the way.
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