Recently I learned a very important lesson I want to pass on to you.

Lately, I have been on a webinar and research frenzie, trying to grab all the information I can possibly put my hands on to work on growing my business and providing the best I can to my clients and everyone else who is interested in getting organized.

I signed up for so many webinars, I can't even count them.  I downloaded so many e-books, I ended up gathering such an extensive virtual library of information,  I will probably never get a chance to read it all.

As a result of signing up for all those webinars, I ended up on so many mailing lists and my in-box was filled daily to the max.  Everyday I would receive emails from marketers, coaches and other experts who wanted me to sign up for this or go to that...it was really getting out of hand.  

It got to the point I had to put on the brakes.  It was taking so much of my time to do all this, I was not spending enough time on what was really important.  I have always wanted to provide as much content and information as possible and spending so much time receiving instead of giving was causing an imbalance in my business and my personal life.

So, I made a choice to stop all the noise.  I removed myself from all but a few mailing lists of the people I was most interested in receiving information from.  I reset my limits as to how much time I take each day to review the information I do receive. 

I took a good hard look at how I was spending my time and refocused.  I began by making a list of all the things I needed to do in order to work on my business, not just work in it, and scheduled time in my calendar for them.  This included all the writing I do (besides this blog), networking, joint venture meetings, creating products, following up with potential clients, connecting on Facebook and Linked-In, answering email, and working with my in-home clients.  I set guidelines for myself as to how long to allot for these tasks and when they would be done.  Now, these important things take precedence again.  If there is any time left over, I will listen to a webinar or two, or download an e-book I actually intend to read.

Bottom line, I cut out all the noise so I could hear what was really important.  I now have my balance back and it feels sooooo good!

So, what noise can you cut out of your life so you can hear what is really important?  I'd love to hear from you.

I hope you can cut out some of your own noise but, if not, and you need some assistance, let me know.  I am here to help.

Until next time, have a great week. 

Did you know that people spend, on average, 6 minutes looking for their keys in the morning?  That's 180 minutes or 3 hours a month and 2190 minutes or 36.5 hours per year!!!  That's insane!

Something so simple can be using up so much of your time.  This is just one example of how taking small steps to get organized can save you precious time.

The "key" is to select one location that you will always keep your keys, such as a pocketbook, totebag, hook on the wall, a valet.  There are even valets that are charging stations as well so you can keep everything together and your electronic devices charged, all at the same time!

Another step you can take to save time and get organized is to plan ahead the night before.  Take some time to select what you are going to wear to work the next day, make a lunch (which can save you time and money!) and put everything you need to take with you by the front door for the next morning. 

Just by taking one simple step, you can save over 36 hours a year that you can be spending doing other things instead.  Imagine how much time you can save by planning ahead and taking some additional simple steps.  

What simple step can you take besides the ones I've mentioned to save you time?  What is your "key" to sucess? 

For more tips just like these, contact A Better Space and learn time management tools that will streamline your processes and save you time throughout your day.

In the meantime, have a great week!

It's that time of year when we should be going through our closets and getting ready for the upcoming Fall season.  I thought this information provided by Ali Brown would help you pull  your look together while you get that closet organized...

"Five Fall Colors to Spice Up Your Look"

I found two great "Take Back Initiatives" that can help you in the process of decluttering your home. 

One can be used when decluttering your medicine cabinet and the other when decluttering your clothes closet.

These are great incentives for getting those areas organized: 

• The US Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring a national take-back initiative to accept unused or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal on Saturday, September 25, 2010. “Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country.” Check the DEA site for locations in your community.

• Along similar lines, but with clothing instead of medications, the Men’s Wearhouse is accepting lightly used men’s suits, sports coats, slacks, dress shirts and shoes, business casual clothing, coats, ties, cuff links, and other accessories during the month of September. The Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive gives the suits to local non-profit organizations. Donations can be made at any Men’s Wearhouse.

I would love to hear from you about how you made use of these initiatives and how they encouraged you to eliminate your clutter. 

Until next time, have a great week!