NINE HINTS ON HOW TO BECOME A MORE ORGANIZED PERSON

1. Accept the fact that we cannot rely too much on our memories.
The human mind is exposed to a hurricane of information every day. As a result, the mind does a very nice filtering process and very little of what we see and hear is retained in our minds. So instead of depending on our very selective memory, write anything you’ll need at a later date on paper.

2. Carry a tiny scribbling pad and a pen with you all the time.
The moment you schedule an appointment or are asked to attend a meeting, jot it down in the scribbling pad.

3. It is a good idea to write down orders or instructions in your scribbling pad. Each time you tell somebody to do something or when somebody asks you to do something write it down in your book along with the date and the time. Do not be afraid of being thought about as a person with a very poor memory. It won’t be long before people start thinking of you as a highly organized person.

4. If you have an electronic pocket organizer be sure to use it. Each time someone gives you his or her telephone number, immediately enter it into your pocket organizer, along with the person’s name, of course.

5. Use the backside of business cards to help your memory.
Usually we get a lot of business cards as we go about our daily business of life. The business card, of course, contains the name of the person, his or her telephone number and probably the name of the firm for which the person works. But the problem is, the next time we meet the person,the face may seem familiar but we won’t have the foggiest idea as to where we met the him or her. The best thing to do would be to jot down a few points about the person and probably the reason for meeting him or her and the place as well. This will certainly lessen the load on your memory.

6. Store business cards properly.
As soon as you get back to your office file the business cards you collected. Don’t just stuff them into your card folder. Take care to read them and perhapskeep the cards of important clients separately. If you do not find much use for a person’s card, toss it.

7. Prepare a to-do list everyday. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of to-do lists in getting yourself organized. It is probably the most sensible thing that a busy person should do.

8. Plan what you have to do well in advance. It is a good idea to have daily, weekly and monthly plans. These are basic plans about the daily, weekly and monthly activities of your business and yourself as well.

9. Have a fixed timetable. It may seem somewhat mechanical but it would be wonderful if you could have a fixed time for everything and try to stick religiously to the timetable. It can really help because you will have time for everything and everything can be. Done in the time allotted.