Why are there so many different organizational systems and time management methods out there? The answer is simple: it’s like any other personal challenge, like weight loss or money management. There is no simple, one size fits all answer. You must build a solution that works for you.

Over the course of this program, we will explore various time management and organizational tools and techniques so that you can build a customized productivity plan for your personal and professional lives. At the end of the course, you will emerge with a plan that works for you, so that you can start regaining control of your life!

After you complete this course, you will be able to:

• Identify what personal efficiency is, what skill sets can improve your personal productivity, and what attitudes we should cultivate.
• Explain why multi-tasking is a myth.
• Describe what role long-term goals play in short-term efficiency.
• Share a personal vision and develop dreams and goals from it.
• Apply the 80/20 rule and learn how it should affect planning.
• Identify the characteristics of a good organizational system.
• Develop a plan for an efficient workspace, including a customized information center and a filing system.
• Apply a system that will allow you to process any type of information that crosses your desk, including e-mail, electronic files, paper files, voice mail, text messages, and drop-in visitors..
• Use the Eisenhower principle to prioritize work.
• Say no.
• Use routines to simplify your life.
• Understand why you procrastinate and develop methods for tackling tasks.
• Apply ideas and tools to make your household more productive and efficient.

Course Topics:

Session One: Course Overview

• Learning Objectives 

 Session 2: Understanding Personal Efficiency

• Defining Personal Efficiency
• In the Groove
• A Holistic Approach
• Time Management vs. Personal Productivity

Session 3: Developing the Right Attitude

• Useful Skill Sets
• Useful Attitudes
• Why Multi-Tasking is a Myth

Session 4: Laying the Foundation

• Creating a Personal Vision Statement
• Step One: Identifying Your Values
• Bringing It All Together
• Step Three: Put it all Together
• Making Connections
• Identifying Dreams and Setting Goals
• Getting Some Ideas
• SPIRIT
• Putting it All Together

Session 5: The Building Blocks of a Good Organizational System

• Pareto's Principle
• Characteristics of a Good Organizational System
• Building a Customizable System

Session 6: Creating the Right Environment

• Garbage Out!
• Step Two: Make an Action Plan
• Step Three: Get Started, Part One
• Step Three: Get Started, Part Two
• Step Four: Finish the Task
• Laying Out Your Workspace, Part One
• Laying Out Your Workspace, Part Two
• Re-Designing Your Workspace
• Setting up a Daily System
• Priority Tray
• The Incubator
• Sample Incubator
• Using the Incubator
• Using the Incubator Each Day
• Setting up a Filing System
• Four File Types
• Filing Tips
• Putting Everything Back Together
• Putting it in Action, Part 1
• Putting it in Action, Part 1

Session 7: Setting up your Virtual Environment

• Organizing Electronic Files
• Tips and Tricks
• Making Your E-Mail Program Work for You
• Commit to Your E-mail Program
• Take Some Training
• Set Up Folders
• Schedule Backups and Archives
• Automate What You Can
• Use Time-Saving Tools
• Exploring Applications
• Top Applications

Session 8: Setting up Your Information Management Center

• Key Components of a System, Part 1
• Key Components of a System, Part 2
• Case Study: Sarah the Salesperson
• Case Study: Walter the Writer
• Case Study: Edna the Executive Assistant
• Making Connections
• Lessons Learned, Part 1
• Lessons Learned Part 2

Session 9: Managing Information in Six Easy Steps

• GOPHER It!
• Processing E-Mail Messages
• Digging Donald out of the Hole
• Problem One
• Problem Two
• Problem Three

Session 10: Prioritizing Your Tasks

• The Urgent-Important Matrix
• Matrix Overview
• Quadrant 1: Urgent and Important
• Quadrant 2: Important but Not Urgent
• Quadrant 3: Urgent but Not Important
• Quadrant 4: Not Urgent and Not Important
• Putting Tasks in Their Place

Session 11: Saying No

• Techniques for Saying No, Part One
• Techniques for Saying No, Part Two
• Techniques for Saying No, Part Three
• Techniques for Saying No, Part Four

Session 12: Creating Routines

• Why Routines?
• Start of Day Routine
• End of Day Routine
• Dealing with E-mail

Session 13: Stopping Procrastination Now (Not Later!)

• Tackling Procrastination
• A Challenge to Change, Part 1
• A Challenge to Change, Part 2
• A Challenge to Change, Part 3
• A Challenge to Change, Part 4

Session 14: Applying Our Lessons at Home

• Meals
• Exercise
• Fun Stuff
• Children
• Chores
• General Organization