The Magic Word

It's August now, which means I only have seven weeks left until I leave for an extended four-week vacation. (More about that later.) And of course, that means everyone in my life needs everything right NOW.

Not long ago, I wrote about creating a time map to bring some order to my busy schedule. Lately, I've had to throw that time map out the window. You're thinking: WHAT??? I thought the map was the key to getting it all done and making it work.

It is. But we all have periods in life when things are just too busy and our current time map doesn't work. I've been planning my wedding, this big international vacation, a non-profit fundraiser in September, a block party event for another non-profit this month and more. Every weekend between now and when I leave has something scheduled. Even the weekend right before I leave I am attending an organizing conference. Every work day contains several tasks and meetings. I've been filling in for someone who is on vacation, adding to my daily work duties. And I took two days off this week to go wedding dress shopping. Whew!

So how does a professional organizer get it all done? It's not magic. Well, actually, it starts with one magic word: NO.

Learning to use this magic word will save you headaches whether your schedule is jam packed or not. It's THE single most important aspect to managing your time. From now on, anytime someone asks me to add a commitment to my schedule, the answer is "no." My girlfriends recently asked if I'd like to run a 5K with them Sept. 11. Sorry, but no. I exercise regularly, but I'm not going to add training to my schedule right now. One of my clients requested a big project. Nope. Can't do it until I get back.

Once you've mastered the magic word, ask yourself: What are your priorities? Then, combine that with what MUST get done. For example, I'd scheduled time to wedding dress shop with my mom, who came in from out of town for that. But because my wedding isn't until next June, all other wedding items can wait until mid-October, when I return.

Many of the regular items on my schedule will simply have to wait. Some, such as furthering my education with classes, networking activities and similar items are easily pushed down the priority list. Others, such as the events I'm planning and preparing clients for my long absence, are the "must-dos."

So now, I'm creating a new time map. This one will be temporary, and I may not lay it out formally as I did before. But it will see me (and my sanity) through the next seven weeks.