Step Two for Day Two: Setting priorities and scheduling review

We've all heard about setting goals and breaking them down into manageable, achievable chunks... Now it's time to prioritize those chunks and get them on calendar. Then add a weekly review onto that calendar so you can look back at what you did in last week, and what you'll do in next week to meet those goals.

The big issue disorganized folks have is that they work really hard to get organized, then in a couple of days or weeks, it's all back to normal, and those great goals and lists are buried. A solution might be to share your weekly priorities with a friend or colleague who will hold you accountable… And you do same for them. (You could make a bet that if one of you doesn't get through your list, you have to buy dinner that week.)

Setting priorities and sticking to them is really hard for all of us. This is why organizational tools that spread your 'core' values into your everyday consciousness are such good organizational tools. Steven Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People', Franklin Planner's goals and values process, and it’s why I suggest looking at your long term goals at least once a week during your weekly review. You need that reminder on a regular basis.

And next day: Future steps.

As your systems start to fall into place, and you start to feel benefits of getting organized, build on that momentum and start looking at what your overall life goals are, and what influences you. When you start working smarter and more effectively, you have to ask yourself what you're going to do with extra time? Are you going to work more to accomplish more? Or do you want to take that time to do something else? You certainly haven't become more organized just so you can do more sitting in front of TV have you?

Where do we look for models of how we want to live once we get clutter out of our way? The following three cultural influences can be excellent guides for helping us focus our goals.

Zen and martial arts As you gain mastery over your time and your 'stuff', look to become a master of whatever you do. The cultural precepts of most Asian martial arts, from Tai Chi to Kung fu closely follow precepts of Zen philosophy. As I attempt to understand what they're about, I read it as 'practice what you do until you can do it effortlessly, automatically. Do it in a reverent, loving way. Once you have mastered that action, move on to next level, and focus again, on present action.' Once you see connection between your focus, clarity and need for a clutter free, prepared environment, you will not want to move back to old ways of distraction and stress again.

American 'Can Do' digital age There's always a better way to do things, and American culture is always trying to invent it. There's much in American way that can distract you from your new-found organization, like consumerism and greed… But you can also use this influence to always be looking at how to bring more efficiency to all your projects. Is there a paperless way to do what you have in mind? Do you need to carry all that computer equipment? Can we do a 'virtual meeting' instead? Adaptation and absorption is norm in American society… Use this opportunity to do more in less time.

La Dolce Vita The Mediterranean culture has long had a handle on 'the sweet life'. From Morocco to Jordan they have always prized time with family, time for art, music, food, for life. Italians are aghast when they learn Americans only get two weeks of vacation... Turks struggle to understand how American male friends don't spend time together discussing politics, art, and relationships… A two hour lunch with your family on a workday is not an indulgence, it's expected. Let Mediterranean culture influence your new found time. Focus on life, and living, not simply working more.

The goal of looking at these different important influences as you look to get your life organized is to create a *lifestyle*, a way of living that allows you to focus on what's important, to do more, grow more, and to live better. Get started today.

Tys Sniffen, Founder of Idea Mountain, has helped hundreds of individuals and small businesses deal with what’s slowing them down. Working nationally, he consults both in person and ‘virtually’ with clients to help them be more organized, work better, and get more out of life. Please visit www.ideamountain.com for more information, or call 415-606-7746

5. GIFT OF BEING A PERSON WHO HAS A SPARK and appreciation for all of life. Encourage those you care about to be fully alive by taking adventures, finding laughter and fun daily, expressing their creativity, and stretching themselves beyond their personal limits. Model a lifestyle that provides them with a positive guideline.

6. GIFT OF LIFE WITHOUT NEEDLESS WORRIES OR FEARS. Show others by practicing this way of life demonstrates that you don't just sit around and fret about problems. Rather, you tackle them. Be a doer; you'll be surprised at how others will follow your lead. Not only that, "problems" may vanish when met head on or realistically pushed aside.

7. GIFT OF ACRONYMS. Sure, it sounds strange but it gets you thinking. Here's some ideas for word love. Loving Openly, Vivaciously, Enthusiastically Liking Offspring Virtually Everyday Little Oddities, Very Endearing Life Offers Vibrant Energy Laughter, Openness, Vitality, Excitement

In addition to giving these gifts to others, remember to give them to yourself as well. Love gifts can be given away any time, to anyone, for best reason of all, you care. The gifts of acceptance, self-confidence, possibility thinking and action, problem solving, and supreme gift of finding happiness in challenge of living comes from self-esteem love gifts. Give them freely, willingly, and with affection.