• If you know you will be in meetings or unavailable at certain times, let person know o avoid voice mail telephone tag.

• If you are in middle of a complex task that requires an uninterrupted thought process, let voice mail answer phone. Otherwise, take call to avoid a pile up of messages to return later.

• Phone messages should be responded to within 24 hours. If you have been too tied up to answer a question or inquiry, at least respond to person who called to let them know that, and then give them an expected date by which you will have answer for them. This way you still seem responsive, even if you cannot address their request immediately.

MEETING MANAGEMENT

• When calling a meeting, always draft an agenda and attach it to meeting invitation. The agenda will serve multiple purposes:

o Help attendees prepare for meeting o Provide a sense of time allocated to each subject, so attendees can be mindful of intended time allotments o Focus attention on key issues to discuss (in case meeting agenda gets sidetracked) o Demonstrate to others that you value their time & intend to make meeting productive

This work equally well for small or large meetings, but becomes even more essential to productivity with a large meeting

• After meeting, it is helpful to prepare “meeting minutes”. The minutes provide a summary of key points discussed, and associated outcomes and action items. They serve as a helpful recap for attendees, as well as others who could not attend, but who have an interest in subject matter. A track record of accurate meeting minutes also helps to keep meeting size to a manageable volume, as all of affected parties will feel less of a need to attend meeting in order to understand its’ directional outcomes.

• The day before meeting, make sure to arrange for copying of any required handouts.

• If co-workers are always dropping by for impromptu meetings, don’t hesitate to create a “Do Not Disturb” time to be used for those complex thinking projects, where being interrupted has a big impact on your train of thought.

Copyright 2004-All rights reserved

As The Organizing Wiz, Ilene Drexler works with clients who want to get organized in their home or offices. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, Ilene is a part of the industry's leading resources for professional organizing.

3. Write a Dream Letter Write letters to each other about your dreams for your marriage. What do you hope your marriage will look like in ten, twenty, or thirty years? Exchange letters on first day of your marriage, and then save them to read on your wedding anniversary.

4. Leave Memory Notes Everywhere Nothing creates a romantic mood better than remembering your best moments together as a couple. Purchase some small notepaper or post-it notes and spend some time digging up your favorite memories of your spouse. How did you meet? How did your first kiss come about? What is goofiest thing he or she ever did? When was your spouse there for you when you needed him or her most? Then spend some time thinking of memories you’d most like to share with your spouse over course of your marriage. Write these all down on note paper, and hide them all over place at your honeymoon destination (on pillow, in luggage, in rental car, etc.). 5. Share Love The funny thing about love is you get more by giving it away. That's as true for newlyweds as for anyone else, so find ways to share your love with others. Start by committing random acts of kindness—both toward each other and complete strangers. Visit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation web page for inspiration (http://www.actsofkindness.org/). One of our favorite stories there is about a young woman who was caught in rain when a complete stranger gave her his own umbrella. When she asked how she would return it to him, he just smiled and walked away. Creating great memories like that adds a magical twist to your honeymoon.