…The answer is a labelmaker. "Most organizers favorite tool is electronic labelmaker," confirms Diane Hatcher, president of Timesavers Professional Organizing Services, Cooper City, Florida (www.timesaversusa.com). "I particularly use a Brother PT65. It's a portable labelmaker. And almost everybody that sees mine wants one."

So why love affair between professional organizers and labelmakers? It's because of what you can do with this little inexpensive object (which is less clunky and more portable than its fading cousin, typewriter). Essentially, a labelmaker spits out self-adhesive tape with words and phrases you type onto its keyboard. (A label printer that attaches to and works in conjunction with your computer would use your computer keyboard as input device). You can view what you're inputting on a tiny screen on portable labelmakers, usually an LCD display similar to ones seen on cameras or handheld calculators.

And while label makers are fun gadgets, they're more than just that. They're practical and useful devices. For instance, here are several ways Hatcher says you can use a labelmaker in an office setting:

1. Label open shelves for supplies or in a supply cabinet. (e.g. "8 1/2 X 11 paper," "bond paper," and "ivory card stock")

2. Label file folders. (e.g. "Jane Doe" and "travel expenses")

3. Label edges of notebooks/binders. (e.g. "organizing conference/March 2004" and "reference information")

4. Label stacking trays on your desk or elsewhere. (e.g. "incoming," "outgoing," and "pending")

5. Label cupboards and drawers. (e.g. "utensils," "coffee supplies," and "property of xyz department" in a shared kitchen/work room.)

What if I mess up? What if I repeat myself? What if audience doesn’t like what I say? What if I forget a part of my speech? What if I look nervous?

It’s okay! You’re not only one feeling this way. The Book of Lists states that #1 fear is speaking in public. This fear is greater than fear of death.

Well, I have answers to your fears and can help you become an outstanding presenter. These 10 tips will help you become more confident making presentations that achieve results.

1. Start with an End in Mind Ask yourself, “Why am I speaking?” “What do I want audience to do after listening to my speech?” This will help you focus on message you want to share with your audience. It will help you focus on who is your audience, key points, and what you want your audience to do after listening to you.

2. Keep It Simple Keep your presentation simple by learning to “speak to express instead of speaking to impress.” What I mean by speaking to impress is when you see speakers using $5 words for $2 situations during speeches and they look uncomfortable doing it. Another example of this is when presenters overuse PowerPoint. Your audience will soon lose interest in what you are saying.

Also keep it simple with structure of your speech. An opening, body with tree major points, and a closing will help you connect with your audience. Just be sincere, concise, and simple in your presentation and you will always connect with your audience.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice Master your presentation by practicing. Here’s secret to practicing…first read your speech to yourself 2-3 times. This allows you to work out majority of rough spots in your presentation before you start rehearsing.

Then rehearse in front of a mirror or even better a video camera or tape player. Also try to rehearse in front of someone whose opinion you value.

Then practice as close as possible to your speaking environment as possible. For example, if you will be speaking behind a lectern, practice with your notes on an ironing board.

4. Visualize Success Before going to sleep night before a presentation I take time to visualize success of presentation. The key to making visualization work for you is involving as many senses (sound, touch, sight, smell, etc.) as possible in your visualization. Have you ever had a dream where it seemed so real you awoke in a cold sweat (You don’t need to tell me what dream was)? It was because you used all your senses and that dream became so real to you that you needed to escape from it.

Visualize yourself giving a successful presentation where you see yourself as a confident presenter, hear yourself handling questions, etc. Visualize successful presentations so that it becomes real.

5. Eat Elephant I ask timeless question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Piece by piece. The same answer applies to presenting to a group. How do you present to a group? Person to person. Break group into individuals.