Identifying the Rocks: Organizing Your Priorities

In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written by Stephen Covey with Roger and Rebecca Merrill, is a story of the man in front of his class with a pile of rocks and a jar. He puts the rocks in the jar, and then asks the class "Is it full?" "Yes," they answer in unison. "Oh?" he replies, and gets out some pebbles, which he adds to the jar. "Is it full?" he asks. Catching on, they reply, "Probably not." And then he added sand. And, finally, some water. "What does that tell you?" he asked. Answers included comments like "You can always squeeze something else in" or "Just get started." "Oh, not at all!" he said. "If you don't put the rocks in first, there won't be any room for the them.

I used to feel that if I just got organized enough or managed my time well enough, or even prayed enough, I would be able to get everything done that I wanted or needed to. But I'm convinced it's a myth. A creative mind always has more ideas than the physical body can carry out. Our only hope of inner peace is identifying the rocks in our lives, and making sure we get those things on our calendar. And the rest will fall into place. But if we don't know what the rocks are, or we don't put them in our lives first, we will never find the peace we seek.

Recently I was asked by a magazine to write an article. I had the deadline on my calendar. As I was checking messages on my car phone between appointments I heard a message from the magazine editor saying, "I'm going into a meeting this afternoon at 3:00, and I need your outline." Oops! Somehow I had forgotten to get the outline in my calendar. I glanced at my clock. Thirty minutes before I needed to leave for the next appointment. I raced home, turned on the computer, and cranked out an outline.

I know that if I had blocked out two hours to write the outline, it would have taken two hours -- but what I did in thirty minutes was perfectly acceptable to the editor. Much of our life is like that. If we make up our minds as to what is really important, and put it in our calendar, we will get it done. The real challenge is identifying what is really important -- what are the rocks? Glenna Salsbury, a professional speaker from Paradise Valley, Arizona, whose company is called "An Enduring Influence," says that it is important to identify five key values in your life. All of us can come up with four very quickly, but it is the fifth one, which is often our "unique factor." The immediate values, which came to my mind, were "a peaceful home," "good health" "meaningful work" and "healthy relationships." But what about that fifth one?

I've given it hours of thought as I wait in airports and creep through traffic jams. I just couldn't put my feelings in words until I read the letter from my pastor in the Sunday bulletin last week, and he said it beautifully -- God's love through me. What a rock! The father of a friend of mine put it another way: "I always want people to feel glad they saw me." Certainly I'm not always successful, but it's a wonderful goal and I will put a reminder on my calendar every week.

What are your rocks?

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Three Easy Tips For Organizing Electronic Files

Organizing electronic files is something that everyone with a computer has had to face at one time or another. The organization of your electronic files does not have to take up a considerable amount of time and will make life easier in the long run. No more spending half a day searching for what you need once the organization of electronic files is complete.

Little effort is required for various techniques involved in the tips for organizing electronic files. A few minutes spent with the organization of electronic files can save hours in the long run. It does not matter what system is being used, the basics remain unchanged when it comes to organizing electronic files.

The first step is having the realization that a computer will not organize files the same way our minds organize information. Either the source of the application or formatting used will be what determines the arrangement of the files.

Next is the fact that up to two hundred and twenty five characters can be utilized to name files and there is a search function on the computer to help locate them. The correct naming of files will cut down on the time it takes to find them; the addition of keywords will make it easier to organize electronic files. Keywords make the files easier to find with the use of search and can be changed in the future if it becomes necessary.

Next come directories. All files should be placed in the directories that you created and designated for them. Taking general directories and placing sub categories in them will reduce the amount of time searching. Every program used can have a sub directory made for it; work related items can be put in a "work" directory while personal items can be placed in a "personal" directory.

Files can be kept in folders that you create yourself. The folder name should reflect the contents of the folder so you can remember what they contain. Now that you are prepared to name future files you can move the older files to the correct place.

Every file will have to be carefully moved to make sure that it is in the correct folder and directory. CD's can be used to backup older files so you can clear them from the system and use the copy in case you require the file in the future.

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Tips on Getting Rid of Clutter Before You Start Organizing

Do you want to get rid of clutter? Clutter seems to have taken over our lives now that we are a world full of storage buildings and over indulgence. It seems that we are buying everything we see. We must begin cleaning out closets and drawers and removing stuff from counter and table tops in every room in the house to become clutter free.

This seems easy but where do you begin? Start by finding every item that you no longer use, need or want and get rid of it. You can donate items to local charities, have a yard sale or use both methods for decluttering. If you hold a yard sale, what doesn't sell can be boxed up and donated to the local shelter or other charity. You will be amazed at how much space you now have.

Next, go though those books and magazines that you have piled high on shelves and stuffed under the bed. Go through them and get rid of those that are out of date. They can go to the recycling bin. You can cut out the pages you want to keep and put them in a folder or punch holes in them and keep them in a large binder.

When you have read a book, unless it is a collectable, do not keep it. Donate it to the library or find a book trader and trade it for other books. The same goes for movies, DVD's and CD's that you don't watch or listen to anymore.

CD's and DVD's can be put into CD towers. These towers aren't just for CD's, either. If you have an office, you can use them by your desk to hold all of the items you find yourself constantly searching for. This will help to begin the office organizing process which is a great way to rid the space of clutter.

The kitchen is the one room in the house that usually has its own junk drawer. There are dozens of items in the kitchen that were bought just because you thought it was interesting. Take all of the gadgets in your kitchen and get rid of any you have not used during the past year. Organize the rest of them in drawer organizers or use a utensil holder for items you want on the counter top.

Remember, if you don't use it, cannot wear it or if it is out of date, get rid of it. Take everything that is left and put it in its place. You will have a new sense of freedom when you rid your life of excess baggage in the form of clutter!

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