procrastination Archives – Organized for Life and Beyond

The 80/20 Rule is Your Friend

By Hazel Thornton on June 21, 2021 14 Comments

One of my favorite concepts in life is The 80/20 Rule.

What is it?

The 80/20 Rule, a.k.a. the Pareto principle, stems from observations made by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in 1906, including the fact that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Or, generalizing to other situations, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes.

But why do I like it so much, and why it is your friend?

Because it can help you make decisions…and not worry so much…and get stuff done!

The 80/20 Rule (a.k.a. the Pareto principle), can help you make decisions, and not worry so much, and get stuff done!

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Categories : Inspiration & Motivation, Organize Your Home, Organize Your Office, Organize Your Time

Tags : 80/20 Rule, filing, Gretchen Rubin, Jeff Olson, procrastination, projects, purge, The Happiness Project, The Slight Edge, time

Getting Things Done (GTD)

By Hazel Thornton on June 4, 2013 No Comments

Have you ever procrastinated doing something because you were afraid it might take a long time, or lead to even more work, or make your brain hurt? And then, when you finally did it, it was easier and faster than you thought it would be, and you wondered, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?”

I just read Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (affectionately known as GTD by legions of followers), by David Allen. No, I hadn’t read it before, although I had certainly heard about it and seen his flow chart. When clients ask me what I think of it I say, “Um… it’s very popular…and it’s compatible with what I am going to teach you.” And then I hope I’m right. (more…)

Categories : Organize Your Time

Tags : Action File, filing, goals, myth, office, priorities, procrastination, time, To-Do List

Why Am I Organized and You Aren’t?

By Hazel Thornton on May 8, 2013 20 Comments

The first thing you should know is that I am not a psychologist and this is not a scientific paper. I’m just a professional organizer sharing some personal observations. The second thing you should know is that I’m not organized in every possible way at all possible times! And my standards (what “organized” looks like, and how it works at my house) may differ from yours. But, as a rule, I’m more organized than my clients are.

So, why am I organized and you aren’t? Here are some theories, in no particular order. Which one sounds true for you? (more…)

Categories : Hazel's Organizing Stories, Inspiration & Motivation

Tags : balance, getting back on track, Girl Scouts, hoarding, ICD, myths, NAPO, OCD, organizing system, procrastination, situational disorganization, skills, success

Just 10 More Minutes

By Hazel Thornton on April 9, 2013 3 Comments

It’s really easy to say to oneself, at quitting time (or bed time), “I’ll just do this one last thing…just 10 more minutes.” But it – whatever it is — never actually takes only 10 more minutes, does it? Sometimes it takes 15 minutes, or 37 minutes, or 2.5 more hours. And even then, usually, you’re still not completely finished…are you?

Here are 3 ways that just 10 more minutes can affect your life, and what you can do about it: (more…)

Categories : Organize Your Time

Tags : chronically late, office, procrastination, schedule, self care, time

How to Live and Work by Design, not by Default

By Hazel Thornton on January 14, 2013 4 Comments

Living and working BY DEFAULT means choosing the easiest path, either by unconsciously resorting to bad habits, or by maintaining the status quo. Sometimes we seek to avoid the conflict that can come with making a change. Sometimes we feel we have no choice in the matter. But I’m with Henry Ford, who said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are right.”

Those who live and work BY DESIGN notice when things aren’t going well, and make adjustments accordingly. They live more calmly, purposefully, and mindfully.

If being organized and managing your time makes you feel constrained, you are doing it wrong.

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Here are some examples: (more…)

Categories : Inspiration & Motivation, Organize Your Home, Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Office, Organize Your Time

Does Progress Equal Happiness?

By Hazel Thornton on December 30, 2012 9 Comments

Last year I decided I wanted a mantra/slogan/motto/theme. Something that I could fall back on to keep me motivated and — dare I say it? — happy.

As a fan of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project (book and blog), I know that many things can contribute to one’s happiness, from kittens and rainbows and enjoyable activities, to personal relationships and spirituality. I know that deep, abiding happiness is not the same thing as momentary delight. I also happen to know that organizing, and being organized, makes Gretchen very happy! (more…)

Categories : Hazel's Organizing Stories, Inspiration & Motivation, Organize Your Mind

Tags : goals, Gretchen Rubin, happiness, maintenance, oprah, priorities, procrastination, projects, routines, Tony Robbins

Success Breeds Success: Finish Something!

By Hazel Thornton on July 8, 2012 12 Comments

A senior coworker once gave me a great piece of advice early in my corporate career. I was feeling overwhelmed and whiny about all the projects I had been assigned. I was paralyzed with indecision about what to work on next. What was his advice? Finish something. (more…)

Categories : Organize Your Time

Tags : focus, goals, priorities, procrastination, stress-free, success, time

Plan, Don’t Procrastinate (Read This Now!)

By Hazel Thornton on March 8, 2012 2 Comments

Trust me, I can procrastinate with the best of you! Lately I’ve been tackling some tasks that I’ve put off for so long that, in the midst of doing them, I’ve actually exclaimed to myself, “I’m doing it! I’m really doing it!” It feels so good to finish something, doesn’t it? And it’s rarely as painful as we think it’s going to be.

So, how can we make it easier to “Just do it”? A little planning goes a long way: (more…)

Categories : Organize Your Time

Tags : goals, perfectionism, planning, priorities, procrastination, purge, schedule, time

How to Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

By Hazel Thornton on December 16, 2011 4 Comments

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that’s often used in the corporate world (where I spent over 20 years) for business project management. But you can use it too! (more…)

Categories : Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Time

Tags : goals, planning, procrastination, S.M.A.R.T. Goals, time

Archive for procrastination

The 80/20 Rule is Your Friend

Getting Things Done (GTD)

Why Am I Organized and You Aren’t?

Just 10 More Minutes

How to Live and Work by Design, not by Default

Does Progress Equal Happiness?

Success Breeds Success: Finish Something!

Plan, Don’t Procrastinate (Read This Now!)

How to Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

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