Category: balance

Five Tips to Stay Focused at Work

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

We’ve all been there. Your computer screen is turning into a giant blur. The sounds around you are fading. Your thoughts are drifting into the Adriatic…

Staying focused is hard. It’s truly a struggle and takes different strategies for every individual. Fortunately, procrastination is a weak enemy, easily defeated with a few handy tricks.

Organize Your Tasks By Time

You’ve probably heard this a million times, but that’s because it’s one of the most important strategies. Plan your day out first thing. Determine the time expectation for completing each task and follow your plan accordingly.

Break Up Your Day

Literally break up your day with 3-5 minute breaks. If you get through your small and easy tasks, take a break then come back to make headway in a larger task. Half-way through your large task, take another break. By giving yourself a moment to walk around and rest your brain, the monotony will feel less and less.

Create A Distraction-Free Environment: Clean Up!

By simply cleaning up your workspace, your organization will skyrocket. You’ll have easy access to materials and your desk will be visually pleasing to you and fellow coworkers. For bonus points, clean up a shared office area such as the kitchen or lobby. Note only will you get a free break, but your office will be appreciative. This subtly increases the pleasure of coming into work – some coworkers may even return the favor and bring you in a coffee!

Fight Stress With Creativity 

Everyone stresses at work, even those who absolutely love their jobs fall prey to stress. It’s simply natural of working hard and diligently. There are many ways to ease stress with relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or even focusing on a visually pleasing image. My favorite technique is to beat stress with creativity. We can only do this by thinking outside of the box. Try to visualize your stressful task as an exciting challenge that can only be completed with heroic and valiant efforts. One of my co-workers pretends they are a super-hero, so whatever suits you!

Turn Your Phone Off

Or at least meet me half-way and put it on silent. Everyone has a smartphone, which is essentially a mini personal computer. Smartphones are one of top distractions in offices, schools, and cars! If you’re one of those people who texts and drives, it’s likely you text and work. Don’t have your boss call up Wymoo International and higher a PI to track you down. Put your phone away. Even better, when you first come in to work, try forgetting you even own a phone. At the end of the day, you’ll realize just how productive you can be.

Good luck at work and stay focused! If you have any questions or extra tips, post a comment below!

Cheers!

Jesse Aaron is a professional blogger with a passion for homebrewing. He writes on a variety of topics on his blog, Mashbout. Follow Jesse on Google Plus.

For more tips visit In Order to Succeed on the web and follow In Order to Succeed  on Facebook and on Twitter.

Five Tips on How to Stay Focused at Work

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

We’ve all been there. Your computer screen is turning into a giant blur. The sounds around you are fading. Your thoughts are drifting into the Adriatic.

Staying focused is hard. It’s truly a struggle and takes different strategies for every individual. Fortunately, procrastination is a weak enemy, easily defeated with a few handy tricks. These five tips on how to stay focused at work will get you back on track.

Organize Your Tasks By Time

You’ve probably heard this a million times, but that’s because it’s one of the most important strategies. Plan your day out first thing. Determine the time expectation for completing each task and follow your plan accordingly.

Break Up Your Day

Literally break up your day with 3-5 minute breaks. If you get through your small and easy tasks, take a break then come back to make headway in a larger task. Half-way through your large task, take another break. By giving yourself a moment to walk around and rest your brain, the monotony will feel less and less.

Create A Distraction-Free Environment: Clean Up!

By simply cleaning up your workspace, your organization will skyrocket. You’ll have easy access to materials and your desk will be visually pleasing to you and fellow coworkers. For bonus points, clean up a shared office area such as the kitchen or lobby. Note only will you get a free break, but your office will be appreciative. This subtly increases the pleasure of coming into work – some coworkers may even return the favor and bring you in a coffee!

Fight Stress With Creativity 

Everyone stresses at work, even those who absolutely love their jobs fall prey to stress. It’s simply natural of working hard and diligently. There are many ways to ease stress with relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or even focusing on a visually pleasing image. My favorite technique is to beat stress with creativity. We can only do this by thinking outside of the box. Try to visualize your stressful task as an exciting challenge that can only be completed with heroic and valiant efforts. One of my co-workers pretends they are a super-hero, so whatever suits you!

Turn Your Phone Off

Or at least meet me halfway and put it on silent. Everyone has a smartphone, which is essentially a mini personal computer. Smartphones are one of top distractions in offices, schools, and cars! If you’re one of those people who texts and drives, it’s likely you text and work. Don’t have your boss call up Wymoo International and higher a PI to track you down. Put your phone away. Even better, when you first come into work, try forgetting you even own a phone. At the end of the day, you’ll realize just how productive you can be.

Good luck at work and stay focused! If you have any questions or extra tips, post a comment below!

Cheers!

Jesse Aaron is a professional blogger with a passion for homebrewing. He writes on a variety of topics on his blog, Mashbout. Follow Jesse on Google Plus.

For more tips visit In Order to Succeed on the web and follow In Order to Succeed on Facebook and on Twitter.

Essential Kids Summer Camp Checklist

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

By Andrea G Stein

A kids summer camp can be a great experience for children and their parents. After you have made the choice of which camp to send your child to, it’s time to plan for the actual camp program. How will you know what your child really needs? Most summer camp programs will send a welcome packet including a list of what to pack, whether it’s a summer day camp or an overnight program. In case they don’t or if you want to be fully prepared, here are some tips for creating a camp checklist.

For day camps, you would want to include swimming gear, like a towel, swimsuit, swim shoes and sunscreen. Add in hat, filled water bottles, sandals, an extra set of clothing, hat and maybe a lightweight rain slicker and sweatshirt and your child should be prepared for whatever heads her way.

If your child is on any regular medication or has an allergy, make sure the summer camp nurse knows about it and you have registered those medications. Include detailed instructions on how the medication should be administered and when they need to call you.

Some summer day camps provide lunch and snacks, others do not. If they don’t they you will need to pack a lunch every day in an insulated lunch snack – include an ice pack to keep the food cool. Avoid sending peanut butter, nuts and chocolate as snacks since these are common allergy triggers for kids – and the chocolate will melt.

And don’t forget to have snacks handy in the car when you pick them up after a long day of camping. Your children have been busy, busy, busy and waiting until dinner time will likely be too long.

For sleep away camp programs, the same basic list of items is needed except more. First off you will need to know how long the camp lasts, and whether or not your kids will have the chance to do laundry. If not, pack twice as many pairs of underwear and socks as days in the camp. For other clothes, a good rule of thumb is one t-shirt and shorts for each day of camp, a few sweatshirts or fleeces for cool nights, two pairs of pants, two sets of pajamas, flip slops, sneakers and several bathing suits.

And don’t forget the toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, comb and a hairbrush. Include two sets of washcloths and towels. Include toiletries such as shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, biodegradable soap, hairbrush and comb, two wash cloths and at least two towels. Include a plastic bag or carrying case to get these things to and from the shower. Other items might include bed lines, pillow, sleeping bag and a blanket, as well as a flashlight with extra batteries.

Most camps won’t allow cellphones, video games, or music players, so check and see what your camp program’s rules are. You might want to throw in some books or puzzles for quiet times and rainy days. And don’t forget to label everything with your child’s names or initials. A waterproof marker or fabric labels work well too.

With a little bit of planning, your kids summer camp experience can be a great one. When they’re well prepared – thanks to you, your kids can focus on having tons of fun – the whole point of camp.

Andrea Stein is the founder of GirlMogul.com, an online community for tween girls to light up their girl power. Download your Free Guide GirlMoguls Rule the World – How to Raise a Successful Daughter in a Dangerous World at www.girlmogulmom.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_G_Stein

For more tips follow In Order to Succeed  on Facebook and on Twitter.

10 Professional Organizers to ‘Like’ on Facebook

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Quick self-promotion: If you haven’t yet liked In Order to Succeed on Facebook, do it now. You’ll find time management tips, productivity tips and of course organizational tips from In Order to Succeed’s professional organizers and project consultants. Plus, you can ask us all your questions and we’ll do our best to answer them.

O.K., now that the self-promotion is over with, it’s time to talk about some other professional organizers. We love our fellow organizers. They are an inspiration to us and are constantly sharing great advice. Here are 10 professional organizers (in no particular order) we think you should ‘like’ on Facebook.

  1. Julie Morgenstern Enterprises
  2. Blissfully Organized LLC
  3. The Organizing Guru
  4. SoBe Organized
  5. Organizing Goddess, Inc.
  6. IHeart Organizing
  7. Innovatively Organized
  8. Memories Organized LLC
  9. Organized Home
  10. The Organized Mom

In Order to Succeed is a full service Professional Organizing firm providing Home and Business Organizing Solutions, Moving/Relocation Coordination Assistance and Time Management help to people throughout New York (NY) and Connecticut (CT) and across the US.  Our Professional Organizers, Relocation Specialists and Productivity Experts will make your home and office more efficient and attractive.  We can help create a zen-like, less stressful environment giving you the time and calm to focus what you enjoy. For more information visit www.inordertosucceed.com.

In Order to Succeed is a full-service Professional Organizing firm providing Home and Business Organizing Solutions, Moving/Relocation Coordination Assistance, and Time Management help to people throughout New York (NY) and Connecticut (CT) and across the US. Our team of professional organizers in NYC, relocation specialists, and productivity experts will make your home and office more efficient and attractive. We can help create a zen-like, less stressful environment, giving you the time and calm to focus on what you enjoy. For more information, visit www.inordertosucceed.com.

10 Professional Organizers to ‘Like’ on Facebook

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Quick self-promotion: If you haven’t yet liked In Order to Succeed on Facebook, do it now. You’ll find time management tips, productivity tips, and of course, organizational tips from In Order to Succeed’s professional organizers and project consultants. Plus, you can ask us all your questions and we’ll do our best to answer them.

O.K., now that the self-promotion is over with, it’s time to talk about some other professional organizers. We love our fellow organizers. They are an inspiration to us and are constantly sharing great advice. Here are 10 professional organizers (in no particular order) we think you should like on Facebook.

  1. Julie Morgenstern Enterprises
  2. Blissfully Organized LLC
  3. The Organizing Guru
  4. SoBe Organized
  5. Organizing Goddess, Inc.
  6. IHeart Organizing
  7. Innovatively Organized
  8. Memories Organized LLC
  9. Organized Home
  10. The Organized Mom

In Order to Succeed is a full service Professional Organizing firm providing Home and Business Organizing Solutions, Moving/Relocation Coordination Assistance and Time Management help to people throughout New York (NY) and Connecticut (CT) and across the US.  Our Professional Organizers, Relocation Specialists and Productivity Experts will make your home and office more efficient and attractive.  We can help create a zen-like, less stressful environment giving you the time and calm to focus what you enjoy. For more information visit www.inordertosucceed.com.

Quick Tip: Stop the Interruptions

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

When it is time to focus on a project or do something that requires concentration ­ don’t let interruptions get in the way. They slow down the process, are the cause of mistakes and each interruption no matter how brief tends to interfere with one’s ability to be efficient and swift in getting work done.

Let the phone go to voice mail or have someone else get it. Voice mail messages may be changed to inform the caller that you’ll not be checking messages for xx minutes/hours and if needed your assistant or colleague can be contacted instead.

Shut the door if you have an office. Place a brief note explaining that you are there but unavailable (this can be taped either to door or exterior cubicle wall. -Something such as: “I would like to give you my undivided attention shortly however from xxxx AM/PM to xxxx AM/PM I am working on an assignment that is best to complete without interruptions.”

Find more tips from In Order to Succeed when you follow us  on Facebook and  Twitter.

How to Focus Better: Stop the Interruptions

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

When it is time to focus on a project or do something that requires concentration­ don’t let interruptions get in the way. They slow down the process, are the cause of mistakes and each interruption no matter how brief tends to interfere with one’s ability to be efficient and swift in getting work done. Here’s how to focus better:

Let the phone go to voice mail or have someone else get it. Voice mail messages may be changed to inform the caller that you’ll not be checking messages for xx minutes/hours and if needed your assistant or colleague can be contacted instead.

Shut the door if you have an office. Place a brief note explaining that you are there but unavailable (this can be taped either to door or exterior cubicle wall. – Something such as: I would like to give you my undivided attention shortly however from xxxx AM/PM to xxxx AM/PM I am working on an assignment that is best to complete without interruptions.

Find more tips from In Order to Succeed when you follow us  on Facebook and  Twitter.

Money Saving Tips for Families

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

by: Julie Cheung

Suggesting to children that you are going to have to start ‘cutting back’ often fails to go down
particularly well, yet many families are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch and need to
watch their spending. Luckily, there are a number of small and achievable steps that normal
families can adopt into their everyday lives without having to make too many sacrifices.

Plan Meals Ahead

This will not only save you money but will also make your life much easier by reducing the
hassle of a weekly grocery shop. By knowing exactly what ingredients are necessary to tide
you over, you can set out to only buy the things you need; avoiding expensive food items
that would inevitably end up thrown in the bin.

Shop Sensibly

Popular brands always cost more than a shop’s own brand alternative. The same goes for
bigger items such as clothes, shoes, cars and appliances; the lesser known the name, the
cheaper it will be. It is now easy to get hold of decent quality goods for a fraction of the price
you would normally pay.

You should also shop online where possible. You have to pay for postage costs but you will
more than likely save money by only buying what you need, rather than being swayed by
unexpected offers and appealing looking items if you were to go to the shop itself.

Opt for Second-hand

The great thing about having multiple children is that the older siblings will grow out of
certain clothes and toys but rather than throw these away or condemn them to a box in the
basement, items that remain in good condition can be handed down to the younger children
for them to enjoy.

Entertain at Home

When children are bored, the temptation can be to take them to the nearest cinema or
swimming pool. The problem with these is that they cost money. Gather round to watch a
movie; get out some family board games or even just run around together in the back yard.
As long as they are together and getting the chance to interact with friends and family, it can
be surprising how easily children can be entertained on a budget. If you do want to have a
day out as a treat, opt for somewhere free like the local park.

Reducing how much energy your household uses can be a great way to cut back the bills.
You can take big steps like installing solar panels or keep it simple by purchasing energy
saving light bulbs, switching off electrical appliances when they are not being used and
capping the amount of time that can be spent in the shower. Children often adopt the habits
of their parents, so if you lead by example, they will soon help towards saving energy without
even realizing.

Grow Your Own

Setting up a fruit and vegetable garden is great for families as everyone can get involved
and reap the rewards of a successful harvest. You save money by becoming somewhat self-
sufficient but you also make it easier to introduce healthy ingredients into your children’s
diet; youngsters are far more likely to be willing to eat their greens if they have had the joy of
planting and growing them themselves.

About the author: Julie runs her own blog http://www.financegirl.co.uk where you can read posts on saving money, making money and investing.  She loves to share her thoughts and tips on personal
finance.

Follow In Order to Succeed  on Facebook and on Twitter.

Hand Trucks: How they are Useful in the Workplace?

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Moving equipment and stocks, rearranging the office space, or making deliveries to and fro can be a daunting task without any use of leverage. Warehouse offices and other industries perform moving of loads up and down or in different locations on a daily grind. These can all be an exhausting and chaotic scenario without using hand trucks that are versatile tools for moving heavy objects without overexertion and that which gets you the results you want at the fastest possible rate. Hand trucks can be used virtually anywhere you need an extra hand with lifting or transferring equipment from one place to another – at home or in the workplace.

There are different hand trucks for varied uses in the workplace. When choosing the right hand truck for your needs, you should consider primarily the load type and quantity, terrain, vehicle for transport, and the stair type to determine which hand truck would be tailor-fit to your loading requirements in the workplace. Prices also vary depending on the brand or complexity of features and specifications. You can easily browse and order hand trucks on HandTrucks2Go.

Stair climbing hand trucks can carry awkward or heavy equipment on vehicle tailgates, up and down the stairs, athwart flat surfaces, or on and off docks without causing any injury and keeping the entire load balanced. This is easily operated with a simple push button as well as an electric or hand controller used to efficiently lift heavy loads without breaking a sweat. This type of hand truck is most often used in deliveries of sacks, vending machines, office equipment, boxes, and appliances; to name a few. This also comes in a wide variety of models and optional accessories.

Platform hand trucks on the other hand; have either adjustable or fixed types of platforms. These can be adjusted electrically to your preferences – whether you want the platform higher or lower. This enables fast and precise loading of equipment with very minimal effort.

Occupational health and safety measures are indeed implemented in work areas specifically in labor-intensive industrial sectors wherein workers are into deliveries and tremendous movements and lifting of heavy materials which increases the risks of mishaps or potential injury. The topmost priority of any company is to safeguard its manpower which is the highest formidable asset of any institution. The company bears responsibility to make sure that employees are in a safe and healthy working environment; which makes them accountable for any accidents that may be incurred while workers are on duty.

Hand trucks are definitely must-have tools in your home or in the workplace. It is essentially cost-effective and rakes in even more advantages in the long haul when it comes to overall level of performance and safety with handling tasks. More so, this saves you time which you can further allocate on other important tasks on your to-do list. Injuries or even casualties can be eradicated if not avoided with the proper implementation of safety measures in the workplace. Proper training should also be given to those who will be using hand trucks to make sure that they can safely and easily maneuver such heavy loads without hazards of strain or dislocation.

Author Bio:

Kris Luna is the Sales Executive at HandTrucks2Go. HandTrucks2Go is the leader in selling online highest quality moving equipment like hand trucks, platform trucks, dollies, folding carts, material lifts and stackers and they also provide material handling products like Wesco, Harper, and Magliner at the most affordable prices. They are the biggest distributors of electric hand trucks and powered stair climbers.