Category: Productivity

10 Professional Organizers To Follow On Twitter

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Social media makes it easy to keep up with your favorite shops, restaurants and news organizations all from the comfort of your own home. But what about keeping up with professional organizers? There are a ton of professional organizers on Twitter and they frequently share great tips for staying organized and productive. Here are 10 of In Order to Succeed‘s favorite Twitter  organizers.

The following list is in no particular order.

  1. C. Sgrott Wheedleton
  2. Lorie Marrero
  3. NAPO NY
  4. Julie Morgenstern
  5. Jen Tankersley
  6. The Inspired Office
  7. Lisa Zaslow
  8. Blissfully Organized
  9. Buttoned Up
  10. Organizing Tips

Tell Us: Who are some of you favorite organizers on Twitter?

Don’t forget to follow In Order to Succeed on Facebook and  Twitter

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.

How to Choose a Laptop Bag Suitable for You

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

By Panhong Zhou

As technology develops, nowadays more and more people have their own laptops. When you buy a notebook, the sellers may present you a laptop bag at the same time. Then possibly you will ask me now that we have already had one, why shall I buy another one? Suppose when you are on a business trip, don’t you think it is too difficult for you to get on the train when you take your luggage and laptop bag together among a large crowd? Generally speaking, this problem can be easily solved by choosing the right laptop bag.

Buying a laptop bag is as important as buying a notebook. It can hold important work files and school projects. To some extent, it could be the portal to your private world. You need to know that it is not only for protecting your notebook safely, but also shows your personality. Besides cost, there are several factors to consider when you choose a laptop bag: usage, size, material, style, color and etc.

You should take the following aspects into consideration when you choose a laptop bag.

1.Usage
Apart from protecting your notebook, you should consider your primary needs and where it will be going: travelling, going to work, lectures, commute or shopping on holidays.

2.Size
You must make sure your notebook fits well in the laptop bag you choose and there is enough space for holding other accessories such as computer power, mouse, mouse mat and headset.

3.Material
Depending on the environment in your home and working place, you should carefully choose the material of the laptop bag. It should be sturdy and durable and a water-repellent bag is preferred. What’s more, the pressure the belt exerted on shoulders should be as small as possible.

4.Style
Laptop bags are styled to look and act like most other bags. There are different types of laptop cases: metallic bags, backpacks, messenger bags, totes, briefcases, and sleeves. Choose the right one suitable for your life.

5.Color
Surely there’s a color that will best suit you. Black is popular and goes with almost anything, but you can find bags with color accents or just in different colors. This is completely a personal choice.

6.Other factors
I strongly advise that when you choose a laptop bag, you should check the zippers again and again to make sure they work well. In addition, you should make sure there are no broken zipper teeth and zipper openings are firmly connected with the body of the bag. Protective layer is also an important factor. Check the inner layer to see the thickness of the sponge. Buffering function and moisture proof can be seen from it. The thicker, the better. The stitches are also a factor that will decide the durability of the bag.

The above factors commonly decide the cost of the laptop bag. You don’t have to spend a lot on it but just think more and rank your needs before your purchase.

Information for this article provided by  handbag blog at http://www.llsal.com/ and http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Panhong_Zhou. For more help on organizing your work life contact professional organizing firm In Order to Succeed at info@inorderotsucceed.com, on Facebook and on Twitter.

3 Ways to Stay Productive While Traveling

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Traveling. Some people love it, some people hate it and others do it as required. But no matter how you feel about traveling chances are at some point each year you find yourself sitting in a busy airport terminal waiting for your flight to begin boarding.

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure there are a few things you can do to stay productive while you travel. Here are three tips:

Have a List of Tasks Ready

There’s a lot of waiting while traveling and sometimes even delays. Keep on hand reading or reference material, and contact management tools so you can make use of small parcels of time by making appointments, returning phone calls, or responding to emails.

Schedule Time for Phone Calls

There’s a reason for your travels and it’s probably not to spend the entire time on the phone. Set aside a time to return calls and stick to it unless it’s an emergency.

Pack Ahead of Time

Frequent travelers should have a carry-on case packed with basic necessities ready to go. This keeps you organized and stops you from worrying about what you might be missing. When traveling with kids make sure you give yourself time to pack for them several days in advance.

In Order to Succeed, is a full-service professional organizing and project management firm serving private individuals and business owners throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. In Order to Succeed works closely with clients helping them to live, work and move in productive, organized and stress-free ways. In addition to helping her clients prepare for travel, President of In Order to Succeed, Denise Caron-Quinn is a frequent traveler herself and had some tips on staying productive while traveling for business or pleasure. Find In Order to Succeed on Facebook and on Twitter.

How to Stay Productive While Traveling

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

Traveling. Some people love it, some people hate it and others do it as required. But no matter how you feel about traveling chances are at some point each year you find yourself sitting in a busy airport terminal waiting for your flight to begin boarding.

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure there are a few things you can do to stay productive while you travel. Here’s how to stay productive:

Have a List of Tasks Ready

There’s a lot of waiting while traveling and sometimes even delays. Keep on hand reading or reference material, and contact management tools so you can make use of small parcels of time by making appointments, returning phone calls, or responding to emails.

Schedule Time for Phone Calls

There’s a reason for your travels and it’s probably not to spend the entire time on the phone. Set aside a time to return calls and stick to it unless it’s an emergency.

Pack Ahead of Time

Frequent travelers should have a carry-on case packed with basic necessities ready to go. This keeps you organized and stops you from worrying about what you might be missing. When traveling with kids make sure you give yourself time to pack for them several days in advance.

In Order to Succeed, is a full-service professional organizing and project management firm serving private individuals and business owners throughout New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. In Order to Succeed works closely with clients helping them to live, work and move in productive, organized and stress-free ways. In addition to helping her clients prepare for travel, President of In Order to Succeed, Denise Caron-Quinn is a frequent traveler herself and had some tips on staying productive while traveling for business or pleasure. Find 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.

Ten Strategies For Taming Your Email Inbox

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

If you are like most people, your email inbox is always overflowing. Sorting through your email can be a time-consuming and frustrating task. But you can remedy this by following these ten strategies for taming your email inbox.

1. Spam filters

Every email program has spam filters. It is up to you to make them work for you. Check your email settings and play around with the spam filters until you get it set to the level of privacy you desire. Less spam will mean fewer emails you have to wade through.

2. Unsubscribe

Unsubscribe to those newsletters that you no longer need. Get rid of the ones that just don’t provide useful information. There should be an unsubscribe button or link at the bottom of the email or newsletter.

3. Organize

You organize your paper files at home so why not organize your email? You can create files for your emails such as work mail, personal mail, receipts, etc. Place the appropriate emails in the appropriate files. A lot of email programs will even allow you to label emails from specific addresses according to their purpose. For example, emails coming from your work address will be labeled as work in your inbox. You can even color code your emails for higher efficiency.

4. Dedicated Email Time

Set aside a specific time each day in which you will check your email. It could be the first thing in the morning, or it may be the last thing you do in the evening. If you want to remain productive you have got to stop checking your email periodically throughout the day.

5. Short Responses

When you answer your emails, keep your replies short and to the point. This saves time for you and the person receiving your emails.

6. Spring Cleaning

Once a month or even once a week, set aside time for a little email spring cleaning.  Go through all your saved emails and purge what you don’t need. You want to try to get your email inbox down to 0. This may not be possible every day, but you can significantly reduce the number of items in your inbox and your outbox.

7. Establish Alternate Email Addresses

To cut down on the email clutter it is a good idea to set up several email addresses. You can use one for emails between family members, another for personal emails between friends and yet another address for business-related emails.

8. Learn More About Your System

Did you know that most individuals use less than 20% of the programs found on their system? Take some time to learn more about your system and what it can do. You may be missing out on some program features that could save you a lot of time.

9. Determine Your Next Action

Every time you open an email, make a decision on what your next action will be. Are you going to file it, answer it, or delete it? Make a decision and commit to it. This will reduce the amount of emails found in your email folder.

10. Don’t Forget Sent Mail

It is true email can really clog up your inbox, but you should not neglect your sent mail. Organize your sent messages in folders for each client or job. This makes it easy for you to find the email again if you should need it for reference.

How to Organize Your Email

Posted on by Denise Caron-Quinn

If you are like most people, your email inbox is always overflowing. Sorting through your email can be a time-consuming and frustrating task. But you can remedy this by following these ten strategies on how to organize your email.

1. Spam filters

Every email program has spam filters. It is up to you to make them work for you. Check your email settings and play around with the spam filters until you get it set to the level of privacy you desire. Less spam will mean fewer emails you have to wade through.

2. Unsubscribe

Unsubscribe to those newsletters that you no longer need. Get rid of the ones that just don’t provide useful information. There should be an unsubscribe button or link at the bottom of the email or newsletter.

3. Organize

You organize your paper files at home so why not organize your email? You can create files for your emails such as work mail, personal mail, receipts, etc. Place the appropriate emails in the appropriate files. A lot of email programs will even allow you to label emails from specific addresses according to their purpose. For example, emails coming from your work address will be labeled as work in your inbox. You can even color code your emails for higher efficiency.

4. Dedicated Email Time

Set aside a specific time each day in which you will check your email. It could be the first thing in the morning, or it may be the last thing you do in the evening. If you want to remain productive you have got to stop checking your email periodically throughout the day.

5. Short Responses

When you answer your emails, keep your replies short and to the point. This saves time for you and the person receiving your emails.

6. Spring Cleaning

Once a month or even once a week, set aside time for a little email spring cleaning.  Go through all your saved emails and purge what you don’t need. You want to try to get your email inbox down to 0. This may not be possible every day, but you can significantly reduce the number of items in your inbox and your outbox.

7. Establish Alternate Email Addresses

To cut down on the email clutter, it is a good idea to set up several email addresses. You can use one for emails between family members, another for personal emails between friends and yet another address for business-related emails.

8. Learn More About Your System

Did you know that most individuals use less than 20% of the programs found on their system? Take some time to learn more about your system and what it can do. You may be missing out on some program features that could save you a lot of time.

9. Determine Your Next Action

Every time you open an email, make a decision on what your next action will be. Are you going to file it, answer it, or delete it? Make a decision and commit to it. This will reduce the amount of emails found in your email folder.

10. Don’t Forget Sent Mail

It is true email can really clog up your inbox, but you should not neglect your sent mail. Organize your sent messages in folders for each client or job. This makes it easy for you to find the email again if you should need it for reference.