Happy Fall, All

The last week of summer is winding down. Autumn begins Monday, bringing with it Fall Fix-Up season. It’s also a great time to fix-up things in our lives such as these:

• Personal relationships
• Workplace relationships
• Time management issues
• Home and office organization issues
• Careers
• Eating and exercise habits
• Social habits
• Online presence

You can find tips for time management, organization, workplace relationships, and career help in my former blog posts and on my website www.carolsilvis.com.

Where will you begin?

ELIMINATE PROCRASTINATION

The only way to stop procrastination is to take action. Begin by figuring out why you procrastinate. Some common reasons people procrastinate and ways to remedy the situations are listed below:

·         No clear idea of what to do. If you are not sure what to do, ask yourself how you can find out what action you should take. For instance, has someone else performed the task? Can you ask that person for guidance? Are there directions for performing the task that you can access? Can you research an answer? Can you brainstorm with others or have someone train you?

·         The size of the task is overwhelming. Break tasks into manageable pieces and take small bits of action. Work on one part of the task at a time. Whenever you have a spare few minutes, do something that brings you closer to your goal of completing the task. If possible, delegate portions of the task or else have someone work with you.

·         No clear priorities. Decide what you want to accomplish. Write down your goals. Create a to-do list and prioritize it. Create a plan of action complete with the steps you can take to perform each task. Ask for guidance when needed.

·         Too much to do. Get organized and learn to manage your time well. Forget about pleasing everyone; learn to say no. Align your to-do-list tasks with your priorities. Concentrate on the most important work first. Combine like tasks. Eliminate unnecessary tasks. Attempt less. Avoid perfectionism. Know when you are in over your head, and ask for help when you need it.

·         Distractions. Eliminate as many distractions as you can by closing your door, turning off the radio or television, regulating the temperature, getting comfortable, and the like. Temporarily turn off the phone, email alerts, and social media sites. Avoid situations where you will be tempted to socialize whenever you do not have the time to spare. When people drop by to talk, tactfully tell them you have to complete your tasks and will talk with them during break. Discourage socializing by continuing to work and not making eye contact or engaging in the conversation. Stand up when someone comes into your office, or else meet visitors outside your office. Be unavailable.

·         Indecision. Do your research; get the facts. Brainstorm ideas. Consult others if necessary. Weigh the risks and consequences of possible decisions. Implement the decision. Learn from any negative consequences of your decision. Re-evaluate the decision and change what needs to be changed.

Spring Cleaning for Career Success

Spring is the ideal time to clear out the old and give everything a good cleaning. Take the time to unclutter your office and your desk. We all work better in a pleasant environment.

·         Purge old hard copy files

·         Throw away outdated notes and useless materials

·         Take everything out of desk drawers and wipe them out

·         Organize desk drawers

·         Discard old pens, markers, rubber bands, and other worn out supplies

·         Clear your calendar

·         Delete old, worthless emails

·         Throw out old business cards and magazines

·         Clean up old files on your computer

·         Clear everything from your desk that you don’t need that hinders your work habits

·         Rearrange your work area in the best way for you to complete your tasks

·         Give the surface of your desk a good cleaning; wipe down the phone, computer, lamp, and desk accessories.

In addition to clearing clutter from your desk, clear the clutter from your mind by using a to-do list, a tickler file (for dated material), a pending file, a calendar, and an easy method for you to remember all the hundreds of things you need to do.

Spring Forward in Your Career

With the arrival of spring and new growth all around us, it seems a good time to reflect on ways we can grow and spring forward in the workplace. Here are some quick tips to help you climb the corporate ladder:

• Clearly define your career ambitions.
• Ask yourself if you are ready and willing to accept the responsibilities that go with the position you hope to attain.
• Learn all you can about what it takes to advance in your company.
• Emulate the people in the position you would like to attain.
• Find a mentor in the type of position you desire.
• Develop a plan of action that will lead you to the position you desire.
• Know the criteria your supervisor uses to evaluate your performance.
• Master the tasks you are given and look for ways to do them more efficiently.
• Follow through on all tasks and keep your word.
• Keep a record of your accomplishments.
• Learn something new each week.
• Practice excellent time management, organization, and customer relations skills.
• Dress and act like a professional.

Give Employers What They Want

In keeping with the theme of getting a job, let's take a look at what employers want. Employers want to hire dependable, enthusiastic people who will give a full day's work. Here are some tips to convince an employer you are the right person for the job:

• Maintain a record of dependability and good attendance at your current job.
• Be able to convey your assets and accomplishments within a few minutes.
• Match your skills to the employer's needs.
• Research the company and be prepared to discuss your findings during the interview.
• Demonstrate your willingness to try new things.
• Practice time management and organizational skills.
• Maintain a positive attitude and demonstrate your willingness to get along with others.
• If you working in a multi-generational workplace, mention your ability to get along with people of all ages.
• Take an active part in your self-development through training and updating skills.
• Join a professional organization in your field.

Push yourself to the top of the competition by showing the employer you are the right person to hire.

Where Does the Time Go?

Since returning from my Disney World vacation, I have been totally focused on writing my new book, Seeking a Job After 50. I turned in the first two chapters yesterday and am diligently working on Chapter 3.

All this work brings to mind time management and organizational skills. My website, www.carolsilvis.com, has a list of time management and organization tips if you need a little help in these areas.

With fall coming, it's a good time to take stock of where our time goes and how we can make the most of it. Soon we will be facing another holiday season and all the time crunches that come with it.

Do yourself a favor and take time to enjoy life.