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At Home

• Keep related items together, for example the coffee filters and coffee “live� above or near the coffee maker. (saves 2-5 minutes a day)
• Create a communication center on the fridge for messages, chores etc. (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Keep the grocery list posted where all family members can add items as they run out. (Saves 10 – 30 minutes a week, depending if you forget something and have to go back to the store!)
• Create a checklist for groceries arranged in the order of your grocery store aisles. (saves 5-10 minutes shopping)
• Create recipe categories that make sense to you. (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Identify a place to put car keys, gloves, umbrellas etc., for easy access when you leave the house (saves 5 minutes a day or a lot more if you really can’t find your car keys!)
• Use an answering machine or service to control calls. Return calls at your convenience. (saves 10-20 minutes a day)
• When opening your incoming e-mail, apply The FAT System™ (File-Act-Toss). If you aren’t sure you need it, toss it! (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
• Create an address book for quick reference. Outlook Express, ACT!, and Quicken all come with address books, or you can do it the “old fashioned� way and input info by hand in an actual book. Keep it updated. (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Put daily grooming/make-up needs in a single container easily accessible. (saves 3 minutes a day.)
• Make a habit of looking when you go from one place to another, and see what needs to go with you. (saves 3 minutes a day.)

Family

• Teach your children to use an alarm clock or clock radio. (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Choose clothing and accessories the night before (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Pack lunches the night before (saves 5 minutes in busiest time of the day)
• Designate a place where family members can check to see if they have messages. (saves 5 minutes a day per person)
• Start a child’s file system with a simple container, basket, file or shelf. It may contain information about their medical records, medicines, education, extra curricular activities, memorabilia, etc. (saves 10-15 minutes a week)
• Designate a “special place� for your child to put the papers they bring home from school. (saves 5-15 minutes a week)
• Run errands at non-rush hour times if possible. Keep stops sequential to avoid driving in circles (saves 15-45 minutes a day)

Work

• Avoid an overflowing e-mail In Box, by creating folders. Create a folder for each committee, project, person etc. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
• Attach the old message when replying to an e-mail to help the recipient remember its original content. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
• For lengthy or complicated e-mail, create your message in a word processing program and attach it to your e-mail. This allows you easy access for editing and retrieval. (saves 10 minutes a day)
• If you need a copy of an e-mail, print it and then delete it! Remember to file your e-mail hard copy in your paper management system, such as The Paper Tiger™, so you can find it again in 5 seconds or less! (saves 5 minutes a day)
• Keep your filing system simple. Don’t create too many categories, it’s better to put information into the largest general category first. (saves 10 minutes a day)
• Organize computer documents. Put into one folder. Your computer already has it for you - “My Documents�. Then create subfolders for each program that you use, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, etc. Then save it. (i.e., My Documents/ Word/Mary Stowe letter/Marketing for book. (saves 10 minutes a day)
• Practice the Art of Wastebasketry®. Take a minute to clean out whenever you can. (saves 5-10 minutes a day)
• Let calls go into voice mail. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt your work unless it’s truly necessary. Return calls when you have a set time to talk. Checking messages can also give you time to prepare for what the caller wanted and avoid having to return calls back and forth. (saves 15 minutes a day)

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

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