A Rustic Home

• Label four file boxes/trays IN, ACTION, FILE and READ; Sort your desktop papers into these trays (TIP - use a pretty basket for your READ file). As you are sorting your FILE items, remember to separate current information from archival items.
• Store archival information in plastic containers in a location away from your office.
• Once a day, empty your IN box; once a day, review your ACTION items and once per week, empty your FILE and READ containers
• For all of your loose business cards, get them into your contact database. However, if you look at a card, and cannot put a face to the name - TOSS IT!
• Don't forget to purge - and be ruthless.
  

The other day, I was working late on a project and my dog came in and dropped his ball in my lap. "Not now, buddy - I'm working,” I said pushing him away. A few moments later he tried again. This time I looked up and saw a wagging tail begging for my attention. Hey, I am not made of stone.

For years, my work schedule prevented me from having a dog. Now that I do, I'm telling him to wait. Wait till when? There will always be projects, customers, demands, etc. Life doesn't wait. Cherish your time and the time of others – it is not renewable.

We've all heard the Pearl Bailey adage, "time is money, honey." How are you spending it? Remember you have life outside the office - I’m not suggesting you ignore obligations – however, sometime we all need to just go play outside.

Liza and I have been known to slip out on a sunny day to take the dogs to the beach. Could we have used this time to solicit new customers? Develop a new campaign? File that mound of paperwork? Absolutely! But when we look back on this venture, I want to remember the dogs, the customers and our friends – not the filing.

At Bear at Home - we believe in living life fully. We believe it's important to occassionally take time to care about you. That means finding balance. That means exploring a hobby. That means calling in sick on a sunny day and just playing hooky. . .