Especially for my writer friends (but nonwriters can steal these tips), before you leave your desk for the day or night:
BACKUP YOUR WORK: In two places is best. I use OneDrive and a thumb drive, then once a month I back up to an external drive I keep in a water and fireproof small safe.
CLEAR OFF YOUR DESK: Put everything away and file anything that needs filing.
CALENDAR: Make sure everything is written on your calendar and check to see if you have any early-morning appointments.
TO-DO LIST: Be very systematic with your to-do list. Quickly write down everything you hope to accomplish the next day, but then put everything in order of priority.
DO ONE EXTRA THING: If needed, for example, write one email you owe. Deal with one piece of paper you’ve been hanging onto. Make a quick phone call you’ve been putting off.
Did I leave out anything anyone thinks is also important? Let me know in the comments!
Dear me. I think I need to come and live at your house. Maybe some of your habits will rub off on me.
LOL Madeline. Just make a list and put it on your desk. See if that helps!
Very useful advice, Jan.
Good advice. Now what did I forget to do?
Thanks, John. When you remember, write it down!
Thanks, Janqueline. Don’t quite know why I’m so fasinated with time managment and personal organization, but it can be useful, for sure.
If I did all you do to end the day, I’d never get to bed. Clean off my desk? Where would I put it all? Yikes. I shall think of your advice every night, and I will back up my work. I’ll definitely do that one.
Well, Susan, what’s on your desk? Are you sure it all needs to be there all the time? I’m glad you’re going to back up regularly. There’s nothing worse for a writer than losing her work!
I like the ‘one extra thing’ tip. Thanks. Gonna try that 🙂
Great. Of course you realize, I don’t always follow mjy own advice. This is the one piece that’s most often not done. But if we get into the habit . . .