Eliminate Clutter on Your Computer to Create Balance

By Lorri Morin


If you are like me, you spend much of your waking hours at the computer. But how much thought do you give to keeping your computer organized and clutter-free?
I would like to suggest that you schedule 15-30 minutes each week to perform housekeeping on your computer - yes, actually block time on your calendar for it. That really isn't a lot, and once you start implementing these techniques, you will find that you won't need that much time.

• Give some thought to how you name your files - this will make it easier for you to retrieve them next time. For instance, if you name your file Letter to Dave.doc, it will show up in your directory among all the other "Letters to...". Instead, name it Dave Pruett Agreement Ltr_26 Feb 06.doc to make it easier to find.
• Create folders to store your documents, rather than putting everything in My Documents or in C:Data. Break this down into meaningful categories, such as:  Clients

ABC Coaching

1. Agreements
2. Invoices
3. Letters
4. Speaking Engagements

EFG Consulting

1. Agreements
2. Invoices
3. Letters
4. Proposals

• Reserve your desktop for files that you need frequent, immediate access to. If you haven't used a file for a week or two, move it to a more appropriate location. 

• Download Google Desktop to make searching for documents and emails on your computer even easier. Once you download and install this free program, it will index your entire hard drive (run this process overnight, as it can take several hours, depending on the amount of data you have stored). 

• Create a spreadsheet to track all your usernames and passwords. This time, give the file a name that isn't obvious. This will eliminate the need to create duplicate accounts or request your log-in info by email and will avoid lock-outs when you enter the wrong info multiple times. Note: you should not store passwords to bank accounts or other sensitive information in this file in case your computer becomes compromised. 

• Even better than keeping a spreadsheet to track your passwords is a tool called RoboForm which creates strong passwords and securely stores your log-in information for all the sites you visit. Free and paid versions are available. 

• Clean out your browser's bookmarks. Eliminate any default bookmarks or any that are no longer of interest to you. As before, create folders for your bookmarks to categorize them, such as "Vacation Spots", "News", "Shopping & Gifts", etc. 

• Reduce junk email by creating a free email account and using it for online purchases or registering with websites. Check it only when you make purchases to retrieve your receipts and shipping confirmations. This will cut down on the amount of junk that is sent to your primary email account.

These little steps will soon have you working in a less cluttered virtual environment, which will help you feel less distracted and more energized.


~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Lorri Morin is the President of Virtual Synergy, a virtual assistance practice, and functions as a Virtual Chief Operating Officer for her clients, handling the day-to-day activities, managing customer care, coordinating with other service providers, helping to brainstorm and plan future programs & products, and managing the maintenance of websites, blogs, and shopping carts. For free tips on Selecting a Virtual Assistant, visit http://www.virtualsynergy.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorri_Morin

ALL MY CHILDREN and Other Soaps Did More than Entertain Us

Today is a very special day in my life and in the life of countless others. It's the last airing of ABC TV's Daytime Soap Opera ALL MY CHILDREN. Although that may seem superficial to some, don’t judge. At least not before you hear why it’s important to me and why Soap Operas are important in general.

From the very first show that I watched with my mother when I was 11 years old; which happens to be the current age of my granddaughter, I loved the anticipation of sharing that time with my Mama who is no longer with us. After the show, she and I would chat about the stories; some parts I understood, and some she'd have to explain to me, often stating, "we'll talk about it in more detail when you're older and better able to understand". Some of it may have been put on hold, but all of it was discussed and believe me, they opened up some great 'life' discussions. Those moments were and shall remain very fond memories of Mama and me.

ALL MY CHILDREN was also a great influence on my creativity. Amazed at the intricate story lines and how they successfully weaved real-life lessons into entertaining drama, it helped me to remain positive when working through life's challenges and to be creative when solving life's problems. Come on...tell the truth; how many times have you been in a tough spot and asked yourself, “What would Erica do?” You may not have the answer right away, but you learned to know that things would always work out. Good training for real life.  

ALL MY CHILDREN and Soap Operas in general, present us with opportunities to open up and learn how to dream; a prerequisite to success. In real life, success begins with one inspiring moment in your heart; in one flash of a dream where you get a glimpse of your true desire. Success comes from the one thought that you learn to nourish into reality. So in essence, Soap Operas gave you practice at being successful, each and every day.

Finally, through ALL MY CHILDREN, I witnessed first-hand (via my TV set) that what is seen by some as hard work, actually enriches your life when you’re doing what you love to do. And to do what that cast did for so long expresses absolute love of the art, regardless of the bad rap Soap Operas sometimes got. It doesn’t matter whether others understand what you do, as long as you understand and believe in what you’re doing. And when it can inspire many people without hurting any people, you can’t help but be happy.

  

Over the top? Yes, Soap Operas are famous for it. The stories did get over-the-top at times, but I simply viewed them as attention-getters; you know, like how you sometimes get loud and animated when you're trying to drive a point home. With their bottom line being that the viewers did get the point…mission accomplished. And everyone came out ok, with us being entertained in the process.   

They say the end of ALL MY CHILDREN marks the end of an era, and that’s true for daytime TV. But with the buzz about Soap Operas going online, ALL MY CHILDREN will probably continue in some other media; which teaches us the ultimate lesson; Nothing dies; it's just reborn into another form.

I thank you, ALL MY CHILDREN, for all my lessons and especially for all the good times you brought into my life. I feel like I’m saying good-bye to an old and dear friend. So, as I complete this tribute, I stop for a moment, raise my cup of Chamomile tea and say, Here’s to a fantastic show!  It’s been a great ride!



~~ Tell Tammy ~~
If you're a fan of ALL MY CHILDREN, share your favorite moments.

How to be Etiquette-Savvy in the Workplace

It is a natural desire to want your children to know the socially acceptable rules of etiquette, so you teach them often and reinforce the lessons even more. Some of you even provide additional training from an outside organization or etiquette coach. After all, they’re your children and you will do anything to nurture them into caring, well-mannered individuals that you can be proud of, right?

But what if you work with adults who know less about manners and proper etiquette than your child’s pet rock? What if you’re constantly in the presence of people who just don’t think at all about cordial behavior? How do you keep your own manners intact when you’re reeling from the faux pas of others?

Well, a large part of proper etiquette is knowing what to do when the behavior of others around you is less than proper. Below, you will find three common “missteps” that are often made in the professional arena. Following are tips on how to respectfully handle them without anyone’s feelings getting hurt. 

Misstep #1: You are in the middle of a telephone conversation with a colleague and find that, without your permission, you have been placed on ‘speaker’.

Your Etiquette-Savvy Response:

If you don’t care about being on speaker, then don’t worry about this and let it go. But if you do care about proper telephone etiquette and this behavior of your colleague, which is rude; whether intentional or not, politely ask to be taken off speaker and request that in the future, you are asked before being placed on speaker for surrounding ears to hear. After addressing this, you can freely search your mind to be sure you hadn’t said anything that could be considered inappropriate if you were overheard.

Misstep #2: During a formal business luncheon, the person next to you unknowingly takes the cutlery that is meant for you which leaves you with no utensils to eat with since the person on the other side of you knew which pieces belonged to them.

Your Etiquette-Savvy Response: 

Avoiding a big fuss, simply signal your waiter or waitress and mention that you are missing your utensils. This is neither the time nor the place to give basic table setting lessons to your business colleague. Hopefully, they will realize their mistake without embarrassment and appreciate your consideration in the matter. Then everyone is free to proceed with the business lunch.  

Misstep #3: You work in adjoining cubicles and your ‘neighbor’ is carrying on a personal telephone conversation that is getting progressively loud.

Your Etiquette-Savvy Response:

Avoid the impulse to go over and hang up your co-worker’s phone, stand up (if the partition’s height allows you to be seen) and gently tap on your ear to indicate that the phone conversation is too loud. Another response would be to write your co-worker the following note and pass it to them: “You may not be aware, but your voice is carrying and I’m sure you don’t want the office to know your personal business”.   

There you have it; three ways to address less than proper workplace behavior while remaining Etiquette-Savvy. Keep in mind though, that it is never polite to point out someone else’s mistakes in front of others or in such a way that will embarrass them. Etiquette is about respect; for people and relationships. By considering the feelings of others, you build trust in relationships.

When a behavioral error has been made, there’s no guarantee that anything you do or say to correct that behavior will be positively received by the person who made the mistake. But chances are great that a polite response from you will be appreciated, maybe even reciprocated somewhere down the line. Remember, no one’s perfect. We all slip-up from time to time and being reminded of basic etiquette is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s all in how we deliver those reminders.

So in the interest of employee morale; and not to mention, your own peace of mind, don’t you owe it to your place of business and to yourself to do what you can to keep relationships trusting and behaviors pleasant? And since etiquette is all about respect and considering others, what better way is there to show loyalty to colleagues and ultimately, your workplace.