A Sense of Organization: It's all about the system.
by Angela Breidenbach
I have a normal American home. A bit cluttered, family pictures all over the walls and piano, and there's usually dishes to do in the sink. Sounds like anybody's home, right?
So what's organized about me? What's different?
It's in how I organize my thoughts. I'm a linear thinker. But I'm not naturally that way, just ask my hubby. He'd burst out in laughter. When I write, I've learned to follow a trail. That trail starts on my laptop because I keep everything in a file folder there unless it's crucial to be a hard copy. Then it goes in a file folder in my filing cart.
What does linear thinking look like?
I started a file on my computer titled Book: Gems of Wisdom. Inside this file I have another research file folder, any research books I downloaded, photos I need to understand what I'm writing, a marketing folder, design folder, interview folder, contract folder, and so on.
Each time I work on anything for that book, I file it immediately. I learned that the hard way from losing things and not being able to remember the download file name.
I also started a google calendar. This has been a saving grace for me! I schedule in it any blog tour posts, guest posts, appearances, workshops I'm teaching, interviews, etc. I set it up to auto-remind to my blackberry. So each day I get a reminder of the day's events and know what's on my schedule.
Realize I set up this type of system because I'm not naturally organized. I created organization in order to effectively run my speaking and writing business. I think it's crucial to manage our daily lives in ways that work to keep us focused on our goals. It's too easy to forget or get caught up in something that steals our interest.
I also pay attention to my marketing by doing a monthly marketing report for my publisher, SuzyQ4U (my event specialist), my publicist Don Otis, my agent, Karen at Christian Speaker Services, and myself. By simply opening an email and adding what I've done that day to a draft email, I can keep up a running list. Then I email it after the month closes. Everyone is aware and on top of what I'm personally doing. I've added each one of these people to my google calendar so they know what my schedule looks like as well.
For me, setting up a system to succeed is what helps me stay on track. Then working that system becomes a habit. I can tell you that having the reminders, the list, and a simple system has saved my bacon almost daily. There's no way to remember everything you have to do for a book, marketing, interviews, and daily life without putting a system in place. Work the system and you will reach your goals.
Confidence Coach & Purposeful Living Educator
Personal growth = Powerful living!
Interested in having Angela speak? Contact Christian Speaker Services 800.871.9012 x40250
Angela is represented by Tamela Hancock-Murray of Hartline Literary Agency. Tamela can be reached at tamela@hartlineliterary.com.
Interact with or learn more about Angela Breidenbach:
http://www.TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week
Christy here,
Angie, thanks so much for being my guest today. As you all can see from reading Angie's bio, she is a busy lady and I can assure you her book Gems of Wisdom is a great guide for those of us struggling to manage it all. Leave a comment for a chance to win your very own copy! The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 5th!
9 comments:
I'm so appreciative to be featured with you, Christy.
Angie
I love reading about Angela's book.....sounds great! It's in my "cart", but if I win it...that is better! Thanks for the chance!
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net
Hi, Angie! I can honestly say that I think you are busier than me, which is quite a thing to say. As I read through your post, I started laughing because I'm the same way. I'm organized when I have to be, but many people call me disorganized. I usually tell them it's the most organized disorganization they'll ever see.
I'm not by nature organized either, but have learned to be out of necessity. Believe it or not, the giftings scales I've completed through church (to see where your giftings are and where you can best serve)always come out as administrative. I've always found this incredibly funny since my house is usually messy, but then hospitality has never been an indicated gift for me.
Good luck with your book. It sounds fascinating!
Thanks for the award Elizabeth! Somehow I finished the A-Z challenge early.
Waving to Jackie and Dianna! How to you ladies stay organized?
Right now, I'm shopping for a good desk with file drawers and a nice desk top for my laptop, lamp and standard stuff to be comfy while working on my book and looking over research. The other thing I'm working on is convincing hubby that I really need this desk of my own b/c his is too cluttered.
Oh! Oh! Oh! Can you see me jumping up and down and waving my hand? I am so unorganized, I NEED to win this book! Ha! I love Angie's way of writing, too. And love Angie! What's not to love?
Angie I have file folders on my computer for everything too :)
Rose,
Angie's writing is wonderful in Gems too. Some parts start off like a novel
Eva,
I use file folders on my computer as well. I can't stand for documents to just be there... they need to be in some order.
I'm checking back in today. I have to tell you that I'm reading these comments and feeling so very cared about. Thank you so much Elizabeth, Christy, Dianna, Eva, and Jackie. I have to tell you all that I actually made a dent in my desk yesterday. A big one! I impressed myself. I could see the counter top. It's kind of exciting in this high stress week of the new release.
Much appreciation!
Angie
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