Steps to Improve Your Organization

What is your brand?

• What are you good at doing?
• What are your best attributes?
• How do you want others to perceive you?
• Create a "Brand" statement for yourself.

Weekly Organization Goal!

• Identify two organizational goals to work on this week
• Academic Goal
• Personal Goal

#1 - Make Lists

• Take some of the chaos out of your day-to-day
• Organize lists in logical order - prioritize!
• Organize by time needed to complete tasks - How easy or hard?
• Organize by due date
• Cross off the list! Get satisfaction from the task! Throw out the sticky note!
• Electronic or paper - Keep track of them!

#2 - Divide & Conquer

• Long term projects
• Do a little bit each day, each week leading up
• Takes stress off of yourself
• Prioritize! What is due now vs later?

#3 - Have a "Focus Space" &"Go Box"

• Think of your hw routine - Where? When? How? Think of how and when you focus best.
• Have a spot for all of your gear at home - backpack, lunch, sports equipment, instruments

#4 - Color Code Tasks

• Prioritize tasks by color!
• Assign a color for: Chores, important dates, projects, meetings
• Use colored sticky notes or highlighters - create a Key for yourself so you know what the colors mean!

#5- Use a Whiteboard or Bulletin Board

• Make things easier to visualize
• Place whiteboard or bulletin board in a high-traffic area at home
• Update it daily - famous sayings or quotes to ensure it is updated daily or weekly

#6 - Set a Weekly Clean Out Day

• Clean out your Backpack and Locker weekly!
• Throw out old papers, leftover snacks, broken pens or pencils, take home old clothes
• Get rid of the clutter and find important items!

#7 -Keep Track of Time

• Time your tasks and compare
• How long does it take you to complete a specific hw assignment?
• Do this for a couple of weeks, then compare.
• Apply to school work, homework, chores, music practice
• Keep track of "game time & social media" for one month and compare it to your school work

#8 Taking Care of Your "Business"

• First impressions are everything...make it a good one
• Follow up is important. Send an email, write a note, say thank you, consider people's time
• Don't make your problems someone else's - Not your mom's fault anymore!
• Forward thinking - you may need help sometime down the line

How to email an adult

• Include a 'subject'
• Include a salutation - "Dear, Mr./Mrs., Most Honorable..."
• Offer a nicety before you ask for something - "I hope you had a nice day" or "I hope you enjoyed your weekend"
• Write in complete sentences
• Include a sign off - "Regards, Sincerely, Thank you for your time"