Organization at Work

[stellarose]

What are your favorite organization tools at work?  Looking for any tips/tricks that you like to use.  

I was just promoted to the manager position on my team, but I do not have an office.  So also looking for what types of binders/notebooks you find convenient to carry around work calendars/hold handouts from meetings without getting too bulky/heavy.

Thanks!

[winnied]

I try to minimize paper as much as possible and rely heavily on my laptop, including my calendar, notes, etc. If you have a laptop, that's what I recommend and what many others do.

I also use the Day Designer (although the smaller version bought at Target).

[stellarose]

Yes, I try to minimize paper as well.....it's too much!!! I don't carry my lap top from meeting to meeting bc some days I am in meetings all day. I relay on my iphone for a general calendar, but there are the corporate/team calendars that we often need to reference quickly so I need to get in a habit of carrying those around.

[jena]

I carry the laptop from meeting to meeting, it's pretty much expected and everyone does it. No paper for anything important. I carry a notebook for quick notes, but put the important stuff on the computer as fast as possible.

[stellarose]

@vicmo - I do have outlook! I'll check it out.

[spunkarella]

I'm not sure if @vicmo's methods are similar, but I use Outlook and file all emails away in folders after the task is complete. My inbox typically has 5-10 emails that are in progress or need follow up. It's much easier for me to manage that way.

I also use a basic Excel worksheet to keep track of what I need to do each day. I have a column for each day of the week, and I try to plan for the week in advance. I reference it all day long and cross things off as I go. I like using Excel becuase it's easy to rearrange tasks as needed.

And I use Outlook reminders for irregular things in the future, like the other day when my boss said he wants me to review x again in early December.

[notzoewell]

My current role requires that I track all my work pretty closely based on my contract holders. Net, I needed a quick way to tally up time spent on projects. I've been paying for an account at focus booster app . com (no spaces, just didn't want to come up in a web search!)

It's only $3 a month. For me it's helpful because it's simple and efficient. Also when I'm super busy I tend to get overwhelmed. With this, I can set my timer for 25 minutes, or whatever amount of time I want, and then really focus for the time. Then I can get a 5 minute break to recharge/change gears/etc.
I force myself to only deal with email either in a break or in a block of time. I don't have email notifications on. Otherwise I get distracted and it becomes too much of a time suck.

[y4m]

I'm not a fan of paper either. For me it's all about managing my (email) inbox. I use a star system plus software called boomerang that allows me to have an email return to my inbox at a scheduled date and time if I haven't gotten a reply. That way I can truly put tasks out of my mind and know I won't forget them if I don't get a reply.

[spunkarella]

Sept 1, 2015 22:07:02 GMT -5 y4m said:

I'm not a fan of paper either. For me it's all about managing my (email) inbox. I use a star system plus software called boomerang that allows me to have an email return to my inbox at a scheduled date and time if I haven't gotten a reply. That way I can truly put tasks out of my mind and know I won't forget them if I don't get a reply.

Boomerang sounds amazing. I am checking this out!