February 2007

I was working with a client the other day and something really surprised me that I want to share with you. She had just purchased a scanner for her office to start incorporating the process of a paperless office. What really surprised me is that she had no idea I sold the same scanner and it never dawned on her that I could help her with the paperless process of her organization needs. Just a thought, are you thinking of me as a trusted advisor for maximizing the efficiencies in your office? If not, when it comes to paper, people, and process in your office .. and home.. I can and want to help! Enjoy this month's newsletter.

Best regards, Anne


Tax Time Organizing Tips
• Store tax forms in a single large pocket folder.
• Categorize your bills and invoices using envelopes. Make categories that are appropriate for your situation.
• Subcategorize things like credit card bills into VISA bills, Mastercard bills, Discover bills, American Express bills, etc. The more you subcategorize the easier it is to find and to document later.
• Label and date the outside of all envelopes.
• Put the pocket folder along with all your envelopes into one larger manila envelope (remember to label it with your name and the year) and submit it to your tax accountant.
• When you get it all back, file the large manila envelope with the most recent year first.
Most tax returns and documentation only need to be kept for seven years. Some businesses and professions need to maintain their records indefinitely. Check this out before tossing your tax records.

Create a tax organizing system

The Goal

This is part three in a series of tips on finding the right people.

First, we talked about hiring an assistant, looked at all of the issues, and discussed expectations. This month we will look at the goal.

As you are now more fully aware, in order to lessen the impact of challenges like cost and training, your goal is to find the right person. You can optimize your chances by building the behavioral traits you seek directly into the job profile.

You may also wish to use the Role Behavior Analysis© (RBA), an instrument that defines behavioral expectations for specific roles, for comparing an individual’s behavior to the current or expected role and to that of their supervisor. It is an ideal tool for supervisory and management coaching, performance review support, team building, and personal development:
• Defines behavioral expectations for specific jobs & roles
• Compares DiSC behavior style to role expectations
• Develops strategies to manage individuals or departments effectively
Click here for more....

Homeostasis: The Habit is on the Other Side of the Hump!

No matter how easy something might be, if it requires you to change your behavior, there will be a period of time when even the most enthusiastic adapters among you will encounter some mysterious internally generated resistance. I call this the “homeostasis hump.” In terms of getting organized it means people do not like to change.

Homeostasis can hurt you by putting up resistance to the changes you want to make, or it can help you with the changes. Here’s how it works. In the old days, people were not required to wear seat belts. Most cars didn’t even have them. In the ‘60s, they started enacting seat belt laws. Suddenly, people had to wear seat belts,they were mandated by law. Some people panicked. The doomsday-types were just getting over their fear of running their cars with those newfangled power windows in a pond and flipping upside down. As they were thinking about the possibility of getting trapped in the bottom of the pond with malfunctioning windows, another killer device disguised as a lifesaving innovation is forced upon them - seat belts. Now they would be doubly trapped, drowned and dead! Other people intellectually agreed with the concept and still had a hard time remembering to fasten their new seat belts. Homeostasis fought everybody.

Over the Hump

But here we are in the 21st century. I don’t know about you, but when I get in my car, or when my friends get in my car, we do not go anywhere until everybody’s seat belt is hooked up. There have been times when I can get a block away from my home and realize something is wrong, something doesn’t feel right. I look down and realize I forgot to fasten my seatbelt. I am, in effect, over the homeostasis hump. Now, wearing my seat belt is my normal state. Any change in this normal state will be met with internal resistance. Homeostasis is now helping me instead of fighting me.

If you want to get over the homeostasis hump with anything in your life, pick an accountability partner. Pick that person and identify the specific habit or habits you want to change. Then work on making the change together.

You will significantly increase the odds of forming new organizing habits if you work with someone else. Go choose a partner right now. Tell them what you are up to and ask if they want to join you.

Learn this habit...

GO System Training--Get Organized for Life
Thursday, February 15, Time: 9am-12 noon
Thursday, March 15, 2007 Time: 3-5pm
Thursday, May 17, 2007 Time: 3-5pm
Click here for more information.

The Process of Taming The Paper Tiger Webinar
An intuitive "how-to" for The Paper Tiger software.
Tuesday February 13, 12:00PM-1:00PM (ET)
Cost is free, click here to sign up.

Anne's keynote speech gets people energized about the benefits of personal productivity and the readiness for corporate change.

What Others Are Saying:
Anne’s presentation of “What’s Going On Here?” as a training was one of the best seminars I have ever attended. She provides practical solutions for organizations. Her personality makes the program delivery exceptional.
Angela Long, COO
Sextant Technologies
Commerce City, Colorado
Learn more and book Anne for your next event...


Pass It On

You may pass this information on - Please feel free to copy in whole or in part, any of the information provided in this newsletter only when the following statement is included in its entirety:
"Founded by Anne McGurty in 2002, Strategize & Organize (www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com) is a business process consulting and professional organizing company specializing in systems to improve paper management, people's behaviors, and business processes. We offer Assessments, Training/Seminars, Coaching, and Organizing to help individuals and businesses become organized and work more efficiently. Anne McGurty is also available as a Keynote Speaker. Copyright 2007 Strategize & Organize. All rights reserved."