35 Santity Savers - Get More Productive

Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you become more productive and get more done in less time, so you can get on with life!

Email

  • Only check your emails twice a day ? don't respond each time you receive an email it wastes too much time!

  • Set up folders for your inbox so you can 'electronically' file your emails when you have completed them.

  • Set up rules within your email so messages are automatically filed for you to read later.

  • Use colour coding so you can quickly glance over your inbox and see which messages are important.

  • When you have read an email and actioned it ? delete it.

  • Remove yourself from ezines or electronic newsletters you don't read.

  • Set up spam filters on your email.

  • Create an email signature with your contact information so it automatically sends your details with your email.

  • Leave an 'out of office' message if you are away from your desk for more than 24 hours.

  • Phone Calls

  • Record a voicemail to notify callers you will call back within 24 hours.

  • If you are busy all day, change your voicemail message to let callers know you will call them back the next day.

  • Include your email address in your voicemail for all phones so people can email you instead of leaving a message.

  • Avoid calling businesses between 10 AM ? 2 PM as people are in meetings or at lunch.

  • Turn off your mobile phone if you are working on an important project.

  • Divert your desk phone to your mobile if you leave the office to avoid checking two voicemail systems.

  • Use the lift as your guide for turning your mobile on and off. When you are getting into a lift for a meeting, turn your phone off. When you leave the meeting to return to the foyer ? turn your mobile on. This avoids the embarrassment of your phone ringing in an important meeting.

  • Filing

  • If you hate filing, allocate 15 minutes to do your filing every Friday afternoon. Whatever is left over can wait until the following Friday.

  • Label the outside of filing cabinets for quick reference.

  • File your manila folders in drawer alphabetically to help you find things quickly.

  • Use a label maker to keep your files tidy and easy to read.

  • Use coloured manila folders for different projects i.e. blue for staff, purple for projects, pink for personal etc.

  • Desk Management

  • Get rid of your in-tray ? it is a holding area for paper. If you have to have one, put it out of your line of sight so you don't get distracted looking at it all day.

  • Remove all unnecessary files and paper off your desk to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

  • Keep your desk clear so you can focus on the task in front of you.

  • Reading

  • Create a reading file and every journal and 'FYI' document you receive, pop in the file and read once a week.

  • If you catch public transport to work carry your reading file with you so you can maximise your travel time.

  • General

  • Get a cleaner for your house ? pay someone else so you can enjoy your weekends.

  • Use couriers for odd jobs instead of spending your time driving and parking.

  • Order groceries and fruit online and have them delivered.

  • Stick a 'No Junk Mail' sign on your letterbox to avoid rubbish.

  • Open your mail over a bin so you can toss what you don't need.

  • Read your mail with a pen and make note on each document what action is required.

  • Pay your bills online to avoid cues and wasting your lunch times.
  • Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy ? and where they focus their attention ? Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity.

    Subscribe to Neen's free monthly ezine at http://neenjames.com

    tidy up service Northbrook ..
    In The News:

    ETA sharing on Apple Maps and Google Maps keeps contacts updated automatically while you drive safely. Learn step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android.
    Data removal from brokers protects against AI-powered scams and deepfake threats in 2026. Learn how data brokers sell your personal information to scammers.
    Learn how to act against cybercriminals in 2026 with essential security steps like two-factor authentication, software updates and credit freezing.
    Choose between OpenAI releasing Sora text-to-video model, the AI race heating up, or Waymo driverless cars launching in cities across the country
    Learn how to set up Google Maps and Apple Maps on your phone to automatically remember where you parked. Step-by-step instructions for enabling location services and parking detection.
    Phishing scammers use rnicrosoft.com domain to impersonate Microsoft by replacing "m" with "rn" in typosquatting attacks that steal login credentials.
    OpenAI announces new teen safety rules for ChatGPT users under 18, blocking romantic roleplay and requiring extra caution on body image topics.
    A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.
    Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.
    ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.
    ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.
    Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
    DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
    Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
    The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
    New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
    Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
    New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
    Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
    Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
    New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
    The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
    San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
    FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.

    Basic Organizing Principles

    So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More

    It?s Spring Cleaning Time? Let?s Make Room For Abundance!

    I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More

    The Problem With To-Do Lists

    Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More

    Get Organised Before Its Too Late

    Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More

    A Personal Action Plan for Change

    There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More

    The Top 10 Habits of Organized People

    Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More

    Cleaning Out Your Closet

    Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More

    Five Simple Tips to Get Organized Today!

    Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More

    Ending The Morning Madness

    Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More

    Can You Make a ?Torpedo? Out of Personal Junk? How to Optimize What You Have

    "Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More

    Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

    Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More

    10 Organizing Tips for Road Warrior Parents

    Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More

    Until We Go Paperless

    From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More

    Declutter Your Home in 11 Easy Steps

    Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More

    Relieve Vacation Stress By Planning Ahead

    Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More

    Technology...The Culprit and the Tool

    Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More

    Get Organised and Transform Your Life

    It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More

    Success at Work : Techniques : A Cluttered Desk

    I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More

    Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter

    Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do"... Read More

    5 Reasons to Organize Your Home Today

    Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More

    Six ADD Tips for Organizing Everyday Things

    Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More

    Get Organized: 10 Universal Laws

    The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More

    Digging out of Paper Clutter - part 2

    We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More

    Finish in Style - Organizing Works!

    One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More

    Get Organized -- Every Home Needs An Office

    EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More

    reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..