Hasta La Ideas

My August resolution to update my “In case of …” file turned out to be one of my favorite resolutions of 2011. I didn’t enjoy thinking about someone else needing the file, but I love the sense of calm I’ve been experiencing since finishing it. It’s nice knowing the file is up-to-date and I won’t heavily burden my family in case something awful happens (which I hope doesn’t happen).

If you want to create an “In case of …” file, check out “Creating an ‘In case of …’ file” and “Including instructions for handling your online identity in your ‘In case of …’ file” for more information.

My goal for September is to finish up one, BIG, unfinished project that I have been procrastinating. I currently have four big unfinished projects hanging over me. In a perfect world, I would resolve to complete all four. However, I am not perfect and I only have so much willpower. When it comes to being organized, really knowing yourself is an important factor.

First, I need to pick the one project to finish. Three are possible in the one-month timeframe, so that helps to limit my choice. Second, after picking the project, I need to break it into action items and then schedule those actions on my calendar. Third, I need to obviously do the work. I’m relatively certain that the third area is where I am most likely to start procrastinating again. As a result, I’m adding a fourth step to this process — Reward myself. I’m not one to typically reward my efforts, as the sense of completion is usually enough for me. In this case, though, I think I need a tangible reward of some kind. I need a proverbial carrot to tempt me into finishing the project.

Do you have an unfinished project that you can resolve to finish in September? Has something been hanging over you that you’re ready to complete? If so, join me this month in taking on that one, BIG, unfinished task.

–
Erin’s 2011 monthly resolutions: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and August.

Like this site? Buy Erin Rooney Doland’s Unclutter Your Life in One Week from Amazon.com today.