westXdesign’s (and my) future
Besides just a name change, westXdesign has undergone some pretty significant changes since 1992 when I first started this business. 20 years ago, providing technical services was more about doing things FOR the client - they didn't want to do things to themselves, and the technology was beyond most of their abilities. From building basic web sites, registering domains, and fixing office equipment, even how to install and use financial software. Over the years, as technology has become more end-user friendly, and more and more people use it in their personal lives and therefore are more comfortable with it, our primary business focus has changed from doing to consulting. And now, it's time yet again to take a serious look at what we do and how to shape our future.
This coming week will determine how much of my time goes into framing westXdesign's future. As an employee of a major corporation, westXdesign has become more of a side business, with less revenue each year, but also has become something I enjoy much more. Now, I find myself offering training on how to integrate technology into small businesses to improve productivity and save costs.
My full-time job has been fulfilling, and over the past 5 years that I have been with the company, I have had many opportunities to expand my skill set, and provide valuable services to end users. But now I have reached a critical point where my future happiness there hangs heavily on what opportunity is presented to me this week. This isn't the place to go into details, but I feel the time has come for a major change in my responsibilities, and whether that shift is there, or with westXdesign, I will make the most of my time to do the things I love:
Providing users with the tools they need to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, and helping them to use technology instead of letting the technology use them.
Photo: "Two Paths, One Destination!" by beautifulcataya, on Flickr
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More uncluttering things to do every day | Unclutterer
# Reset your home each evening. This doesn’t have to take long, but it’s really effective. Spend 5 or 10 minutes on a quick run-through of your home. Straighten books and knickknacks, return dishes to the kitchen, and hang up jackets. Don’t strive for perfection, this is just a quick pick up.
# Never leave a room empty handed. Look around you. Are there things that don’t belong? When you leave the room, for whatever reason, be sure to grab a glass and return it to the kitchen, or whatever the case may be.
# When you’re done with something, put it away. Right away. Clutter arises when we take something out, use it for awhile and neglect to return it to its proper home. Remember the Unclutterer’s gospel, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”
# Hit the laundry basket. Every time. It may seem easier to simply let your clothes fall where they may, but this only creates clutter. Take 30 seconds to hang up your clothes or put them in the laundry basket. Erin recommends getting ready for bed an hour before you plan so you’re not exhausted when handling your clothes.
# Take out the garbage. Perhaps garbage day occurs only once a week, but emptying the garbage nightly, even if not entirely full, is a great habit start. Over-flowing bins are not attractive.
# Vacuum everyday. Vacuuming ensures everything is up off the floor. Essentially, you’re doing a nightly reset during the day making it even easier to keep on top of clutter.
# Clear out your e-mail inbox. Hundreds of e-mail messages in your inbox can be incredibly overwhelming. Take time at the end of each day to clear out your inbox. When you come back in the morning, it’ll be a lot less daunting.
# Cut out the non-essentials. Re-evaluate the necessity of your involvement in groups, clubs, committees or boards. Limit yourself to participating in things that are important to you and make you happy.
# Do just one thing each day. Pick a drawer, closet, or shelf that’s driving you nuts. Focus on doing one little thing to move yourself closer to the clutter free state you’re Seeking. Ask yourself: Is this really important? Can I get this again relatively easily?
# One thing out everyday. Walk through your home with a critical eye. Look for one thing you don’t need, use, or want. Keep a couple of boxes by the garage or front door for temporary storage.
via 10 more uncluttering things to do every day | Unclutterer.
Uncluttering things to do every day
# If you have pets, make your bed. You can make your bed even if you don’t have pets, but people with pets can’t miss this uncluttering step. Pets have litter, dirt, fur, dander, dust, and/or a bunch of other yucky things on them that don’t belong on your sheets. Plus, a made bed is easy on the eyes.
# Know where you’re going. Before taking to the road, make sure to know the travel conditions and best route possible for your destination. Getting lost or sitting in a widely-reported traffic jam is nothing but time clutter.
# Plan your perfect day. We’ve written quite a bit about this task, so I’ll simply direct you to our previous post.
# Clean out your desk’s inbox. File papers, enter items onto your to-do list or into your project management software, scan papers you don’t need in physical form, sign documents — just be sure that your inbox is clean by the time you leave work at the end of the day.
# Set your desk for tomorrow. Right before you head home from work, be sure to clear your desk and have it ready for tomorrow. If you have an early morning meeting with handouts, make sure that the handouts are easily accessible and ready to go. In case of an emergency, it should be simple for a co-worker to come into your office and quickly find the materials. Even if you don’t have an early meeting, your desk should be set so that when you arrive to work you can get right to work.
# Sort, open, and act on your mail. When you immediately walk into your home, sort through your mail. Recycle all junk mail that doesn’t include any identifying information. Shred all junk mail (like credit card applications) that someone could use to steal your identity. Open and act on all other mail. Your action may simply be to scan and then shred the information, file papers, or pay a bill — but doing it right when you come home keeps it from being clutter in your home.
# Load (and, if necessary, run) the dishwasher or hand-wash the dishes. Dirty dishes on the counter, sink, and anywhere else in your home are invitations to bugs, pests, and bacteria. Additionally, they clutter up your kitchen and make preparing meals a pain. You’re more likely to save a few bucks and eat at home if your kitchen is clean and ready to be used.
# Get ready for bed an hour before you plan to go to sleep. Doing this means that your dirty clothes are more likely to be returned to a hanger, dropped in the hamper, or put in a mesh bag for dry cleaning, hand washing, or repairing. Also, a set bedtime routine signals your brain that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep.
via 10 uncluttering things to do every day | Unclutterer.