How Can I Stay Organized and Focused with a Sanguine Personality?

[Kathytnt]

Those of you that are organized please help - I remember when I was in Amway many years ago there was a book called Personality Plus that discussed the different personalities - I am considered a Sanguine personality

Sanguine: This is the social-type. They enjoy fun, socialising, chatting, telling stories - and are fond of promising the world, because that's the friendly thing to do.

A Sanguine gets on well with people and can get others excited about issues, but cannot always be relied upon to get things done. They love interacting with others and play the role of the entertainer in group interactions. They have a tendency to over-promise and under-deliver

Problem is that I want to deliver what I promise - I get excited about doing all different things and have all these great ideas but I have trouble being organized and getting everything done. I am also very distractable.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to help keep focused on the tasks at hand and/or keeping organized. I have several shows on my books, need to folllow up with brides from two shows, need to get out mini-catalogs to previous customers and have another craft show in March. My job has been working me more hours than I expected so my time is limited.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kathy

 

[speedychef]

Wow, Kathy, that was like reading a description of me! I need the help, too!

 

[amcclanaghan]

Focus on 1 thing at a time, and continue focusing on it until that job is complete.

When you try to do a lot of little things all at once you get overwhelmed and it gets hard to get caught up.

Make a list of what needs to be done in order of what would take the least amount of time/effort, and what will take longer.

Tackle your list based on the amount of time your have to give. Today you may have only 10 minutes and could do 1 or 2 quick things (finishing 1 before starting the next) and tomorrow you might have a hour to do a big job or a few more little ones.

Its hard not to get side tracked and start little things in the middle of another project (like filling up your folders, and stamping recipe cards... at the same time). In the long run it so much easier to get one thing completely done before moving on to the next.

Don't forget to check things off as you go. You'll be amazed at what you can get done in 10 minutes time.

 

[priscilla]

Organize your week, not your dayMaybe you can try to organize your week. For example, call hosts on Mondays only. After calling, put together any paperwork related to those calls to get in the mail. I have a folder for each host, and all info goes in there. As soon as I book the show I print out directions and put them in, make a check off list to make sure I have not forgotten anything.

Tues is for CC calls, followup afterwards with anything to be mailed or adjustments.

Wed is for cold call leads, bridal shows, etc.

Thurs is for Survivor/CSI/Grey's/ER Do not call me, I will not answer the phone.

Friday is for organizing from the week, etc.

Also, your To Do list should only have five items, any more is overwhelming. Set your timer for 15 minutes AND STICK TO THE TASK AT HAND FOR THAT TIME. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR 15 MINUTES. No Chef Success No email No interruptions

I tend to break each day into a mini version of this, and do 15 minutes for each section (Power Hour, Belinda Ellsworth version). I then spend about 15 minutes getting things out to mail.

Also, at shows, if I am talking to a guest about something and they need a follow-up from me, I tell them to write it on their door prize slip, or I make a note of it at checkout. I then go through those slips, get the info they needed, and get it into the mail or email. Seems to be working so far.

 

[Kathytnt]

Unfortunately with the current job I have - the only days (evenings) I have off are the days I am doing shows so it makes it really hard to follow up with people

 

[chefann]

...there was a book called Personality Plus that discussed the different personalities - I am considered a Sanguine personality

I have an autographed copy of that book (somewhere in the house).

Maybe I should find it for tips about dealing with customers and hosts with different personalities.

 

[AJPratt]

Bumping this... I think someone was looking for it.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

I put this in another threadBut I will post it here it is called Business in a box... maybe it will help you!! I just got it at a cluster meeting last night... I like the idea!!

 

[DebbieSAChef]

ScheduleI know this might sound overwhelming at first but I suggest you really start to schedule these things in by 30 minute intervals of your time. It's funny but we really do waste alot of time during the day. Time that could be used for making progress on tasks we need to tackle.
Being 29 weeks pregnant, I am guilty of this and sometimes I like to sit and do nothing because with four kids and being done with homeschool, it's nice to do NOTHING sometimes!!
I suggest you take a calendar that has 30 minute increments in the schedule part of the planner and start to add things that might just take a few minutes to do (follow up calls, addressing and stamping catalogs, preparing for things that are far off slowly). I know I like to take care of things slowly over a long period of time, being I have a tendency to procrastinate and do things the day before!!!
It really helps me to manage my time this way. It encourages me to use my time wisely and to know when I can do just NOTHING and it's ok!
Doctor's appts., meeting people from craigslist to pick up items I am purchasing, going to the kid's resale shop to get clothes for my kids and maternity stuff for me, packing for our vacation on Friday, and trying to clean have really taken up alot of time this week for me and it's only TUESDAY!! If I don't write it down, I will forget. I love shopping lists, packing lists, and every other kind of list.

Debbie

 

[Cassie1037]

Great Tip!

 

[pamperedpsalmstress]

box idea would work for me if someone were to update my list/box each day for me. I'm great at following directions, lousy at organizing.(lol)

 

[jrstephens]

Where's jillysue when we need her for organization!