Feel like you were so busy all day long and never stopped? You're exhausted but when you looked on your list you discovered you still had the majority of your important work to complete? Then this is for you!

​1- In Kenneth Ziegler's “Organizing for success” the key to figuring out what you want to improve is by figuring out what’s going wrong. After all how do you know where you want to go unless you know where you’re starting from? So if time management is your issue, figuring out what you spend your time on is key.  His advice is to keep a journal, and fill in the time slots with all the different activities. Try to be as accurate as possible and don’t wait till the end of the day to fill it in, keep your diary with you at all times. At the end of the day add how many tasks got completed. You can download his journal at http://www.kztraining.com/timekeepingjournal/pdf/Timekeeping%20Journal.pdf
Print and follow his instructions.

2- PLAN: Start your day with a realistic plan. Plan your calls. Plan your email before you start typing. (What are you trying to say? What's the most important point?) Be prepared. Batch like activities together.

3. Slow down and stop multitasking! Focus on one thing at a time so you can keep your focus to completion of what you're trying to achieve.
Happy Organizing! :-)

Keeping orderly records for tax-filing purposes is perhaps just as important as making sure you claim the appropriate tax credits, deductions or filing status. Without the right paperwork, you could miss out on important money-saving benefits for the 2017 tax season such as tax benefits for businesses.
 
Step 1: Designate a place for all your tax documents
Disorganized rooms, desks and filing drawers can be distracting and lead to lost documents and wasted time looking for them. (The shoe box method is inadequate and your accountant probably charges you extra to sort it out for you).

Step 2: Sort, file, save
For each potential tax record, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I need to keep this? Yes, if it is tax related or a business deduction.
• If I need to keep it, where would its home be? A Special folder or file box would do.
• Retention Guide:  For the IRS description of what documents to keep and for how long go to:
  https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/what-kind-of-records-should-i-kee

Step 3: Categorize your records for tax purposes

• Be sure to keep records and a separate file for papers you‘ll need for your tax return. Don’t miss out on claiming expenses and deductions because you misplaced them or don’t have a copy of a key invoice.
• Sort your paid bills by subject, such as office expenses, home improvements, Health expenses, donations, credit cards, investments, etc. (See Schedules A and C for a more complete list of allowed deductions that apply to you).

 
Step 4: Assemble your records for this year's return
With your files in order, it’s much easier to gather what you need for your 2017 return - whether you are preparing the return yourself, or sending your documents to a tax preparer. Use the worksheet your preparer provides.
 
Step 5: Schedule time to stay organized for future tax seasons
The best way to get and stay organized is to schedule a regular time and day each month or one hour a week to sort through new documents and organize your record keeping. (Using prepared software such as Quicken or Quick-books makes it even easier once you have it set up properly).

Step 6: Hire a Professional Organizer: 
A professional organizer can help you create a file system and help you keep it organized so that your tax records are ready to be filed.

So if you are still struggling with this year's tax, lets make sure your 2018 taxes are ready to file.
Happy organizing!