Seminar Techniques and Technology (HS 601)

Handout - Staying Organized

Wehner's Rules

1. Delegate -
   • Never do anything that someone else should do
   • or, Do only those things that only you can do
   • Send notes (EMail, calendar) to project workers to keep them on track
2. List it -
   • Make a do list in priority order
   • Then do not worry about anything; just do them in order
   • Review the list every day (week?)
3. Prioritize -
   • Do not let the urgent take the place of the important
4. First things first -
   • Do big, high priority things first
   • Do one thing at a time
   • let small, low priority things get lost
5. Track it -
   • Keep a note of who was asked to do what
   • Make sure everyone is on the job
   • You do not get what you expect, you get what you inspect
6. Classify it -
   • Make shelves, drawers, hooks for everything
   • Store paper in folders in file drawers
   • Store slides in slide files
   • Store data on CD optical disks (magnetic disks start losing after 2 years)
7. Mechanize -
   • Build machines for doing work
   • Computerize your operation
   • Automate your form letters, reports, mailings
8. Time it -
   • Know where time goes
   • Reserve blocks of time to get work done
9. Know strengths -
   • Focus your energies where your strengths lie
   • Do not waste time overcoming your weaknesses
   • (hire someone with those strengths)
10. Schedule the day -
    • Divide the work day
    • Schedule an hour for each important area
    • (writing, planning, teaching, correspondence)
    • Fit new items into day's schedule
    • Let unscheduled tasks sit undone
11. Match location with task -
    • Teach in classroom
    • Share ideas, plan future projects at conferences
    • Write articles at home office
    • Do daily plan, phone, EMail, voice mail, paper mail in office
12. Have a philosophy and style; choose a mentor