Today is my daughter's 39th birthday. I find it almost unimaginable that she is that old, but then again I had to do a reality check on my last birthday when I renewed my driver's license. Time does march on and with it, so many changes. For example, can you imagine life without a smartphone? Keeping in mind that our theme this year is "Be Curious," finding new and innovative tools to help us work smarter not harder is a must for everyone. When you don't work to be organized, you create chaos and anxiety for your co-workers. When you don't work to be organized, you create work for someone else. Last week I showed you how to use the google task list within your email. This week, consider how you manage clutter. Study upon study show that the brain can be seriously affected by the amount of clutter in a work space which causes anxiety and stress. Visual clutter creates "noise" that negatively affects not only you, but the whole team. The number one tip from experts is to get rid of sticky notes! While there might be an occasional purpose for them, move your reminders and to do items to your digital google task list for you to see, not to distract others. Benjamin Franklin said, "For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned." Old habits die hard and many people fear change. Don't be afraid of change, it creates second chances, new beginnings and can make life easier for you and for those who work with you. Most of all, you deserve it!

With gratitude,

Kathy

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