Get Organized and Be Prepared For Fall

With fall just around the corner, it's time to think ahead! One of the key elements to work/life balance is also the Boy Scouts’ motto—be prepared. I am a step ahead of the game, on the home front as well as the work front. I anticipate and plan as well as possible. Some key tips to help you prepare:

Invest in a large desktop calendar. Fill in all the important dates regarding work and family on one calendar. Some events to keep in mind: birthdays, anniversaries, vacation days, school conferences, client meetings, holidays, etc. Simple color coordination can make it visually appealing and easy to read quickly.

Clean out files and organize papers. If you are too far gone and the files have overtaken the room, you should hire a professional to help you get organized. You can often find deals on sites like Groupon and Buy With Me to make this more affordable.

Take some time to sit and think. Ask yourself the important questions: What is the next thing that has to be done for you? For your family? For your business? Taking time to set goals and plan out what you want and what it will take to get there will keep you focused.

Organize your social media. Today, it is just as important to keep your online activity in check as your offline. Get used to Tweeting every morning, posting on Facebook every mid-morning, and sending out emails asking for LinkedIn recommendations every afternoon. Making it a habit will make it seem like less of a chore.

Check both your bank statements and your credit card statements every morning. Set up automatic statements to be texted to you. If you are vigilant about your finances, you can make sure they don't get away from you. Take a post-it note, write the balance on it and put it on your card. Those impulse buys won't seem so important with your balance staring at you!

Most importantly, keep a close eye on your health. Get on the scale! I did this morning and faced the music. Plan your meals. Consider getting a calorie counting app like Calorie Count or Livestrong. Seeing the 1,000 calories in a chef’s salad makes you realize how far from a salad it actually is. Try a new vegetable and make some dinners in advance for nights where you only have time for take out.

Small efforts can help you enter fall relaxed, prepared, and focused. You'll be more likely to avoid the end-of-summer stress and therefore be at your best!