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IOM Blog

April 19, 2016

Tools and Tips Guaranteed to Keep You Organized

4-19-2016Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed and wish there were more than 24 hours in a day? Do you jump from task to task on autopilot? Our days are often jam packed, and sometimes it feels like we’ll never be able to accomplish everything. But, as association and chamber professionals, we somehow find a way to make it all happen.

I believe that organization is vital in helping to navigate through all of the craziness. This comes somewhat naturally to me as a planner, and listed below are some tools that I feel I could not do my job (nor live my life) without.

Outlook/Google Calendar. I can’t even imagine how many things would fall through the cracks without use of my calendars. In addition to using calendars to schedule  meetings and events, why not use them for reminders and following-up? Instead of trying to remember something five days from now, consider creating a calendar appointment that will pop up on your screen. Color coding, blocking off time, and storing passwords in my contacts are all additional ways my calendars help keep me organized.    

Doodle. This is a lifesaver for anyone tasked with scheduling meetings or conference calls. It’s a free, user-friendly tool that I find myself benefiting from at least once every two weeks. I highly recommend it! (And no, Doodle is not paying me for this plug!)

To-Do Lists. Whether using old fashioned pen and paper or the notes app on your iPhone, to-do lists are clutch when organizing your thoughts. It might be old school, but I find it helpful to utilize both short- and long-term lists to accomplish my goals. Don’t you just love the feeling of satisfaction you get when crossing something off your list?

Of course there are a plethora of apps for iPhone and Android that can assist with keeping you on track. What works for one person might not work for another. What are some of the tools that you swear by?

      
Avatar photo
Karyn K. MacRae, IOM, CAE, CMP
Director, Institute for Organization Management
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Karyn MacRae has been with the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management team since June of 2006. She currently works with Institute’s National Board of Trustees, five Boards of Regents, and Class Advisor volunteer groups, in addition to working on program logistics. Karyn received her Bachelor of Business Administration in hospitality and tourism management from James Madison University in 2006. She is a 2010 graduate of Institute for Organization Management and received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential in 2011 and her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 2014.

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