How I Keep My Sanity As I Run My Own Business

Updated: Jan 3, 2020

My Top 5 Organizational Essentials

Starting and running your own business is hard. HALCON Marketing Solutions started as a party of one, ME. You can only image how many tasks were on my to-do list in one day. That said, working for a company is also extremely difficult with all the projects being thrown at you at any given moment, and last-minute meetings that eat away at your time to complete the actual items on your to-do list. By the time it's 5 o'clock, you finally have time to do the work you were assigned.

Over the years, I've found a system that works for me to help with not only organizing my thoughts, but also organizing my tasks. I've created a process for myself that weirdly enough makes being organized F-U-N by incorporating something that I've always been fond of since I was young - OFFICE SUPPLIES!

Some of these tips and items might make you say "duh," but when used together, they have helped me exponentially increase my productivity and enabled me to go office supply shopping more than usual, which is exciting all on its own. It may take more time off your day to get organized, but in the long run, it's worth it. Let us begin!

#1 Must-Have: Yearly Planner

There are so many planners in the market right now. The trick is finding the right one that fits your style and needs as not all planners are built alike (literally).

Some are big. Some are small. Some allow for monthly goal-setting, while some only allow for bullet-point to-do lists. Let's not even get into the design... there are literally thousands to choose from. Don't be nervous to experiment. I've purchased and used at least 10 different planners before finding the one perfect for me. This one pictured was purchased at Barnes & Noble.

This planner is strictly for my personal to-do's and tasks. Anything associated with the business never finds its way onto these pages. Why? This enables me to mentally separate personal and professional, and I can fit appointments, vacations and other noteworthy happenings in my personal life all in one place. Mixing personal and professional to-do's can get lengthy. Despite the variety of planners out there, I don't think one exists with THAT many pages.

#2 Must-Have: A Digital, Work To-Do List

My personal tasks and appointments are on my planner, while my work timelines and to-do lists are online. Now, you can use Notes on your computer, have a WORD document, whatever you feel comfortable with. I use Evernote because it allows me to have my to-do lists on all of my devices - desktop, laptop and mobile phone.

I have my work task list with me at all times during business hours as running your own business oftentimes means traveling for meetings or taking the occasional work trip to a coffee shop for a change in scenery.

I also have a pretty comprehensive calendar on my email service. This is the only place where professional and personal meet. I combine appointments from my planner and my business meetings all in one calendar to ensure I don't ever miss a beat!

#3 Must-Have: An Expansive Collection of Colored Pens

Where are all my office supply nerds at?! I have this odd obsession with bullet journaling and can watch someone create a bullet journal for hours, but I lack the necessary skills to do it myself. Some of these folks are geniuses and can fit SO MUCH in one page of a dotted notebook. Plus, their illustrations are incredible. Just look up #BULLETJOURNAL on Instagram and you will be floored.

My solution? I just use a different color pen for everything in an attempt to feel like I am bullet journaling.

#REALTALK - I have been doing this for ages. I enjoy sitting down and writing all my tasks, organizing my thoughts, and taking notes surrounded by a rainbow of colored pens and fine tip Sharpies. Sometimes, you can show up to work feeling like you have "so much to do" when in actuality, you don't have as much as you think. You just didn't prioritize or organize your to-do list yet, which is ESSENTIAL before starting your work day. Sitting down and making a to-do list isn't very exciting, but adding something you love into the mix (i.e. colored pens, your favorite coffee, Twizzlers, etc.) definitely helps.

#4 Must-Have: File Folders

This might seem like a "duh" moment, but you'd be amazed at how many people do not use folders. How many desks have you seen where hills made out of paper are all over the place?

Before computers were invented, we all used folders. Just because we're now in the digital age, it doesn't mean we don't need these bad boys in our offices, especially since a lot of business documents are still passed along in paper form.

I use both physical file folders and digital file folders to keep myself organized. Now, just because things are being sent digitally, it doesn't mean you just save everything on your desktop. Take the time to create digital folders and organize your files accordingly. It will save you a lot of time, especially when your boss wants an important document ASAP and you can't remember if it's on your desktop or if it's currently part of the paper mound on your fax machine.

#5 Must-Have: Notebooks and Quite A Few Of Them

Again, this might seem like a "duh" moment, but I do something quite unique. I actually have several notebooks for different clients and one mini notebook that I carry around with me in my purse at all times. Some folks prefer to take notes on their computers, which is 100% fine and an easier way to organize. I, on the other hand, am more old-school and there's just something about putting pen to paper that makes me remember and internalize what I am writing a lot more.

Notebooks Galore: It might sound like overkill, but keeping all projects in one notebook can get confusing, especially when you use your notebook to take notes during meetings. How many times have you written something so quickly or in passing as you speak to a client or colleague, and then you come back to the page later, and you can't seem to recall if the note was for this client or a different one? EXACTLY. This method also prevents you from having to carry around a 20 lb. Five Star notebook with different tabs. You can purchase great looking and thin notebooks that you can break out by client and carry with you everywhere.

My Handy Dandy Mini Notebook: I carry around a small notebook or notepad everywhere I go, because let's face it, ideas and reminders can come to you when you're sitting at your desk or while you're in line waiting for a pizza. You don't want to have to write anything on a greasy napkin.

TA-DA! There are my #fiveorganizationalessentials and how I utilize them in my day-to-day life.

As an added bonus, here are a few photos of my home office where the magic happens. I usually opt for more bohemian decor, but I wanted my "thinking space" to be fun and vibrant and near natural light. I opted for golds, pinks and teals.

How do you keep yourself organized? Let me know in the comments below!

- Nicole Powell