Latest news with #organization
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
20 Tools To Stay Organized And Prevent Leadership Burnout
getty Business leaders today bear a rewarding but heavy burden. As the business landscape has grown progressively more unpredictable in recent years, the stress and pressure that come with running a successful business have also increased. While stress has always been part of the role, these growing challenges are not only resulting in disorganization, but also significant leadership burnout. To help, 20 Forbes Business Council members each share one tool or habit they recommend leaders adopt to stay organized and prevent burnout as a leader. I use a simple weekly priorities list. Each Monday, I write down the three to five things that matter most. Doing this helps me cut through the noise, stay focused on impact and avoid the burnout that comes with chasing every fire. I'd recommend it to any leader, as it's low-tech, provides a high level of clarity and keeps you anchored to what really matters. - Stephen Sokoler, Journey I rely on Notion to stay organized and avoid burnout. It helps me centralize tasks, goals and reflections in one space. I use Notion to journal weekly wins, delegate effectively and track priorities. It brings clarity and control, which are both essential for any leader navigating chaos. - Swami Kakarla, Signitives IT Solutions Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify? I use a notebook split into two. The left side is a journal for daily insights and reflections, while the right side holds my to-do list. This helps me turn observations into creative solutions. Creating a daily to-do list helps with stress because I believe stress comes from an inability to effectively manage your to-do list. - Soon Hagerty, The Good Bowl I use time-blocking in a digital calendar, dedicating strict slots for tasks, emails and breaks. This forces focus, reduces multitasking and protects personal time. It's simple, but it stops work from spilling into nights and weekends, which is a lifesaver for high-pressure roles. - Hannah Ma, Globevisa Group I've gotten pretty attached to Asana as a task list and to-do manager. It's very customizable, enabling prioritization, categorization and tracking. It's also possible to tag team members and get updates all in one place. It can do much more, but that simple view of what's due today, what's coming up and where a task stands helps manage my anxiety. - Rob Davis, NOVUS Each week, our entire team updates a two-week priority document that outlines what matters most across each person's core workstreams, sorted by client. It brings clarity, alignment and focus, helping us stay proactive instead of reactive. It also helps prevent burnout—not by doing less, but by making sure we're all spending time in coordinated and transparent ways. - Julia Rafal-Baer, ILO Group I rely on Jira to keep projects, priorities and team progress crystal clear. It breaks big goals into trackable tasks, which helps me stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. When everything's visible and assigned, it's easier to focus, delegate smartly and keep burnout at bay. - Sabeer Nelliparamban, Tyler Petroleum Inc. I make voice memos for myself. Throughout the day, I capture raw thoughts, reflections or ideas without filtering them. Then, I review and sort them at night. It's like having a conversation with my future self. It keeps my mind decluttered and helps me catch burnout before it sneaks in. Try it—it's clarity on demand. - Arpit Jain, SEO Sets I use Fellow to stay organized and avoid burnout, as it keeps all my meetings, notes and follow-ups in one place. It helps me lead with clarity and focus, and I'd recommend it to any leader looking to stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed. - Eran Mizrahi, Source86 I keep a physical whiteboard visible from my desk, but it's not for tasks. I use it to map priorities by impact and energy cost, and it grounds me when digital tools become noisy. Seeing the big picture in my own handwriting adds clarity and reduces cognitive clutter. I recommend it because, sometimes, the best way to manage complexity is to step away from the screen. - Antony Goddard, OKKAMI I use Freedom to block apps that hijack my focus. It creates an intentional space to think, build and lead without dopamine traps. The ability to not be available is a leadership advantage most ignore. If you protect your attention, you protect your energy. I recommend it to other leaders because protecting your attention is the fastest way to protect your sanity today. - Sahil Gandhi, Blushush I schedule regular walk-and-talks with my key team members. It's one of the most effective habits I've built as a leader. These informal conversations create space for honest dialogue, build trust and help me stay connected to what's really happening on the ground. Plus, stepping away from a desk often brings fresh perspective and better ideas. - Kent Ingle, Southeastern University I honestly rely on my on-demand TV apps. I love getting hooked on a great show and having something to look forward to that is not related to work and family. The apps force discipline in my work and naturally make me set aside time for fun. - Arar Han, Sabot Family Companies Personal well-being, including both physical and mental health, is vital to enduring the pruning process of entrepreneurship. I utilize MyFitnessPal to track my eating and walking metrics throughout overlapping high-stress weeks. I am able to look at what foods were lacking or sustaining through those days. Focusing on my health has readied me for those challenging moments. Health is wealth and worth caring for. - Paul L. Gunn, Jr., KUOG Corporation My Peloton is nonnegotiable. It's not just a workout—it's how I clear my head, sharpen my focus and get ahead of the day before it begins. Leadership demands clarity under pressure, and my bike gives me that. Before I touch my calendar, I break a sweat. It's discipline, therapy and strategy all rolled into one. - Jeffrey Herzog, Avenue Z I use a personal red flag tracker to catch the early signs of burnout, such as skipping workouts or checking Slack nonstop. These small changes in habit signal that I'm off-balance, so I reset fast when a few stack up. As a leader, you can't always slow down, so spotting the drift early keeps you sharp and prevents bigger issues. - Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures Running offers a powerful way to prevent burnout through both physical and mental rejuvenation. Regular running creates critical mental space by disconnecting you from digital distractions, allowing your mind to process challenges subconsciously. The meditative quality of running promotes mindfulness as you focus on breathing and movement, sparking creative solutions. - Jay Mehta, Seldon Capital In my experience leading cross-functional teams, using AI for meeting notes and task scheduling has been a major help. It frees up mental space, keeps priorities clear and prevents overwhelm. I recommend it to any leader who wants to stay focused on strategy instead of getting lost in day-to-day work. - Andrew Lopez, 1000 Media The Superhuman email client has completely changed the way I approach email. It sorts through the clutter better than any other client I've used before, getting me to inbox zero in record time. I also love that the founder pushes weekly updates to the product, so it's constantly getting better. - Larry Bomback, Strategic Nonprofit Finance I track sleep, not tasks. After nearly derailing during a major deal after weeks of nights with four hours of sleep, I realized my to-do lists were pointless if my brain was running on fumes. My sleep app is now my most crucial dashboard. When my sleep debt rises, I delegate or reschedule. I'm a better leader and developer of talent since prioritizing recovery over productivity. - Shayne Fitz-Coy, Sabot Family Companies
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Keeping our patio tidy
Ottawa Watch We start with how to keep all those kids' toys, pool equipment, and gardening stuff organized.
The Verge
a day ago
- General
- The Verge
The Verge's favorite tools to help with a move
Almost all of The Verge 's staff have had the experience of moving to a new house or apartment. While the experience was different for everyone, one thing we all had in common is that, during this highly stressful process, we had each discovered at least one tool, app, or other gadget that turned out to be really (and sometimes unexpectedly) helpful in making things just a little bit easier. Here are some of the items — tech and otherwise — that could be useful if you're moving from one home to another. Sharpie markers Sharpies $3 My partner and I have many years' worth of books in our basement, and we've finally gotten around to sorting them into what we want to keep, what we think we can sell, and what we've decided to donate (many, many of them). In order to make sure the right boxes of books go to the right places, I use thick-tipped Sharpies to write on the sides and tops of the boxes, using labels like: Shelve, Store, Autographed, or Book Fairies (yes, that's the name of the charity). The words are very visible and won't smear off — and I can be sure I won't give away my beloved childhood copy of Little Women by accident. — Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor Colored dot stickers They're cheap, easy to get, and already color-coded for you. Here's my advice: color-code your boxes by room, one on every side, making it quick and easy to figure out where every single box and container should go. Then grab one of those Sharpies, write numbers on them, and keep a Google Sheet or other spreadsheet telling you where all your stuff is and where it's supposed to go. — Kate Cox, senior producer, Decoder A roll of shrink-wrap with handles It's been nearly six years since I last moved, but the one tool that still stands out in my mind as the absolute hero of the ordeal was a simple 15-inch wide roll of plastic stretch wrap. It was not only an easy way to secure random piles of disassembled furniture and keep all the parts organized, it also came in handy for sealing up overpacked boxes that were on the verge of tearing, protecting couch cushions inside a dirty moving truck, and preventing dresser drawers from opening in transit. It was also useful for creating impromptu bags for holding miscellaneous furniture hardware. You'll want to ensure you buy a roll with handles, which make it much easier to wrap around things. — Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter, news Paper packing tape 3M Scotch Performance Paper Box Sealing Tape 570 $11 $11 at Amazon 'You've gotta use this tape, it's amazing,' said the girl at the U-Haul store, so I bought exactly two rolls, because I had already bought a six-pack of the regular plastic packing tape and I am an old soul who is suspicious of new-fangled things, especially when someone appears to be trying to upsell me on something at the counter. Over the week, as our paper tape supply steadily diminished, we fought over who got custody of the paper tape and who was consigned to the hell of packing with subpar plastic tape. Paper tape is better by every possible metric. It's quite sturdy but you can tear it with your hands. There's no need for a tape cutter or a tape gun. It doesn't get tangled. It's easy to find the end and lift it off the roll without it splitting. You can write right on it if you need to. I was concerned that paper tape would be flimsier or less sticky; there was no noticeable difference between the boxes that were taped up with plastic versus paper tape, except that a few times when I had used plastic tape, I injured myself on the serrated tape gun and spurted blood everywhere. — Sarah Jeong, features editor Protective gloves Wonder Grip Nicely Nimble Gloves $16 $16 at Amazon Funnily enough, I had already had the premonition that I was, at some point during this move, going to cut myself. This has somehow happened with every move I've done. I don't know what this says about me, other than I have pathetic, soft little hands that are only fit for typing at a computer. For that reason, I bought these Bellingham Wonder Grip gardening gloves in size XS. I picked them because they were the smallest gloves at the Ace Hardware I was in. As it turns out, these are the only work gloves that have ever properly fit my tiny, tiny adult hands, which makes a huge difference when you're trying to get an actual grip on heavy objects. The gloves are protective, but aren't so thick that you lose manual dexterity. This is nice, because the last thing you want while packing or unpacking is to have to take your gloves off and on and off and on. If you, like me, are prone to paper cuts while packing, moving, or opening boxes, you should consider buying a pair of these gloves, which come in a nicely inclusive range of sizes that will accommodate even people with weak little hands who have trouble holding onto their iPhones, let alone anything actually heavy. — Sarah Jeong, features editor Cross-line laser level If you're mounting something to a wall, whether it's a simple framed photo, a gallery wall of artwork, or a massive shelf, a cross-line laser is incredibly handy. Just flip it on, and perfectly level lasers shine across your room in both vertical and horizontal directions. It's helpful for a variety of home DIY projects as well as simple redecorating. It's still good to use a trusty old bubble level in tandem with it, but the laser gives you a convenient shortcut that makes mounting and measuring easier and faster. And it's friggin' laser beams! — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, reviewer Stud finder Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 $60 $60 at The Home Depot You can use a strong magnet to find metal screws and pinpoint the location of wooden studs behind drywall for securely hanging pictures or a TV mount. But Franklin Sensors' ProSensor M210 Stud Finder makes that task so much easier. Using 13 sensors and 21 LEDs that light up to indicate areas behind the drywall that have a greater density, you can quickly determine the location, size, and center of hidden studs. It also works with wood and plaster finishes, and, for an extra level of safety, it includes a live wire meter that warns you where it may not be safe to drill. — Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter, news Electric screwdriver If you own a drill that comes with screwdriver and hex key attachments, then you might think that adding an electric screwdriver to your toolbox is kinda pointless. After finding myself fighting with my partner over who gets to use said drill during my last move, however, I don't ever want to be without a backup option again. We had mountains of Ikea furniture to assemble, shelves to put up, and an assortment of random hole-drilling or screw-related tasks that needed to be done to turn our apartment into a home. Nobody wants to get stuck using a manual screwdriver when time is of the essence and your friend, partner, or parent needs the drill more than you do. Electric screwdrivers are also far lighter than hefty drills, so your wrists will thank you after several hours of assembling flatpack furniture. – Jess Weatherbed, news writer Night-lights
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Easily Plan your Entire Week with Apple Reminders : Simplify Your Life
Have you ever felt like your to-do list is running your life instead of the other way around? Between juggling multiple apps, sticky notes, and mental checklists, staying organized can feel like a full-time job. But what if there was a way to manage your entire week with just one simple tool? Enter Apple Reminders—a built-in app that's often overlooked but surprisingly powerful. By using a single, well-structured list, you can transform chaos into clarity, leaving behind the overwhelm of scattered systems. This isn't just another productivity hack—it's a way to reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters. In this learning guide from Check the Box & Learn, you'll discover how to create a single Apple Reminders list that acts as a flexible, all-in-one hub for your tasks, goals, and ideas. Through a thoughtfully designed framework, you'll learn to divide your list into sections like a Daily Log for immediate priorities and a Future Log for long-term plans. But this isn't just about organizing tasks—it's about building a system that adapts to your life, not the other way around. Whether you're a fan of bullet journaling or simply looking for a way to simplify your workflow, this method will show you how to stay productive without the stress. Imagine starting each week with a clear roadmap and ending it with a sense of accomplishment. Let's explore how one list can do it all. Streamline Tasks with One List The Single List Framework At the core of this system is a single list divided into four distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose: Daily Log: Tasks you need to complete today. Tasks you need to complete today. Weekly Log: Tasks for the current week, prioritized and actionable. Tasks for the current week, prioritized and actionable. Monthly Log: Broader goals and tasks for the month. Broader goals and tasks for the month. Future Log: Long-term tasks or ideas without immediate deadlines. This structure allows tasks to flow seamlessly between sections based on their priority and timeline. For example, a task in the monthly log can move to the weekly log during your planning session and then to the daily log when it's time to take action. This fluid movement ensures that your focus remains on what's most important at any given moment. By keeping all tasks in one place, you reduce the mental clutter often caused by switching between multiple tools or lists. The Weekly Planning Ritual A key component of this system is the weekly planning ritual, ideally performed at the end of your workweek, such as on Friday. This practice helps you reflect on your progress, reset your priorities, and prepare for the week ahead. Here's how to implement this ritual effectively: Review: Go through the current week's log and address any unfinished tasks. Decide whether to complete them immediately, move them to the next week's log, or postpone them to the monthly or future log. Go through the current week's log and address any unfinished tasks. Decide whether to complete them immediately, move them to the next week's log, or postpone them to the monthly or future log. Prioritize: Look over your monthly log and select tasks to focus on for the upcoming week. Ensure these tasks align with your broader goals. Look over your monthly log and select tasks to focus on for the upcoming week. Ensure these tasks align with your broader goals. Update: At the end of each month, revise both the monthly and future logs to reflect completed tasks, adjust priorities, and add any new goals or ideas. This ritual ensures that your goals and actions remain aligned, giving you a clear roadmap for the week ahead. By dedicating time to this process, you can approach each week with confidence and purpose. Plan your Entire Week with Just ONE Apple Reminders List Watch this video on YouTube. Gain further expertise in Apple Reminders by checking out these recommendations. Daily Planning and Check-ins Daily planning is essential for maintaining focus and adaptability. By incorporating two quick check-ins into your daily routine, you can stay organized and ensure your priorities are clear: End-of-Day Routine: At the end of each day, review your calendar and move tasks from the weekly log to the daily log for the next day. This step helps you prepare without overloading your schedule, allowing for a realistic and manageable plan. At the end of each day, review your calendar and move tasks from the weekly log to the daily log for the next day. This step helps you prepare without overloading your schedule, allowing for a realistic and manageable plan. Morning Routine: Start your day by confirming your priorities. Review your daily log and make adjustments only if unexpected tasks arise. This approach keeps you flexible while making sure you remain focused on your key objectives. These routines provide structure to your day while leaving room for adjustments when necessary. By consistently checking in with your plan, you can stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Capturing and Organizing Tasks Effective task capture is a cornerstone of this system. Throughout the day, use tools like Siri, meeting notes, or quick reminders to record tasks as they come up. At the end of the day, sort these tasks into the appropriate log: Urgent tasks: Add these to the daily log for immediate attention. Add these to the daily log for immediate attention. Short-term tasks: Place these in the weekly log for action within the current week. Place these in the weekly log for action within the current week. Long-term ideas: Assign these to the future log for consideration at a later time. This habit ensures that no task is forgotten while keeping your list organized and actionable. By regularly sorting and categorizing tasks, you can maintain a clear overview of your priorities and avoid letting important items slip through the cracks. Integrating Analog and Digital Tools While Apple Reminders serves as the central hub for this system, integrating analog tools can further enhance your workflow. For instance, a pocket notebook can be used to jot down daily priorities, track quick notes during meetings, or brainstorm ideas on the go. This hybrid approach combines the strengths of digital and analog tools, allowing you to adapt to different situations and preferences. By using Apple Reminders for structured planning and an analog tool for spontaneous notes, you can create a system that is both comprehensive and flexible. This integration ensures that you're always prepared, whether you're working at your desk or on the move. Adapting the System to Your Needs One of the most significant advantages of this system is its adaptability. While it is designed for Apple Reminders, the principles can easily be applied to other task management tools such as Todoist, Microsoft To Do, or even a physical planner. The key is to maintain the structure of the logs and stick to the planning routines. You can also customize the system to suit your specific needs. For example, if you prefer a more detailed approach, you might add subsections to your logs for different projects or areas of focus. Alternatively, if you have a simpler workflow, you can streamline the system by combining the monthly and future logs into a single section. This flexibility allows you to tailor the system to your unique preferences and goals, making sure it remains effective and sustainable over time. Maximizing Productivity with a Single List By using a single Apple Reminders list and following this structured approach, you can simplify your task management while staying organized and productive. Weekly planning, daily check-ins, and effective task capture ensure that you're always focused on what matters most. Whether you're managing work projects, personal goals, or both, this system provides the clarity and adaptability needed to succeed. Media Credit: Check the Box & Learn Filed Under: Apple, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A therapist told me this home organization hack can 'lower your mental load.' I tried it and here's why you should, too
I grew up with a mom who I would describe as the world's most organized person. My mom, a retired school principal and self-proclaimed neat freak, kept our home meticulously organized. Every gizmo and gadget has its place in my parents' home, a rule that, until recently, I adopted in my own space. Despite my best efforts, my home is more disorganized than I would like to admit. I live in a small apartment and own a lot of stuff (a side effect of the job, you know?), which means it can easily become cluttered. The more disorganized my space, the more stressed out I become. "Clutter is emotional and when our homes feel chaotic, our brains absorb that stress," Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist and interior designer, tells Yahoo Canada. "Research has shown that disorganized spaces can increase cortisol, the body's main stress hormone, and drain our ability to focus or make decisions. That's why labelling your pantry or tidying a drawer can feel like a breath of fresh air... It's actually lowering your mental load." When my space becomes overly cluttered and messy, it can feel overwhelming. Not only is a disorganized space stressful to live and work in, but for some, it can heighten feelings of depression and anxiety. That's why, for me, it's essential to stay on top of my cleaning routine. "There's fascinating research that supports what I call the 'emotional blueprint' of space," Yokota says. "Studies show that having control over your environment (even something as small as deciding where things go or how to label them) can help reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. So yes, there's science behind it, but more importantly, there's a deep emotional benefit that people feel almost immediately." Yokota, the author of Home Therapy, says that organizing your space is "one of the fastest ways to shift how you feel in your home." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anita Yokota (@anitayokota) "It boosts productivity by cutting down on all the tiny decisions that drain your energy," she says. Organizing your space "creates calm," Yokota tells Yahoo Canada. "Our brains are constantly scanning our environment, and when there's visual clutter, it sends a low-level signal that something's off. When your space is organized, it tells your body that you're safe and you can relax." If you're struggling with anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, Yokota recommends organizing and using devices like a label maker to create structure in your space. "For busy parents, clear labels mean fewer questions, less decision-making, and more independence for everyone in the house. And for anyone navigating anxiety, even just knowing where things go can create a sense of control in a world that often feels unpredictable." Whether you're organizing your junk drawer, kitchen pantry or filing cabinet, using a label maker is an easy way to create structure, no matter how small it may made-in-Canada cleaning brands to clean your bathroom, laundry room, kitchen & more This made-in-Canada cleaning brand is eco-friendly, affordable and available on Amazon The best robot vacuums and mops we've tested in 2025 In my home, I use a label maker to organize my large storage bins, so I know exactly where items like Christmas decorations, winter boots, gift wrapping paper, and extra cords are stored. Yokota recommends using a label maker for spaces like your kitchen, where you can use it for best-before dates and labelling freezer leftovers, as well as in your storage room. If you live with a messy partner or small children, a label maker can be particularly handy. To help keep the clutter at bay, I've rounded up five items that reviewers swear by for a clean, mess-free home. I've included Yokota's label maker of choice — the Brother P-touch PT-N10 Personal Handheld Label Maker Machine — plus other gadgets that my fellow clean freaks may find useful. "Labelling and organizing might seem small, but they create structure and our brains crave structure," Yokota tells Yahoo Canada. "For busy parents, clear labels mean fewer questions, less decision-making, and more independence for everyone in the house. And for anyone navigating anxiety, even just knowing where things go can create a sense of control in a world that often feels unpredictable." The Brother P-touch PT-N10 Label Maker is easy to use (even for little ones) and can quickly create custom, colourful labels for anything and everything in your home. The device offers a large selection of fonts and symbols and has a LCD screen so that you can preview labels before pressing print. If your kitchen drawers look like a bomb went off, this 9-in-1 drawer organizer could be your new favourite thing. The set includes three foil, plastic, and wax dispensers with cutters, as well as specific storage spaces designed for different-sized plastic bags. It also comes with an additional storage box for bits and bobs like elastic bands, strings, paper clips and twist ties. If the sight of one more dangling cord is enough to send you over the edge, you might want to pick up a pack of these cord covers. The large cord hiders are designed to conceal cables such as HDMI cables, Ethernet cables, optical cables, and USB cables. Importantly, it has also passed a plastics flammability test, ensuring it's safe for your space. This two-tier organizer is designed for your bathroom, but you can use it anywhere you need a little structure, such as your pantry, laundry room, or makeup corner. Stacked in two layers, the top drawer can support up to 15 lbs and the overall unit measures just 11.8" L x 7.5" W x 10" H, so it can easily fit under your sink or in tight spaces. Piles of shoes are the absolute worst. You can avoid the chaos with these clear, stackable boxes. Each box features a magnetic door and the boxes easily connect, so you don't have to worry about them wobbling and falling over.
