In this latest “Organizing Tips from Successful People” segment, Managing Editor Timothy Renshaw of the award-winning weekly news source, Business in Vancouver explains below how we need to prepare as though we’re in a marathon – because in some ways, that’s what our lives are.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to staying organized?
Staying in the here and now is a challenge. Also, focusing on one task at a time without being overwhelmed by major projects. You have to train the mind to prevent it from being distracted by worries about the future or regrets about the past.

How do you manage your schedule?
I start early. You have to execute the plan mapped out the night before. Deliver on commitments, but if you are unable to deliver on those commitments, inform everyone who will be affected by the situation and reschedule another delivery date. Break large projects into daily digestible pieces.

How do you define work-life balance?
It’s embracing work and play with equal enthusiasm, inspiration and energy.

Can you think of a time when being organized helped you seize an opportunity?
Meaningful and valued jobs, promotions and relationships have all resulted in some way from being prepared, paying attention and being interested.

Do you have a system for staying organized? If so, what is it?
I make lists and complete them every day. You need to structure a daily routine that includes some form of physical activity and mental meditation. This is a marathon: you have to be in top physical and mental shape to deliver good results.

Aside from that, you have to be candid and open in all your communications. Be clear and concise. Don’t waste people’s time. Be courteous. Be authentic.

Finally, take action. Don’t dither.

How do you manage and organize yourself on your computer or online?
(social networking, calendars, address books, email, etc).
I organize through calendars and e-mail.

Paper or digital organizer (daytime vs blackberry/iPhone) and why?
Paper. No batteries and no moving parts means no system failures.

I provide my clients with systems for organizing their office and home spaces and managing work-life balance. A lot of the advice I provide comes from the inspiration and ideas I’ve gotten from successful people I’ve met here in BC and around the world. This issue of Chu On This… kicks off a new segment called Productivity Pointers from Top Business People, where I will share the organizing tips and advice many experts in various fields have used to achieve success.

Our first expert for this Q & A segment is sixty4media co-founder, Rebecca Bollwitt. Rebecca has been named one of the Top Ten Women in Vancouver Technology to Watch and one of Canada’s Top Ten Most Influential Individuals in Social Media.
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