Here are a few helpful tricks to use when organising your time (sourced from the POAA flyer).

• Keep filing systems simple with only four or five main categories that make sense to you.
• Do 'it' NOW. Don't procrastinate.
• Change whatever doesn't work for you.
• Use only one diary or calendar to record all your appointments - private or professional.

You would think that this stands to reason, but so many people don't follow this advice (myself included). There are some days that I am disciplined enough to prepare for the next day and it ALWAYS sets the tone for my day ahead.

There have been times when I am under pressure to finalise a job for a client the next day and every time I leave it for the morning (to quickly finish), the wheels fall off - a child needs something - the email is down etc etc and suddenly, my lack ...

Remember when you were at school and you had a project to do? The first thing you probably did was create a spider diagram outlining the process you needed to follow. As adults, we often dive headfirst into tasks, like de-cluttering our space, without planning, so we often land up failing miserably. Whatever goals you have, spend some time on your spider diagram. The process will save you time and frustration.

I have often read the recommendation of professional organisers to use a timer when tidying up. Although I understood the philosophy behind the suggestion, I wanted to put it to the test so I used it with my kids this week-end.

I told them before I even began, that I wanted to set the timer to ONLY 5 minutes to tidy up their desk and throw away used paper and 'stuff' lying around collecting dust.

So we duly set the timer and off we went with the tic-tic-tic in the backgro...

I have been spending a lot of time trying to organise myself and my time lately (yes, the NEAT FREAK also has to do this), and I have to say, that the only way to do this, is to MAKE TIME TO PLAN.

• If you have a project you need to complete, like planting a new area in your garden, you will need to complete tasks along the way to succeed.
• Write the ultimate goal down in a clear sentence (and perhaps you should pin this up somewhere you will see it all day to...