How to Get Things Done Without Trying Too Hard

Richard Templar specialises in taking a common sense approach to obvious subjects and making the commonplace seem revelatory. He lives a semi-virtual existence in rural Devon.

• Introduction You can and you can’t You have to want to be organised You don’t have to change your personality Know yourself Make time Have a routine Don’t tell yourself you’re bored Don’t get distracted Think about what you’re not thinking about Don’t panic! Do it little and often Think positive Steer clear of time sappers Know when the good times are Do the scary jobs Set yourself limits Invest now, save later Don’t do too much Don’t waste your down time Be reliable Don’t wait for people to change Write lists Get off to a flying start Visualise the finished thing Have less Sort it or bin it Ditch the eco-guilt Have a packing list Get into good habits Have a place for it File your week Keep a notebook Count your bags Streamline your workload Streamline your movements Multitask Build up a stockpile Double up Turn your toothbrush upside down Pin a note on the door Be decisive about mess Learn how to tidy Get the kids working Don’t do it yourself Give false deadlines Use a two-bin system Have a shopping list Read faster Keep time Get ahead of yourself Remember birthdays Make technology work for you Get Christmas wrapped up Treat yourself Find a sixpence Be decisive Lay the groundwork first Talk it through When you have to decide, do it Toss a coin Tell everyone what you’ve decided Hone your people skills Be assertive Learn to say no Stand your ground Understand thick skins Say what you mean Keep calm Count to ten See their point of view Feed it back Learn to delegate Know who's doing what Get the best out of people Know what really matters Prioritise Know what is urgent (and what isn’t) Organise your to-do list Clear some downtime Plan your life Don’t just firefight Have a thorough diary Know what makes a difference Get organised at work Know where you’re going Know what you’re doing First you must push the wheelbarrow and then you can sit down Don’t work a week behind Deal with it when it happens Don’t do things twice Organise your space Don’t read things you don’t need to Keep it together Make sure the boomerang comes back Keep your meetings on time Know what you’re aiming for Avoid unnecessary meetings Don’t get interrupted Don’t get caught by the phone Choose between email and phone Reduce your inbox Ditch the ping Stop playing games Get it over w