Barbara Hemphill

Information drives business and your ability to accomplish any task or goal is directly related to your ability to find what you need, when you need it.  Listen as I share some of the key challenges to managing information in your organization and how to know if your organization needs a better system for managing information. Podcast Duration: 04:12 (MM:SS) Transcript Also Available.

When I was growing up on the farm in Nebraska, my piano was my best friend. My mother said she could tell what kind of day I had had at school by what I was playing when she came home from work! Sitting on that piano bench, I poured out my emotions from elation to devastation. Years later, when I went through my divorce, and felt so devastated I couldn't pray, I would sit at the piano and play hymns to God.

In 1988 I wrote my first book Taming the Paper Tiger in response to clients continual question “How long do I keep...” You can fill in the blank with everything from expired insurance policies to children’s artwork. Unfortunately, nearly a quarter of a century later, paper continues to be the #1 organizing problem in American households. Listen as I share 6 tips for organizing paper at home. Podcast Duration: 05:03 (MM:SS)

Bertie Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine is quoted as saying, “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” Research shows that 70% of people who make New Year’s resolutions have abandoned them before the end of the month. The cause: discouragement.

Since January is “National Get Organized Month,” I've had several opportunities to speak to the media. It has reminded me of how important it is to be prepared for such an event. One of the best ways to promote any product, service, or passion is through the media, so I thought I’d share some ideas with you today.  Listen as I share 10 communication basics to help you prepare for a media opportunity. Podcast Duration: 04:03 (MM:SS)

 

New Year’s weekend had a variety of physical and emotional challenges for me, and when I woke up on January 3 and looked around the house, there was only one word to describe it: “disaster!” My initial reaction was to start digging in rather than engage in my usual morning routine of coffee, Bible study, prayer, and contemplation. Fortunately, my better judgment kicked in before I got totally off on the wrong track for the day.

I was recently on the My Carolina Today talk show and shared a few tips you can use to getting organized in 2012.  Start the year off right and click play below to watch this video.

I’ve identified that the most important thing for me to accomplish in 2012 is to get more sleep. In a recent conversation with my best friend of nearly 30 years, she pointed out something she has observed repeatedly through the years: Whenever I don’t get enough sleep, I have a variety of negative results which dramatically reduce my productivity.  Listen as I share how I will use the Productive Environment 5-step process to overcome this and start a pattern for smart goal setting. Podcast Duration: 4:25 (MM:SS)

 

Recently I spent a week with my mother who is in a nursing home under Hospice care in a small town in Nebraska. It is a challenging situation watching someone you love dearly whose mind is, as we say in NE, "sharp as a tack," but whose body is simply worn out. I wasn't feeling anything but happy. Then on Sunday, I attended church with my brother. The sermon, entitled "Joy versus Happiness", was one of the most wonderful Christmas gifts I have ever received. In a nutshell, Pastor Lyle Schoen put it this way: "Happiness is an emotion you seek; joy is a divine gift you are given because of your relationship with Jesus Christ." I'm not sure why, at the age of almost 65, I haven't understood this before!

The last two weeks of December have always been favorites of mine: Preparing for Christmas and Planning for the New Year! Having said that, I have to admit, it’s hard to believe that it’s that time again... I’ve decided a good way to wrap up my podcasts for this year is to share with you how I’m going to use our five-step Productive Environment Process to ensure that 2012 is my most productive, profitable, and peaceful year ever!   Listen as I share those five steps with you. Podcast Duration: 05:00 (MM:SS)

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the The Career Clinic® with Maureen Anderson. I got the chance to share some valuable tips on handling interruptions at work, eliminating clutter and being as productive as you can so you can accomplish your work. I think you'll get a lot of value listening to this episode. Be sure to share your thoughts with me using the comments link below. I'd love to hear from you!  If you like being productive, please share this post.

The Clutter Trap is a state of cumulative disorder that diminishes your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or financial health. It is a threat to your productivity, your prosperity, and your peace of mind.