What are the 4 P’s of Time Management?

May 31, 2023May 31, 2023 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

Time management is a way to know where you spend your time and what you can do to improve it. If you find that you can’t get everything done or you are exhausted and aren’t sure why, it probably comes to how you manage your time. The 4 P’s of time management can help focus your attention on the key characteristics to make you more productive.

Here are some of the best time management tips that can make a positive difference in your life.

Prioritization leads to better time management

The first one of the 4 P’s of time management kick-starts the whole process. You can’t really have good time management without prioritization. How can you manage your time if you don’t know what’s important and what isn’t?

Do your tasks have external or internal deadlines? Can you group tasks together?

I am a big fan of grouping tasks. If I have several doctor’s appointments to make, it’s so much more efficient to knock them all out at once. If there are several emails that you have to send, take 30 minutes and get them all taken care of.

I want to mention errands specifically. With the increasing cost of gas (not to mention traffic in my area), I try to group errands together. And I’ve even been known to mentally map them out to reduce the amount of back-and-forth I have to drive. And while you might save a few dollars in grocery bills by visiting multiple stores, balance that savings against your gas cost and your time cost.

Before you put together your to-do list, make sure to check out these strategies to create a more productive to-do list.

Planning for more efficient time management

Once you have your prioritization taken care of, next comes planning. How do you plan to get it all done in the time you have available?

Looking at your calendar, review the blocks of time that are immoveable (appointments, meetings, jobs, etc) and then work around those.

If you feel like you don’t have enough time for everything, then it comes down to one of two things: you are either trying to do too much, or you aren’t spending your time wisely. Take a few days to write down what you work on each day (including non-work tasks), and how long each thing took you. You might find you spend too much time reading email, on social media, or just procrastinating.

Whether you use a time blocking system or set a Pomodoro timer for tasks, it helps to designate a certain amount of time to each task. Some tasks will take more or less time, but without a timer, it is hard to know when it is time to move on to the next thing.

Make sure to maximize your most productive time of day no matter when that may be.

Everyone has their prime time to work each day, often referred to as your golden hours. This is the period of time when you tend to have the most energy and focus. When it comes to time management, you need to know when you are able to focus the most on certain tasks, and when you should spend your time on lower priority items on your list.

Multi-tasking feels efficient but when our focus is divided, all of the tasks can suffer. Let me just say this…

Enough with the multi-tasking!

We are now discovering how detrimental this can be for your focus and productivity. Choose one task to work on and focus at a time before you move on to the next on. It might seem like it would keep you from being productive, but this actually helps you to get more done in the long run.

And don’t forget to “schedule” yourself some downtime too. It can be hard to squeeze it in, but the more complicated our schedules become the more we need that downtime built in.

When you do have down time, make better use of it. Read a book, learn something new, or enjoy a relaxing break. Otherwise, down time just turns into mindless tasks that don’t help you in any sort of way.

Productivity is time management

Brushing up on your prioritization and planning skills definitely leads to increased productivity. Isn’t that the ultimate goal? To get more done in less time? And by the way, let’s be clear on the differences between busy and productive.

There are two rules that I have to share, just so that you actually hear them:

Delegation: It’s okay to delegate tasks. You can’t do it all by yourself in most cases, so if you find that there just isn’t enough of you to go around, it’s time to delegate.
Deletion: It’s okay to not do something. You might also have some tasks that are just unnecessary, and more like busy work that you don’t need to spend as much time on.

Positivity about what your time management looks like

Out of all of the 4 P’s of time management, this is the one that can slip past me. We all have bad days — competing priorities, jobs, school, obligations, responsibilities, bills, chores, errands, family, friends, and the list goes on.

But positivity can really go a long way. It doesn’t reduce everything we have to do, it just makes “getting it all done” a little more bearable.

Lots of errands on Saturday? Maybe treat yourself to lunch. Waiting at the doctor’s office again? Bring a book you’ve been looking forward to reading. I don’t even mind the 3-hour drive to my mom’s house. It’s 3 hours to myself, to listen to the radio or drive in silence and let my mind work through everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 4 D’s of time management?

They are Delete, Delegate, Defer, and Do. Personally, I love the visual guide that the Eisenhower Matrix offers for these guidelines. This works wonderfully with the first of the 4 P’s of time management – Prioritization!

to-do list strategies - Eisenhower Matrix

How does time management increase productivity?

Look at it this way. At the grocery store, we typically walk from Aisle 1 to Aisle 2 to Aisle 3. If we shopped from Aisle 10 to Aisle 3 and back to Aisle 8, what does that do to our energy and our time?

By being in control of our time, we can move from one task to another more efficiently and more effectively. These proactive time management tips such as using reminders, developing a planner system, establishing a routine, and time blocking are in our toolbox now!

What are the benefits of time blocking? How does it work with the 4 P’s of time management?

Time blocking is a method of choosing what tasks you will do during different times of the day. The blocks of time are dependent on your schedule and the tasks(s) at hand. You dedicate each block of time to one specific type of task. This definitely goes hand-in-hand with the 4 p’s of time management, as part of the Planning step. Take a look at all the benefits:

You Can See How You Spend Your Time

The first benefit to using a time blocking schedule is seeing how you spend your time. Assess your daily tasks, and how long they usually take.

You Focus on One Thing at a Time

Each block should be dedicated to just one task or one type of project. It is okay to use batch work, since your focus will still remain on the same type of task.

You Have Better Time Management Skills

If you struggle with managing your time and often spend too long on one project, then not enough time on the next, time blocking will be perfect for you.

You Don’t Get as Bored

With time blocking, you also tend to not get bored or procrastinate, since you move fairly quickly from one task to the next. A trap that many people fall into is that when they finish one task, they take too long to move to the next one. With time blocking, this rarely happens since you are improving the use of your time throughout the day.

You Have More Free Time

Lastly, you might even find FREE blocks of time, thanks to these skills. If you think you don’t have any spare time, use time blocking and find those little blocks of time when you can enjoy yourself.

How can journaling help with time blocking?

Journaling has been used by numerous successful people to actively engage in their future and control various obstacles that will inevitably spring up on the journey forward.

You Can’t Stop Me!

Let’s face it, multitasking, for the most part, is one of the biggest killers of your success in the modern age. Many of us pride ourselves on our ability to perform various tasks simultaneously, new data reveals that multitasking is not what it’s cracked up to be. In fact, multitasking renders us either unable to finish a project or leaves multiple tasks performed below our normal standards.

Once a section of productive time has been completed, follow that with a short-duration break that can range anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.

Get Control of Your Work Output

Many of us that have full-time jobs have undoubtedly heard grunts and groans from our fellow coworkers over the years about how many hours they’re forced to work. Take a look at the average person’s workday — shockingly, on an average 8-hour workday we only have 2 hours and 53 minutes of productivity.

With time blocking through our journal, we can greatly increase our output and bring insight into how we spend our day and what activities are preventing us from getting ahead.

As a helpful tactic for the upcoming week, write down in your journal areas of your day that you’ve found yourself wasting time, goofing off, falling asleep, or quite frankly, avoiding a certain task that you need to be doing. When we actively seek out tasks that sabotage our future, we are more inclined to correct them.

Stress Relief

Time blocking through a journal approach is, quite literally, like breathing a huge sigh of relief on a daily basis. Many areas of our lives, particularly our career and finances, are riddled with doubt and anxiety from lack of action and clarity.

Journaling gives us a playbook that we can follow throughout each moment of our day and give us a map that can steer us in the right direction. Much like how a football coach would never play a game without his playbook, we should never tackle obstacles without a series of rules and pre-planned actions.

Having structure in your day will, unequivocally, put you in the top 1% of successful people and high-end producers on the planet. In a short period of time you can not only achieve the goals you’ve laid out for yourself, but help others build structure in their lives to succeed in their personal journey.

My schedule is too busy!

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

We’ve all been there: juggling a million things, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and feeling like you’re about to drop from exhaustion. However, you may not realize that when you’re schedule is too busy it can actually be counterproductive.

It makes you less productive, less effective, and more likely to make mistakes PLUS your brain doesn’t work as well if you need to remember things and focus.

And what’s even worse is that the more stressed you are, the harder it is to switch gears and relax. So even if you do have a few free minutes, you’re not able to fully enjoy them or use them effectively.

A few of the issues with being too busy are:

You may miss important deadlines.
You may forget essential things.
You may neglect your health.
You may neglect your relationships.
You may feel stressed and anxious.

Being too busy is honestly one problem after another. You may even be too busy to notice how ineffective you are in almost every area of your life. Plus, of course, the amount of joy you can feel when you’re overworked and too busy is greatly lessened than if you try to schedule and organize your life in a way that creates a balance with all areas of your life.

So what can you do when you are screaming “my schedule is too busy”?

Recognize that being too busy is a problem. It’s not something to be proud of or boast about. It’s something to be avoided.

List your priorities and stick to them. If you know your needs versus wants, you can schedule them first.

Simplify your lifestyle and routine. Focus on your goals and what is most important to you. Identify what brings you joy and what you can live without. Let go of what doesn’t serve you and make room for what does.

Organize your time and space. By decluttering your life physically and emotionally, you can make space for what truly matters.

Learn to say no. You really can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t try. When you’re already stretched thin, the last thing you need is to take on even more.

Get enough sleep. Plan to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. Sleep is a crucial part of health and well-being, but it’s often the first thing to go when you’re busy. Ensure you’re getting enough rest so we can be at your best.

Ask for help and delegate. You can’t do it all alone, and when you finally admit that you’ll suddenly become much more productive. Asking for help shows strength, not weakness.

Make time for yourself. You need to schedule some downtime every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You must turn off phones, log off from work, and focus on relaxing and recharging. Set boundaries and practice enough self-care.

Why everyone needs downtime

If your schedule is too busy, you probably feel overwhelmed and stressed out.

Your to-do lists are a mile long, and your mind races a million miles a minute. As a result, you feel like you’re about to snap. Sound familiar?

If you’re feeling like this, it’s probably because you need some downtime. Downtime is essential for our mental and physical health, yet most folks don’t make enough time for it.

8 reasons you need downtime when your schedule is too busy

Downtime reduces stress. If you live an overscheduled life, your body is in a constant state of stress, leading to several mental and physical health problems. Time to relax and unwind can help reduce stress and promote better health.

Downtime boosts creativity. If you’re stuck in a rut, some downtime may be just what you need to jumpstart your creativity. When you let yourself relax, your mind is free to wander and come up with new and innovative ideas.

Downtime improves focus. By taking some time to relax, you’re giving your brain a chance to rest and recharge, so when you start working again, you’ll be able to focus better and be more productive.

Downtime helps you sleep better. If sleeping is hard for you, it may be because you’re not giving yourself enough time to wind down before bed. Your body needs sleep preparation time.

Downtime gives your body a chance to heal. Your mind and body reset and repair during rest so you can heal. When you take time for yourself, your body will repair any damage, and you can return stronger than before.

Downtime helps you make better decisions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with choices, downtime may be just what you need. If you take some time to relax and clear your mind, you’re more likely to make thoughtful decisions.

Downtime improves your relationships. When you’re constantly doing something, you’ll have less time to invest in your relationships, and they can start to feel strained.

Downtime helps you find your purpose. When you are constantly on the go, losing sight of what’s essential in life is easy. But when you take time for self-care and self-discovery, you can reflect on what’s truly important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I overcome a busy schedule?

The effects of overscheduling are numerous. And it takes conscious effort to back off from that lifestyle. We get so caught up in “getting it done” that we don’t even realize what we’re doing to ourselves. Stepping back and learning to prioritize can go a long way to overcoming that feeling.

How do I create balance with a busy schedule?

Obligations and responsibilities dominate our world and we certainly can’t get out of a lot of them. Through more proactive time management, we can get control of our schedule and create that balance that is probably lacking.

How do I politely say that my schedule is too busy?

One major way to reduce your business is to start saying “no” to things. But that can be hard when we have so many obligations. Here are a few ways to politely decline a request or invitation when you’re too busy.

Unproductive habits to break

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

We all find ourselves with unproductive habits, which can prevent us from reaching our full potential. Some of the most common unproductive habits to break include:

Phone Habits

Do you waste hours scrolling through social media or playing games? We must limit ourselves on how much time can be spent on the phone each day in order to break this habit. Once you hit that limit, put the phone away and focus on something else. If you are able, you can also leave the phone in another room when you need to focus on a particular task.

Disorganization

If your bedroom is a mess and your purse is overflowing, staying organized and on top of things will be nearly impossible. I want to encourage you to take some time to declutter your personal space and create a system that works for you to help you feel more in control and less stressed.

Binge Watching Shows

I can easily get sucked into a good TV show and watch episode after episode. You know this. But this it’s also a huge time waster. If you tend to binge watch, set a limit of one or two episodes per day or assign certain times that binging is allowed, like during inclement weather or when sick.

Procrastination

Procrastination is one of the most common unproductive habits and can be very damaging to your success. When you procrastinate, you end up putting off essential tasks, often leading to poor performance, missed deadlines, and overwhelm. It will help to find the underlying reason for procrastination.

Social Media Addiction

Social media connects you with friends and family, but it’s a significant waste of time for the most part. We need to focus on work or other essential tasks, instead of getting sucked into scrolling through newsfeeds or posting social media updates. It can also help to show how you limit yourself so your friends and family know a successful way to deal with this issue.

Poor Sleep Habits

Many (read: most) of us don’t get enough sleep which can lead to being tired and unproductive during the day. “They” say we need at least 8 to 12 hours of sleep each night to function at our best. The problem is that often we are so overscheduled it makes it hard to accomplish this. Take a look to see whether you are overscheduling yourself, and what could be reduced or eliminated.

Poor Diet

Eating unhealthy foods will make anyone feel sluggish and uninterested in being productive. A healthy diet is vital for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Lack of Exercise

Exercise releases extra energy and improves focus. However, many of us lead sedentary lifestyles and don’t get enough exercise which can make us feel tired and uninterested in being active. Create regular routines that encourage after-dinner walks and physical activity.

Breaking unproductive habits can be difficult. But we focus on our goals so that we can live the abundant life we are meant to live.

Characteristics of a Highly Productive Mindset

(aka the opposite of the unproductive habits to break)

Once you get beyond these unproductive habits to break, we can take a look at what the opposite looks like.

A person with a highly productive mindset possesses many characteristics that allow them to be successful in achieving their goals. Therefore, if you want to be productive, it’s a good idea to study what productive people have that you don’t have.

Highly productive mindsets have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, allowing them to focus on their goals despite distractions. They develop their goals by staying disciplined in their work habits and sticking to their schedule.

In fact, even when things are tough and are always looking for ways to improve their productivity without being busy. This requires always being willing to keep learning and growing, allowing them to improve their skills and knowledge continuously.

Read through these characteristics of highly productive people and don’t worry, you’ll soon become one after you’ve gotten over those unproductive habits to break.

Clearly defined goals — They know exactly what they want to achieve, and they have a plan for how to get there. Productive people are not just going through the motions but are actively working towards their goals.

Focused and disciplined — They can stay on task, focus on their goals, and stick to their plan, even when it gets difficult.

They know their own principles, morals, and values — The fact that they ensure all goals align with their personal principles, morals, and values makes it much less likely they’ll give up.

Organized and efficient– They use their time and resources wisely and don’t waste anything. They know how to prioritize and focus on the most important tasks.

Learning and growing — They constantly try to improve themselves and their skills. They are open to new ideas and willing to change their approach if it helps them achieve their goal.

Positive and optimistic — They believe in themselves and their ability to succeed. They are confident in their ability to overcome any obstacle.

Resilient and able to overcome setbacks — They don’t give up when things get tough. They can recover from setbacks and learn from their mistakes.

Grateful and appreciative of what they have — They are thankful for what they have and appreciate the people and things in their life. They realize that everything is a blessing, even the difficult times.

If you want to improve productivity in your life, focus on developing a mindset that encompasses all the above characteristics. Set clear and defined goals aligned with your values and then create a plan to achieve them. Make a real action plan to know what you need to do to reach your goals when you wake each morning.

Stay focused and disciplined and be willing to put in the hard but productive work required. Work on your organization skills to be efficient in your approach, and always keep learning and growing. Challenge yourself each step to ensure you’re doing things the best way you can.

The biggest factor?

Finally, remain optimistic, cultivate a positive mindset, and don’t give up when things get tough. If you can do all these things, you will achieve your goals in a very productive way without feeling overly busy and overwhelmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be more productive?

Through efficient time management and building a better to-do list, you really can improve your productivity. I would love you to check out my email course, The Power of Speed, which will show you how to improve your time management skills, how to stop procrastinating, how to speed up your learning process, and ultimate how to achieve more in less time. Talk about productive!

Why am I unproductive?

There can be a lot of reasons we are unproductive – too many distractions, too many responsibilities or obligations, less-than-ideal habits about our sleep or our food or our exercise.

What are the effects of overscheduling?

January 31, 2023May 16, 2023 Lori @ Touch of Organized1 Comment

The effects of overscheduling can actually harm not only your health but also your productivity. Overscheduling means that you are trying to pack too much into your day, resulting in you feeling overwhelmed and stressed– leading to health problems, including anxiety, depression, and even physical illness.

Here are just a few ways that you could feel the effects of overscheduling:

It leads to burnout

If you’re constantly on the go, it’s only a matter of time before you start to feel burned out. When you overschedule yourself continuously, you never have time to rest and recharge, which can lead to serious health problems down the road.

It increases your stress levels

If you’re always running around trying to juggle everything, it’s no surprise that your stress levels will go through the roof. But unfortunately, high-stress levels directly cost a whole host of mental and physical health problems due to the high cortisone levels you release in your bloodstream.

It disrupts your sleep

When you overschedule yourself, it’s hard to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Unfortunately, this can lead to many health problems, including fatigue, irritability, and depression.

It makes you sick

It will affect your immune system if you’re always on the move and don’t get enough rest. Unfortunately, this means you’re more likely to get sick, and when you do, it’s likely to be more severe than it would otherwise be.

It ruins your relationships

When you’re always running around, it’s tough to find time for the people who are important to you. Plus, you may not be that fun to be around. Over-scheduling can put a strain on even the strongest of relationships.

If you feel like you’re overscheduled because you notice the signs of the harm your current schedule is causing in your life, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Of course, your health should always be at the top of your list, so remember to put your needs first.

To avoid overscheduling is to figure out what your priorities are. What are the most important things you need to complete each day? Once you’ve determined your priorities, plan your day around them. Finally, leave some free time in your schedule to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

To create the best schedule for you, be realistic about how much time you have available. Packing too much into your day will make you feel rushed and stressed. When you are rushed and stressed, you feel anxious and undone. Instead, give yourself enough time to finish tasks, including set up and tear down time, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

If you realize you are overscheduled, don’t be afraid to say no to new commitments. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Prioritize your time to focus on the essential things in your life.

Overscheduling is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Instead, focus on being mindful of your time and priorities. With the right mindset and focus, you can avoid overscheduling and live a healthier, happier life.

Reverse it – counteract the effects of overscheduling by creating a balanced schedule

If you want to get more done in life without feeling too busy and burning out, it’s imperative that you create a balanced schedule. A balanced schedule has enormous benefits for your life when you make sure to account for what you need and want to do in every area of your life as you make the schedule.

Instead of overscheduling… when you have a balanced schedule, you:

Get more done because you’re efficient with your time
Reduce your stress because you’re not overwhelmed by a packed schedule
More free time to enjoy life apart from work and responsibilities
Are able to focus better on the task at hand when you have regular breaks
Avoid burnout from working too much or taking on too much at once

A balanced schedule is the key to a happy, productive life. If you currently feel overwhelmed, stressed, and like you can’t keep up, it’s time to take a step back and assess your schedule. Review your obligations to see what can be cut out or spread out more evenly. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you have a handle on your time.

Using a balanced schedule to avoid the effects of overscheduling

Creating a balanced schedule means looking at all the areas of your life and ensuring there’s enough time for everything important to you. This includes work, family, friends, hobbies, and taking care of yourself. If one area takes up too much of your time, something else is likely suffering.

For example, if you’re working long hours, you may not have enough time for your family or friends. Or, if you’re spending all your free time on hobbies, you may neglect your work or other obligations. Therefore, finding a good balance between all the areas of your life is essential.

Like your boss, friend, and neighbor, you only have 24 hours a day, so be realistic regarding how much time you can devote to each area of your life. Also, keep in mind that your schedule may need to change from week to week, depending on what’s going on in your life. So schedule the most critical aspects of your life, like work and family, and then fill in the rest of your time with other activities.

A balanced schedule is essential for a happy, productive life. When you are mindful about what you really need to live a satisfying life, pay close attention to needs in all areas of your life, and ensure there’s enough time for everything important to you, you can avoid stress, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed. So, take a look at your schedule and make the necessary adjustments to create a more balanced life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is overscheduling?

If you feel like you might be overscheduling your time, you’re probably right. It is forcing yourself to fit so much into your time that you have no time to recuperate from your activities. And I do acknowledge that there are times when it’s unavoidable. But surprisingly, some of it is!

Why do people overschedule themselves?

I think there are many reasons people do this to themselves. Sometimes it’s to avoid something in their lives, other times it can be a never-ending cycle of anxiety. You have feelings of anxiety which leads to staying busy to avoid those feelings but then staying too busy leads to anxiety. That’s not a good cycle to find yourself in! It can also indicate other underlying issues such as a need to feel significant or a need to be liked.

How do I prevent overscheduling?

Easier said than done! The effects of overscheduling are numerous but in the moment it can be hard to decide where to cut back. You have to learn to say no and to prioritize, both of which are hard! It helps to use your best time management skills. In addition, try to keep sight of your long-term goals. For example, I want to continue focusing on eating more of a plant-based diet. But that can get expensive at the grocery store so I’ve been expanding my garden plans. All of the planting I have in mind will take a lot of time and scheduling! But it keeps me working towards my goal – to focus on a plant-based diet while being more economical about it. Plus gardening also counts as exercise!

You may also be interested in…

Erin Condren Workspace Collaboration

December 26, 2022December 19, 2022 Lori @ Touch of OrganizedLeave a comment

An Erin Condren workspace? Yes please! Through my friends at Erin Condren, I was so excited to get the opportunity for this collaboration. One of my favorite aspects of Erin Condren is the customization options available on so many of their products. I know I’ve posted about my EC hauls before. I’ve customized spirals, sticker sheets, and planners. Someone actually made them just for me! I’ve even been to the physical store in Austin, Texas. I may have overspent while I was there…..

(Please let me apologize a little for the quality of some of the photos, I took them with my smartphone. I wanted to show you actual pictures of the products, not just the images from the website).

Before we dive into the amazing products I’ve been trying out, I also wanted to mention that if you love any of them as much as I do, now’s the time to buy them by clicking the sale picture!

EttaVee In the Flow 2023 LifePlanner in Hourly Layout

The famous Erin Condren LifePlanner! This 7″ x 9″ 12-month calendar includes mini months, monthly quotes, monthly notes and productivity pages, dated spreads, additional notes in the back, and contacts page. It also includes 4 planning sticker sheets and 1 Keep it together folder.

Talk about having everything in one place! If you have days that are very scheduled and regimented, then this hourly layout is definitely for you. In the customization options, it also comes in vertical and horizontal layouts. You can even choose your internal color scheme from 4 unique options.

I love the idea that this planner is the all-in-one. With the notes pages and the included folder, you can really take it all with you.

To organize your work space:

Watercolor Stripes Neutral Ultimate Desk Organizer

So I have to admit, I’ve been eying this organizer for a while and was sooooo excited to get the chance to try it out. I’m constantly on the search for beautiful things that will help organize my beautiful things. And after seeing it in person, my Erin Condren Workspace needs this! The organizer is 9.375″ W x 12.1″ H x 2.5″ D when closed and 21.125” W x 12.1″ H when open. Here’s a quick rundown on the dimensions of the different compartments:

Accessory Section 1: 5.125″ x 2.5″ x 1.25″ (perfect for washi & other accessories)
Accessory Section 2: 3.25” x 4.25” x 1.25”
Listpad Section: 5.125” x 5.125” x 1.25″ (perfect for listpads, half-dashboards, etc.)
3 Divided Compartments: 3.25″ x 4.25″ x 1.25″ (perfect for writing tools)
Paper section: 8.5” x 4” x .625 (perfect for 8.5″ x 11″ papers, 7″ x 9″ covers)

Erin Condren Colorful Fineliner Pens 10-pack

Colorful Fineliner Pens 10-pack

In addition to a crisp new spiral, I love a fresh beautiful pen. This 10-piece set includes Navy, Marigold, Garnett, Purple, Amethyst, Black, Dusk, Cerulean, Aloe, and Aquamarine. The most fabulous feature is the stand-up case. It folds back on itself and stands up on the desk at an angle. The smooth writing is perfect for color-coding and planner or journal that you use.

To beautify your workspace:

Metallic Monthly Deskpad

While I plan to use most of these workspace items in my home office, this one will go to the actual office! It is a 19.25″ x 12.25″ large monthly desk calendar, plus it includes an enormous sheet of almost 400 stickers! What event does that not cover???

Medium Mid Century Circles Rotating Desk Organizer

This is one of those things that I didn’t know I needed until I had it! What won’t this hold – writing tools, accessories, art supplies, makeup, and whatever else you want to organize. The set includes six wedge-shaped cups and a round center cup, all of which are individually removable. And it sits at 10″ diameter as far as the desk surface it occupies. This may end up going to my actual office too!

Black Pinstripe Adjustable Wood Laptop Stand

I have to admit — as beautiful and stylish as this is, it probably doesn’t quite work for my large size laptop. It’s definitely sturdy enough to support the weight but puts it at a strange angle. It’s beautiful and has four adjustable heights and folds up nicely to take with you from home to school to the office, or anywhere else you may be working! It is 10.5” x 10” x 1”.

To take your Erin Condren Workspace with you:

Large Watercolor Stripes Accordion Zipper Pouch

I am a huge fan of packing cubes and zip bags when I travel, to keep things organized and easily located inside my backpack suitcase. I think this beautiful three-compartment zip bag would be excellent for that! Earlier this year, I took a lovely vacation to Charleston, SC with my mom and this would have some in so handy. It might even make a good toiletry bag since it just wipes clean. The pockets are 10″ x 7″ so they definitely hold a lot.

I hope you enjoyed learning about all these ways to “up-level” your workspace with Erin Condren. I was always the kid who loved picking out new school supplies, and now with these goodies I get to do the same as an adult!