Women Who Expertly Maintain Business Organization in a Chaotic Insta-World

It's too easy to stay connected, make notes, send memos and track events. We know this. We have over a dozen apps and numerous devices designed to keep our lives hassle-free, up-to-date, and contribute towards everyone's ultimate goal: a combination of success and happiness.

With plot outlines, characters, literary settings, and formatting all trying to line up in order in my mind, it still can be a challenge to maintain organization, despite all of the tools available. Regardless of this ultra-accessible Insta-world we all occupy, even the most basic organizational tasks can still seem challenging.

Lately, I find myself reverting back to the techniques and mechanisms I relied on pre-Google, and am surprised at how refreshing it feels to integrate myself into old familiar ways of staying on track and alert.

As a writer and book lover I'm naturally biased, and could barely resist the fall organizers and perfectly covered agendas and calendars they had on display at my local Chapters in the months leading up to 2019. A consummate user of everything digital, it was a personal epiphany for me to do something I hadn't done in years: carry a pocketbook organizer.

Purpose and Productivity Planner

Outlook, Google, and the other various online calendars that I've previously been tied to took a backseat as I began to hand write upcoming events, international book fairs, important birthdays, local celebrations, and general appointments in a specific variation of colours and use this visual guide to lead my daily activities. The process has been a joy.

It was a special gift from fellow Toronto writer Lalaa this year that solidified my dedication to this process, to the point of starting to endorse the throwback methodology with others. Lalaa's Purpose & Productivity Planner caught me initially because of the appealing design. Anyone familiar with Lalaa's work, through her Lalaa Writes organization (that provides sales copywriting, blogging for businesses, and social media content) knows that as a businesswoman her commitment to organization and presentation are key.

@LalaaWrites

If you're not automatically drawn in by the sheer aesthetics of her online portal (LaalaaWrites.ca) and Instagram account @LalaaWrites, you will definitely be able to appreciate her communication style and professionalism. Needless to say, the Purpose & Productivity Planner encapsulates all of these elements and is an excellent tool for remaining focused as well as forward thinking.

Containing lined note pages, monthly quotes, affirmations, and durable, textured covers (wire bound to lay flat when open), the tool reflects her brand in the best way.

"I've learned that starting and ending each day with clear intentions and a focused mindset is the key to achieving everything you set out to do," said Lalaa. "The Purpose & Productivity Planner was created for women who want to get sh*t done. The Planner gives you a solid foundation and structure to keep you focused and accountable."

The Purpose & Productivity Planner has room to organize your life and track your growth as the months progress. A bonus: knowing that Lalaa resides in the greater Toronto area, and is a personable and accessible business resource both in print and in person.

More good news: free samples of the Purpose & Productivity Planner are available on the Lalaa Writes website: https://mailchi.mp/898c64d7be5d/purposeandproductivityplannerfreedownload.

South of the border, Minnesota-based business coach Sue Hawkes has a similar method for maintaining efficiency and productivity in her life. Her Maximizing Success Journal is a tool that also helps to inspire and mould leadership with grace.

"I'm hoping this journal will alleviate some of your excuses and help you thrive by capturing your thoughts in action," said Hawkes. "Great leaders create space to have space to create."

In addition to this year's release of the Maximizing Success Journal, Hawkes is also the author of Chasing Perfection, a book that provides steps to conquer self-doubt and stop "chasing the illusion of perfection" while eliminating barriers to full leadership potential.

The two books work hand in hand, and the journal takes the concepts and spirit of Chasing Perfection, and follows up with questions, inspiration, and motivation. Where can I become more abundant? Who in my life is an example of someone committing themselves fully to what matters to them? These are a few examples of the questions and themes highlighted by Hawkes to ensure readers gain the most from her journal.

Sue Hawkes

Hawkes believes that guides such as the Maximizing Success Journal can help to transform mental health in the workplace, as well as help individuals take control of their journeys. The CEO of YESS! (Your Extraordinary Success Strategies), she believes that stress management tools like the Journal and its related exercises can help leaders and employees take control of their well being, and help to reduce stress.

While not everyone is a natural writer, the guidelines provided by Hawkes and Lalaa make it easy for businessfolk to follow directed steps and reach their objectives with the assistance of formatted pages and motivational words along the way.

"This pursuit requires two things: vulnerability and the support of the people around. It can be done, and it takes practice," said Hawkes, who has delivered words to thousands of entrepreneurs throughout her 25-year career. Recipient of the Governor's Council Dream Keeper Award, Women Venture's Unsung Hero Award, and the 2018 Enterprising Woman of the Year (to name a few), Hawkes is a noted visionary in Minnesota and coveted keynote speaker for women in leadership, in particular.

Toronto-based entrepreneur Tasha Brown has followed in the footsteps of leaders like Lalaa and Sue, and has taken on the method of manual organization and utilizing the guidance of planners to help structure her businesses activities. A self-starting logistics expert, Brown has developed her own successful companies over the years and continues to build her personal empire by being committed to staying focused.

@Planner.Kidd

"I try to keep my idle time online to a minimum, and I make an effort to put pen to paper to help me track and plan my daily, weekly, and monthly activities," said Brown. "I know there are a lot of new and innovative apps available, but I quickly realized that this method works best for me, as a creative and also as a working mother."

Brown, a planner enthusiast, celebrates her passion through a tribute blog account called Planner Kidd that highlights the various methods and tools available to her. Not only do the planners help her to stay organized, but they also admittedly help to relieve stress through the creative and aesthetic portions of use.

"Something about the tactile experience of writing, plotting, mapping, and organizing my life through planners relaxes me," said Brown. "It's great to combine your creative side with your logistical mind. In the end, not only are you more organized but you've also managed to brighten up your day--and business--through the act of planning."

Hashtags like #PlannerPeace #PlannerHeaven and #PlannerJoy are common on Brown's page, to connect her with the countless others who have sacrificed using their digital calendars and planning apps for paper-based organizers, tools, and calendars. It's a movement she stands by, and is happy to share this passion with other businesswomen in need of organizational tips.

"Planning this way helps me to maximize my efficiency, and increase my effectiveness while running my businesses," said Brown. "It's a simple change, but the results for me have been fantastic."

According to Psych Central, journaling is a known stress reliever with a positive impact on physical well-being as well. "The act of writing accesses your left brain, which is analytical and rational. While your left brain is occupied, your right brain is free to create, intuit, and feel. In sum, writing removes mental blocks and allows you to use all of your brainpower to better understand yourself, others and the world around you."

Following in the footsteps of Lalaa, Sue, and Tasha, if journaling, planning, and the act of writing can potentially relieve some stress, provide joy, and also build towards success, it's an activity worth investigating. At the very least, you'll walk away from the trial more organized, aware of your time, and in touch with your creative side.




Written by Stacey Marie Robinson for Kya Publishing's "Urban Toronto Tales" blog.