From the Desk of Janet Barclay

Do you want to get organized, but don’t know where to start? Have you tried to get organized, without success? If you live in or near the GTA, you’ll soon have a chance to learn about the four steps to organization, and the reasons why some people have more difficulty than others getting and staying organized.

I’ve been invited to speak to The Toronto Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on my most popular topic, Getting Organized… Once and for All! The seminar will be held on Thursday, August 14 at the York Civic Centre Council Chamber, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West. Guests are welcome to attend but seats are limited, so you will need to register online by August 3, 2008.

For only $10.00, this is a great opportunity to learn new strategies for maximizing your time and space at work and in your personal life, and to discover the benefits of an organized life.

I was sad to hear about the recent passing of George Carlin. Of course, I didn’t know him personally, but I have thoroughly enjoyed his comedy for decades. I have even quoted him in some of my organizing seminars!

That’s what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.

Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house. Why?

No room for your stuff any more.

If you’re not familiar with that routine, take a few minutes to watch this video!

"Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves, for we shall never cease to be amused."

Author Unknown

It’s certainly been an exciting month, between attending the 3rd Annual Online International Virtual Assistants Convention, and getting involved with the Virtual Assistant Mastermind Speaker Series and the Virtual Assistant and Home Business Blog Carnival! I’m looking forward to many more exciting developments in the coming weeks.

Here’s what I’ve been writing about on my other blogs:

OnlineOrganizing.com - Technology as an Organizing Tool:

• Scheduling Appointments Online
• Using Facebook to Stay Organized
• Maximize Your Time by Optimizing Your Hard Drive
• Desktop Shortcuts for Outlook Functions

Introvert Retreat:

• Earl must be an introvert
• Successful Networking for Introverts - Three Proven Strategies
• Business Networking - Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert
• The IntrovertzCoach

I’ve also written a new article called Is Your Schedule Out of Balance?, which you can read over at OrganizedArticles.com.

Be sure to come back later this week to read more results from my recent Online Marketing and Networking Survey!

There are many talented individuals in the virtual assistance industry, but one name that keeps popping up is Erin Blaskie. In addition to running her successful multi-VA practice, Business Services, ETC, Erin has developed several programs to support other virtual assistants, including her new Virtual Assistant Mastermind. This program includes a series of speaker events which are open to guests as well as members, and I’ve been selected as one of the guest speakers! I’ll be talking about one of my favourite topics, Organizing and Your Computer, in a teleseminar on Thursday, June 19^th, and I do hope you’ll be able to join us. Here’s what Bernadette Wong of K&M Secretarial Services said after my last presentation on this subject:

"Janet provided quick tips on managing your emails and inbox, files within your computer and how to prioritize them. These many tips of information were most helpful to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the PowerPoint presentation which guided you step by step of what to do to get you better organized.  I recommend Janet’s teleclass to any individual or group!"

The other speakers lined up so far include:

• Allison Nazarian - Get Blogging (Or Jump-Start Your Existing Blog) Today
• Viki Viertel - Time Management Survival
• Mikelann Valterra - The Four Keys to Earning Your Worth
• Alexis Martin Neely - Show the Universe You Mean Business About Your Business
• Susan Daffron - Don’t Follow the Herd: Enjoy Online Success Using Simple Tried and True Marketing Methods
• Elinor Stutz - Relationship Selling Works!
• Mari Smith - How To Strategically Grow Your Business Using Facebook & Other Social Media

These are some great topics, and I’m hoping to sign up for at least one of the sessions myself. What’s most exciting is the Platinum membership, which includes access to all the teleseminars and a ton of other benefits, including a weekend retreat in Arizona next spring!

April was a pretty busy month, between wrapping up the GHVA website and preparing for my teleseminars, not to mention my regular client work! However, I’ve still managed to post to my other blogs:

OnlineOrganizing.com - Technology as an Organizing Tool:

• Organize Your Email - Part 3
• Google Docs
• RSS Really Is Simple
• Your Very Own Personal Assistant
  

Introvert Retreat:

• Ponderings of an Introvert
• Tips from a Professional Networker
• Virtual Assistance and Introversion
• Let ‘em come to you!

I’ve also written a new article on Going Green in the Office, which you can read over at OrganizedArticles.com.

Enjoy!