What new tips do I have in my bag? Read below for a rundown on how spreadsheets and tote bags have helped me stay organized over the last few weeks.
Pop Quiz: What are the two most important things that will help you stay organized in your works? If you said spreadsheets and cute tote bags you are 100% correct! Over the past week or so, I've been cooking up a lot of fliers that are set to be posted throughout the month of July. The fliers highlight the upcoming events hosted by the various branches of the library system. Each event is so unique that I’ve been having so much fun generating clever concepts and ideas to compliment the lively enrichment and entertainment each event has to offer. As there are so many events to roll out, I am but one member of a team that creates these eye-catching spectacles.
When working with a team, there has to be a way to centrally share ideas and work statuses. This is where spreadsheets can help your team excel ( pun definitely intended). As I complete my graphic or design, I add it into a personal spreadsheet of my own where I have posts categorized by the 3 branches I have been focused on. This helps me to visualize my progress based on basic criteria and allows my supervisor a space to review my work before adding it to the team spreadsheet. I then add my links into a shared spreadsheet that is already populated with the names of events, ordered by event date. This sheet further breaks things down with color coded columns that identify the branch, a column that determines whether the content needs translating, a column for initials that indicate who made the flier, and the date by which the flier needs to be posted to socials. The only hiccup I experienced was when I closed the spreadsheet without saving my work–pure user error! Next time I’ll upload the links and save as I go, to avoid spending 30 minutes uploading links for them to be wiped out in 30 seconds! Live and learn! As an avid ‘new folder’ maker, keeping my digital works in order is definitely a must for me, and wether you use excel, smartsheet or google sheets, spreadsheets are a great tool to maintain organization in your undertakings
The second tool that has been such a help to keeping me organized is my tote bags. As a substitute teacher, during the school year I always opted for backpacks. They hold so much and are just so dependable. But they aren’t always very cute or professional looking, and mine in particular never did a good job of keeping my things organized. There's just something about a backpack that makes you just want to throw everything in it and go. So this summer I wanted to elevate my vibe a little bit and ditch the backpack without breaking the bank. I found these totes on Amazon and they are tote-ally perfect (I’m sorry). With one large open compartment, and three additional pockets, they fit everything I need. In it, I carry my 13” MacBook air, a notebook, a planner, my pens and a toiletry bag with perfume, lip balm, hand lotion, you know.. the girly things. They have plenty of colors, but I went for the beige and the black ones knowing it would pair well with most of my outfits.
As I close out week three of eight, there’s still a lot of fun experiences and findings to share so check back again next week! In the meantime, keep going, keep excelling, you are tote-ally killing it!
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Tote bag and spreadsheets! Couldn't survive without them. Smartsheets are one of my favorite tools. It is similar to Excel and a place where the whole team can collaborate.