Zero Inbox

This is what zero inbox looks like. How many of you have an inbox like this? Not many of you, huh. Well let me tell you how I get my inbox to look like this.

1. Sort incoming emails into different filters. I have about 15 filters that mail can go to when it is sent to me. Some are looked at more often then others. The important thing is that many of the emails I receive SKIP MY INBOX! They do not even show up there anymore. I have the mail that I can look at whenever (promotions from places like Target, West Elm, Kohl's, and Vera Bradley; notifications about my bank accounts; or information about my social media accounts) in these type of filters.

2. Import all your different email addresses to one account. This helps me reduce the time I am looking at emails because I only need to sign into one account. And guess what, you can have emails sent from other accounts skip the inbox too. That way you don't get overwhelmed or confused about any emails. Don't worry, the number of unread messages shows up next to the title of the filter (at least in gmail it does). 

3. If (let's not kid ourselves) When you receive an email that requires only a short response; RESPOND IMMEDIATELY upon opening it. This way your inbox does not become a to-do list. If it requires more than a few sentences to respond (or it is going to take you a good chunk of time to read through) move the email to a "need to respond to" folder. I call mine "RESPOND" all in caps, that way when I have a bigger chunk of time to devote, I can just jump into that folder and start going without losing emails or forgetting about them. You can even start emails prior to putting them into this folder if you know that they are more important to deal with than other emails.

4. Check your email only at set times each day. THIS IS VERY HARD! I am still working on this one myself. I used to be a chronic email checker. Waiting in line, pull up the email; break before class, pull it up; bored, email; time to wake up (or go to bed), maybe I'll check it one last time. I have gotten myself to stop checking email before bed and I only look at emails in the morning after I have gotten my breakfast and have read through some of my favorite blogs. I am working on only checking my email at most 4 times throughout the day: after eating in the morning, around lunchtime, at 4(ish), and before I start reading prior to settling in for the night. See how few times you check your email each day.

How do you control your inbox?

Kate

Top 10

Here are the top 10 things that I am loving this week:

1. Flowers. I found this photo here, but I am not sure that this is the original source.

2. Saving money. I like this plan for those that want to start out small.

3. This is me challenge. I'm working on this! More to come in the future.

4. Easy organizing. Toilet paper rolls to hold cords, who would have thought!? I love things that are easy and free (or cheap), especially when it comes to organizing!

5. Humor that speaks the truth!

6. Alan Rickman. 

7. Owl Coasters from Etsy. 

8. I'm Only Half Crazy workout shirt from Etsy.

9. Jack Daniel's soap dispenser. I would fill it with mouthwash instead of soap and keep a shot glass next to it!

10. Einstein on imagination.

Have a great day!

Kate

I'm sorry

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I have been a terrible blogger these past few months... I can hardly believe I am saying "months."

So much has happened since I last posted:

• I got engaged
• I became a Graduate Assistant for a Fitness Center (which is incredible, plus I no longer have to pay tuition)
• I have read so much about the Whole30 and am contemplating when I will be trying it (probably this summer when I have more time)
• I started seriously training for a half marathon in January; then last week I found out I either have a stress fracture or plantar fasciitis (waiting on x-ray results to see which it is - it could be both too I guess) so I won't be able to run the half-marathon this weekend =[ There will be others though (like every weekend)

And probably about a million other things that I cannot currently remember. 

I will be back in a few weeks (probably towards mid-April) posting regularly again so I thank all of you who have kept checking in and please continue to do so.

Kate

Heart Healthy February

I can barely believe that it is already February! How crazy is that!? It is heart health awareness month in February. You know Valentine's Day... heart... health... heart health. They go together... sort of!

Here is some great information on heart health! Do some research; see what you can do!

Happy Friday!

Kate

Think before you speak

If you are complaining about your life, think about this:

• Are you suffering like the families, teachers, children, and friends that have loved ones who died in Sandy Hook?
• What about those who are still suffering from the loss of loved ones in Aurora from the movie theatre shooting?
• What about those still suffering from the loss of those who died on 9-11?
• And those suffering from loss of loved ones from less popularized deaths?
• What about those living on the streets because they lost their jobs and can't support their families especially now that in most parts of the U.S. it is consistently below freezing?

Is your life really more terrible than these people suffering? Just think about it. Some things are equivalent or worse than these, I'm not denying that possibility. But if you are complaining about going into work or starting school or having too much homework, think about these things before you complain to someone.

I am guilty myself of complaining about silly things; but I am trying to be more aware of these complaints and stop them before they leave my mouth. 

My challenge for you: Think about what you are going to complain about before you speak. If it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of your life, then don't say it out loud. There are people that have it worse than you. Try to remember this this week. I know I will.

Kate

Tax Deductions for Donated Items

It's almost that time when you begin to gather all of the information you need to file your taxes. This may not help you with taxes for 2012 as much as it will for 2013.

If you donate used items in good or better condition to a charity, like Goodwill or Salvation Army; start keeping track and getting a receipt for each time. I know many people are beginning to (or already have) cleared out their homes of unwanted things since it is the New Year. If you haven't donated your things yet. Write out a list of everything you are donating before you drop it off (or if you already did drop things off, write as much as you can remember down). Seriously! It will help.

Let me explain:
The easiest way to claim donated items on your taxes are if the total donated equated to less than $500. (If it is more than that you need to fill out Form 8283 see here for more about this). After you write down all the items you are donating, go to Goodwill or Salvation Army and use their form to determine value for the items. Or you can use Goodwill's Donation Receipt Builder. The receipt builder is fairly easy (and you don't have to do any of the math yourself if you use it). Now after you donate, keep this list with the value and your receipt from the location together in your tax folder so you are ready when it comes time to file your taxes.

Key Point: Make sure you get a receipt and itemize your totals whenever you donate items that you wish to claim on your taxes!

Hope this helps some of you who are getting ready to donate your extra clutter!

Kate

Seize the Year Calendar

A little over a week a go, I got an email from the creator of the Seize the Year Calendar, Jesse. I checked out the website and was in heaven!

This calendar is perfect for planning out your goals and important dates throughout your entire year. It will help you layout long-term goals, set & remember future deadlines, and get a flow for the entire year all in one glance. It will help you remember birthdays without using Facebook too! 

This is the Seize the Year calendar in all it's vertical glory!

I put mine in my hallway where I pass through many times a day. I think it will help me keep my goals on track! 

But wait! It can also be used horizontally!!! (What!?)

My favorite parts of this calendar:

• The weeks flow continuously from month to month so you can see the time between dates more easily.
• The week starts on Monday allowing the week and the weekend to be separate and viewed better.
• It is made from recycled paper (yay!)
• It was funded by Kickstarter which is an awesome place for innovative ideas.

Kate