Effective Time Management Tools at Work

It is far too easy to lose track of time throughout the work day. Meetings, conference calls and projects can make an 8-10 hour workday seem like just a few precious minutes. Being able to effectively and skillfully budget your time while at the office or on the go can lead you to not only doing the most productive work of your career, but perhaps that promotion and raise to boot! Here are a few key tips to ensure your time is spent in the best way possible:

Keep a Calendar at Your Desk
Although modern technology can make these ancient time keepers seem obsolete, sometimes all you need is a giant deadline reminder staring you right in the face. A desk calendar is a great tool to keep all the important dates at the forefront of your mind while you’re multitasking away like a pro. A serious tip to keep in mind, however, is to not clutter this calendar with every minute task on your schedule, but use it as a big reminder for the things that are a big deal.

Make a List, Check it Twice
They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but that title actually belongs to a well thought out and executed list. A list of daily, weekly or even monthly tasks is absolutely crucial to proper time management. Knowing what you have to do and more importantly when you have to do it will allow you to designate the appropriate amount of time for each item. Being able to determine the priority of each task is a great tool for time management.

F-O-C-U-S
We’ve all been there, completely and utterly frazzled at work. A deadline at 4PM, a meeting at 5:30 and the presentation in front of the boss at 8AM sharp the next morning. Ouch. But have no fear, for those who can learn to focus properly, can tackle all of these tasks with ease. This is no call to action for the weak; however, being able to center yourself at the most crucial of moments takes practice and dedication. Recognizing where you are, how you got there, and most importantly that you understand the importance of the individual task at hand will allow you to take those deep breaths in, release, and take on what lies ahead.

Keep a Balanced Plate
Everyone wants to feel like Superman or Wonder Woman, but sadly none of us are. We are all human, capable of great things, but we must know our limits. Taking time to understand just how much we have going on is another tool in effective time management. Sure, there are times when we must budget seemingly 10 different things at once, but this is not the norm. We are all capable of learning how much we can take on at a time and still get everything done to the best of our capabilities.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Stress can be the biggest downfall when trying to work on an effective time budget. Being able to forget workplace problems and deadlines when relaxing with family and friends is just as crucial and grinding the gears when on the clock. Going into work each day with the right attitude, and leaving with a similar approach, will allow for clear thinking and processing, which directly leads to more efficient and effective time management.

Why You Should Send Environmentally Friendly Cards

It seems like everywhere we turn we are being asked to reuse and recycle and for a good reason. Everywhere we look there are plastic bottles, shredded paper, and cans. Small changes can make all the difference in the world. It is not just about separating your garbage but think about the different areas that can expand to. For example, the mail we receive is normally printed on one side; why not use the backside as scrap paper? The cans of which we have already occupied its contents can be used for several different things, pencil holders, clip holders, for separating your utensils.

Now, let’s take it a step further and buy items we normally use from companies that take the extra step to make our world more environmentally friendly. In saying that, we normally send birthday cards and greeting cards during the holidays; why not purchase them from The Gallery Collection? Their envelopes are made from 100% recycled paper and even some of their cards as well. The paper that these cards were made from is manufactured at a mill that uses wind-generated, renewable energy. I don’t know about you, but I already feel good about buying my cards from The Gallery Collection.

9th Annual Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest – Round 1 Winners Announced!

Congratulations to our First Round Winners!

Birthday Cards Are Just as Important as Birthday Gifts

Have you ever searched high and low for just the right gift for someone but couldn’t find it?  I think it’s hardest when you have an idea in your mind but can not figure out where to get it.  That’s why a birthday card is always the perfect solution.

You can find a card that is simple and elegant or even just a card that’s blank on the inside and you can write a note that’s personal and from your heart.  After all, isn’t that the message you want to convey on a birthday anyway?  Sometimes you think the perfect gift will say it all, but nothing replaces a note or sentiment that expresses your best wishes to the birthday guy or gal.

I know that I have a shoebox I’ve kept for years with birthday cards in it and every now and then I run across the box and open it and start to read some of them from years ago.  I’m almost certain I can’t say that I can find some of the gifts I received years ago!  Reading a birthday card is such a special way of almost hearing the person who sent it to you wishing you a “Happy Birthday” as if they were standing right in front of you.  If you try hard enough, you can picture them looking for just the right card that reminds them of you.

I have to say that I think birthday cards are just as important as the birthday gifts because no two will be exactly the same.  Oh, you may find the same card and even the same greeting, but the message the sender adds, makes that birthday card one of a kind – just like the person who is receiving it.

How to Deal With Stress at Work

Working can be (very, very) stressful. Even if you happen to be one of the lucky ones working the job of their dreams, odds are that there are parts of the job that leave you wanting to pull your hair out from time to time. No matter what field you are in, professional jobs are demanding, time consuming and usually difficult as well. Managing stress levels on the job can be challenging, but also very rewarding, if done successfully. Being able to tackle daily tasks while remaining calm, cool and collected can make the days smoother and easier. Here are a few tips to keep the stress levels down while on the clock.

Stay Organized
Being able to stay organized throughout the day can be a huge relief in terms of stress management. Clutter on and inside your desk, along with a sense of general disarray, can lead to high stress levels fairly quickly. Knowing where everything is that you need, and keeping everything in a consistent space, will allow you to properly manage all of your tools. The same goes for electronics, keeping separate file folders for your different projects and labeling all documents with dates and names can be essential in finding what you need without wanting to throw your computer through the wall.

Keep Confrontations to a Minimum
Everyone has that special someone that gets on their last nerve at work. Being able to manage your feelings about that person is the key. Focusing on the task at hand, rather than your gossipy neighbor or unreasonably demanding boss will allow you to navigate those feelings towards productivity. If at all possible, avoid that person during breaks and free time and associate with those who make you happy rather than clench your fists and nod politely.

Work Hard In the Morning
When the 9’oclock whistle blows, it is far too easy to trudge to your desk lethargically. If you are able to get right to work as soon as the day starts, that momentum can be carried to a positive and stress-free day. Instead of checking scores, weather and show times, get right to those emails or projects and start the day productively. The more work you can get done in the morning, the easier the afternoon will feel and even if the workload is still hefty, feeling accomplished from the get-go will make for a smoother transition into the PM grind.

Leave Work at Work
As difficult as it may seem, it is of the utmost importance to leave work-related issues at the office. Taking those issues home, where you are supposed to relax and prepare for the next day, does not allow stress levels to recoil. Being constantly wound up will only lead to a cyclical effect of never feeling relaxed or comfortable at your desk or in the workplace in general. Being able to go home after a long day and unwind is key to coming back the next day feeling good and ready for the tasks that lay ahead.

Why You Should Have a Sympathy Card Assortment Box

It is an unfortunate, but inevitable part of life. Bad things happen, people get sick, loved ones pass on. While nothing can take away the pain and sorrow of these times, an expression of sympathy can help ease the hurt, even if just by a little.

I myself lost a parent in the last year, and I certainly received my share of sympathy cards in the following weeks. And I can tell you that each one of them help make me feel just a little bit better, and were very much appreciated at the time. I still remember the people who sent them, even months later.

In companies, especially large ones, you are bound to come across someone who is going through sad times. Perhaps a coworker, boss, customer or even a supplier could be one these people. By having a sympathy card assortment box handy, you can know you will always have the right card available to show your concern.

Our sympathy card assortment box contains 35 high quality, beautiful cards. Inside each card is a thoughtful, appropriate sentiment to express your sympathy in just the right way. The box also includes 35 seal fast envelopes to make sealing them as easy as peeling off a strip. So remember, it may be a small gesture, but it will go a long way.

What are Gallery Letterpress with Photo Affixed Cards?

Are you looking for an eye catching card with an elegant flair to share with your customers, family, friends, etc?  The Gallery Letterpress with Photo Affixed Cards are there to fill your needs.  Whether it is for holidays, birthdays, or just blank inside, a card like this is not just like sending a simple card but an elaborate present.  Let’s break it down.

What is the definition of letterpress?  This is an upgraded form of printing that requires the use of a printing press.  Many think of the printing press of an “old fashioned antiquated” way of doing things.  I say, “If you want it right, do it the way it has been done for ages.”  A worker uses movable type setting it up in the press.  The next step requires applying the appropriate color ink or foil.  Lastly, the worker presses paper against the press in order to transfer the ink from the type.  This will create an impression on the paper leaving a remarkable imprinted greeting.  That is just the first part of these wonderful Gallery Letterpress Photo Affixed Cards.

Now, let’s address the photo affixed part of the equation.  Talk about a thing of beauty.  Affixing is the act of attaching one item to another.  The Gallery Collection finds beautiful pictures from landmarks, holiday themed items, or birthday themed items and affixes them to the outside of a one of there high quality cards.  It gives every card a magnificent look that stands out from all other cards.  Besides sharing these wonderful photos on the card, the person receiving the card can eventually frame this photo and display it for all to see.

When you send a Gallery Letterpress with Photo Affixed Cards, you are not only sending well wishes, but you are also sending the recipient a gift.  This type of card is a remembrance of you to last long after the special occasion has passed.

Correspondence Note Cards – A Personal Touch for Your Business

There is so much competition out there today making the little things a business does so much more important than ever before.  Keeping a personal connection with your customers, clients and even personnel is necessary in today’s business world. Correspondence note cards are a simple and fun way to let them know you care about everything in their world.  This intimate connection will keep them coming back to you oppose to looking elsewhere.

On these elegant correspondence note cards, you can have your name imprinted on the top leaving the rest of the card open for your use in many different situations.  Did you read in the paper about one of your clients landing a much important client?  This would be a perfect time to send a note of congratulations to him.  Or how about reading the sad news of a death in a customer’s family?  A special sympathy note would let them know you care.  Did an employee receive an acknowledgement commending them on their service from a business acquaintance?   As her boss, she would enjoy being praised for a job well done.

Correspondence note cards have many uses and can make a forever impression on your customers, clients and employees.  A personal touch in business leaves the people you connect with feeling important.

Why Calendar Cards are a Wise Business Investment

Any productive business usually sends out some form of a holiday card to celebrate their relationships with their clients and customers. Calendar cards are a wise alternative that any company should consider. They are a wise business investment for any company. With a calendar card, a business is not just doing a one time advertisement, but they are making a year long lasting impression. Most of the time, once the holiday season has come to an end those gorgeous holiday cards are tossed in the trash and never seen again. Calendar cards can be displayed and referred to throughout the year making your cards a valuable commodity.

In the bottom portion of the calendar card, a company has the ability to customize the card by typesetting their company name, address, phone number, website and any other pertinent information. The company is also able to have their logo added in this area. And who doesn’t need a calendar displayed at their desk? Your customer will display this card and always remember you in their time of need. It is a one time investment that is referred to long after the holiday season ends. Calendar cards are a wise business investment.