[caption id="attachment_1172" align="alignright" width="125" caption="I think I need some organizational skills! Awrggg"][/caption]

I shared a few days ago that January is National Organization MONTH, so I wanted to keep that thought alive for a bit and offer a few key points that will help you maintain organizational skills within your business environment. Picture if you will a business person, hair stretching in all directions, clothes all rumpled, racing around a desk with clutter a mile high. There is no mistaking the look on their face… awrggg!  It doesn’t have to be this way.

There is no doubt that the lack of organization can cause much frustration in your life… mistakes, losing critical information, misunderstanding, wasted time, and a plethora of other unpleasantries. Being organized takes designing a system that is a happy marriage between you and your environment, implementing that system, and then having the discipline to maintain it.

Simple little changes can reap huge rewards, for example

1. Knowing how long it takes you to complete certain tasks allows you to realistically block out time to do them, and not over commit yourself to a state of overwhelm.
2. Learning to prioritize the most important tasks in each day helps prevent getting caught in a state of panic that you have not met a commitment, and frantically trying to decide what to do next, and how you are going to perform a miracle.
3. Creating a filing system that makes it easy both to file and retrieve documents will eliminate clutter and save those frightening moments wondering where you placed something you need immediately.

Managing and Prioritizing Tasks

I would venture to say that of these three considerations, managing your tasks will give you the greatest reward. They are something you do on a regular basis and when you manage them well you can gain more time, freedom and sense of well-being than you can begin to imagine. Strategically deciding when you will complete each task makes it easier to stay focused, having the right resources to work with when it is time to complete a project, and prevents you from allowing someone to distract you from your priorities.

Maintaining an Efficient Filing System

Setting up an efficient filing system takes a lot of thought and some time to implement; however, maintaining it should be easy, with just a little discipline. I can well imagine your parents imparting this thought, “Everything HAS a place and everything should be IN its place!  That applies to paperwork and supplies just as it did to toys and clothes. Do yourself a huge favor… invest in whatever tools, equipment or supplies necessary to organize your filing system. Time ultimately translates to money, so when you can save time looking for a lost document, your time is better served generating revenue!

[caption id="attachment_1173" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Vital Document Storage"][/caption]

When it comes to your vital business documents, I might want to suggest you discover the amazing capacity of the PortaVault. The product was originally designed to meet the needs of families in as a disaster preparedness product, providing one place where all critical items can be stored, in a water-protective unit, that can be quickly retrieved in case of emergencies. I am finding it just as valuable for business papers, digital information storage, safety deposit box keys, etc.  The work is already done in the design, providing divided protector sheets for vital documents such as professional licenses, tax identification verification, partnership agreements, and any other legal papers that would create more than angst if you were to lose them in a natural disaster.

At the end of the day it is a given, good organizational skills come naturally to some people, others must work to achieve them… striving to find a balance between responsibility and flexibility. Good organizational skills are nothing more than being aware of your commitments and developing good habits around meeting them, with the end result being a balance work load, appointments met on time, increase problem-solving abilities and an increased professional image. I trust this will leave you considering just one thing you might do today to better your organizational skills.

Jan Vitale, bringing you the essentials – vital to a life well-lived!

Today is the 13^th of October, 2010 – the International Day for Disaster Reduction stemming from a campaign having the theme, “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!” coordinated by the United Nations National Strategy for Disaster Reduction.  And we thought it was a big deal to having September as National Disaster Preparedness Month!    The International Day serves to highlight success and stimulate creativity in achieving higher levels of disaster preparedness.  According to the PIA Daily News Press  the Philippines joins many other countries in this day of recognition.  If the world at large is taking this matter seriously, does it not make sense that we ask ourselves what part we need to play in preparing our families for disasters?

My intent is always to educate and inform you – bringing resources before you is a significant part of that.  Since the UN spear-headed this event, it also provides a number of links to everything it does to support disaster preparedness that should prove valuable to you as you participate more in disaster preparedness, such as Emergency Relief – Tools and Services, UNESCO’s Natural Disaster Reduction, and the World Food Programme’s Disaster to Development, and many more. 

In the news today you will see that Armenia is participating in the celebration; that China, Nigeria and Afghanistan are assessing their own programs, and finding them lacking – making a firm commitment to make serious modifications in their response to the seriousness of disaster preparedness within their countries.  The underlying focus:  save lives, reduce risks, and preserve health.  ReliefWeb provides coverage, on this day set aside to recognize disaster preparedness, to the many losses experienced in the Caribbean.  According to this article, “Each new disaster leaves in its path overpowering evidence of how poor planning and investment decisions contribute to vulnerability and increase the risk of future disasters.”  What  a powerful statement that we as a family, a community, a nation and a world, must be assertive and unrelenting in early response to potential disasters – not wiping up the aftermath that comes at a much greater cost in resources and lives.

Yes… in Africa and Iowa – in New Zealand and the Dominica… news headlines shout “International Day for Disaster Reduction!” Reuters AlertNet  reports with a focus on flood prevention in Pakistan, Myanmar and India, reflecting that “Every Euro we spend on disaster risk reduction does not only save lives but also helps us save five Euros which we would have to spend for emergency relief later on.”

How exactly is this day being celebrated?  I am sure there are a large number of lunches and conventions, but you will also find that trees are being planted in Lebanon , drawing contests are “drawing” attention to the children who need to understand the value of disaster preparedness, and the press, of course is supporting in a myriad of ways with compelling headlines!

What will you do to celebrate this International day?  What are the disaster plans you have for your family?  If you want more information how you may start – at home, please visit my website.  There you will find the PortaVault, a portable storage unit for all your vital documents, checklists and a plethora of resources, to which I add frequently.  You don’t have to do this alone – Vital Enterprises can be the one place you can count on to provide you the latest news and best resources for disaster preparedness… you see – I celebrate this need all year long!

Are You Prepared… for the Unexpected?

Unless you are tucked away in some obscure mountain cabin or isolated on an island, it is next to impossible to disconnect yourself completely from the news.  In which case, it is equally next to impossible to not be aware of the disasters that seem to be happening in increasing numbers.  I did a Google search this morning, looking for disasters in the news, and found over 1200 news items.  I did that same search and asked for any information about disasters in general, and was offered up a generous serving of about 2,770,000 results.  The fact that September is Disaster Preparedness month may have something to do with the influx of items in the news… or it may be that people are finally getting realistic about the fact that the time to prepare for disasters is NOW!

Communities respond to the need…

I recently participated in a Disaster Preparedness program organized by the Mayor of Gilbert, Arizona.  Not only was it well organized, the event was well attended, which indicates that this thriving community is interested in helping people learn to take action to protect themselves and their valuables – before disaster strikes.  Those who attended the event now know and can appreciate the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, emergency medial responders, utility providers, area communication and other services who will be prepared to respond to any future disaster.  If your town or city has not held such an “awareness” event, are you personally ready to respond appropriately to a potential disaster?

Check any newspaper story, or listen again to news feed about a recent disaster, and you will be able to quickly determine whether people were prepared to react to the disaster in such a way that there was a difference between safety and injury; a difference between life and death.  Do you know what the ultimate disaster would be for your community?  Would it be an environmental disaster, such as an earthquake? Or is your geographic location one that would include hurricanes and flooding? Would you know what local agency would be considered the “first line of defense” for any particular disaster?  Where would you turn for help?

Personal responsibilities…

Despite what is being made available at a community level, it is what you do within your own family unit that is even more critical.  Being prepared for a disaster includes planning how you will take care of any elderly or disabled family members and what kind of communication network you establish so you are aware of the safety and location of each family member.  It calls for ensuring the availability of home safety and emergency medical supplies and easy to transport food and water.  It requires that you have the right information and tools that will protect your safety during a disaster.  When it comes to any kind of disaster, today’s news and yesterday’s history tell us… it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.  We need to be prepared because disasters always strike quickly… and without warning.

I have been in the insurance industry of over 30 years and have seen first hand the results of not being prepared – from not having managed secure access to your vital documents to not having a fire evacuation plan, and a myriad of profoundly sad “endings” that being prepared would have prevented.  Viewing these events has made me passionate about participating in increasing the awareness of disaster preparedness and providing resources to allow for being prepared.  If you are looking for one resource where you can find vital information, you are encouraged to visit Vital Enterprises, LLC – new items are being added frequently and consistently.  If you are not prepared for disaster… would a good time to start be NOW?

I have provided insurance products to clients for the better part of my adult life. It is only natural that I am now as passionate about providing information to help others understand the devastation that comes with certain life events, and help them embrace a responsible position of being prepared – a preparedness that minimizes potential tragedy at many levels.

Disaster Preparedness… are YOU prepared?

It seems the news is filled with some new disaster being faced some where … every day. I don’t recall this being the case when I was growing up, but I think I have come to the realization that many natural disasters occurred, but were not given the national attention that is now possible through the media and the Internet.

However, since we are now made more aware of these tragic events, we can also be better prepared, for example, by having a Basic Emergency Supply Kit.

Copy this off, modify it to meet the needs of your family, print it and collect and keep the items in an easy-to-access location.

□ Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
□ Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable goods.
□ Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert – and extra batteries for both.
□ Heavy-duty flashlight and extra batteries.
□ First aid kit.
□ Large whistle – to signal for help.
□ Dust masks, to help filter contaminated air – and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
□ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
□ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
□ Can opener for food – if your food supplies contain canned foods.
□ Local maps.

You might want to consider having two emergency kits: a full one at home – sealed in a large plastic container, and another smaller one to keep in your workplace or vehicle.

Personal Items to Consider Adding:
□ Prescription medications and glasses.
□ Infant formula and diapers.
□ Pet food and extra water for your pet.
□ Important family documents such as insurance policies, personal identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
□ Cash or traveler’s checks and change.
□ Emergency reference material, such as a first aid book – this kind of information can be found at www.ready.gov
□ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider adding more bedding if you life in a cold-weather climate.
□ Complete change of clothing, including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
□ Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper. When diluted – nine parts water to one part bleach – it can be used as a disinfectant. In an emergency, you can use it to treat water, by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleach with added cleaners.
□ Fire Extinguisher.
□ Matches in a waterproof container.
□ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
□ Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils and paper towels.
□ Paper and pencils.
□ Books, games, puzzles, and other activities (for children)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has taken a strong position in educating and empowering Americans to take the steps necessary to prepare and respond to potential emergencies… unfortunately, these now include the threat of terrorist attacks. Being prepare requires that you do three simple things:

1. Create your emergency supply kit.
2. Make a family emergency plan and share that periodically with your family members.
3. Be informed about the various types of disasters and emergencies and know how to appropriately respond to each of them.

Thank you for taking time to be aware. I trust you will see the importance of using this information – not just reading it! On my website you will find many Disaster Preparedness resources, for example, the PortaVault the perfect storage for your Vital Documents, allowing you to quickly grab the protective container – taking all your important information with you in less than five minutes.

Please feel free to subscribe (RSS) to this blog so that you might continue to educate yourself on the many, varied aspects of Disaster Preparedness and being prepared to protect your family in any emergency.

Jan Vitale, your Investment Protector
Vital Enterprises, LLC
Bringing you experience, wisdom and choices in protecting all things valuable to you…

It is amazing, once you let the world know your interest and your need – things just sort of come out of the woodwork!  This showed up in my email a few days ago… apparently our government sees the importance of being prepared at much the same level I do.   Although this was created in 2007  the information is still extremely valuable.

In appreciation to BeReady.SC.gov for this amazing pdf.  I have not modified it, nor do I take any credit, other than being the recipient who cares enough to provide it to my followers.

JANV DisasterScenarios

Jan Vitale, your investment protector

Vital Enterprises, LLC