Are you feeling bogged down in a swamp of clutter, deadlines, and incomplete tasks? As we start the dawn of a new year, make it your goal to do a few simple things over the course of a day or two that will result in increased productivity and peace of mind for 2020.
Clean Up Your Technology
Just as you regularly clean your home, your technology should be decluttered occasionally to help it—and you—function more efficiently. It may seem tedious, but you can listen to your favorite tune or watch an old movie while you quickly refresh your technology.
- If your voice mailbox is full or nearing capacity, it only takes a few seconds to delete old messages.
- If your email inbox contains more than a few unread messages, skim them, reply when necessary, and delete or archive old messages. If your inbox is frequently inundated with promotional emails, unsubscribe from them to permanently reduce the clutter.
- Similarly, if your cell phone is crammed with apps you never use, remove them so that only the apps you actually need remain.
- Clean up the hard drive on your computer. Check your computer’s storage settings and delete unnecessary files or move old files you want to keep to an external drive.
- If it has been a while since you updated your Facebook profile, it is a good idea to review your privacy settings, remove access to third-party websites and applications you do not use, review your friends and followers to make sure you still want them to see the content you are sharing, look at groups you have joined to see if there are any you are no longer interested in, and remove any tags you do not want to share.
- Last but not least, physically dust and wipe down your laptop, mouse, phone, and other devices with an electronics-friendly spray and wipe. These devices harbor an astounding number of germs—more than the typical toilet—which can make you sick if they are not cleaned on a regular basis.
Wrap Up Personal Loose Ends
Often, things we consider urgent take precedence in our schedules, and equally important personal tasks can be pushed aside. Set aside a few minutes to take care of some personal matters before the end of the year.
- According to the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, by October 1, 2020, all individuals are required to have obtained a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID from their state’s driver’s licensing agency if they wish to fly on a commercial aircraft or gain access to federal facilities. It is better not to wait until the last minute, as often, the DMV will not be able to provide the new card the same day but will have to mail it to you. If you do not have a REAL ID, you will be out of luck when you try to board that business or personal flight scheduled for October 2, 2020.
- Call an old friend you have been meaning to contact. Reconnecting with important people in our lives can be one of the most energizing things we can do for ourselves.
Give Us a Call Today
Many of your year-end chores are easily accomplished on your own. However, when it comes to your estate plan, an experienced estate planning attorney can ensure that everything is done as the law requires to make sure your estate planning goals are met. Call us today to schedule a meeting so we can help you complete your year-end estate planning tasks.
Tagged with: 2020, newyearnewyou, newyears, newyearsresolutions, productivity
Posted in: Estate Planning, Legacy