1. Create a naming system for your files. Since I happen to know an organized person or two, I’ve stolen theirs. I now name my files first by date, and then by name. So if I write an article for Elle on Fashion Blunders on September 14, 2008, I’ll name it 080914 – Elle – Fashion Blunders.doc. Once you’ve figured out a system of your own, resist the urge to go back and change the names of the hundreds of files you already have on your system. Just get started on the new files. One of these days, you’ll have a deadline you need to procrastinate on, and that’s when you get to the rest of them.

2. I speak from experience (many, actually): You need a back-up system. You’ll need to find something that works for you, whether it’s something you can do daily, or whether you want to go in for the online automated systems, or even if you want to do it manually at the end of the each day. Figure out what works for you, and then do it. Every day.

3. Create a deadline calendar. You could get one to hang on your wall, you could print one out from your computer, or you could simply use one that’s available on your computer or online. (I use iCal on my Mac.) Take some time to fill in those deadlines that you have coming so that you have an idea of how your workload is distributed. It’s also a convenient way to know at a glance which days are going to turn out to be the busiest for you.

4. Make a list of things you need to do today. Get them done.

5. You know those magazines you keep buying but never get around to reading. Pick one, read it, and then toss it out.