“Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way…

I just wanted to share with you a lesson learned that won’t soon be forgotten. After the completion of my sessions with Leslie, I was so pleased with the new systems in place. My area was organized, I was committed, and it was working perfectly for me. I felt renewed and the timing was good because I was entering into the next three busiest months of my year.

Then it happened…my work load increased along with being given additional responsibilities that required completion under tight deadlines. Of course, it happened while I was planning an important annual event! I was so busy that I slipped back into my old routine. I deviated from the trusted systems that we put into place, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was failing without them.

I quickly transitioned all the details into my tasks, reorganized, and immediately began maintaining the systems Leslie and I created. It was easy to transition back to these systems and it taught me that they can make my daily routines more efficient and my busiest months less stressful. Whew! That was close.

I’m so grateful to have learned so much from Leslie’s experience, but more importantly, I’m convinced that the new system helps me to be a valuable employee. I can manage more effectively and help my employees to be more efficient as well. This is the reason I wanted to work with Leslie in the first place. I’m certain the management of our company feels it was money well spent. Now I can spend more of my time finding ways to benefit our company which is the most important thing I do each day.

Thank you!”

“I have been running a multi-million dollar home construction company that I have invested a great deal of time, money and technology into that was quite simply, not efficient and on the verge of collapse. Leslie and Focus consulting have educated me to utilize the tools at my disposal to increase productivity by 400%. An entire day of paperwork has been diminished to 90 minutes allowing the rest of the time to be better allocated to following up on sales and marketing. Our clients have also mentioned a noticed change in work completion by our staff as Leslie’s philosophies have been rippling through our organization from top to bottom. Without Leslie, we would be facing a recession in crisis; however, with her guidance, we are facing it head on with a goal and plan leading the charge! Thanks Leslie!”

“When I look back at what we accomplished in our work, I'm most pleased with three things:

1. Switching to Outlook for all my calendar and task tracking. This frees me from having to use any particular telephone or PDA and allows me more flexibility in managing my tasks. I can now track my tasks and keep them updated much better.
2. The keeping of my tasks to a manageable amount per day. I can now see that if I want to get larger goals accomplished, I have to make time for them in my task list.
3. The confirmation that my basic approach to managing time and organizing my days is on solid footing. I may not do everything all the time, but before, I had no idea how anyone else did it or what the 'state of the art' was. Interacting with you gave me that information and more certainty that I was on track. And then the work we did made my performance better than it was.”

“I feel a lot more focused as a result of working with Leslie. I have seen improved productivity and, more importantly, I have less stress worrying about what was lost in my inbox that I did not know was due. I have been able to go from nearly 3,000 emails in my Inbox to less than 100 per day or less on a consistent basis.  Leslie was able to make the Outlook system more user-friendly so that I can be more productive in my work day.”

“As a small business owner, there are many demands on my time — from meeting client deadlines, to growing my business, to managing all the administrative tasks that come with running a successful business. That’s why the time I’ve spent with Leslie at Focus Consulting is the best investment I’ve made in my business since its launch in 2006. Just three hours with Leslie cleared my inbox, made sense of my “to do” list and added hours of productive time to my week. I recommend Leslie to anyone who has ever wished for more hours in the day!”

“I feel much more in charge of my life in general in and out of the office...I think my clients are definitely more satisfied. Leslie will revolutionize the way you use your Outlook software. She gives the tough love you need to force yourself to break out from your non-productive, disorganized box!”

“Leslie will change the way you think about time, tasks, and managing the information necessary to do your job. She will provide a roadmap to organize and focus your work that will lead to marked improvements in your focus, your productivity, and ultimately your job performance.  I am thinking about my time more strategically, like it is a commodity that needs to be managed more effectively. I feel much more in control of my workload and in my professional life. I am able to save at least 1 hour per day and direct it to more productive, higher level uses, such as management and leadership.”

“Leslie taught me how to use the calendar and task management system in Outlook. Having been a Franklin Covey user for years, I was skeptical. I am a believer now! Using the new system has helped me to be more organized and efficient. I am able to track my to do list and follow up effectively. I've eliminated using post it notes! Leslie is a supportive teacher who knows how to use these tools to help you accomplish what you want. I have recommended her to my clients and highly recommend her and her services.”

“One of the things you hear all the time is that everyone is different. Well, it's true, but it doesn't mean we 'all' can't do better. Different was my excuse for stacks of unread reading, memos long ago read and never filed, spreadsheets studied and printed out and then kept on the table in case I had an epiphany. Yes, that was what I think I thought all this mess was doing; it was keeping the door open to possibilities that might arise from just being within reach. And there was always more to do than there was time in the day and I always went to sleep knowing that I had worked a hard day's work and would wake up to much more 'to do'. I had sold myself on things that were wrong, inefficient, draining and slowing down my productivity. I've got to tell you that I feel different today, that I have refocused my desk, my work approach, the stacks around my ‘reading chair’ and soon my office at home. Guess what? I had that epiphany, but it wasn't in those piles. It was about those piles and I can thank Leslie for reaching me finally with a better way to operate, a better way to seize the day.”

“I feel I gained a lot from Leslie’s background in operations and management. I feel much more productive, more in control, more motivated and less stressed! Working with Leslie is organizational therapy.”

“I spent so much time before handling the same paperwork and not cleaning out my “In” box.  We got rid of the ‘In’ box, which forces me to do something immediately with stuff that is put on my desk. On the computer we developed a better way of storing both email and computer files, which now makes it easier to manage.  I can also manage my priorities better now.  What I found particularly helpful about Leslie was that she organized based on what my needs and desires were.  Her experience was also helpful because she has been in many different types of environments and was able to suggest some helpful tips.  Leslie did a great job.  I feel more confident about myself and my productivity.”

“I would describe the process as eye opening to say the least. I feel like I have a secret that is enabling me to perform better and more efficiently than anyone I know. It is very exciting to feel in control and not out of control! Recently, we have had staffing issues so instead of replacing a customer service representative I have been given an additional 30 accounts to service. There is no way I would be able to consider such an increase in volume of accounts if it was not for the techniques taught to me by Leslie.”

"Thanks for patiently working with me to get my mountain of emails under control.  This is immensely valuable advice.  My desk grows lighter and my workload more manageable after each meeting."

“Leslie, thank you so much for helping me overcome the clutter. I truly feel the systematic way of organizing my office, computer, files, etc. is something I can really stick with. I've been to more than a few "How to Get Organized" seminars over the years. None have left me as energized as you have. Thanks again.”

“It's amazing to be able to keep one task on my desk at a time, which enables me to clear my desk at the end of each day and gives me the distinct pleasure of walking in to a clear desk in the morning. The biggest shift for me was to discover the effectiveness of "tasking" everything in Outlook, allowing me to clear out my Inbox, my desk, and anywhere else the enormous volumes of daily information happened to come to rest. I'm definitely accomplishing more tasks in less time and monitoring tasks more carefully.”

“Leslie comes in, reviews your job, your needs and your current systems and then works hand-in-hand with you to create customized solutions to your organizing problems.  I feel like I can take on more and more complex tasks and projects and not worry as much about managing them. I love it! I am getting into the habit of using my task list to drive my day and that improves every day.  I am using my task list effectively, actually FILING papers, organizing my computer files, and deleting e-mails that I don't actually need.”

“Leslie and I were able to clear workspace, prioritize workload, organize file space and revamp intra-office communications to work more efficiently, quickly and productively. The new organization makes me feel more efficient and confident in my abilities to manage my caseload and responsibilities. My objectives were decidedly met.”

“Leslie got me to do in four hours what I’ve avoided doing for eight years. Leslie helped me become the organizational standard for the office by educating and empowering me. I now have a clutter free work environment, an organized “at my fingertips” filing system and a daily efficient workflow process that’s tailored to my schedule and favorite work times and habits.  My goal was to “clean up a little” and that goal was blown away. Instead of my paperwork being a barrier to growing my business, clients have a sense that I’m right on top of things because I have such quick and easy access to the information I need and the time to get right back to them.  I’m swept by a deep sense of relief.”

“When colleagues and clients comment on my office and organization skills (which they often do), I tell them all about my experience with Leslie and that how no matter what their expectations may be about how you would be able to help them, they will never be ready for the changes that you will make in their productivity and even their every day thinking.   I truly believe that you are the best at what you do and I would highly recommend you to anyone that I think might be able to use your services.  It was money well spent and the best and highest use of my time working with you and I thank you very much for everything.”

“The new organization makes me feel much better. There is no monkey on my back anymore telling me I’m not getting things accomplished. The organization makes me feel like we are projecting a successful and well managed image. A foundation is in place now that allows me to refocus my attention and accomplish my tasks no matter how many times I am interrupted throughout the day.  Leads are followed up on more quickly and I have the time to do more strategic things, more evaluation of results and I am less reactive and more proactive with how I manage my tasks and my time.”

“I have a system in place to help me to be more productive and less frustrated.  The organization makes me feel like I can breathe; like a big weight has been lifted.  It has become easier to decide what needs immediate attention and what can wait, allowing me to prioritize my workload to become more productive. With the “piles” gone I am more able to focus on the most important tasks at hand.  Leslie quickly honed in on my personality type and how to integrate my style into a workable organization plan to suit me.”

“We completely organized my office space from desk to file cabinets, so that it's not only functional, but it looks great! I loved having scheduled time to take care of the organizing. You focus, you do it and you get it done.”

“The process Leslie offers is very consultative. She asks questions to find where your "pain" is and offers practical, immediate solutions in a non-judgmental way. The folder/paperwork (tangible) organization gives the client immediate results they can see which then makes them want to move to the electronic organization.   Since working with Leslie, I feel like I have control over my office and computer, when before they "controlled" me. I no longer feel like I am "system-less.”  I think the process is very effective.”