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Author Gives Tips on Getting Things Done

The author of "Consider It Done: Accomplish 228 of Life's Trickiest Tasks" spoke recently about organizing tasks—and she's organized some pretty strange ones.

Julie Subotky knows a thing or two about making things happen. The Wilton native spoke to a small crowd gathered at the Harry Bennett Branch Library in Stamford last week about her new book, "Consider It Done: Accomplish 228 of Life's Trickiest Tasks" and shared her own tricks for taming that ever-growing to-do list.

How did Subotky become the founder of a business, Consider It Done, dedicated to doing just that for her clientele in the tri-state area? The story began in Aspen, Colorado.

"I moved to a ski town and wanted to find something to do that would let me do what I loved most ... ski," Subotky told the crowd.

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She found herself answering questions for Aspen newcomers, where to find a babysitter or how to get something done on short-notice. When Subotky found herself devoting more and more time to work, and less time to skiing, she made the move to New York City.

"We make things happen, whether it's getting an elephant in the park or getting bean bag chairs for a party happening the same day," Subotky said.

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Subotky laid out her three Cs—simple rules for making things happen—clarity, choice, and commitment.

"When you really get clear, that's when you can create a result," Subotky said. "If you need green jelly beans — why do you need them? Is it St. Patrick's Day? Is it the green candy or the jelly bean itself that matters? If I don't find them, would green M&Ms work?"

When it comes to commitment, Subotky recommends seeking out others to stay accountable. Similarly, she advises everyone to use the experts in their life — people who have talents and skills that can help them do things more effectively.

When it comes to to-do lists, Subotky has some strategies. She suggests isolating three things on the list to get done in a day. If making a phone call is on the list, write the number down on the list to eliminate the extra step.

After years of completing seemingly impossible tasks for clients and building a company made up of resourceful people who know how to get things done,  Subotky signed her book contract just after her first child was born.

"I thought it would be easy, babies sleep a lot," Subotky said. "I didn't know what I didn't know!"

Subotky opened up the floor for questions and launched conversations about to-do lists, business strategies, and personal organizational challenges.

Bill Leyden of Stamford asked Subotky where and how she finds her upscale clients willing to pay for things like bean bag chairs and photo albums. Subotky acknowledged that some of the things her staff is hired to do can seem off-the-wall to most people.

"At some point it becomes about what your time is worth — at what point do you outsource your jelly beans," Subotky said.

Another audience member, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared how her to-do lists have adapted over the years.

"I've always had lists," she said. "I've lowered my priorities now —five or six things a day, do them and get them over with it. I don't overwhelm myself. [When you're overwhelmed] you don't have time to read a good book."

Subotky echoed this sentiment and stressed the importance of taking time to slow down and focus on one task at a time.

"If I have the baby and I have the Blackberry, he's upset and the person on the phone is upset, I have to put the phone down and find another way to do this," Subotky laughed.

Subotky has been thrilled with the response she's received to her first book. She's also encouraging to the many people who want to follow in this career path and start their own problem-solving businesses. Subotky attributes some of her talents to her childhood in Wilton.

"I loved Connecticut, the people are so nice and helpful," Subotky said in an interview. "Maybe that's where I learned about getting things done. Out here, neighbors all pitch in to help. It's not like that in New York City."

Editor's note: This article originally appeared in Stamford Patch.

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