Solution:  Memorabilia Boxes

This is a great solution because it allows items like old stuff animals, yearbooks, travel memorabilia, things like that to have a home.

You can organize the memorabilia boxes by each person in the family.  Depending on the age of the person will determine how many boxes or bins you may have.

I have a bin that is more designated towards my high school and college years.  I also have a bin designated to my husband and I which contains wedding memorabilia, old cards, pictures etc.

I have a bin for each of my children.  This is a great place to store items from when they were babies and young children.  You can organize it by year of age or by grade in school.

The options are endless when it comes to how to categorize your memorabilia bins, the point is to have a place for these items to go.  No longer the days of wondering what and where the ticket stubs from your favorite concert should go!

You can use any kind of organizing bin, clear or solid, depending on preference.  I do recommend labeling the bins, so you are not wasting time opening them up and figuring out who’s who.  You could even color code the bins to recognize which one belongs to whom.

Knowing you have a system will make organizing a lot easier!

Happy Organizing!

We wait until the last minute to do anything, no matter how large or small the task.  Procrastination can come from doing a daily household task like loading the dishwasher… Have you ever waited so long to unload the dishwasher that by the time you did it, you had to immediately run it again. Or waited to put a report together and found yourself up all night just to get it turned in on time!

Some people work well under pressure, but for most of us it causes a lot of stress and anxiety.  Stress that could technically be prevented if we had just done what we needed to do, when we needed to do it!

If you find yourself in this situation and you know you are procrastinating….

• Do your least favorite task first and then follow it up with a more desirable task.  Better yet, set up a reward system!  This is a great way to motivate yourself. You will be more likely to do the task if you know something good will be waiting for you!  Maybe it’s a 15 minute break to call a friend or if it’s a big project, treat yourself to your favorite coffee.

• Think Small!  Sometimes what stops us from starting a project is we are looking at the project as a whole.  To organize your garage in a weekend is overwhelming, however just cleaning one shelf isn’t so bad.  Break your big projects down into smaller ones, it really makes a difference!

• Sometimes once you start a project you can gain enough momentum to keep going.  The point is to start.  Set a timer and work on a project for 15 minutes.  Pretty soon 15 minutes a day adds up and you just made substantial progress.  You want to keep moving forward and every little bit counts!

Happy Organizing!

I have put together a few ADD Friendly Tips to conquer your clutter…. You may not be able to implement all of them at once, and you may find some ideas work better for you than others.  That is OK… this is a work in progress… all I ask is you try!  If you want to change to happen, you have to be willing to try!

A few tips to consider when conquering your clutter:

Less is More – First thing’s first, when you are trying to clear clutter, you must first eliminate!  When you have less, it’s much easier to stay organized.  You don’t want to try and get organized without taking the time to go through your home and office and really evaluate what you need.  Keep only the things that have value to you. I suggest you tackle one small area at a time. You will see faster progress, which will motivate you to keep going.  It also takes away the overwhelm when you know you are only working one small space and not the whole house.

Purchase with Purpose – Think before you buy, and when you do buy, decide where the item will go in your home.  Every item needs to have a permanent home.  Place a note in your wallet as a reminder, place it in front of your debit or credit card.  Think before you buy. When bringing something new in the home, take something out.  This is often called the “In and Out” rule.  It will help eliminate accumulating too much stuff.

Make the Homes Convenient and Easy – If you make your filing system too complicated, you will never file. If your kitchen is set up in a way that it is inconvenient to put pots and pans away, it won’t happen, and if it does happen it will not have any order to it.  It’s important to organize your belongings the way you use them and in the easiest way.  Even if doesn’t make sense to the rest of the world, it needs to make sense to you.

Organize Just Enough – This is so important for the ADDer…. Don’t strive for perfection.  Set up a system that works good enough for you.  The goal is to be able to find what you need when you need it.  This can be in the form of a pile, it does not have to be in a perfect labeled box or bin.  When things get lost, which they will, take note of it, and build a system around it.  Awareness is the first step towards change!

Happy Organizing!

Definition of Organization:  

Notice, there is nothing said about baskets or organizing bins!  Being organized is about function.  Organization effects how you live in your home, how productive you are at work and well you manage your time. It effects your quality of life, but nowhere does it say it has to be perfect.

Trying to live  up to perfection is going to be a trap for you.  It will hold you back from success.  Especially if organization does not come easy to you in the first place, like so many of my ADD clients, this is a constant battle.

So instead of striving for perfection, strive for getting organized enough….

• Practice new tools and organizing techniques- Try something new and give yourself some time to see if it works.  Sometimes we give up too soon.  Sometimes being late because you lost your keys only one day a week is better than being late everyday. If a strategy does not work, then don’t be afraid to try a new one.

• Stay positive – If today didn’t work out so well, don’t worry, you always have tomorrow!

• Make organizing easy – Organize the way you think.  It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else but you. Don’t make your systems too complicated otherwise you won’t use them.  Follow your natural habits. If you are a piler, pile your papers, just do it in a way that you know what’s in the pile. Prioritize them and make it work for you.

• Set up reminders – This is very important to the ADDers, place notes to remind you what you need to do, set alarms on your phone, do what you need to do to follow through.

Getting organized is a process.  By getting organized enough, you have decreased your stress and anxiety and increased your control of your space and time!

Happy Organizing!

“I feel so overwhelmed!

This is by far one of the most common statements I hear when working with the clients.  Sometimes the clutter around us feels so suffocating it just stops us, stops us from doing anything.  Mainly because people don’t really know what to do.

In our podcast this week we talk about how to make organizing a goal.  There are some great tips on how to turn an idea into action!  If you are dealing with overwhelm and want to make a change, I highly suggest you listen to this podcast.  It will give you the guidance you need to get started.

For this post, I want to focus on just getting around the overwhelming feelings you may have and how to break down theses barriers.

Tips on Dealing with the Overwhelm:

Look Forward – We all have different reasons why clutter accumulates.  Often times, there are circumstances in our lives and organization just simply got placed on the back burner.  You can’t change yesterday, but you do have control of your present and what you do today.  You allow yourself to move forward by setting goals and visualizing what the future has in store for you.

One Day at a Time – As much as we want to set timelines and visualize our future, I understand that this can also be overwhelming. It’s important to set goals but there is a fine line in not getting to carried away with the future.  Once your goals our in place, now think, one day at a time.  What can you do today to get you closer to your goals?  

Have a Support System in Place –  Getting organized and living an organized lifestyle is not easy.  It comes natural for some, but for others it is a constant struggle.  Having a support system in place makes a difference in getting through the bad days.  Sometimes all you need is a cheerleader and someone to help you through the process.  This support system can come from family, friends, a professional organizer, or an ADD Coach.  TCO’s mission is to offer this service to our clients who need extra help.

Don’t Give Up – As with any new habit or change in your life, there will be times where it won’t seem so worth it anymore.  I see many projects which get started but never get completed. Take the time you need to reflect and get your energy back, but I encourage you to keep trying.  Start again tomorrow.  Start in small steps, believe in yourself and never give up.

Happy Organizing!

Take Control Organizing has seen some changes this year, most notably a new look on the web and a new service, ADD Coaching.  I feel so blessed and honored to help others. Whether I worked with you personally or maybe you received a tip from the blog or a podcast which motivated you to get started, my hope is it makes a difference.

Thank you for being a part of this community!

I look forward to everything 2012 has to offer!

Here are a few of my favorite posts from the year: 

Top 5 Reasons to Clear Your Clutter

Three Essential Steps to Stay Organized 

5 Tips to Make Sure You’re Never Late

5 Secrets of Organized People 

The Top 2 Things You Need to Get Organized

Why Getting Organized is Not Enough

Clear the Paper

Paper Piles That Work

Weekly Menu Planning

Ask These Questions Before You Organize

Beating Procrastination 

Setting Your Priorities 

Gratitude

Deciding To Let Go

Financial Papers – What to Keep!

Happy New Year and of course Happy Organizing! 

For many of us baking is a tradition for the holidays.  Whether you are just baking one batch of cookies or several, a little planning and organization can go a long way!

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help simplify your baking:

Decide Recipes – Go through cookbooks and old recipes and decide what you want to bake this year.  Many of us have staple recipes but you may want to experiment and try something new. One of my favorite websites to visit for new ideas is allrecipes.com.  When deciding on recipes, read through the instructions and think about how complicated the recipes are and how much time you have to put towards your baking. Some recipes are much more complicated than others, keep things simple.

Make a List – Once you have the recipes, it’s time to decide how many batches of cookies and candy you need to make.  Make a list of the people you will be sharing with and think about party’s and other get togethers.  Determine how much is enough.

Check your current inventory – With recipes in hand, check out what ingredients you already have.  It’s helpful to lay everything out on a table.  Look at expiration dates and quantities of items.  After you look at your current inventory, make your grocery list.  Use the TCO Meal Planning worksheets to help you!

Use Coupons – Save money this season and use your coupons.  Dig out the Sunday’s paper , go online and do a little comparison shopping, .50 doesn’t seem like much of a savings until you start adding all the coupons up and realize what a difference it really can make.

Plan Your Day – If you are cooking several recipes, do a little planning before and figure out what order you will baking what recipes.  This is a good thing to keep in mind, especially if you are fighting over one oven or if certain ingredients need refrigerated and so forth.

Lay it out -  On a table, lay out all of your ingredients and measuring / cooking tools.  Get everything out at once.  This will save time and frustration shuffling through drawers when the oven timer is going off.  Have everything ready to go.  There will be a lot of the same ingredients used in different recipes, however, on the table I recommend separating the recipes with its own special ingredients.  Just to keep the organization and flow going.

Clean up as you go – On of the best cooking tips I received was from Rachel Ray, she has a garbage bowl she places on the counter when she is cooking.  Egg shells, wrappers, paper etc, go into this bowl, when it’s full, empty.  This really does save time from having to make several trips to the garbage can.

Music / Entertainment – I always do my baking with either Christmas music in the background or I will put on one of my favorite holiday movies.  It makes the process fun and festive!

Enjoy the Holidays!

Happy Organizing!

Preparing For Holiday Guests!

The holidays are filled with joy and memories and for many of us it includes overnight guests.  We want to prevent any added stress this may cause.  By planning and being prepared, you will have the time to focus on what’s most important, celebrating and enjoying the moment!

Here are some tips to help prepare you and your home:

Plan Your Meals – Be aware of any special diet needs or preferences.  Get all of your grocery shopping done a day or two ahead of time.  Having a meal plan will eliminate the stress of wondering what’s for dinner and running to the store at the last minute.

(Check out the Free Meal Planning worksheets in our Resource Page!)

Deep Clean Ahead of Time – Plan your deep/heavy cleaning a couple of days prior to your guests arrival.  The day of the arrival, you will only need to do the light cleaning and pick up.

Prepare Spare Room and Bathroom- Have the room ready to go with fresh sheets and room in the closet for their clothes and suitcase. Show them where to find extra blankets. For the bathroom, have a decorative basket on the counter with extras like Q-tips, cotton balls, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and washcloths. Have the towels out in the open or show your guests where they are located.

Prepare a Coffee Station / Morning Plan – If guests are comfortable they will help themselves in the kitchen, however it’s always a nice touch to have everything ready beforehand.  Have the coffee ready to go with coffee cups, creamers, and sugars, on the counter for easy access.  Let them know the plan for breakfast; it doesn’t matter if you are making it for them or it’s buffet style with cereal.  You want them to feel comfortable and at home.

Plan Activities Ahead of Time – Especially if you have children or children are visiting your home.  Get a schedule of the current movies, know the hours of local malls, and play areas.  Make time for “downtime” by having your puzzles ready, games out, and seating available to everyone to just catch up!

Last but not least… Enjoy your visit and make memories with the ones you love!

Happy Organizing!

I love this quote!  When I first read it, I thought to myself… simple steps, that is all it takes! It challenged me to think differently about my day and how productive I was in getting closer to what I wanted.

We all have goals and as we come up to the end of the year, many of us will use this time to reflect.  To reflect what went good and what was not so good.  You may decide to set new goals for 2012 and if you do, I hope you remember this quote.

Most goals do not happen over night, the most important thing is taking those small steps each day to get you closer to your goal!

Recently I read the difference between goals and dreams is a timeline.  Goals have a time line and action steps, which leads into accountability. You are more likely to achieve your goals if you are held accountable.  Dreams are great but if you want to turn those dreams into reality, you must act.

I challenge you to think about your goals and put a plan together.  Decide timeline, actions steps, and how you are going to be held accountable.

Remember this quote and think about what you can do each day to get you closer to reaching your goal… Eventually you will get there!

Happy Organizing!

I’m tired, I have no time, I don’t feel like it, I will….. do this later! 

If you catch yourself putting an item down in your home and thinking you will take care of it later…. Beware… You are starting to accumulate clutter!

What is clutter?  

Typically it’s an unmade decision.  It’s item that doesn’t have a home and you are not sure what to do with it, so you do nothing and think.. I will take care of this later!  However, later never comes and before you know it, you have a pile of “stuff” in the corner!

We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time.  It becomes a problem when later becomes never!  It becomes a problem when we lose time looking for items we know have but can not find. It becomes a problem when the clutter starts to take over our space!

Here are some strategies to eliminate the “I’ll do it later” scenario:

1) Make Decisions – Clutter is typically an unmade decision, it’s now time to start making some!  For everything, there is a place.  Every item in your home needs to have a designated place to live. A place for you to retrieve and return the item when you are done!  If the decision has already been made, it will be much easier to maintain your organization!

2) Touch it Once Rule – The touch it once rule is basically touching the item only once, you pick it up and put it right away. This is not easy, believe me I know from experience how hard it is, but it can be very effective!  Even if you don’t do it with everything, every time it does work, you have just prevented clutter from building up!

3) Set a limit - If you can’t break the habit of putting clutter away immediately, consider setting a limit.  Have a basket or bin for these “later” items and when the bin is full, you must take care of it, start making those decisions and contain your clutter!

Happy Organizing!

Taking Advantage of the Organizing Bug! 

Deciding when to organize can be a struggle for many.  It’s not a lack of what needs to get done as much as when and how!  Even though finding the time can be a struggle it is not uncommon to actually be in the mood to organize! Some of you may think this is crazy, but others know exactly what I am talking about!

Have you ever been looking in a drawer for something, can not find it, and decide to do a quick sort and before you know it you have a clean drawer… Maybe you are waiting at the Doctors office and you decide to clean out your purse.  There was no plan to do these things, you just decided to do them because you were in the mood and the opportunity was there!

These are great moments, take full advantage of them!

For my ADD Clients, this is a great time to use hyper-focusing to your full advantage!  If you find yourself in the mood to organize, do it.. just make sure it’s the right time and set the timer to remind you when to stop!

There is great value to structure and scheduling the time when you are going to organize, however there is also great value in organizing when you feel like it. Maybe even more.  You can surprise yourself, which can turn into motivation to keep going!

We are not talking about re-organzizing an entire room, we are talking about those small bits of time where we can make a difference.  These small bits of time turn into living an organized lifestyle!

Happy Organizing! 

Happy Friday! 

OK, I admit I have been a little sluggish this year to get into the Christmas Spirit.  I wanted to enjoy Thanksgiving and then think about Christmas.  It finally happened yesterday when I was at the grocery store.  I saw these really sweet window gel stickers and it just clicked, I was ready.  I was excited to buy the stickers as I knew my kids would love them. There was this subtle shift inside me, I was ready to celebrate! This weekend I am getting into storage and Christmas is coming to our home!

All week I have read some fantastic articles about gearing up for the Holidays!  I have a feeling for the next couple of Friday Reviews, we will see many more great ideas to keep the season organized and stress free!

Take some time to learn something new and have a great weekend!

Here is the Friday Review:

Take Control Organizing – Creative Gift Giving - This week on the podcast, Pete and I talk about some creative gifts that are a little outside of the box!

Trading Cradles – Nurturing Your Childs Gratitude - Great tips on remembering what this season is really about!

The Confident Mom – Creating A Peaceful Holiday Home - Great tips on making the holidays less stressful.

DigitWirl – Cyber Security Tips - Great tips to keep your information safe!

Becoming Minimalist - Remembering Those Who Truly Need a Holiday Gift – This post has a great list of organizations to help out this season, make a tradition and decide as a family where to donate your time and money!

Happy Organizing!

A New Perspective!

I would like to share with you a new perspective about your children’s toys… Next time you walk into the bedroom or playroom, I want you to get down on their level and see what they see.  The first time I did this, it was a real wake up call!

The room is most likely filled with color, shapes, sounds, and toys!  

Could you find your favorite toy if you wanted too?  Would you know what to play with?  Are you happy or a little stressed because there is just too much?

We often forget our children can feel the same anxiety and stress we feel when we walk into a cluttered office or kitchen.

Less is more.. especially when it comes to kids toys. Don’t get me wrong, I want my kids to have fun but I also want them to be creative and appreciate what they have and sometimes that is difficult if they have too much.

The holidays are just around the corner and this is a great time to start reducing.  Reduce the stress and make room for the new! Go through the toys with your children and find out what they would like to give to charity, doing it now will allow another child to enjoy for Christmas. What a great lesson you can teach your child.

Another trick we do in our home is we rotate toys.  We have bins of toys in our attic space that the kids can trade in and out.  Children will have an easier time keeping their spaces organized if there is less to organize!  They also appreciate their toys more because they are not being used or seen on a daily basis.

Sometimes looking at a space in a new perspective can make all the difference in the world!

Happy Organizing!

Here are a few tips if you decide to venture out on Black Friday:

1) Make Your List / Stick to Your Budget - I am all about being smart this Christmas and sticking to a budget!  Make the list of people you need to buy for and figure out the budget before you shop on Friday Morning.  Nothing will break the budget faster if you do not plan prior to shopping.  Next to each person, put down a couple of gift ideas you have in mind.  This will help narrow down where you need to go.

2) Plan ahead – Study your newspaper ads and go online to look for more coupons and deals.  Get an idea of the good deals and where they are. Figure out what stores you want to visit and set up a plan on where to go first, second, and so on.

3) Leave the kids at home- If at all possible leave the kiddos at home.  Your experience will be much less stressful if you do not have to worry about your kids.

4)  Patience -  This is a great day to practice your patience and flexibility skills.  Not everyone is going to be nice and helpful as they shop the day after Thanksgiving, there are going to be crowds and people will have to wait in line.  Your plan may not exactly go as planned!  Being flexible and positive will certainly help ease the stress.

5) Shop online- Is it all really worth it?  If not, consider shopping online, now they call it Cyber Monday!  You may not get as great of deals, but you can still get some good ones!  Do some comparison shopping the day before and see what your favorite stores are offering online.  You may be surprised!

Happy Organizing!

Take Control of The School Paper!

As we settle into the school year, one of the biggest clutter complaints I see is how to organize all the daily paper.  School paper ranges from homework to art projects and everything in between like lunch menus, permission slips, newsletters, the list goes on.

If you are starting to see the pile up, do not fear… there are solutions to take back control!

The key to success is developing a solid paper management system!

Use the following steps to start building your own paper management system:

Collect – Children come home with stuffed backpacks everyday, get them in the habit of emptying their backpacks in the same place.  Have your children take out their homework and other important papers from the school and place it all in one central location.   Think of it as an inbox, you could use a basket or a bin.

Sort – It’s important to separate what paper is homework, what is reference material and what paper needs to have some action around it.  Separate the homework from the rest and give this to your children to complete.  Next you want to separate the action from the reference paper.

*Note: Because of time sensitivity for homework and other important papers, I recommend you go through your inbox DAILY.

Action Paper – It’s best to have the action paper taken care of right away or be placed in a spot where you will not forget it.  You could use a bulletin board or a designated file that is only used for this kind of paper.  If it’s something you need to sign, do it right then, and place it back in your child’s backpack.  If it’s a date you must remember, put it in the calendar right away.

Reference Paper – Reference papers do not have any kind of action needed. Reference paper is the class list, yearly school calendars, student handbook, progress reports, etc.  One recommendation for storing reference paper is storing it in it’s own binder.  This binder is specific to school information and you could separate the tabs by each child in the family.  If the binder is big enough, you could use extra tabs for information on sports and other after school activities.  Another option is having a specific file labeled as School or by the child’s name.  There are actually many ways to do this; the point is to have one place for the paper to go, so when you need it, you know where to find it.

Completed Homework / Artwork – The younger the child, the more artwork comes home!  For some of us, it’s really difficult to decide what to keep and what to recycle.  For the really special assignments and artwork, pick a place in your home where you can display it.  Give the displayed work some time to enjoy the spot light, and then rotate it out with more recent work.  Only keep the very best and most sentimental pieces of work.  Take a picture of the work with your child instead of feeling like you actually have to keep the paper itself.  For those really special pieces have a memorabilia box available for each child.  Again, the point is to have a place for the paper to go and not on countertops and desks!

Happy Organizing!

Happy Friday!

Here are some great articles I found on the web this week!  Enjoy!

Lifehacker - How Can I fix My Chronic Lateness - Great tips on how to avoid being late!  I love the idea of using alarms to remind you. Smart Phones are great for that!

The Wall Street Journal – The 25 Documents You Need Before You Die -  It’s better to be prepared than sorry!  This is a great article in getting your important paperwork in order!

Take Control Organizing – Financial Papers – What to Keep and What to Not to Keep - TCO has a new form!  Use this as a guideline when sorting through your paperwork!

Lifehacker – The Best, Non-Crazy Ways to Use Grocery Coupons - Great advice for someone who is just learning to concept to this coupon madness!

Real Simple – Thanksgiving New Uses for Old Things – Creative ideas to check out for next week!

Happy Organizing!

Typically we only retrieve 20% of the paper we file, which means 80% of it we do not need! 

To get started in clearing your paper clutter, you must start with purging your files!  It’s recommended you go through this process at least every year.  This will make sure the 80% of the paper that is not needed out of the filing space.  When there is less to organize, there is less to maintain.  

To assist you in what to keep, we have added a new form to our Resources page: Important Documents and Papers.  We hope this will give you a guideline to help with the sorting process.  Click here to download today!

***As noted in the form, please be sure to check with your Financial Advisor or Accountant for specific information.

Now that you know what papers to keep, you can start to set up your filing system.

Here are a few tips to consider:

1)  Keep the system simple – keep only what you have too, and name the files in a way you will remember what is in them.

2)  Add files to the front – To retrieve a paper, it will be easier to find if it’s in a chronological order.

3)  Don’t overstuff - One of the biggest roadblocks in keeping a system working is a file that is too full.  Make sure you are keeping what you need, and if needed, add a file to the category.  Leave plenty of room to add new paper.

4)  Have extra supplies – Another roadblock is not preparing a new file for paper because the supplies are not available.   Keep extra file folders, hanging folders, tabs, etc in the back of the filing cabinet, so they are easy and accessible when needed.

5)  Avoid the To Be File & Misc. File – These are both dumping grounds.  Get used to the “touch it once” rule.  Once the paper is in hand, file it. If a paper does not have its own category, how important really is the paper?  If it is important then make its own file, but avoid putting it in misc. Out of sight is often out of mind.

Happy Organizing!

The average person spends 55 minutes a day looking for items they know they have but can not find!

I know for me personally that is a waste of time!  I have too many other demands in my life to be worried about where I left my keys or a piece of paper that needs to be returned to school.

In addition to the time being wasted there are other real costs to being disorganized. Think of the financial cost.  The actual money being wasted on buying repeat items, lost checks, expired coupons and gift certificates.  A huge loss of money is wasted on late fees, usually not because the money wasn’t available but the bill was lost or forgotten about.

When we have a lot of clutter in our homes and around us it also clutters our minds.  It takes away our energy and creativity.  It starts to affect how productive we are and how we feel about ourselves and our homes.  It adds constant stress to our lives.

These are very real and very high costs to being disorganized.  The holidays are coming and this is a great time to start your organizing projects. Recently I wrote an article for Trading Cradles on how to make money with organizing.  I encourage you to read it and start clearing out what is no longer needed or wanted.  Make room for the things that truly matter the most.  

There is something to be said about simplifying.

Clearing your clutter means clearing your mind, your space, and taking back control of your time!

Start today, pick an area that has been bothering you and spend 15 minutes sorting and organizing.  These are the first steps in moving forward!

Happy Organizing!

This particular client recently retired and he wanted to sort through his belongings to clear up space and time.  He wanted to start enjoying his retirement without the burden of what the disorganization was costing him now…A lot of stress and anxiety!

We discussed the issue of letting go and how difficult this actually was. We talked about specific items and he was doing his best to decide what to keep and what to let go of. These choices are difficult because what logically makes sense in the mind does not always make sense to the heart.

The client was explaining to me a particular item, it meant something to him at one time but not really anymore but he still wasn’t sure what to do with it.  As we continued our conversation, the subject came up of when he passes… I asked him, “Does this represent who you are?” Would his children look at this and think, yes, this is my Dad.

My client paused for a moment….  and I honestly can say I saw the shift happening before me… I could see it in his eyes, a new perspective, a new way of thinking about it.   He decided to let it go.  It was not a representation of who he was as a person, a father, a friend etc.

I hope you can take this experience and apply it somehow to your own.  The next time you get “stuck”, think about how this item represents you. The answer may actually give you permission to let it go.

Happy Organizing!

Top 5 Organizing Mistakes!

Your intention is to live a more organized lifestyle, however something happens and it doesn’t work exactly the way you envisioned it!  There are certain roadblocks that get in the way…

Here are the top 5 organizing mistakes and how to avoid them:

1) Waiting for the time – If you wait for it, it will never come.  There will always be something to get in the way.  If getting organized is a priority, you have to make it one.  Set up organizing sessions on your calendar and get started!  They do not have to be all day events, even 10-15 minutes a day will move you forward.

2) Setting the standard too high -  Organization is not about perfection!  It’s about finding what you need, when you need it.  Don’t set yourself up for failure by expecting too much!  This is a point I stress when working with my ADD clients.  It’s not about bins and labels, it’s about making things simple and easy for you to maintain.  Organize to the point where it’s good enough for you!

3) Buying Product Too Soon - Don’t waste your time or money with buying organizing product first!  It’s not the product that organizes you, it’s the process in which you develop.  By making sure everything has a home and you return items to the home.  Only buy product after you have done sorting and you know what you need.

4) Starting but not finishing – It can become so overwhelming, people stop in the middle of the process. This is the time to break large projects into small spaces, taking just a little bit at a time.  Take a break if you need too, but remember what is motivating you to go through this process and get back on track.  Ask for help if you need too, either by a Professional Organizer or a trusted friend/family member.

5) Not sharing the new system – Nothing will ruin your organizing efforts faster than by not sharing what you have done!  You can’t expect your family members to help maintain your new systems, if you don’t show them what to do.  Take the time to give a tour of a new space, and get their opinions too… If they take ownership, they will more likely help maintain.

Happy Organizing!

Using a Timer!

One of my favorite tools for my ADD clients is using a timer!  Time is a funny thing it has a way to run away from us very quickly!  Using a timer keeps you on track and focused!  With increased focus comes increased productivity!

1) Get over the overwhelm If you have a large project looming it can feel overwhelming!  Approach these kinds of projects by breaking the project down into smaller pieces.  If you think something is going to take a long time, you may procrastinate and not do any of it. Set your timer for 10 minutes and just get started. Unless you are on a specific deadline, there is no reason the project has to get done all in one session.  Breaking up your projects will decrease your stress and increase your productivity!

2) Tracking time - Like I said time has a way of running away from us, if you are working towards better time management, one of the best things you can do is find out how long something actually takes!  The best way to do this is to time yourself.  If you are constantly running late in the mornings, set a timer from the time you get up to the time you leave.  How long does it really take? Then make the changes you need to get out the door on time.

3) Reminders - A great strategy for using timers is to remind yourself of upcoming events.  Many computers and phones have an alarm system.  Use these tools to remind you to leave on time.  Use them to remind you when it’s time to switch tasks.  Maybe you need to prep for a meeting, don’t rely on your memory, put the reminder on!

4) Increase focus - A great way to increase your focus when working on a project is to set your timer.  Set your timer for 10 minutes and only focus on your project.  Eliminate all distractions.  When the timer goes off is when you can check email or get up and look at something. It take some discipline but it’s great way to break up your work.

The Time Timer as seen above is a great product.  It comes highly recommended for folks with ADD/ADHD.  The red is a clear visual of time going by.  This type of timer is also great with children as they are learning the concept of time and how long something takes.

What other ways do you use a timer?  Share your ideas on our boards, we want to hear from you!

Happy Organizing! 

Getting Started!

You want to get organized, but you don’t know where to start!  This is a very common dilemma for many of us!  Projects in whole can seem too large at times to tackle.  Which is why many of us just don’t get started.  We settle.  We settle for the loss time and lack of space.

My business is built around not settling any more and taking control!

Instead of thinking of projects as whole think about what is bothering you most about your disorganization!  Start here! 

It may not even be an actual space or item, it could be that you are constantly late or unprepared for meetings.  For the next week or so, just concentrate on getting to places on time and not trying to organize everything at once.

If you are constantly stressed about your children’s papers from school, spend the time to organize a system in which these papers can be contained.  If your bulletin board is driving you crazy because of all the clutter, take a few minutes to recycle the outdated material.  Maybe it’s a junk drawer you can’t get into.  It doesn’t matter what it is, just take care of it.

Start with matters to you!  Starting with matters to you first will zap those pesky tolerations you have been living with!  You will feel immediate results and will want to continue to add more systems to make your life easier!

Challenge:  I challenge you to pick one toleration this week and fix it!  Don’t just stop there… Keep going!

Happy Organizing!

Happy Friday!

Organizing Tip:  If you plan on working on an organizing project this weekend, think small!  Don’t worry about getting the whole kitchen or garage done in one weekend.  Break the space into smaller projects.  Work on one cupboard or drawer at a time.  Focusing on these smaller spaces will make the overall project seem much less overwhelming!

Extra Tip: If you are not sure where to start, clear the floor first!  Not only will it make it easier to get around the room, you will instantly see the progress made!  Which is a great motivator to keep going!

Here are some great articles around the web this week:

Digitwirl - One Place To Manage Bills, Account Numbers, and Statements – I have not personally used this app, however I love options, and I think this may be a good one to look into!

Lifehacker - Write Down What You Want to Remember NOW – Before Leaving a Room- I never knew that walking into a different room would make a difference, but it does!

Trading Cradles – How Getting Organized Can Make You Money! - Great ideas on how getting organized and putting your items on the Trading Cradles website can make you a profit!  What a great incentive to clear out the closet!

Becoming Minimalist - Learning to Consider Gratitude a Discipline - What a wonderful reminder of how gratitude works into our lives.  Not only being grateful at the happy times, but looking for the gratitude during the tough times too!

Have a Great Weekend!

Happy Organizing!

Dealing with those pesky interruptions! 

We all get interrupted, no matter if we are working in our offices or homes…. people are constantly demanding our attention.  Throw in a couple of children or a new co-worker and those interruptions will double!

How is a person suppose to get any work done!

Good question… Here are a few strategies to try:

1)  Stand up – When someone enters your office to speak with you, stand up.  This small gesture will signal to the person you do not have much time.

2)  Say it- Be more direct if you like and let the person know you only have a couple of minutes, this is true for a phone call too.

3)  Close your door – Let your colleagues know when the door is closed, please do not interrupt unless it’s an emergency.

4)  Turn off Technology – Nothing is more distracting than hearing your phone ringing or seeing you have a new email.  If you need to focus, turn it all off until your done.

5)  Set boundaries – This is especially true for when you are at home.  If you are working on a project, let your children and spouse know you need this specific amount of time without any interruptions.  Sometimes all they need is to know!

Happy Organizing!

Do you want to live with less clutter in your home …. then stop it at the door!

One the best strategies in preventing clutter build up in your home is to think twice before buying!

Recently, I got the chance to celebrate a huge milestone with one my clients, which was about this very subject. She was traveling and stopped herself from buying a sweater.  She took a few minutes to really ask herself …is this worth taking home?  Did she really love it, did she really need it. Her answer was no, and she walked away.

Walking away with a smile, she thought of me… knowing how proud I would be!  And I was.  

Two years ago, she would have bought the sweater. Later down the road we would have gone through her closet and the sweater would have been donated with tags and all.  But this is no longer her reality, instead of impulse buying or thinking I might use it someday, she is only bringing in what matters most, things that have actual purpose, right now… not for someday.

This is what organized people do, they make decisions on what matters most!

Happy Organizing!