Do it right or don’t do it all! 

This is a very dangerous statement and can actually set you up for major disappointment.  This is not the most effective way to approach accomplishing your goals.  In fact it’s often the reason people don’t complete what they start out to do.  In the middle of the process, they become frustrated and because they are not where they expected, many will just give up.

The more we are aware of this part of our personalities, the better.  Awareness creates change.  And change is what we are looking for when we are organizing our lives.

Perfection is this idea that something has to be done the “right” way.  My question is who made up the “right” way anyway.. There are many ways to organize and just because something doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean, nothing will work!

Here are a few tips in fighting perfection:

1) Stop comparing yourself to others – We are our worst critics by far.  And it’s so easy to fall into the trap, that our neighbors and friends seem to be able to do it all.  Then you feel guilty that you can’t.  I ask you to stop comparing yourself to others.  You have no idea what it’s like to live in their homes and I am willing to bet it’s not as perfect as it seems!  Figure out what’s good enough for you and work towards those goals.  Focus on you and your family and eliminate the stress of what others are doing.  This can be a very freeing and liberating thing to do, let go of what others think and just focus on what’s best for you.

2) Consider this organizing  journey as a work in progress – You will try organizing systems and some of them will fail.  Even with the best intentions.  Try again or do something different.  Let go of the thought process of, ” I just can’t get organized, I have tried everything, it just doesn’t work.” Move towards, “I tried this paper system and it didn’t work, I am going to change the first two steps and try again.”  You want to continue to move forward and towards your goal of living an organized life.  To do that, you have to be flexible and willing to try new strategies.  You may find some systems work very well at the beginning and then suddenly they stop.  It’s always a work in progress.  Knowing this is half the battle, you don’t clean your house once, you can’t expect to only organize once.

3) Understand your priorities –  Many times we just have too much going on.  Too many projects and too many commitments.  My suggestion is to really look at what your priorities are right now and let the rest go.  You will be much more effective if you are focusing on one project at a time rather than many and not doing any of them very well.  Figure out what are in your home is bothering you the most and only focus on that one area.  Looking at the big picture is overwhelming and this is a terrific way to break it down.  If you are not able to get what you need done, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Delegating  projects that you are not as good at or enjoy is not a bad thing, it’s a tool to use when you want to be more productive.

“Some of us (perfectionists, especially) fuss so much over making the ‘right’ choice, but in life, all that’s really needed is to make any’ good’ choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”
- Unknown

I am not sure who wrote the above quote, but it is so true.  Free yourself from perfection and you will continue to move forward.

Happy Organizing! 

Keep Organizing Simple!  

Words that I live by when I am working with clients! Organization is not about perfection or pretty labeled bins and baskets, it’s about function.. Finding what you need, when you need it.

To stay organized…. Keep it simple!

Here are a few suggestions on keeping your organizing systems simple and easy:

1)  Sort Regularly - The less you have the less you have to keep organized!  Get into a routine that makes sense to and that you will remember.  I recommend you do this at the beginning of every season, however there is no right or wrong time.  The point is you do it.  The more times you get into this routine the easier each time will be, because you will have less and less to go through as time goes on.  This is the time to sort and take inventory of your belongings.  Walk from room to room with your bag and donate what you no longer need.  To remember this new habit, make an appointment with yourself and put into your calendar.  This is a great reminder, so you don’t forget it’s time.  Now that you see the reminder, take the time to do it.

2)  Set Clutter Rules - Setting clutter rules can help you contain your clutter.  The following are a few suggestions: 1) In/Out Rule - If you buy something new, something old has to go.  This is the only way to control the clutter and your space.  If you don’t let go, it will just continue to accumulate. 2) Purchase with Purchase -  Think twice before you buy and if you are going to buy, think about where the item is going to live in your home.  For everything, there is place, even for new stuff!   3) Recognize Red Flags- We know some clutter might build up but what is your limit?  For example, if you have a mail basket for all of your incoming mail, once the basket is full, this is a clear sign you need to go through the mail.  This is a clutter red flag.

3)  Organize by Convenience - Throw away the should’s of organization and organize your belongings the way you use them.  It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense to anyone but you.  Don’t waste a lot of time organizing items you rarely use.  Spend your time figuring out the easiest, most simplistic way to organize those items you use all the time.  Remember it’s not about perfection, it’s about being organized enough for you to eliminate the excess stress in your life.  With this said, it’s not to neglect those other items, I just recommend you don’t spend too much time agonizing the best way to arrange and sort.  Pick a home, place them, and move on to what matters most.

Happy Organizing!

Out of site…Out of mind!

This is so true when it comes to email and file folders!  You think you may need it someday, so you file the email and then you never see it again!  Soon your email files are more cluttered than your inbox ever was!

In our “Conquering Email Clutter” podcast we talked about the process in clearing your email backlog and how to start a new habit of processing your email immediately.

Now that you have an up to date inbox we want to keep the important emails in file folders. To control email clutter we want the file folders to be simple and easy.  Not too many folders where emails get lost or forgotten. Remember we typically only retrieve 20% of our files, this is remains true in email as well.  Keep only what you need to keep.

In deciding how to name your files, keep in mind there are two main types of files: Action and Reference.  

Action files are going to be the emails that are going require some kind of action. This could include emails that you need to respond to in some way or something needs to be done before you can file it away for good.

Reference files are going to be the emails that require no action but for whatever reason you are not ready to delete.  You may want to refer back to the information at any given time.

Here are a few possible Action categories:

• Take Action
• To Read
• To Call
• Respond
• Waiting
• To DO
• Urgent
• NOW
• Follow Up
• Current Projects
• Client Files

Possible Reference categories:

• Closed Projects
• Past Client Files
• Personal Information
• Pictures
• Family
• Home
• Website Confirmations
• Online Bill Payments

In whatever you decide, name the files how you would most likely remember the information.  However, if you do happen to forget the search button is certainly helpful!

Just like your paper files, you want to maintain your email folders.  Set an appointment with yourself on a periodic basis to delete!

Happy Organizing!

I have said this before, you can’t expect to clean your home once and be done with it.  The same goes for organizing, you can’t just do it once, and then expect it to stay that way forever. 

Building new habits is not easy and staying organized is all about your habits.

Here are a few suggestions on how to start building those new habits:

• Start Small – If you try to change too many habits at one time, you may fail.  It becomes too overwhelming.  Start with one action or routine first.  For example, just concentrate on placing your mail in the same spot everyday or placing your keys in the same spot every night.  Once these actions become habit, when it takes less energy and thinking power, because you have just done it, then you can move on to your next habit.

• Be Flexible –  What starts out to be a great idea, doesn’t always end up that way.  If you find that an action or routine is not sticking, re-evaluate it.  It may not be the best system.  With this said, do make sure you have given it enough time and you can honestly say you tried the new action with all 100% of your effort.  If this is true, then tweak the system.

• Practice – Even the best athletes still practice their sport.  You have to continue to practice organizing.  Especially if this has been a struggle for you most of your life.  Practice and keep practicing.  Living an organized life is always a work in progress.  So even if you something gets unorganized, which it will, you continue to organize.

• Daily Action – Pick at least one action step you can take everyday to help you with your organizing efforts.  Choose something simple and easy that can be done everyday.  For example, loading the dishwasher before you go bed, straightening the living room furniture, putting the remote controls in their designated spot everyday.  It doesn’t matter what it is, just do it everyday.  This gives you the confidence in knowing that everyday you are doing something to move you closer to your goals.

• Focus on the Positive – It’s easy to get frustrated and want to give up… Change is not easy and it takes time.  Be patient with yourself and focus on the positive.  Focus on the what you have done so far, the accomplishments being made and the benefits you’ve received. Think about all of the things you are grateful for and start again tomorrow.  It’s OK to take a break when you need too.  Tomorrow is a new day to do something different.

Happy Organizing!

Nightstand Makeover!

Does your nightstand look like a tornado came through it? Unorganized… no real purpose for being there other than just collecting stuff!  It can become a clutter hot spot in no time!

The first step in getting your nightstand under control is by conducting a needs assessment on the space!

What is the real purpose of your nightstand?

How are you using it right now?

For everything that is not suppose to be on it, where should these items go? 

Now that you know the purpose of the nightstand, it’s time to figure out what you really need for the table.  Figure out your essentials – for some it may just be a lamp and a clock, others may need the lamp, the clock, a glass of water, tissue, and their current book.

As with any space in your home, the less you have on your nightstand the easier it will be to keep it in order.

There are ways to keep to your nightstand in order by adding a couple of organizing products:

1)  If your nightstand has a drawer, consider a drawer organizer, where everything is compartmentalized.  This will keep the pens and pads of paper separated and organized.

2)  If you read in your bed, consider a basket to hold your magazines and books, this will keep them contained without getting stacked or being too spread out.

Having a cluttered space near your bed is forcing you to go to sleep with the clutter and wake up to the clutter.  This is not the best way to wake up each morning.

Clear the clutter, clear your mind!

Happy Organizing!

Yes,  a classic whiteboard, that you can get at any home or office store.  I recommend this tool for my ADHD clients, especially if the smart phone apps just don’t work.  Many of these apps are just too complicated and not easy to keep up. The little phone becomes a rabbit hole and you never see your information again.  For many, we need to see it front and center, in big writing, right in front of us.  The whiteboard fits this need.

The whiteboard can be used in a variety of different ways.  It can be used in your office to help manage your projects and capture your important tasks for the day.  It can outline your schedule, hold important phone numbers and reminders.  It can be a place where you brainstorm ideas and thoughts.  You could place your favorite quote on your whiteboard for inspiration.

You can use a whiteboard at home to help with family communication.  You can write notes back and forth from each other, it can contain your shopping lists and your to do list.  It can include the families schedule for the week or day with important reminders.  It can include meal plans and important phone numbers.  There are so many options.

The most important thing about using a whiteboard effectively is making sure the old stuff gets erased and it is only being used for current information.  If old content stays on the board then you may not trust it as a reliable resource and this is when your effectiveness of the system will start to break down. Actively use it everyday, by constantly adding and deleting information. To do this be sure to place the whiteboard in a convenient place, where you can see it and get to it easily.

Sometimes going back to the basics is good enough!

Happy Organizing! 

Boundary Setting

In the podcast this week we talk about boundaries and how they effect your productivity and time management.  The better you are at setting boundaries, the more productive you will be. By setting boundaries you are being very clear about what is most important.  Your time is then dedicated to what matters most.

Here are a few extra tips on setting boundaries and making the most of your time:

1) Be aware of your worst distractions.  A big part of setting boundaries is understanding what is holding you back in the first place and starting from there.  If Facebook is a time stealer for you, be committed to not looking at it during the workday.  Make an appointment with yourself when it’s more convenient and not when it’s robbing your time. If co-workers are a distraction, make it clear when you need uninterrupted time to work on a project.  You can do this in a very nice and respectful way by letting them know when you are available and follow up at that time.

2)  Take your time before giving an answer to a request.  Your first instinct may be to please and say yes, but when you say yes, you say no to something else.  Check your calendar and ask yourself is this something you really want to give your time too.  By giving yourself time to answer, you are aligning your priorities with your schedule.  You eliminate overlapping scheduled activities and you are taking control of your time.

3) If you are taking on too much, consider getting help.  Delegate to co-workers or to family members.  You don’t have to do everything, all the time.  If someone offers to help, take it.  Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed, just say thank you and appreciate the extra set of hands.

4)  Respect others boundaries.  This may seem like common sense but if you want a co-worker to respect your shut door, you have to respect theirs.  It goes both ways.

Setting clear boundaries protects your time.

Happy Organizing!

Best Closet Organizing Products! 

In this weeks podcast we gave you all kinds of organizing tips for the closet and a few tips on how to maintain the closet!  As we mentioned in the podcast and I have recommended in the past, it’s important to wait to buy your organizing products until after you have done all of your sorting!  You don’t want to waste your time or money on the wrong product!

With that said, there are some really great closet organizing products on the market.  And when you have a small space to work with you want to utilize it the best you can!  You don’t have to break your budget to make the most out of your closet!

(All of these products are available at The Container Store) You can find most of them at different home stores, like Target, Walmart, Bed,Bath, Beyond, etc.

Here are a few of my favorite items:

Double Hang Closet Rod - If you have a standard closet with just one long bar, this is a great way to double your space.  It’s very affordable and easy to install.

Hanging Sweater Bag – If you lack shelf space, this is a great addition to any closet, you can use it for sweaters, shirts, purses and other accessories.  It’s a great way to utilize vertical space.

Hanging Shoe Bag -  Just like the sweater bag, this is a great way to utilize the vertical space in your closet, plus it gets the shoes off the floor!

8 Hook Wall Mounted Rack - This product is great for the walls of your closet.  You can use it for ties, jewelry or other accessories.  We often forget the walls!  They can also be used for organization!

Over the Door Hook Rack - Another solution for those purses and accessories!

Huggable Hangers - Even if you clothes are not organized, they will look like they are when you have all the same hanger!  It’s an instant way to make an unorganized space look and feel great! These hangers are great, they are slim, which means more space for your clothes!

Happy Organizing! 

Choose Furniture with Storage!

Make the most out of your Family Room by choosing furniture with storage!  It will utilize your space more efficiently and will be keep the clutter contained and at bay!  Especially for small spaces, you want to take advantage of every wall and corner.  By using furniture with multi-purpose will allow you to maximize the space.

There is a lot of items that may go into family room and they all need a place to be stored and contained!

Here are a few examples of furniture with more than just one purpose:

• The antique chest is a beautiful piece which is very decorative and can hold extra blankets, pillows, and even toys!

• The armoire is a perfect example of a piece of furniture that could be used in many different ways.  It could be used as an entertainment center with your TV and gaming system.  It could be used as a home office or a place to store board games and puzzles.

• Coffee tables that have drawers for storage, you can place extra blankets, photo albums, and magazines.

• End tables that have a bottom shelve and drawer, you can place a decorative basket to hold maganizes and books, and the drawer can be used for crossword puzzles, extra pencils, the TV guide.

• Ottomans that open and close – Again, a great place for blankets, toys, and games.

For some people it’s the afternoon where they hit wall, for me it has always been after lunchtime.  My morning has always been my prime time… 1:00pm hits and I get sleepy!

I wanted this to change, so I did a little research and I found these 4 tips to be the most helpful for me to increase my energy level throughout the day…

Exercise

We all know that exercise is beneficial to our overall health, but I have to admit I never realized how important it is to your energy level until I did it on a regular basis!  My goal is 30 minutes of exercise a day, now this does not always happen but it is what I strive for.  Whether it’s walking the dog or doing interval training on the elliptical trainer it all counts!  I have lost weight and I feel better mentally and physically when I have exercised!  I remember hearing somewhere that you will never regret working out but you will regret not doing it… It’s so true!

Healthy Snacks

This was my downfall for a long time, I figured if I needed an energy boost, I would reach for a soda.  A little sugar and caffeine and I thought I was good to go!  Little did I know this was actually harmful not helpful!  I researched what foods were good for energy and found that snacks with protein and a complex carbohydrate are best, for example; whole grain cracker with low fat cheese or peanut butter on apple slices is one of my favorites!  Here is a link to a great article about the Top 10 Foods to Boost Your Energy.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated has made feel better, I know there is a lot of scientific research on why this is.  For me, I get less headaches and I don’t feel bloated.  Plus I am getting up and going to the bathroom more frequently, which is great break and gives you a little movement in your day!

Take Breaks

I am always encouraging my clients to take small breaks throughout the day, and yes, I do take my own advice!  I make sure to take a lunch break everyday, and if I start to feel sluggish, I will take a power nap.  Research says this does make you more productive! I am not questioning it, I know for me all it takes a few minutes to shut down and then I start over!

Overall, what I have learned in the last year is how important it is to take care of yourself and when you do, you automatically increase your productivity!

Happy Organizing!

Daily Review!

Overwhelm is a very common word I hear when I work with my ADD Clients!  There is so much to do but yet you can’t remember what it is nor do you know how to get started.  This is enough to stop you in your tracks and find something meaningless to occupy your time!  It gets worse when you have an unscheduled or unstructured day.  Things to do but no particular time they need to get done.

Sound familiar?  One of the ways to combat this feeling of so much to do but not sure what to do is by daily planning!  TCO has a daily planner you could use to get started.

The point of daily planning is to know ahead of time what your top priorities are for the day and to schedule them into your calendar.  Just by thinking about it the day before and giving yourself a plan can actually end the panic feeling of I am not sure what to do next…. Now you know because you planned the night before.

It’s simple really… you just have to take the time to do it and get into the habit of doing it every night.

I challenge you to look at your calendar the night before and review what your commitments are and to schedule time for the things that need to get done but you did not actually set aside time to do so.  This will actually help you use your time better. Remember to give yourself plenty of extra time to get a task done, so if you think it will take you 15 minutes, schedule a half an hour.  Make room for lots of flexibility.

Happy Organizing!

Color coding your files can be a very effective way in organizing and maintaining your paper.  This is a great technique and highly recommended for folks with ADD/ADHD and who are visual in nature.  It’s an opportunity to organize your paper in a way which makes sense to you.  Paper can be easier to find and can make filing a little less painful!

However, simplicity is the key to your success in any organizing system.  It is suggested you use colors that have meaning to you and keep it simple!

Here are some suggestions on how to color code your files:

• Use a different color folder for each family member
• Red = Urgent, Do Now. (Red is a great file for bills to pay or other action papers)
• Blue = Medical
• Yellow = School
• Green = Financial
• Purple = Home

**** Another benefit to using color coded files is you can easily see when a file has been misplaced and it’s much easier to put back.

Happy Organizing!

Do things take longer than you expect?  

What we think should only take a few minutes, can take so much longer, our projects never get finished.

We run out of time!

With ADD/ADHD, this can be a constant battle in your day.  You’re constantly running behind and time has taken control of you rather than you taking control of your day!

What causes the time to go by so fast?  There are actually many reasons, however I am going to focus on the number one reason I see with many clients…. DISTRACTIONS! 

Distractions are the root of why time goes by so fast.  They happen and we don’t even realize it…. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, distractions happen and they get in the way.  What seems so innocent like answering the phone, looking at an email, saying hi to a neighbor, all of these actions take time and take time away from what you are trying to get accomplished.

Solution: Awareness! The best prevention of getting distracted is to be more aware of when they are happening. As soon as you notice your mind pulling you into a different direction, recognize it and pull yourself back into focusing on your chosen task at that moment. To build more awareness, carry a journal with you for the next few days and jot down what tasks took longer than you expected.  Analyze why it happened and think about how you could eliminate those distractions next time.

Here are a few ideas on how to avoid distractions:

• Close the door when you are working
• Turn your phone off – you don’t have to answer the phone every time it rings
• Turn the email alerts off – schedule a couple of times during the day to check email
• Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on your work for only a short period of time
• Take periodic breaks – get some exercise like walking around the block
• Schedule time in your day for social media instead of looking at it throughout the day

Awareness and recognition will be your first step towards change! 

It’s the first step in taking back control of your time!

Happy Organizing!

I am sure you have and it can stand true even with jewelry…

I tried the standard jewelry box that looks like a dresser, and maybe for some that works, but I know for me it didn’t, because if I didn’t see it, I didn’t wear it!  The box was kind of awkward too, it didn’t fit in my closet and I didn’t want it on my dresser, so the only place I could find to place it was under my bathroom sink.. again, out of sight, out of mind!

Here are some great tips to consider when organizing and storing your jewelry!

Conduct a needs assessment on yourself: 

• What kind of jewelry person are you? Do you have more necklaces than rings or maybe you only wear earrings.

• Do you have a lot of jewelry?

• Do you wear a lot of jewelry on a pretty consistent basis?

• What pieces are your favorites?

• When was the last time you went through your jewelry?

• How much space do you have to store your jewelry?

• Where do you want to store your jewelry?

Pick the right storage solution for you! 

There are many options for jewelry storage.  You have to think about how much jewelry you own and exactly what you want displayed.  A few options include: standard jewelry boxes, drawer dividers to use the top drawer of a dresser for storage, or ready made jewelry organizers for closets and the back of doors, which you can find at any organizing product store.

The picture above is actually a tie rack, but is being used to store jewelry instead.  You can use a pin board and tack necklaces onto it. Look around your home to see what you have and be creative!   So many options, but remember before buying anything, take the time to go through your jewelry… you may be surprised what you are holding on too and didn’t even realize!  This is a great time to donate, to sell, to give away and clear up the space for the pieces you really love the most.

Additional Tips:

• Do you have a few pieces of jewelry that are your standbys, the pieces you wear most often?  Consider placing these items separately.  Maybe in a decorative bowl or pretty box in your bathroom or closet shelve.

• Do you have certain outfits you only wear certain jewelry with?  Consider placing the necklace with the garment, that way, when you are ready to wear the top, the necklace is there with it.

• If you have very expensive pieces, consider placing these items separately in their own box, and if they are not worn often, place them in a locked safe.

• At least once a year, review your jewelry, sort and purge where necessary, and don’t forget to clean and polish!

Happy Organizing!

Increase Productivity!

I hear it often, I worked today, but I didn’t work on the right stuff!  I was busy, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what I did!

Being busy does not always mean you are productive.

If you don’t have anything to show for it at the end of the day, then I am willing to bet you weren’t as productive as you would have liked!

It happens to the best of us!  We get distracted. We are constantly being pulled in a different million directions. For some, the reason may be more about procrastination than anything else. The little mundane things that happen in a day get in our away because whether on purpose or not, we are avoiding something bigger!

The first step in understanding how to work smarter and not harder is to understand busy work does not equal productive work.  Working smarter means working on the projects that are most important.

Setting priorities is the key to working smarter! 

Plan – At the end of the day, do a a quick review of your workload.  Prioritize what is most important, which usually means a deadline or someone is counting on you for something.  Look at your workload and decide what will get your attention first in the morning.  Having a plan the night before will help eliminate the morning stress of what should I be doing!

Set Goals – Along with the number one priority that must get done, add a couple of more tasks that you would like to see completed at the end of the day.  As a reminder of these tasks, write them down in some kind of list.  Using a dry erase board can be really effective or having a sticky note attached to your computer, titled; TOP 3 Things to do today!

Limit Distractions – When you are working on your project, eliminate as many distractions as you can.  Close the door, let the phone go to voicemail.  Focus and be aware of what is grabbing your attention.  Awareness is the first step towards change.

Set Boundaries – Learn to say no.  This can be difficult especially if you are a people pleaser, however the more you do it the easier it will become.  Knowing what your top priorities are for the day will allow you to manage your time better.  You will have a better understanding of what you can yes too.

Work smarter and get more done in less time! 

Happy Organizing! 

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!