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!

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! 

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.

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!

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!

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!

“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’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! 

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!

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!

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!

Organization means different things to different people.

There is no right or wrong way to organize.

In fact, I discourage my clients to have images in their minds of how their space “should” look.  Many times this is just not realistic and somehow we have to figure out what is right for them…. not what a magazine or a book says is the right way.  I give a lot of advice and tips about organizing on my blog and podcast, these are only suggestions.  What I love about organizing, is there are so many options, so many ways where it can work.

In my experience working with your natural preferences is the first step towards defining what organization means for you.

For example:  If you find that no matter what you always drop your mail in the same place all the time, don’t fight it.  Build a mail system around where you drop your mail, trying to move that natural habit may actually do more harm than good.  A lot of people will recommend you open your mail daily, I do not, I never have.  So I built my mail system on opening my mail once a week.  This works for me, it may not for others.

If your natural habit is to pile paper, then pile paper…. just build a system around the piles, so they have meaning.

TCO’s definition of organization is finding what you need, when you need it.  It has nothing to do with the bin or basket it may be in.

When organizing, analyze your behavior first and set up your systems around this.  This approach will increase your productivity and most importantly the maintenance of your systems! 

Happy Organizing!

Before and After!

There are some great shows on TV about Organizing…  You see these wonderful transformations of the Before & After.  The stories are emotional and it’s great to see these folks make such a change in their lives.  Many times I will take pictures for my clients so they can see their own transformations.  There is definitely value in this exercise.

What I would love to see with these shows is less about the process on getting there and more on how to stay organized.

Organization is more than just about the after picture.  It’s a lifestyle built around habits, routines and daily decisions.  It’s how you manage things in your home but also how you manage your time and your life.

It takes time to put into place the organizing systems and it takes commitment to maintain them. By paying attention and thinking of your organization as a constant work in progress will only enable you to continue your success.

Getting organized takes longer than the 30 minutes as see on TV and the staying organized takes a lifetime!

Happy Organizing!

The word “Gratitude” came up again for me the same week but in a different conversation.  In this conversation, we were talking about how your brain can not think both positive and negative thoughts at the same time.  It can only focus on one or the other. This wise friend of mine told me, when you notice yourself walking down a negative path, use this as a red flag, and instead think of something you are grateful for. This will immediately shift your brain into the present and into a positive place.

I felt this was such a powerful message to me, I wanted to share it here….

What are you grateful for? 

Happy Organizing!