I was working in my office the other day and I went to look for a receipt from a file folder and before I knew it I was going through the whole file getting rid of the old receipts!  Remember the “One Year Organizing Rule?”  We just talked about it on Monday.. Well this rule certainly applies to PAPER!

Did you know we only retrieve 20% of the paper we file…… that means 80% of the paper we file just sits there!

We are coming to the end of the year and there is no better time than now to go through file drawers and PURGE!  Take out the legal and tax documents you need for your taxes and start looking at the rest!

Top Three Questions to ask when going through your files:

1)  Is this paper important?  Do you need it anymore?

2)  What’s the worst thing that could happen if I got rid of this paper?

3)  Are there tax or legal reasons to keep the paper?

Extra Tip: Place a paper shredder nearby your file cabinet….. As you purge ….  you shred!

This is the first of many steps in getting your paper organized!

If you would like to learn more about the TCO Paper Management Plan for your home or office, send me an email @ nikki@takecontrolorganizing.com.

Happy Organizing!

Recently within a 24 hour period of time, I was asked by two different people, “How long should you keep an unused item”?

The “Organizing Standard or Rule” is One Year.

This is a logical rule because if you have not used the item within the 4 seasons of a year, the chances of you using it in the next 4 seasons is very unlikely.  This is especially true with clothing.  We tend to hold onto to clothes because we think we may wear them again.   The reality is if you choose not to wear something this winter, you most likely will not wear it next winter.

Of course there are always exceptions to every “rule”.  But this one year standard really does give you a great guideline of where to start when you are sorting and making decisions on what items are staying and going in your home!

So the next time you are organizing and going through a closet, clothes or not, think about this rule and challenge yourself to get rid of the “stuff “you no longer need!

When you have less to organize, you stay organized more often!

Happy Organizing!

Honestly, when was the last time you went through your closets, kitchen cupboards, etc? Well if it’s been awhile, now is the time!  The best part of this exercise, it doesn’t have to take long… In a just few minutes you can quickly sort through what you no longer need.  I say quickly, because this is not the time where you are setting up new systems or even necessarily organizing the space, (unless of course you want to and have the time!)  This exercise is just about doing a quick sort and getting rid of items, you no longer need or want.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when going reducing:

• Have you used it in the last year?
• Do you really have any intentions in using the item soon?
• Do you like the item?
• What benefit are you getting from keeping it?
• Could someone use the item more than you?
• Could something else that is being used, take the space this item is currently occupying?

These are just a few questions to get you started.  My challenge for you is to start today! Go through a closet or drawer and make those quick decisions and start reducing!

Take Back Your Space!

Happy Organizing!

However, what happens if you start to lose your motivation?  You begin to doubt yourself, you get tired.  You have to remember!

What are you going to remember you ask? Your priorities! Remember your motivation in making the change.  Why are you here and what got you here in the first place!

Here are a few simple ideas in reminding you of the “why”:

• Keep a list of everything that is important to you, write down every reason why you want to make a change. Display this list, where you can see it everyday!
• Share your reasons with someone you love and trust, and refer back to that person if you need to talk.  Talk openly about your successes and reach out when you are disappointed.
• Take pictures of your priorities, display these and remember everyday of the why.  Include a picture of yourself.  Make yourself a priority!
• Have a visual reminder of your dreams, what you expect your end result would look like. Clip out photos of what freedom looks like to you, maybe it’s a photo of the beach, or your favorite inspirational quote.  Place them together in a binder to refer back too or place a favorite photo on your bathroom mirror.

The point is to remember!

Happy Organizing!

I know many of my clients have felt this way, especially prior to working with a Professional Organizer.  They get stuck, almost to a point where it paralyzes them.  The beginning steps to any kind of change or challenge can be shocking to our systems.  We don’t know what to do first or second, so what do we end up doing?… Nothing!

Recently I had the feeling of getting stuck in my mud!  I am working on an upcoming project for TCO.  It’s a “Big” project! Soon, you will hear more about it…

For now, let me just tell you the little reminder I needed, to get back on track and out of the mud!

As in any major project you may be working on either for work or life, it takes organization to clearly know what steps need to be taken to complete the project.  A large project can suddenly get very overwhelming, very quickly.  You start looking at all the little pieces that need to be completed, all the details that need to be attended too, you may even start to doubt yourself.  Why am I doing this again?  Is it worth it?  Have you ever found yourself asking these questions?

When I was getting stuck, I called a friend… If you have ever listened to any of the podcasts, you know my friend… Pete!  I told Pete, I had come into my office to work, I actually had some quiet time with no interruptions.  But when I got here, I had no idea what I was going to do… Even though I had a million things to do!  I didn’t know where to start.

He simply reminded me of something I say to my clients all of the time.  Start Small.  I know this is not a new concept, I say it all the time.. But sometimes we all need to be reminded of even the most simple tips!  Start Small.  If you try to do it all, you won’t do anything.  If you break it down into simple steps, you’ll get each step completed and eventually you will get where you are going!

I am now looking at my “Big” Project in not so much of a “Big” way now… I am breaking the project into pieces that can I manage.  The key is taking each piece one by one, finish a piece and then move on to the next.

I hope you will find the same peace I did in this simple tip…

Start Small!

Happy Organizing!

Have you ever not started something, because you didn’t know how?

Or maybe you were scared to try something new?

When we set goals for ourselves, often times these goals are something different than we have ever done before.  There is a risk of the unknown….We are not sure if it’s worth the hard work, dedication, time and effort it takes to accomplish these goals.

One day, I was looking at my facebook updates, and I read an update from an old friend, who just finished running a marathon.  She had lots of people congratulating her and cheering her on for this huge accomplished she just finished!  Wow, 26 + miles… truly amazing!

In her response she says, “The Miracle is not that I finished, it is that I had the Courage to START!”

What a true lesson to be learned here!  She started, she never gave up, and she did it!  She accomplished a life long dream.  Something to check off the bucket list…

What about other kind of goals, the goal to get more organized or to live a healthier lifestyle.  Do these goals take courage?

What does courage mean? The dictionary states it the ability to do something that frightens one.  Strength in the face of pain or grief.

To answer my question, yes, they take courage! Whenever you “start” something new, you have to have courage.  It’s facing the unknown ahead of us, and hoping you are doing the right thing.  Whether you are training for a marathon or deciding to live a more organized lifestyle, you must have courage to start!

Thank you my dear friend, for reminding us, it takes courage and it can be done!

Happy Organizing!

My son goes to a great school!  I love the teachers and I love the values they are teaching our kids… They have a saying… Do your best! Turn in your best work.  Make the best choice.

When I ask my son, what does your best mean? He says… Better Every Single Time! I love this!  As adults we sometimes forget what we can learn from our children, we forget what we can learn from the values they have posted in their hallways.

Better Every Single Time, what does this mean to you? Do you try to do better every single time you are trying something new or different?

You are reading an organizing blog for organizing tips, and my tip to you is: To remember when you are in the process of “getting organized”, you are making a commitment, you are changing what you have done in the past.  You are changing your daily habits and making different choices.  “Getting organized” is not a one time event! It’s a lifestyle, which requires attention every single day.

Organization is not about perfection or always having a clean home. It’s about freedom. It’s about doing better every single time!

Happy Organizing!

I am guilty!  I do this and I find I do this often!

I’ll get a free day to get some things done around the house, and all the sudden I have a list of 10 things to do, but by lunch time I am tired and only half, if that is done!

Does this sound familiar to anyone?  I really hope it’s not just me!

Time goes by fast, no doubt, and things usually take longer than you expect.  I get interrupted a lot!  I have 2 kids and remember our new puppy?  He takes up a lot of time too!  Potty breaks are a constant around the clock event right now!

In the last week, I signed up for the free trial of OmniFocus.  OmniFocus is a great product, there will probably be a blog post about in the future.  My point for this post is to talk about a revelation I learned as I was watching one of the tutorials.

Is your “To Do” list filled with tasks or goals? If it’s filled with goals, it’s actually going to be almost impossible to get your to do, done!  It becomes unreachable! Uh… I never really thought about it before.

Goals are what we want to achieve, the end result, but they do not clarify the how to do it part… That’s where the tasks come in.  To reach your goal, break it down into tasks. It will certainly make your “To Do” list more organized and hopefully more productive!  We can all tackle something big in small chunks, but to tackle it all at once can be extremely overwhelming!

I am a work in progress, but with this new awareness, I hope to be more effective!

I hope it helps you too!

Happy Organizing!

Between work, clients, family, and home, there is a lot to be done!  It’s not always easy to capture everything in your head.  Yes, “to do” lists certainly help and can effectively organize the tasks for the day, but what about for the whole project you are working on? Are you able to capture your thoughts and ideas effectively with a list?

Have you ever considered Mind Mapping?

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind Mapping is a creative way in putting your ideas, thoughts, and concepts onto paper.  It is a visual thinking tool which helps you organize your thoughts and processes. Mind Mapping is a great alternative to the traditional “to do” list. It’s a closer representation of how your brain actually works.  It’s creative and it’s fun! If you are finding your traditional “to do” is not working well, I highly suggest you try this method in capturing and organizing your thoughts!

You can use mind maps for many reasons. It’s not just limited to project planning.  Say you are having a difficult decision to make, use a mind map to capture your ideas and thoughts, the pros and the cons.  You are planning a trip, this is a great way to capture what needs to be done, what you want to do, and the basic planning of the trip.

There are so many uses and reasons why you may use a mind map.  The options are unlimited and the complexity of each map is up to you!

How does Mind Mapping work?

It’s actually very simple.  You start in the middle of a blank page and write the project or central idea you are developing.  From the edges of the circle you draw lines for your subtopics.  Your subtopics may have branches leading off them too.  Again, it can be as complex or simple as you need it be.

To get started in Mind Mapping, you can just use a simple piece of paper.

I just recently started to explore the different Mind Maps available for your computer, iPhone and iPad. I have been using some of the trials to get a feel of what I like best. Google, “Mind Maps“, and you will be surprised of all the different options!  You can dress up the mind maps to be very colorful or if you prefer, very simple.

I suggest you try a couple and get the one that feels right to you… I just recently bought the iThoughts version for the iPad and iPhone, and I have been really happy with it!

If you are already using mind maps, let us know what you like and recommend! We are always wanting to hear feedback from others!

Happy Organizing!

It’s normal to feel tired and maybe even a little disappointed when you are trying to change something as significant as changing your organization style! Habits are hard to form and change is not easy!

You made the choice at the beginning of your journey to make a change, to make a difference in your life! Focus on the success you have made so far!  Make a list of everything you completed and write about how you felt when it was done. Then make a list of everything you still wish to accomplish. By making this a priority and seeing it on paper, may just be what you need to get your mojo back!

Be patient with yourself, if you need to take break, that is OK, take a break, but don’t let it stop you from reaching your goals… Anything is possible, Keep Going!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
– Anatole France

Happy Organizing!

Sound familiar?

Recently my husband and I have been tackling a project… Organizing our Garage! We had decided to clear the space we were organizing and take everything out away from the wall and place it in the center of the garage.

Here we were staring at this large blank wall, and my husband mad the comment, “It feels like we are just moving in”.

I thought to myself, what a great way to look at organizing a space…

Look at your space like you are just moving in for the first time!

When we move into our homes for the first time, we are excited about all of the possibilities. Sometimes we loose sight of those possibilities because of our clutter.  We either don’t have the time or it just becomes the elephant in the room, where you are just so used to looking at the clutter, you forget it’s even there!

Make a change! Take the space you want to organize and take everything out, and look at it like you are looking at it for the first time!

Make the time to get it right, I can tell you from my own experience, it is worth it!

Happy Organizing!

Most likely if you are reading this blog, you are hoping to get some new idea or suggestions on becoming better organized.  My business is about helping people build solid organizing systems around their home and work life.  It’s about giving them direction and support on how to lead a more organized lifestyle. There are so many wonderful tips and products out there to get you where you want to be.  Organization is a skill and if it doesn’t come natural to you, you have to some how learn this skill.  With anything you learn, once you learn it, it can’t be taken away from you.. It’s the power of education!

I recently listened to an education podcast for Professional Organizers and the speaker said something that really stuck with me.  So much so I have to write about it… She mentioned how the most important piece of what we do for our clients is teaching them new skills!

It’s not just about getting organized.

Being organized comes and goes.

We all have different events and things that happen to us unexpectedly.  Even the most organized people will and can become disorganized.  It’s the skills we have learned and practiced that help us get our homes and offices back into order.  We have the skills to put it back together.  It’s just like ridding a bike, once you learn, you never forget!  The same is true for organizing.

There will be times of the month or year, where your office is going to look like a mess.  If you are moving or in some kind of transition, there will be things that will slip by.  If you are dealing with an unexpected life event, your organization will falter.

I think it’s easy for people to be too hard on themselves.  Life happens and our priorities shift.  Organization is not about perfection or how clean your home or office is.  When you see the organization around you start to break, take a step back, look at the reasons, build off of your organizing skills, and make the changes you need to make at the time you need to make them!

Happy Organizing!

An additional tip to add for those “Maybe” items, is to place them into a box for 6 months.  If you do not return to the box within the 6 months or even think about the box, give yourself the freedom to let the box go!  Put this on your calendar to remind yourself, otherwise it can easily be forgotten.

In addition to all of the great services, Susan Heid provides with the Confident Mom, don’t forget the Summer Survival Calendar! Yes, we are closing in on summer, but these activities are good all year around!  For only $7.00, you have access to different websites with great activities, recipes and just great fun!  Enjoy these last days of summer without worrying about getting bored and what to do next!

Happy Organizing!

When in doubt – throw it out….

It sounds so easy, right?  But I know for many of you it is not!  When you are getting organized, you have to make decisions.  You must decide if something is worth staying in your home.  It is hard to make these decisions and becomes even harder when you don’t know what an item is!  If you don’t know what the item is or what it goes too, it makes it even harder to decide where its permanent home should be.  The items I am talking about are the little bits and pieces that end up a the bottom of boxes and drawers etc.  You know the ones!

Here’s a strategy to try… If you can not figure out what something is within 60 seconds, make the decision to throw it out and never look back.  Most likely, you will never think about this item again.  It seems a little harsh, I know, but following this rule gives you the freedom to decide without feeling guilty or regretful.  (Throwing it out can mean in the trash if it’s garbage or recycle if it’s recyclable.)

Now I know some of you will not be able to do this.  And here is another solution- if you really have a hard to letting go, place these items into their own box or bin.  This box is probably going to be made up of little plastic pieces and many random things.  You will not need to keep this box for a long period of time, but it will at least allow the security you need to get through the process.  At the end of the sorting process, re-evaluate the box and start making decisions if these items are really worth staying.

Happy Organizing!

There is no getting around it, there is no easy way out of this… To create change, you have to change! We recently had a podcast show dedicated to just building new habits. This got me to also think about routines.  What is different about a routine and a habit? Essentially it is the same thing.  However, a habit is usually done unconsciously, most likely we are not even aware we are doing the action.  Like biting our nails when we are nervous or using our hands when we speak.

A routine can certainly be habit, it’s usually a list of tasks we do to prepare for something.  Many parents use nightly routines for their kids, sort of like a checklist of things to do before we go to bed.  Some of us have morning routines, where we check our email and voicemail first thing in the morning, etc.

So if we are trying a new organizing system, we need to build a new routine for our day.  We need to change our thinking and the way we do things.  But when it’s new, its too easy to forget!  Which is the reason many systems fall apart on us.

So how do we stop forgetting, and just do?

When you are first getting started with a new routine, may it be a new filing system, or a new way to schedule your daily to do’s, whatever the tasks may be, create a checklist!  Write down all of the action steps that need to be completed and check them off as you go.

Practice, over and over again, until the routine becomes a habit! You no longer have to think about what happens next. You no longer have to worry about your system breaking down, because you are doing the work…

You are getting things done!

Happy Organizing!

What does it mean to be committed?

I suppose for everyone it looks different because there are different levels of commitment. Depending on what we are committing ourselves too.  We commit to our spouses, our children, our family and friends. But those are different commitments than if we are committed to exercise in order to lose weight.  Right? The magnitude is obviously not as big, but what’s the common ground?

I think one of the biggest factors in being committed, whether it’s to a person, a job, an ideal, a goal, is the action you put towards your commitment. Let me say this again, the action you put towards the commitment!

Have you ever heard that actions speak louder than words? You show you are committed when you act over and over.  Just saying it isn’t enough.  Love is a verb right?  It’s what you do to show the other person you love them.  Commitment is a verb.  It’s more than just saying you have this goal to organize, it’s about doing the work and getting organized!  It’s about setting up the right systems and staying committed in making them work.

If your actions are not speaking louder than your words, than are you fully committed?  As we saw in the last blog post, the number one reason people fail on their diets, is lack of commitment.

You have to think, plan, and then you have to do….

Happy Organizing!

Last week, I was watching a segment on the Today show about the top 4 reasons why diets fail for people trying to lose weight. The number one reason - They are Not Fully Committed. This got to me to thinking not about losing weight but about organizing of course.

I have told my clients in the past that getting organized is like losing weight… There is no quick fix or magic pill that will automatically get you to your goal weight.  You have to do the work by exercising and eating right, all of the time, well at least most of the time..  You are making choices, deciding to live a different lifestyle than in the past.

So what happens if you are not fully committed to this new lifestyle? You start to go back to old habits, habits that are not very healthy for you.  You may make poor choices that go against what you are trying to achieve.

The same thing goes for getting organized.  If you are not fully committed to the process, you will not succeed.  If you don’t see getting your life organized as a lifestyle change, you most likely will not succeed in the long run.  You have to want to make these changes for you and only you.  If you are only doing it to please someone else, it won’t work.  You must be committed to yourself first!

The tips on the Today Show to be fully committed included; to have daily and weekly goals set.  Do not expect miracles and realize when you are getting impatient.  This stuff takes time and again there is no quick fix!  Lastly, forgive yourself for any slip ups.  We all have them, whether we ignore the ” Touch it Once” Rule in organizing or decide to the eat donut.  Move on and don’t dwell on the mishaps.

We always have a chance to make better choices next time.  Remember all of the time and energy you have already put into this journey.  Revisit why this is important to you and keep going.

Stay committed and succeed!

Happy Organizing!

We live in a busy world! There are days in my week where every hour is accounted for, and trying to get anything extra done, is almost impossible!  We all wish we had more than 24 hours in the day.  I wish I could function on less than 8 hours of sleep, I would get more done, but I can’t!  And I can’t make the day have more hours, I am stuck with 24!

Often times when I am working with clients, they say the reason they have not gotten organized in the past, is because they just do not have the time.  I can understand this statement, however I go on to tell them, once they put the time in to get organized and set up the right systems, in the long run, they will actually save time! Let’s be honest, no matter what it is, if it’s a priority to you, you will make the time to get it done.

So how we can make better use of our time?

If getting organized is a priority and you are ready to make some progress, then follow these steps to making your time count!

• Schedule and plan your organizing sessions. Take this a step further than just writing the appointment, actually put on a piece of paper everything you need to accomplish during the session.  Don’t make your list so elaborate you get disappointed. Be realistic, pick your top 3 realistic tasks and write it down.  Check off as you go!

• Work when you feel your very best.  If you are a morning person, then be sure to schedule your appointments in the morning.  You will get more done, when you feel good and most alert.

• What has distracted you in the past? If it’s the phone, turn off the ringer, if it’s the computer, shut it off, if it’s your kids, hire a babysitter for the afternoon.  Be aware of your distractions and then take care of them.

• Make the easy decisions first. If you have a limited amount of time, don’t waste it on deciding what to do, leave the hard decisions for later.

• Delegate – Find out what decisions you have to make and delegate the others.  If you live with other people, delegate and work together.  You shouldn’t have to carry all of the load on your shoulders.

• Set a timer - If you have decided to work for one hour, set the timer.  As you see the time ticking, speed up the process.  Make a game out of it, see how much you can get done in the last 5 minutes.  You may actually surprise yourself!

• Write down the results – Don’t waste time in your next organizing session trying to remember what you accomplished before, write down what you accomplished and what your next goals and priorities are for the next session.

Happy Organizing!

What’s wrong with this statement?

Have you ever made “Getting Organized” a new years resolution before and not succeeded?  Maybe not just at New Years but have you have ever felt getting more organized would somehow make a difference in your life?

Getting organized is a great goal.  If you do it right, it can and will make your life better.

Even with this said, what is still wrong with the statement above?  It’s too broad!

This statement by itself is much bigger than anyone can or should take on!  It often results in overwhelming feelings of frustration and stress.  To just say you are going to get organized, can really be confusing.

Where to start, how to start, and what to do? It becomes too much, so what happens?  It gets put on next years list, because for right now, you just don’t have the time or energy!

Here are a few tips to encourage you towards your goal of  ”getting organized” rather than you running away from it!

• Write down and define the specific areas where you need better organization.  This could include specific areas in your home as well as time management.  Where ever you see a better system could benefit you.

• Prioritize your list.  What is the most frustrating for you right now?

• Once you have decided what you are going to do, break that space down even further.  If your first choice is your kitchen, decide to work on the cabinets then the counters.

• Finish one task before moving on to the next.  This will help you stay focus and see progress much faster than trying to do too much all at once.

BONUS TIP: When deciding what areas in your life you would like to get organized, think about the why? Why does one area in your home get filled up with the clutter?  Why does the mail stay unopened?  In order for you to really make a difference and change, you need to understand what is holding you back in the first place!

So before you start to “Get Organized” , take time to see what needs to get organized, and then ask those questions of why it needs to be fixed!  Once you understand the problem it will be much easier to fix and not so overwhelming!

Happy Organizing!

What does it mean to be organized? Many people often assume that because I am a Professional Organizer my house must always look picture ready.  They will say I wish I could be a fly on your wall.  Well let me tell you… my house is not always organized or clean… I know I am probably being too honest… But it is true!  I have two small kids, I work part time, I volunteer at my son’s school, I chauffeur my children to the many activities they are involved in and so much more.  Just like many of you, many of my days, every hour is accounted for.  Do you think my house gets messy… You bet!  Life happens… and the dishes do not always get done and the toys tend to find there way all of over the house.. It’s reality right?… But what I have done is created enough solid systems within the house that when life gets out of control and often times that means the house does too…. it’s easier to clean up and get back to the order I am used too and crave to have in my life… This is what this post is really about, creating the systems and accepting your reality. It’s not perfect nor should it ever have to be….

Here is a copy of the post I wrote for The Confident Mom….

Do you think the picture of above is a good representation of being organized?  I am going to guess at first glance you may think this closet is actually very messy.

Many people think organization has to look like beautiful baskets and bins neatly displayed and of course labeled… Not true! Organization is a process and I believe always a work in progress.

So what is organization suppose to look like?

If you were to ask me what my definition of being organized is, it would be this simple: If you are happy in your space and you can find your things when you need them, then you are well organized!

It really has nothing to do with the bins and the labels or the newest organizing product on the market.  For some people the product can actually be more confusing than helpful.

Organization can be as simple as putting all your coats into one closet, rather than having them spread out in the house.   For example see the picture above! Organization can be as simple as always putting your purse and keys in the same place everyday.   The average American spends 55 minutes a day looking for items they know they have but cannot find.  By putting a system in place for these everyday items we need, we can take back our time!

The basic principal of organization is…. for everything there is a place.  Every item in your home has to have a place to live.

Being organized is about the system you put in place; it’s not about the product. Just because you may have the latest and greatest organizing bin does not mean you are organized.  It’s how you use the bin that counts.  Does it have a purpose?

Develop a good system and then you will be organized!

Above, I said it’s a work in progress, because it is… What works right now, may not work a year from now.  As soon as your system starts breaking down, it’s time to reevaluate!

Happy Organizing!

I am so excited to announce,  Taking Control- The Organizing Podcast!

We have been working on this idea for some time now and it is finally a reality!  In today’s busy world we don’t always have time to read a blog post or do the research necessary to do to tackle a project. Now there’s a different way to get the same great information!  Subscribe to TCO’s podcast through iTunes and all you have to do is listen to your iPod!  At your convenience, put on the ear phones and take a listen while your doing the dishes, the laundry, or when your stuck in traffic!

Every week you will get a new episode tackling some kind of project or question!  The best news yet…. I want to gear these podcasts to what you need! So if you have an idea for a show, or need some tips on a project, email me, and let me know… Who knows, it may just be the next topic!

What to expect from Taking Control:

• A lively conversation with Pete Wright and myself… Who is Pete Wright? Pete is the Producer of the show and more importantly the face behind my website. I consider him a partner in my business and a huge influence in developing and telling the story of Take Control Organizing!
• Tips, tricks, and solutions to your everyday organizing issues
• One new episode per week
• Each episode will range anywhere from 10 minutes to 25 minutes (I know you don’t have a lot of time and I want to use it wisely)
• You get an insider look at how I work with clients and get to know me!
• A whole lot of fun mixed in with great education!

I hope you join me in my journey into podcast land!  It should be a lot of fun and I look forward to tackling your issues.  If you have an idea, send me a note on my contact page, or email – nikki@takecontrolorganizing.com.

You can catch the first episode now… The Office Closet!

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Happy Organizing!

In theory, it makes perfect sense, you set up organizing systems in your home to make it more efficient.  To succeed in your organizing plan it is important to keep in mind these organizing principles like, “Touch it Once”!

Before explaining what this rule means, let’s talk about what you are not doing to follow the rule?

Basically it is a delayed decision.  Some people may call it procrastination of some sort.  Instead of taking care of the mail right away, you make a pile for it instead.  Instead of putting your clothes away, they get stacked on the dresser or on the back of a chair.

Why do we do this? Lack of time maybe, could it be just plain laziness, or we just don’t feel like taking care of it at the time…

Example of not using the rule: I have a mail system, and it does not include going through it everyday.  I really do not like mail that much.  So I have a mail basket, when I get my mail, which is not everyday, I put it in this basket.  Then once a week, I go through it.  I make sure all of the bills are paid, I make out the checks right then, and make piles of categories of mail.  I have a to file pile, recycle pile, etc.  After I am all done, I place the ready to be sent mail by the door for the next day, and file everything else.  This system works for me. I am not using the touch it once rule in this system.  And that is OK with me!  The system still works.

So what does the Touch it Once Rule mean? I would explain it as doing the exact the opposite of what we talked about above. Instead of the stacking and piling, we just put things away.  It seems so simple doesn’t it…  It makes perfect sense.

I think this rule has real substance in a lot of areas in our home.  Maybe not in my mail system, or a system you have created, but I can think of other areas where I could improve and by using this rule, it could cut the clutter down a considerable amount…

SO for the next week, I am going to try it.  I am going to make an effort to only touch an item once, and put it away immediately.  Join me and let’s see if this really does work.  Can it cut the daily clutter out of our homes….

The areas I am going to work on most are:  Not putting dishes in the sink- go straight to the dishwasher, clothes are either hung, folded back, or put in the laundry hamper immediately…

Challenge:  What about you?  What areas can you work on this week to implement this rule?

I’ll let you know how my experiment goes next Friday!  I want to hear from you too…

Happy Organizing!

Don’t let this mentality stop you from making a change in your life. For some people organizing comes naturally.  But don’t be fooled, they also have to take time to be committed to their systems.  It doesn’t just happen by itself.

For others it is more difficult, but it can be a taught.   Just like any new skill you are learning, do your research.  Look for resources to help you get started.  At first, it may seem overwhelming, but trying a few simple things at the beginning could be the jump start you are looking for.  Remember, organization does not mean perfection.  You do not have to get it “right” the first time you try.  It will take time to build new habits.

Ask a trusted friend or family member who is organized to help you with the process. They may be able to give you tips and ideas for your space that you never thought of before.  If you need more guidance to get started, hire a professional organizer.  Take Control Organizing has many options on helping people who are just too overwhelmed.  Hiring TCO offers you guidance, expert knowledge, a plan, support, and accountability.

Here are a few quick, easy tips to try to get you started:

• Set Goals – In order to be successful and not stop mid-way, have a plan.  Set some goals for yourself and put them on paper.  This does not mean you do everything at once, it just means you have a clear vision of where you are going.
• Start small – Maybe it’s a shelf or a drawer, at this point do not worry about the whole room, just focus on this one small space.
• Focus – Do not try to multi-task and work on several areas at once.  Start with the small space and then complete it.
• Make Time – You will have to do the work – to complete the project.  If you really want to see change – you have to do the time.  It doesn’t have to be big blocks of time, it can be as simple as a few minutes a day.

Happy Organizing!

Truth: Think about how many minutes a day are you waste trying to find something you know you have but can’t find?  How many times have you gone to replace an item only to find it later?  The average American spends almost an hour a day looking for items they know they have but can not find! Where do you fall on this spectrum?  If you fall on it at all, you are already spending too much time and money being disorganized….

Fact: It does take time to get your home organized.  You have to be committed to following through with the process.  It’s one thing to get organized, but staying organized means you are committed to making your process work, which means putting time in when needed. It means trading old habits in for new habits.  I often tell my clients it’s like loosing weight. You have lost it but now what?  You have to maintain.

But the end result means you save time.  You are trading some hard work up front for a lifetime of minutes. Imagine saving an hour a day rather than wasting it.  Imagine knowing exactly where an item is, when you need it.  No more running around the house flipping things over looking for your keys!  You have just eliminated the stress and chaos in your home and brought yourself peace of mind.

What about those repeat items, we mentioned earlier.  Unfortunately it happens, you can’t find what you need, so you replace it and then a few months down the road, you find it, and now you have two or maybe even three! You can also waste money by buying something you didn’t think you had, and then come to find out you did.

Fact: You actually do not need to spend money to get organized.  Buying organizing products is nice and can be helpful, however it’s not the product making you organized.  It’s the systems you put into place and there are a lot of creative ways to do this.

I highly recommend you wait to buy organizing product until you know for sure what the purpose of the container will be and after you have taken measurements.  No reason to be in a hurry to spend money on tubs that happen to be on sale that day!

Not being organized is costing you much more time and money than if you are organized.  Break this myth and don’t let the time and money scare you…. You can’t afford not too!

Happy Organizing!

The first one is:  “I only have to organize once.” In my e-book, “Getting Started“, I talk about what to expect when organizing. One of the key points is to evaluate your system.  No one system is right for everyone.  It takes time to see if something is going to work or not.

Working as a Professional Organizing Coach, I can guarantee, you will have to organize more than just once.  We place new organizing systems based on a trial and error basis.  Some systems will work flawlessly, others not so much.  Just like we said we before, there is no right or wrong way to organize. You have to try it first and tweak it as you go along.

You must take into account your lifestyle at the time.   If you have small children, your organizing systems will look different than if you have teenagers at home.  Just because it worked for awhile does not guarantee it will work forever.

In order to maintain the systems that do work, you need to make sure you are periodically purging, getting rid of the old as the new is coming in.  Straightening and picking up as you go along, make sure items get put back in there designated spots.  This is an ongoing process that requires attention everyday.

If you do not update and maintain your systems, you run the risk of getting back into hold habits!

Happy Organizing!