Tag Archives: Motivation/Getting Started

Getting Started!

Posted on January 6, 2009 by in Getting Started

You see the benefits of living a more organized life, you see how you can save time and money. Now, you need to know what to do to get started?  

A big part of living an organized life, is not just about getting organized but it’s the system that is put into place to help you stay organized.  My tips are a guideline to help you get started on your projects today and maintain organization throughout your lifetime.  

1.  Have a plan of action –  Decide what areas in your home are the most frustrating for you and prioritize them.  Don’t try to do all of it at one time.  Pick one area, visualize how you want the space to function, what is your goal in this space?  What’s working in the space and what needs to change?  What is your goal by the end of the month?

2.  Before you organize – EDIT!  Get rid of anything that does not belong in the space.  Only organize what is staying.

3.  Make a commitment to yourself that you will organize everyday until the space is being used as you vision it.  If you only have a few minutes a day, that is ok, start with one drawer, one shelve at a time.  It can be very overwhelming, so take the baby steps you need to take to get it done.

4.  Everything needs a home – every object, every piece of paper- in order to eliminate things getting lost or dumped somewhere to add extra clutter, they absolutely need to have a home to be put back to…

5.  Evaluate your progress as you go – are you meeting your goals?  Reward yourself!  Nothing is better than giving yourself a little treat after working so hard!  

6.  Talk to your family members and others who live in the home about how the new space is organized, walk through where things belong and what the new process will be to maintain the space.

Organizing yourself and your home is a process, it takes time and commitment.  Once it’s done, and in a way where you can maintain it easily, the time will be all worth it and more!

Get Organized – Why hire a Professional Organizer?

Posted on January 4, 2009 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing, Office Organizing

Why hire a Professional Organizer?  What a great question, first you need to know what a Professional Organizer does…

What is a Professional Organizer?

A Professional Organizer is someone who can take an objective evaluation of your organizational need and make it into a high functioning area. We devise an action plan for your unique needs providing information and assistance. An organizer guides and educates a client by offering support, focus and direction. We want you to Take Control of your surroundings and your time.

Your next question might be….

Shouldn’t I be able to organize on my own?

Possibly! You may have the ability and resources yourself, however, do you have the time, the know-how and the will to get it done? Do you know where to start? Many times people put off organizing projects because it’s too time consuming, and it becomes too overwhelming they end up doing nothing. Many of us will go into a store to buy storage containers and then some how we end up with more clutter and the wrong containers. Hiring a professional guides you and your project with a plan, which is so important when tackling an organizing project. It will be a faster process and I can bring ideas and recommendations that you may not have considered.

Did you know….. (According to the Napo website)

  • The average American burns 55 minutes a day, roughly 12 weeks a year-looking for things they know they own but can’t find.
  • 80% of what we file, we never look at again!
  • 23% of adults say they pay bills late ( thus incur fees) because they lose them.
  • We wear 20% of clothes we own 80% of the time.  The rest hang there, just in case.
  • Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in an average home.
  • 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.

In the next month, I will be posting several organizing tips and tricks on things you can start doing NOW!  Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help, that is what I am here to do, without judgement, without any embarrassment, Let’s make a difference in 2009.  Take back your Time, your Space, and your Control.  Call for a Free Needs Assessment:  541-514-8573.

Staying Organized!

Posted on October 18, 2008 by in Staying Organized

The project is completed!  You can feel the sense of freedom this new organized space has given you!  You feel now as your time and control is back!  How to maintain?  Being organized is a commitment!  Be aware of your actions and know you have to take action to stay organized!  Here are some simple but action steps you can follow:

  • When you buy something new, get rid of something old!  This can be done with clothes, books, anything!
  • Have a “clean up basket, bin or bag” in each room, so at the end of the day it easy to place items not belonging in a certain room back to their home.  If everything has a home, it’s easier to clean up at the end of the day, because you know right where it goes!
  • When your done in an area, for example your done paying bills or cooking dinner, clean up the area as soon as your done with it.  Don’t leave it for later… You’ll feel so much better later when it is already done! 
  • Have clean up with your children everyday!  These areas get so messy, and the only way to maintain them daily is to clean them up daily.
  • Take inventory of your belongings every once in while.  Keep only what you love and use often! 
  • Remember all of the wonderful benefits of having an organized home, take before and after pictures, and commit that you’ll never go back.. Kind of like losing weight isn’t it!  Clutter weight! 

I’ll Get it Done Tomorrow!

Posted on October 15, 2008 by in Getting Started, Productivity, Time Management

PROCRASTINATION!  How many times have you started an organizing project and than never finished?  Or kept telling yourself you’ll do it tomorrow?  Here are some tips to get your procrastination a plan of attack!

  • Draw up a plan! If you have a room you want to organize, visualize how you want the room to look and write it down.  If you have a plan and an end in sight, you’ll be more likely to complete it.
  • Decide on a reward for yourself when your project is completed.  Maybe go to a movie with a friend, or buy yourself a mocha, whatever it is make it something you want enough to achieve your goal!
  • Now break the plan into pieces – start where it is best for you.  If you want to start with the most easiest task or the hardest task, whatever works… Just get started!
  • Don’t try to do it all in one day, break your tasks down into small time intervals… Set your timer for 15 minutes and get as much as done as you can.
  • Schedule your time when you are at your best!
  • Establish a deadline for the project to be completed and within this time frame, establish more dates on when you want specific tasks to be completed.  Set up a timetable!  Check it everyday, where are you?  Keep yourself accountable!
  • Now you have completed your project – Go enjoy your reward, and be proud of yourself!  You Did It!

Do I throw it away?

Posted on October 5, 2008 by in Getting Started

Getting organized often means throwing away or donating items… Here are some questions to think about:

  • When was the last time I used this?
  • Do I still need it?
  • Does it have sentimental value?
  • Do I love it?
  • If I decide to let it go, is it easy to replace if I need it again?
  • Could someone else use this more than me?
  • If I do decide to keep it, where is it going to go?
If you are really having a difficult time deciding, keep it and give yourself a time limit on when to re-evaluate.  That could be in a year or 6 months, go back to the item and ask the same questions again.  You may have a clear answer this time!