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!

One of the best and most productive tips I can share with you is to STOP MULTI-TASKING!

We are taught very early that multi-tasking is a great to skill to have, and if you are parent, there are definite times when you have to multi-task, you have no other choice when you have little people depending on you!  But have you ever noticed when juggling more than one thing at a time, that it can actually be more stressful and less productive?

In organizing your time and especially your space, I highly recommend you take it slow and only focus on one project at a time! Do not Multi-Task! It does not make you more efficient, in fact it can do more damage than good!  

For example; if you would like to organize your kitchen, start with one section of the kitchen like the cupboards, make sure everything is sorted and placed where you want it go, and then move onto the next space, which could be the countertops.  What you want to avoid is going back and forth between each space and you definitely want to avoid moving to a new room all together.

Make sure your project is complete before moving on! By doing this, you will see faster results, which will give you the motivation to keep moving forward to other areas in your home and in your life!

Happy Organizing!

Simplicity!

One of the biggest mistakes I see when people try to “get organized” is they make their systems too complicated!

There are many reasons for this, mainly because they think “organization” should look a certain way. Everything should be in nice labeled box, neatly displayed on a shelf or counter. This helps, but it doesn’t always work! You may still find yourself misplacing items and then when you need them, you can not find them!

Organizing can actually be very simple!

For example: My son has very sensitive skin and when we he goes to bed at night, we can almost guarantee he will come out once or twice, complaining of some part of his body being itchy.  We bought anti-itching cream and we placed it downstairs in the living room inside a decorative container which is located on a table.  So anytime he comes down, he knows right where to go and we can help him, or at least talk to you him and make him feel more at ease.

This is a very simple organizing system! The lotion is not located in the “typical” place you may think it would or should be.  But it works for us.  It works for him.  He always knows where to go to find it.  That is true organization.  Knowing where your “stuff” is when you need it!

Keep it simple, keep it organized!

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 really doesn’t matter how you decide what your priorities are, what’s important is that you do them!

Solution: If you need to get something done around the house or a project at work, you have to schedule the time to do it!  Make the commitment!

You have to make the time, you can’t wait for it to come to you… Because we all know… It will never come!  It sounds so easy, I realize it is not.  The reality is if you want to see a project completed, you have to do the work.

So if you have something you have been wanting to do and just haven’t had time to do it… Decide to make it priority, make a commitment, schedule into your calendar and get it done!

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!

There are lots of little things you can while your are waiting for someone or something, you can empty your dishwasher, you could fold laundry, or pick up around the house.  Being aware of the tasks that can easily be done and being aware of the time wasters, can actually really help you get more done!

How can we organize our tasks better?

Pete gave us a great suggestion on using the TCO Daily Checklist… After each task he puts down the minutes he thinks it will take him to do the task.  So when looking at his list he can see how many 10 minutes tasks he has vs. how many 60 minutes tasks he has.

I love this idea and I will be implementing it right away!  I think this is a great tool to use to update how effective your To Do list really is!  By seeing how much time each tasks take, you can really plan for your day in a much more productive way.  Rather than just looking at all of what you have to do, you break it down into chunks of time!

What a great way, to take back your time!  Thank you Pete for the great suggestion!

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!

When I was a teenager, I remember rearranging my bedroom furniture.  I worked all day long until I found the right arrangement I was happy with.  I got this great idea from my father, every once in while we would come home from school and the living room furniture would be in different places.  What can I say, we liked change! It gave each of the rooms a different perspective.  They were fun to be in, because they were now just a little bit different than before.

The other day, I was working with a client and we were talking about what to do with all of the decorations and little mementos around his office.  The idea was to rotate them from season to season. This is not a new concept, in fact I have talked about this before.  But I think it is always good to remind us of the simple changes we can make in our homes, and the big rewards that are paid off in doing so.

When we don’t make these slight changes, our surroundings can become numb to us.  We become so used to seeing something, that you actually stop seeing it. It can lose it’s value to us because we are not fully paying attention, we may even stop caring about the item without even knowing it.  I have heard Oprah say this before on her show, you are actually living unconsciously.  You are not aware of what’s around you, it becomes blended in the walls.

Think about the last time you ran into something you haven’t seen in a long time and it brought back good memories.  Did it put it a smile on your face, did you walk down memory lane or maybe tell someone what you just found.  Maybe it prompted you call an old friend or a family member.

When we live unconsciously, we are not fully appreciating our surroundings or the choices we have made about our homes.

Pay  particular attention to those areas in your home where you live in the most.  What simple rotation or changes could you make to add just a little new perspective? It could be simply changing your photos on the wall, or taking a few of your collected items into storage and only displaying a handful, or add fresh cut flowers as a centerpiece.  Whatever it looks like in your home, I challenge you to start making those changes and to start living consciously.

Be aware, enjoy, and love what you have!

Happy Organizing!

I am here to report on my To Do list from last friday! It was a long list, probably longer than it should have been.  However, I am happy to report the toys have been sorted and only a few things are left in order to prepare for the summer months!

The toys in my storage area were a little more of an undertaking than I first realized! I often tell moms to rotate their toys between seasons.  Instead of having all of the toys out at once.  It is less overwhelming for the kids, and less to clean up if there are fewer toys. We have a storage area / walk in attic of sorts where I put these toys.  I must admit it has been awhile since I have been in the storage area to sort, which is why it became a much bigger project than I first thought…

While going through this process, I was reminded of four very key principles in organizing and I wanted to share them with you…..

Tips to Share:

1)  Focus – when you have an organizing project that needs to get done, the best advice I can give, is set up the time to do it.  Focus, do not let anything take you away from the project! And it will get done! I knew I had most of the weekend to get this project done, and I was not going to stop until it was finished!

2)  Sorting toys is more efficient with no children around! They will want to save everything!  I had constant little people coming in and out wanting to see what I was doing.  It’s easier to sort and purge when they are not around.  Again, it’s part of staying focused!  At one point I had to set rules and let them know they were not allowed to go into the storage area until I was finished. When I was done, I let them each pick out a toy to bring back into their rooms.

3)  Like Items Stay With Like Items - when sorting toys or putting toys away for rotation, make sure to keep like items with like items… I had to do a lot of sorting of little stuff because things were not together… This was a lesson I learned the hard way, and it will not happen again… It’s worth buying a few extra clear bins in order to keep the toys contained if that is what you have to do!

4) Maintenance - Do this kind of purging and sorting more often.  I have the kids clean their rooms on a daily basis, however this storage area had been ignored.  It had been several months since I really took a look at everything in it.  Organizing on a regular basis will make the next time I go in much easier!

Organizing is a work in progress.  It never ends and if we want to keep our homes organized we have to work at it!  However, the end result is always well worth it!

Happy Organizing!

With children in tow or maybe you work out of your car, our cars can sometimes be and is a dumping ground for many things!  If I don’t make a conscious effort to keep my car clean, then in a matter of days it can become filled with baseballs, toys, books, garbage etc!  I have come up with some tips and tricks on how to Organize your car and maintain it!  It’s not magic, it does take time, but I find it is well worth it!

Car Organizing Tips:

1.  Ask yourself, what needs to be in your car?  This is especially important if you do a lot of work out of your car.  What office supplies needs to be in there, if you have kids, what essentials need to be in your car.

2.  Evaluate your current system in organizing your car.  What do you struggle to find?  Keep this in mind when figuring out where items are going to go.

3.  Take everything out of your car and separate into piles.  1)  Stuff you use all the time, 2)  Things you use occasionally, 3)  Things you need in an emergency.  Anything left over gets placed outside of the car.

4.  Clean your car inside and out.  Start your organizing project with a clean slate.

5.  Place like items together.  Go through your piles and place them where they make the most sense in your car.  For example; emergency kits can be placed in the back of the car, hand santizer and tissues should be in the front console.

6.  How many CD’s do you need in your car?  Start up a new rule with yourself, if you add 3 new CD’s, make sure to take 3 out.

7.  Try to keep items off of the floor.

8.  Look into Car Organizers- they have great solutions for over the seat and the trunk of cars.  These are great storage solutions for keeping like items together and in one place.

9.  Keep an extra tote bag to carry items from car to home.

10.  Create a new rule –  if you carry something into the car – you must carry it out.

11.  Have  a trash bag in the car and empty it regularly.

12.  Make a monthly appointment to clean your car.

Happy Organizing!

Does this sound familiar? Anyone who has children with sports activities on the weekend may have felt this kind of pressure!  Oh and don’t forget the sideline chairs, the blanket, the umbrella, and do we have enough snacks and entertainment for the younger sibling?

This was my family on Saturday morning.  I was frustrated and just plain mad at myself for not  planning well enough ahead to make this morning go a little more smoother!  I should know better!

Luckily and I mean with luck and teamwork from the whole family, we found what we needed and we were at the game on time!

Every experience we encounter can become learning experiences.  We can grow from them and make ourselves better.  In this situation we needed a better system in getting ready for our games.  On our way home, we came up with one, that I think may just work!!

Our Plan:

• From now on, we have a small bin in the garage, right before you come into the house, this is designated  for all of our son’s baseball equipment.  This includes the hat, the uniform, the mitt, everything!  When he gets home from the game, he is to take off his uniform before going into the house, and place everything in this bin.
• I will be sure the uniform is washed and folded and put back into the bin prior to his next game.
• If he takes out his mitt to play, he is to place it back into the bin as soon as he is done.
• The chairs, blanket, and umbrella are staying in the car.
• Snacks and entertainment will be packed in a backpack the night before the game.
• Our son is responsible for his mitt and hat out on the field.  If he takes them off, he needs to make sure they are with him when we leave.

The expectations are now set…. Our next game is on Wednesday, with this new system in place, the half hour before the game, should be a breeze!

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!

iTunes Audio RSS Audio
Happy Organizing!

Here is a very simple tip on how to keep your clutter at bay:  Corral It!

Take a basket or a bag and every day, go around from room to room, and take out anything that does not belong in the room and put it back to it’s home… If you do not have a lot of time, set a timer for 10 min or whatever you have available and work quickly.  You can get other family members involved by making a game out of it.  You can do this anytime during the day, however, morning or nighttime usually works best.

The point is to do it everyday!  If it’s done on a daily basis, you will not have accumulated too much clutter.  Once you start adding days in between your quick clean ups take longer to accomplish.

Do it everyday and make it a part of your routine, and you will keep your clutter at bay!

Happy Organizing!

Through a friend of mine I found the website, e-mealz and decided to give it a try!  I love it!

I loved it so much, I decided to become an affiliate and put their banner on my website.  There are many options you can choose from and for only $1.25 a week, you can’t go wrong!  You can have menus for 1-2 people to feeding a family of 4-6!  You can have low fat menus, vegetarian meals, point menus, you can even choose the store you shop in!  They also have special menus you can buy for vacation trips and for the upcoming Easter holiday!

I highly recommend you check this program out…

The benefits it brought to my family were:

• Saving me time!  I print out the menu, decide which meals I want to make and it comes with a grocery list – I don’t have to think about it, I just go with my list and start checking off as I put the ingredients in the basket!
• We get to try new and different recipes!
• The recipes are simple, nothing complex or confusing!
• The price is so reasonable

There are many more benefits, these are just the top ones for me!  I highly recommend checking it out and seeing if this may be a good solution for you!  It’s priced at a point, where even if you do not like all of the recipes, you do not feel like you are wasting money.

I have saved the menus and now have my own e-mealz binder, filled with the menu plan, recipes and grocery list!  I look forward to the new week of menus… It makes meal planning actually fun and not such a dreaded chore!

Try it!

Happy Organizing!

TCO Spring Cleaning and Organizing Checklist - Check

It’s Spring – Check

Overwhelmed - Check

You have the list, and yes it can seem a bit overwhelming.  How do you get all of it done, and get it done within Spring!  They do call it Spring Cleaning not Summer Cleaning right!  The best advice I can give you is- set up a plan!  Knowing when and how you are going to do something helps you achieve your wanted results in more efficient way!

Here are some simple steps in organizing your checklist:

1) Set your priorities-  Using the TCO checklist as a guideline, go from room to room and decide on your priorities.  What needs to be done first?  What can be done quickly?  Every home is different and some of the items on the TCO checklist may not apply to you.  As well as you may need to add items for your own home.  The object here is to write down on your list what is going to happen first, second, and so on.

2) Schedule and set deadlines- In order to get your projects done, you have to schedule the time to do them.  Look at your schedule and plan ahead.  For example; Saturday, March 20th from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., working in garage, sorting, categorizing and making one trip to Goodwill. You are being clear of when you are working and what you will be doing during that time.

3)  Delegate- You do not have to do everything!  Have a family meeting and delegate cleaning and organizing tasks that are age appropriate to your family members.  When there are more hands involved, the work will get done faster.  If you can, consider hiring outside help.  There are lots of handyman and other services that can help clean out gutters, landscaping etc.

4)  Do a little each day- We’re on a timeline and not every weekend is going to be free for household projects.  So take a few minutes everyday, to do something!  The minutes will accumulate and eventually everything will be completed… and hopefully before summer starts!

5)  Make It Fun- I realize organizing is probably not on your top 10 things to don on a sunny spring day! However, you can make it fun!  Open your windows and put on your favorite music!  Make a game out of it.  Limit your distractions and make the most out of the time you have set aside.  When you have completed a project, celebrate and treat the family to something special like an ice cream date!

Happy Spring Organizing!

To make these tasks more manageable and organized, TCO has come up with a “Spring Cleaning and Organizing Checklist” just for you!  We realize that every home has different needs, and not everything may be on this list. However, there also may be things on this list you may have never thought about…

So download this list and use it as a guideline to get all of those projects done!  Every organizing project needs to have a plan in order to achieve great results- and this checklist is your roadmap!

Open your windows, play your favorite music and get started!

Happy Organizing!

This is a common dilemma we all have when we are sorting through our things.  There is this guilt we feel when someone gives us a gift. We feel we need to keep it forever.  Even if it’s something we don’t really like or would use.  It’s worse when it comes from a dear friend or family member.  There is no doubt this can be a sticky situation.

This is my theory….If the gift is being stored in a box, not being displayed, and not being used… Then give yourself permission to give it to someone who may actually really enjoy it or use it.  Just because it was given to you does not mean you have to keep it forever.  This is your home and your space, and it should only represent who you are, what you love and what brings joy into your life.

I’m curious… Have you ever had a family member or friend notice a gift was not being displayed or being used?  How did you handle the situation?  Share your stories.. How do you relieve yourself of the guilt you may feel?