Tag Archives: Time Management

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.

Holiday Checklist

Posted on November 8, 2008 by in Holiday Organizing

With planning and organization, the holidays can bring you a lot of joy and happiness!  Here is a checklist to help you start your holiday season off to the right start!  

Gifts:

1.  Set a budget and stick to it. 

2.  Make a list of everyone you need to buy for with gift ideas.  The more prepared the list, the easier it will be to shop.  Talk with your family and friends about drawing names and set a dollar limit.  This can really eliminate the stress of buying for “everyone”.  And you can really concentrate on the one gift rather than many.

3.  Shop online. 

4.  Shop for gifts as early as you can.

5.  Organize your wrapping supplies, make sure to have one place where you store wrapping paper, scissors, tape, gift tags, etc.  You can buy containers specifically for this purpose.  Check out www.containerstore.com.  

Decorating:

1.  Schedule a time to go through your home prior to setting up decorations.  Deep clean and declutter.  Get rid of any items you are not using and make room for decorations.

2.  While you are going through your decorations, decide which ones you will not be using and donate them.  If you do it now, this will allow someone else to enjoy them for the season.  

Entertaining:

1.  For each event you are hosting have a checklist containing tasks, menus, and entertainment.  Have a master list of all your events, dates, and times.  

2.  Inventory your pantry – make sure you have all the essential dry ingredients you need for the season.  This will eliminate several unnecessary trips to the grocery store.  Make the trip to the grocery store for only fresh produce, milk etc.

3.  Ask for help.  Whether this is recruiting immediate family members to help cleaning and tidying up or asking someone bring to dessert.  

4.  When entertaining, aim to have everything ready to go one half hour before your guests arrive.  Relax and enjoy yourself.  Make new memories without feeling stress.  

The key to an organized holiday season : Prepare, plan, and do as much as you can ahead of time!

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!