Kids Clutter: Organizing at Every Age

Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have in our homes -- even more so than the dreaded paper flow. It starts out innocently, when we find out we are expecting; then the purchasing frenzy swings into high gear and does not let up until, well, let's just say many years down the road. The clutter begins on the highly anticipated homecoming day when our countertops fill quickly with samples and instructions from the hospital. The bottles of formula, diapers, blankets and wipes all begin to take root on the counters and any and all other flat surfaces. You can kiss that nesting mode goodbye and say hello to survival mode! Stage 1 Infant Organization Obviously, organizing for an infant is the sole responsibility of the parent. The main areas for infant organization are: the changing table the diaper bag The nursery's changing table is a great place to start with simple organizing techniques. Divide... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ? and the pile of dirty clothes has grown all over again. Laundry is a fact of life, but approaching the task in an organized way can make it more manageable. Preparation is Half the Battle If you have a large family (or lots of clothes!), sorting the laundry can be a daunting task all on its own. Sorting as you go not only ends the need for this part of the project, but also may encourage you to do laundry more often because it's all sorted and ready to go! Use a multi-compartmented hamper or several laundry baskets and as you throw in your dirty clothes just drop them in the appropriate section (even kids as young as pre-schoolers can learn to do this -- make it fun for them, give them a small reward (an extra 15 minutes of TV? staying up 10 minutes later?) each time they get everything in... Read More

Memorabilia -- Use It or Lose It!

What do you do with those special items that have been passed down to you? Put them in the hall closet and hope the door will shut? Probably not a good choice for several reasons. First, you are unnecessarily creating clutter; second, if the item is very old and unstable, you will further the aging process; finally, and most importantly, what's the point of keeping these special items if the only time you enjoy them is when you move or get the bug to clean out a closet! This summer my grandmother passed away and I was the recipient of many beautiful things, especially table linens. My grandmother enjoyed entertaining and her tables were always draped in an impeccable manner. As I started to sort through everything to see what I actually had, I found napkin-sized linens on which my grandmother had painted picnic scenes. They are so neat and I could not just stick them back in a closet for another... Read More

Four Easy Steps to An Organized Closet

The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to clean out those closets, but don't wait for January -- now is the time. Exciting this task is not, but by devoting a couple of afternoons this month you can reduce unnecessary search time and you may even find some extra storage in the process. Most people have heard of the 80/20 rule -- that individuals wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Everyone's closet would be beautiful and orderly if it only contained 20% of its original contents. Don't worry! I am not suggesting you unload those limited-wear pieces, but I do propose some sorting and storage principles be put in place in those freshly organized closets. Disclaimer: Now if this task seems too overwhelming, please start small; try the hall closet first to build your confidence. We will review a clothes closet, but many of the steps discussed below can be applied to any storage area. ... Read More

The Organized Move: Unpacking with a Plan

(This is the third in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move") The moving truck is pulling in the driveway of your new home and soon you will be surrounded by all your stuff. You have dreamed about the additional space...you have agonized over paint and furniture choices...and you have steadily purged the non-essentials among your belongings. Things will be different in this house! Everything will have a home, the spouse and kids will do their part to create order and the vow to ORGANIZATION has been made -- but before this vision can become a reality, you must unpack and set up your new home. Highlighted below are simple tasks that you can do to make unpacking a snap and keep the clutter in check. If possible give yourself a realistic time frame. Arrange well in advance for personal days or use vacation days from work. If you have young children send them to Grandma's or fly your... Read More

3-Step Clean Sweep Program to Organize

3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 - Purge2 - Simplify3 - Organize Getting Started Springtime is when many folks give their homes and offices a good cleaning. For every thing there is a season, and this is the season to get rid of the winter cobwebs. The hardest part of this project is deciding where to begin. The second hardest part is to get started. There is always more to do than time allows and thinking about it can be overwhelming. But, who says it all has to be done in the springtime? Choose what works best for you. Do one room a month or consider cleaning and organizing all the closets before you tackle drawers and shelves. You can establish the program and schedule the time. Remember, organizing is all about changing behaviors and making wise choices. Before you jump up and dig right in, take time to plan the attack. Organize your thoughts first and then the action... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 1

The following procedures will insure an organized and well run office. 1. Have a daily To Do sheet. This is made up at the end of the day. You might have items left over from the previous day, put those items first and work from there. If you make deposits on a daily basis, add them to the list. Plan to file at the end of the day or before/after lunch breaks. Doing this daily will avoid the "pile syndrome". This list should also include any marketing strategies you employ. This will insure you set time aside to implement them. 2. Have a weekly goal sheet that you review at the end of the work week and finish off any projects hanging, check supplies, make deposits, do invoicing, review the goals you set up in your business plan. This sheet will also include phone calls left to make, marketing or mailings you need to finish. 3. Your monthly goals and routines should include:... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed a system you could use to organize your office. In this article we will discuss what material is needed to implement that system. You will need the following items for your office system. Calendar/Daily Planner; Accordion File (1-31); Manila Files with the Months of the Year (Or you can make them up yourself - a lot less expensive); Hanging Files; Manila Files; Boxes and Envelopes (9 x 12). The calendar/daily planner will contain all appointments, meetings and deadlines for project. The accordion file dated 1-31, along with the Manila Files with the Months of the Year will contain materials you have tickled. The tickler file is a very popular system in legal offices. Any materials you need to act on by a certain date are tickled, usually one week in advance. It is also used for standardized meetings. For example, if staff meetings are conducted on Friday, place a Manila folder entitled Staff meeting in the Friday... Read More

The Five Ways To Ease The Process Of Eliminating Clutter

I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter. She shared that at times there was so much clutter around her home that she simply concluded her home was in a stage that she referred to as CHAOS or Can't Have Anyone Over Soon. We talked further and what she has discovered is that when there is too much stuff in a space, clutter simply cannot be organized. Of course eliminating our belongings can be quite a challenge. Words like, "I may need that sometime" can quickly come to our mind and shut down the activity. Eliminating clutter is not necessarily an easy process if you haven't done it much in the past. What are the top ways to ease the process of eliminating clutter? 1. Identify Criteria (Or Rules Of Thumb) For Sorting Ahead Of TimeThis will make the process more of a logical, step by step sorting process without getting emotions involved. Identify how much you want to eliminate --... Read More

Organizing Your Day

One of the hardest things for most individuals working from home is to stay focused. One of the best ways to stay focused is organization. In addition, being organized will help your time management skills. The two are very much intertwined. Planning out your day is very important. What you will do in the morning, afternoon/and or evening, depending on what hours you work is paramount. Have a trigger that starts your day. For example, my trigger is I finish my morning walk. Once this is done, I make a cup of Java and to the office I go. Once in the office, the computer goes on, along with the auxiliary equipment. I check my tickle file, my calendar for the day, and pull my To-Do file. While I am looking at these items my mail program is working to check e-mail. I delete the junk and deal with the additional mail by answering it, or placing it in... Read More

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The Top 10 Habits of Organized People

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have "it all together ? all the time," while you struggle with deadlines, misplace items, and run late for appointments? Are you interested in... Read More

Basic Organizing Principles

So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't know where to begin. Here are four basic organizing principles that will help you regain control over your schedule, your environment, and your... Read More

Heres A Great Way To Organize Your Work From Home Office Virtually

How to do keep track of all you have to do on a daily basis? How about things that have to get done this week?.. How about for the month? I used to... Read More

10 Tips to Get Organized and Clutter-Free- Now!

1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item around you represents a choice you made. You either went out or selected it; or it came to you, and you accepted it.... Read More

How To Organize Your Paperwork

Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming paperwork. (Whatever happened to the paperless office?).Paperwork lands on your desk and somehow finds its way into your in-tray. Eventually the in-tray becomes... Read More

Is Your To Do List The Problem?

You start each week with great intentions. You are determined to get a grip of your workload. You are determined to write a to do list, you even promise yourself that you will... Read More

Everything Fits Together Perfectly!

Here's a little lesson I experienced while packing boxes for my move to Victoria, BC.I decided to pack my own belongings so that I would have more money to set up my apartment... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ? and the pile of dirty clothes has grown all over again. Laundry is a fact of life, but approaching the task in an... Read More

Simple Ideas to Conquer Paper Clutter

Are stacks of papers, mail, newspapers, and growing "to do" lists cluttering your home? Has it been months since you've seen your countertops or have you completely forgotten what your countertops look like?... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer, she always had great difficulty. And it was no wonder why. Every file had been saved under the folder "Mary" and that was... Read More

Balance- What Does It Really Mean?

Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life balance, being balanced in body, mind and soul, eating a balanced meal, balancing work, play and learning. But what does it really mean?... Read More

Stress Management: 10 Universal Laws to Get and Stay Organized

1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in getting organized is to 3-pile everything:pile one is for those things to throw awaypile 2 is for those things that need immediate... Read More

Getting Organized For The New Year - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed a system you could use to organize your office. In this article we will discuss what material is needed to implement that system. You will need the... Read More

3 Simple Filing Guidelines

One of the most basic ways to find papers when you need them is to retrieve them from an effective filing system. A good filing system will allow you to find what you're... Read More

Spring Makeovers: Organizing Tips for the Home and a Virtual Makeover for You

Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are everywhere. Time to clear away the clutter and get you and your house in order. The benefits of a clean and organized home... Read More

Spring into Spring

Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of the year and isn't it perfect timing to clear out the cobwebs of winter and prepare yourself for the next few months of... Read More

Relieve Vacation Stress By Planning Ahead

Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end of May. What a busy time! Memorial Day is just around the corner and the package for her mom for Mother's day is... Read More

Until We Go Paperless

From time to time I hear this question from an audience member during one of my presentations. They express a dire hope that getting organized is a one-time event based on acquiring the... Read More

Time for a Clean Out

Time has flown. It's been six months since you came back from your relaxing holiday over Xmas and New Year.Remember when you charged into the office that first day, all primed to make... Read More

Declutter for Sucess

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new... Read More

Clutter is Postponed Decisions?

Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in paper and say, "OK! Today's the day ? I'm going to clean up this mess?" You pick up the first piece of paper... Read More

Clutter Crisis?

Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind. Most of us complain about our cluttered desks, closets, bedrooms, kitchens, attics, basements, and even our cars, purses, and briefcases. Clutter is overwhelming,... Read More

Get Rid Of The Clutter

You really can have a successful business and a great life. Often we get caught up in growing our business or climbing the corporate ladder that we put our personal lives on hold.... Read More

Choose Spice Racks That Help You Organize Your Home

Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks as you do of the spices they contain. Spice racks are wonderful kitchen home organization gadgets. And a spice rack is a wonderful... Read More

10 Easy Tips for Digging Out Your Desk Today

Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried for so long that you can't remember what your desk is made out of? If so, use these tips to clear yourself some... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What are you going to do with it? That's where you've got to start; otherwise you're going to waste a lot of money."These are... Read More

Escaping The Clutter Trap? - 5 Steps For Increasing Productivity And Decreasing Stress

? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in your life? Magazines and journals you've never finished reading, clothes you never wear, e-mail you haven't responded to, or photographs you intended to... Read More

Taking Care of You: De-Clutter

De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There are many types of clutter than can hinder us having the quality of life we want and deserve. There is clutter that is... Read More

Identifying the Rocks: Organizing Your Priorities

In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written by Stephen Covey with Roger and Rebecca Merrill, is a story of the man in front of his class with a pile of... Read More