On your days off…why do you want to spend all day cleaning your house? Wouldn’t you rather be doing something else?
I know…you have to clean your house. But, where is it written that you have to do it all in one day?
By breaking your cleaning chores into small projects you can still get your entire house cleaned and you will have time to do other things on your days off.
Spread your cleaning out over a week and you can spend only 15 minutes at a time on a specific chore:
* Monday: Dust the house
* Tuesday: Vacuum the house
* Wednesday: Straighten up the main living area
* Thursday: Clean the toilets
* Friday: Wipe down all of the counters (kitchen & bathroom)
* Saturday: Mop the floors
You get the idea…. Pick whatever works for you.
That way you can start and finish each project in one sitting and feel like you’ve accomplished something. Start a small project. Finish a project. Feel proud of yourself. Go on to the next project.
And spend some of your “off days” doing something more fun than cleaning.
Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Backsliding
Once a client makes the decision to start the “organizing process” they have taken the first step towards a more organized life. Most clients don’t really understand that being “organized” is a way of life. For some of us it seems to come naturally. For others it is a learned experience. And for some, it is an unattainable goal.
I tell my clients, over and over again, “being organized is a process….. and once I leave your home after de-cluttering and organizing your space…. it is a process that must be continued and a process that takes time to become your own”.
Some clients get it…..some don’t….
“Backsliding is a client’s regression to a previous disorganized state” (from the NSGCD).
For some organizers and me included it is almost like a failure on our part. We helped the client organize their home….we showed them how…. we explained what we were doing and why…. and still…the next time we visit the client the place is back to the way it was before we got there…or worse.
Some of the things that I have run across were clients that bought everything….except what I told them to buy, postponed appointments, cancelled appointments, the rooms being back in worse shape than when I left, organizing things in a way other than what I told them to….
Organizers don’t always have to “have their own way” ….but they are there for a reason and there is a “method” to what they are doing.
Buying all of the great organizing gadgets that you see at the store….doesn’t make you organized. Only “you” can make yourself organized. So why spend the money?
I try to re-purpose things that the client already has in the home first…..then we might bring in other organizing products. Rushing out to buy products is not the answer.
With backsliding…which is a “normal” client behavior…they might feel bad about how they let the room get back to the “pre-organizer” state…. and then never call you again. It happens to a lot of organizers. But there is no need for the client to be embarrassed. We’ve seen it all….really we have…and as bad as you think your home might be….we’re probably seen worse.
So….don’t beat yourself up over it and jump back into the process.
Backsliding costs you money. By cancelling your appointments and putting them off….you will probably be in a worse state than when you originally called the professional organizer. They will have to spend time getting back to where they left off…and then continuing the organizing process. So instead of spending three hours at your house it will take four or five hours.
Life can get in the way of your “organizing” sessions. Some people tend to think of their organizer as a “luxury” instead of an “investment in themselves”. By having an organized home and life they can save time and money. And they will also feel less stressed and embarrassed by their surroundings.
Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
I tell my clients, over and over again, “being organized is a process….. and once I leave your home after de-cluttering and organizing your space…. it is a process that must be continued and a process that takes time to become your own”.
Some clients get it…..some don’t….
“Backsliding is a client’s regression to a previous disorganized state” (from the NSGCD).
For some organizers and me included it is almost like a failure on our part. We helped the client organize their home….we showed them how…. we explained what we were doing and why…. and still…the next time we visit the client the place is back to the way it was before we got there…or worse.
Some of the things that I have run across were clients that bought everything….except what I told them to buy, postponed appointments, cancelled appointments, the rooms being back in worse shape than when I left, organizing things in a way other than what I told them to….
Organizers don’t always have to “have their own way” ….but they are there for a reason and there is a “method” to what they are doing.
Buying all of the great organizing gadgets that you see at the store….doesn’t make you organized. Only “you” can make yourself organized. So why spend the money?
I try to re-purpose things that the client already has in the home first…..then we might bring in other organizing products. Rushing out to buy products is not the answer.
With backsliding…which is a “normal” client behavior…they might feel bad about how they let the room get back to the “pre-organizer” state…. and then never call you again. It happens to a lot of organizers. But there is no need for the client to be embarrassed. We’ve seen it all….really we have…and as bad as you think your home might be….we’re probably seen worse.
So….don’t beat yourself up over it and jump back into the process.
Backsliding costs you money. By cancelling your appointments and putting them off….you will probably be in a worse state than when you originally called the professional organizer. They will have to spend time getting back to where they left off…and then continuing the organizing process. So instead of spending three hours at your house it will take four or five hours.
Life can get in the way of your “organizing” sessions. Some people tend to think of their organizer as a “luxury” instead of an “investment in themselves”. By having an organized home and life they can save time and money. And they will also feel less stressed and embarrassed by their surroundings.
Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, June 14, 2010
GETTING READY FOR YOUR VACATION
Vacations….. they are supposed to be relaxing and rejuvenating. So I’m told ! I think that the only people that get to relax and enjoy vacations are the kids !
So how do you make your vacation more enjoyable? Get organized of course !
We used to go to the same place year after year. Trying to get yourself packed after packing for the kids and trying to make sure that you didn’t forget anything was not an easy task. Especially if you had to fly to your destination and had only so much room in your suitcase. So as the mom I made a corporate decision. Things would happen in my timeframe.
None of this last minute stuff. No more kids yelling that they can’t find their swimsuit the night before we are supposed to leave.
I made a spreadsheet of everything that we needed to take. I made a column for each member of the family. I gave everyone a copy. And I expected them to have all of their things laid out at least four days before our departure. That way if they were missing anything we would have time to run to the store and get it.
Of course the family made fun of me….and my spreadsheets. But as they got older….they actually asked for it ! And things ran a lot smoother. No more forgetting anything.
When you go on vacation you not only have to remember to pack all of the things that you need…you also have to remember to take care of your house / apartment / cats or dogs / plants / garden / bills and a whole slew of things.
A few things that you might want to do:
• Put your mail on HOLD
• Make arrangements to get your lawn cut / your garden or flowers watered
• Make arrangements to get any inside plants watered
• Make arrangements for any animals ( to get fed or taken care of)
• Make arrangements to have your bills paid ahead of time
• Make arrangements to have someone pick up some basic food essentials for your return home so that you have something to eat until you have a chance to go to the store
By planning ahead you too can have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation and a relaxing return home.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
So how do you make your vacation more enjoyable? Get organized of course !
We used to go to the same place year after year. Trying to get yourself packed after packing for the kids and trying to make sure that you didn’t forget anything was not an easy task. Especially if you had to fly to your destination and had only so much room in your suitcase. So as the mom I made a corporate decision. Things would happen in my timeframe.
None of this last minute stuff. No more kids yelling that they can’t find their swimsuit the night before we are supposed to leave.
I made a spreadsheet of everything that we needed to take. I made a column for each member of the family. I gave everyone a copy. And I expected them to have all of their things laid out at least four days before our departure. That way if they were missing anything we would have time to run to the store and get it.
Of course the family made fun of me….and my spreadsheets. But as they got older….they actually asked for it ! And things ran a lot smoother. No more forgetting anything.
When you go on vacation you not only have to remember to pack all of the things that you need…you also have to remember to take care of your house / apartment / cats or dogs / plants / garden / bills and a whole slew of things.
A few things that you might want to do:
• Put your mail on HOLD
• Make arrangements to get your lawn cut / your garden or flowers watered
• Make arrangements to get any inside plants watered
• Make arrangements for any animals ( to get fed or taken care of)
• Make arrangements to have your bills paid ahead of time
• Make arrangements to have someone pick up some basic food essentials for your return home so that you have something to eat until you have a chance to go to the store
By planning ahead you too can have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation and a relaxing return home.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, June 7, 2010
What Can I Do In Twenty Minutes
People always seem to complain that they don’t have enough time to do all of the things that they need or want to do in their day. I’ve always said, “the person that invents more hours in the day is going to be rich”.
But the reality is…. there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?
Admit it… if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day….you would be shocked. Because you would see….in black and white…that you wasted a lot of time.
O.K. …maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting….talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space…
So what can you do in twenty minutes or less ? Lots of things:
* Read a book to your child
* Read a magazine article
* Throw in a load of laundry
* Load the dishwasher
* Pay your bills
* File your bills in the appropriate files
* Check your email
* Water your plants
* Write out the birthday cards for the month
* Make your doctors appointment
* Dust your living room
* Organize a drawer
* Make your shopping list
* Make your lunch for tomorrow
* Organize your medicine cabinet
* Organize the top of your desk
* Unload the dishwasher
* Fold a load of laundry
It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don’t do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter…and dead plants !
So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
But the reality is…. there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?
Admit it… if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day….you would be shocked. Because you would see….in black and white…that you wasted a lot of time.
O.K. …maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting….talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space…
So what can you do in twenty minutes or less ? Lots of things:
* Read a book to your child
* Read a magazine article
* Throw in a load of laundry
* Load the dishwasher
* Pay your bills
* File your bills in the appropriate files
* Check your email
* Water your plants
* Write out the birthday cards for the month
* Make your doctors appointment
* Dust your living room
* Organize a drawer
* Make your shopping list
* Make your lunch for tomorrow
* Organize your medicine cabinet
* Organize the top of your desk
* Unload the dishwasher
* Fold a load of laundry
It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don’t do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter…and dead plants !
So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, May 31, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR BASEMENT
A lot of people use their basement as a “catch all” room. Anything that doesn’t have a place anywhere else gets dumped in the basement.
Cleaning supplies, sports equipment, storage boxes, memorabilia, photo albums, holiday decorations and lots of other things…..
When storing things in the basement you need to consider the moisture that a lot of basements have. Also be sure to keep everything off of the floor (at least a few inches). You never know when you might have some flooding after a heavy storm. The one year that I decided to “hide” my Christmas presents in the basement we had a really bad rainstorm and the basement got a few inches of water. Of course I had all of the presents on the floor, lined up in a perfect line, wrapped perfectly, in perfect bags, all ready to go. I lost just about everything and learned a very valuable lesson (no, not the one about being too organized).
I learned that basements flood ! (and no, I’m not telling you where I hide my Christmas presents now…).
If you put any type of shelving units in your basement be sure that the bottom shelf is at least three (3) inches above the floor to be safe.
Keep in mind that mold, mildew, water and little critters might play a role in how you organize your basement and what types of storage bins you use.
It’s best to keep things in plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Be sure to label the boxes so that you know what’s in them…but do not put the label on top of the lid, put it on the sides.
If you stack the boxes make sure that the heaviest boxes are on the bottom.
You need to decide how the basement is going to be used. Storage, workshop, office, playroom….. If the basement is going to be used for more than one purpose break the area into “zones” and section off each zone. For example, if the basement is going to be used for both storage and a playroom use some type of divider to keep the kids out of the storage area.
A dehumidifier might be a good idea to help remove the moisture in your basement and to help get rid of the musty smell.
Be sure to keep things away from the heater.
Remember, organizing any room that is cluttered is going to take time. Give yourself a break by setting a time limit (one or two hours) so that you don’t exhaust yourself and get frustrated and give up.
I’m sure that it didn’t get disorganized and cluttered overnight and it’s going to take some time to get organized.
Once the room is organized the maintenance to keep it that way will be minimal.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Cleaning supplies, sports equipment, storage boxes, memorabilia, photo albums, holiday decorations and lots of other things…..
When storing things in the basement you need to consider the moisture that a lot of basements have. Also be sure to keep everything off of the floor (at least a few inches). You never know when you might have some flooding after a heavy storm. The one year that I decided to “hide” my Christmas presents in the basement we had a really bad rainstorm and the basement got a few inches of water. Of course I had all of the presents on the floor, lined up in a perfect line, wrapped perfectly, in perfect bags, all ready to go. I lost just about everything and learned a very valuable lesson (no, not the one about being too organized).
I learned that basements flood ! (and no, I’m not telling you where I hide my Christmas presents now…).
If you put any type of shelving units in your basement be sure that the bottom shelf is at least three (3) inches above the floor to be safe.
Keep in mind that mold, mildew, water and little critters might play a role in how you organize your basement and what types of storage bins you use.
It’s best to keep things in plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Be sure to label the boxes so that you know what’s in them…but do not put the label on top of the lid, put it on the sides.
If you stack the boxes make sure that the heaviest boxes are on the bottom.
You need to decide how the basement is going to be used. Storage, workshop, office, playroom….. If the basement is going to be used for more than one purpose break the area into “zones” and section off each zone. For example, if the basement is going to be used for both storage and a playroom use some type of divider to keep the kids out of the storage area.
A dehumidifier might be a good idea to help remove the moisture in your basement and to help get rid of the musty smell.
Be sure to keep things away from the heater.
Remember, organizing any room that is cluttered is going to take time. Give yourself a break by setting a time limit (one or two hours) so that you don’t exhaust yourself and get frustrated and give up.
I’m sure that it didn’t get disorganized and cluttered overnight and it’s going to take some time to get organized.
Once the room is organized the maintenance to keep it that way will be minimal.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 24, 2010
BEING PREPARED FOR SUMMER FUN AT A MOMENTS NOTICE
Balance in your life. Yes, having an organized home is important. But if you have children, remember that the dust will be there tomorrow. Don’t lose sight of the important things in your life – like playing with your children and going to the beach on a sunny day. Don’t put off the dusting for too long – but your children won’t be little forever. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes priorities aren’t as obvious as they seem.
* Summer basket: In the summer I always keep a basket filled with “picnic” items near my front door. Take advantage of the warm weather and eat dinner at the beach or the park. It’s amazing how going to the beach and eating dinner on a picnic blanket (which I always keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics) can relax you after a hard and stressful day at work. It’s like a mini vacation rolled up in a few hours. Looking out at the water and watching the sunset works wonders on relieving your stress.
In my basket I keep a supply of paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, salt/pepper, wet wipes, plastic bags for garbage, magazines, sunscreen.
I throw in some bottled water and grab some sandwiches (you can also get them at a sub shop on your way to the beach) or KFC (yes, it’s bad for you but it’s part of our summer tradition).
I always keep a bag of baby carrots, cut up vegetables, and some fruit in the fridge during the summer for quick healthy snacks….and these can be tossed in your basket too.
If you have little kids keeps a bag filled with a couple of buckets and shovels in your car for those “spur of the moment” trips to the beach. Keep an extra set of beach towels in your car and you will be ready to go at a moments notice.
Try it …. And see how much less stressed you will feel after an hour at the beach. We live less than 20 minutes away from the beach yet most people never take advantage of this great opportunity for a “mini vacation” during the week.
________________________________________________________________________________
* Emergency Kit: Instead of having band-aids and other emergency medical supplies spread out throughout the bathroom make up an “emergency medical kit” so that everything can be in one easy to find place. Use a container with a lid that has handles and when an emergency arises you can just take the entire kit with you and have everything you might possibly need at your fingertips. You can keep one kit in the house and another in your car. Some items that you might want to include are:
* Anti-biotic ointment
* Anti itch ointment
* Alcohol wipes
* Aspirin
* Band-aids
* Cotton swabs
* Eye drops
* Instect Repellent
* Hand Sanitizer
* Sunscreen
* Tissues
* Tweezers
Have a great summer..... be prepared for fun !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
* Summer basket: In the summer I always keep a basket filled with “picnic” items near my front door. Take advantage of the warm weather and eat dinner at the beach or the park. It’s amazing how going to the beach and eating dinner on a picnic blanket (which I always keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics) can relax you after a hard and stressful day at work. It’s like a mini vacation rolled up in a few hours. Looking out at the water and watching the sunset works wonders on relieving your stress.
In my basket I keep a supply of paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, salt/pepper, wet wipes, plastic bags for garbage, magazines, sunscreen.
I throw in some bottled water and grab some sandwiches (you can also get them at a sub shop on your way to the beach) or KFC (yes, it’s bad for you but it’s part of our summer tradition).
I always keep a bag of baby carrots, cut up vegetables, and some fruit in the fridge during the summer for quick healthy snacks….and these can be tossed in your basket too.
If you have little kids keeps a bag filled with a couple of buckets and shovels in your car for those “spur of the moment” trips to the beach. Keep an extra set of beach towels in your car and you will be ready to go at a moments notice.
Try it …. And see how much less stressed you will feel after an hour at the beach. We live less than 20 minutes away from the beach yet most people never take advantage of this great opportunity for a “mini vacation” during the week.
________________________________________________________________________________
* Emergency Kit: Instead of having band-aids and other emergency medical supplies spread out throughout the bathroom make up an “emergency medical kit” so that everything can be in one easy to find place. Use a container with a lid that has handles and when an emergency arises you can just take the entire kit with you and have everything you might possibly need at your fingertips. You can keep one kit in the house and another in your car. Some items that you might want to include are:
* Anti-biotic ointment
* Anti itch ointment
* Alcohol wipes
* Aspirin
* Band-aids
* Cotton swabs
* Eye drops
* Instect Repellent
* Hand Sanitizer
* Sunscreen
* Tissues
* Tweezers
Have a great summer..... be prepared for fun !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 17, 2010
SCHOOLS OUT: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THE KIDS “STUFF” ?
Yippee ! Schools out ! The kids are beyond happy. Summer is almost here. Fun in the sun !
As you look around you see backpacks on the floor with the contents of their locker /desk strewn everywhere. Your office / desk / refrigerator is already bursting with their “art work” and crafts. How did you accumulate so much “stuff”?
Just remember – you have 12 years of this ! How do you get a handle on all of their “special papers” ? Don’t let the clutter overtake you. You will easily end up with more boxes of their “stuff” every year.
I know you and the kids are excited that school is out and the last thing that you want to do is spend hours going through their stuff. But it’s easier to just bite the bullet and get it done now and be able to enjoy the summer without having to look at the clutter all summer long.
There are a number of ways to go about this. One, get one (1) box or plastic bin for each child. Put in dividers for each school year. Pick one or two or three (no more or you’ll run out of room) great pieces to save. Put all of their report cards and awards into the folders.
Instead of a box, you can also use a large pendaflex folder for each child. You will need to explain to your child that you can’t keep “all” of their pictures because you just don’t have the room (trust me – my kids decorated an entire wall of my office with their art work and I left it up until they “begged” me to take it down when they were 15).
Do this at the end of every school year so that you are not overwhelmed when they are going away to college and you decide it’s “finally” time to clear our their stuff (trust me….they go from 12 to college overnight!).
Take a look at their backpack and see if it still is in good condition for next year. If it is, clean it out and store it for next year. If it’s, not throw it in the garbage.
Go through all of their school supplies and get rid of everything that is broken. Sort all of the “good” supplies into a box for next year. Make a list of what you have left over that can be re-used so that you don’t have to buy it next year.
Now you can relax and enjoy your summer…..that is until it’s time to “get organized” for the next school year. But that’s another article!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
As you look around you see backpacks on the floor with the contents of their locker /desk strewn everywhere. Your office / desk / refrigerator is already bursting with their “art work” and crafts. How did you accumulate so much “stuff”?
Just remember – you have 12 years of this ! How do you get a handle on all of their “special papers” ? Don’t let the clutter overtake you. You will easily end up with more boxes of their “stuff” every year.
I know you and the kids are excited that school is out and the last thing that you want to do is spend hours going through their stuff. But it’s easier to just bite the bullet and get it done now and be able to enjoy the summer without having to look at the clutter all summer long.
There are a number of ways to go about this. One, get one (1) box or plastic bin for each child. Put in dividers for each school year. Pick one or two or three (no more or you’ll run out of room) great pieces to save. Put all of their report cards and awards into the folders.
Instead of a box, you can also use a large pendaflex folder for each child. You will need to explain to your child that you can’t keep “all” of their pictures because you just don’t have the room (trust me – my kids decorated an entire wall of my office with their art work and I left it up until they “begged” me to take it down when they were 15).
Do this at the end of every school year so that you are not overwhelmed when they are going away to college and you decide it’s “finally” time to clear our their stuff (trust me….they go from 12 to college overnight!).
Take a look at their backpack and see if it still is in good condition for next year. If it is, clean it out and store it for next year. If it’s, not throw it in the garbage.
Go through all of their school supplies and get rid of everything that is broken. Sort all of the “good” supplies into a box for next year. Make a list of what you have left over that can be re-used so that you don’t have to buy it next year.
Now you can relax and enjoy your summer…..that is until it’s time to “get organized” for the next school year. But that’s another article!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
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