Love It or List It

If you have ever seen the show  "Love It or List It"  you can appreciate the  "idea" behind the title. Two realtors try to make a couple choose whether they can re-design their house to make it work for the couple - or list it for sale.

The idea can be used when it comes to organizing your home.  If you feel that your home is not functioning the way that you need then you should make some changes.

Pick a room.  Any room. It's just a place to start. Look at the things in the room. One piece at a time. Decide if you "love it" or if you want to get rid of it "list it" (on Craigslist or ebay...).

Don't keep things just because you've had them a long time or someone that you care about gave them to you. Your tastes and mood can change over the years.  Don't let yourself get stuck in a rut.  Don't feel that you have to keep things forever.

People "downsize"  or  "right size" at various points in their life. If the furniture or decorations or size of the home don't fit your lifestyle any longer .... make a change.

Don't feel forced to be stuck with things that you no longer care about.

It's time to play "Love It or List It".

Go ahead.....You can do it !


Organizational Consulting Services

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Using Time Wisely

Everyone is so busy these days it's hard to fit everything into each day. But some people are busier than others. Or so it seems because they run around like chickens with their heads cut off.  A lot of people make fun of people that plan their day (work or pleasure). But if you plan ahead you might not only get more work done but you will also get it done without the stress of being disorganized.

Yes, there is a common thread in disorganization. That is "stress". If you miss deadlines or are late for a meeting you have to admit that you get stressed. Organizing your time with alleviate that stress.

By planning your day ahead of time.... by having an "end goal".... you are doing more than just  "random stuff".   You are accomplishing something.  Even if you think that you can do everything that you are supposed to during the day without pre-planning, you are probably not as calm and confidant as those people that plan their day.

By having a plan and knowing what you want to accomplish you will be more focused and have a greater chance of getting everything done. If you have a lot of things that you need to accomplish in a day,  by writing them down, by having a plan - or a checklist - you can follow the plan and check it off as you get each item done (either with paper or on your computer).

Without a list - you will probably forget things and you will not be as focused. By taking the time to plan your day (work or personal) you can accomplish more - with better results.

Take the time now to plan your tomorrow- or you will spend more time tomorrow doing things that could have been done in less time.... and with less stress.



Organizational Consulting Services

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Organization and Knowing Your Limitations

Being organized is a talent that not everyone has. Luckily it's one of my few talents. I can look at any situation and make it (room, closet or project) better.

But a lot of people just look at a disorganized space and immediately start to hyperventilate.  They shut down, close the door and never look back. I hear that story all of the time. It's normal.

I get that way when someone tells me to draw something.  "Just draw what you see"  they say.  I start to sweat and nothing comes out on my drawing pad.  I can't draw.  Not at all. Not even a straight line. It's a talent I will never have.

So for people that can't organize - it's O.K.  Really, it is.  I know where you are coming from. We all have our talents. That's why there are Professional Organizers around to help you. To give you great advice and ideas and solutions.

Yet a lot of people are too embarrassed to call in a professional.

I guess the reason is because it's a lot more "personal" than calling in a plumber or electrician. People aren't embarrassed to call in those professionals.

And even though a plumber will have an important impact on your home - a Professional Organizer can change your life. They will not only help you with your organizing project - but they should leave you with lessons that you can use in the future.

A more organized home, office or life will drastically change your life.

Not everyone has the talent or time to do everything themselves. It's not a negative thing. Knowing your limitations and using a professional to help you makes you a very wise person.


Organizational Consulting Services

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Being Organized ... A Work in Progress

Being Organized is not natural for everyone. Being organized is always a  "work in progress".

For some of us it does come naturally and we can't live or work in an unorganized setting. But for most people it's a struggle. So don't feel that you are alone. You're not.

Being organized takes work. It takes planning and commitment. It takes practice.

It is something that can be learned. But it's not easy for most people. As a Professional Organizer I am constantly teaching people ways to simplify and organize their life. But I am also teaching people that everyone has different styles and levels of organization that they need in order to be comfortable.

Not every space has to be perfect. But it has to function for each person. In families, each family member might have a different organizing style. And that's o.k.. In fact, it's quite common. What has to happen is that we have to find a way to organize the family so that everyone is comfortable with the process and that every member of the family can and will follow the plan.

By coming up with solutions for the family as a whole you have a better chance of actually being able to have an organized house. If you only created a system that works for one family member and the other could not or would not follow it then you will have accomplished nothing....because the system would fail within a short period of time.

Being organized is always a work in progress. It needs to be tweaked over time to make it work for your particular needs.

Relax and just go with it........


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Moving - Ten Years From Now.....

You have a great house, a great job ... and you have no intention of moving. Ever. Fast forward ten years and all of a sudden your life has changed dramatically. You are offered the job of a lifetime and you are about to move.

Are you prepared?  Most people aren't.

Even if you think that you will never move you should have your household possessions documented with accompaning receipts. You do...don't you?

As an extremely organized person, who never thought I'd move, I wasn't prepared to hand over receipts for things that I had bought ten years earlier. For insurance purposes to the moving company who lost a lot of our possessions. Why keep receipts for furniture, decorations, things that could never be replaced?

The answer is .... because if you don't have them the moving company will not give you anywhere close to what the items are worth.... even if you have the highest insuranace coverage available.

Moving companies will do anything to avoid reimbursing you for things they lost or damaged. Our experience with Mayflower was beyond horrible. Even though we had witnesses to the abuse of our property by the movers they didn't care.

So even though you might not ever think you will move.... treat your possessions like you might move...someday. 

• DOCUMENT everything in your home.
• Keep receipts for your appliances and furniture until you get rid of them.
• Keep receipts for anything that you value.

One way to do this is to use a binder and divide it into things such as:

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Decorations
• Equipment

Whenver you buy something, put the receipt in the binder. When you get rid of the item you can get rid of the receipt....but not before.

By keeping all of your receipts you will be one step ahead.... if you ever need to prove the value of your possessions.

Organizational Consulting Services

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Yes, There Are Good Lists

 I make a lot of lists and yes, my spouse just shakes his head. Making lists helps me to save time and brain power. Why keep re-inventing the wheel?

There are times when making lists makes sense. Like when you are going camping and don't want to forget anything. By having a "camping checklist" I can quickly pull everything together for an impromptu camping excursion. By using my list I don't have to wonder if I forgot anything. I have columns for camping gear, clothes, food and miscellaneous items.

If you have a family you can put each person's name on top of a column and they can check off all of the things that they need to bring. No more "Mom, I forgot my swimsuit".

The lists are on the computer and can easily be changed or updated as needed and printed off right before each trip. It takes the stress out of your "enjoyable" weekend.

Admit it, packing a family up for any trip is not easy and if you forget anything the whining will ruin your "enjoyment". So stop re-inventing the wheel and make a list for activities that you do a lot. Your life will be easier and so what if your spouse thinks you are "too organized".

Whatever makes our life easier will make our families life easier - whether they admit it or not.

Happy Organizing !




Organizational Consulting Services

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Getting Ready For School

 Summer vacation is not over yet and you want us to think about getting ready for school?

Yes, I do! Why wait until the week before school starts or for some people the day before school starts, to get organzied and ready for school?  Eliminate the stress by planning ahead!

The schools will probably have a supply list out already. School sales start early so take advantage of them. Avoid the crowds of last minute shoppers. Avoid the stress!

If you are just starting to send your kids to school forthe first time you should also think about the end of school - all of the pictures and projects that the kids will be bringing home over the next year. Think about how you want to organize everything and buy the appropriate tools now while you are buying everything else for school. This will save you a lot of time and money later.

There are many different options for organizing your kids papers and projects. A Pendaflex with space for each grade. A 3 ring binder, a file box.... Whatever works for you. By thinking about it ahead of time your year will be a lot smoother.

Clothes:  Your kids will probably have grown over the summer. Go through their closets (yes, again - and tell them to stop growing already!). Make a list of what clothes they have and what clothes you will need to buy. Keep an eye out for the sales, but please don't get carried away!  Buy only what's on your list.

Let the kids help. Tell them to keep an eye out for the sales ans teach them to shop responsibly. It's never too early to start teaching them how to be organized!

Have a great school year !



Organizational Consulting Services

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