End of the Year - DeClutter for 2016

2015 is coming to a fast close.  The New Year will soon be here. Before the year ends take a realistic look at all of the new things that you acquired over the holidays. I'm sure that you probably have duplicates of things that you already have. Newer, of course - but duplicates.

Before year end - go through some of your gifts and decide if it's not time to "release" your old things. 

If you received some new clothes - go through your closet and decide what you can get rid of.  Anything that is too small, doesn't fit properly, you never actually wore....  

Be realistic - unless you have tons of extra closet space that you have never filled up - something has to give!

Get rid of your old sweaters or shirts that you rarely ever wear.

Get rid of books and movies that you have finished.

Get rid of anything that you have not used in the last six months.

Someone out there can probably use it - so - donate it!

By making more room in your closet  you are actually taking better care of your clothes. They are not so cramped. They will hang better and you will actually be able to see them - thus - you might actually wear them.

Start 2016 off by being ORGANIZED!

One small step at a time....



Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Merry Christmas....to you and yours....

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with joy and happiness.

From our family to yours.....

Organizational Consulting Services

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Getting Out of Your Door in the Morning

There are a lot of people that are just not morning people. They can't seem to get out of the house on time. They run around looking for their keys and purse / briefcase / backpack.....  They forget their lunch.

It's a problem that many people have - every morning. Yet - there is a simple solution!

GET ORGANIZED - the night before!

I know - it sounds logical and you've tried it - for one day.

Being organized is about staying organized - which is about getting organized.

Remember what I've said in the past - "a new habit takes about 90 days to learn and become your own".

Make time every night to get yourself organized for the next day.

Pick out what you are going to wear and set out your clothes for the next day.

Put your keys and wallet (or purse / briefcase / backpack) next to the door.

Have your lunch packed and ready to go. Leave yourself a note on your purse (or by your keys....) to remind yourself to take your lunch out of the refrigerator.

Set up your coffee maker so that it's all ready to go in the morning and you just have to hit the button.

Set your alarm - and set it for an extra 10 or 15 minutes early - so that you can have a more relaxing morning. By giving yourself some extra time and having everything ready to go - you will cut down on your stress level.

Go ahead....  try it for a while - and see if you aren't in a better mood and on time for work!

Have a great and organized week!



Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Start the Holiday Season - by Decluttering Now

This year has gone unbelievably fast! The holidays will soon be here - and that means more "stuff" everywhere, the stress of deciding what to buy everyone and also deciding where to fit everything.

So - take a step back - breathe - and start making room now.  That means decluttering your closet and house of things that you really don't want anymore. Things that you have grown tired of.  Things that no longer fit into your decor ....or mood.

Let's be honest - you know that you will get more "stuff" for the holidays.  So start making room now.

Go through your closet and pull out anything that does not fit anymore (be honest with yourself). Pull out anything that is out of style or worn out.

Do the same with the kids and each person in your house.

Then start on the kids toys. I'm sure that since last Christmas they have outgrown a few toys!  Pack them up and donate them to someone that can really enjoy them. Be sure to make your kids a part of the process.  It's never to early to teach them about donating and sharing their things with people that can really use them. A great lesson to learn early in life!

Now step back and take a look at your living room. Are there any decorations, nick-nacks - that you no longer enjoy?  Then pack them up.  Your home should be "your" home - not someone else's. If you don't like something - pack it up. 

Start decluttering now - before the mad rush of the holiday season really kicks in. By doing so you will save yourself a lot of stress and you will have accomplished something.

As the holiday season gets closer - please remember that everyone has their own tastes.  Don't buy gifts because you like them - but rather because you know the other person will really enjoy (or need) it.

By starting now - and doing a little bit at a time - you can avoid (or lessen) the stress that accompanies the holiday season.




Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

An Organized and Stress Free Thanksgiving

Yes, “Organized“, “Stress Free” and “Thanksgiving” can be used in the same sentence.

It all starts with the word “organized”. Don’t let it scare you. Embrace it. By being organized and planning ahead you can actually enjoy a holiday.

Start by deciding on what you want your holiday to be like. Do you really want to serve a sit down dinner for twenty (20) people? Or would a buffet be acceptable for you? Would it be acceptable for your “family”?

The pressure of trying to please everyone, especially parents and doing things “exactly” like when you were little and everything was perfect is how the “stress” starts.

It’s your house and your dinner party. You can start new traditions. I didn’t say that it would be easy or that you wouldn’t get some flack, but all “traditions” started somewhere. Make your own. You deserve some happiness.

If you really want a fancy sit down dinner party but twenty (20) people is too much for you to handle then cut the guest list down.

If you really want all twenty (20) people there then maybe you should consider a buffet. It’s much easier and your family will eventually come to terms with the fact that maybe you aren’t serving a formal sit down dinner, but the food is just as good.

You can make Thanksgiving as simple or as complicated as you want….it all depends on how organized you are willing to be.

A good way to keep the stress levels down is to divide and conquer.  Enlist your family for help. Don’t take “no” for an answer. This is your holiday too and you have a right to enjoy it.

And we all know that old saying “if Mom isn’t happy, no one is happy”.

Start at least two (2) or three (3) weeks before Thanksgiving.

Decide on the type of gathering (formal or informal), the size of the guest list and the menu.
Don’t attempt to make something new for dinner or try out a new dessert that day. It could turn out to be a disaster and that would cause you more stress. If you really want to try a new dish….test it out prior to Thanksgiving.

Menu: Do you really want to serve cranberry relish and sweet potato’s even if you don’t like them and only serve them because “they are always served at Thanksgiving”?

Make up your own menu (yes, it is radical). Serve something different. Serve something you like!

If you are having a small Thanksgiving dinner don’t feel obligated to serve Turkey.  I know, blasphemy!  Last year I made stuffed Cornish Hen. It was wonderful and just as delicious as turkey. You can also stuff a small chicken or even a duck! Or be really different and have Ham! The possibilities are endless.

Start new traditions!  It’s not easy to buck the system but once you make up your mind that you deserve to be happy and stress free on a Holiday you will wonder why you waited so long.

Remember, the whole point of a Holiday is family and friends and spending “quality” time together.   Everything does not have to be perfect. Be thankful for what you have and not for what you don’t.

A great piece of advice: Don’t attempt to clean your oven Thanksgiving morning before you put in the turkey. I did that once, years ago. I then found out that after the oven is cleaned it needs to cool down and the oven will stay locked for another hour or so after it’s done. And you can’t open it! It certainly put a dent into my dinner timetable!

By starting early and making lists and getting as much done ahead of time as possible you will avoid a lot of stress.

Once you have your menu planned work backwards and make up a timetable to what needs to be done. For example: if you want your dinner to be served at 6 p.m., what time do you have to put the turkey into the oven?  What time do the potato’s and vegetables need to be started?  Just make a list and put it on your refrigerator door so that you don’t have to second guess yourself and aren’t panicking at the last minute.

When your family or guests start to arrive your mind and attention will be elsewhere….so a list can help you stay on track. Don’t leave anything to chance.

A few days before Thanksgiving:
* Shop for all of the essentials, including as much of the food as can be purchased ahead of time
* Make sure that you have enough spices and things that you will need for the food (and rarely buy)
* Do any of the baking or make any desserts that can be made ahead of time
* Thaw the turkey (the size will determine how many days it takes to thaw in the refrigerator)
* Buy the wine or any beverages

The day before Thanksgiving:
* Buy any last minute items at the grocery store
* Chop anything that can be chopped ahead of time (vegetables, bread for stuff…but do not stuff the turkey ahead of time) and put them in plastic bags so that you will be all ready to go the next day
* Make sure you have enough ice
* Prepare any of the food items that can be made ahead of time
* Make your family aware of exactly what you need them to help you with on Thanksgiving.
* Having assigned tasks for your kids and spouse ahead of time takes away some of the stress of what’s expected of them the next day.

The night before Thanksgiving:
* Set the table and get out all of your platters and serving dishes.
* Make sure that you have enough dishes and silverware. If you don’t, now is the time to call one of your guests and ask to borrow something. Don’t wait until the last minute to find out that you broke the gravy boat last Thanksgiving and never replaced it.

When I entertain I love to use all of my special platters and dishes. I love to fuss over my family and I love to set a very special table. I don’t consider it extra work or a hardship or stressful. It’s my way of telling my family and friends just how special they are.

But again…..the Holiday and family and friends are what’s important….not the china or the food. So if you aren’t the type of person to pull off a sit down dinner with all the decorations don’t beat yourself up. There are only so many Martha Stewarts around. And she has a staff to help her!


Thanksgiving Day:
* Wake up early so that you can have some “you” time to have coffee and relax before
the day starts (it will get stressful enough later, so the morning might be the
only time you have)
* Read over your lists and timetable
* Gather all of your food and cooking utensils, pots and pans ....
* Measure out everything that you can ahead of time and set it aside
* Follow your time table and start making the food according to the schedule
* Once the food comes out of the oven let it rest a while (you can cover it with
foil)
* Start cutting the meat and plating the food
* Have family members start their assigned tasks (setting out and serving food,
pouring the drinks…)

ENJOY your meal…… sit and talk…..

After the meal:

Have a plan in place to clear the table. Since I always make a ton of extra food so that my guests can take home leftovers I start with portioning the leftovers into plastic containers and putting each family’s containers into a plastic bag and setting it near the door so that they don’t forget them.

Once I have the leftovers divided up and mine put away in the refrigerator and freezer I then start to collect the rest of the dishes and put them into the dishwasher. I don’t start the dishwasher until after they leave so that we won’t be bothered with the noise.

Again, this is where your family members can jump in and help clear and stack dishes. It makes quick work of things when you have other people help.

I need to have as many things cleared up and put away as possible before I start serving dessert. This also gives everyone time to rest and relax before they start eating again.

Some people like to leave the dishes and the mess until the next day. And sometimes I wish I could too, but its worse the next day when you get up and walk into a mess. I’d rather get it done and over with.

Make quick work of it (or as much as will fit into the dishwasher) and then sit and relax and spend time with your family.

Remember, a Holiday is supposed to be enjoyable. If it’s not, figure out why it isn’t and change it. Skip the big complicated meal, the fancy desserts and the good china and make it as simple as you are able to handle.

Start your own tradition….and make it about family!

Happy Holiday !


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Professional Organizer - Now A Medicaid Provider

I am very pleased to announce that I have become a Medicaid Provider in Missoula!

This is very exciting news!

What does this mean - well - it means that my services as a Professional Organizer have the approval of a number of social service agencies.

It means that people who previously might not have been able to use my services - people that are on Medicaid - now have access my services as a Professional Organizer.

A Professional Organizer can help in many areas of your life. We don't just organize closets!

A Professional Organizer can help people make their home more livable, more accessible and safer.

An unorganized home, especially one that is cluttered or one that might be considered a hoarding situation - can be a dangerous place - especially for the elderly or physically challenged.

A Professional Organizer can help people manage their time and their lives.

It is great to know that the services of a Professional Organizer is not only considered a luxury - but a necessity.

Being organized makes your life run smoother.  It helps you save time and money.  And in the case of a lot of people - it helps keep you safe and allows you to let people into your life and into your home.




Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Rightsizing - Downsizing For Your Current Lifestyle

A lot of people talk about "downsizing" when they get older or their children leave home and their house  feels empty.

Why wait?

Downsizing has all kinds of  "bad" connotations. It makes people think that you were living beyond your means and now you have to lower your standards.

Not true at all...... 

The word "rightsizing" is more appropriate.  You should live in the "right size" house for your current needs and lifestyle. Why live in a 5,000 or 3,000 square foot house when you never use half of the rooms and there are only two of you? You are paying for a lot of unused space when you could be using that money for other things.

But it's not only about the money. It's about your "lifestyle".  Things change. Not only the number of people that you have living in your home and the amount of space you actually need - but also your likes and your hobbies. Why have a "craft room" when you no longer have time for or are interested in those crafts?  Why have a "workshop" when you no longer build things?

Why maintain and have to clean all of those rooms when you could be spending your time doing what you like to do now. 

It's hard to let go of your things.  But sit back and really think about the last time you used them. Why store them when you are not using them?   Let them go.  Give them to your children or friends that can use them and enjoy them.

By giving away (or selling) some of the things that you don't use anymore - or things that you don't want anymore - you get the chance to see people enjoy them - instead of waiting until you die and giving them away in your will (sorry to sound morbid).

Don't keep things just because they were given to you by your family or friends.  Keep your home decluttered by being picky about what you keep and display.

As you age and your hobbies and tastes change - why not change the size of your home so that you actually enjoy every inch of it without having to worry about all of the maintenance for spaces you never use.

It's hard to let go - but you have the right to live your current life - not your past life that outsiders expect. They aren't paying your bills or maintaining your home.

Keeping your home cluttered to please other people is not in your best interest.

Make your home your own - clutter free and stress free.

Live your life - as it is today - not in the past.



Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Cold Weather - Organize Inside - Pantry & Fridge and Expiration Dates

When the weather turns cold and you don't feel like going outside - what's a person to do?  Well - ORGANIZE  something of course!

At least once a season you should go through your kitchen, pantry and refrigerator and clean everything out. Pull out all of the drawers and bins in your refrigerator. Wipe them out. Clean out food that has been sitting around for a while and you have no intention of eating.

Pull out all of the food in your pantry. Rearrange everything and put things where they should logically go. Remember - "like with like".   It makes it easier to find when you need it.

Look at expiration dates. Get rid of things that look moldy or dried up. I know that it might sound logical and elementary - but most people don't bother to do it on a regular basis.

Re-read the complete article on      Food Products and Expiration Dates

Now - go get Organized!



Organizational Consulting Services

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Being Prepared For All Emergencies - Get Organized!

It's fire season - and for those of us living out west we need to be prepared to evacuate at any moment.  Are you ready?

What can you grab in a few minutes?  What's really important?  Besides your life and that of your family?

What about important papers - birth certificates, passports, bank information, life/health insurance information, medications......

What about contact information for family members and friends?  With everyone being on speed dial most of us don't have people's phone numbers memorized anymore. How can you get in contact with family members to tell them where you ended up?

There are many emergency situations that we should be prepared for besides fires.  What about hurricanes and tornadoes?   Wind storms?

Being organized means thinking about all of the things that could happen - before they actually happen.

Read some of my previous posts to learn what to do in emergency situations:

Fire - Are You Read?

Getting Ready for an Emergency - September is National Preparedness Month  

Disasters - Emergencies - and everything in between....

So don't wait....  get organized for an emergency!


Organizational Consulting Services

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Organizing Your Life - Setting Yourself Up For Success

Being organized is about more than just having "things" neatly in place.  If your "life" isn't organized everything else will fall apart.

Do you have a "plan" for how you want your life to play out?  Do you have your priorities in place?

Life today is fast and crazy. There are so many activities and commitments that we are expected to participate in. We are pulled in so many directions that everything can't be perfect and important deadlines might be missed.

By having a plan - by organizing your day and your life - you are more likely able to meet some of those challenges and do so in a more relaxed and calm manner.

Disorganization causes stress. Stress causes flared emotions and saying or doing things you might not ordinarily say or do.

By taking a step back and organizing your routine, your life and your priorities - you can decrease your stress levels and accomplish your goals.

Start by sitting down and writing out a detailed account of  exactly what you do every day. Break it down into what you do each day of the week. Then break it down into 15 or 30 minute increments.  Decide if anything can be deleted from your schedule. Or you might want to move it to another day.

By having everything written down you can get a better picture of why you are so tired all of the time or why you are late for meetings and appointments. 

Once you have your schedule written down and you are satisfied that it is more manageable break it down even further. What is required for each task or appointment or meeting?  Do you have everything ready that you need for that appointment?

For example - if you have a doctors appointment - do you have a list of all of your medications?  Do you have a list of all of your symptoms.

If you have a business meeting - do you have all of the information that you need for that meeting? Do you have all of the reports or numbers that you need?

If you are taking a trip - do you have everything ready for the trip?  Do you have a checklist of what to pack or take?  Have you made arrangements to have your mail and newspaper suspended? Is someone going to water your plants?

As you can see - being organized plays a vital role in everything that we do. Being prepared can make your life run smoother.

So - go ahead....  GET ORGANIZED !   You will be glad you did.




Organizational Consulting Services

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Getting Your Kids Ready for School ... and Life - in an Organized Manner

School is about to start. Have you thought about your school year routine yet?  Don't wait until the morning of the first day of school to come up with a plan. Start thinking about your first day now and get ready.

The question now is "Do you have a calm and stress free routine ?".  If not, why not? The answer is probably because things are not as organized as they could be.

Come up with a routine and get your kids involved. Let them know ahead of time what time they will have to get up in order to have plenty of time to get dressed, make their bed, eat a healthy breakfast and get all of their school things in their pack backs and on their way.

By starting your kids on a routine and giving them responsibility for getting ready on time you have started them off on the right track to success in life.

Kids are never too young to start learning how to be organized. Kids as young as three can be taught how to put their toys away.

School age children should have a daily routine. Everything from getting up in the morning, getting dressed themselves, making their beds and getting their backpacks all ready for school. This includes making sure they have their lunches!

By making kids responsible for themselves they can start learning organizational skills. It also helps takes the pressure off of the parents.

Even though as a parent you might want to do everything for your child....you would be doing them a disservice if you did. Don't you want your child to marry someone that can take care of themselves? Someone that helps around the house?

By teaching your kids some basic skills when they are young you are setting them up for success!

Kids love to learn new things. They love to think that they are in charge. Let them be in charge of themselves!

As a parent your job is to give the kids tools they can use in everyday life. Being organized is a crucial tool.

Parents, especially single parents, need all of the help they can get. Teach your child to be self sufficient and you too will reap the rewards.

And don't use the excuse "I am not an organized person myself".  I have a lot of clients that aren't organized themselves....but they know the right people to teach their kids various skills.

If you can give your child piano or gymnastics lessons.... you can give them "organizing lessons".  It's something they will use forever. Not that being able to do a cartwheel isn't important!

By starting young and having expectations from your children you are helping them be a better person. Their teachers, bosses and future spouses will  "Thank You" !

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

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Weekends are for FUN - not Cleaning !

Cleaning....a topic that many people feel strongly about.  Some people have very specific things they do on specific days. Never mess with my husbands Tuesday laundry day! Growing up - Saturdays was the day we scrubbed the floors. Certain things were done on certain days.

But when the weekend comes - after working hard all week - I don't want to be stuck inside cleaning! I don't want to waste my entire weekend scrubbing and dusting and cleaning my house! I want to go out and hike or sit on my deck and relax.

Don't get the wrong idea - I need my house to be clean and organized. I just don't want to commit an entire weekend to it.

The way to get around that is to break down your cleaning schedule into smaller pieces. Do a little every day.

Do the laundry one day.

Mop the floors another day.

Dust the next day.

Clean the bathrooms another day.

However you clean - whatever your schedule is - just break it down into smaller chunks of time - and do it over the course of the week - instead of all in one day.

By the time the weekend rolls around - you will be done and you will have a free weekend to enjoy!

It doesn't have to be complicated. Whatever works for you.

By doing at least one chore a night - you will be giving yourself some much deserved free time on the weekend!

Go ahead....break the weekend cleaning cycle!

You deserve it!







Organizational Consulting Services

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Get Organized First - Buy Products Later

When some people decide that they are finally ready to "Get Organized" - they sometimes get caught up in the moment and run out and buy a lot of Organizing products.

It makes them feel like they have accomplished something even before they start actually doing any of the work.

The problem with that is that they really don't know what they need - yet. They have not gone through the "elimination"  - sorting and purging out process.

Organizing usually entails having a space (or room) look worse before it gets better. There are piles everywhere. Decisions to be made. Sometimes - the decisions are hard.

Then you have to decide - "did the space actually function as needed". Because sometimes - you actually realize that the problem was not that you had "too much stuff" - but that the space was not configured correctly or you were not using the space to it's full potential.

Once a space has been cleared out - step back and ponder the space for a few minutes. Be honest with yourself. Did you really like the space the way it was?  Did it function properly for you?  Were you happy with how it was laid out?  What changes would you make - if you could?

After you have answered all of those questions - it's time to see how much "stuff" you have to actually put back into the space - since you probably purged a lot of things out of the space. You might not need any new organizing products. Or you might decide that certain things (new containers, new shelves....) might make the space function better.

Be sure to take measurements of the space before you head off for the store. Once you are there - keep an open mind. You might not find exactly what you were looking for - but you might find something even better!

Remember - function first. Think outside of the box.

A lot of organizing products can be expensive - but organizing doesn't have to be. Look for inexpensive containers or baskets that aren't labeled specifically as "organizing products".

Have fun with your space. It it doesn't work on your first try - change it!

Organizing is a process. It's ever changing!

Now - go out and GET ORGANIZED !!!
 

Organizational Consulting Services

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End Of The School Year - Get Organized

The school year is almost over. As always - it seemed to come too quickly. The summer is looming before us and parents everywhere will be trying to come up with ideas on how to keep their kids busy over the long summer.

But before you start on your summer plans why don't you get through the piles of paperwork, books and other things that your kids will bring home from school.

Re-read  "Schools Out For The Summer" to get some ideas on how to get through the piles that will be dumped on your living room floor by your kids.

Start the summer off right by clearing our your kids school clutter - instead of just hiding it in the closet and dealing with it in August. You will be glad you did! 

Let your kids help in the organizing process. They are never too young to learn how to be organized!


http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/2014/05/schools-out-for-summer-almost.html

And now - let the summer begin!


Organizational Consulting Services

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Professional Organzer - vs - Cleaning Company

There seems to be a big misconception as to the difference between a Professional Organizer and a Cleaning Company.

It's really quite simple - yet there is still a lack of understanding as to what an Organizer really does.

A cleaning company - cleans. Plain and simple. They mop the floors, wash the baseboards, vacuum, dust, take out the trash, straighten the pillows on the couch....and a few other things - depending on the company.

A professional organizer - does not clean. They don't mop the floors. They don't wash the dishes. They don't dust.

They organize.  They take a cluttered space and de-clutter it. They re-arrange spaces to make better and more efficient use of the space.

They containerize. They visualize. They make the space work as intended - or requested (every client uses a space differently).

They prioritize. They make your life function more smoothly.

They put things into their proper place - where you can find them easily.

They create a flow and a function that you - the client - can easily manage.


They de-stress you home, office or life.

They create order out of chaos.

A professional organizer - depending on her specialty - has extended training to work with a variety of clients.

A professional organizer is a personal coach for your home and your life. 

Organized - vs - cleaning.

Quite a difference.


Organizational Consulting Services

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Spring Time - Clean Out That Garage

Spring is here and it's time to clean out your GARAGE !

It's that time again - where you empty your garage and clean your winter gear and move it to the back of the garage ( or another storage area ).

Be sure to empty your snow blower of any fuel or liquids. You might want to take it to a shop where they can perform any needed maintenance before you store it for the summer.

Clean off any of your "snow toys" and make sure they are in working order before you store them away.

Sweep out your garage and re-organize your space. I'm sure that over the winter things have become cluttered.

Take your lawn mower to be inspected and be sure that it's in working order.

Move all of your garden tools to the front where you can access them easily. Make sure that all of your tools and equipment are in working order

Clean out your garden bag (it's planting time!) and be sure that none of your garden tools have rusted over the winter.

Make sure that your bikes have their tires filled with air.

If you have kids - check to be sure that they have not outgrown their summer toys. If so - it's time to let them go.

Enjoy the transition from winter to spring!

Think of all of the fun things that spring brings with it.

Have a great, clutter free day! 

 
Organizational Consulting Services

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Your Car - A Cluttered Death Trap ?

Most people don't think about their car as a "room" in their home that needs to be cleared of clutter. But it's one more area where people tend to just throw things in randomly and rarely clean.

Having just completed some continuing ed classes for my EMT license one of the topics was car accidents and flying objects.

When people fill their car with clutter they usually don't think "what if I have an accident - can these bags (or books or bats or bowling balls....) fly from the back of the car into the front during an accident and cause serious damage to my body?

It was a great class!  Thinking about all of the things that people fill their car with - especially when they go on a trip or are just doing sports - brings to mind that cars can be dangerous places.

It's something that we don't usually think about. But when you get a picture of a bowling ball hurling from the back seat to the front and shattering your front window - not to mention your head.... then you get a better picture of the damage that the contents of your car can have.

So - a few good points that we can learn from this.

Make sure that everything in your car is secure. If you have heavy objects of things that can potentially move from their location - secure them.

Use bags / boxes to hold lose objects - and a lid would be preferable.

Keep the clutter to a minimum and keep your car as neat as if it were another room in your home - not a dumping ground.

Clutter can be dangerous - and this is just one example.

Now go out and clean up your car! 



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In Five Minutes I Can .....

Do a lot of small organizing task!   Yes - you can accomplish a lot in just five minutes.  The problem is that most people spend more time than that trying to talk themselves out of doing anything at all!

Stop over thinking the process - and "just do it" !

In five minutes I can:

• Hang up my clothes instead of leaving them on a chair or on the floor

• Throw in a load of laundry in the washing machine

• Fold all of the clean towels and put them away

• Go through my stack of mail and throw out all of the junk mail - instead of letting it pile up

•  Empty the dishwasher instead of letting it sit there for a week

•  Put all of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of letting them pile up in the sink

• Pick up all of the things that are not supposed to be in the living room and put them where they belong

• Make my bed in the morning so that the bedroom looks neater

• Go through one drawer in the kitchen and organize it - get rid of things I never use

•  Go through the fridge - one drawer at a time and clean it out - get rid of expired food

• Go through one shelf in the bathroom and get rid of products I never use

• Decide what I'm going to wear in the morning and get it ready - so that I don't waste time in the morning 

•  Polish my shoes so they look clean and more professional

• Sew a button on a shirt that's been sitting in a pile for weeks

•  Write out a couple of birthday cards for the month

There's a lot you can do in just five minutes.  So - what are you waiting for?   Let's get started!



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Minimalist or Cozy - Which is Correct ?

For some people being clutter free means that nothing is out on the counter or any surface. But being organized and clutter free does not mean that you have to live in a stark and sterile environment.

Your home or office can still be a reflection of you and still be cozy. It's all a matter of perspective.

Every person see's clutter in a different light. Every person has different tastes in decorating. Just because one person chooses to decorate their home in dark colors and another person chooses to decorate their home in vibrant colors - doesn't mean that they are wrong. It means they are different.

It's the same in the definition of  "clutter free and organized".  Some people think that anything left out on the counter is clutter. Some people need things right in front of them - either because they use it on a daily basis or because they need things out to remind them to do something.

There are no right or wrongs in the world of clutter.  Yes - I admit - I like things neat and organized - but I also love to have things that mean something to me - pictures of my family or a few special nick nacks out on display. As long as it's right for you - and you clean and dust everything that is sitting out - it's your home and your choice.

When I work with a client I am very aware of how they choose to live and organize according to their lifestyle. But I also help in redefining their space to make it more organized and create a better flow and function.

It's a balance of form and function. It's the clients home and they call the shots on the amount of things (objects) they want left out on display.

Being clutter free does not mean living in a home that is not comfortable and cozy.

It's all in your definition of what a home should look like.

Clean and clutter free varies from person to person. But having things organized - so that the they can function better is always a good thing!



Organizational Consulting Services

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When You're Ready - Organize

Being organized is a great thing. It allows you to immediately locate anything that you are looking for and lets you see what you have - without having to search for it.

A lot of people say that they "want" to be organized - but they don't seem to be able to start the process. And pushing them does not work.

People need to be "ready" and "willing" to be organized.

And when that "aha" moment finally comes.... it's great! 

It may sound silly - to those people that are already organized - but for the people that aren't - and want to be - pushing and cajoling just doesn't work.

But once they understand all of the good things that come with being organized - like finding things they didn't know they had - or being able to do things because now they've found the things they couldn't locate before - it's amazing how easily they take to the organizing process.

And it is a process. One small space at a time. One small project at a time.

Progress will push them to the next step. When their face lights up with that  "I really did this - and it looks great" proudness  - I too am proud.

Organizing - one small step at a time.  One person at a time.  One room at a time.

I'm ready.  Are you ?


Organizational Consulting Services

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New Years Resolutions - Reality Setting In

January is winding down. Most people have already put away all of their Christmas decorations. Everything is getting back to "normal".

And with "normal" comes a reality check. This promises that you made to yourself - and probably told a few people - have probably already gone out the window.

The "I am going to lose weight",  "I am going to start exercising" and my favorite "I am going to get more organized".

Good intentions - but follow through always seems to be a problem.

Everyone gets so caught up in everyone's enthusiasm that they make promises that are hard to keep. It's not that people are intentionally breaking their "promises" (or goals). It's just that it's hard - especially when you don't see immediate results and have no one around that is pushing you - being your cheerleader - telling you what a great job your doing.

Which is one reason those exercise tapes don't work. You can turn them off and ignore them. Not so much when you are at the gym and the trainer is pushing you to your limit.

It's for your own good!

That's why having a workout buddy is a good thing. You can each push the other person to give their "all".

Being organized - getting organized - is a process. And it's not always a fast process. Things get messier before they get neater and more organized. You don't always see results in the first hour or the first day.

You (your home or office) didn't get disorganized and cluttered in an hour - and it's going to take more than an hour to get organized.

It's one step at a time -  one small space at a time - one room at a time.

Progress will come. Maybe slowly for some. There could be some slight resistance - not intentional - but it's there. For some people it's a slow process to get to the point where they are "ready" to let go and get their space to be clutter free.

Being - and getting organized - is an ongoing process. One that you have to stick to - even when you don't feel like it.

As a certain sports company says "Just Do It"!

Now stick to your resolutions and get yourself organized!



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Clearing Your Clutter in the New Year

Some people are starting to put all of their holiday decorations away. So take it one step further and start the New Year off right by clearing all of the clutter throughout your home.

The easiest things to clutter - are flat surfaces!  People get into the habit of just putting things down wherever there is a surface. The problem is - they never pick it up and move it to where it's actually supposed to go.

As Professional Organizers like to say "everything should have a home".

So as you are putting away all of your holiday decorations - clear everything off of each surface (each coffee table, desk, dining room table, kitchen table, counters.....).

Then take a step back and decide what should go there - what actually belongs in that room and on that surface (table).

Keep out only what you actually need or use every single day. If it's an item that you only use once in a while - put it away (somewhere that makes sense).

The less that you have on the surface - the cleaner and less cluttered it will look.

It's a quick and easy fix that will transform a room instantly!

Go through each room of your home and do the same thing. Look at each surface and decide what you really use on a daily basis - and put the other things away. Your home will instantly be refreshed.

Then take it one step further - and for your New Years Resolution - resolve to put things where they belong immediately - so that you don't end up in the same boat a week from now. It's not easy to break a bad habit and it's harder to make a new one feel natural - but stick with it - and soon you too will live in a clutter free zone.

Happy Organizing !



Organizational Consulting Services

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January is GO Month ! (GET ORGANIZED)

Direct from NAPO:

January is GO Month! This month long national public awareness campaign by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) promotes the

benefits of getting organized, and offers strategies, suggestions and solutions to help the

public become more organized and productive at home and at work. NAPO professional organizers and productivity specialists across the country host events in their communities to empower individuals, families and businesses to regain control over their surroundings, time and possessions.

GO Month History

In 2003, NAPO established the “Get Organized Week" ” Community Service Project Program,where NAPO members held events to help promote organizing in their communities.The success of the program led NAPO to officially proclaim January

as Get Organized (GO) Month in 2005, and develop a public awareness campaign to focus national attention on how getting organized empowers people to regain control over their time, possessions, in boxes, and surroundings.

NAPO professional organizers and productivity specialists across the country

once again will host community events to help individuals, families, businesses and

organizations bring time management, organization, storage solutions and productivity

into their lives, and start the year with systems and solutions to improve efficiency long

term. 

About NAPO

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) leads and advances the organizing and productivity industry. NAPO was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional educational association for professional organizers. Today, NAPO

has approximately 4,000 members worldwide, representing the full spectrum of the global industry: professional organizers, productivity specialists, authors, educators, trainers, manufacturers, service providers and more. 

NAPO is "The Organizing Authority".  NAPO serves its members and the public by

providing professional educational opportunities, industry leadership, productive partnerships and expert information and solutions to foster growth and

fulfillment for all who work within the organizing and productivity industry or benefit from its services. NAPO is headquartered in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and is on the web at

www.NAPO.net.

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Let's celebrate GO Month by making a New Years Resolution to try and get ourselves MORE ORGANIZED in 2015!

Take the first step by contacting a Professional Organizer to help you in the process. You will be glad you did!

Remember our slogan  -    "Less Clutter = Less Stress"

Make 2015 the year you took the plunge !

Get Organized !

Organizational Consulting Services

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Happy NEW YEAR - 2015 !

Wishing all of you a very  HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!

May it be filled with joy.....  and no clutter ! 





Organizational Consulting Services

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