Clutter Be Gone - Get in Your Year End Donations

 As we get closer to the end of the year - you should start to think about "clearing your clutter" and "donating" your "stuff"!

We all know that you probably received a lot of presents over the holidays. Where are you going to put all of the "suff"? 

If you have kids - start clearing out their old toys (that they have outgrown). But - let them make the choices. Get the kids involved when they are young. Explain to them that they have outgrown some of their toys and how great it would be if other children could get the same joy out of playing with them. It gives them a sense of purpose. Letting them be in control will make them feel more grown up and you will have accomplished your goal of making room for other things.

Now - do the same thing with your stuff! Go through your closets and be honest with yourself. If you haven't used something in the last year, if you don't like it anymore, if you have lost interest in some of your crafts, if your clothes don't fit or your are tired of them - let them make someone else happy! Let them go to a good home!

And don't forget to get your donation receipt for your taxes!

Go through one room a day or one closet a day. Don't try to do it all at once and stress yourself out. It's still the holiday season and you should also take time for self-care.

You want to start the new year with an uncluttered home - where your new items have a place to belong.

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Happiest of Holidays - to You and Yours

 

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

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Clear Out Your Closets before Christmas!

 

Let's get real - everyone is probably going to get some "new things" for Christmas! So - where are you going to put them?

In order not to end up with overflowing closets or pantries - you will need to purge.

So start now!

Get the entire family involved!  Because you know that the kids will probably get new toys as well as new clothes.

This is also a good time to teach your kids the meaning of  "sharing". Let them decide what toys they want to "donate". Ask them to go through all of their toys and be realistic. If they haven't played with them for a long time or they are too old for the toys - have them put them in a pile so that you can look at them - before putting them into the "donate" box.

If the kids are resistant and don't want to get rid of things (even though they have outgrown them) - explain to them that by donating them - other kids will be able to get the enjoyment out of them that they had. Also - you can explain to them that they will need to make room "just in case" they get new toys for Christmas.

Set a good example by also going around the house and decluttering and donating things that you no longer use.

Go through your families closets and clear out the clothes that you no longer wear (don't fit, don't like, never worn....). Just about everyone gets some new clothes for Christmas - so make room in your closet for them. Having a closet so full that you can't get to your clothes, or can't find clothes because everything is squished so tightly - is one of the things that make people not wear all of the clothes they have in the closet (or their dressers). Leave a little space in your closet so that you are not always fighting to get your clothes out.

Most people only wear about 20% of the clothes in their closet. So - purge out the clothes that don't "make you feel good about yourself" - and donate them - so that other people can enjoy them.

You will want to start the New Year with a decluttered home - so start now and declutter what "doesn't make you happy".

By clearing out before the holidays - you will be ahead of the game when Christmas arrives and new items magically appear in your home.

Wishing you and your family a "Happy Holiday".

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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It's Getting Closer to Christmas - Don't Forget About Self-Care

We are now about 3 1/2 weeks away from Christmas. The pressure is on. Holiday decorations are going up in people's homes. Presents are being bought. Cards are being written and sent out. 

We want to feel happy and excited about the holidays - but if we are really honest with ourselves - they can be a bit stressful! Being organized - with a timeline that is spread out so that you don't get overwhelmed - will help.

Make a list of things that you need to do for the holidays - and spread them out over the next few weeks. Put them on your calendar - so that you will actually do them. Don't overload each day.

In between your tasks (shopping, writing cards, sending presents, decorating the house.....) - be sure to take care of yourself!  Self-care is really important - especially during times of high stress.

Some simple self-care things you can do:

• Have a cup of tea and take some time to relax for a few minutes
• Take some time to read a chapter in a book
• Take a long hot bath - add some bath salts and candles for extra decadence
• Take a walk - in the woods or just around your neighborhood
• Watch one of your favorite movies - you deserve it
• Call up a friend that you haven't spoken to in a while
• Spend time with a loved one 
• Ask your family members for help in getting ready for the holidays
  

We've all heard the saying "you need to take care of yourself - before you can take care of others". 

Don't over-commit yourself. Spread things out over the next few weeks. Don't wait until the last minute.

And most importantly - take care of yourself!

You deserve a happy and stress free holiday season!

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If you are interested in a short 7 minute Guided Meditation to help you relax – send us an email with “Guided Meditation” in the subject line and we will send you a link to a relaxing Guided Meditation that will help calm and relax you during this stressful time.

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*** If you are interested in a FREE Discovery Coaching Session to help you figure out what your next step in life will be – just email or fill out the contact form on our website.     Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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It's Time to Send Out Those Christmas Cards.....

And now - the next holiday..... 

Thanksgiving is over and the stores are primed for Christmas.  Sales and Santa's are everywhere.

It's hard to enjoy one holiday at a time when they all seem to run together. But this is the time to remember your family and friends and reach out to people, your friends and family, that you have neglected over the past year. It's not entirely your fault. We are inundated with so many obligations that we can barely keep up with everything and friends sometimes go by the wayside.

So instead of sending out Christmas cards where you barely sign your name to the card - write a short note that really means something.  Not a "form letter" that you send to every person in your address book. Write something special and meaningful to each person individually. A few sentences mean a lot.

Start now. A few cards every day so that you are not overwhelmed. Make it personal.

With email and texting, cards and real letters seem to have gone by the wayside. But getting a piece of real mail means something. Something special!

OK - if you don't want to send out "real" cards - because of the cost of the card or postage - how about if you sent out an eCard ???  There are FREE sites that will allow you to send out FREE cards - and you can  schedule when you want them to be sent out. You could send out  a bunch of cards - with a note attached - all with the touch of a button. It's not the same as a card you can touch - but it's the next best thing.

So start now - one card at a time. And before you know it, you will be done.

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Getting Your Car Organized & Ready for Winter Emergencies

 It's not winter yet - but we have snow at some of our higher elevations - so - let's get ready for winter!

Check your tires. It might be time for snow tires!

Check to make sure that you have the essentials needed for winter - like a snow brush & ice scraper. It you don't - get some.

Make sure that your car is in working order and all of your fluids are filled up. 

Living out in the west - and driving long distances without a town or gas station in sight - brings about it's own problems.

Unlike being in a big city where there is a gas station and help within a block - living out in the west - with lots of land and few people - you always need to be prepared for any and all emergencies.

So – the question is ..... are you prepared ?

Now is the time to stock your car with winter essentials.

In your backseat:
* Snow brush
* Ice scraper (or two – various sizes)
* Blanket
* Gloves (keep extra’s in your car)
* Hat
* Scarf

* Snacks

In your glove compartment:
* Paper
* Pen
* Matches (in something waterproof)
* Candle (in a tin) – this can be used if your flashlight doesn’t work or for extra heat
* Tissues
* Hand wipes
* Cell Phone Car Charger
* Flashlight (make sure the batteries are good – or get a windup one)

In your trunk:
* Salt, cat litter or something to throw under your tires if you get stuck
* Extra Windshield Fluid
* Extra Antifreeze
* Spare Tire
* Shovel
* Jumper Cables
* First Aid Kit (basic)
* Towel (this can also be used as an extra blanket)
* Rope
* Bungee Cords
* Duct Tape (so many uses!)
* Tire Gauge
* Tire Repair kit
* Road Flares
* Fire Extinguisher (small one)
* Plastic Garbage Bags

If you are going to be driving outside of the city limits I would also suggest that you keep water and snacks in your car, especially if you have kids. You never know when an accident might keep you tied up for a long time and you will need water to keep you hydrated and snacks to keep the kids occupied.

Being prepared is always the best defense. Now relax and embrace the weather.

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Getting Organized - Tips to Help

Getting organized starts with "starting". That might sound "simplistic" but it's the reality of how a person can become "successful".

People often ask - 'where should I start"? The answer is always "what bothers you the most"?  There is no "one size fits all".  If the kitchen clutter bothers you - start with the kitchen. If the living room bothers you - start with the living room. 

It doesn't matter where you start - just start.

Taking that first step to wanting to clear you clutter and get organized is huge! 

But take a few minutes to create a goal and a plan on how to get there. People have a tendency to just jump into a project without a clear plan. That usually leads to a lot of wasted time and frustration when things come up that you did not anticipate.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not being realistic about the amount of time it actually takes to get organized. And they don't realize that it will "look worse before it looks better".  For example, if you plan on reorganizing your pantry, you usually take everything out of the pantry. It has to go somewhere. Then you have to decide what to keep and what to purge. And how to reorganize it so that it fits better and makes sense. 

And then all of a sudden hours have gone by and you have to be somewhere else. And there's a mess everywhere. 

You have to take into consideration how much time you actually have to work on your project and also (and more importantly), you have to leave enough time to clean up or put things away at the end. For a lot of people, leaving things out until the next time you can work on your organizing project, is not something that a lot of people can deal with. They don't want to look at the mess for a whole week before their next session.

Before you start a project, make sure that you are in a good frame of mind to purge things that you haven't used in the last 6 or 12 months, or are broken (no, you probably won't fix it), or no longer need. 

Have a box for donations that you can put things into throughout the year. When it's filled, take it to a  donation center.

Don't go out and buy a bunch of organizing bins and other items because you think that will help. You need to purge and come up with an organizing plan first so that you know what will make the most sense for that particular space.

For more "Tips to Getting and Staying Organized - Do's and Don'ts" - send me an email (kefconsulting@gmail.com) and I will send you a list with 40 tips to get you started!

Happy Organizing!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Expiration Dates - Maybe It's Time to Clean Out Your Pantry, Fridge and Medicine Cabinet

These days a lot of people have pantries where they can buy and store large amounts of food. A great idea to save time and money. You only have to shop once and you get discounts for buying in bulk. 

But, how long are these foods actually good for? A lot of foods, at least foods that go in your pantry, have an “expiration date” on them. Or a “sell by” date. Or a “best if used by” date. 

What does this all mean? Well, unfortunately the answer isn’t as simple is you might expect. Foods like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, herbs and many others have “best if used by” dates on them. 

Meats have “sell by” dates on them. These dates do not mean that the products are no longer good after that date. It means that, in the case of things like ketchup and mayonnaise (unopened), the products are at their ”best” if “used by” a specific date. After that the textures, consistency or taste might be affected. For meats the “sell by” date means that the stores want it out of the store and in your home “by” that date. But, you can still have it in your refrigerator after that date. It’s a bit confusing and scary. 

A great website that has a lot of information on “expiration dates” and can answer a lot of questions about those “dates on the cans” is: http://www.stilltasty.com/ 

It has tips for storage and how long food lasts. It answers questions such as: “When should you wash fruit, before you store it in the refrigerator or right before you eat it?”.  The answer: “right before you eat it”. 

Another question -  “Is it O.K. to put hot foods directly into the fridge?”.  The answer: “yes”. 

The website has info on : * Fruits * Vegetables * Dairy & Eggs * Meat & Poultry * Fishes & Shellfish * Nuts & Legumes * Grains & Pasta * Condiments & Oils * Herbs & Spices * Snacks & Sweets * Baked Goods * Beverages It’s a great website ! 

Another great article was published in Southern Living. Check it out:

How Often Do You Actually Need To Replace Your Pantry Staples?

Check it these great resources so that you can know how long your food is safe to eat. 

Also - don't forget your bathroom and medicine cabinet. Medicine does expire! If it's past the expiration date the medicine will not be effective. But - please do not flush it down the toilet! Most pharmacies have bins where you can take your expired medicines (both script and OTC meds).

Makeup - yes, makeup also expires. It's a good idea to write down the date that you started using your makeup (mascara, eyeliner, lipstick.....) and dispose of it after a certain period to time. Makeup can get contaminated easily so you want to be careful not to share your makeup and also know how long you've had it.

Now it's time to clear out and organize your pantry, fridge and medicine cabinet! Get into the habit of doing this at least once every six months. 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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The Holidays are Approaching - Start Planning Thanksgiving!

The holidays are approaching - it's time to start planning now so that you can have a stress free holiday season.

It's been a rough few years of not being allowed to gather in groups - so getting back to "normal" - isn't as easy as we may think. Some people are still worried about gathering in large groups. Be sensitive to everyone's feelings and don't take it personally if some people want to skip some of the festivities and keep it small.

The holiday gatherings might be small - but you can still make them special by making your favorite foods. Don't let the state of the world ruin your holidays.

Turkey and stuffing are what make the holiday special. So go ahead and plan a great dinner and try to forget the outside world for a few short hours.

Take a deep breath. And let's get through one holiday at a time.

Re-read this Thanksgiving article that will give you a STEP by STEP way to have a STRESS FREE Thanksgiving!

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Thanksgiving  -  Organized and Stress Free  - Yes, It is Possible

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! I once 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 in my new house, when I was young and anxious to please. 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 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 Stewart's 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 it’s 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 Holidays !

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Clutter - It's more than just Stuff. Letting Go of Whatever is Cluttering Your Life.

Clutter comes in many forms. It's not just about "stuff" or "possessions". There are many types of clutter. Most people only think about clutter in terms of physical clutter. But there is so much more.

Types of Clutter:

• Physical Clutter:           things that you have
• Paper Clutter:               piles of paper everywhere
• Digital Clutter:             emails & internet
• Time Clutter:                things that you do
• Brain Clutter:                things that you think about
• Relationship Clutter:    people in your life that are not good for you
• Emotional Clutter:        things that you burden yourself with

What are some things that are cluttering your life?

  

Stress  -  Work  -  To Many Things On Your To Do List   -  Guilt  -  Worrying  -  Clothes  -  Stuff  -  Obligations  -  Noise  -  Regrets  -  Jealousy  -  Failure  -  Bad Relationships  -  Paper  -  Commitments ...

Take some time to think about all of the things that are cluttering your life and try to decide what you can let go of. 

Pick one thing in each category that is cluttering your life and let it go. 

It's not easy - but if you continue to let these things clutter your life - you won't have time for the good things in your life. Or the new things in your life. 

Things and people - come and go out of our life. That doesn't mean that we didn't care about them. As we grow we all develop new and different interests. With work and family - we don't always have time for some of the activities or hobbies that we enjoyed when we were younger. Our focus changes as we age. It's not a bad thing. But we need to let go of some of the material things that are cluttering our lives to make room for our current life. And sometimes we also need to let go of  relationships that are no longer in our best interest.

Learn to embrace your current life without the clutter of a life that no longer serves in your best interest.

There are many different types of clutter. Look at each type of clutter and start letting go of some of the things that no longer make you feel fulfilled. You deserve to be happy and clutter free.

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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Organize and Save Your Critical Life Information

 

Do you have a plan for your digital footprint if something were to happen to you?

We do! Let us organize and protect your critical life information in a single source.

Introducing Easeenet, a digital estate planning tool that combines a Legacy Worksheet to capture critical life details people forget to pass on.

Legacy Access wherein designated legacy contacts can be granted access during an emergency, end-of-life planning, or post-mortem; a simple, secure Password Manager, and a Digital Vault for secure document storage and sharing. 

Everything in a single, organized, secure interface across all devices, so you never have to remember a password again! 

The Best Part? Everything transfers seamlessly to your loved ones if anything happens. 

Sign up today, using KFried30 for a 30 day free trial!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Are You Living Your Life of Today

People change. As we grow older our lives change.  Our families change. Our likes and dislikes change. Our hobbies change. So, the question is “are you living the life of today?”. Does your home reflect that life?

If your kids are grown and out of the house – do you really need a big house with four bedrooms? Do you really want to maintain that house. Or do you want the freedom to do something else? Maybe it is time to think about downsizing so that your time is freed up to do other things.

If you no longer have the time or desire to knit, crochet, quilt, paint or any other hobby – maybe it’s time to give away all of your yarn or fabric or paint. There are probably a lot of people that would really appreciate all of those things.

Just because you had a hobby once doesn’t mean that you have to continue it forever. Your tastes change. Your availability to do these things might change. Maybe you are not physically capable of doing these activities anymore.

If you do not ski anymore or roller skate or ride your bike – pass the equipment onto someone that will enjoy it.

Let it go. Without guilt. Clear the stuff out of your home. Make room for new hobbies. You do not have to hang onto things just because you were once interested in them.

Enjoy the life that you are living now.

But remember that you collected all of these things over time, and it will take some time to go through it all and declutter your home. Plan short decluttering sessions interspersed with a fun or relaxing activity. By doing this you will not wear yourself out and you will be more likely to continue the decluttering process.

Once an area is cleared of clutter – then you can start the organizing process. But’s that's another article!

 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

 

Interview with Sunbound - learn more about me

 

I just had the pleasure of being interviewed by Nat Miller of Sunbound. 

What is Sunbound?

Sunbound is the first turn-key relocation solution for older adults. We take all the stress out of moving by helping you find your new home, sell your old home, and everything in between. After signing up for Sunbound, you will work with an experienced Sunbound Concierge who is an expert in every step of the relocation process. Sunbound makes sure you enjoy moving on your schedule.

To read the entire article:

Sunbound Asks: Karin Fried of Organizational Consulting Services

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Bathroom Organizing - lots of great ideas

 

Organizing small spaces is always a challenge. Read the Redfin article to get some ideas on how to organize your bathroom to make the most use out of your space. We are listed in the article!

See the Redfin article we were featured in:  22 Expert-Approved Bathroom Organizing Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space | Redfin

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding - If You Are Ready to Make a Change - There is a Class for You

Are you tired of the clutter in your home and your life? Has anyone ever told you that you have issues with hoarding? Don't be embarrassed - it's more common than you think!

If you are ready to make a change in your life and want to live in a home that is less cluttered - where you can have family and friends over - there is help available! 

A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

· Overcoming challenges 

· Increasing motivation 

· Reducing acquiring

· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Clutterers, Collectors, Treasure Hunters,  Savers, Pack Rats

                             Unite and Support Each Other 

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?

Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

You can make changes to the way you live your life - with support and understanding from people that are going through the same thing. You are not alone! 

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start Wednesday, August 24th, 2022:

    Wednesday, August 24^th, 2022  -  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm   -  Mountain Time  

     Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 -   9:00 am - 11:00 am  -  Mountain Time

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Early Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Class is on Zoom-  by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes

 

An Organized Home - Basic Organizing Ideas

You have a vision for your home. You have a goal and a plan to get there. You started by purging all of the garbage and things that you don't want any longer.

Now it's time to Organize!

You ask yourself - what system should I be using? There are so many books and so many different ways of doing things. I'm confused. Which one is right???

The simple answer is - the one that works for you. The one that you are comfortable with. The one who's philosophy matches your own. 

Each persons brain works differently. My clients hear me say that often. You have to find a system that works for you, for how your brain works and how you use your home. For a Professional Organizer that involves asking a lot of questions before starting a project.

Keep things simple. If you try to make things too complicated you probably won't keep up the area once you are done.

Think about the space. What do you want to use the space for. Don't be limited to what you "think" the space should be used for. For some clients with limited space we have to be creative.

Has the way you used your space worked for you? If you are constantly reaching up on a high shelf for an item that you use everyday - change it and put it on a lower shelf! 

Keep things that you don't use often on a higher shelf. 

Think about the contents of each cabinet. Would using bins or baskets keep things in place better? 

What about using a lazy susan in a cabinet to make it easier to reach things?

Group like items together. It's much easier to know if you are out of canned green beans if all of the beans or vegetables are grouped together. 

Another idea is to keep items that you use together - like coffee, creamer, sugar, coffee filters - in one spot. Or flour, sugar, baking powder and backing soda - all in one spot.

Be sure to look at the expiration dates as you are trying to organize (your kitchen, medicine cabinet, make-up....). Toss out any expired items.

Organization is personal. It has to work for you! Don't be stuck on "I organized it this way so I can never change it". If it doesn't work after trying it for a few weeks - tweak it! 

Once your space is organized - set up a maintenance schedule. Maintenance takes a lot less time than the initial organizing.

Don't be afraid to start organizing - YOU CAN DO IT! 

*** Feel free to reach out to schedule a Virtual Organizing session to help you get started on your way to a more organized life!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

World Organizing Day is May 20th - Let's Get Organized!

 May 20th is World Organizing Day!  

 Celebrate by getting Organized!

World Organizing Day is a global initiative founded by the International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations (IFPOA) to celebrate the work of organizing and productivity professionals.

Professional Organizers love to get Organized! I know that we probably like it a lot more than our clients! And some of us actually go home after an organizing session and organize some of our own stuff (yes, I've done that!).

Here are some inspirational quotes about clutter and organizing to help get you motivated!

     “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” (Walt Disney)

      'You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.'     (John C. Maxwell)

     'Organization begins with awareness of what doesn't work for us.' (Unknown)

     'Mess is an unnecessary source of irritation.' (Margareta Magnusson)

    'Clearing clutter, be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, brings about ease and inspires a sense of peace, calm, and tranquility.' (Laurie Buchanan)

     Clutter is anything that does not support a better you, even if it’s organized. (unknown)

      Being organized isn’t about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person, it’s about living the way you want to live, but better.   (Andew Mellen)

    If you want to improve your life immediately, clean out a closet. Often what we hold onto holds us back.     (Cheryl Richardson)

    Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by     procrastination. (unknown)

    Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.     (Henry Ford)

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

7 Hacks to Motivate Yourself to Make Progress

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and start making some progress? Try one of these seven simple hacks to motivate yourself into action. Give them each a try over the coming days and weeks and find the ones that make the biggest difference for you. Whenever you find yourself procrastinating, come back to this list and employ one or several of these hacks. Your productivity will soar. 

  

Tip #1: Pick Something Small 

One of the big reasons we procrastinate is because something feels overwhelming. There’s too much to do, so we choose to forget about it for a little while. It’s a coping mechanism, just not a very productive one. Instead, pick one thing, something small that you can do right now to move you in the right direction. This creates momentum and forces you to take action. 

 

Tip #2: Set A Time and Go 

Another hack that works like a charm is to set a timer. Your phone has one built in, as do most smart watches. Set it for fifteen or twenty minutes and chip away at a task you’ve been procrastinating on. This works just as well for decluttering your closet as it does for filling out those dreaded expense reports. If twenty minutes feels too long, start with ten. Again, the goal is to start and do something. 

 

Tip #3: Bribe Yourself 

There’s nothing wrong with bribing yourself if that’s what motivates you. Work on a home improvement project for an hour and then watch an episode of your favorite show. Or promise yourself a special night out when you finish painting the living room. Come up with something that motivates you and go for it. Remind yourself of the prize that is waiting at the end of the project whenever you’re tempted to put things off for another day. 

 

Tip #4: Find an Accountability Partner 

Find someone else who’s either trying to be more productive or beat procrastination themselves. Check in with each other daily. Share what you want to accomplish and what you will get done that day. Knowing you have to report to someone else makes you take action. It’s also motivating to see the other person do the same. Try it.

 

Tip #5: Measure Your Progress 

When you’re working on something long-term like losing thirty pounds for example, it can be tempting to procrastinate because it doesn’t seem like you’re making much progress. Instead, prove to yourself that you are getting closer and closer by tracking or measuring it. Make a chart, use a spreadsheet, keep a journal. Find a way to measure your progress and use it to motivate yourself to keep going. 

 

Tip #6: Remind Yourself of Your Why 

There’s a reason you’ve decided to do that thing you keep putting off. Think about why you want to get it done. Is it so you get your tax refund? So, you can run around with the kids? So, you can find the clothes you actually want to wear? Find out your why. Write it down and then keep it front and center. Look at it every day before you get ready to get to work. 

 

Tip #7: Just Start

I've saved the best for last. It might not be the easiest but it is the most powerful. Just get started. That's right, sometimes all you have to do is just get moving in the right direction. Do something. Do anything. Even if it's something super small or you only do it for a few minutes. Once you get over that initial hump and start to build some momentum you will be more motivated to continue.

 

You can do it! 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

An Organized Home - Can You Envision It?

What vision do you have for your home? What do you want your home to look like - in your perfect world - with no limitations on time or money.

You do have a vision - right? If not, close your eyes and imagine your living room clutter free. There's nothing on the floor for you to trip over. The magazines are in the magazine basket. There are no dishes on the coffee table. There are no old take-out containers hidden behind the couch. There are no piles of books piled so high they might fall on your head as you pass through the living room. 

The room is serene and peaceful. Can you envision it?

So how does a room get that way? Well - you have to have a goal and a plan to make it happen. Don't say "it's never going to happen - so why bother". Bs positive!

Pick one area of your home and write down a step-by-step plan on how you are going to make it look the way you want.

Write down how long you think that it will take. 

Make a commitment to put X number of hours into the project each week. Figure out what the end date is based on your committed hours per week. 

Now pick a date and time each week that you will work on the project.

Next, make a list of anything that you will need for the project (garbage bags, boxes, tools....) and gather everything up.

On your organizing day - first pick up and discard all of the trash.

Decide which items in the room you want to discard (trash or donate or give away). 

Ask yourself a few basic questions: 

    *  Have I used the item in the last 6 months?

    *  Is the item in good shape (not broken or torn up....)?

    *  Do I really like the item?

(There are a lot of other questions that you can ask yourself - but this is a very basic list.)

Put those items into bags or boxes and when you are done with the allotted work time - put the bags/boxes into your car and take them to the donation center immediately (this guarantees that you will not pick through the bags and pull out things because you changed your mind about getting rid of it).

For each session - keep purging until all of the things that you want to get rid of - are gone.

Next - the organizing process. 

Come back later and we'll go over some basic organizing concepts!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Old Habits Are Hard to Break - Accountability Is Key to Beating Procrastination

Beating procrastination can be hard. We do well for a few days, but then old habits set back in, or we get frustrated with our lack of apparent progress. Nothing goes fast enough. If you face a small setback at this point, it may be enough to stop working on what you wanted to accomplish in the first place. Thankfully, there’s something you can do to greatly improve your chances of success. Accountability. 

 

Track Your Progress 

Start by tracking what you do. You can do this via a simple habit tracker or by just using pencil and paper. Use a box for each day of the week, fill in what you want to accomplish each day, Check it off or fill it in when you do the task. Keep tracking it until it becomes a habit or until the project is completed.

For larger projects that you may or may not work on daily, it helps to write down your goal and then break it into milestones. Record your progress and how much closer you’re inching to each of your goals. 

 

Make Daily To-Do Lists 

Write out a list of everything you want to get done for the day. It’s helpful to do this the day before. Play around with how many items you put on that list. You don’t want it to overwhelm you, but you do want to challenge yourself to get more done. The list holds you accountable because you can see in black and white if you procrastinated or not. 

 

Tell Someone About Your Plans 

If there’s something you’ve been struggling to get done, tell someone else about your plans to finally tackle it. Call a friend, tell your spouse, or announce it on social media. Encourage the people you’re sharing with to check back with you on how you did. It may be the little extra push you need to stop procrastinating. 

 

Find An Accountability Buddy 

Last but not least, find someone else who’s procrastinating and start holding each other accountable. This could be as simple as checking in once in the morning to declare what you each want to get done, and then again at the end of the day to see what happened. Knowing someone else is right there with you can be super motivating. 

 

Give each of these procrastination beating strategies a try and see which ones give you the best results. Like anything else, procrastinating is a habit, and you can get out of it and turn yourself into the motivated and productive version of yourself you want to be. 

 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

What is Your Decluttering Goal?

With so many people still working from home the trend to declutter their home is still strong. Clutter causes stress. And stress causes people to say and do things they normally wouldn't say or do.

So - take a deep breathe before you yell at your family for the mess. Take a timeout before you decide to throw out everything that you own.

What is your decluttering goal?

You do have one - right?

Do you want your home to function better? A great goal - but break it down further.

Do you want to be able to find things? A great goal - but do you have a plan?

Do you want to downsize? A great goal - but by how much? What is your vision?

You need to start with a SMART Goal. 

*   Specific

*   Measurable

*   Achievable

*   Relevant

*   Time-bound

Coming up with a goal - a vision - for what you want your home to look like is the first step. The problem that most people have - is that they skip this step and just start purging. Knowing how you want your home and your space to look and function is crucial to your success.

What is your time-line for achieving your goal? Is it really achievable? If you can't physically accomplish your task by yourself - get help. If the time frame is not reasonable - change it. Decluttering is not supposed to stress you out - it is supposed to make you freer. 

Clearing your clutter helps to get rid of the "overwhelm" a lot of people experience when there is too much clutter. For a lot of people - it's very therapeutic and cathartic.

Is your goal going to accomplish what you really want out of your home and life? 

Don't rush into decluttering until you really know what your purpose is. 

Having an end goal - knowing why you have a goal - and having a realistic plan for getting there - will lead to your success!

Happy Decluttering!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Tax Time is Almost Here - Do You Have Your Paperwork in Order?

It's getting close to Tax Time! I know that people are probably scrambling to get all of their documents ready to take to their accountant. But there are ways to make this time a lot less stressful - by being prepared ahead of time.

Start by having a folder dedicated to all things "tax related". 

During the year - anything that comes in that might in any way be tax related - any receipts or documents - put them into the tax folder.

That includes any banking or financial documents. Also - any mortgage or loan interest statements.

Tax deduction documents. Expense receipts. Donation receipts.  W2's.  1099's. Saving, investments or dividends. Any other income or losses.

And much more. Your account can provide a list of all of your needed documents.

What is helpful - is having a checklist that you can reuse every year - that lists all of the things that you are waiting for. When they come in - just check them off of your list! Keep a blank copy of this list in  your tax folder. If things change - you can always add or delete them from your list.

By having a system in place - and a place for your tax file - this time of year should be a lot less stressful!

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

How Can You Use a Professional Organizer in Your Life

A lot of people think that you can only use a Professional Organizer to organize your kitchen or garage.

I love kitchens and pantries - my favorite! But there are so many more ways that you can use the services of a Professional Organizer!

Besides helping you organize all areas of your home or office, a Professional Organizer can help you declutter and organize your home as you age. As we get older our lives change. Kids grow up and move out. You will probably not be hosting big dinners anymore - so the need for a lot of the things that you used to use - is no longer there. Rearranging your kitchen so that the things that you use are at a lower level so that you don't have to reach, is also a good idea as you age.

Most people wait until they are a lot older (70 - 80's) to start downsizing, purging, decluttering. And that is too late. People don't realize how long the process actually takes. They also don't realize the emotions that come with purging your stuff. a lifetime of memories - and they all tend to come flooding back when you start the purging process. And the number one thing that I hear kids say most often to their family is "we don't want that stuff and we will throw it out after you die". A devastating thing for a parent to hear. Because everyone thinks that their stuff is valuable and everyone should care about it. But it's not - and they don't. A hard truth to hear.

Start the organizing and purging process earlier so that your kids don't have to be traumatized and stressed out by going through your belongings. They will thank you for it!

***

If you wanted to downsize to a smaller home, an Organizer can help you purge and downsize, decide what will fit into your new home, and help you unpack and set up your new home so that you can walk in and be settled in a short period of time. Wouldn't it be great to be able to find all of your things the day after your move - instead of looking at boxes for weeks?

 ***

Another way that a Professional Organizer can help you is by sorting, purging and organizing a home or estate after a parent dies. The amount of paperwork alone is overwhelming. If you can find it that is! Most people do not realize the amount of time it takes to find and gather up all of the documents that are needed in dividing an estate. Getting all of the financial paperwork together is a daunting task. Clearing out their clothes is really hard and very emotional. Finding places to donate items, taking them to donation sites or arranging for pick up of items is something that an Organizer can help you with. 

Getting through the process is not easy, but a Professional Organizer can make the entire process more efficient and less stressful.

***

Besides physical organization - a Professional Organizer can also help you organize your schedule and your life! Time Management is one of the most important things in our life - yet it's something that is usually overlooked. 

By working with a Professional Organizer on time management and scheduling - you can eliminate a lot of stress!

Feel free to reach out with any questions on more ways that a Professional Organizer can make your home and life run smoother!

Happy Organizing!

 

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Organization Saves You Time and Money

Getting Organized for the New Year is one of the biggest New Years Resolutions that people make.

Unfortunately, it usually falls into the same fate as "getting in shape or losing weight". It doesn't happen.

Everyone has good intentions but there is always an excuse:

• I don't have the time
• I don't know where to start
• It's too overwhelming
• No one in the family really cares - so why bother
• I have other things I would rather do.....
  

But being organized is not only about organization - it's about reducing your stress, getting to work or school on time, being able to find things, saving time and money....and so much more.

If you aren't organized you might spend time looking for things because you have no idea where you put your keys, purse, checkbook....therefore you might be late for work or school.

You can't find your keys, purse, checkbook....and you are now late....so you become frazzled, stressed and start yelling at everyone.

You might buy multiple sets of (insert whatever you keep buying over and over again....) because you didn't realize you already had it - or you can't find it. So you are losing money buying something that you already had.

Disorganization causes stress and a lot of tension in a family - especially if everyone is not on the same page as to how organized your home should be. Everyone has different organization styles and different levels of tolerance for disorganization.

Getting on the same page with your family about organizing style is really important.

So - have a meeting to decide what you want your home to look like. Break down who is in charge of what area of the home. Give everyone a detailed list of how the organizing project is going to be put into action. Set a realistic deadline of when you think the project will be completed. Set up a schedule of when your project will start and when it will be worked on.

That is a very simplified outline - but it's a start. Having the rest of the families input and participation is half the battle. The other half is actually getting everyone to do their part. 

What - you expected a miracle? 😊

Not everyone has organizational skills. Everyone has their own talents. And not everyone has the patience to organize.

Sometimes - the quickest way to get things done - is to hire a Professional Organizer! They have the expertise to look at a space and determine the best options for your space. They are efficient and will work without complaining! Professional Organizers love organizing - probably unlike your family.

And some Professional Organizers will even work with you remotely and give you all of their expertise and advice in a virtual session that is a fraction of the time and expense of an in-home session. They give you a plan and you can implement it yourself - saving you money. 

In person - or virtual - a Professional Organizer is a great investment in your home and life!

Happy Organizing!

  

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....