Your "To Do" List is Overwhelming

Getting things done requires organization. You need a goal and a plan for completing your "task". 

Even things as simple as "grocery shopping" or "picking up painting supplies so that you can paint your living room" are tasks that should be scheduled - so that they actually happen. Making a list of what you need to get done each day helps you stay on track and makes sure that you don't forget something important.

In our busy lives - sometimes we just forget things! It happens.....  

Having a "To Do" list is great - BUT - for a lot of people - it's ovewhelming. And there is a difference between a "Daily To Do" list and a "running To Do" list. 

A lot of people (especially homeowners) have some type of a running list of things that they need to get done - to fix - to buy - to pick up - to drop off .....  And that list can be very, very long. It's basically a "brain dump" of anything and everything that they want to (or think they want to) accomplish. The list can be pages and pages long. Some people call it a "honey do" list.

The problem of overwhelm comes in when someone looks at that list and thinks that they have to get everything done in one day - or be labeled as a "failure". If you have 10 things on your list and you only accomplish 2 or 3 items on your list - you are a "failure" - according to your psyche. 

A "Daily To Do" list should only contain a few (3 - 5) items. They should be things that you can realistically accomplish in your day. If you accomplish 3 out of 5 items - then you can consider it a success.  But if you had 10 items on your list - only accomplishing 3 items would have been considered a failure.

You want to set yourself up for success - by being realistic in what you can accomplish given your time constraints. 

Each day (either the first thing in the morning or the previous night) - you want to take a look at your "running to do" list - and pick a few items to put on your "daily to do" list.

Set yourself up for success - keep your daily list short and your overwhelm under control.

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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Tips for Getting Organized So You Can Better Plan Your Day

In order to be productive, it is important to get organized. This means creating a system where you can easily find what you need when you need it. It also means setting aside time for the tasks that are most important to you. A little bit of organization can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.

There are several ways you can go about organizing your tasks and responsibilities, and we've included some below to help you get started.

1. Set goals

Setting attainable goals can help you stay focused and productive. It's easier to organize your work into manageable tasks when you set specific goals with steps and a timeline. Be sure to create both short- and long-term goals to keep yourself on track!

2. Track progress

Tracking your progress is a great way to make sure you are accomplishing your goals in the timeframe you planned. It's also a really good way to keep yourself motivated - when you see how much progress you've already made it's a lot easier to keep going! You can also use progress tracking to help you figure out what times of the day and week you are the most productive and schedule your most important tasks for those times in the future.

3. Use a planner

A planner is an excellent way to assess the efficiency of your work schedule. You can use a planner to track your daily, weekly, and monthly goals and activities. You're more likely to achieve your objectives and recall important details when you keep a record of what has been done and what is coming up in the future.

There are many types of planners (also called agendas). Some planners have a space for every day, while others are weekly or monthly. Think about what kind of planner would best suit you and your work. If you work on your computer often, you could also consider using a digital planner or app.

It doesn't matter if you use a paper planner (yes, they are making a come-back!) or a digital planner - but the secret of being successful is using something to track you goals, to-do lists and your progress. 

If it's written down - it will more than likely get done - as opposed to just "thinking that you should do it...".

4. Create to-do lists

To keep up productivity throughout the day, try using a to-do list. To-do lists are simple yet highly effective lists that may assist you maintain focus throughout the day. Write down important activities on your to-do list and organize them by priority.

For example, you could place what you need to accomplish before the end of the day at the top of your list and what can wait until the next day at the bottom.

5. Keep a clean environment

You should be able to quickly and easily find everything you need and want in an organized workplace. This helps your workflow be more constant. Putting objects back where they belong, keeping personal things separate from work stuff, and straightening your work area every afternoon are all examples of keeping a clean environment. A clean workstation makes staying productive much easier.

Clutter in your workstation is a big distraction. Remove any thing from your workplace that you don't use on a regular basis. Tidy up your work area at the end of each day and declutter once a week in order to keep things clean and organized.

6. Clean up your email

If you’re like most people, your inbox is clogged with messages. Cleaning up your mail keeps it organized and makes it easier to locate important messages.

Create labeled folders in your email to manage all of your messages and filters to automatically organize new emails into their appropriate folders. Labeling emails helps you stay on top of replies and keeps important documents together in one location.

 

The goal of being more organized is to help you work more productively. When you're able to focus on your tasks and complete them in a timely manner, you feel better about yourself and your work. There are several tips listed here that will help you get started with becoming more organized and productive. Start out trying one or two at a time and see how they work for you. Remember, there is no one right way to be organized. Do what works best for you so that you can achieve your goals.

Organizational Consulting Services

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

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2023 World Organizing Day

Organizational Consulting Services to Celebrate World Organizing Day on May 20th

Member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals Celebrates with Other Professionals from Around the World

 

May 20^th is World Organizing Day and Organizational Consulting Services, a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), is celebrating the global initiative by offering a 10 % Discount on any One (1) Hour Virtual Organizing session during June and July.

 

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.

This designated day aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of getting organized. It highlights the work of organizing and productivity professionals who enrich the personal and professional lives of their clients.

 

It also recognizes the accomplishments of individuals and organizations in their efforts to become more organized and productive.

 

NAPO members improve the lives of their clients throughout the year by helping them create environments that support productivity, general health and well-being.

 

By becoming more organized you can reduce waste, save time and money and reduce your stress. A Professional Organizer will work with you to come up with the best solutions that work with the way your brain works. Everyone learns differently and everyone uses their home differently. There is no “one size fits all”.

 

Don’t be embarrassed because the organizing books or gadgets that you bought didn’t make your home more organized. A Professional Organizer will find the solution that works “for you”. And they will teach you organizing skills that you can use in the future.

 

Call or email for more information on how Organizational Consulting Services can help you become more organized.  Onsite or virtually.      (440) 666 – 9326   or   kefconsulting@gmail.com

 

To find a productivity or organizing professional in your area, visit www.napo.net.

 

About NAPO

The National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional educational association for professional organizers. Today, NAPO has approximately 3,500 members worldwide, representing the full spectrum of the global industry:  professional organizers, productivity consultants, authors, educators, trainers, manufacturers, service providers and more. NAPO’s mission is to be the leading source for organizing and productivity professionals by providing exceptional education, enhancing business connections, advancing industry research, and increasing public awareness. Visit www.NAPO.net to learn more.

 

About IFPOA

The International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations (IFPOA) was founded in 2007 as a forum to foster communication and best practices amongst professional organizing and productivity associations worldwide in a collaborative effort to elevate our industry globally. Its 13 member associations span the globe. Visit www.ifpoa.wordpress.com to learn more.

 

                                          Watch the Video

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

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

Change Your Habits So That Your Life Will Be More Organized and Stress Free

 

For some people living in a disorganized house doesn't faze them. But for others, it causes stress and anxiety. They know they need to change, to fix things, to get a handle on their disorganization, procrastination or lack of productivity. But where do they start? By changing their habits.

Does Replacing Bad Habits with Good Habits Work?

 

Bad habits are a frustrating and persistent part of life. They can hold you back from reaching your goals and lead to negative consequences in your personal and professional life.

 

Many people try to replace bad habits with good habits as a solution, but does this approach actually work? Let’s explore the effectiveness of this question and explain the importance of addressing the root cause of the bad habit.

 

The Importance of Finding the Root Cause

 

One factor in the success of replacing bad habits with good habits is understanding what is driving the bad habit. Whether or not you’re aware of it, bad habits often serve a specific purpose or fulfill a need.

 

The idea is that the bad habit is performed to relieve stress, boredom, or anxiety (or whatever your issue is). But it’s a problem because the bad habit tends to make the original problem worse, so you might focus on the bad habit and just stop it without understanding the root cause. If you do this, it may cause you to implement the wrong good habit to replace the bad habit, making it seem like replacing bad habits does not work.

 

The problem is that if you don't address the underlying issue causing the bad habit, you will continue to have the trigger for the habit. Due to this, you may struggle to maintain the good habit because it’s not fulfilling the original need that the bad habit alleviates.

 

To uncover what is causing your bad habit, ask yourself some questions:

 

·         What need or desire is the bad habit fulfilling?

·         What emotions or feelings do I experience before, during, and after the bad habit?

·         What situations or environments trigger the bad habit?

·         What are the consequences or costs of the bad habit?

 

Answering these questions offers insight into the root cause of your bad habit and helps you identify potential solutions.

 

Strategies to Identify and Resolve the Bad Habit

 

You can use several strategies to figure out the root cause of your bad habit and find a solution.

Let’s look at a few of them.

 

·         Keep a journal: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and actions surrounding the bad habit. This can help you identify patterns and triggers for the habit.

 

·         Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your bad habit and the challenges you are facing. They may be able to offer insights and suggestions for addressing the root cause of the habit.

 

·         Experiment with different strategies: Try different approaches to addressing the bad habit and see what works best for you. This could be taking up a new hobby to relieve stress instead of smoking, or finding a healthy way to cope with boredom such as taking a walk or reading a book.

 

Replacing bad habits with good ones is challenging. But breaking free from negative patterns and creating lasting change in your life is possible. Having said that, you must understand the root cause of your bad habit and find effective strategies to address it. Doing so will set you up for success in adopting healthy, positive habits to replace bad ones.

 

Remember to be patient with yourself, and don't get discouraged if you encounter setbacks. With persistence and commitment, you can overcome your bad habits and achieve your goals.

 

 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.... 

 

 

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

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 - 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
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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
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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
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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....

Do You Know Why You are Disorganized?

Not everyone in this world is organized. Some people are very disorganized. But the real question is - "do they know why?".

Most people don't.

So - be honest with yourself. Sit back and ponder a few questions.

Do you know why you are disorganized?

What bothers your about your disorganization?

What is not working for you?

Do you just "not" want to organize - because you don't have the time or don't know how or it's boring or you are just lazy? 

Does it cause you stress?

Do you not know what categories to put things into?

Do you "need" to leave things out - so that you know where they are?

Do you have a filing system in place for your paperwork?

Why do you want to get organized? What need would it fulfill?

 ***

Once you  have some answers to these questions - you can begin the process of coming up with some solutions that will work "for you'.  And that is crucial to your success.  

Organizing is not a "one size fits all".  The solution has to "work for you".  It has to be uncomplicated so that you will actually use it.

For more information on how to get organized - call or email a Professional Organizer. 

We LOVE to ORGANIZE!

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 Can You Use a Professional Organizer For? Lots of Things!

Professional Organizers can help you with more than just organizing your closets (though we love closets!).

Some of the things we can help with include:

Downsizing: 

   Decluttering & purging. Sorting what to move.

   Help with packing. Help with staging a home for sale (an uncluttered home sells better).

   Unpacking and setting up your new home.

We work with seniors and their families to make the transition from a home they have lived in for 40 years - to a smaller space (senior apartment or assisted living....) a stressless process.

Aging in Place:

We can help with decluttering and making your current home a safer environment for seniors. Making sure there is enough space for walkers and that things are at a lower level so that seniors don't have to reach for things (and possibly hurt themselves).

Estate Clear Outs:

   Taking an inventory of the home

   Sorting personal property & finding donation sites for unwanted items

   Locating & Organizing vital documents and important papers

   Arranging for home cleaning and housing repairs

   Working with attorneys and family to distribute belongings

Combining Households:

When households combine it takes a lot of patience and decluttering in getting rid of duplicates and making the home look like it belongs to one family - instead of two. Coming up with solutions and processes that both families can live with is the first step.

Life Management:

   Paper Management - how to process mail, bills, receipts, paying bills and more

   Time Management - making time work for you - instead of the other way around

   Work/Life Balance - finding solutions that keep your family happy and together - w/o stress

Organizing a College Student & their Dorm Room:

   There isn't much space - so having an efficient Organizing system is crucial

   Helping with Time Management & coming up with Life Organizing systems

Closets, Pantries, Garages, Attics and more...........

*** These are just some of the things that a Professional Organizer can help you with....

 

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.... 

 

Getting Organized in the New Year - Some Tips from a few Organizing Experts

 

Getting ORGANIZED in 2021 is more important than ever with so many people working from home. In order to be more productive you have to be more organized - with a space that is functional and clutter free.

This month I was featured in the REDFIN blog.

Read my contribution ---

Change your mindset

With the changes we’ve all gone through in the last year, getting and keeping your home organized and clutter-free in 2021 is more important than ever. Start by changing your mindset. Before you buy anything or bring anything into your home – ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it or do I just want it? Will I really use the item in the next few months? Do I actually have a specific place for the item? If you answered “no” to the above questions then don’t buy it and keep the clutter out of your home. – Organizational Consulting Services

 

Some other words of advice -

Organizing is not a "one and done" process. Even a Professional Organizer has to work at keeping her home organized. One of the things that is really helpful is to keep a "donation box"  handy. As you find things that you no longer wear, use or want - place it in the donation box. When the donation box is full - take it to a donation center. Your home will be less cluttered and you will get the satisfaction of knowing that your items will be used by someone that appreciates them.

Make a habit of going through your closets at least once a season. By purging out things that you don't use anymore you are eliminating the clutter and your closets will look better.

 

To read all of the contributions in the REDFIN blog- visit:

  12 Habits That will Help You Get Organized 

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.... 

 

34 Easy Tips to Increase Your Productivity

When you boost your productivity, not only do you get more work done, but you can also do it quicker, freeing up more time for you to do the things you really want to do!

Try these tips to help you take control of your day and accomplish more:

1.      Set a goal for each day

2.      Make a schedule – with deadlines – for your tasks

3.      Keep a daily to-do list. Cross off tasks as they're completed.

4.      If a task doesn't really need to be done, just get rid of it altogether

5.      Batch similar tasks together

6.      Learn to say no to requests for tasks that would impede on your priorities

7.      Delegate some of your work

8.      Do the unpleasant items quickly and as early in the day as possible

9.      Slow down. Rushing causes mistakes and actually slows your productivity.

10.  Leave only icons for work programs on your computer desktop

11.  Avoid social networking sites during work hours, unless you use them for work

12.  Color-code your paper files and folders

13.  Take a 2-5 minute "micro nap." Rest your head and close your eyes.

14.  Organize your electronic files and folders so you know where everything is

15.  Use keyboard shortcuts whenever you can

16.  Schedule your most critical tasks for your most effective time of the day

17.  Communicate clearly with clients, bosses, and colleagues

18.  Use a planner faithfully

19.  Search for add-ons for your browser that can speed up your Internet tasks

20.  Take breaks to relax and refresh your mind and body

21.  Use stress-reducing techniques each day to keep stress to a minimum

22.  Keep work and personal email separate. Access only work email when working.

23.  Limit emails to 5 sentences: who, what, where, when, and why

24.  Clear clutter from your desk

25.  Beat procrastination and get started right away on the task at hand

26.  Try doing everything a little faster. Walk, talk, type, and read faster.

27.  Avoid trying to multi-task

28.  Focus hard on being productive for 30 minutes at a time. Set a timer.

29.  Help motivate yourself with your favorite quotes

30.  Focus on the appropriate task—personal or work-related—at the appropriate time

31.  Put on headphones to avoid distracting noises. Listen to music if it helps you.

32.  Focus on the tasks that will accomplish the most

33.  Ask for help

34.  Leave your desk clean at the end of each day

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....