Showing posts with label PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2016
The Benefits of Being Organized - How a Professional Organizer Can Change Your Life
Clutter = Stress
Stress = Anxiety
Anxiety stops you from being the person you really are.
It's not just about having a messy house. It's about having a messy life. An unorganized life. A chaotic and hectic life. A stressful life.
The benefits of being organized are many.
When you are organized you tend to be a calmer person. You know where everything is - in it's rightful place. You can find things at any time. You have control over your home and your life.
You save money because you are not constantly buying things that you already have.
You have more time to do the fun things in life because you aren't spending as much time cleaning or clearing your clutter. You have a routine that saves you time - so that you don't need to spend your entire weekend cleaning.
You can invite family and friends over to your house because you aren't embarrassed by your mess.
Your family notices the change in your demeanor - you're calmer - now that you have an organized home. You get to spend more time with your family doing fun things.
You haven't missed any deadlines paying your bills because you have a new and easier system for dealing with paper.
You aren't late for or miss meetings because you have a calendar and you actually use it.
Being organized has it's benefits - but not everyone understands why. As I've always said - just like having a workout coach - having a Professional Organizer can help get and keep you on track.
A Professional Organizer knows that each client is different - works differently - sees things differently - and learns differently. A Professional Organizer is able to come up with individual strategies for their clients.
Some clients just need some guidance with direction on where to start the process. Some clients can stay organized once a solution has been found (for whatever space was disorganized).
A Professional Organizer doesn't judge. They support. They see past the clutter and try to understand the issues that caused the clutter and try to redirect the behavior so that the clutter doesn't return. Sometimes it's a collaborative effort with therapists (for clients with hoarding issues).
For people with severe chronic disorganization or hoarding issues - it's not a quick process. The time is takes depends on each individual. Their willingness to learn new habits. Their willingness to let the Professional Organizer in - not only their home - but their minds. If they are willing to be taught new habits - if they are willing to let the Professional Organizer show them why their stuff is no longer needed (if it's not) - if they are willing to learn why "letting go" is not always a bad thing - a lot can be accomplished.
A Professional Organizer has been trained to come up with solutions for all organizing issues. They can help "clear your clutter" and "clear your stress". They can direct you, guide you, lead you, inspire you, motivate you.
Sometimes you just need someone to "make you do it" - just like a workout coach.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Thursday, July 14, 2016
It's MY STUFF! You Can't Make Me Throw It Away!
As a Professional Organizer I am very aware that when I go into a person's home or business to help them with their organizing issues I am being entrusted with their things and their confidence. I give my clients possessions the respect they deserve and I maintain a strict confidentiality on what happens in their home.
When people use their friends or family to help them organize - or in most instances - just clean their home (not the same thing at all) - there is not the same understanding of confidentiality or non-judgement. In fact - there is so much judgement that it usually - in most cases - causes issues within the family or friendship.
The number one complaint from most clients who have - at one point or another - used a friend or family member - is that they tried to make them throw out their "stuff", they threw it out themselves without asking, or they were very judgemental, condescending or just plain mean.
I know that they were just trying to help - or they thought they were helping - but they weren't. They were putting their ideas of organization, cleanliness and decorating on their friend.
I have heard many clients say to me "It's MY STUFF! They tried to make me throw it away!". And a friendship was lost. A family was torn apart from anger.
Everyone has their own idea on what it means to have an organized, clean, picked up or decorated home. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
As a Professional Organizer I try to give my clients the best advice that I can - without judgement - and being aware of how they live, what their needs are and how they function.
A Professional Organizer never MAKES a client throw anything out. It's THEIR STUFF!
How would you feel if someone came into your home and just started taking things and throwing them out? I am sure that you would not like it - and you would be very angry.
It doesn't matter what you think - it's what your friend or family member thinks. It's their stuff - not yours.
It's not always easy when you have a client that is so chronically disorganized (and possibly a hoarder) - to not want to get rid of things and "make it all better" - but that's overstepping the boundary. Part of a Professional Organizers job is to try and teach the person how to make better decisions, how to organize their space better so that they can fit things in where they are supposed to be. A Professional Organizer can guide a client - but they can't and should never throw things out without a client's permission.
As an "outsider" - a "professional" - it's much easier not to become attached to a clients things and to be objective.
So if you don't want someone coming into your home and taking your things - don't go throwing away your families things. It won't end well.
It's their STUFF!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
WHAT CAN A LIFE COACH DO FOR YOU ?
There are so many things that we juggle every day. Work, family, kids, friends, school, extracurricular activities…. How do we manage to fit it all in? How do we manage to keep it all together?
How do we manage not to get lost in our lives?
Everyone is so busy today… and we are all being pulled in so many directions. How do we know if what we are doing is right or wrong?
Sometimes we doubt ourselves. And our life choices.
So how do we get back on track?
One way is to use a “life coach”. Why not? You have a coach for other things in your life.. like your workouts / health, business consultants, career coaches… Why not have a “life coach” that can help with balancing “all” the areas of your life. Balance between work and family. Balance between what you are doing with your life and what you “want” to do.
A life coach will help you figure out your priorities. They can help you figure out what’s stopping you from achieving your goals. They can help you figure out what you want to achieve and how to achieve it.
If your life is in transition they can help you find your direction in life. What’s important in your life. They can help you with a “plan”.
Most people know what they want their life to be like. They just need someone to push them in the right direction. Coaching is a partnership. A life coach will ask you “where you are now”, “where do you want to be” and “what’s stopping you”.
They point you in the right direction…. They help you find it inside of yourself.
Life coaching can cover many aspects of your life. From stress management, career planning, business coaching, family and life balance, time management and so much more.
A life coach looks at things from a different perspective than you do. They are an outsider who can see things that you can’t. They help you get and stay on track.
But…. before you can utilize a life coach you must be ready to change. You must be ready to achieve your goals. To find your direction in life. To listen.
Once you have made up your mind that you want a better life, happier life or more balanced life you will be open to the guidance that a “life coach” can give you.
If you can organize your home and your business… isn’t it about time that you organized your life?
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
How do we manage not to get lost in our lives?
Everyone is so busy today… and we are all being pulled in so many directions. How do we know if what we are doing is right or wrong?
Sometimes we doubt ourselves. And our life choices.
So how do we get back on track?
One way is to use a “life coach”. Why not? You have a coach for other things in your life.. like your workouts / health, business consultants, career coaches… Why not have a “life coach” that can help with balancing “all” the areas of your life. Balance between work and family. Balance between what you are doing with your life and what you “want” to do.
A life coach will help you figure out your priorities. They can help you figure out what’s stopping you from achieving your goals. They can help you figure out what you want to achieve and how to achieve it.
If your life is in transition they can help you find your direction in life. What’s important in your life. They can help you with a “plan”.
Most people know what they want their life to be like. They just need someone to push them in the right direction. Coaching is a partnership. A life coach will ask you “where you are now”, “where do you want to be” and “what’s stopping you”.
They point you in the right direction…. They help you find it inside of yourself.
Life coaching can cover many aspects of your life. From stress management, career planning, business coaching, family and life balance, time management and so much more.
A life coach looks at things from a different perspective than you do. They are an outsider who can see things that you can’t. They help you get and stay on track.
But…. before you can utilize a life coach you must be ready to change. You must be ready to achieve your goals. To find your direction in life. To listen.
Once you have made up your mind that you want a better life, happier life or more balanced life you will be open to the guidance that a “life coach” can give you.
If you can organize your home and your business… isn’t it about time that you organized your life?
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, September 13, 2010
Business Image – First Impressions Do Matter
First impressions. They can make or break you.
Most people know that they are judged by the way they look ….fair or not. But in business it’s even more important to have the “right” image. The first thing that people see when they walk in the door of your business ….is …. what ?
* A cluttered desk ?
* A mile high stack of papers in your “inbox” ?
* Files hanging out of file cabinets ?
* Water stains down the length of the wall of your office ?
* A stained and torn up carpet ?
* A disheveled receptionist that is chomping on her gum ?
* A receptionist that “ignores” you when you come into the office ?
What about when a client calls you ? Do you answer the phone by the 2nd or 3rd ring ?
Do you answer it in a calm and professional manner ?
Do you put people on “hold” forever and forget about them ?
When people are waiting in your waiting room…..does your staff act in a professional manner ?
Do they talk about their personal life or how they were “hung over” from partying last night ?
What do your promotional materials and business cards look like ?
Do they portray the image you really want ?
Image is important. A clean and organized office says “I am professional and I deserve your business”.
A messy, cluttered, smelly office with stains on the walls and carpets says “I don’t care what you think and I’ll get around to you when I feel like it”.
Would you want a doctor to perform a procedure on you in an office that has “dust bunnies” and has his instruments just laying on a table and not looking sterilized ? I wouldn’t.
Would you close a Ten (10) Million Dollar business deal with a man whose office is filthy and run down ? Not a chance. Which is probably why that deal fell through.
Yes, both of those scenarios happened to people I know.
Image is important. It projects confidence and capability.
A clean and organized office ….and staff…. is your first step to success.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Most people know that they are judged by the way they look ….fair or not. But in business it’s even more important to have the “right” image. The first thing that people see when they walk in the door of your business ….is …. what ?
* A cluttered desk ?
* A mile high stack of papers in your “inbox” ?
* Files hanging out of file cabinets ?
* Water stains down the length of the wall of your office ?
* A stained and torn up carpet ?
* A disheveled receptionist that is chomping on her gum ?
* A receptionist that “ignores” you when you come into the office ?
What about when a client calls you ? Do you answer the phone by the 2nd or 3rd ring ?
Do you answer it in a calm and professional manner ?
Do you put people on “hold” forever and forget about them ?
When people are waiting in your waiting room…..does your staff act in a professional manner ?
Do they talk about their personal life or how they were “hung over” from partying last night ?
What do your promotional materials and business cards look like ?
Do they portray the image you really want ?
Image is important. A clean and organized office says “I am professional and I deserve your business”.
A messy, cluttered, smelly office with stains on the walls and carpets says “I don’t care what you think and I’ll get around to you when I feel like it”.
Would you want a doctor to perform a procedure on you in an office that has “dust bunnies” and has his instruments just laying on a table and not looking sterilized ? I wouldn’t.
Would you close a Ten (10) Million Dollar business deal with a man whose office is filthy and run down ? Not a chance. Which is probably why that deal fell through.
Yes, both of those scenarios happened to people I know.
Image is important. It projects confidence and capability.
A clean and organized office ….and staff…. is your first step to success.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, August 16, 2010
ORGANIZING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE
Most people don’t understand that organizing isn’t a “one size fits all” type of business.
Each client is different… in what they want, how they want it done, what they need to have done and how we teach them to become organized.
As a “Professional Organizer” I belong to numerous organizations, including NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers and NGGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization). I take my job and my “organizing” passion very seriously.
Most people don’t realize that organizers have certification programs and attend numerous seminars on various topics.
I have a “Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization”. Which means that I passed an exam and am serious about my “profession” and learning everything that I can about the subject.
When most people think about “professional organizers” they think about “closets”. Or now they might think about “hoarders”. Both of which I do.
But organizing is more than that.
Let’s just talk about closets for a minute. Think about “kids” ….those short people. They can’t reach very high. So when we are organizing a closet for a child we need to think about them being “vertically challenged”. But we also need to think about the future and the fact that someday … they will be taller and can reach higher.
Now let’s think about “seniors”. . Maybe they can’t reach very high because of arthritis. So the closet rods should be lower. And they can’t do a lot of physical labor for long periods of time… so your organizing sessions might need to be shorter.
See how closets aren’t just “standard” ?
Or what about people with ADD ? They don’t see things the way the rest of the world does. They might not “learn” the same. They might be “visual” people. So if you are talking about filing or organizing…they might not “get” the logic behind what you say. Or their attention span might be a lot shorter.
So you have to think of “different” ways to get your point across to them.
Or people that are in a “life changing circumstance” ? It could be someone that just lost a spouse or someone that is going through a “life altering” experience. They might not be able to make those “organizing” decisions as easily as they did before their life changing circumstance.
Or “hoarders” …… they aren’t just “messy”. They have a whole lot of “psychological problems” that you need to deal with or at least acknowledge.
“Organizing” isn’t a cut and dried service.
Organizers use different techniques for each different type of client.
And as an organizer it’s important to be continuously learning about the varying needs of our clients.
And as a client you should be able to depend on your organizer to acknowledge your varying needs and come up with solutions for “you” …. Not their “last” client.
The world of “professional organizing” is ever evolving. And we have to keep up.
Not only do we teach our clients about being organized…. but they teach us about “life”.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Each client is different… in what they want, how they want it done, what they need to have done and how we teach them to become organized.
As a “Professional Organizer” I belong to numerous organizations, including NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers and NGGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization). I take my job and my “organizing” passion very seriously.
Most people don’t realize that organizers have certification programs and attend numerous seminars on various topics.
I have a “Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization”. Which means that I passed an exam and am serious about my “profession” and learning everything that I can about the subject.
When most people think about “professional organizers” they think about “closets”. Or now they might think about “hoarders”. Both of which I do.
But organizing is more than that.
Let’s just talk about closets for a minute. Think about “kids” ….those short people. They can’t reach very high. So when we are organizing a closet for a child we need to think about them being “vertically challenged”. But we also need to think about the future and the fact that someday … they will be taller and can reach higher.
Now let’s think about “seniors”. . Maybe they can’t reach very high because of arthritis. So the closet rods should be lower. And they can’t do a lot of physical labor for long periods of time… so your organizing sessions might need to be shorter.
See how closets aren’t just “standard” ?
Or what about people with ADD ? They don’t see things the way the rest of the world does. They might not “learn” the same. They might be “visual” people. So if you are talking about filing or organizing…they might not “get” the logic behind what you say. Or their attention span might be a lot shorter.
So you have to think of “different” ways to get your point across to them.
Or people that are in a “life changing circumstance” ? It could be someone that just lost a spouse or someone that is going through a “life altering” experience. They might not be able to make those “organizing” decisions as easily as they did before their life changing circumstance.
Or “hoarders” …… they aren’t just “messy”. They have a whole lot of “psychological problems” that you need to deal with or at least acknowledge.
“Organizing” isn’t a cut and dried service.
Organizers use different techniques for each different type of client.
And as an organizer it’s important to be continuously learning about the varying needs of our clients.
And as a client you should be able to depend on your organizer to acknowledge your varying needs and come up with solutions for “you” …. Not their “last” client.
The world of “professional organizing” is ever evolving. And we have to keep up.
Not only do we teach our clients about being organized…. but they teach us about “life”.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, August 9, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR LIFE
Being “organized” isn’t just about clearing out the clutter in your closet. It’s about everyday life.
Being organized is a life style. It’s a life “choice”.
People can walk through life aimlessly. Going from one crisis to another with no plan. Or they can have a “life plan” and know what they want and how they are going to get there.
Don’t get me wrong… it’s not always easy. Even if you have a “plan” the road can be very rocky if not impossible.
But without a plan… a course of action… you will never get there and never achieve your goals.
It’s sort of like building a house. You have to decide what “kind” of house you want to build. What style? What do you want it to look like? How many bedrooms? Where are you going to put the windows and doors? What type of flooring? Who is going to build it? Who is going to do the electrical and the plumbing?
Lots of questions.
And you have to have answers.
The house won’t get built without your input and answers.
And after you make the decisions…. You have to live with the consequences.
So if you haven’t thought things out carefully you might end up with a window in your closet but no door to get in. Or the kitchen is not big enough for the subzero refrigerator that you wanted.
If you know your end goal and you have a plan for what you need to do to get there you can just check off each step as you go.
But if you skip ahead to the end….without a plan… you might be very disappointed with the end result.
Even with a plan you will need to be flexible and have “alternative” options. Because if you don’t and life throws you a curveball you might get too rattled to continue the game.
Life is a challenge. And sometimes you will need to ask directions.
Be prepared. Have a map. And a compass.
You never know when you’ll learn something new.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Being organized is a life style. It’s a life “choice”.
People can walk through life aimlessly. Going from one crisis to another with no plan. Or they can have a “life plan” and know what they want and how they are going to get there.
Don’t get me wrong… it’s not always easy. Even if you have a “plan” the road can be very rocky if not impossible.
But without a plan… a course of action… you will never get there and never achieve your goals.
It’s sort of like building a house. You have to decide what “kind” of house you want to build. What style? What do you want it to look like? How many bedrooms? Where are you going to put the windows and doors? What type of flooring? Who is going to build it? Who is going to do the electrical and the plumbing?
Lots of questions.
And you have to have answers.
The house won’t get built without your input and answers.
And after you make the decisions…. You have to live with the consequences.
So if you haven’t thought things out carefully you might end up with a window in your closet but no door to get in. Or the kitchen is not big enough for the subzero refrigerator that you wanted.
If you know your end goal and you have a plan for what you need to do to get there you can just check off each step as you go.
But if you skip ahead to the end….without a plan… you might be very disappointed with the end result.
Even with a plan you will need to be flexible and have “alternative” options. Because if you don’t and life throws you a curveball you might get too rattled to continue the game.
Life is a challenge. And sometimes you will need to ask directions.
Be prepared. Have a map. And a compass.
You never know when you’ll learn something new.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, August 2, 2010
RANDOM ORGANIZING IDEAS
Pack up items that you haven’t used in a while and store them in the basement / attic. Put a date on the box. After three (3) months have passed and you haven’t missed the item…. get rid of it ! Obviously you didn’t really need it / use it….so why should it take up valuable space in your house.
Look at your calendar and make a list of all of the birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions that you have during the year. Count them up and buy the appropriate number of cards for each occasion. Go to the store and buy all of your cards at one time.
Use a pendaflex file organized by month and insert the cards into the appropriate month. At the beginning of the month fill out that months cards (address & stamp). You can put the actual date in a corner or back of the card. At the beginning of each week pull the cards that need to be mailed for that week and put them in the mail.
Keep a basket of healthy snacks in a basket for your kids on a kid level shelf. That way they can help themselves to snacks and you know what they are eating.
Use shelf dividers in your kitchen to double the space in your cabinets.
Check your medicine cabinet for expired medications. Don’t forget to look at non-prescription bottles and lotions.
Check your make-up. There are guidelines for make-up expiration. Be safe. Be healthy.
Create a spot near the door for your purse, keys, briefcase / backpacks…so that you can find things in the morning.
Plan all of your errands for the day before you leave the house so that you take the most direct route and don’t drive aimlessly from one side of town to the other…over and over again.
Sit down with your family Sunday night and go over the weekly schedule so that everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises during the week.
Have everyone in the family make a list of their five (5) favorite meals. Then put them on the calendar for the month. By doing this everyone gets a turn getting their favorite meal. For added “family time” have them help make that meal. Or you can have them make a list of all of the requirements for that meal so that you have a grocery list all ready.
Pick a day and have everyone in the family go through their closet and gather clothes that they no longer wear or that don’t fit. Remember to donate them and you can get a tax write-off !
Have a set spot for mail. Have 3 baskets. Whoever gets the mail should immediately divide it into: bills, personal mail, other. That way the bills don’t get lost or forgotten and you can deal with them immediately (at least put them in the appropriate bill spot for paying bills). Junk mail should immediately be put in the trash.
Trade “chores” with your neighbors or friends. If they take the kids to sports practice you can run your errands …alone… and get them done faster. When they need to do something you can swap kid duty with them…. or any other chore…. If they like mowing the lawn but hate weeding…and you like weeding because it’s relaxing….trade with them. Lots of possibilities….
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Level II CD Specialist Certificate Announcement
Karin E. Fried Earns Specialist Certificate In Working with Chronically Disorganized.
(Cleveland, Ohio) Karin E. Fried of Organizational Consulting Services has earned her Level II Chronic Disorganization (CD) Specialist Certificate from the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
This Specialist Certificate provides in-depth information on chronic disorganization and how to help CD clients manage more effectively in relation to getting and staying organized. In order to earn this certificate, Fried first had to receive her Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization. She was also required to complete extensive educational requirements including reading several books and publications, attending numerous teleclasses, and passing a general exam based on her coursework and general knowledge of CD.
My ongoing education allows me to work with clients who are chronically disorganized in a very specific manner,” said Fried. “The benefits of this continuing education are immeasurable as they enhance the quality of service I can provide to my clients.”
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization is a non-profit group for professional organizers and related professionals. Its mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. The NSGCD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public. For more information, please visit www.nsgcd.org.
Organizational Consulting Services provides both business and residential organizing services. Whether your needs are for basic organizing services, chronic disorganization, hoarding or anything else, we can help. For more information, please visit www.organizationalconsultingservices.com or call (440) 666 – 9326.
(Cleveland, Ohio) Karin E. Fried of Organizational Consulting Services has earned her Level II Chronic Disorganization (CD) Specialist Certificate from the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
This Specialist Certificate provides in-depth information on chronic disorganization and how to help CD clients manage more effectively in relation to getting and staying organized. In order to earn this certificate, Fried first had to receive her Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization. She was also required to complete extensive educational requirements including reading several books and publications, attending numerous teleclasses, and passing a general exam based on her coursework and general knowledge of CD.
My ongoing education allows me to work with clients who are chronically disorganized in a very specific manner,” said Fried. “The benefits of this continuing education are immeasurable as they enhance the quality of service I can provide to my clients.”
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization is a non-profit group for professional organizers and related professionals. Its mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. The NSGCD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public. For more information, please visit www.nsgcd.org.
Organizational Consulting Services provides both business and residential organizing services. Whether your needs are for basic organizing services, chronic disorganization, hoarding or anything else, we can help. For more information, please visit www.organizationalconsultingservices.com or call (440) 666 – 9326.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Being Organized – An Investment in Yourself
A lot of people think that being “organized” is expensive. That you will have to go out and spend a lot of money buying a new closet system or a ton or “organizing” products. That’s not the case.
And in today’s economy a lot of people can’t afford to spend extra money.
But…. What is the cost of being disorganized?
If you can’t find the things that you need…whether it’s at home or in the office….that’s a problem.
You might buy something that you don’t actually need….because you can’t find what you were looking for. And then later….guess what…you found it! So, there goes money….out the window.
Yes, you had a pair of black pants already. You didn’t need an extra pair. But you couldn’t find them when you needed them.
And that report that your boss wanted. The one that you couldn’t find. And spent hours searching for. And then had to re-create. Time wasted.
Being disorganized has a cost. Calculate out that cost and you will be shocked.
For an easy example….let’s say that you had a bedroom that you never used because it was so cluttered and disorganized and couldn’t really function as a bedroom.
If your house cost $200,000 and it was 2,000 square feet it means that the cost per square foot was $100.
If your “disorganized bedroom” was 10 x 10…. that’s 100 square feet.
That means that it is costing you $10,000 to use your bedroom as a “storage room”. Pretty expensive storage fee isn’t it.
By investing in “yourself” you can increase your productivity and decrease your stress. You can save time and money.
How do you feel when you walk into your house that’s “disorganized” ?
How do you feel when you walk into your friend’s house that is “organized” ?
I’ve had people say to me “it’s so calm here”. Yes, it is. Because everything is in it’s place.
By being organized you feel proud of yourself. You feel better about yourself. You feel more in control.
By creating a “usable” space …. Uncluttered and orderly…. You automatically create a sense of calm.
Invest in yourself. Become the organized person that you want to be. If you can’t do it on your own there are “professional organizers” out there that can give you guidance. Let your home or office reflect the way you want people to really see you.
Remember …… LESS CLUTTER = LESS STRESS SM
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
And in today’s economy a lot of people can’t afford to spend extra money.
But…. What is the cost of being disorganized?
If you can’t find the things that you need…whether it’s at home or in the office….that’s a problem.
You might buy something that you don’t actually need….because you can’t find what you were looking for. And then later….guess what…you found it! So, there goes money….out the window.
Yes, you had a pair of black pants already. You didn’t need an extra pair. But you couldn’t find them when you needed them.
And that report that your boss wanted. The one that you couldn’t find. And spent hours searching for. And then had to re-create. Time wasted.
Being disorganized has a cost. Calculate out that cost and you will be shocked.
For an easy example….let’s say that you had a bedroom that you never used because it was so cluttered and disorganized and couldn’t really function as a bedroom.
If your house cost $200,000 and it was 2,000 square feet it means that the cost per square foot was $100.
If your “disorganized bedroom” was 10 x 10…. that’s 100 square feet.
That means that it is costing you $10,000 to use your bedroom as a “storage room”. Pretty expensive storage fee isn’t it.
By investing in “yourself” you can increase your productivity and decrease your stress. You can save time and money.
How do you feel when you walk into your house that’s “disorganized” ?
How do you feel when you walk into your friend’s house that is “organized” ?
I’ve had people say to me “it’s so calm here”. Yes, it is. Because everything is in it’s place.
By being organized you feel proud of yourself. You feel better about yourself. You feel more in control.
By creating a “usable” space …. Uncluttered and orderly…. You automatically create a sense of calm.
Invest in yourself. Become the organized person that you want to be. If you can’t do it on your own there are “professional organizers” out there that can give you guidance. Let your home or office reflect the way you want people to really see you.
Remember …… LESS CLUTTER = LESS STRESS SM
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, June 7, 2010
What Can I Do In Twenty Minutes
People always seem to complain that they don’t have enough time to do all of the things that they need or want to do in their day. I’ve always said, “the person that invents more hours in the day is going to be rich”.
But the reality is…. there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?
Admit it… if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day….you would be shocked. Because you would see….in black and white…that you wasted a lot of time.
O.K. …maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting….talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space…
So what can you do in twenty minutes or less ? Lots of things:
* Read a book to your child
* Read a magazine article
* Throw in a load of laundry
* Load the dishwasher
* Pay your bills
* File your bills in the appropriate files
* Check your email
* Water your plants
* Write out the birthday cards for the month
* Make your doctors appointment
* Dust your living room
* Organize a drawer
* Make your shopping list
* Make your lunch for tomorrow
* Organize your medicine cabinet
* Organize the top of your desk
* Unload the dishwasher
* Fold a load of laundry
It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don’t do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter…and dead plants !
So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
But the reality is…. there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?
Admit it… if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day….you would be shocked. Because you would see….in black and white…that you wasted a lot of time.
O.K. …maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting….talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space…
So what can you do in twenty minutes or less ? Lots of things:
* Read a book to your child
* Read a magazine article
* Throw in a load of laundry
* Load the dishwasher
* Pay your bills
* File your bills in the appropriate files
* Check your email
* Water your plants
* Write out the birthday cards for the month
* Make your doctors appointment
* Dust your living room
* Organize a drawer
* Make your shopping list
* Make your lunch for tomorrow
* Organize your medicine cabinet
* Organize the top of your desk
* Unload the dishwasher
* Fold a load of laundry
It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don’t do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter…and dead plants !
So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, April 5, 2010
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS CALLED UPON AS MORE SENIORS DOWNSIZE
Calling in a pro can help keep emotions out of deciding what to do with all that “stuff ”
Downsizing can be a tough process for anyone, but especially for seniors who find themselves with large homes no longer full of children. More and more are tackling the huge job of downsizing their living spaces. In fact, about six percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 move each year, according to the Over-50 Council of the National Association of Home Builders.
As seniors reach the time to downsize belongings and move into smaller, more manageable homes, many have a hard time figuring out what to do with all of the “stuff ” they’ve accumulated over the years.
According to NAPO …“A major reason seniors have a hard time downsizing is they feel they are the ‘keepers’ of family heirlooms and so they have a hard time getting rid of items which they don’t really have room for anymore,”.
Here are some tips for seniors taking the plunge into a more simplified lifestyle:
• Start looking for other family members who would like to have heirloom pieces now, especially if they are not being used on a regular basis. There are many organizations that accept donations of valuable heirlooms in support of a worthy cause. Professional organizers can help seniors sort through household items to strategically figure out what will work in their new space. They also can help seniors identify which organizations to turn to that are best at finding new homes for family heirlooms.
• Find movers specializing in making the transition easier for seniors. Professional organizers can help find the perfect “mover match” for a client, and can help pare down items before the move making the process easier at moving time.
• Have a professional organizer reassess every five to ten years or as needed to make sure the senior’s home is still working for them. Sometimes seniors don’t realize that everyday activities and household chores can be made easier just by adjusting the setup in their homes. Professional organizers are great resources to help identify easy ways seniors can simplify to improve their overall quality of life.
A professional organizer won’t tell the seniors what stays and what goes, but they will ask the tough questions to help them decide for themselves. Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part, and having a professional with an outside point of view to assist is the perfect way to move forward.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Downsizing can be a tough process for anyone, but especially for seniors who find themselves with large homes no longer full of children. More and more are tackling the huge job of downsizing their living spaces. In fact, about six percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 move each year, according to the Over-50 Council of the National Association of Home Builders.
As seniors reach the time to downsize belongings and move into smaller, more manageable homes, many have a hard time figuring out what to do with all of the “stuff ” they’ve accumulated over the years.
According to NAPO …“A major reason seniors have a hard time downsizing is they feel they are the ‘keepers’ of family heirlooms and so they have a hard time getting rid of items which they don’t really have room for anymore,”.
Here are some tips for seniors taking the plunge into a more simplified lifestyle:
• Start looking for other family members who would like to have heirloom pieces now, especially if they are not being used on a regular basis. There are many organizations that accept donations of valuable heirlooms in support of a worthy cause. Professional organizers can help seniors sort through household items to strategically figure out what will work in their new space. They also can help seniors identify which organizations to turn to that are best at finding new homes for family heirlooms.
• Find movers specializing in making the transition easier for seniors. Professional organizers can help find the perfect “mover match” for a client, and can help pare down items before the move making the process easier at moving time.
• Have a professional organizer reassess every five to ten years or as needed to make sure the senior’s home is still working for them. Sometimes seniors don’t realize that everyday activities and household chores can be made easier just by adjusting the setup in their homes. Professional organizers are great resources to help identify easy ways seniors can simplify to improve their overall quality of life.
A professional organizer won’t tell the seniors what stays and what goes, but they will ask the tough questions to help them decide for themselves. Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part, and having a professional with an outside point of view to assist is the perfect way to move forward.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Organizing Questions......
If you have any questions, problems or suggestions on topics related to "being organized, how to organize, organizing dilemma's" or anything else in your home, office or life.... just send us an email at kefconsulting@gmail.com .
Put "Organizing Questions" in the subject line and we will try to come up with a solution for you.
We try to cover all the bases, from business organizing, residential organizing, time management, life management.... and show you how "organizing" affects all aspects of your life.
Organizing isn't just about the "clutter" in your closet.... it's about the "clutter" in your life.
Ask away......
Put "Organizing Questions" in the subject line and we will try to come up with a solution for you.
We try to cover all the bases, from business organizing, residential organizing, time management, life management.... and show you how "organizing" affects all aspects of your life.
Organizing isn't just about the "clutter" in your closet.... it's about the "clutter" in your life.
Ask away......
Monday, March 8, 2010
TWENTY ORGANIZING TIPS
Closets:
1) Stick to the “ one-for-one “ rule. After you buy a new piece of clothing, get rid of one piece. This will save space in your closet and make you think about your purchase knowing that you will have to get rid of something when you get home.
2) Keep like items together. Sweaters, skirts, dresses, pants… Keep like colors together.
3) At least twice a year (maybe the spring and fall) go through your closet and get rid of clothes that you haven’t worn in a while, don’t fit or you are just plain tired of. Remember to donate them to an organization or church group.
Kitchen:
4) Keep a pre-printed grocery list in your kitchen and as you run out of things just check them off on the list and you will never again forget something while you’re in the store.
5) Plan your meals a week ahead of time and make your grocery list at the same time. That way you will have all of the ingredients needed for each meal.
6) Use baskets in your kitchen cabinets for snacks (it takes up less room than keeping them in the original container). For kids put the baskets on a lower level shelf.
7) Use organizing dividers in your drawers to keep your utensils in place.
Office:
8) Only keep essentials on your desk. When you are done working immediately put it back in a drawer.
9) Keep all of your office supplies in one place. Keep like items together.
10) Use some type of divider or baskets to keep your pens, paperclips, staples….. organized.
Paper:
11) When going through your mail automatically throw the “junk” mail into the trash can.
12) File any bills that come in the mail in a “bills to pay” folder for paying at a later date.
13) Set aside a specific day or time every week (or two) to pay bills.
14) Set aside a specific day or time every week to do all of your filing.
15) Have one file for “taxes” and put anything related to taxes (W4’s, financial statements, loan information…) in this file.
Car:
16) Keep a notebook and pen in your glove compartment. Great for notes or if you need to record mileage for business expenses.
17) Keep a few “cloth” bags in your car at all times. Great for grocery shopping (now that everyone is moving away from plastic). Also great to keep the clutter from spreading throughout the entire car.
18) Keep a basic emergency first aid kit in your car. You’ll never know when you need that Band-Aid.
Special Occasions:
19) Buy all of your birthday cards for the year at once. Address them and write the persons birthdate in pencil in the upper right hand corner where the stamp would go. Then put them into a pendaflex folder labeled by month. Near the end of the month look at the next month and pull out the cards that need to be mailed. You will never miss a birthday again.
20) Have a “present” closet or shelf. Keep a supply of basic items such as candles, stationary, games…so that you will always have something on hand if case you need a last minute gift. Stock up on items when there is a sale.
Happy Organizing !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
1) Stick to the “ one-for-one “ rule. After you buy a new piece of clothing, get rid of one piece. This will save space in your closet and make you think about your purchase knowing that you will have to get rid of something when you get home.
2) Keep like items together. Sweaters, skirts, dresses, pants… Keep like colors together.
3) At least twice a year (maybe the spring and fall) go through your closet and get rid of clothes that you haven’t worn in a while, don’t fit or you are just plain tired of. Remember to donate them to an organization or church group.
Kitchen:
4) Keep a pre-printed grocery list in your kitchen and as you run out of things just check them off on the list and you will never again forget something while you’re in the store.
5) Plan your meals a week ahead of time and make your grocery list at the same time. That way you will have all of the ingredients needed for each meal.
6) Use baskets in your kitchen cabinets for snacks (it takes up less room than keeping them in the original container). For kids put the baskets on a lower level shelf.
7) Use organizing dividers in your drawers to keep your utensils in place.
Office:
8) Only keep essentials on your desk. When you are done working immediately put it back in a drawer.
9) Keep all of your office supplies in one place. Keep like items together.
10) Use some type of divider or baskets to keep your pens, paperclips, staples….. organized.
Paper:
11) When going through your mail automatically throw the “junk” mail into the trash can.
12) File any bills that come in the mail in a “bills to pay” folder for paying at a later date.
13) Set aside a specific day or time every week (or two) to pay bills.
14) Set aside a specific day or time every week to do all of your filing.
15) Have one file for “taxes” and put anything related to taxes (W4’s, financial statements, loan information…) in this file.
Car:
16) Keep a notebook and pen in your glove compartment. Great for notes or if you need to record mileage for business expenses.
17) Keep a few “cloth” bags in your car at all times. Great for grocery shopping (now that everyone is moving away from plastic). Also great to keep the clutter from spreading throughout the entire car.
18) Keep a basic emergency first aid kit in your car. You’ll never know when you need that Band-Aid.
Special Occasions:
19) Buy all of your birthday cards for the year at once. Address them and write the persons birthdate in pencil in the upper right hand corner where the stamp would go. Then put them into a pendaflex folder labeled by month. Near the end of the month look at the next month and pull out the cards that need to be mailed. You will never miss a birthday again.
20) Have a “present” closet or shelf. Keep a supply of basic items such as candles, stationary, games…so that you will always have something on hand if case you need a last minute gift. Stock up on items when there is a sale.
Happy Organizing !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Thursday, February 4, 2010
DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
A professional organizer isn’t just great for helping you organize your closet.
They can help you in many ways that you probably never thought of.
They can help you with space management, showing you how to use your space more efficiently.
They can be a life coach, guiding you through the clutter of your life.
They can be a business coach, helping you organize your procedures and workflow.
They can help you with time management, showing you how to make better use of your time.
They can help you with paper management, dealing with all of the incoming paper and creating a filing system.
They can help you with project management, defining your goals and coming up with a game plan.
They can help you with organizing and planning meetings and events.
By becoming more "organized" you will also become "less stressed", "more efficient" and will "save time and money" .
Less Clutter = Less Stress ….. in your home, your business and your life.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
They can help you in many ways that you probably never thought of.
They can help you with space management, showing you how to use your space more efficiently.
They can be a life coach, guiding you through the clutter of your life.
They can be a business coach, helping you organize your procedures and workflow.
They can help you with time management, showing you how to make better use of your time.
They can help you with paper management, dealing with all of the incoming paper and creating a filing system.
They can help you with project management, defining your goals and coming up with a game plan.
They can help you with organizing and planning meetings and events.
By becoming more "organized" you will also become "less stressed", "more efficient" and will "save time and money" .
Less Clutter = Less Stress ….. in your home, your business and your life.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
WORKING AT HOME
A lot of people are working out of an office at home these days. For a variety of reasons.
* They are self-employed and don’t need an office outside of the home
* They work in sales and don’t need a desk at their companies office
* Their company is letting them “telecommute” from home so that they can save money on
office space
* The company doesn’t want to lose a valuable employee who has children and wants to be at
home
The list goes on and on….
Working from home also saves you money (on gas, wear and tear on the car, clothes, lunches….). And it also cuts down on pollution from your car.
But working from home also brings about some challenges. There are a lot of distractions.
You might have a tendency to throw in a few loads of laundry while you are downloading some software or waiting for an important phone call. Or you might want to run the vacuum cleaner and dust while you are waiting for a fax to go through.
In order to work at home you must be very disciplined. You have to act in a professional manner just as if you were in an office outside of the home. That also means getting dressed and not working in your pajamas (who knows if your boss might stop over?).
My old accountants had an office at home in their basement. They had remodeled it with state of the art computer equipment and if you didn’t know you were in the basement you would have thought you were in a first class office building! Every morning they put on their business suits and worked from 9 am till 5 pm. They were always ready for a client to stop by or to go off to a business meeting. They ran their home office like a real business. They saved a lot of money by not paying for additional office space and therefore they were able to keep their overhead down.
On the other hand, some people never get out of their pajamas when they work and the clients on the other end of the phone don’t know the difference.
Being professional when you are talking to a client on the phone, no matter what you are wearing, is crucial in having a home office.
Working at home if you have small children brings on a whole new set of “challenges”. Having a child screaming in the background when you are trying to talk to a client is not very professional. By scheduling your calls to clients while the children are sleeping or while they are busy with a project of their own is one way around that problem.
Having a “dedicated” work space is very important. If you treat your “at home” business like a real business you will be much more successful. By having a desk or workspace set up with all of the essentials and having a filing system in place you will be much more organized and efficient.
Working at home should not be an excuse for “slacking off”. You should have the same dedication and drive as if you worked in a “real office”. And you definitely have to be the type of person that can work by youself…without having someone standing over you telling you that you have a deadline to meet.
It’s not for everyone. Some people need the interaction that an outside office brings.
But if working from home is something that you want or have to do (maybe because you live in a remote area), then treat your office at home as if you worked in an office building.
Have the proper tools and the proper attitude. And you too can be successful and happy “at home”.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
* They are self-employed and don’t need an office outside of the home
* They work in sales and don’t need a desk at their companies office
* Their company is letting them “telecommute” from home so that they can save money on
office space
* The company doesn’t want to lose a valuable employee who has children and wants to be at
home
The list goes on and on….
Working from home also saves you money (on gas, wear and tear on the car, clothes, lunches….). And it also cuts down on pollution from your car.
But working from home also brings about some challenges. There are a lot of distractions.
You might have a tendency to throw in a few loads of laundry while you are downloading some software or waiting for an important phone call. Or you might want to run the vacuum cleaner and dust while you are waiting for a fax to go through.
In order to work at home you must be very disciplined. You have to act in a professional manner just as if you were in an office outside of the home. That also means getting dressed and not working in your pajamas (who knows if your boss might stop over?).
My old accountants had an office at home in their basement. They had remodeled it with state of the art computer equipment and if you didn’t know you were in the basement you would have thought you were in a first class office building! Every morning they put on their business suits and worked from 9 am till 5 pm. They were always ready for a client to stop by or to go off to a business meeting. They ran their home office like a real business. They saved a lot of money by not paying for additional office space and therefore they were able to keep their overhead down.
On the other hand, some people never get out of their pajamas when they work and the clients on the other end of the phone don’t know the difference.
Being professional when you are talking to a client on the phone, no matter what you are wearing, is crucial in having a home office.
Working at home if you have small children brings on a whole new set of “challenges”. Having a child screaming in the background when you are trying to talk to a client is not very professional. By scheduling your calls to clients while the children are sleeping or while they are busy with a project of their own is one way around that problem.
Having a “dedicated” work space is very important. If you treat your “at home” business like a real business you will be much more successful. By having a desk or workspace set up with all of the essentials and having a filing system in place you will be much more organized and efficient.
Working at home should not be an excuse for “slacking off”. You should have the same dedication and drive as if you worked in a “real office”. And you definitely have to be the type of person that can work by youself…without having someone standing over you telling you that you have a deadline to meet.
It’s not for everyone. Some people need the interaction that an outside office brings.
But if working from home is something that you want or have to do (maybe because you live in a remote area), then treat your office at home as if you worked in an office building.
Have the proper tools and the proper attitude. And you too can be successful and happy “at home”.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
TEN ORGANIZING TIPS
There are a million different ways that you can be organized and more productive. Below are just a few. Not all of these tips will work for “you”. Each person has to find what works for “them” and what changes can enhance “their” life.
A Professional Organizer listens to you and gives you advice that is very specific for how you function. What works for one client doesn’t necessarily work for another.
So take what you can and try it for a while….. and see if it can make your life run smoother.
When are you most productive?:
One of the first things that a Professional Organizer will do is ask you about your work habits and go over your daily routine. One of the things they will learn from this is “when do you function your best?”.
If you are a morning person, that’s when you want to do most of your work. If afternoons work better for you then schedule most of your work in the afternoon. By scheduling your work around your most “productive” time you will obviously accomplish a lot more. Sounds simple, yet most people don’t follow this method.
Trying to start your day with a huge workload when you are definitely not a morning person will just make you miserable and you won’t get everything done anyway. By simply rearranging your day to best take advantage of your “optimum” work time you will not only accomplish your tasks but you will also be much happier!
Everything has a place:
Being organized means that everything has a place and everything has a function. Once you have established a place for everything you must then get into the habit of keeping it organized. Not an easy change for a lot of people. It takes weeks to change a habit.
Start with one thing and once it becomes second nature work on changing another habit. For example: designate a specific place for your purse, briefcase, keys, mail…
By having a designated spot for these items you will always know where they are and will always able to find them. No more wasted time searching for things.
Just fifteen (15) minutes a day:
Set aside just fifteen (15) minutes a day to clean / straighten up / organize one area in your home. It may not seem like a lot of time but if you do it every day you will see a dramatic change in your life. Set a timer so that you don’t need to be checking your watch every few minutes.
By setting aside just fifteen (15) minutes a day you will cut your cleaning / straightening up / organizing time significantly. Instead of dreading spending almost two (2) hours cleaning your house on a Saturday you might have more time to spend with your family doing something fun.
Try mopping the floors on Monday, dusting on Tuesday, vacuuming on Wednesday…and so on…. Whatever works for you.
In your office you can spend Monday paying bills, Tuesday updating your spreadsheets, Wednesday filing……
There are a lot of uses for those fifteen (15) minutes…..and once you get in the habit of using your time efficiently you will have more time for the things you like to do.
Efficient use of time:
With technology taking over we all seem to be tied to our computer, emails, phones…. Whenever we hear that “you got mail” sound we all jump to check our email or check voicemail….. But this is really not an efficient use of our time. If you stop what you are doing every time you get an email the project that you are working on gets behind. Then you have to remember where you left off on your project and get back up to speed. It wastes time.
Set aside blocks of time during the day when you read all of your email or check your voicemail messages. (Handling email efficiently is another topic).
Plan your outings:
With gas prices going up and the economy going down we need to look at the way we manage our time and our car usage. By planning your day and planning your outings you can save time and money. Instead of running up to the store to get milk in the morning and then running up to the store again later to get school supplies for your kids and then again later to go to your exercise class plan one car trip and do all of your errands at the same time.
The key is planning ahead. By jumping in your car every time you need something you are not only spending money on gas but also on the wear and tear of your car and the biggest part…..you are wasting your precious time. And if you have a family you are pulled in enough directions already and time is something you don’t have a lot of.
Plan ahead and save time and money.
Plan your meals:
Everyone knows that you never, ever go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. We’ve all done it. But what happens? We buy things we normally wouldn’t and don’t really need (both economically and on our waistline). By planning out your meals for the week ahead of time and having a list when you go to the grocery store you will save money. Make that list and stick to it.
Plan your organizing projects:
You’ve been inspired and now you want to organize your entire house in one day. There are dozens of projects that you have been ignoring and you want them all done at once. Well, that’s a nice thought, but not very practical.
Your house / office didn’t get cluttered and out of control in one day …so it’s going to take more than one day to get your clutter under control. You’ve wanted to paint the living room and dining room for the last few years and put all of your photos from the past ten years into albums and re-landscape the yard.
But unless you’ve taken a leave of absence from your job to get it all done or hired people to do it for you it’s going to take time. And if you try to do it all at once….you are going to be very tired and will probably never want to do it again.
Don’t over-do things. Start simply. Make a list of all the things you want to do. Then pick one project to start with. Get that done and feel proud of yourself. Take a rest before tackling another project.
Soon all of the projects will be checked off of your list.
Shopping:
If you are at the store and you have the sudden urge to buy something…force yourself to stop and ask yourself “do you really need this?”. Is there a place for this in my home?
For a lot of people shopping is therapy. It’s psychological. It makes you feel better. It’s also how some people get caught up in the “clutter cycle”.
If you don’t have a place for the item or if you already have a blender, do you really need another one? Yes, I know it makes great smoothies…but can’t your regular blender do that ?
Make a habit of “one in – one out”. You buy an item, you get rid of an item. You don’t need two blenders or three mixers or ten black dresses. Replace things when need but don’t buy things you don’t really need.
Remember, when you donate something be sure to log it into your donation spreadsheet. That way you can deduct it from your taxes.
Children and toys:
When your kids are small so are the toys. And they are usually everywhere. Your house can be organized even when you have children. Start by getting some containers for the toys. Have one box for books, one box for dolls & accessories, one box for cars & trucks, one box for puzzles….and so on.
When the children are as young as two you can start by having them help you put away their toys at the end of the day (or at the end of a play period). No, they are not too young. Believe me, if you start them young it will become a habit and your house will be clutter free. Two year olds might take a bit longer to put away their toys so you need to allow enough time for them to do it.
If you are of the mindset that it takes too long or you don’t have time for them to do it…and you don’t do it for them….toys will take over your house. And your children will learn that clutter is “normal and acceptable”.
Help your children develop good habits at an early age.
Children and mornings:
It seems that mornings are always chaotic. The kids oversleep and they can’t find their homework. They are late for the bus and they don’t have time to make their lunch.
Sound typical? Children do not understand (they choose not to) that if they go to bed at a decent hour they won’t be tired in the morning and they will wake up on time. They will have plenty of time for breakfast and time to make their lunch and time to find their homework. But that doesn’t always happen.
Figure out how long it takes your child to get up, dressed and ready for school and add 15 minutes to that time. Set their alarm (make sure it’s really loud!).
The night before have them make and pack their lunches. Don’t wait until morning. That’s just added stress for you. Even if the children are too young to make their own lunches include them in the decisions and reinforce good nutritional choices. If you only offer them food that is nutritious they will eat it. They won’t let themselves starve.
After their homework is done at night have them immediately put it into their backpack. That way they will always know where it is. Make it a habit. Ask them if their homework is done and if it’s been put into their backpack. By reinforcing this over and over again it will become a habit for them.
Have them set the table for breakfast before they go to bed. That way it’s one less thing to do in the morning.
By getting as much done the night before as you can, your mornings will be a bit more calm.
Being organized is a way of life. Start with small steps. Make it a habit.
Organizational Consulting Services http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
A Professional Organizer listens to you and gives you advice that is very specific for how you function. What works for one client doesn’t necessarily work for another.
So take what you can and try it for a while….. and see if it can make your life run smoother.
When are you most productive?:
One of the first things that a Professional Organizer will do is ask you about your work habits and go over your daily routine. One of the things they will learn from this is “when do you function your best?”.
If you are a morning person, that’s when you want to do most of your work. If afternoons work better for you then schedule most of your work in the afternoon. By scheduling your work around your most “productive” time you will obviously accomplish a lot more. Sounds simple, yet most people don’t follow this method.
Trying to start your day with a huge workload when you are definitely not a morning person will just make you miserable and you won’t get everything done anyway. By simply rearranging your day to best take advantage of your “optimum” work time you will not only accomplish your tasks but you will also be much happier!
Everything has a place:
Being organized means that everything has a place and everything has a function. Once you have established a place for everything you must then get into the habit of keeping it organized. Not an easy change for a lot of people. It takes weeks to change a habit.
Start with one thing and once it becomes second nature work on changing another habit. For example: designate a specific place for your purse, briefcase, keys, mail…
By having a designated spot for these items you will always know where they are and will always able to find them. No more wasted time searching for things.
Just fifteen (15) minutes a day:
Set aside just fifteen (15) minutes a day to clean / straighten up / organize one area in your home. It may not seem like a lot of time but if you do it every day you will see a dramatic change in your life. Set a timer so that you don’t need to be checking your watch every few minutes.
By setting aside just fifteen (15) minutes a day you will cut your cleaning / straightening up / organizing time significantly. Instead of dreading spending almost two (2) hours cleaning your house on a Saturday you might have more time to spend with your family doing something fun.
Try mopping the floors on Monday, dusting on Tuesday, vacuuming on Wednesday…and so on…. Whatever works for you.
In your office you can spend Monday paying bills, Tuesday updating your spreadsheets, Wednesday filing……
There are a lot of uses for those fifteen (15) minutes…..and once you get in the habit of using your time efficiently you will have more time for the things you like to do.
Efficient use of time:
With technology taking over we all seem to be tied to our computer, emails, phones…. Whenever we hear that “you got mail” sound we all jump to check our email or check voicemail….. But this is really not an efficient use of our time. If you stop what you are doing every time you get an email the project that you are working on gets behind. Then you have to remember where you left off on your project and get back up to speed. It wastes time.
Set aside blocks of time during the day when you read all of your email or check your voicemail messages. (Handling email efficiently is another topic).
Plan your outings:
With gas prices going up and the economy going down we need to look at the way we manage our time and our car usage. By planning your day and planning your outings you can save time and money. Instead of running up to the store to get milk in the morning and then running up to the store again later to get school supplies for your kids and then again later to go to your exercise class plan one car trip and do all of your errands at the same time.
The key is planning ahead. By jumping in your car every time you need something you are not only spending money on gas but also on the wear and tear of your car and the biggest part…..you are wasting your precious time. And if you have a family you are pulled in enough directions already and time is something you don’t have a lot of.
Plan ahead and save time and money.
Plan your meals:
Everyone knows that you never, ever go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. We’ve all done it. But what happens? We buy things we normally wouldn’t and don’t really need (both economically and on our waistline). By planning out your meals for the week ahead of time and having a list when you go to the grocery store you will save money. Make that list and stick to it.
Plan your organizing projects:
You’ve been inspired and now you want to organize your entire house in one day. There are dozens of projects that you have been ignoring and you want them all done at once. Well, that’s a nice thought, but not very practical.
Your house / office didn’t get cluttered and out of control in one day …so it’s going to take more than one day to get your clutter under control. You’ve wanted to paint the living room and dining room for the last few years and put all of your photos from the past ten years into albums and re-landscape the yard.
But unless you’ve taken a leave of absence from your job to get it all done or hired people to do it for you it’s going to take time. And if you try to do it all at once….you are going to be very tired and will probably never want to do it again.
Don’t over-do things. Start simply. Make a list of all the things you want to do. Then pick one project to start with. Get that done and feel proud of yourself. Take a rest before tackling another project.
Soon all of the projects will be checked off of your list.
Shopping:
If you are at the store and you have the sudden urge to buy something…force yourself to stop and ask yourself “do you really need this?”. Is there a place for this in my home?
For a lot of people shopping is therapy. It’s psychological. It makes you feel better. It’s also how some people get caught up in the “clutter cycle”.
If you don’t have a place for the item or if you already have a blender, do you really need another one? Yes, I know it makes great smoothies…but can’t your regular blender do that ?
Make a habit of “one in – one out”. You buy an item, you get rid of an item. You don’t need two blenders or three mixers or ten black dresses. Replace things when need but don’t buy things you don’t really need.
Remember, when you donate something be sure to log it into your donation spreadsheet. That way you can deduct it from your taxes.
Children and toys:
When your kids are small so are the toys. And they are usually everywhere. Your house can be organized even when you have children. Start by getting some containers for the toys. Have one box for books, one box for dolls & accessories, one box for cars & trucks, one box for puzzles….and so on.
When the children are as young as two you can start by having them help you put away their toys at the end of the day (or at the end of a play period). No, they are not too young. Believe me, if you start them young it will become a habit and your house will be clutter free. Two year olds might take a bit longer to put away their toys so you need to allow enough time for them to do it.
If you are of the mindset that it takes too long or you don’t have time for them to do it…and you don’t do it for them….toys will take over your house. And your children will learn that clutter is “normal and acceptable”.
Help your children develop good habits at an early age.
Children and mornings:
It seems that mornings are always chaotic. The kids oversleep and they can’t find their homework. They are late for the bus and they don’t have time to make their lunch.
Sound typical? Children do not understand (they choose not to) that if they go to bed at a decent hour they won’t be tired in the morning and they will wake up on time. They will have plenty of time for breakfast and time to make their lunch and time to find their homework. But that doesn’t always happen.
Figure out how long it takes your child to get up, dressed and ready for school and add 15 minutes to that time. Set their alarm (make sure it’s really loud!).
The night before have them make and pack their lunches. Don’t wait until morning. That’s just added stress for you. Even if the children are too young to make their own lunches include them in the decisions and reinforce good nutritional choices. If you only offer them food that is nutritious they will eat it. They won’t let themselves starve.
After their homework is done at night have them immediately put it into their backpack. That way they will always know where it is. Make it a habit. Ask them if their homework is done and if it’s been put into their backpack. By reinforcing this over and over again it will become a habit for them.
Have them set the table for breakfast before they go to bed. That way it’s one less thing to do in the morning.
By getting as much done the night before as you can, your mornings will be a bit more calm.
Being organized is a way of life. Start with small steps. Make it a habit.
Organizational Consulting Services http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, October 5, 2009
DOWNSIZING, DE-CLUTTERING and DONATING
Three D’s that can not only make your home more livable and function better but it can also be a godsend to other people.
People downsize for a variety of reasons – economics, the house is too big after the kids leave or a spouse dies, they want to spend less time cleaning a big space or yard, they want a different lifestyle.
Downsizing can also be “freeing” – both financially and emotionally. If you have less space (or things) you have more time for yourself and time to pursue other activities (hobbies, volunteering, school….).
Do you really need a 3,500 square foot house if you live alone? Do you really want to spend all of that time cleaning rooms you never use? And what about the mortgage? Wouldn’t you rather spend that money elsewhere? Like your retirement?
Downsizing is not a “bad” thing. It doesn’t mean that you are “poor”. The word should actually be changed to “right sizing”. What was “right” ten (10) years ago might not be “right” for your today.
If you always wanted to live in the city and be a part of the hustle and bustle and in the center of all of the culture….maybe now is the time. If your kids are grown and you don’t need a four (4) bedroom house in the suburbs why stay?
Change is hard. But once you jump in and “right size” you might wonder why it took you so long.
De-cluttering. Not only will you gain space you never knew you had in your home but you will be able to find things more easily. Saving you time and money. Think about the repercussions of not being able to find things. What happens when you can’t find your keys and are late for work? You could possible be fired.
What if you are running late for your child’s play rehearsal because you can’t remember where you left your purse? You are probably screaming at your kids, running around the house looking for your purse and they are crying because you’re yelling at them. Whose fault is it that you can’t find your purse?
De-cluttering brings about “order”. It reduces stress – because now everything has a place and you aren’t searching for things.
Do you really need to keep bits and pieces of toys that you can’t find? Do you really need to keep toys that don’t work? Or your children have outgrown? Do you really need to keep clothes from when you were 20 something ? Really ? Like you actually believe they will come back into style? Before you’re 50 ?
LET GO! It’s a hard concept for most people. It’s mostly psychology with a bit of nostalgia thrown in. What if you “need” (insert whatever you are keeping). What if ?
Now take a deep breath and say to yourself “I can live without (insert whatever you are keeping) “. Put it into a garbage pile or a donate pile and move on. Don’t think about it too long or you might try to fish it out.
Soon you will have de-cluttered an entire room and when you look around you will have so much more space you might think you’re in the wrong house!
Donating. Not only are you “recycling” your household items and helping people that don’t have the money to buy new things, but you are also getting a tax write-off. Be sure to keep a list of exactly what you donate, date, amount, value and where donated. Be sure to get a receipt for your taxes.
We keep a “donate box” in the garage and make it a habit to go through our closets and cupboards every few months to get rid of things that we’ve outgrown or haven’t used in a long time.
Then when the box gets full we drive down to a donation center and drop off our box.
It makes us feel good that we aren’t just throwing things out that others can use.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
People downsize for a variety of reasons – economics, the house is too big after the kids leave or a spouse dies, they want to spend less time cleaning a big space or yard, they want a different lifestyle.
Downsizing can also be “freeing” – both financially and emotionally. If you have less space (or things) you have more time for yourself and time to pursue other activities (hobbies, volunteering, school….).
Do you really need a 3,500 square foot house if you live alone? Do you really want to spend all of that time cleaning rooms you never use? And what about the mortgage? Wouldn’t you rather spend that money elsewhere? Like your retirement?
Downsizing is not a “bad” thing. It doesn’t mean that you are “poor”. The word should actually be changed to “right sizing”. What was “right” ten (10) years ago might not be “right” for your today.
If you always wanted to live in the city and be a part of the hustle and bustle and in the center of all of the culture….maybe now is the time. If your kids are grown and you don’t need a four (4) bedroom house in the suburbs why stay?
Change is hard. But once you jump in and “right size” you might wonder why it took you so long.
De-cluttering. Not only will you gain space you never knew you had in your home but you will be able to find things more easily. Saving you time and money. Think about the repercussions of not being able to find things. What happens when you can’t find your keys and are late for work? You could possible be fired.
What if you are running late for your child’s play rehearsal because you can’t remember where you left your purse? You are probably screaming at your kids, running around the house looking for your purse and they are crying because you’re yelling at them. Whose fault is it that you can’t find your purse?
De-cluttering brings about “order”. It reduces stress – because now everything has a place and you aren’t searching for things.
Do you really need to keep bits and pieces of toys that you can’t find? Do you really need to keep toys that don’t work? Or your children have outgrown? Do you really need to keep clothes from when you were 20 something ? Really ? Like you actually believe they will come back into style? Before you’re 50 ?
LET GO! It’s a hard concept for most people. It’s mostly psychology with a bit of nostalgia thrown in. What if you “need” (insert whatever you are keeping). What if ?
Now take a deep breath and say to yourself “I can live without (insert whatever you are keeping) “. Put it into a garbage pile or a donate pile and move on. Don’t think about it too long or you might try to fish it out.
Soon you will have de-cluttered an entire room and when you look around you will have so much more space you might think you’re in the wrong house!
Donating. Not only are you “recycling” your household items and helping people that don’t have the money to buy new things, but you are also getting a tax write-off. Be sure to keep a list of exactly what you donate, date, amount, value and where donated. Be sure to get a receipt for your taxes.
We keep a “donate box” in the garage and make it a habit to go through our closets and cupboards every few months to get rid of things that we’ve outgrown or haven’t used in a long time.
Then when the box gets full we drive down to a donation center and drop off our box.
It makes us feel good that we aren’t just throwing things out that others can use.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Professional Organizer 4 U
A Professional Organizer does more than "organize" your closets. Or your kitchen. Or the garage....
A Professional Organizer can help you organize almost every aspect of your life.
It isn't only "rooms" that need to be organized ....... but your entire life.
Stop and think about it. If you have a job you need to be organized. You need to know when you have to be at work. You need to know when projects are due. You need to get them done, in a timely manner, following certain steps, in a certain order.
If you have a family, you need to get the kids to school on time, get them to all of their doctors appointments, their after school activities... Plus, you have to make dinner and help them with their homework.
You then have to juggle your kids and your spouse and your job.
This can't happen if you aren't organized.
Well.... it can happen....badly....
But if you were organized things would run smoother....and you would be less stressed.
You would get to where you needed to be, when you needed to be there, with as little stress as possible.
Sounds like a fairy tale ?
No.... it really is possible.
BUT......it requires planning and organization.
School is going to be starting in a few weeks (believe it or not)...... Are you ready? Or are you going to wait until the last minute and be stressed out and fighting over the last of the school supplies with another parent that waited until the last minute?
That's just one example of how being organized can help you..... by keeping you on track and making your life run smoother.
Being organized in your job, having your office organized so that you can find things easily can help you save time and money.
Having an organized home to come home to will not only make your life less stressful but it can lead to downright happiness !
Sit back and think about walking into a cluttered mess where you can't find anything........ and then think about walking into a home where everything is in it's place and you feel a calm come over you and you can relax.
A Professional Organizer can help you organize your home so that you can feel calm and stress free in your sanctuary. They can show you how to make your home flow better and teach you how to keep your spaces organized.
A Professional Organizer can teach you how to de-clutter your home and your life. They can teach you structure and order.....in a way that works for "you".
And that's the important part..... it has to work for "you".
A Professional Organizer is non-judgemental and caring.
There is an entire psychology around being organized. So don't beat yourself up over not being organized. Maybe you were never taught to be organized.
An outsider.... a Professional Organizer.... can show you the way to a More Organized You !
Call us today....... and let us help you change your life !
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
A Professional Organizer can help you organize almost every aspect of your life.
It isn't only "rooms" that need to be organized ....... but your entire life.
Stop and think about it. If you have a job you need to be organized. You need to know when you have to be at work. You need to know when projects are due. You need to get them done, in a timely manner, following certain steps, in a certain order.
If you have a family, you need to get the kids to school on time, get them to all of their doctors appointments, their after school activities... Plus, you have to make dinner and help them with their homework.
You then have to juggle your kids and your spouse and your job.
This can't happen if you aren't organized.
Well.... it can happen....badly....
But if you were organized things would run smoother....and you would be less stressed.
You would get to where you needed to be, when you needed to be there, with as little stress as possible.
Sounds like a fairy tale ?
No.... it really is possible.
BUT......it requires planning and organization.
School is going to be starting in a few weeks (believe it or not)...... Are you ready? Or are you going to wait until the last minute and be stressed out and fighting over the last of the school supplies with another parent that waited until the last minute?
That's just one example of how being organized can help you..... by keeping you on track and making your life run smoother.
Being organized in your job, having your office organized so that you can find things easily can help you save time and money.
Having an organized home to come home to will not only make your life less stressful but it can lead to downright happiness !
Sit back and think about walking into a cluttered mess where you can't find anything........ and then think about walking into a home where everything is in it's place and you feel a calm come over you and you can relax.
A Professional Organizer can help you organize your home so that you can feel calm and stress free in your sanctuary. They can show you how to make your home flow better and teach you how to keep your spaces organized.
A Professional Organizer can teach you how to de-clutter your home and your life. They can teach you structure and order.....in a way that works for "you".
And that's the important part..... it has to work for "you".
A Professional Organizer is non-judgemental and caring.
There is an entire psychology around being organized. So don't beat yourself up over not being organized. Maybe you were never taught to be organized.
An outsider.... a Professional Organizer.... can show you the way to a More Organized You !
Call us today....... and let us help you change your life !
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
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