The Holidays Are Coming

They come at the same time every year...but the holidays always seem to be a surprise for many people.

They get overwhelmed with all of the advertising and commercialism and total chaos at the stores.

The sad part is that even though we have a number of holidays before Christmas the pressure is already on to start buying all of the Christmas decorations and presents and those other holidays just fall by the wayside.

Take a deep breath, step back and concentrate on one holiday at a time. Enjoy each one. Don't let the commercialism spoil those other holidays.

Yes, the holidays are a stressful time....because of every one's expectation of television holiday perfection.

But you should make the holidays be what you want .... simple and real always wins over the commercial stress that we have come to expect.

Plan for one holiday at a time. I know it's not easy when you are trying to find Halloween costumes and Christmas ornaments are in your way.

Know that your stress will probably start to rise in the next few weeks. Start planning some "quiet" time to decompress in between the craziness. Even if you just take an hour to sit down at the mall, have some coffee and watch all of the people scurrying about....by slowing down and forcing yourself to take some time to decompress....you will become calmer and less stressed.

It know that it's not easy to take that time... most people don't think they have it... but if you let the stress build you will eventually stop functioning at all.

Now....take a deep breath and try to enjoy the start of the holiday season.  One holiday at a time.



Organizational Consulting Services

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Raising Organized Kids

School is now well underway. Everyone is getting settled into their daily routine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Start Today..... Raise an Organized Child


Organizational Consulting Services

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Love It or List It

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Organizational Consulting Services

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Using Time Wisely

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

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

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

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

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

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



Organizational Consulting Services

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Organization and Knowing Your Limitations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Organizational Consulting Services

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Being Organized ... A Work in Progress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Organizational Consulting Services

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Moving - Ten Years From Now.....

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

Are you prepared?  Most people aren't.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Decorations
• Equipment

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

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

Organizational Consulting Services

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