Monday, May 13, 2013
Vacations Made Easy - Lists and Stress Free Packing
We just got back from a really nice and relaxing vacation. A condo overlooking the lake with the mountains as the backdrop. It was glorious!
But it was one of those times where the few weeks leading up to our vacation were extremely busy with work, meetings and other activities so I didn't actually pack our suitcases until the morning we were going to leave. Believe me - this is not like me.
But I had a great excuse. Jeff Dunham. What can I say - I'm a huge fan! We got tickets to see his show and it was scheduled for the night before we were supposed to leave on vacation - so packing got pushed aside. I do have my priorities!
I then learned the power of lists! I've been packing up the house and kids for vacations for a long time so I have it pretty well down. But waiting until the very last minute to pack can be a bit stressful even under the best of circumstances.
With my packing lists it took almost no time at all and I didn't forget a thing! I had a checklist for each member of the family and everything went into the suitcases as planned.
Lists are great - they take the stress out of most things in our busy lives. Orderly and efficient.
So make fun of me if you must - but my vacation list saved the day and our vacation was very relaxing.
As an add on - remember that vacations are not only about packing your suitcase - but about making your house vacation proof.
When you go on vacation you not only have to remember to pack all of the things that you need…you also have to remember to take care of your house / apartment / cats or dogs / plants / garden / bills and a whole slew of things.
A few things that you might want to do:
• Put your mail on HOLD
• Make arrangements to get your lawn cut / your garden or flowers watered
• Make arrangements to get any inside plants watered
• Make arrangements for any animals ( to get fed or taken care of)
• Make arrangements to have your bills paid ahead of time
• Make arrangements to have someone pick up some basic food essentials for your return home so that you have something to eat until you have a chance to go to the store
By planning ahead you too can have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation and a relaxing return home.
Have a great vacation !!!
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Organizing Seminar - Stevensville Library
Spring is Here! Let's Get Organized!
On Tuesday, May 14th - from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. It's FREE !
At the Stevensville Library - North Valley Public Library.
Come and join our discussion on how much disorganization costs you, the organizing process, different types of clutter and much more.
Get some tips on how to de-clutter your home for spring.
Join us !
Organizational Consulting Services
Monday, May 6, 2013
Containers and Organization - What's the Difference ?
I love containers and everything in its proper place. It makes things look so neat and orderly.
But just because you have containers doesn't mean that you are organized.
Being organized means that you have a plan, a place for everything and you know where everything is.
It means that the things you have are "useful". You don't just have a bunch of "stuff".
If you have a lot of containers (boxes, baskets....) but you have a lot of "everything" thrown into them and there is no pattern or reason to their order - then you really aren't organized. You just have a lot of nice containers!
Organization means that you have put "like with like". It means that only things that are supposed to be in the room (or file or cabinet....) are in there.
It means that you have a plan for how things are supposed to be and you stick with the plan.
Containers are a tool. Organization is a state of mind, a way of life.
You need both to be successful and to make your life easier.
But don't get carried away and start buying a lot of containers when you don't need them or they aren't functioning in a way that is helpful.
Everything should have a purpose and a place. That's what being organized is all about.
Organizational Consulting Services
Monday, April 29, 2013
Organize Your Calendar
It's almost summer time - when lots of things happen. Activities - fairs, concerts, open air markets and so many activities that beckon us.
So how can we be sure not to miss anything?
It's easy - Organize Your Calendar!
Seriously - if you can organize all of the other aspects of your life - why not your social life?
There are a lot of things that you can do that does not cost any or very little money. There are a lot of outdoor activities, parades, outdoor concerts and other things that you can enjoy - if you know about them.
Every city or town probably has a city website where it lists all of the activities in the surrounding area.
Sit down with your calendar and put everything that interests you on your calendar. That way you won't forget it and you will have something to look forward to all summer long.
Schedule everything - including things like "hikes" or "go to the beach". Force yourself to get out and enjoy your town.
People always say "there's nothing to do". Yes, there is....if you look for it and schedule it.
Just like work projects - you have to organize and schedule your social life.
So....pick up your calendar and start planning your summer and learn to enjoy the simple things around you.
So how can we be sure not to miss anything?
It's easy - Organize Your Calendar!
Seriously - if you can organize all of the other aspects of your life - why not your social life?
There are a lot of things that you can do that does not cost any or very little money. There are a lot of outdoor activities, parades, outdoor concerts and other things that you can enjoy - if you know about them.
Every city or town probably has a city website where it lists all of the activities in the surrounding area.
Sit down with your calendar and put everything that interests you on your calendar. That way you won't forget it and you will have something to look forward to all summer long.
Schedule everything - including things like "hikes" or "go to the beach". Force yourself to get out and enjoy your town.
People always say "there's nothing to do". Yes, there is....if you look for it and schedule it.
Just like work projects - you have to organize and schedule your social life.
So....pick up your calendar and start planning your summer and learn to enjoy the simple things around you.
Organizational Consulting Services
Monday, April 22, 2013
Organizing Your Email
Everyone gets bombarded with email. How in the world do you keep up?
Unless you are on your computer (or other device) 24/7 you will eventually get behind.
So how can we keep our emails and constant electronic communication from taking over our lives?
It's addicting. We think that we can't live without being "connected". But not so long ago - people survived without email, texts, twitter and everything else.
If you are in business it's almost required to be connected these days. But at what costs?
What if you are not in a business where your job requires that you stay connected 24/7. Most people today are still obsessed with their electronic devices.
By being able to organize your email so that you can quickly decipher what is important and what isn't - junk mail that's not spam - you can save yourself a little bit of time.
Get into the habit of putting something into your "subject" line of the emails that you send so that the other person knows what the email is about. Hopefully you will be able to tell from other people's email subject line if it is something that needs to be dealt with immediately, if it's something that can be deleted, if it's something that can be dealt with at a later time or maybe it's something that can be filed in a "reference" file.
Get into the habit of checking your email at only certain times of the day. Quickly go through and put your emails into categories first.
After you have categorized them into "must read", "can deal with later", "for reference" and "junk - delete now" - then you can deal with each group when you have time.
Each person needs to decide on categories that make sense to them. By dealing with one category at a time you can get through your emails quicker.
By cutting down the amount of times that you check your email you will save yourself a lot of time and you will have more time to devote to more important things - such as your family and friends.
Organizing your email - your inbox - takes some time. But once you are done and get into the habit of putting things where they belong - you will be amazed at how easy it is.
Organizational Consulting Services
Unless you are on your computer (or other device) 24/7 you will eventually get behind.
So how can we keep our emails and constant electronic communication from taking over our lives?
It's addicting. We think that we can't live without being "connected". But not so long ago - people survived without email, texts, twitter and everything else.
If you are in business it's almost required to be connected these days. But at what costs?
What if you are not in a business where your job requires that you stay connected 24/7. Most people today are still obsessed with their electronic devices.
By being able to organize your email so that you can quickly decipher what is important and what isn't - junk mail that's not spam - you can save yourself a little bit of time.
Get into the habit of putting something into your "subject" line of the emails that you send so that the other person knows what the email is about. Hopefully you will be able to tell from other people's email subject line if it is something that needs to be dealt with immediately, if it's something that can be deleted, if it's something that can be dealt with at a later time or maybe it's something that can be filed in a "reference" file.
Get into the habit of checking your email at only certain times of the day. Quickly go through and put your emails into categories first.
After you have categorized them into "must read", "can deal with later", "for reference" and "junk - delete now" - then you can deal with each group when you have time.
Each person needs to decide on categories that make sense to them. By dealing with one category at a time you can get through your emails quicker.
By cutting down the amount of times that you check your email you will save yourself a lot of time and you will have more time to devote to more important things - such as your family and friends.
Organizing your email - your inbox - takes some time. But once you are done and get into the habit of putting things where they belong - you will be amazed at how easy it is.
Organizational Consulting Services
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tax TIme - Avoid the Stress Next Year
It's April 15th - Did you file your Taxes?
A lot of people wait until the very last minute to file their taxes. It's something that everyone hates doing. It takes a lot of time - especially if you didn't keep all of your needed receipts or records in an organized system where they were easily accessible.
So....what did you learn from this?
Do better next year !
You can start now by making up a few folders and putting anything tax related into them as they come in. That alone will save you a lot of time, frustration and stress next tax season.
A few quick ideas for file folders:
Get into the habit of filing these important papers into the appropriate files as soon as they come in - you will save yourself a lot of time next year. Time that is well spent this year.
Getting organized and staying organized is a lot of work. But well worth the effort!
Organizational Consulting Services
A lot of people wait until the very last minute to file their taxes. It's something that everyone hates doing. It takes a lot of time - especially if you didn't keep all of your needed receipts or records in an organized system where they were easily accessible.
So....what did you learn from this?
Do better next year !
You can start now by making up a few folders and putting anything tax related into them as they come in. That alone will save you a lot of time, frustration and stress next tax season.
A few quick ideas for file folders:
- Tax related
- Medical / Health Care
- Donations
- Investments
- Mortgage info
- Banking
Get into the habit of filing these important papers into the appropriate files as soon as they come in - you will save yourself a lot of time next year. Time that is well spent this year.
Getting organized and staying organized is a lot of work. But well worth the effort!
Organizational Consulting Services
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Spring is Here - Getting Your House Ready for Sale
Moving - when is it a good time? A lot of people think that spring and the beginning of summer is a good time to sell your house and buy another one - especially if you have kids. Once the kids finish school you can pack them up and move them without disruption. A great plan - if you are organized and leave yourself plenty of time to acccomplish everything needed to make it happen.
Start by going through each closet and cupboard and sorting through a lifetime of possessions.
Decide what you really need / have to have / want to pay to move. Moving is expensive, so for some things it makes sense to leave them (donate or sell) and to buy new after you get settled. Things like a ten year old washer / dryer - when the newer models are more energy efficient and more cost effective.
Get rid of mismatched dishes, clothes that don't fit or are worn out, toys that the kids have outgrown or are broken and anything else that you really have no use for. Be honest with yourself. Do you really want to pack and then unpack things that you are going to throw away once you get to your new home?
All of this takes a lot of time and energy. And....it is a very emotional process - even if you think you are prepared and ready to move.
So - leave yourself plenty of time and your move to a new home will go much smoother and be less traumatic.
Happy House Hunting !
Organizational Consulting Services
Start by going through each closet and cupboard and sorting through a lifetime of possessions.
Decide what you really need / have to have / want to pay to move. Moving is expensive, so for some things it makes sense to leave them (donate or sell) and to buy new after you get settled. Things like a ten year old washer / dryer - when the newer models are more energy efficient and more cost effective.
Get rid of mismatched dishes, clothes that don't fit or are worn out, toys that the kids have outgrown or are broken and anything else that you really have no use for. Be honest with yourself. Do you really want to pack and then unpack things that you are going to throw away once you get to your new home?
All of this takes a lot of time and energy. And....it is a very emotional process - even if you think you are prepared and ready to move.
So - leave yourself plenty of time and your move to a new home will go much smoother and be less traumatic.
Happy House Hunting !
Organizational Consulting Services
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