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
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR BASEMENT
A lot of people use their basement as a “catch all” room. Anything that doesn’t have a place anywhere else gets dumped in the basement.
Cleaning supplies, sports equipment, storage boxes, memorabilia, photo albums, holiday decorations and lots of other things…..
When storing things in the basement you need to consider the moisture that a lot of basements have. Also be sure to keep everything off of the floor (at least a few inches). You never know when you might have some flooding after a heavy storm. The one year that I decided to “hide” my Christmas presents in the basement we had a really bad rainstorm and the basement got a few inches of water. Of course I had all of the presents on the floor, lined up in a perfect line, wrapped perfectly, in perfect bags, all ready to go. I lost just about everything and learned a very valuable lesson (no, not the one about being too organized).
I learned that basements flood ! (and no, I’m not telling you where I hide my Christmas presents now…).
If you put any type of shelving units in your basement be sure that the bottom shelf is at least three (3) inches above the floor to be safe.
Keep in mind that mold, mildew, water and little critters might play a role in how you organize your basement and what types of storage bins you use.
It’s best to keep things in plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Be sure to label the boxes so that you know what’s in them…but do not put the label on top of the lid, put it on the sides.
If you stack the boxes make sure that the heaviest boxes are on the bottom.
You need to decide how the basement is going to be used. Storage, workshop, office, playroom….. If the basement is going to be used for more than one purpose break the area into “zones” and section off each zone. For example, if the basement is going to be used for both storage and a playroom use some type of divider to keep the kids out of the storage area.
A dehumidifier might be a good idea to help remove the moisture in your basement and to help get rid of the musty smell.
Be sure to keep things away from the heater.
Remember, organizing any room that is cluttered is going to take time. Give yourself a break by setting a time limit (one or two hours) so that you don’t exhaust yourself and get frustrated and give up.
I’m sure that it didn’t get disorganized and cluttered overnight and it’s going to take some time to get organized.
Once the room is organized the maintenance to keep it that way will be minimal.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Cleaning supplies, sports equipment, storage boxes, memorabilia, photo albums, holiday decorations and lots of other things…..
When storing things in the basement you need to consider the moisture that a lot of basements have. Also be sure to keep everything off of the floor (at least a few inches). You never know when you might have some flooding after a heavy storm. The one year that I decided to “hide” my Christmas presents in the basement we had a really bad rainstorm and the basement got a few inches of water. Of course I had all of the presents on the floor, lined up in a perfect line, wrapped perfectly, in perfect bags, all ready to go. I lost just about everything and learned a very valuable lesson (no, not the one about being too organized).
I learned that basements flood ! (and no, I’m not telling you where I hide my Christmas presents now…).
If you put any type of shelving units in your basement be sure that the bottom shelf is at least three (3) inches above the floor to be safe.
Keep in mind that mold, mildew, water and little critters might play a role in how you organize your basement and what types of storage bins you use.
It’s best to keep things in plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Be sure to label the boxes so that you know what’s in them…but do not put the label on top of the lid, put it on the sides.
If you stack the boxes make sure that the heaviest boxes are on the bottom.
You need to decide how the basement is going to be used. Storage, workshop, office, playroom….. If the basement is going to be used for more than one purpose break the area into “zones” and section off each zone. For example, if the basement is going to be used for both storage and a playroom use some type of divider to keep the kids out of the storage area.
A dehumidifier might be a good idea to help remove the moisture in your basement and to help get rid of the musty smell.
Be sure to keep things away from the heater.
Remember, organizing any room that is cluttered is going to take time. Give yourself a break by setting a time limit (one or two hours) so that you don’t exhaust yourself and get frustrated and give up.
I’m sure that it didn’t get disorganized and cluttered overnight and it’s going to take some time to get organized.
Once the room is organized the maintenance to keep it that way will be minimal.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 24, 2010
BEING PREPARED FOR SUMMER FUN AT A MOMENTS NOTICE
Balance in your life. Yes, having an organized home is important. But if you have children, remember that the dust will be there tomorrow. Don’t lose sight of the important things in your life – like playing with your children and going to the beach on a sunny day. Don’t put off the dusting for too long – but your children won’t be little forever. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes priorities aren’t as obvious as they seem.
* Summer basket: In the summer I always keep a basket filled with “picnic” items near my front door. Take advantage of the warm weather and eat dinner at the beach or the park. It’s amazing how going to the beach and eating dinner on a picnic blanket (which I always keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics) can relax you after a hard and stressful day at work. It’s like a mini vacation rolled up in a few hours. Looking out at the water and watching the sunset works wonders on relieving your stress.
In my basket I keep a supply of paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, salt/pepper, wet wipes, plastic bags for garbage, magazines, sunscreen.
I throw in some bottled water and grab some sandwiches (you can also get them at a sub shop on your way to the beach) or KFC (yes, it’s bad for you but it’s part of our summer tradition).
I always keep a bag of baby carrots, cut up vegetables, and some fruit in the fridge during the summer for quick healthy snacks….and these can be tossed in your basket too.
If you have little kids keeps a bag filled with a couple of buckets and shovels in your car for those “spur of the moment” trips to the beach. Keep an extra set of beach towels in your car and you will be ready to go at a moments notice.
Try it …. And see how much less stressed you will feel after an hour at the beach. We live less than 20 minutes away from the beach yet most people never take advantage of this great opportunity for a “mini vacation” during the week.
________________________________________________________________________________
* Emergency Kit: Instead of having band-aids and other emergency medical supplies spread out throughout the bathroom make up an “emergency medical kit” so that everything can be in one easy to find place. Use a container with a lid that has handles and when an emergency arises you can just take the entire kit with you and have everything you might possibly need at your fingertips. You can keep one kit in the house and another in your car. Some items that you might want to include are:
* Anti-biotic ointment
* Anti itch ointment
* Alcohol wipes
* Aspirin
* Band-aids
* Cotton swabs
* Eye drops
* Instect Repellent
* Hand Sanitizer
* Sunscreen
* Tissues
* Tweezers
Have a great summer..... be prepared for fun !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
* Summer basket: In the summer I always keep a basket filled with “picnic” items near my front door. Take advantage of the warm weather and eat dinner at the beach or the park. It’s amazing how going to the beach and eating dinner on a picnic blanket (which I always keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics) can relax you after a hard and stressful day at work. It’s like a mini vacation rolled up in a few hours. Looking out at the water and watching the sunset works wonders on relieving your stress.
In my basket I keep a supply of paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic silverware, salt/pepper, wet wipes, plastic bags for garbage, magazines, sunscreen.
I throw in some bottled water and grab some sandwiches (you can also get them at a sub shop on your way to the beach) or KFC (yes, it’s bad for you but it’s part of our summer tradition).
I always keep a bag of baby carrots, cut up vegetables, and some fruit in the fridge during the summer for quick healthy snacks….and these can be tossed in your basket too.
If you have little kids keeps a bag filled with a couple of buckets and shovels in your car for those “spur of the moment” trips to the beach. Keep an extra set of beach towels in your car and you will be ready to go at a moments notice.
Try it …. And see how much less stressed you will feel after an hour at the beach. We live less than 20 minutes away from the beach yet most people never take advantage of this great opportunity for a “mini vacation” during the week.
________________________________________________________________________________
* Emergency Kit: Instead of having band-aids and other emergency medical supplies spread out throughout the bathroom make up an “emergency medical kit” so that everything can be in one easy to find place. Use a container with a lid that has handles and when an emergency arises you can just take the entire kit with you and have everything you might possibly need at your fingertips. You can keep one kit in the house and another in your car. Some items that you might want to include are:
* Anti-biotic ointment
* Anti itch ointment
* Alcohol wipes
* Aspirin
* Band-aids
* Cotton swabs
* Eye drops
* Instect Repellent
* Hand Sanitizer
* Sunscreen
* Tissues
* Tweezers
Have a great summer..... be prepared for fun !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 17, 2010
SCHOOLS OUT: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL OF THE KIDS “STUFF” ?
Yippee ! Schools out ! The kids are beyond happy. Summer is almost here. Fun in the sun !
As you look around you see backpacks on the floor with the contents of their locker /desk strewn everywhere. Your office / desk / refrigerator is already bursting with their “art work” and crafts. How did you accumulate so much “stuff”?
Just remember – you have 12 years of this ! How do you get a handle on all of their “special papers” ? Don’t let the clutter overtake you. You will easily end up with more boxes of their “stuff” every year.
I know you and the kids are excited that school is out and the last thing that you want to do is spend hours going through their stuff. But it’s easier to just bite the bullet and get it done now and be able to enjoy the summer without having to look at the clutter all summer long.
There are a number of ways to go about this. One, get one (1) box or plastic bin for each child. Put in dividers for each school year. Pick one or two or three (no more or you’ll run out of room) great pieces to save. Put all of their report cards and awards into the folders.
Instead of a box, you can also use a large pendaflex folder for each child. You will need to explain to your child that you can’t keep “all” of their pictures because you just don’t have the room (trust me – my kids decorated an entire wall of my office with their art work and I left it up until they “begged” me to take it down when they were 15).
Do this at the end of every school year so that you are not overwhelmed when they are going away to college and you decide it’s “finally” time to clear our their stuff (trust me….they go from 12 to college overnight!).
Take a look at their backpack and see if it still is in good condition for next year. If it is, clean it out and store it for next year. If it’s, not throw it in the garbage.
Go through all of their school supplies and get rid of everything that is broken. Sort all of the “good” supplies into a box for next year. Make a list of what you have left over that can be re-used so that you don’t have to buy it next year.
Now you can relax and enjoy your summer…..that is until it’s time to “get organized” for the next school year. But that’s another article!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
As you look around you see backpacks on the floor with the contents of their locker /desk strewn everywhere. Your office / desk / refrigerator is already bursting with their “art work” and crafts. How did you accumulate so much “stuff”?
Just remember – you have 12 years of this ! How do you get a handle on all of their “special papers” ? Don’t let the clutter overtake you. You will easily end up with more boxes of their “stuff” every year.
I know you and the kids are excited that school is out and the last thing that you want to do is spend hours going through their stuff. But it’s easier to just bite the bullet and get it done now and be able to enjoy the summer without having to look at the clutter all summer long.
There are a number of ways to go about this. One, get one (1) box or plastic bin for each child. Put in dividers for each school year. Pick one or two or three (no more or you’ll run out of room) great pieces to save. Put all of their report cards and awards into the folders.
Instead of a box, you can also use a large pendaflex folder for each child. You will need to explain to your child that you can’t keep “all” of their pictures because you just don’t have the room (trust me – my kids decorated an entire wall of my office with their art work and I left it up until they “begged” me to take it down when they were 15).
Do this at the end of every school year so that you are not overwhelmed when they are going away to college and you decide it’s “finally” time to clear our their stuff (trust me….they go from 12 to college overnight!).
Take a look at their backpack and see if it still is in good condition for next year. If it is, clean it out and store it for next year. If it’s, not throw it in the garbage.
Go through all of their school supplies and get rid of everything that is broken. Sort all of the “good” supplies into a box for next year. Make a list of what you have left over that can be re-used so that you don’t have to buy it next year.
Now you can relax and enjoy your summer…..that is until it’s time to “get organized” for the next school year. But that’s another article!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 10, 2010
MORNING MADNESS
Some people are morning people…and some people aren’t. I am. My sister, well you never want to call her before noon. I always laid out my suit the night before and made sure that my briefcase was all packed. I knew where everything was and I liked to get in to work early and get a lot of things done before everyone else got there.
There are a lot of things that you can do to make the mornings go a lot smoother.
Some ideas:
* Get your coffee maker ready the night before
* Pack your lunch before you go to bead
* Decide what you are going to wear and lay the clothes out before you go to bed
* Pack your briefcase / backpack the night before
* Put your briefcase / backpack in a designated spot (along with your car keys)
* For kids > pack their backpack with their homework & put in a designated spot
* Pour your breakfast juice in your glass & put in fridge
* Set the breakfast table
* Set out your box of cereal and fruit for breakfast
* Cook hardboiled eggs ahead of time so that you have them all available for breakfast
* Pre-cook sausages ahead of time so that all you have to do is microwave them
* Make pancakes ahead of time & freeze them so that all you have to do is microwave them
* Stagger your kids wake up calls so that everyone has a turn in the bathroom & no one is late
By getting as much done the night before as possible….. you will have less to do in the morning. And if you're not a morning person…. you won’t forget anything.
By just changing the timing of when you do things…. you can be more organized.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
There are a lot of things that you can do to make the mornings go a lot smoother.
Some ideas:
* Get your coffee maker ready the night before
* Pack your lunch before you go to bead
* Decide what you are going to wear and lay the clothes out before you go to bed
* Pack your briefcase / backpack the night before
* Put your briefcase / backpack in a designated spot (along with your car keys)
* For kids > pack their backpack with their homework & put in a designated spot
* Pour your breakfast juice in your glass & put in fridge
* Set the breakfast table
* Set out your box of cereal and fruit for breakfast
* Cook hardboiled eggs ahead of time so that you have them all available for breakfast
* Pre-cook sausages ahead of time so that all you have to do is microwave them
* Make pancakes ahead of time & freeze them so that all you have to do is microwave them
* Stagger your kids wake up calls so that everyone has a turn in the bathroom & no one is late
By getting as much done the night before as possible….. you will have less to do in the morning. And if you're not a morning person…. you won’t forget anything.
By just changing the timing of when you do things…. you can be more organized.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, May 3, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR GARAGE
When people think about organizing their living space they usually forget one very important “room” in their home ….. the garage. Unlike the other rooms of their house the garage serves many uses.
It stores their car… to keep it dry and warm and out of the bad weather.
It stores their lawn mower, gardening tools and lawn furniture.
It stores their snow blower.
It stores their bicycles and other sports gear.
Sometimes it’s even used as a workshop, complete with workbench and tools.
So many uses…..yet, it’s the least thought about room of the house.
When we go for walks around our neighborhood we get to peak into many people’s garages….since a lot of people leave them open. And I always says “those people need me !”.
Many people’s garages are packed from floor to ceiling with “stuff”. A lot of people can’t even get both cars into their garage because there is no room. Yet they have no problem letting the entire neighborhood see their disorganized space.
Organizing your garage is important because of the many functions that it serves. By stepping back and thinking about the various functions and organizing your garage into “zones” you can get the best use out of your space. Have a “sports zone”, a “garden zone”, a “tool zone” …and so on.
It is very important to remember that due to the various temperature changes and the humidity (and since most garages are not heated) you need to consider the types of materials (shelving, cabinets, storage units….) that you use. Plastic shelves and containers are probably better options than wood.
Don’t store things in paper boxes due to the moisture…. or you might end up with mold. Keep things off of the floor so that they don’t get wet.
There are numerous pegboard type systems out there that can be used to hang all of your tools and get them off of the floor. Remember to use your vertical space. You can also mount shelving to hang from the ceiling for “above car” storage. And there are numerous options to hang your bikes.
By using a combination of storage options for your various needs you can double or triple your space and have a garage that can also be used for your ….. car.
A company that has some great options to help you with organizing your garage is: Garage Outfitters
Another important thing to remember is that you should have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the garage.
Organize your garage…. and make your neighbors happy !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
It stores their car… to keep it dry and warm and out of the bad weather.
It stores their lawn mower, gardening tools and lawn furniture.
It stores their snow blower.
It stores their bicycles and other sports gear.
Sometimes it’s even used as a workshop, complete with workbench and tools.
So many uses…..yet, it’s the least thought about room of the house.
When we go for walks around our neighborhood we get to peak into many people’s garages….since a lot of people leave them open. And I always says “those people need me !”.
Many people’s garages are packed from floor to ceiling with “stuff”. A lot of people can’t even get both cars into their garage because there is no room. Yet they have no problem letting the entire neighborhood see their disorganized space.
Organizing your garage is important because of the many functions that it serves. By stepping back and thinking about the various functions and organizing your garage into “zones” you can get the best use out of your space. Have a “sports zone”, a “garden zone”, a “tool zone” …and so on.
It is very important to remember that due to the various temperature changes and the humidity (and since most garages are not heated) you need to consider the types of materials (shelving, cabinets, storage units….) that you use. Plastic shelves and containers are probably better options than wood.
Don’t store things in paper boxes due to the moisture…. or you might end up with mold. Keep things off of the floor so that they don’t get wet.
There are numerous pegboard type systems out there that can be used to hang all of your tools and get them off of the floor. Remember to use your vertical space. You can also mount shelving to hang from the ceiling for “above car” storage. And there are numerous options to hang your bikes.
By using a combination of storage options for your various needs you can double or triple your space and have a garage that can also be used for your ….. car.
A company that has some great options to help you with organizing your garage is: Garage Outfitters
Another important thing to remember is that you should have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the garage.
Organize your garage…. and make your neighbors happy !
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
NAPO CONFERENCE - NSGCD EXAM
The world was slightly disorganized last week because a lot of organizers went to the National Association of Professional Organizers conference in Columbus. There were about 680 or so “professional organizers” at the conference. Talking about “organizing” of course !
If was my first conference and my brain is in “overload” at the moment.
There were so many interesting seminars that it was hard to pick “just one” for each session. From technology, marketing, growing your business, working with the aging population, hoarders, ADD, Green organizing …and so much more And people thought we only talked about “closets” !
And I am very (make that very, very) proud to announce that I PASSED my NSGCD CD exam !!!! (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization – Chronic Disorganization exam).
I was talking to a client and she said “wow, you have exams?”. Yes, we do! As a very serious organizer we take tons (that’s dozens and dozens…..) of classes / seminars to learn everything we can about “organizing”. There are so many different aspects of organizing:
* Chronic Disorganization
* Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client
* CD Client Administration
* Basic Physical Conditions Affecting the CD Client
* Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
* Learning Styles and Modalities
* Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client
* Understanding the Needs of the Student CD Client
* Basic Mental Health Conditions and Challenges Affecting the CD Client
* Study in Life Transitions (LT)
The conference also had a special reception – a “meet and greet” with some of the members of the “Hoarders” show. It was very exciting! Lots of pictures and lots of chatter!
I want to give a special “Thank You” to Matt Paxton of Clutter Cleaner, one of the members of the “Hoarders” show for spending so much time with me discussing client issues (client’s names are never discussed and privacy is always maintained). Hoarding is a very serious and complex issue that requires the services of not only a professional organizer but also a therapist and other providers.
It was a long week and I think that all of the organizers that were there are now busily trying to incorporate what they learned at the conference into their businesses.
We are constantly trying to improve ourselves and the lives of our clients.
Remember….. “Less Clutter = Less Stress” (SM)
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
If was my first conference and my brain is in “overload” at the moment.
There were so many interesting seminars that it was hard to pick “just one” for each session. From technology, marketing, growing your business, working with the aging population, hoarders, ADD, Green organizing …and so much more And people thought we only talked about “closets” !
And I am very (make that very, very) proud to announce that I PASSED my NSGCD CD exam !!!! (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization – Chronic Disorganization exam).
I was talking to a client and she said “wow, you have exams?”. Yes, we do! As a very serious organizer we take tons (that’s dozens and dozens…..) of classes / seminars to learn everything we can about “organizing”. There are so many different aspects of organizing:
* Chronic Disorganization
* Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client
* CD Client Administration
* Basic Physical Conditions Affecting the CD Client
* Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
* Learning Styles and Modalities
* Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client
* Understanding the Needs of the Student CD Client
* Basic Mental Health Conditions and Challenges Affecting the CD Client
* Study in Life Transitions (LT)
The conference also had a special reception – a “meet and greet” with some of the members of the “Hoarders” show. It was very exciting! Lots of pictures and lots of chatter!
I want to give a special “Thank You” to Matt Paxton of Clutter Cleaner, one of the members of the “Hoarders” show for spending so much time with me discussing client issues (client’s names are never discussed and privacy is always maintained). Hoarding is a very serious and complex issue that requires the services of not only a professional organizer but also a therapist and other providers.
It was a long week and I think that all of the organizers that were there are now busily trying to incorporate what they learned at the conference into their businesses.
We are constantly trying to improve ourselves and the lives of our clients.
Remember….. “Less Clutter = Less Stress” (SM)
Happy Organizing!
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, April 26, 2010
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Everyone should be prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s the loss of power and electricity (which could last for days) or a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster…. Or a terrorist attack…
We’ve had numerous “disasters” in the last few years….the World Trade Center attack (9/11/2001), Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004), Hurricane Katrina (2005), Haiti Earthquake (2010)…
Being prepared is not an “option” anymore. Even if just the electricity went out…and you happen to have an “all electric” home….would you be able to survive? Do you have enough food to last you for a few days? What happens if all the stores are closed?
These are just some things to think about…..
There are numerous websites and articles that tell you to be prepared to survive for at least three (3) days if an emergency occurs. The “72 Hour Kit” as some people call it.
Besides the basic kit, you also need to have an emergency plan in place. Below is a basic list that will give you some ideas to get you started (there are numerous variations of this kit).
Basic Kit:
Water – one (1) gallon per person , per day for at least three (3) days
Food – 3 days supply of non-perishable food. Some ideas are: soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, crackers,
peanut butter, beef jerky, fruit cups….
Plastic / paper – plates, cups, napkins…
Radio – battery powered
Flashlight – with extra batteries
First aid kit – basic kit
Whistle
Can opener
Garbage bags & plastic bags (various sizes)
Sleeping Bag
Blankets
Clothes – for three (3) days
Shoes
Coats & rain gear & cold weather gear
Personal hygiene products such as: shampoo, lotion, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine
products, sunscreen…..
Wet wipes
Toilet Paper
Sewing Kit
Paper & pencils
Matches / lighter (in water proof container)
Cash
Basic tools (wrench, pliers, scissors….)
Maps
Water purification tablets (or Chlorine Bleach)
Hand Sanitizer
String / rope / cord
Cooking appliances (portable stove with fuel….)
Some things (like medications…) cannot pack ahead of time…so have a checklist prepared for those items.
Checklist for supplies that need to be packed last minute:
Prescription medication
Infant formula
Pet food
Family documents (passport, birth certificates, identification cards, bank info, insurance info….)
Watch
Games for kids
Start thinking about how you and your family would handle an emergency….and start planning for it today…before that emergency strikes.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
We’ve had numerous “disasters” in the last few years….the World Trade Center attack (9/11/2001), Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004), Hurricane Katrina (2005), Haiti Earthquake (2010)…
Being prepared is not an “option” anymore. Even if just the electricity went out…and you happen to have an “all electric” home….would you be able to survive? Do you have enough food to last you for a few days? What happens if all the stores are closed?
These are just some things to think about…..
There are numerous websites and articles that tell you to be prepared to survive for at least three (3) days if an emergency occurs. The “72 Hour Kit” as some people call it.
Besides the basic kit, you also need to have an emergency plan in place. Below is a basic list that will give you some ideas to get you started (there are numerous variations of this kit).
Basic Kit:
Water – one (1) gallon per person , per day for at least three (3) days
Food – 3 days supply of non-perishable food. Some ideas are: soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, crackers,
peanut butter, beef jerky, fruit cups….
Plastic / paper – plates, cups, napkins…
Radio – battery powered
Flashlight – with extra batteries
First aid kit – basic kit
Whistle
Can opener
Garbage bags & plastic bags (various sizes)
Sleeping Bag
Blankets
Clothes – for three (3) days
Shoes
Coats & rain gear & cold weather gear
Personal hygiene products such as: shampoo, lotion, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine
products, sunscreen…..
Wet wipes
Toilet Paper
Sewing Kit
Paper & pencils
Matches / lighter (in water proof container)
Cash
Basic tools (wrench, pliers, scissors….)
Maps
Water purification tablets (or Chlorine Bleach)
Hand Sanitizer
String / rope / cord
Cooking appliances (portable stove with fuel….)
Some things (like medications…) cannot pack ahead of time…so have a checklist prepared for those items.
Checklist for supplies that need to be packed last minute:
Prescription medication
Infant formula
Pet food
Family documents (passport, birth certificates, identification cards, bank info, insurance info….)
Watch
Games for kids
Start thinking about how you and your family would handle an emergency….and start planning for it today…before that emergency strikes.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Monday, April 19, 2010
PAPER MANAGEMENT
Paper….paper….paper…
Even in this electronic age we are still inundated with paper. The mailman brings us stuff that we don’t even want. Junk mail, bills….. A never ending cycle.
So what do we do with it? Besides let it pile up and ignore it?
Where do we put it…besides the kitchen table? Or dumping it on our “office desk”? Where it sits…waiting for us to “do something with it”.
If you want to cut down on mail and paper there are a number of options:
* Send a letter to DMA and request that they stop sending you “junk mail”:
DMA Mail DMA Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, New York 11735 – 9008
* Cancel your magazine and newspaper subscriptions and read them on-line.
As soon as the mail comes immediately sort it into piles:
* Junk (immediately sort that right into the garbage can)
* Bills to pay
* Personal mail (letters, cards…)
* Business Mail
* Magazines & Newspapers
Pick a specific day or time that you are going to sit down and go through each pile. In business you will probably have to deal with it more often than on a personal level.
Set up a schedule where you will deal with your bills. Once a week, once every other week…whatever works for you. But then stick to it.
For business mail you should also have a schedule where you will sit down and deal with your mail. When you go through it put it into piles of things that you need to deal with immediately, things that you can deal with later, information to keep or things to toss.
By compartmentalizing your mail you are able to focus on one thing at a time and actually able to accomplish something instead of going from reading a letter, to paying a bill, to dealing with a business issue…and so on.
It is very important to remember that when you are tossing out mail or any papers that you remember to protect yourself and your identity by shredding personal or business information that has your social security number or credit card information or any other information that could be used for identity theft.
Another important aspect of paper management is “paper retention”. How long do you really need to keep information? There are record retention laws that relate to personal records (taxes, financial info….) and business records. Be sure that you know how long you actually need to keep things. There is no reason to keep papers forever…unless you happen to have lots of extra room that you have no other use for.
In your filing cabinet you should only have records for the current year. Last years information should be taken out of your files and stored elsewhere (basement, attic….).
Cutting down on your paper usage and paper shuffling saves you time, money and storage space.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Even in this electronic age we are still inundated with paper. The mailman brings us stuff that we don’t even want. Junk mail, bills….. A never ending cycle.
So what do we do with it? Besides let it pile up and ignore it?
Where do we put it…besides the kitchen table? Or dumping it on our “office desk”? Where it sits…waiting for us to “do something with it”.
If you want to cut down on mail and paper there are a number of options:
* Send a letter to DMA and request that they stop sending you “junk mail”:
DMA Mail DMA Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, New York 11735 – 9008
* Cancel your magazine and newspaper subscriptions and read them on-line.
As soon as the mail comes immediately sort it into piles:
* Junk (immediately sort that right into the garbage can)
* Bills to pay
* Personal mail (letters, cards…)
* Business Mail
* Magazines & Newspapers
Pick a specific day or time that you are going to sit down and go through each pile. In business you will probably have to deal with it more often than on a personal level.
Set up a schedule where you will deal with your bills. Once a week, once every other week…whatever works for you. But then stick to it.
For business mail you should also have a schedule where you will sit down and deal with your mail. When you go through it put it into piles of things that you need to deal with immediately, things that you can deal with later, information to keep or things to toss.
By compartmentalizing your mail you are able to focus on one thing at a time and actually able to accomplish something instead of going from reading a letter, to paying a bill, to dealing with a business issue…and so on.
It is very important to remember that when you are tossing out mail or any papers that you remember to protect yourself and your identity by shredding personal or business information that has your social security number or credit card information or any other information that could be used for identity theft.
Another important aspect of paper management is “paper retention”. How long do you really need to keep information? There are record retention laws that relate to personal records (taxes, financial info….) and business records. Be sure that you know how long you actually need to keep things. There is no reason to keep papers forever…unless you happen to have lots of extra room that you have no other use for.
In your filing cabinet you should only have records for the current year. Last years information should be taken out of your files and stored elsewhere (basement, attic….).
Cutting down on your paper usage and paper shuffling saves you time, money and storage space.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Magazine Article and Organizing Kids at a Young Age...all in one week !
Well... it's been an exciting week ! A couple of great articles have come out.
First, I have just completed training for a great program through NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) to teach children in grades 2 - 5 how to become more organized. It's a really fun and interactive program and I hope to be able to teach kids a lesson that they will be able to use throughout their entire lives. The program is called " NAPO in the Schools ".
http://www.pr.com/press-release/226417
Then, I was interviewed for a magazine article on "organizing in the church". Yes, churches need to be organized just as much as your home or office! I am in the article with Peter Walsh, the organizing guru on the show "Clean Sweep". What an honor !
http://www.churchmutual.com/riskreporter/pdfs/RRSpring2010.pdf
First, I have just completed training for a great program through NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) to teach children in grades 2 - 5 how to become more organized. It's a really fun and interactive program and I hope to be able to teach kids a lesson that they will be able to use throughout their entire lives. The program is called " NAPO in the Schools ".
http://www.pr.com/press-release/226417
Then, I was interviewed for a magazine article on "organizing in the church". Yes, churches need to be organized just as much as your home or office! I am in the article with Peter Walsh, the organizing guru on the show "Clean Sweep". What an honor !
http://www.churchmutual.com/riskreporter/pdfs/RRSpring2010.pdf
Monday, April 12, 2010
TIME MANAGEMENT
Time….something that most people don’t have enough of. Something that most people waste.
Time management….an interesting concept since you can’t manage “time”, you can only manage “yourself”.
So what can you do to take better advantage of the time that you do have?
First, you need to figure out what you “actually” do all day long. And it will surprise you. For the next few days write down “every single thing” that you do all day long. Break it down by the hour. If you do multiple things in that hour write it down. After a few days take a good look at your log and you will see how much time you actually waste.
Second, decide what’s important in your life (or business) and what you really want to accomplish. Then come up with a game plan, a timeline on how you are going to accomplish those goals.
People continuously complain that they don’t have enough time to get everything done in a day or to reach their “goal”. By seeing how much time you actually waste during the day you can start to make changes in yourself and re-claim some lost time.
A few ideas on managing your time:
Make each outing a “multiple purpose” event. When you are using your car make the most out of the trip by combining errands. Go to the grocery store, post office and dry cleaners all in the same trip instead of three (3) separate trips. You will save time and money on gas and wear and tear on your car.
When you have an appointment where you will be waiting (such as a doctors office or at the car shop or waiting to pick up your kids from ballet) use that time to catch up on reading your magazines or mail. Or doing homework or studying.
While waiting for the roast to be done for dinner…throw in a load of laundry.
Avoid interruptions at work by letting people know that they need to make an appointment to talk to you. This makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Be nice but be firm and say something like, “I’m in the middle of a project now, can you come back at 2 pm so that I can give you my full attention?”.
Be considerate of other employee’s time by saving up all of your questions and asking them when they have time, instead of continually stopping by and asking them ten questions throughout the day.
Learn to say “no”. (a hard one for many people)
Plan your tomorrow, today. At the end of the day today, plan out your schedule for tomorrow. That way you’ll know what to expect and will leave yourself plenty of time to get things done. Be sure to leave enough time for “unexpected” emergencies. You can also group all of your activities that require driving into a logical order.
Break your main project up into smaller projects to make them more manageable . This will also give you the feeling of having accomplished something when you finish a project.
Don’t over schedule your day or you will be stressed out. And that’s when you make mistakes.
Time…. Learn to manage it….. Don’t let it manage you.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Time management….an interesting concept since you can’t manage “time”, you can only manage “yourself”.
So what can you do to take better advantage of the time that you do have?
First, you need to figure out what you “actually” do all day long. And it will surprise you. For the next few days write down “every single thing” that you do all day long. Break it down by the hour. If you do multiple things in that hour write it down. After a few days take a good look at your log and you will see how much time you actually waste.
Second, decide what’s important in your life (or business) and what you really want to accomplish. Then come up with a game plan, a timeline on how you are going to accomplish those goals.
People continuously complain that they don’t have enough time to get everything done in a day or to reach their “goal”. By seeing how much time you actually waste during the day you can start to make changes in yourself and re-claim some lost time.
A few ideas on managing your time:
Make each outing a “multiple purpose” event. When you are using your car make the most out of the trip by combining errands. Go to the grocery store, post office and dry cleaners all in the same trip instead of three (3) separate trips. You will save time and money on gas and wear and tear on your car.
When you have an appointment where you will be waiting (such as a doctors office or at the car shop or waiting to pick up your kids from ballet) use that time to catch up on reading your magazines or mail. Or doing homework or studying.
While waiting for the roast to be done for dinner…throw in a load of laundry.
Avoid interruptions at work by letting people know that they need to make an appointment to talk to you. This makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Be nice but be firm and say something like, “I’m in the middle of a project now, can you come back at 2 pm so that I can give you my full attention?”.
Be considerate of other employee’s time by saving up all of your questions and asking them when they have time, instead of continually stopping by and asking them ten questions throughout the day.
Learn to say “no”. (a hard one for many people)
Plan your tomorrow, today. At the end of the day today, plan out your schedule for tomorrow. That way you’ll know what to expect and will leave yourself plenty of time to get things done. Be sure to leave enough time for “unexpected” emergencies. You can also group all of your activities that require driving into a logical order.
Break your main project up into smaller projects to make them more manageable . This will also give you the feeling of having accomplished something when you finish a project.
Don’t over schedule your day or you will be stressed out. And that’s when you make mistakes.
Time…. Learn to manage it….. Don’t let it manage you.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://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/
Monday, March 29, 2010
ADD and Organization
Children and adults with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) have a harder time trying to stay organized. They get easily distracted and have problems focusing and ignoring those distractions. Telling a child to “clean up their room” doesn’t really mean anything to a child with ADD. Parents are likely to get frustrated because the child is not “listening” and “doing what they were told”.
The problem is that the parent wasn’t more specific. Instead of saying “clean up your room” the parent needs to say “put away all the toys on the floor” or “put your laundry in the hamper”. Very specific tasks. With short task times.
There are many different theories on what causes ADD. One is that it is caused by “chemicals in the brain which coordinates and regulates function and behavior”. A “deficiency in these neurotransmitters can cause a lack of attention” which in turn can lead to clutter and disorganization.
Some people don’t believe that ADD is a “real physical” problem. They think that the child just doesn’t want to “listen” and do what they are told.
Some people believe that diet plays a major problem in ADD. Because of all of the chemicals in our food today they think that kids have been poisoned and their brain functions have been affected.
It’s not really too far fetched. With the huge “organic” movement people are starting to realize that if mother nature didn’t produce it…. it should not go into our bodies.
Some other reasons that people believe are behind ADD are: drugs, brain injury, genetics, sleep disorder and so on…
Children, especially teenagers have so many “normal teenage issues” and then throw in those “hormones” and it’s not easy to distinguish between “normal” childhood and ADD.
Some people aren’t diagnosed with ADD until they are adults. If a person is extremely intelligent or creative it takes longer to diagnosis ADD.
People with ADD have a short attention span. They are easily distracted and can’t stay focused on a task. They get bored easily and therefore avoid doing “boring thinks” like housework.
In order to make things more interesting a person with ADD might wait until the last minute to get things done and then be in “crisis mode”.
People with ADD also tend to be “impulsive” and sometimes make decisions too quickly, such as getting rid of something and then they “regret” it later. After that they might never make another decision again, which can lead to chronic disorganization, clutter and even hoarding.
A person with ADD gets bogged down with “details” and can’t see the big picture.
A Professional Organizer can help a client with ADD stay focused on a specific task and stay on target. Structure is very important with an ADD client. By helping the client make a plan and having a decision making process in place the ADD client can become organized and learn to function better.
Organizational Consulting Services
www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
The problem is that the parent wasn’t more specific. Instead of saying “clean up your room” the parent needs to say “put away all the toys on the floor” or “put your laundry in the hamper”. Very specific tasks. With short task times.
There are many different theories on what causes ADD. One is that it is caused by “chemicals in the brain which coordinates and regulates function and behavior”. A “deficiency in these neurotransmitters can cause a lack of attention” which in turn can lead to clutter and disorganization.
Some people don’t believe that ADD is a “real physical” problem. They think that the child just doesn’t want to “listen” and do what they are told.
Some people believe that diet plays a major problem in ADD. Because of all of the chemicals in our food today they think that kids have been poisoned and their brain functions have been affected.
It’s not really too far fetched. With the huge “organic” movement people are starting to realize that if mother nature didn’t produce it…. it should not go into our bodies.
Some other reasons that people believe are behind ADD are: drugs, brain injury, genetics, sleep disorder and so on…
Children, especially teenagers have so many “normal teenage issues” and then throw in those “hormones” and it’s not easy to distinguish between “normal” childhood and ADD.
Some people aren’t diagnosed with ADD until they are adults. If a person is extremely intelligent or creative it takes longer to diagnosis ADD.
People with ADD have a short attention span. They are easily distracted and can’t stay focused on a task. They get bored easily and therefore avoid doing “boring thinks” like housework.
In order to make things more interesting a person with ADD might wait until the last minute to get things done and then be in “crisis mode”.
People with ADD also tend to be “impulsive” and sometimes make decisions too quickly, such as getting rid of something and then they “regret” it later. After that they might never make another decision again, which can lead to chronic disorganization, clutter and even hoarding.
A person with ADD gets bogged down with “details” and can’t see the big picture.
A Professional Organizer can help a client with ADD stay focused on a specific task and stay on target. Structure is very important with an ADD client. By helping the client make a plan and having a decision making process in place the ADD client can become organized and learn to function better.
Organizational Consulting Services
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 22, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR KITCHEN
Today is “organize your kitchen day”. Don’t worry. It won’t hurt too much. Take a deep breathe and jump right in. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is.
Start by having a “donate box” set aside. If you have duplicates (or triplicates) of an item…consider donating it. You’ll get a tax write-off and more space at the same time!
Dishes:
Get rid of all of the broken cups and plates. Keep like items together. Keep all of your plates together, keep your cups together, keep your glasses together….
If you don’t have a complete set consider putting the items in the “donate box” and replacing it.
Plastic Containers:
Go through all of your plastic containers and make sure that you have matching lids (they are probably hiding with the missing socks!). Throw out any containers that don’t have lids.
Drawers:
Go through each drawer and take everything out and put it on the kitchen table. Wipe out the drawer now that you have the chance.
Put like items together so that you can see what you have. Do you really need 3 meat cleavers? Or 4 large slotted spoons? If you don’t….put them into the “donate box”.
Get some type of “utensil divider” for your drawers. This will keep things neat and organized.
Plastic Wrap / Foil / Bags:
Keep all of your plastic wrap, foil, paper lunch bags…. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.
Kitchen Towels / Pot Holders :
Keep all of your kitchen towels, dish rags, pot holders….. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.
Pots / Pans and Lids:
There are a number of different ways to store pots and pans. You can hang them if you have a hanging rack. If you have pull out drawers it makes it really easy to get to them when you need them. If you only have regular shelves you will have to stack them (largest on the bottom).
For your lids….some people like to put the lid right on the pot it belongs to. Some people have a drawer just for lids. There are some “dividers” out there that help you keep your lids more organized. It all depends on preference and space constraints.
But if your lids have no matching pot….. get rid of it !
Baking Sheets & Cake Pans:
Keep all of your baking supplies in one spot. There are great “dividers” that let you stand your baking sheets upright so that you can utilize a small narrow space.
Cleaning Items:
Take everything out from under your sink. If you have more than one (1) of each cleaning item, put the extras in your basement or storage closet. Keep only the supplies you need under the sink. Get some sort of caddy or bucket to hold all of your items (dish detergent, cleansers, steel wool pads, hand soap refill…).
Since most people still keep plastic bags …. get some type of plastic bag holder (there are a variety of options) to keep them all in one place so that they don’t look too messy.
Food Pantry:
Keep like items together (see a theme….). Put all of your cereal, pasta, canned items, spices…together. Stack them if you can. There are shelf dividers out there that can double your storage space.
Now you’ve gone through the entire kitchen and organized each space you will be amazed at how much more room you have.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Start by having a “donate box” set aside. If you have duplicates (or triplicates) of an item…consider donating it. You’ll get a tax write-off and more space at the same time!
Dishes:
Get rid of all of the broken cups and plates. Keep like items together. Keep all of your plates together, keep your cups together, keep your glasses together….
If you don’t have a complete set consider putting the items in the “donate box” and replacing it.
Plastic Containers:
Go through all of your plastic containers and make sure that you have matching lids (they are probably hiding with the missing socks!). Throw out any containers that don’t have lids.
Drawers:
Go through each drawer and take everything out and put it on the kitchen table. Wipe out the drawer now that you have the chance.
Put like items together so that you can see what you have. Do you really need 3 meat cleavers? Or 4 large slotted spoons? If you don’t….put them into the “donate box”.
Get some type of “utensil divider” for your drawers. This will keep things neat and organized.
Plastic Wrap / Foil / Bags:
Keep all of your plastic wrap, foil, paper lunch bags…. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.
Kitchen Towels / Pot Holders :
Keep all of your kitchen towels, dish rags, pot holders….. together in one spot in a drawer or pantry.
Pots / Pans and Lids:
There are a number of different ways to store pots and pans. You can hang them if you have a hanging rack. If you have pull out drawers it makes it really easy to get to them when you need them. If you only have regular shelves you will have to stack them (largest on the bottom).
For your lids….some people like to put the lid right on the pot it belongs to. Some people have a drawer just for lids. There are some “dividers” out there that help you keep your lids more organized. It all depends on preference and space constraints.
But if your lids have no matching pot….. get rid of it !
Baking Sheets & Cake Pans:
Keep all of your baking supplies in one spot. There are great “dividers” that let you stand your baking sheets upright so that you can utilize a small narrow space.
Cleaning Items:
Take everything out from under your sink. If you have more than one (1) of each cleaning item, put the extras in your basement or storage closet. Keep only the supplies you need under the sink. Get some sort of caddy or bucket to hold all of your items (dish detergent, cleansers, steel wool pads, hand soap refill…).
Since most people still keep plastic bags …. get some type of plastic bag holder (there are a variety of options) to keep them all in one place so that they don’t look too messy.
Food Pantry:
Keep like items together (see a theme….). Put all of your cereal, pasta, canned items, spices…together. Stack them if you can. There are shelf dividers out there that can double your storage space.
Now you’ve gone through the entire kitchen and organized each space you will be amazed at how much more room you have.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
Thursday, March 18, 2010
HOARDING - (part 2 of 2 part article)
The NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) has a “Clutter Hoarding Scale” that has five (5) levels, from Level 1 being low, to Level 5 being high. They have four (4) different categories which define the severity of clutter and hoarding potential:
* Structure and zoning
* Pets and rodents
* Household functions
* Sanitation and cleanliness
Hoarding can be deadly if you eat old food. Hoarding can cause you to lose your kids. Hoarding can be deadly if a fire breaks out and you don’t have a clear path to the door.
People can’t part with things for many reasons. They can have an “emotional or sentimental” attachment to things. The object reminds them of an “event” or “person” or “place”. By throwing it out they are “throwing out” that memory. And that can’t happen.
For a lot of hoarders they can’t make decisions. “What if I need it someday”. By not making decisions they can’t make the “wrong” decision.
A lot of people don’t know how to organize. The hoarder might use that excuse for his “piles”. He also might use the excuse that he needs to “see it” to find it. Therefore everything is out and piled high. Very visual.
A lot of hoarders are older people that want to “have things” for their children or friends….”just in case they need it”.
Control issues are a major problem with hoarders. Once they “let go” of an item they won’t be able to “control it”, therefore they won’t get rid of it.
There are a few treatments for Hoarders that have helped. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Behavioral Therapy.
The therapist helps them “restructure their thoughts and beliefs” and can “teach the hoarder how to tolerate their fears”.
Family and friends of hoarders don’t always understand that “hoarding” is an “illness” and that the hoarder needs professional help. They sometimes feel that by just going in and cleaning out the house (sometimes even when the hoarder doesn’t know that they are going to do it) that everything will be “o.k.”. Once the mess is gone. Problem solved. But that can actually make it worse.
A Professional Organizer can teach the hoarder how to improve their organizational skills.
It’s a long process. The hoarder did not get that way overnight.
You can’t rush the process or the hoarder might complete shut down. You have to start slowly and show a lot of compassion. If you just “throw out” all of the “stuff” the hoarder might feel that you really don’t understand or care. And you will have lost the battle. By giving away or donating some of the objects you might be able to break through to the hoarder by making him feel that his “things” had a purpose. A purpose for someone else, not him. This is a very delicate area. You are trying to teach the hoarder how to be more organized, yet you don’t want to convey the message that “yes, this stuff is really worth something which is why I should have kept it”.
Hoarding is a complex issue. An issue that not even the mental health community can agree on. An issue that there might not be a cure for.
It’s a problem that many people won’t admit they have and one that might cost them their family or even their life.
A problem that is more common than you think.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
* Structure and zoning
* Pets and rodents
* Household functions
* Sanitation and cleanliness
Hoarding can be deadly if you eat old food. Hoarding can cause you to lose your kids. Hoarding can be deadly if a fire breaks out and you don’t have a clear path to the door.
People can’t part with things for many reasons. They can have an “emotional or sentimental” attachment to things. The object reminds them of an “event” or “person” or “place”. By throwing it out they are “throwing out” that memory. And that can’t happen.
For a lot of hoarders they can’t make decisions. “What if I need it someday”. By not making decisions they can’t make the “wrong” decision.
A lot of people don’t know how to organize. The hoarder might use that excuse for his “piles”. He also might use the excuse that he needs to “see it” to find it. Therefore everything is out and piled high. Very visual.
A lot of hoarders are older people that want to “have things” for their children or friends….”just in case they need it”.
Control issues are a major problem with hoarders. Once they “let go” of an item they won’t be able to “control it”, therefore they won’t get rid of it.
There are a few treatments for Hoarders that have helped. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Behavioral Therapy.
The therapist helps them “restructure their thoughts and beliefs” and can “teach the hoarder how to tolerate their fears”.
Family and friends of hoarders don’t always understand that “hoarding” is an “illness” and that the hoarder needs professional help. They sometimes feel that by just going in and cleaning out the house (sometimes even when the hoarder doesn’t know that they are going to do it) that everything will be “o.k.”. Once the mess is gone. Problem solved. But that can actually make it worse.
A Professional Organizer can teach the hoarder how to improve their organizational skills.
It’s a long process. The hoarder did not get that way overnight.
You can’t rush the process or the hoarder might complete shut down. You have to start slowly and show a lot of compassion. If you just “throw out” all of the “stuff” the hoarder might feel that you really don’t understand or care. And you will have lost the battle. By giving away or donating some of the objects you might be able to break through to the hoarder by making him feel that his “things” had a purpose. A purpose for someone else, not him. This is a very delicate area. You are trying to teach the hoarder how to be more organized, yet you don’t want to convey the message that “yes, this stuff is really worth something which is why I should have kept it”.
Hoarding is a complex issue. An issue that not even the mental health community can agree on. An issue that there might not be a cure for.
It’s a problem that many people won’t admit they have and one that might cost them their family or even their life.
A problem that is more common than you think.
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/
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