ORGANIZING YOUR LIFE

Being “organized” isn’t just about clearing out the clutter in your closet. It’s about everyday life.

Being organized is a life style. It’s a life “choice”.

People can walk through life aimlessly. Going from one crisis to another with no plan. Or they can have a “life plan” and know what they want and how they are going to get there.

Don’t get me wrong… it’s not always easy. Even if you have a “plan” the road can be very rocky if not impossible.

But without a plan… a course of action… you will never get there and never achieve your goals.

It’s sort of like building a house. You have to decide what “kind” of house you want to build. What style? What do you want it to look like? How many bedrooms? Where are you going to put the windows and doors? What type of flooring? Who is going to build it? Who is going to do the electrical and the plumbing?

Lots of questions.

And you have to have answers.

The house won’t get built without your input and answers.

And after you make the decisions…. You have to live with the consequences.

So if you haven’t thought things out carefully you might end up with a window in your closet but no door to get in. Or the kitchen is not big enough for the subzero refrigerator that you wanted.

If you know your end goal and you have a plan for what you need to do to get there you can just check off each step as you go.

But if you skip ahead to the end….without a plan… you might be very disappointed with the end result.

Even with a plan you will need to be flexible and have “alternative” options. Because if you don’t and life throws you a curveball you might get too rattled to continue the game.

Life is a challenge. And sometimes you will need to ask directions.

Be prepared. Have a map. And a compass.

You never know when you’ll learn something new.

Organizational Consulting Services

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RANDOM ORGANIZING IDEAS

Pack up items that you haven’t used in a while and store them in the basement / attic. Put a date on the box. After three (3) months have passed and you haven’t missed the item…. get rid of it ! Obviously you didn’t really need it / use it….so why should it take up valuable space in your house.

Look at your calendar and make a list of all of the birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions that you have during the year. Count them up and buy the appropriate number of cards for each occasion. Go to the store and buy all of your cards at one time.

Use a pendaflex file organized by month and insert the cards into the appropriate month. At the beginning of the month fill out that months cards (address & stamp). You can put the actual date in a corner or back of the card. At the beginning of each week pull the cards that need to be mailed for that week and put them in the mail.

Keep a basket of healthy snacks in a basket for your kids on a kid level shelf. That way they can help themselves to snacks and you know what they are eating.

Use shelf dividers in your kitchen to double the space in your cabinets.

Check your medicine cabinet for expired medications. Don’t forget to look at non-prescription bottles and lotions.

Check your make-up. There are guidelines for make-up expiration. Be safe. Be healthy.

Create a spot near the door for your purse, keys, briefcase / backpacks…so that you can find things in the morning.

Plan all of your errands for the day before you leave the house so that you take the most direct route and don’t drive aimlessly from one side of town to the other…over and over again.

Sit down with your family Sunday night and go over the weekly schedule so that everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises during the week.

Have everyone in the family make a list of their five (5) favorite meals. Then put them on the calendar for the month. By doing this everyone gets a turn getting their favorite meal. For added “family time” have them help make that meal. Or you can have them make a list of all of the requirements for that meal so that you have a grocery list all ready.

Pick a day and have everyone in the family go through their closet and gather clothes that they no longer wear or that don’t fit. Remember to donate them and you can get a tax write-off !

Have a set spot for mail. Have 3 baskets. Whoever gets the mail should immediately divide it into: bills, personal mail, other. That way the bills don’t get lost or forgotten and you can deal with them immediately (at least put them in the appropriate bill spot for paying bills). Junk mail should immediately be put in the trash.

Trade “chores” with your neighbors or friends. If they take the kids to sports practice you can run your errands …alone… and get them done faster. When they need to do something you can swap kid duty with them…. or any other chore…. If they like mowing the lawn but hate weeding…and you like weeding because it’s relaxing….trade with them. Lots of possibilities….


Organizational Consulting Services

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Level II CD Specialist Certificate Announcement

Karin E. Fried Earns Specialist Certificate In Working with Chronically Disorganized.

(Cleveland, Ohio) Karin E. Fried of Organizational Consulting Services has earned her Level II Chronic Disorganization (CD) Specialist Certificate from the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).

This Specialist Certificate provides in-depth information on chronic disorganization and how to help CD clients manage more effectively in relation to getting and staying organized. In order to earn this certificate, Fried first had to receive her Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization. She was also required to complete extensive educational requirements including reading several books and publications, attending numerous teleclasses, and passing a general exam based on her coursework and general knowledge of CD.

My ongoing education allows me to work with clients who are chronically disorganized in a very specific manner,” said Fried. “The benefits of this continuing education are immeasurable as they enhance the quality of service I can provide to my clients.”

The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization is a non-profit group for professional organizers and related professionals. Its mission is to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization. The NSGCD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public. For more information, please visit www.nsgcd.org.

Organizational Consulting Services provides both business and residential organizing services. Whether your needs are for basic organizing services, chronic disorganization, hoarding or anything else, we can help. For more information, please visit www.organizationalconsultingservices.com or call (440) 666 – 9326.

Being Organized – An Investment in Yourself

A lot of people think that being “organized” is expensive. That you will have to go out and spend a lot of money buying a new closet system or a ton or “organizing” products. That’s not the case.

And in today’s economy a lot of people can’t afford to spend extra money.

But…. What is the cost of being disorganized?

If you can’t find the things that you need…whether it’s at home or in the office….that’s a problem.

You might buy something that you don’t actually need….because you can’t find what you were looking for. And then later….guess what…you found it! So, there goes money….out the window.

Yes, you had a pair of black pants already. You didn’t need an extra pair. But you couldn’t find them when you needed them.

And that report that your boss wanted. The one that you couldn’t find. And spent hours searching for. And then had to re-create. Time wasted.

Being disorganized has a cost. Calculate out that cost and you will be shocked.

For an easy example….let’s say that you had a bedroom that you never used because it was so cluttered and disorganized and couldn’t really function as a bedroom.

If your house cost $200,000 and it was 2,000 square feet it means that the cost per square foot was $100.

If your “disorganized bedroom” was 10 x 10…. that’s 100 square feet.

That means that it is costing you $10,000 to use your bedroom as a “storage room”. Pretty expensive storage fee isn’t it.

By investing in “yourself” you can increase your productivity and decrease your stress. You can save time and money.

How do you feel when you walk into your house that’s “disorganized” ?

How do you feel when you walk into your friend’s house that is “organized” ?

I’ve had people say to me “it’s so calm here”. Yes, it is. Because everything is in it’s place.

By being organized you feel proud of yourself. You feel better about yourself. You feel more in control.

By creating a “usable” space …. Uncluttered and orderly…. You automatically create a sense of calm.

Invest in yourself. Become the organized person that you want to be. If you can’t do it on your own there are “professional organizers” out there that can give you guidance. Let your home or office reflect the way you want people to really see you.


Remember …… LESS CLUTTER = LESS STRESS SM


Organizational Consulting Services

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BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZING FOR COLLEGE KIDS

College aged kids have different “organizing” needs / issues than grade school or high school aged kids. Obviously (this is where my daughter would roll here eyes and say “really Mom ?”).

Yes, really.

You don’t have to worry about making sure they have socks and school clothes and notebooks and such…. College aged kids pick out their own clothes.

But….there are the issues of “what do I need to buy for the dorm” ?

There are numerous lists out there….but some basic things you might need:

* New sheets for the bed. Plus a mattress pad !
* Blankets / pillows
* Bath towels
* Desk lamp
* Small refrigerator
* Small Microwave
* Coffee Maker
* Small T.V.
* Alarm clock
* Basic medical kit (Band-Aids, Neosporin….)
* Basic sewing kit
* Laundry detergent
* Change for the laundry
* Plastic bowls
* Coffee mug
* Bath caddy
* Water bottle
* Some non-perishable food (popcorn, granola bars, rice cakes, peanut butter, crackers, canned soup….)
* Day-Timer / planner….. or some type of scheduler to keep them on track and on time

Some important things that you need to remember….is that you have to make sure what is or is not allowed in the dorms. There are size restrictions on refrigerators and other items.

If your child is living in an apartment…and you have to buy furniture or beds…. You need to make sure that you measure the area where you will be placing the furniture. Not just “guess” ….because it “looks like it will fit”.

If your child is going to a school more than a few hours away or out of state…. planning and organizing is even more crucial for a smooth transition.

Plan ahead and avoid some of the stress that moving brings.

Kids grow up fast. Make these “stressful” times more enjoyable by being organized.

Organizational Consulting Services

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BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZING

Well – it’s only mid-July. To early to think about school? NOT !

Get a head start and start making your lists now.

Clothes – what do the kids need? Start with the basics. Go through their drawers and check their supply of socks (have fun finding the matching pairs) and underwear. Are they in good shape and do they fit? Do they have enough and the right kind? For everyday and for sports.

Make a list of what they have, how many they have and sizes.

Shoes – school shoes, tennis shoes, boots (you don’t think you are going to find boots in the winter do you?). Take into consideration that they might grow before winter when buying boots and they will also have on thick socks.

Winter coats, scarves, gloves/mittens, hats. You should always keep a supply of extra gloves on hand for when they get wet (since they take forever to dry). And gloves are like socks. They disappear.

If your kids are in a growth spurt be sure to buy the coat with extra room so that by winter time it’s not too small. Also, be sure to remember that in the winter they will be wearing sweaters under their coats. Leave enough room if you are buying the coat when it’s still warm out and they aren’t wearing a sweater when they try it on.

Check the newspapers for sales, then immediately go to get the best selection and avoid the crowds of parents that waited until the last minute.

School supplies. Most schools have lists. Get them as soon as they come out. Check them against the list of supplies that you have on hand (from “Schools Out” article). Go to the stores and get all of the supplies.

You can break it down and buy school supplies one day and clothes on another day. Or if you have more than one child you can break it down by child and make a “one-on-one bonding moment” complete with lunch or dessert.

Yes, it can be a “fun” bonding moment…. IF you plan ahead instead of waiting until the last minute.

That’s the beauty of organizing….it reduces / eliminates the stress and allows you to enjoy even the most mundane task.

Kids grow up fast. Make these “stressful” times more enjoyable by being organized.



Organizational Consulting Services

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What is Clutter ?

Is it the same as being “messy” ? Or being “disorganized” ? Or “hoarding” ?

Clutter …. is.... “stuff”.

Everyone has “stuff”. But some people like to keep it….longer than others.

Being “messy” is the “inability to clean up” …. stuff. Whether it’s clothes on the floor, dishes in the sink, old newspapers strewn everywhere….

Clutter is a “collection of stuff”. Some of it visible and some of it hidden away in closets where no one knows your secret.

Clutter is not the same as “hoarding”. Clutter is a part of hoarding.

Clutterers are able to throw things out. They don’t allow clutter to get to such an extreme point that it is debilitating to their lives.

Clutter is not about “stuff”. It’s not about space. It’s psychological.

But avoiding cleaning actually takes more effort than doing it. So now there is “clutter” and there is the “guilt” of having a “mess”.

By breaking down your “cleaning” into one area at a time or one “project” at a time you will have a more controlled and clutter free space in no time at all.

By clearing out the “clutter” you can also clear out your mind.

Remember …… LESS CLUTTER = LESS STRESS SM



Organizational Consulting Services

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CLEANING YOUR HOME - A LITTLE AT A TIME

On your days off…why do you want to spend all day cleaning your house? Wouldn’t you rather be doing something else?

I know…you have to clean your house. But, where is it written that you have to do it all in one day?

By breaking your cleaning chores into small projects you can still get your entire house cleaned and you will have time to do other things on your days off.

Spread your cleaning out over a week and you can spend only 15 minutes at a time on a specific chore:


* Monday: Dust the house
* Tuesday: Vacuum the house
* Wednesday: Straighten up the main living area
* Thursday: Clean the toilets
* Friday: Wipe down all of the counters (kitchen & bathroom)
* Saturday: Mop the floors

You get the idea…. Pick whatever works for you.

That way you can start and finish each project in one sitting and feel like you’ve accomplished something. Start a small project. Finish a project. Feel proud of yourself. Go on to the next project.

And spend some of your “off days” doing something more fun than cleaning.


Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)


Organizational Consulting Services

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Backsliding

Once a client makes the decision to start the “organizing process” they have taken the first step towards a more organized life. Most clients don’t really understand that being “organized” is a way of life. For some of us it seems to come naturally. For others it is a learned experience. And for some, it is an unattainable goal.

I tell my clients, over and over again, “being organized is a process….. and once I leave your home after de-cluttering and organizing your space…. it is a process that must be continued and a process that takes time to become your own”.

Some clients get it…..some don’t….

“Backsliding is a client’s regression to a previous disorganized state” (from the NSGCD).

For some organizers and me included it is almost like a failure on our part. We helped the client organize their home….we showed them how…. we explained what we were doing and why…. and still…the next time we visit the client the place is back to the way it was before we got there…or worse.

Some of the things that I have run across were clients that bought everything….except what I told them to buy, postponed appointments, cancelled appointments, the rooms being back in worse shape than when I left, organizing things in a way other than what I told them to….

Organizers don’t always have to “have their own way” ….but they are there for a reason and there is a “method” to what they are doing.

Buying all of the great organizing gadgets that you see at the store….doesn’t make you organized. Only “you” can make yourself organized. So why spend the money?

I try to re-purpose things that the client already has in the home first…..then we might bring in other organizing products. Rushing out to buy products is not the answer.

With backsliding…which is a “normal” client behavior…they might feel bad about how they let the room get back to the “pre-organizer” state…. and then never call you again. It happens to a lot of organizers. But there is no need for the client to be embarrassed. We’ve seen it all….really we have…and as bad as you think your home might be….we’re probably seen worse.

So….don’t beat yourself up over it and jump back into the process.

Backsliding costs you money. By cancelling your appointments and putting them off….you will probably be in a worse state than when you originally called the professional organizer. They will have to spend time getting back to where they left off…and then continuing the organizing process. So instead of spending three hours at your house it will take four or five hours.

Life can get in the way of your “organizing” sessions. Some people tend to think of their organizer as a “luxury” instead of an “investment in themselves”. By having an organized home and life they can save time and money. And they will also feel less stressed and embarrassed by their surroundings.

Less Clutter = Less Stress (SM)

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

GETTING READY FOR YOUR VACATION

Vacations….. they are supposed to be relaxing and rejuvenating. So I’m told ! I think that the only people that get to relax and enjoy vacations are the kids !

So how do you make your vacation more enjoyable? Get organized of course !

We used to go to the same place year after year. Trying to get yourself packed after packing for the kids and trying to make sure that you didn’t forget anything was not an easy task. Especially if you had to fly to your destination and had only so much room in your suitcase. So as the mom I made a corporate decision. Things would happen in my timeframe.

None of this last minute stuff. No more kids yelling that they can’t find their swimsuit the night before we are supposed to leave.

I made a spreadsheet of everything that we needed to take. I made a column for each member of the family. I gave everyone a copy. And I expected them to have all of their things laid out at least four days before our departure. That way if they were missing anything we would have time to run to the store and get it.

Of course the family made fun of me….and my spreadsheets. But as they got older….they actually asked for it ! And things ran a lot smoother. No more forgetting anything.

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.


Organizational Consulting Services

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What Can I Do In Twenty Minutes

People always seem to complain that they don’t have enough time to do all of the things that they need or want to do in their day. I’ve always said, “the person that invents more hours in the day is going to be rich”.

But the reality is…. there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?

Admit it… if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day….you would be shocked. Because you would see….in black and white…that you wasted a lot of time.

O.K. …maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting….talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space…

So what can you do in twenty minutes or less ? Lots of things:

* Read a book to your child
* Read a magazine article
* Throw in a load of laundry
* Load the dishwasher
* Pay your bills
* File your bills in the appropriate files
* Check your email
* Water your plants
* Write out the birthday cards for the month
* Make your doctors appointment
* Dust your living room
* Organize a drawer
* Make your shopping list
* Make your lunch for tomorrow
* Organize your medicine cabinet
* Organize the top of your desk
* Unload the dishwasher
* Fold a load of laundry

It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don’t do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter…and dead plants !

So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.

Organizational Consulting Services

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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

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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.

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* 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

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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

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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

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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/

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/

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/

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

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

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/

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/

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

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......

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/

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/

HOARDING - (part 1 of 2 part article)

Some people have an obsessive need to acquire things. They tend to develop an emotional attachment to things that many of us would consider trash.

A subject that has been in the public eye recently is that of “hoarding”. People watch it on T.V. and are amazed that people actually live like that. What they don’t realize is that “hoarding” is more common than they think.

What exactly is “hoarding”? According to “Frost & Hartl’s (’96) definition of clinical hoarding:

1) the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value
2) living spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were designated
3) significant distress of impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding

What you see on T.V. are people with houses full of “stuff”. Useless stuff. Pieces and parts of stuff. Stuff that has no “value”. Stuff that they will never use or couldn’t use up in fifty years. Stuff that doesn’t work. Stuff that is old and rotten (food). Stuff that is outdated (medications).

Floor to ceiling, they can’t see into the room, they can’t walk in the room…..stuff.

But to these people it is “precious”. Stuff that they need. Stuff that they will “someday” use. Stuff that they can pass down to their children. Stuff that “someone someday” will need.

Stuff that they can’t part with. Stuff that they won’t part with. Stuff that they will never in a hundred years be able to wear, use or eat.

It’s almost impossible for the ‘average person’ to understand. Yet, it’s a phenomenon that is growing and more common than you think. As a Professional Organizer I have run into this situation numerous times.

One thing that might surprise many people is that the “hoarder” is not some “lower class” or “poor” person that doesn’t know any better. Hoarders come in all shapes, sizes and economic levels. They can be highly educated, professional people. They can hold high level jobs and wear suits.

But they won’t allow you into their home because they don’t want you to know their “secret”.

Hoarders can be elderly people that have accumulated “things” over a lifetime. They don’t want to throw anything out because their children “will want it someday”.

Hoarders can be people that have lived through the depression and don’t ever want to feel that they “won’t have enough” of …whatever.

Hoarding is a very difficult problem to “fix”. You might be able to convince a hoarder to “clean up” his home but that won’t “fix” the problem. It goes much deeper than that. Some hoarders believe that if they throw things out “bad things will happen”.

Most hoarders don’t think that they have a “problem”. They aren’t willing to “change”. And without their willingness and cooperation there isn’t much that can be done.

Hoarders suffer from low self-esteem and many times isolation because they won’t allow anyone into their home so that they won’t be found out.

Hoarding isn’t about “being clean or messy”. It’s not about “being lazy”.

There are so many aspects and / or reasons for hoarding. Not all of them are known and not all of them are understood. Some reasons are: Depression, OCD, Mental Illness, a life altering or traumatic experience….

**** (part 1 of 2 part article).


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Business Organizing

On any given workday, business people are inundated with paper or training materials, an influx of e-mails, and piles of snail mail. Under a mountain of files, whether electronic or paper, it’s sometimes a challenge to find that one needed document or e-mail.

In fact, thirty percent of all employees’ time is spent searching for lost documents, according to a 2006 Boston Globe article. As business evolves and people recognize the need for personalized filing systems, tips on how to control e-mail, and better project management skills, professional organizers are sought after more than ever before

In fact, more than 148,000 clients were served nationally by members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®) in 2008.

As a professional organizer, and NAPO® member, I work with clients on organizing their businesses and offices and have a few tips that will help to increase productivity


• Infuse color. If traditional paper filing tools are not working for you, it could mean that you need to add color to your system Many office supply companies now offer a variety of paper organizing tools for more creative thinkers, and professional organizers can help figure out what works best for you .

• Tame your desktop. Only keep items you use regularly on top of your desk. Instead of looking at a piece of paper and setting it on your desk, use that time to make a decision about that document and place it in a file, trash can, or recycle bin. You will spend less time looking for papers when you need them if they are in a place that makes sense rather than under a pile on your desktop.

• E-mail filing systems are just as important. Professional organizers can help you create e-mail folders that make sense for your business needs, and can teach you skills to keep important e-mail accessible but under control.

• To-do lists can help with time management. Creating a plan at the beginning of the day makes it easier to prioritize tasks even if other projects pop-up as you go about your day.

Professional organizers suggest making to-do lists at the end of the work day so tasks are accomplished the next morning before new projects are assigned.


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

TWENTY ORGANIZING TIPS

Closets:

1) Stick to the “ one-for-one “ rule. After you buy a new piece of clothing, get rid of one piece. This will save space in your closet and make you think about your purchase knowing that you will have to get rid of something when you get home.

2) Keep like items together. Sweaters, skirts, dresses, pants… Keep like colors together.

3) At least twice a year (maybe the spring and fall) go through your closet and get rid of clothes that you haven’t worn in a while, don’t fit or you are just plain tired of. Remember to donate them to an organization or church group.

Kitchen:

4) Keep a pre-printed grocery list in your kitchen and as you run out of things just check them off on the list and you will never again forget something while you’re in the store.

5) Plan your meals a week ahead of time and make your grocery list at the same time. That way you will have all of the ingredients needed for each meal.

6) Use baskets in your kitchen cabinets for snacks (it takes up less room than keeping them in the original container). For kids put the baskets on a lower level shelf.

7) Use organizing dividers in your drawers to keep your utensils in place.

Office:

8) Only keep essentials on your desk. When you are done working immediately put it back in a drawer.

9) Keep all of your office supplies in one place. Keep like items together.

10) Use some type of divider or baskets to keep your pens, paperclips, staples….. organized.

Paper:

11) When going through your mail automatically throw the “junk” mail into the trash can.

12) File any bills that come in the mail in a “bills to pay” folder for paying at a later date.

13) Set aside a specific day or time every week (or two) to pay bills.

14) Set aside a specific day or time every week to do all of your filing.

15) Have one file for “taxes” and put anything related to taxes (W4’s, financial statements, loan information…) in this file.

Car:

16) Keep a notebook and pen in your glove compartment. Great for notes or if you need to record mileage for business expenses.

17) Keep a few “cloth” bags in your car at all times. Great for grocery shopping (now that everyone is moving away from plastic). Also great to keep the clutter from spreading throughout the entire car.

18) Keep a basic emergency first aid kit in your car. You’ll never know when you need that Band-Aid.

Special Occasions:

19) Buy all of your birthday cards for the year at once. Address them and write the persons birthdate in pencil in the upper right hand corner where the stamp would go. Then put them into a pendaflex folder labeled by month. Near the end of the month look at the next month and pull out the cards that need to be mailed. You will never miss a birthday again.

20) Have a “present” closet or shelf. Keep a supply of basic items such as candles, stationary, games…so that you will always have something on hand if case you need a last minute gift. Stock up on items when there is a sale.


Happy Organizing !


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

COMPUTER and EMAIL ORGANIZING

Getting rid of the clutter on top of your desk doesn’t mean that your office is organized. There is probably “hidden clutter"….in your computer.

Just as you should clean out and de-clutter your desk and office …. you should also de-clutter your computer.

Your “inbox” is probably filled with a ton of mail. Mail that should have been deleted, filed or dealt with a long time ago.

Don’t use your inbox as a “holding” spot for every piece of mail that you get. Don’t use is as a “catch all” or a “library of information”. Your inbox is just a “mailbox”. Use it as such.

You get your regular mail out of the mailbox at your house. So do the same with your “email mailbox”.

First, start by making a list of items that you want / need to keep. For example:
* Mail from my Boss
* Mail from Client “A”
* Mail from Client “B”
* Mail from Vendors
* Mail from Teachers
* Mail from H.R. Dept
* Articles to Read
* Meeting Notes
* Newsletters
* Financial Information
* Letters to Clients

Create a “folder” for each of these categories. Make sure that the name that you give to your folders is descriptive enough so that you know what’s in them. It doesn’t help if you just move things from your Inbox to another folder and then can’t find it when you need it.

When you send email always put something descriptive into the subject line. That way the recipient knows what the email is about and it’s more likely to get read. If you leave the subject line blank it might end up in someone’s Spam or Trash folder.

When you need someone to answer a question or give you some information in an email, ask them to also put something into the subject line. Some email programs allow you to ‘sort’ your email by subjects or they will automatically put your email into an appropriate folder based on who it’s from. Take advantage of the different functions of your email program to sort things in a more organized manner.

Once you have decided on “folders” there are two schools of thought on how to “organize and deal with” your email.

The first says that after you receive the email you should look at the subject line and immediately put it into the “appropriate folder” and deal with it later (at the end of the day or another time set aside for dealing with email).

The other school of thought is that you read the email, deal with it (or delete it) and then file it into the appropriate folder if you want or need to keep it.

Choose a method that works best with how you work and what works best for you.

However, everyone agrees that you should set aside a very specific time to actually read your emails. Whether it’s once a day (for personal email) or two (2) or three (3) times a day for business emails….you should NOT become a SLAVE to your email.

Do not check your email every single time you hear that “you’ve got mail” noise ! This is a waste of your time. For some people that could mean checking their emails 20 – 50 times a day ! Not only are they checking their email, they are also making decisions on what to do with their email or responding to their email. That would also mean that they are not getting anything else done.

By setting up a schedule to check your emails at certain times of the day ….you have the rest of the day to actually do your job. Set aside a specific time (whether it’s 15 minutes or ½ hour) a couple of times a day (morning and afternoon, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon…. whatever works for you) to check and deal with your email.

Another important thing that you should do is to “log out” of your email account after you are done reading it. Do not just “minimize” your email account because you will be tempted to check your email more frequently.

You should also set a schedule (once a month, once every other month, once every six months…) to go through and purge things that you don’t need any longer. This will also free up space on your computer.

Technology is wonderful….if you let it work for you….and don’t become a slave to it.

By being organized and having a set routine you will save yourself a lot of time and will also find that you are a lot more efficient.

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Getting Organized at Home Is Easier Than You Think

People today have more space, more stuff, and less time than ever before. But with the luxury of “more” can also come more clutter and more disorganization, making the need for professional organizers greater than ever before. So, it’s not surprising that, according to the industry authority, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®), the professional organizing industry is booming. More than 148,000 clients were served nationally by NAPO® members in 2008.

Many of NAPO®’s members specialize in niche areas — whether it’s the garage, kitchen, home office, closet, pantry, or any other residential space — great news for the ninety-six percent of people surveyed on behalf of NAPO® in 2008 who said they would save time every day by becoming more organized. Among those, fifteen percent felt they could save more than one hour of time daily if they were more organized at home, giving them an extra 15 days in a year. Many Americans just do not know what to keep and what to toss. With statistics such as these, it is more important than ever to consider ways to get organized and take that step to better living.

Here are a few tips to help you to save time and money and reduce stress:

• Make the garage work for you. Determine how you wish to use the space.

• Sort, purge, and then decide the proper storage containers or fixtures for the treasures that you must.
*** Clearly label both the tops and the sides of the containers.

• Consider floor-to-ceiling possibilities for shelving, racks, stackable drawers, hooks, and pegboards.

• Go through your closet today. Pull out everything you haven’t worn in the last year.
*** Hang like items together.

• In the kitchen:
*** Things that work together should be stored together.
*** Feel the flow of activity in your kitchen.
*** Place glasses near the sink or the refrigerator.
*** Put snacks in a convenient drawer or cupboard.

Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®).

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

LOOKING AHEAD – AGING – DISABILITIES AND HOME DESIGN

Most people don’t want to think about getting older and all that it entails. They never want to believe that they might end up having to use a walker or possibly being in a wheelchair. That happens to “other” people. People who aren’t healthy and who don’t maintain an active lifestyle.

And when they least expect it….an accident or illness sets in and their world comes crashing down around them.

It doesn’t even have to be an illness that creates problems. Just the fact that as you age your needs and what you are able to do…change. That’s not an easy word for people to accept. And most people don’t want to look ahead…because that means acknowledging the fact that they will get old.

But if you look ahead and plan for the future….even at the young age 40 or 50….when you are planning on buying a new house….you will save yourself a lot of money and the headache of having to “re-design” your living space to accomodate your changing needs, when you are in your 60’s and 70’s.

Simple changes like the styles of doorknobs and faucet handles can impact your ability to be self sufficient. As you age it gets harder to turn “round” doorknobs and faucet handles. By simply using “lever” style door handles and “single” faucet handles you have eliminated one major, yet little thought about problem as you age. A simple “style” change that can make your life so much easier.

Some other things to think about:

Hallways: the width of your hallways is crucial. By having hallways that are wider you will be able to accommodate a wheelchair or walker should you need one.

Also, wider doorways of at least 32 “. If the chair needs to turn then you will need 36 “.

Kitchen: if someone is in a wheelchair there needs to be enough floor clearance of at least 60 “ so that a wheelchair can turn around without bumping into anything.

The counter space needs to be at least 30 “ wide and at least a 27 “ clearance (30” – 32” is preferred), and 19 “ deep.

Bathroom: the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) says that the wheelchair access in the shower needs to beat a least 36 “ by 36 “. The curb cannot be more than ½ in.

You can have a walk-in shower and bench if you are able to stand for short periods. There are roll-in showers that have shower seats. Be sure to have support handles that can take the full weight of a person.

The shower controls also need to be low enough so that a person in a wheelchair or a person that is sitting in a shower seat can reach them.

The height of the sink needs to be lower.

The toilet needs to be raised, they are too low for a person in a wheelchair. And a grab bar needs to be next to the toilet.

The medicine cabinet should not be too high from the floor. No more than 44” is suggested.

Miscellaneous items:

Carpeting – not recommended. It makes it hard for wheelchairs to get around

Light switches – the height of the light switches should be low enough for a person in a wheelchair

Closets – the rods for the hangers should be lowered to a level that a person in a wheelchair can reach.

Stairs – a ranch style house (all on one level) works best as you age, but you can also do things in the future such as install a chair lift if you have a multi-level house

Laundry room - putting it on the main floor means that you won’t have to go down into the basement


This article was meant to make you “think” about the future…It was not meant to be “expert” advice. For more information on how to make your home “age / disability” ready…check out the ADA or other expert websites.

Planning for the future doesn’t mean that you are doomed to “need” all of the above changes. And making some of the changes mentioned doesn’t mean that your house has to “look” like you are “old and disabled”.

By being organized ahead of time….by planning for your future….you are taking a proactive approach to your life.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

WHY PEOPLE DON’T ORGANIZE

People have asked me “Why do people hire you to organize their home? Can’t they just do it themselves?”.

The simple answer is “NO, they can’t”.

But there is nothing simple about the “real” answer.

It’s sort of like asking “why do people hire someone to mow their grass?”. The answer, “because they don’t have the time”. Or “because they don’t like yard work”. Or simply “because they don’t want to do it themselves”.

Yes, a lot of people are “capable” of “organizing” their own home. But they need someone to stand over them to direct them and to make them do it. They tend to second guess themselves and really need an outsider’s opinion and direction.

People that have a disorganized workspace or home are not less educated, in fact a lot of people with disorganized spaces and clutter are actually very bright and highly educated. And that’s part of the problem. They think that the task of “organizing” is “boring” and they can’t stay focused long enough to get anything accomplished.

Some people just get overwhelmed when they try to start organizing a space. Instead of focusing on one aspect at a time they look at the entire room and just see one big mess and start hyperventilating. Then they just throw up their hands and call it a day.

A professional organizers job is to get the client to focus on one aspect at a time and go through a “process”. They need to keep the client on track to get the job done.

Some people were just never taught any organizational skills when they were younger.

Some people just let things go too long and the clutter got out of control and they know that the project is too big for them to handle.

A lot of people think that being “organized” is too time consuming. They don’t understand that once you are “organized” you will actually save a lot of time because you will be able to find things easily. Maintaining an organized space is also a lot less time consuming because you aren’t spending a lot of time thinking about how you are going to organize the space, it’s already organized. You are merely putting things into designated spaces.

When you have an entire family that is disorganized it is really important that everyone is on the same page if you are going to get your space de-cluttered and organized. If your family won’t cooperate with your plan to organize your home it’s almost impossible to have an organized home. Another reason why people tend to throw in the towel. “Why bother, they are just going to mess it up anyway”.

It is crucial that the entire family is on board with the organizing plan. A professional organizer can transform a space…but if the family isn’t on board with the idea, the space will just go back to the cluttered mess that it was before the organizer got there.

A Professional Organizer does more than just de-clutter and organize a space. They also educate the client (and the entire family) on why a space should be organized. On how to organize a space. On how being organized saves you time and money. And on how “being organized” is a crucial lesson that will stay with them the rest of their lives and will be something they use in all aspects of their life.

Being “organized” isn’t only about space management and clutter control. It’s about time management, paper management, project management and life management.

Organization affects all aspects of your life.

Start today and have a more “organized” life.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

CHORES FOR CHILDREN

An organized home doesn’t miraculously happen. It takes everyone in the home to create an environment that is organized and functions smoothly. Having kids doesn’t mean that your home has to be disorganized or a cluttered mess. Children learn from their parents. If you start expecting things from your children at a young age and teach them responsibility you can have a home that is neat and organized.

Following is a list of chores for children. This is just a basic list of some things that children should be able to help with. Remember, each child is different and they all have different capabilities. For the younger children “helping” with some of these chores will probably take more time than if you did them yourself. But that is not the point. The point is to teach your child some valuable tools for the future. It is really important to give them encouragement and let them know that they did a good job.

2 – 4 year olds

Put away toys
Pick up clothes off of the floor

4 – 6 year olds

Clean up spills
Wipe kitchen table
Learn to make bed
Learn to set the table
Match socks

6– 8 year olds

Make the bed
Put dishes away
Sweep the floors
Put clothes into the hamper
Set the table
Clear the table
Learn to separate clothes for the laundry
Dust

8 – 12 year olds

Put their own laundry away
Help make dinner
Make their own lunches
Rake leaves
Help wash the car
Empty garbage
Clean the bathroom
Help with actually doing the laundry
Weed the garden

13 – 15 year olds

Clean the entire house
Learn to manage their schedule
Mow the lawn
Yard work
Wash the car on their own
Babysit

16 – 18 year olds

Get an after school job
Go to the grocery store
Run errands as needed
Learn how to make a resume
Learn how to manage money


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER

A professional organizer isn’t just great for helping you organize your closet.

They can help you in many ways that you probably never thought of.

They can help you with space management, showing you how to use your space more efficiently.

They can be a life coach, guiding you through the clutter of your life.

They can be a business coach, helping you organize your procedures and workflow.

They can help you with time management, showing you how to make better use of your time.

They can help you with paper management, dealing with all of the incoming paper and creating a filing system.

They can help you with project management, defining your goals and coming up with a game plan.

They can help you with organizing and planning meetings and events.


By becoming more "organized" you will also become "less stressed", "more efficient" and will "save time and money" .


Less Clutter = Less Stress ….. in your home, your business and your life.


Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

DOCTORS VISIT – WHAT TO BRING

Going to the doctors, no matter if it's just a routine visit or if you are sick, seems to make most people very nervous. They feel intimidated because, well, they are a doctor after all.

So you get to the visit, the nurse comes in and asks you a few questions. Then the doctor comes in and before you even have time to ask your questions, he’s gone. And you are left wondering “what just happened?”.

It’s a typical scenario. And even the most educated and professional people seem to be intimidated by doctors. And they shouldn’t be.

A doctor works for you. Not the other way around. But with the constraints made on doctors to see as many patients as possible and the very limited time they are allowed per patient….it’s crucial that you come prepared to your visit. Don’t think that you will remember all of your questions during your visit, because you won’t.

Before your visit you will want to make a list of all of your symptoms and/or concerns.

Then, make a list of all of the medications that you are currently taking, including dosage. Don’t forget to include a list of all of the OTC (over the counter) medications, vitamins and supplements that you are taking. Some of these can interfere with your medications and your doctor needs to see a complete picture of what you are taking.

Bring a copy of your health history (include your history plus any relatives that you know of). This is especially important if you are seeing a doctor for the first time and have to fill out paperwork. Do not rely on your memory. This is too important.

In your families health history, be sure to include the dates of diagnosis and also what your relatives died from. Sounds morbid, but health history is very important and could be an indicator of what you have to look forward to.

If you are going to the doctor for a particular ailment that you have had in the past be sure to include information on medications that you took and if they worked for you or not. If they didn’t work or you had problems with the medication be sure to tell your doctor about it. A lot of people just stop taking the medication and don’t bother to tell the doctor and he never knows it didn’t agree with them. Then he will prescribe it again. And you’ve created a cycle.

Take a notepad and a pen with you and write down any information that the doctor gives you. If you get a diagnosis write it down. If you don’t understand it make him explain it to you. Don’t pretend that you know what it means if you don’t. You didn’t go to medical school. There is no need to be embarrassed that you don’t understand all of the medical terminology. If you write it down you can look it up later when you don’t feel rushed.

Make the doctor explain any treatment options and medications. Ask him about any side effects that you might experience.

If you forget any questions while you are at the doctors be sure to call the office back and ask your questions! Your health is too important to ignore. Don’t ever be embarrassed to ask your doctor anything. Don’t ever thing that you are wasting his time. It could be a matter of life and death.

Take control of your health. Take control of your life.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

HOME INVENTORY ORGANIZING

Tragedy strikes – usually with no warning. Are you prepared? If a fire swept through your home would you be able to give your insurance company a complete and accurate listing of the contents of your home? And if so, does your homeowner’s policy cover all of the items listed?

Having a complete and accurate list, with all of the necessary information before you actually need it is crucial. Unfortunately, most people aren’t prepared (and don’t get prepared) until it’s too late.

A home inventory should be compromised of such things as:

Item Description, Brand Name, Model #, Original Cost, Serial # (if it has one), Where purchased, Date Purchased

The easiest and most efficient way to compile a household inventory is to simply go room by room. Make a complete list of all of the contents of each room. Don’t forget to go through all of the drawers and inside any cabinets. Each item needs to be logged.

If you can, take pictures of each item (or a grouping of items). Also, be sure to take a picture of the room itself. If you have a video camera it would also be helpful to take a video of the entire house.

Don’t forget the closets, laundry room, pantry, garage and all outside areas, such as the patio or a shed.

Once your have your list, review your home owners policy to be sure that you are covered for all of your items. This might also be a good time to sit down and review your policy with your agent to be sure that you are satisfactorily protected. You don’t want to be surprised that something you though was covered really wasn’t.

Another important point to remember is that you need to put a copy of your home inventory list in a safe spot outside of your home. This can be in a safety deposit box at a bank or you can give a copy to a relative to hold for safe keeping.

Making a home inventory list is very time consuming. But it is something that is definitely worth the investment of your time. Once you have made the initial list you should update it at least once a year. The yearly updating should only take a fraction of the time it took to create the original list.

Invest in yourself…… protect your home.



Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/