Organizing Tip #5

USE ONE CALENDAR.
The biggest mistake people make when using planning calendars is to keep more than one. Keep personal, professional and family items on one calendar. It will help to eliminate scheduling conflicts. Remember, 'the man who wears two watches, never knows the correct time.' This is a big one and one of the most useful. I keep my calendar, the events for three businesses, our family, Dave, and Mason. I use different color pens on my most organized day.

The only exception to this rule is I keep an on line calendar for Dave, Mason, me, and our family events. Doing this means I have to put it on line after I put it in my book, but this way, Dave has a point of reference when he needs to schedule something and can't reach me.

Organizing Tip #4

CONSOLIDATE SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.
Instead of starting and stopping at different levels of activity, you'll save time by making all of your outgoing telephone calls together, taking care of all your errands at once, etc. This is a tough one to stick to when you are a wife, mother, entrepreneur, etc. It can be done but when you find yourself in the middle of two or three things, regroup and pick one to finish, then the next, and so on.

Organizing Tip #3

CLEAN OUT YOUR FILES.
Before you go through the expense of purchasing more file cabinets, folders, etc., take the time to purge all unnecessary paperwork and materials. You don't need to keep everything. Keep in mind, you can likely get most statements if you ever need it, and with most stuff, I emphasize "if."

Quotes That Resonate

Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States. Ronald Reagan

One Year Report Card

One year ago I did a major declutter and I would like to say that my house is still pristine and clutter free. Not so. We live in our house so it's always in a state of "lived-in" disarray.

Here's my report card:

• Laundry area: B+ Still in good shape with just a little clutter coming and going from the tops of the washer and dryer.
• Bathrooms: B Also in pretty good shape but the main cabinet is collecting things that are coming in while others are not going out.
• Pantry: C This area is tough as it has the most daily activity, from canned/dry goods to plastic containers, it's hard to keep this in good shape. I would say this is the space that needs the most constant attention.
• Guest Room: A This has been the easiest to keep up because we don't use it as often. Now that my office is in this room, we will see how we fare.

Overall, not too bad. I really like living with less. I'm committed to continuing to keep the stuff to a minimum. One really cool upside is I find I'm saving money. As I mindlessly pick something up to purchase, I flash on getting home, where it will go, and do I really need it. Literally, nine times out of ten, the answer is, "No."

Organizing Is A Daily Process

I'm here to tell you, organizing is something you do everyday. As you come an go in your home, office, and car, you have to be mindful about what you bring in, what you take out, and what you do with everything in between.

After you give a space an overhaul, you have to be diligent about keeping it that way.

• One very good rule is if you bring something it, something needs to go out.
• Another is, if you really aren't going to use it, let it go. And don't save the lotion you love that has a little left in the bottle (you know, the suction pump can't reach it, but if you really worked you could get a few more applications out of it!), toss it and get a new one. This is the kind of stuff that clutter your shelves and cabinets.
• Finally, make it a point to do something that brings order to one of your spaces everyday. you will love the light feeling that comes with less clutter.

Organizing Tip #2

Tip #2: Put things away each time you use them.

This is true for everything:

Pantry items while you cook, use it and put it back.
Your keys, put them in the same place when you come in the door, everyday!
Scissors, once they have a place, put them there when you are done.
Make-up, don't leave it on the sink or counter. After you apply it, put it in your make-up bag and put that in the drawer or cupboard.

You get the point. Put it away when you are finished with it and when you need it next time, you'll know right where it is!

Organizing Tip #1

Tip #1: Don't buy the storage containers to organize a space until after you're well into the sorting and tossing of your things.

Many people go out and buy all kinds of tubs, boxes, baskets, and bowls to organize a space. Don't do it. Wait until you get the space you are working on cleared out, sorted through your stuff, and when you have what you know you're keeping, you'll know what you need to store it in. You'll also have a better understanding of the space you are organizing, it's easy to think it's bigger or smaller after looking at it jam-packed for years. This way, you won't have stuff you can't use, and have to buy the storage containers you actually need.

Decluttering - Tips!

This month, I'm going to post some of my favorite organizing tips that will help you declutter and keep your space clear and user friendly. I promised I would post a picture of my office space that I moved upstairs last weekend, here it is!

It's a small space and possibly too much knick-knacky kind of stuff, but truth be told, this is the stuff I love condensed down from a much larger space. I'm happy with Donald Duck and pictures of my loved ones around me, so for now, this is it!

Quotes That Resonate

"Keeping a personal journal a daily in-depth analysis and evaluation of your experiences is a high-leverage activity that increases self-awareness and enhances all the endowments and the synergy among them." ~ Stephen Covey

Using What I Have More Effectively

On Sunday, I moved my desk and office supplies from the downstairs studio up to the guest room. This is a big deal because as it was, I was working from the kitchen table and that meant that the kitchen/dining area was always cluttered. I kept trying to find a way to make it work for both and it simply was not working. Now, the guest room can still host our visitors, but it also works as my office. It was tough doing it by myself, but you all know me, when I put my mind to something, it happens. Today my back is wishing my mind wasn't so strong willed!

This week is very busy, I'm continuing to stay on top of my declutter project I did a year ago. Decluttering is not one of those things you do one time and you're done. It's an ongoing effort and commitment to keep the piles of stuff off the tables, counters, and shelves in the closets. When I find myself stashing something, I think twice and ask myself, is this something I need to keep and if yes, where does it go? If not, I toss it in the donation bag (yes I have one by the door at all times!), or I toss it in the trash. It's that simple.

I hope you all have a home run kind of week and even if you strike out, know that you will get another chance at bat. Happy Monday!