Why Your Junk Drawer Needs a Super Fat-Busting Diet
I have spoken before about rethinking the need for a junk drawer, but today I want to address perhaps the most important thing you can put in any drawer: open space.
A Toast to the Perfect Organizing System
A good organizing system is like a perfect piece of toast. You have to set the right compulsion level for your system, just as you have to set the right heat for your toast.
Organizing Advice From Tio Sancho
There was a TV ad that ran in 1983 for Tio Sancho Tacos, in which Tio himself boldly declares that his tacos “don’t fall apart, so they taste great.” A schlubby guy from off camera says, “I don’t see the connection.” Tio invites the schlub over to try his (inferior) brand taco on camera while Tio tries his (superior) taco. They each take a bite and the schlub’s taco explodes all over his shirt. He tastes nothing. Tio smugly asks “How is yours?” The schlub answers “I don’t know. It fell apart.” Tio gloats, “Really? Mine is delicious.” So what does this 31 year old taco commercial have to do with organizing?
Don’t Bring a Trash Bag to a Clutter Fight
In the movie, The Untouchables, there is a scene where an assassin comes to kill the Sean Connery character, who (after a derogatory remark) notes that he has brought “a knife to a gun fight.” He then shoots the assassin. I am reminded of this scene, every time a client tells me “You wouldn’t believe how much I have already thrown out.” In the war on clutter, the trash bag is not the right weapon.
Product Review: Pentel Office Pens and Twist Eraser Pencils
PentelsI’ve been trying out these pens and pencils from Pentel for the past few weeks. I like them all, but I’ve definitely got my favorites.
How to exercise your simplicity muscle
What, you didn’t know you had a simplicity muscle? It’s true! Don’t ask me to locate it, but it’s probably in the noggin. It’s the muscle that allows us to break down the most complicated projects into the simplest, manageable tasks. Professional organizers and minimalists have this muscle toned like a professional athlete’s leg muscles. Athletes may be naturally athletic, but most of their results come from exercising. You may not be naturally organized, but you can certainly exercise your simplicity muscle. Here’s how.
A New Theory on Tossing Old Clutter
There are a lot of reasons for why it is hard to toss our excess stuff, that I have discussed in this blog. For example, there’s clutter from the past that holds sentimental value and there’s clutter for the future that we might need “someday.” Today, however, I want to share a new theory on why we keep clutter, that I don’t believe has ever been addressed before. I call it the check register theory. Here it is.
Organizing Social Media For Action
A while back I wrote a guest post on my friend, Brian Bish’s blog about organizing social media. Most of what I addressed was how Brian got my social media more organized through Hootsuite. This was great for establishing a manageable, weekly foundation, but I discovered I wasn’t good at the next and most important step: social interaction. Again, I needed a simple, manageable plan, so I had Brian return this morning to help me with one. What struck me is how much his advice for effective social media is the same as the advice I give for staying organized. Here are some examples.
March 2014, Hersam Acorn
For passionate cooks and entertaining enthusiasts, the kitchen is command central, with well-organized pantries and cabinets an essential component.
January 2014, Greenwich Magazine
Need help getting organized for 2014? Clutter has a way of creeping up on us all. Whether it be tackling the closet, your basement or files sometimes it's best to call a professional.
Product Review: Sharpie Products
I have been a fan of Sharpie products for years. Every one of my team’s project boxes have black Retractable Sharpies in them, so we never loose a cap. My clients love them! Today, however I am looking at three new products from Sharpie: the Premium Pen, the Neon Permanent Markers, and the Metallic Permanent Marker
Organizing Fairy Dust
In my last blog post, I gave some examples of the science of organizing. I explained that what we do is not magic, it’s science. This time, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the magical ideas I have encountered over the years about organizing and professional organizers. I call these ideas organizing fairy dust.
