How Do You Do a Seasonal Switch in Less Than 30 Minutes?
It’s hard to know the right day to put summer clothes into storage and bring out the winter clothes. For me, I thought that day was today. Turns out, it’s gorgeous! Still I don’t think I’ll need my sandals and shorts tomorrow. As a professional organizer, who finds himself inside many people’s homes, I know this is a task that tends to get put off, sometimes all season! Part of the problem is, that this seems like a task that will take a long time, maybe half a day. Here are some tips for getting through the seasonal switch FAST.
Something the Middle Ages Actually Got Right
The modern definition of clutter is a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass, which I find woefully inadequate. It doesn’t address the value of these “things.” The origin of the word clutter, is from the Middle English, clotter, which means to clot. I actually like that better.
What’s Missing From Your Organizing Systems
Actually I have no idea what’s missing from your organizing system, but today I want to talk about a couple of likely candidates: a shopping file and a pending file.
Staying Organized When It All Goes Wrong
Being organized makes even the worst events in life better. It just requires a shift in thinking. In fact, it is quite possible to find organizing easier, when there is true adversity. I’m always surprised how often clients greet me with apologies that they haven’t been able to stay organized because of emergencies that come up.
It Pays To Be Organized
A guest post by Stephanie Hyde from Monkey Bars Garage Storage System To many people organizing seems like a daunting task that they’ll never get around to. If this is you, here’s a little push, simple steps like adding cabinets, shelving, overhead storage, and floor coatings can affect your home price by as much as 14 percent! (According to a Florida State University Study) Not only does this makeover give your wallet a boost, but it also helps increase the space in your home as well.
What No One Ever Told You About Decluttering
Ever been on the receiving end of a loved one saying “What are you holding on to that thing for? Just throw it out!”? As unwelcome as this statement might be, it tends to come out of frustration, over a noble effort: clearing a cluttered area. The problem is, the focus is simply on making you throw everything out, when it’s not all junk. A more effective approach is to divide-and-conquer, or more accurately, ask-why-and-conquer.
Product Review: Ogami Notebook
Product Review: Ogami Notebook, lefties' friend OK, so this is really a repeat product reviewRead More
Moving: What’s in the Mystery Box?
A guest post from Brian Bish Moving is never fun. I mean, sure… it’s exciting and everything is new. But fun? Not so much.
The Organizing Odd Couple
The opposite of out of sight, out of mind is in sight and in mind, but that’s often seen as a bad thing for organizing. If all your floors and surfaces are covered in clutter, it’s overwhelming and stressful, but the exact opposite is not a good thing either. Good organizing is about striking the right balance between what is hidden and what is seen.
Why the Only-Touch-a-Piece-of-Paper-Once Rule Isn’t Working For You
Are you familiar with the only touch/handle a piece of paper once rule? Many professional organizers and time management experts recommend it. I don't. Their thinking is that, you don’t get anywhere by shuffling papers from one pile to another. True enough. Their answer is to make a decision on one piece of paper at a time before moving on to the next piece. You may decide to read, act, file, delegate, or toss, but you MUST decide!
Product Review: See Jane Work
This is the first time I have ever reviewed a line of product, but the good folks at See Jane Work have sent along several samples. Jane is actually Holly Bonn-Weiss, a successful entrepreneur who believes there is no reason organizing products can’t be stylish. I agree. I have combined them in the photos, but I shall review them one at a time.
How To Take Charge of Awkward Garage Storage
It’s pretty easy to run out and buy some shelves and bins for storage in the garage, but so many of the items in the garage are what I would classify as “awkwards.” Your beautifully shelved bins can be sabotaged by items like fishing poles, bicycles, and garden tools. To take charge of your garage storage, accommodate these awkwards before you shelve the items that play nicely with others. Here’s how.
Product Review: 3M 1.5 X 2 Post-Its
I know what you’re thinking. “Really? Those nasty little notes that litter my husband’s computer monitor and desk?” No worries. I don’t like that look either and I don’t like what it represents: inaction. What I do like, no, LOVE about the mini Post-Its is when they are used well. They are used best when they facilitate flexibility.
The Shocking Truth About Getting Organized
To get organized effectively, the focus should not be on getting rid of stuff, but on what's being kept. Really. That focus needs to be on what you are keeping, why you are keeping, how much you are keeping, and where is all going to be kept?
Why Your To-Do List Isn’t Working
Your to-do list isn’t working for you because you are trying to reduce 3 steps to just one. To get your to-do’s to done, requires three essential action steps:
