Closet Impossible?
I have taken rather ruthless measures in an effort to get my clients' wardrobes to match the capacity of their closets. The measures I take [...]
Compelements
I think I just invented a new word. Com•pel•e•ment |comPELement| (noun) 1 element used to compel one to action. So many organizing efforts are focused on containing items out of sight and out of mind. There are, however, things that we need to make a point of acting on, that should NOT be hidden. Quite the opposite. We need things to stick out like a sore thumb to compel us to action. Those are the compelements. Here are some examples.
My Case Against Paper Clips
This isn’t the first time I have attacked a familiar office convention. There was the accordion file, the spiral notebook, and the rubberband.Today, I take issue with the apparently harmless paper clip. Let me start by saying I do use paper clips myself. I believe they have their place. It’s just that I find they are grossly over-used.
How Dedicated Zones Work
How Dedicated Zones Work “Dedicated Zone” is an expression professional organizers (like me) throw around a lot, but what exactly does it mean and how [...]
“We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat!”
"We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat!" So what does Sheriff Brody’s immortal line from Jaws have to do with organizing? It’s about having the right [...]
Simple Can Be Harder
"That’s been one of my mantras—focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to [...]
Why I Hate Rubber Bands
Why I Hate Rubber Bands I guess it all started in my dear Mom's kitchen. She would collect various shapes and sizes of used rubber [...]
Don’t Rush To Systems
I hear it all the time. “You wouldn’t believe how many times I organized this room and the stuff just keeps coming back!” When I [...]
Why Your Action System Isn’t Working
What action system do you used to get things done? Outlook? A Filofax? Your Smart phone? Maybe a good old fashioned to-do list? Odds are [...]
Just Say “No” To Notebooks
Bound and spiral notebooks may make sense for taking notes in school or keeping a journal, but they are terrible for keeping you organized. I have seen thousands of (usually) half-used notebooks in my clients homes and not once have I seen one used as an effective organizing tool. I would add notepads to this list and exclude binders, which can be useful for reference material.
Gift Certificates: What Are You Saving Them For?
One of the most commonly forgotten items I find in my clients’ homes is the gift certificate, often by the dozen. I can’t say ‘use [...]
Out The Door-ganizing
Once you have purged the stuff in your home down to a manageable quantity, there is no more important practice to stay organized than to [...]
Don’t Waste A Beautiful Day On Owners Manuals
If you are a true minimalist, toss all your owner’s manuals. You can get that information online. End of post. The rest of us are [...]
Remove The Friction
Life is full of stumbling blocks you have no control of. You can best equip yourself to take on these challenges by making every step [...]
The Five Levels of Being Organized
Being organized means different things to different people, but I have discovered five essential levels of being organized. These levels are helpful to recognize because [...]
My Least Favorite Organizing Products
photograph by Susan Baier My Least Favorite Organizing Products There is no rulebook for organizing products. These are just my opinions based on [...]
