simplify your life

My clients will often tell me that they always seem to be busier during the summer months than during the school year...and they don't see how this is possible. Part of the busyness is because the weather is so nice that we spend more time outside, on vacation or with neighbors, family and friends that we do cleaning and organizing our homes, our offices and our lives.

Never-the-less, I have put together a list of ways to simplify everything from your trips to the grocery store to your filing system and I will share them with your over a 3-day period. Day one (Wednesday) focused on simplifying your home and home activities. Day 2 (yesterday) shed some light on how to simplify your office space. And day 3 (today) will give you some much-needed advice on how to simplify your life and your family's life. Keep reading for more tips!

DAY 3: Simplify Your Life

simplify your goals
Make sure you are clear about what matters in your life. Take an 8" x 11" piece of paper and fold it into 8 smaller sections. In each section, write down one of your major life goals, values or dreams (example: family, faith, travel, health, career, home, friends, etc.) In the same section as your goal, write a list of smaller "sub categories" to your major goals (example: career --"have a job that I love and that gives me flexible hours.") You can be as detailed as you want. Write down everything you would like to do or have. Come up with five, ten, even 100 sub categories to your major life goals. Then take a step back and compare your list to your current life. If your current life does not match the life your goals describe, figure out what you can do to change. What's standing in your way to make your list a reality? Is it time? Is it clutter? Is it not knowing where to start? From now on, every time you make a decision, stop and think if it will help you achieve one of your goals...if it won't, then don't do it!

simplify your schedule
Before you sign yourself or your children up for another activity, decide what you will give up in its place. There are only 24 hours in a day and that fact won't be changing any time soon! Really stop to think if you have time to add another activity to your schedule and how it will affect you and your family. To keep your schedule simple, think twice before adding anything new.

simplify your to-do list
The first important thing to note is that you MUST have a to-do list that is regularly updated with your tasks for the day, for the week or for the month. And if you are like me, you have multiple lists and love checking things off as they are completed! If you don't have a list, start one today. If you do have a list but you are always adding new tasks instead of accomplishing what is already on the list, you might try to establish a "do-it-now" mindset. If a task takes less than a few minutes to do and you're in the right place to do it -- do it now! It often makes more sense to do something the first time you think of it instead of adding it to your to-do list. Either way, to-do lists are essential if you want to remember everything that needs to get done over a period of time. Get in the habit of making one on a regular basis.

start today
If you are serious about starting a new, simplified life, there is no better time to start than right now! It takes at least 21 days to change an old habit or create a new one so if you start creating a more simplified life today, you will be in great shape by the time school and the Holiday season begins. Pick one idea from the list above and get started today! Once that item is complete or has become a habit, come back and try something else.

For more ideas on how to simplify your life or for help with your organizing endeavors, contact us directly or visit our website at http://www.andreadekker.com/. We would love to help!

simplify your office

My clients will often tell me that they always seem to be busier during the summer months than during the school year... and they don't see how this is possible. Part of the busyness is that the weather is so nice that we spend more time outside, on vacation or with neighbors, friends and family than we do cleaning and organizing our homes, our offices and our lives.

Never-the-less, I've put together a list of ways to simplify everything from your trips to the grocery store to your filing system and I will share them with you over a 3-day period. Day 1 (yesterday) focused on simplifying your home activities. Day 2 (today) will shed some light on how to simplify your office space. And day 3 will give you some much-need advice on how to simplify your life and your family's life. Keep reading for more tips!

DAY 2: Simply Your Office

simplify your desk
Clear it of unnecessary papers, sticky notes, knick-knacks and anything else that does not belong. If you don't use it or enjoy it daily, put it in a drawer or on a bookshelf. Also, send reminders via e-mail or voice message to eliminate small notes and pieces of paper that will clutter you desk top.

simplify filing
Create an organized filing system with hanging folders and manila file folders. Label the tabs in a dark colored permanent marker and keep the tabs all on the same side (exp: all the hanging folder tabs down the middle and all the manila folder tabs down the left side) This will eliminate the need to rearrange all the files when a new one is added. Arrange your files in alphabetical order to make them easy to locate.

simplify task completion
Focus on one task at a time instead of multi-tasking. Do it until it is complete and then move on. You will actually save more time and you will feel more energized as you continually complete tasks instead of working with several in-process tasks.

simplify your planning
Make a list of tasks that require immediate action, those that are on the "back burner" and those that are off in the distance. Focus on and complete one task at a time, starting with the most pressing project. If you have a large, all-encompassing project, divide it into manageable pieces and tackle one piece each day or each week.

simplify your work day
Reduce interruptions and stay focused on the task at hand. Turn off your email and phone, and if possible close your door. Set aside routine times to read and respond to emails, phone calls and visitors. Be sure to let your co-workers know your schedule. If you work from home, try to keep scheduled "work hours" and "home hours" it is important to separate the two just as you would if you worked out of the home. Set up a home office and try to limit any interruptions as we mentioned above. At the same time, when you are not on "work hours" try to limit yourself from contently checking e-mails and voice mails. You don't want to burn out.

start today
If you are serious about starting a new, simplified life, there is no better time to start than right now! It takes at least 21 days to change an old habit or create a new one so if you start creating a more simplified office space today, you will be in great shape by the end of the year. Pick one idea from the list above and get started today! Once that item is complete or has become a habit, come back and try something else.

For more ideas on how to simplify your office or for help with your organizing endeavors, contact us directly or visit our website at http://www.andreadekker.com/. We would love to help!

simplify your home

My clients will often tell me that they always seem to be busier during the summer months than during the school year... and they don't see how this is possible. Part of the busyness is because the weather is so nice and we spend more time outside, on vacation or with neighbors, friends and family than we do cleaning and organizing our homes, our offices and our lives.

Never-the-less, I've put together a list of ways to simplify everything from your trips to the grocery store to your filing system and I will share them with you over the next 3 days. Day 1 will focus on simplifying your home and home activities. Day 2 will shed some light on how to simplify your office space. And day 3 will give you some much-need advice on how to simplify your life and your family's life. Keep reading for more tips!

DAY 1: Simply Your Home & Home Activities

simplify cleaning
Keep a large tub, bin, basket or even a cardboard box in each bathroom, in the kitchen and in the laundry room; fill the containers with cleaning supplies for each room. Cleaning will go much faster when your cleaning supplies are easy to find and in a convenient location. Also, if you take a few minutes to de-clutter your home prior to the cleaning process, you'll be amazed at how much faster it will go since you will only have to focus on one activity at a time!

simplify your kitchen
Keep a list of quick recipes that you can make without much prep work or fancy ingredients --we've listed several meal planning sites right here on our blog! Also, keep the items you use on a daily basis in easy-to-reach places and store seasonal items on higher shelves or in the back of deep cabinets. Store like items together: put the dishes, silverware and glasses by the dishwasher for easy unloading or by the table for easy access during meals. Keep all the items and ingredients you use for baking in one location and those you use for cooking in a separate location. Keep the counters free from clutter...this will give you a whole new outlook on your kitchen!

simplify shopping
Rule number one: ALWAYS shop with a list! This will help you get in and get out without forgetting one item or overspending on something you didn't need. Also, keep a well-stocked pantry or closet with regularly used items on hand to avoid last minute trips to the store. This works for everything from non-perishable food, paper products, toiletries and even gifts or gift cards for the last minute gifts you don't have time to buy!

simplify your environment
Eliminate clutter in your home and you will immediately feel more relaxed; not-to-mention your house will radiate a sense of calm rather than chaos. Although it could be a long process, just remember to start small and take it a little at a time. Clear out your closets, dressers, pantry, cabinets, garage and basement. Ask yourself if you use it, if you need it, if you love it and if loves you back! If you answer "NO" to any of the above questions, chances are you can probably get rid of it!

start today
If you are serious about starting a new, simplified life, there is no better time to start than right now! It takes at least 21 days to change an old habit or create a new one so if you start creating a more simplified home environment today, you will be in great shape by the time school and the Holiday season begins. Pick one idea from the list above and get started today! Once that item is complete or has become a habit, come back and try something else.

For more ideas on how to simplify your home or for help with your organizing endeavors, contact us directly or visit our website at http://www.andreadekker.com/. We would love to help!

clean your home in minutes a day

Over the summer months I have received several questions asking for tips on how to clean and organizing in less time and with less effort. After all, it is summer and we don't want to "waste" it cleaning our homes. However, we need to have some sort of system for keeping things orderly and running smoothly!
If you really think about it, there are several ways you can clean and organize your house in less than 15 minutes! You can even set a timer and make it into a contest to see who can get the most done in the alloted time!

Here are some ideas to get your started!

15 minutes or less:

• sweep kitchen and entry way floors
  
• straighten the family room, living room, or bedroom
• purge the fridge of outdated and expired food
• wipe down the front and back doors
• change a bed
• organize one kitchen or bathroom cupboard
• go through one closet and pull out anything to be donated
• plan the day ahead: look at your family's schedule for the next day and plan for pick-ups, drop-offs, appointments, meetings, dinner, homework assignment, etc.
• make a grocery list: you will save time and money at the store if you have a list
• sort photos into piles that will later be put into an album
• balance your checkbook (hopefully this doesn't take longer than 15 minutes!)
• take the dog for a quick walk
• declutter the kitchen counter: even if you have to put the contents in a basket and sort through them later, it give you peace of mind to know that you kitchen counter is clean
  

10 minutes or less:

• dust one room floor to ceiling
  
• vacuum one room
  
• de-junk one drawer
• clean the bathroom mirror, sink, counter and toilet
• organize your bedside table
• sort piles of laundry
  
• fold one basket of clean laundry
• clean out the dishwasher or wash any dirty dishes
  
• clear your entry way of stray shoes, coats, bags, hats, etc.
  
• organize the clutter ON your fridge...toss old papers, coupons, etc and wipe down the surface of the fridge
• load your vehicle with items you plan to donate

5 minutes or less:

• start one load of laundry and move one load to the dryer
• wipe down kitchen counters, sink and fixtures with disinfectant
  
• clear of the kitchen table
• go through the days junk mail and recycle it immediately!
• check voice mails and delete any they are irrelevant or already taken care of
• load the dishwasher with any dishes left in the sink or on the counter
• check children's homework and make sure everything is completed and signed
• pack a lunch for the next day
• pick out your clothes for the next day
• write one card, note or e-mail
• clean out the clutter in your purse or wallet
• empty the trash

1 minute or less:

• every time you leave a room, take one thing that doesn't belong and put it away... every little bit helps
• write an important date or appointment on the calendar
• when you take something out...put it back before you move on to the next thing
• put a wastebasket in your car
• delegate one chore to each member of the family
• sign up for on-line bill pay for your utilities...this will save lots of extra paper lying around your house and on your desk
• wipe down the handles on the microwave, oven and refrigerator
  
• find a dinner recipe on-line or in a favorite cookbook
  

See, it is possible to keep your house clean and organized without spending all day working at it. You just need to get creative and really monitor how you are spending your hours each day.

If you would like more organizing ideas, check out my website: www.andreadekker.com

tip of the week (7/27/08)

july 27 -- august 2, 2008

this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Sue in Grand Rapids, MI

Sue writes: "When folding and storing bed linens, fold the top sheet, bottom sheet and all the pillowcases except one. Put the folded linens inside the remaining pillow case and label the set with a sticker or masking tape. Your linens will always stay dust free and you will never lose another pillowcase again!"

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Do you have an organizing or time management tip that you would like to share? Click here and your tip could be the next one featured in our newsletter, our blog or on our website!

For more organizing tips, check out http://www.andreadekker.com/. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.

summer saturdays

It has finally dawned on me that July is nearly over and the end of Summer will soon follow. Although I have always welcomed the arrival of Fall, there is something about long, sunny, Summer Saturdays that make me set aside my to-do list and get outside to enjoy the wonderful weather while it lasts.
So today, I encourage you to do the same. Set aside your to-do list, even if only for a couple of hours, and spend some time with your children, your family or just relax with a good book. Here are some Summer Saturday ideas for you to try out!

1. Make a big breakfast: it won't be long until everyone will be back in school and you won't have time to sit down for a breakfast together. You can get the whole family involved...and maybe even squeeze your own orange juice!

2. Go for a walk: it's amazing how even a short walk on a sunny day will boost your energy and give you a more positive outlook on the day. You can take pets, kids, your spouse...or as I prefer, just go alone and have some time to think!

3. Cut flowers from your garden and create an arrangement for your house or your friend: bringing a piece of nature into your home creates an instant summer feel.

4. Eat a picnic lunch or dinner: it doesn't have to be anything fancy and it could even be from a restaurant...just find an excuse to be outside.

5. Turn your yard into a treasure hunt for your kids or your neighbor kids: write clues and hide small prizes throughout your yard. Have a small snack at the end.

6. Visit a local farmer's market and purchase fresh, home-grown produce.

Anything you can do to soak up the last weeks of Summer is well worth your time. Before you know it you will have homework, sporting events, holiday parties and all the busyness associated with that time of year. Make time now...you will be glad you did!

make your office more productive

When you think of the type of office space you want to work in...which of these two pictures comes to mind? I'm guessing that the one to the right would NOT be your first choice!
Unfortunately, for many of us, this is the type of environment we subject ourselves to on a daily basis...40 hours a week...300+ days a year! It's not good for you and surprisingly, it's not good for your employer either. Studies show that when a work environment is cluttered and disorganized, productivity decreases. This is mainly because so much time is spent looking
for misplaced items, searching through long lists of e-mail and trying to uncover the "to-do" list you know you made last week.
Taking steps to de-clutter your work environment will not only improve your work performance, it may also create a more positive mood for you and those you work with.
Here's how:
1. Begin by getting rid of all the junk mail, expired coupons, brochures, catalogs and any other items you know you won't need.
2. Next, sort through the remaining things in your work station and remove any items that shouldn't live on your desk (coffee cups, yesterday's lunch, anything that belongs to your coworkers, etc.)
3. Create "zones" for everything that is left. Have a mail zone, an in-coming and out-going zone, a filing zone, an IMPORTANT zone, etc. You create as many zones as you think you need for your specific line of work. The important thing is that you designate the zone and keep everything that relates to that zone in one place.
**When creating your zones, think of the things you use most and put those zones where they are easily accessible. Things that you use less often can be put in zones that are further away.
4. Maintenance: Now that you have your clutter-free work space, you need to have a plan to keep it that way! Tackle your zones on a weekly basis by going through steps 1 & 2. Create new zones if necessary. Make a folder for items that need future attention so they don't just sit in a pile on your desk. Go through your e-mails on a regular basis and delete all but the ones that still require your attention.

Keeping your work space organized is just as important as keeping your home organized, especially since you spend so much time there! Following these steps will decrease your stress level and increase your job satisfaction and job performance...which might just lead to a big promotion!

put your kitchen on a diet!

That's right...it's time to put your kitchen on a diet. Are your counter tops cluttered with paper, dirty dishes, homework assignments and take-out menus? Is your refrigerator ready to explode? Here is a SIMPLE 3-step plan to reclaim your kitchen once again.

PURGE: Even the best chef doesn't need five whisks and seven spatulas...2 of each will do! Go through your drawers, cabnits, pantry and all other areas where you store kitchen items. Donate any extra utensils, dishes, serving pieces or appliances that you no longer use. Any items that you use on a seasonal basis (holiday dishes, bread maker, punch bowl) don't need to be stored in the kitchen. Put these items in the basement, garage or hall closet to free up more kitchen space.

Also, go through your refrigerator, freezer and pantry and throw out any food items that are expired, spoiled or past their prime. If you are ever in doubt about whether your food item is expired, I always suggest throwing it out...better safe than sorry!

PREVENT: The best way to keep your kitchen clutter free is to prevent anything but food and kitchen items from entering the kitchen. Also, make it a goal to keep only the things you use on a daily basis out on the counters. Put everything else in your cabnits or pantry.

PRACTICE: Now comes the hard part...you need to try to keep up on your "kitchen diet" which requires practice and some type of maintinane routine. Get in the habit of setting a timer for 15 minutes every night and use that time to clear off your counters and throw out expired food. You will be surpried how much you get done in just 15 minutes...and before you know it it will become second nature. Don't try to do it all at once, take it a little at a time...Practice makes Perfect!

For more home organizing tips, visit my website www.andreadekker.com

a good resource and a great read

At a recent business meeting, someone suggested that I might like the book "Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House" by Cheryl Mendelson.

I bought the book used from Amazon.com for only $3.99 + S&H. As I started reading, I realized that this was not only a great resource for someone who is interested in the history of house work, it is also a great resource for those of you looking to better manage your home, your family, your life and your time. The author did extensive research and really did a great job of presenting the information in a format that is both informative and a delight to read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in organizing a home, cooking, cleaning or the history of house work in general. It is filled with good ideas!

organize a yard sale

Where I live, and I assume in most parts of the country, it is inevitable that the first signs of spring are street corners littered with "Yard Sale" advertisements. The signs persist until late September, or possibly beyond, depending on the weather. Each seller has high hopes of bringing in some extra income by selling items he or she no long want, need, or use.

As a professional organizer, I applaud their effort to purge their homes and lives of needless clutter. I do, however, questions the amount of preparation needed to put on such an event and am often asked by clients what they can do to make their sale more profitable. So... I've put together a five-step plan that should make your yard sale more enjoyable and more importantly, more profitable!

STEP 1: Plan The Event

• Pick the date for your sale. Try to avoid holiday weekends as more people will be out of town. Also, it is a good idea to span your sale over 3 days (Thursday-Saturday) so people with different work schedules can attend.
  
• Start accumulating merchandise several months in advance(as if this is a problem for anyone). Have a designated spot in your basement or spare room that is only for yard sale items. The more you have to sell, the more appealing your sale will be to shoppers.
  
• Go through pockets of coats, pants, shirts, and purses to check for money and other belongings...you wouldn't want to sell something for $5.00 not knowing there was a $20.00 bill in the pocket!

STEP 2: Advertise

• Starting a week before your sale, call the newspaper and purchase a classified ad. Run the ad the day before and the day of the sale. Make sure you include your address, date and hours of the sale, plus any important items for sale.
  
• Mention your yard sale to neighbors, friends, family, coworkers, and others you come into contact with. The power of word-of-mouth advertising is amazing!
  
• Advertise on free websites such as Craigstlist.com

STEP 3: Get Ready

• Plan the location for your sale...usually in the garage or drive way. However, you could set up a tent if you have a large enough yard or you could have it in a pole barn on your property. Make sure people can easily access this spot from the road.
  
• Have a plan-B in case the weather does not cooperate. Your sale should not be canceled due to poor weather conditions...and you would be surprised how many people will still come during a rain storm!
• Stock your display tables the night before and keep them in a secure storage area. Presentation is important so make sure your displays are visually appealing and have like items together.
  
• Remove or cover any items that are not for sale.
  
• Make sure your lawn is cut, any animal traps are removed, and any hazardous items in your garage are disposed of or removed for the days of the sale. If you have dogs, you should walk through the area to look for any thing they may have left behind (if you know what I mean!)
• Make sure all items are clearly priced (at a reasonable price), and that you have plenty of change and small bills handy. You will also want to have a secure storage box for the money, a pocket calculator, and plenty of bags for your customers to put their new treasures in.
• Have electrical outlets available for people to try out any electrical devices.

• Make arrangements with a local thrift store to come the day after your sale and take anything that is left over.
  

STEP 4: Advertise Part 2

• Post signs around your neighborhood and on main cross streets the day before your sale. Make sure you check that they are still their on the morning of your sale.
• You will want to make signs that are attractive, easy to read, sturdy, and weather proof. Wooden garden stakes make a very study anchor and broad-tip permanent markers or paint are good weather proof options. Consider laminating your signs for future use.
  
• If you live in a subdivision, make sure you have a sign at every corner, directing people which way to turn.
• Remember to take down all your advertisements after the sale is over.
  

STEP 5: Sell!

• Get up early, eat a good breakfast, and get your display tables into position before you are scheduled to open (people will always come early).
  
• Put any interesting or high profile items near the end of the driveway to lure people into your sale.
• Keep small, valuable items near the cash box so you have a constant eye on them.
  
• Create a pleasant atmosphere. Have music playing, offer lemonade or water, have trash cans in place and make a point to welcome everyone who comes up the driveway.
• If items aren't selling after the first day, feel free to lower the prices or make a sign advertising "everything 50% off" for the last day.
• Don't take personal checks unless you are confident that they won't bounce.
  
• Be prepared for shoppers to barter with you over a price they think it too high. Don't feel pressured to take their lower offer, especially if it is near the beginning of your sale. It might be a different story on the last day when you are trying to get rid of everything that is left over.
• Be firm about your closing time and put things away at the scheduled time.
• Have fun!

Hopefully this will help you the next time you need to put on a yard sale. Although it is a lot of work, there is potential to make a lot of money on things you and your family are no longer using.

For more organizing tips, visit my website: http://www.andreadekker.com/