Today is the last day of 2008...where does the time go? Can you think back to the first day of 2008 and remember the goals you set that day...did you keep them?
Congratulations if you did...and if you didn't, there is always this year!
There are lots of goals made on the 1st of the year including taking off some holiday pounds, eating better, being nicer to people and spending less.
However, one of the most important resolutions you can declare for yourself is one that will affect every area of your life. That is to resolve to be organized in 2009.
No matter what your goals are, organizing is at the very heart of those goals. If you don't apply organizing principles to the things you wish to do, your thoughts, ideas and results are going to be haphazard.
Keep this thought in mind as you set goals for yourself in 2009.
This time of year, we get so many holiday cards...but what do we do once we read them? One idea I found was to simply tear off the front cover of the card and recycle them into new cards, postcards or put them on a bulletin board as holiday decor!
This is a great way to save trees and money by reusing the old cards!
Are you drowning in paper clutter? If you are like many of my clients, you are searching for new and better ways to curtail those piles of paper that just seem to appear on any available surface!
Just like anything you want to improve in your life, if you're ever going to keep up with all the paper in your life, you have to decide on a system, work it and then keep tweaking it.
Here is a 3-step process that has helped several of my clients. Feel free to “tweak” it as much as you need to make it fit for you and your family!
1. Examine the sources of all the paper. Write them all down.
Magazines
Mail
Printing emails
Notes from school
_________
_________
_________
2. See where you can eliminate or reduce the flow of paper.
If you get accounts by email and in the mail, email the company and stop the mail.
If you and two friends read the same magazine, buy one every 3 months and pass it around.
Sign notes from school immediately and send back the next day. Don't leave them on your kitchen counter a minute longer than you have to.
3. Decide on your comfort level for accounts/ filing
I only keep 3 months' worth of bill/utility statements. Or better yet, get them electronically sent to your e-mail.
Have one place in your home for "things to file". You can put things in this pile that eventually need to be filed away. Once a week, or once every couple of weeks, go through and file everything at once. It will probably only 10 minutes so.
Start implementing these tips for immediate results!
december 28 -- january 3, 2009 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Freda from Chapmansboro, TN
Freda writes: " I have a great system to keep track of where I put random things I know I won't remember otherwise... I put them into an Excel Spreadsheet labeled 'Where Is It?'
I include anything from gifts I need to hide to where I store rarely used items. "
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.
We're only a few days away from the start of a brand new year--another perfect opportunity to reduce the clutter, simplify, better manage your time and reach your goals. Here are 7 simple ways to start the new year off on the right foot:
1. Don't set too many resolutions. So many resolutions are started at the beginning of each year and broken before decorations are away. Why not make a list of three resolutions that you want to work on this year and focus on those?
2. Keep your goals realistic. When you set your resolutions, don't set them way out of your reach. For instance, if you want to take off a few pounds this year, rather than promising yourself you'll lose 20, instead focus on losing 1 or 2 in January. Then, reset your goals for February, March and so on.
3. Catch up. Spend this week getting rid of things you no longer need. Finish your laundry pile and clean any dirty dishes. Weed out old toys, old appliances, old cosmetics or anything else you no longer use. If you have way more than you can handle, consider hiring a professional organizer and/or a cleaning service. Either would be a good investment to help you start the New Year fresh.
4. Promise you'll be nice. That is, nice to yourself. This means that amongst all the chores, work and projects you have to do, always add fun things that you enjoy doing when you're writing up your schedule. Why not pull out your 2009 calendar and fill in at least two fun activities, ranging from working on your hobby at home to going out on the town.
5. Don't put that down. When you're done using something, put it back in its respective home. I promise that if you do this in 2009, you'll never end up with piles of clutter all over your home. (By the way, if an item doesn't have a home, do yourself a big favor and designate one now.)
6. Team up. Get together with a spouse or a friend and tell each other your goals. You can then both motivate each other to keep those goals, or inspire one another to keep going if one of you falls back on those goals a bit. You're more likely to reach your goals if you tell people about them, and especially if you are cheered on.
7. Get rid of 7 things each day. Get rid of paper you no longer need, email you're done reading, plastic containers that have been gathering dust, and basically anything else that isn't of any use to you. If you get rid of 7 things each day for the entire year, you will have lightened your load by 2,555 items by the start of 2010!
I found this really cute poem that I thought fit perfectly for today!! I'm sorry to say that I did not come up with it, nor do I know the source...but I think it is worth putting on my blog!
Merry Christmas!
‘Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house
Not a thing was away, not a toy, box, or blouse.
The stockings were thrown on the floor without care,
And knickknacks and gadgets were strewn everywhere.
The gift wrap was scattered. The boxes were strewn.
I gasped as I looked all around the trashed room.
What was I thinking, when I bought all this stuff?
Why didn’t I realize ten gifts were enough?
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of organization danced in my head.
“But where should I start?” I wondered inside,
“How can I begin, when I’d rather go hide?”
You’re asking yourself “Where will all this stuff go?”
It feels overwhelming, this I well know.
You’ll get it put away, just remember to breathe,
And if you work with me, you’ll be done New Year’s Eve!
How many times have you stuffed an unwanted item in the back of a closet? Eventually those little rooms in our houses start busting at the seams and next thing you know, a simple outdoor excursion that requires a coat turns into a heap of stuff on the floor. So here are a few tips for updating closets without spending a ton of money:
Tip #1: Tackle one closet at a time and take everything out. Sort through things and throw out or give away what you haven't used or will never use in the future. Donate the stuff that doesn't fit anymore!
Tip #2: Figure out how you're going to use the closet space. Is it going to be just for coats and umbrellas or does the vacuum cleaner need to go in there too? This will help you determine which accessories you'll need to make everything fit properly.
Tip #3: Once you've figured out what needs to go in the closet, add accessories and shelves to make the space more efficient. Extra shelves, a shoe pocket hung on the inside of any door and clear storage bins are a huge help.
Tip #4: Get wire shelf dividers for your linen closet and group together sheet sets and towel sets rather than having a pile of pillow cases all mixed together or a pile of wash cloths.
Tip #5: Accessories make a big difference in the closet. For one thing, get rid of wire hangers and buy a set of uniform hangers, be they plastic or wood.
Tip #6: A collection of purses always seems to make a bedroom or coat closet an utter mess. I love every single one of mine yet they're piled on top of each other on a few hooks in my closet. A large basket is one way to keep them all together and out of the way.
Tip #7: If a trip to the Container Store or Target isn't going to solve your closet problem, consider a shelving system that can easily be changed. You'll want to be able to reconfigure shelving and storage spaces as the family grows. Some of these systems are easy enough to install yourself.
Tip #8: For a kid's closet, consider using baskets or hanging shelves rather than having kids try to hang up clothing themselves. You want to give them a one-step process so they can put stuff away easily. Simple is best when it comes to kids.
Tip #9: As much as I love the Container Store, only go there for the unique items. Plastic bins and hangers are much cheaper at places like Target and Wal-Mart.
Let's face it: we all put off organizing our homes, purses, cars and lives because we don't think we have time. "Once you start looking at all the time you spend waiting for this or that, the minutes really add up," says Donna Smallin, the author of The One-Minute Organizer. Put those wasted minutes to work, she says; even just five minutes a day adds up — there is plenty of time for organization.
december 21 -- december 27, 2008 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Lynda from Ottumwa, IA
Lynda writes: " I have trouble remembering things like giving the dogs their monthly heartworm medicine, an 8:00 a.m. Monday morning appointment, or making an appointment to get the oil changed in my car.
Cell phone to the rescue! It's always with me and I can use it to schedule repeating events as well as one-time appointments. I either schedule the appointment for earlier than the actual time or set an early reminder.
I can't tell you the number of times this has saved me from going in the wrong direction because I forgot I scheduled an appointment which is in the opposite direction I would normally be going.
It also turns out to be the best way to keep on track for monthly tasks like the dog's medicine or my own health checks." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.
Are you surrounded by stuff? Is the clutter closing in? Send us a photo of your awful abode and it may be chosen to receive a mega-makeover—and you could appear on a special episode of Clean House!
The Clean House team is searching for the messiest home in the country. We're looking for mountains of clothes and piles of junk, oddball collections, outdated or hideous furniture, and tons of plain ol' foolishness.
Think you (or someone you know) fits the bill? Submit a photo of your horrifying house and you could receive a dramatic home makeover and the opportunity to be featured on a special episode of Clean House.
As clutter goes, gift clutter is one of the trickiest forms of all. People often feel they must keep a gift indefinitely simply because it was a given to them by someone they care about. As you finish up your holiday shopping in the next week, keep this in mind, and think in terms of clutter-free gift options.
The best way to ensure someone will use and love a gift you give them is to ask for gift ideas ahead of time. If you’d rather surprise your gift recipient, think in terms of consumable gifts—items like gourmet coffee (hold the mug!), fancy jams and jellies, or even mixed-nuts. Experience gifts like tickets to a movie, dinner out, or a massage gift certificate make for special, clutter-free gifts.
Whatever gift option you decide, make it a point to give gifts without strings attached. If you purchase something that could potentially end up as clutter, put your gift recipient at ease by including a gift receipt. Include a note letting your friend know you want them to have something they’ll love and enjoy and if what you selected doesn’t fit the bill you’d love them to use the gift receipt.
By thinking clutter-free in your gift giving, you help spread the joy of the season without spreading potential clutter!
You have a few weeks left to get rid of your clutter and start 2009 off on a more organized note.
1) Fridge and Pantry. Start out the New Year fresh by cleaning out your fridge and pantry. Be sure to toss or donate all food that you have not used in the last six months. If you haven't used it in that time frame, you're not going to. Challenge yourself to use all of the food in your freezer that is older than two months old. Get rid of all of your old herbs and spices. Just because your spice rack has a bottle labeled 'Cardamom,' it doesn't mean you need it.
2) Linen Closet. Go through your linen closet. This is a perfect time of the year to make donations. Animal shelters especially will take old sheets, towels and blankets. Keep a maximum of 3 sets of sheets per bed. For a guest bed, only one set is really needed. There's no reason to keep extra mattress pads, dust ruffles, etc. One each per bed is plenty.
3) Publications. It's time to toss all publications, newsletters, magazines, newspapers from 2008 and older. Resist the urge to say, 'but I might need it or have to refer back to it.' The bottom line is… you probably won't. You will continue to have more arrive and the pile will just get larger.
4) Kids. If you have children, now is the time to help them go through their rooms and closets. Explain that it's important to toss or donate things they no longer love or play with before the inevitable influx of the holiday season. For every item they put on their holiday wish list, see if they will get rid of two things they have now.
5) Television. Do you tape TV shows to watch later using your VCR, DVD-recorder or TIVO type system? Do you have a lot of shows piled up that you haven't watched, but at the same time you still keep taping them? It's probably time to toss or delete some of them. If you really need to know what happened, almost all shows have written recaps available online that you can read to get caught up.
6) Mental Clutter. The most important things to toss at year's end are any preconceptions and limiting ideas you may have. If you see yourself as always being overwhelmed and in a state of constant crisis or chaos, you will be. If you always feel that you are behind the eight ball, it's time to move the ball. Your confidence and positive attitude are your most valuable assets. Before you can have a clean home and an organized life, you must be convinced that you CAN.
Never forget that being organized means having your life functioning in an efficient manner. It's not about having your stuff in perfectly matching, color-coordinated boxes. It's about having your things in a place where you can find and easily access them. It's about having systems in place that allow us to pay our bills when they are due, make it to appointments on time and prioritize our obligations in a way that best benefits ourselves and our families.
This holiday season, remember to schedule time for fun! Among all the hustle-bustle of the holiday season, it will feel good to cuddle up in front of the fireplace, take a walk around your neighborhood to enjoy the festive decorations, watch the ice skaters at a nearby rink, delight in a relaxed cup of hot chocolate or simply sit back and watch a holiday movie.
Make it fun. Make it stress-free. Take the time to just...enjoy.
Photos are one of those things that can quickly overwhelm you if you don't have a system. Before you know it, you have thousands of photos on your computer and no idea where to start.
If this is you, make one folder titled “Before _____” (today's date), drag everything in there and start working backwards, just 15 minutes a day. Once you start, the momentum will easily carry you forward.
Then, from now onwards, do the following steps and you'll never be behind again.
1. Download after every major photo-taking session:
It's far easier to sort through 50 rather than 500 photos. However, if you take photos daily, you might want to do this once a week.
2. Name the folder: For our trips, I name my folders like this: Christmas – 2007, Family Pictures – Feb. 2005 or Ireland - 2008. It is easy to do a search and find what you're looking for later if you describe the photos first.
3. Delete the duds immediately:
Scroll through each photo and delete any blurry, non-flattering or "iffy" photos immediately. Also, delete duplicates…there are no need for the same or similar pictures when you can print off as many as you want!
4. Select the photos you want to print:
Make a folder labeled “TO PRINT”. When you come across the best photos, copy them to this separate folder. Note I said COPY - you don't want to accidentally delete the good ones. I only print the really good photos, which means I don't even print 10% of the photos we take.
At least once a month when you run errands, cut and paste the photos from your “TO PRINT” folder onto a disc and drop it off at your nearest photo developing store or send them to an online publisher.
5. Compress and crop photos:
If you want to send some photos to friends and family, it is good manners to compress them first (to around 50KB) before emailing them.
6. Back up your photos to a disc every so often:
There is nothing worst than losing those precious photos and the memories that go with them…so make sure you back them up regularly.
Hopefully these tips will help you organize your photos over the next month with all the upcoming holidays.
Now’s a great time to clean out your refrigerator and freezer!
Now you may be thinking that you don’t have time for that... and I can see why you feel that way. It is the holidays after all! But, as with any other organizing project, this doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition. Chip away at your fridge and freezer one small section at a time over a series of days.
De-clutter the top shelf, and wipe it down tonight while dinner simmers. Clean out the door while you’re waiting for the oven to heat up. Do one produce bin tomorrow morning after breakfast, and then do the other produce bin before lunch. With a small investment of time here and there, you’ll have the refrigerator cleaned out and you’ll be ready for all your holiday cooking, baking and entertaining!
december 14 -- december 20, 2008 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Erin in Minneapolis, MN
Erin writes: "I love to use plastic page protectors. I have one taped to the inside of the cupboard by my phone with a current phone list of frequently called places and people, and another near the computer with web sites and passwords. The papers are protected, but easy to change out when needed.
I also have recipes that I use the most taped to the inside of my baking cupboard, such as pancakes, bread, pizza dough, and pie crust. No more hunting through a cookbook and no card lying around to get dirty.
It also makes it very easy for my kids to make things-- they know right where to look for a favorite recipe!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
Now that the end of the year is upon you, why not spend the last few days of 2008 getting some areas of your life in order? Work on these a little each day, and you'll be able to start the year fresh in 2009.
1. A task a day. Count how many days are left in the year. Then, grab a sheet of paper and list tasks you've been meaning to do--one for each day remaining in 2008. Do a task a day, until they're all completed.
2. Start a new calendar. Get yourself a new calendar and fill in any special dates or events you already know about. Go a step further by highlighting similar dates in the same color, such as all birthdays in green, all meetings in blue and all medical appointments in yellow.
3. Catch up on your laundry. Do two loads each day if necessary until there's nothing left to do.
4. Make a donation drop. Grab a large plastic bag and inventory your closets, cupboards and drawers for anything you no longer need, but is in good condition. Drop these items in the bag and drive them over to your favorite charitable organization. (If you have kids, donate toys they no longer play with. This is always good practice right before Christmas before the new toys arrive from Santa.)
5. Weed out your filing cabinet. Go through each file folder one by one and get rid of anything outdated or no longer useful. Even if you spend just 15 minutes each day until the end of this year doing this, your filing cabinet will have gained some extra space.
6. Empty your email inbox. Seriously. Even if you still have messages in your inbox from 2006, make it a point to delete every single one you don't need, and to act on whatever is left over.
7. Stop buying. Rather than buying more food for your pantry, more supplies for your hobby, more clothes for your closet, etc., work with what you already have in the New Year. Keep it simple, and you're less likely to end up with tons of clutter.
8. Organize your goals. What do you want to accomplish in 2009? Write down your top 10 goals, and then prioritize them so that your most important goal is at the very top of your list, and the least important of those 10 is at the bottom. Once January 1st rolls around, begin working on goal number one. Once that goal is met, begin working on goal number two, and so on until you've reached all (or most) of your goals for the year.
'Tis the season for spontaneous entertaining! The holidays, more than anytime of the year, is when friends, family and neighbors are likely to call and say, "We're dropping by for a quick visit."
If you're house isn't always ready for unexpected company, here's a plan of action that will get your house spiffy in a jiffy. If you're home alone, take a deep breath and hit the hotspots that you think company is most likely to see. If you have family at home, divide and conquer!
ONE: Clutter Grab an empty laundry basket and collect newspapers, mail and other clutter that have accumulated in the entryway and living room (or family room, if that's where you're likely to gather). Tuck it into the laundry room or a closet, but don't forget it's there after the company goes home!
TWO: Floors A clean floor can make the whole house look clean. Grab a broom or your vacuum cleaner for a quick once-over. Finish up with a spray of air freshener or light a candle.
THREE: Kitchen If you have dirty dishes, stack them quickly in the dishwasher. Larger pots and pans can go in the oven - as long as you make a mental note to get them out of there before you preheat the oven the next time. Grab some fresh-smelling spray cleaner, and touch up your countertops, sink and faucets.
FOUR: Bath This is a good reason to store a few extra rolls of toilet paper in your linen closet or under the bathroom sink. You'll need them and some antibacterial spray to wipe down the toilet, sink, and faucets and touch up the floor. Put out some clean hand towels.
Mental health professionals see a spike in the number of cases of depression and anxiety before and during the holidays. Social demands, shrinking budgets, cranky crowds and a mile-long to-do list can lead to that stressed-out feeling – or worse. Here are some tips for keeping the joy in (and the stress out of) your holidays.
Keep your expectations reasonable. The picture-perfect holidays you see in magazines and on TV are the product of someone's imagination and a huge creative support team. One family and certainly one person cannot make that all happen, so go easy on yourself.
Do some soul-searching. To put the holiday in perspective, ask yourself what it really means to you. What traditions are important and what ones can you do without? For example, you may not care about decorating the house, but you might consider getting out holiday cards worth your time.
Keep your focus on people, not things. In other words, family togetherness, not the gifts you're buying for everyone, is what really matters. Paring down your gift exchanges might meet with relief, not disappointment, from the adult recipients.
Take care of yourself. Get adequate sleep, eat well and make time to work out or do relaxation exercises. If you treat these as a priority and schedule time for them in your calendar, they'll get done just like the rest of your projects.
Shop smart. Shop early and avoid peak times that will add to your stress (such as the busy after-work and weekend hours). If possible, reserve a vacation day or half day to shop while the kids are in school and everyone else is at work. Whenever possible, shop online.
Set a budget and stick to it. Overspending now will create undue stress in the following months. Don't sweat it – times are tough for everyone so no one will think anything of getting only one small gift this year…instead of 3 or 4.
Keep the holidays going. Technically, the 12 days of Christmas don't end until January 6. Don't think that you have to deliver every gift and visit every relative in the span of a few days. Continue your celebration well into the New Year to help avoid a post-holiday letdown.
We’re in the throes of the holiday season—the busiest time of the year. (I hope you’re having a good time, by the way!)
Here’s something to keep in mind this holiday season: how you choose to spend your time will determine how joyful this time of year is for you. What will you say “yes” to? And, what will become a “no”—either by choice or by default because you simply ran out of time?
Practical time management wisdom suggests that we must say “no” to keep control of our schedule. We all must say “no” at some point in time. The question is this: are we saying “no” to the right things?
What if we switched it around just a bit, and instead of saying “no” we say “yes” first?
Here’s what I mean. To make the most of this holiday season, say “yes” to those activities you want to spend your time on. Choose your “yeses” based on what will make you and your loved ones happiest throughout the season. Then, carve out specific times on your calendar for all your “yeses.” If other events or to-dos arise throughout the season, you can work them in around your previously decided “yeses” or you can say “no” to them with confidence.
By saying “yes” first, you’ll know your holiday time will be spent on the activities you and your loved ones value most.
The ONE question I get asked by clients more than any other question is:
I want to get organized…but where on earth do I start?
First of all, relax and take a deep breath!
1. Start with the area of your home or life that bothers you the most. If you can't bear to choose clothes every morning because your wardrobe is too cluttered, then that's probably a good place to start.
2. Decide what you want to have happen in that space. Do you only want clothes in your wardrobe, or do you want shoes and handbags in there too?
3. Declutter. You can't organize clutter. Get rid of everything that shouldn't be there. Some things need to move to other rooms and some need to move right out of your house!
4. Organize what's left according to your personality. Not everybody is a minimalist. Some of us need to surround ourselves with our treasures and that's okay. Your system works as long as you can find what you're looking for relatively quickly (within a minute).
5. Maintain. Last but not least, do a quick, 5-minute maintenance session in each major space every week so that your space remains organized.
december 7 -- december 13, 2008 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Debbie in Pottstown, PA
I have a large kitchen table with 6 leaves to expand it. I never seemed to be able to find the right size tablecloth when I wanted to use one of the leaves.
To solve the problem, I cut index cards in half and punched a hole in each to fit over the top of a hanger. I labeled each one according to the size of the tablecloth on the hanger: no leaves, 1 leaf, 2 leaves, etc.
Now I know at a glance which tablecloth will fit for the number of leaves I am using.
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.
There is always another "fix-it" project just around the corner waiting for you! And whenever these situations arise it always seems like the right tool is nowhere to be found. For all you handy men and women I have a solution!
Keep a toolbox in a place where everyone knows not only where to go to get a tool, but where to go to put it back when they are finished with it. By keeping a toolbox handy, you'll have the correct tool for the job. After all, it's much easier to pound a nail with a hammer than a shoe, or screw in a screw with a screwdriver rather than a butter knife. Just get into the habit of putting the tools back in the tool box as soon as you finish with them.
We've all faced different times when we've scrambled to find all of the paperwork we might need for something, whether it's disputing a refused claim with our health insurance, providing insurance copies, and even the dreaded tax audit. By keeping accurate and detailed records you will confidently be able to provide what is needed, no matter the situation. For your own peace of mind it pays to get into the habit of keeping accurate and detailed records.
Have a specific spot in your home...or home office where you keep and file all your paperwork, receipts, bills, tax statements, and other important documents. Labeled files are a hand tool, however, it doesn't really matter what your system is as long as you have a system that works for you.
*HINT: you know that your system works if you can EASILY and QUICKLY find any paper or document whenever you need to! If you can't...you might want to try another system!
