Family Planning: February 18 (6-9 PM) This class is great for busy family and will help you (as the parent) learn how to better manage your time and plan your family's daily activities.
Boost Productivity at Home & Work: March 18 (6-9 PM) Are you looking for a way to increase you productivity at work? How would you like to have more time to do the things you really want to do each day? This class will show you how to do just that in one, compact workshop!
Are your systems working for you, or are you working for your systems?
Not sure? Let me give you some examples.
Is your laundry piling up on the bathroom floor, even though there’s a perfectly good laundry basket in your closet?
Are your keys, mail, and cell phone landing on your kitchen counter, even though the clutter drives you nuts?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’re working for your system instead of letting your systems work for you. Move your laundry basket to the place where clothes pile up. Add a simple basket to serve as a drop zone for your mail, keys, cell phones and other items you carry into and out of your home. Often a simple tweak is all you need to make your systems work for you!
What system can you tweak today to make life just a notch more simple?
Have you ever forgot an item at the grocery store? I happens to the best of us! I don't know about you...but it really ticks me off when I get home and realize I forgot the one thing I needed for supper...b/c I forgot to write it on my list!
So now, when I run out of an item I will need at the grocery store, I write it down on the front of an envelope that hangs on the refrigerator. I keep all my coupons inside the envelope so when it's time to go to the store, I know that everything I need is on the list and all my coupons are neatly inside!
Is it difficult for you to say “no” when someone makes a request of you? Do you think that saying “no” is offensive and uncaring? Do you say “yes” even when you know you really don't want to do it or don't even have the time to do it?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of those questions just remember, saying “no” is important to say from time to time. It is definitely not a bad thing to say!
Keep the following information in mind the next time someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do or don’t have time to do.
1. Saying “no” is a choice, not a requirement. In any situation, you have the choice to either say “yes” or “no” but they are both good and acceptable answers.
2. Saying “no” simply means that you want to stay true to the commitments you have made. If you are a person if integrity, you will find yourself saying “no” sometimes.
3. Saying “no” to the things that are not on your priority list is perfectly acceptable. Keep your priorities in mind and only say “yes” to those things that fall in line with your priorities.
4. Saying “no” can empower you. It can increase your capacity to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes.
5. Saying “no” is just voicing your opinion, standing up for your rights, and become the sole proprietor of your life. Free yourself from the guilt associated with turning down a friend or family members by remember this.
6. Saying “no” is not a sign of weakness. It is actually a sign of strength. It indicates that you know your own strengths, abilities and limitations. If you don't want to say no, then learn to say 'not right now' instead.
7. Saying no can allow you to try new things. Just because you have always helped plan the company picnic does not mean that you have to keep doing it forever. Saying no can free up time for you to pursue other hobbies and interests.
These tips are a good reminder for me as well. At some point in our lives, we all fall “victim” to saying “yes” and biting off more than we could chew. Over the next couple months determine the things that are really important to you and make it a goal to say “no” to anything that doesn’t match up with your goals. You will find yourself living a much happier and more stress-free life.
Bills, credit-card receipts, ATM slips, investment records, bank statements— they pile up and multiply faster than dirty dishes after a holiday meal. It's easy to feel buried under an avalanche of paper and too stressed and guilty to deal with it.
Fortunately, there are solutions short of hiring a full-time financial manager. Getting clear of the paper chaos will save time (no more scrambling through drawers to find that overdue bill), -money (fewer late charges and no lost deductions), and psychic energy (no more feeling out of control of your own financial life).
Do you plan out your weekly menus?
Menu planning is probably the one thing I do that saves me the MOST time every week.
It's also going to save you money when you start using up all the food in the freezer and in the back of the cupboards.
Note - you must do this BEFORE you go to the shops to do your grocery shopping ;)
1. Go to your freezer and cupboards to see what food you have that you need to use, and make a list.
2. Write out a menu plan for a week (if you do weekly shopping) or longer, using recipes to use up that food.
3. Add any items that you need additionally to your weekly shopping list and then go shopping.
4. Stick the menu plan to your fridge and follow it.
Now you don't have to rack your brain every night wondering what to cook.
You have a PLAN.
Another tip that will save you lots of time is to cook extra food on the weekends. You can free it and then when you have a busy day it's easy to just defrost the meal and have a healthy supper on the table in minutes.
We went through a stage where we didn't buy any meat for two months while we finished everything in the freezer and started on the cupboards. You see, we all get into a habit of buying the same groceries every week without checking if we really need it.
If you're not already menu planning, I'd like to encourage you to at least start. Do so for at least a month and give it a good go.
And if you already do menu planning, then your challenge for this week is to only buy perishables and eat from your freezer and cupboards.
january 25 -- january 31, 2009 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Karen from Lancaster, OH
Karen writes: "I often trade some cleaning time with my sister or best friend. They can get my living room and kitchen uncluttered much quicker than I can and I have a basket or two (usually of papers) to sort out in the end. They don't have the emotional attachment to the clutter that I have. I then repay their time by doing a task they don't especially enjoy doing."
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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 www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.
What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than to clean and organize your closest! Some of you might think I am nuts...but for those of you who want to take me up on my Saturday project, here is a link that will help you get started!
Do you have the “Friday blaas” today?? Make your work day afternoon more productive by leaving the office during lunch time. Energize yourself by breathing some fresh air, taking a walk or closing your eyes for a few minutes. I know it sounds crazy but just changing your scenery for a half hour can put a whole new perspective on your afternoon…making you much more productive!
And remember, the weekend is just around the corner!
I’ve mentioned before that getting healthy and getting organized are the 2 main “resolutions” for people each year. I know I can help you all get organized, but I thought I would include a few tips on how to get healthier too! If you've been fretting that it's just too difficult to be health conscious, these tips are sure to change your mind. With a simple attitude adjustment and the application of even a few of these tips, you'll be on a healthier path in no time. Also, if you notice, several of the tips involve becoming more organized and intentional about the food you put into your body!
1. Clear out your kitchen cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator of all unhealthy snacks. (or anything that has expired or gone bad) Forget how much they cost. Just toss them. It's a lot less expensive to toss unhealthy snacks, than to deal with the costs of getting seriously ill.
2. Do most of your shopping around the perimeter of your supermarket…as this is where most of the healthier food is. (fruit, veggies, cheese, meats, dairy)
3. Cut up the fruits and veggies when you get home from shopping and put them into the refrigerator for snacking. In fact, pack up some little packets to bring to work with you for morning and afternoon snacks to eliminate those trips to the vending machines.
4. Plan out menus for healthy cooking on the weekend. When you go grocery shopping, just get the ingredients to make those meals--rather than buying randomly.
5. Plan on eating five to six smaller meals during the day. In addition to your regular meals, have one at mid- morning and one at mid-afternoon. Do not eat after eight at night. Pretend you are going to have a blood test each morning and that you have to fast.
6. Chew sugarless gum. It keeps your mouth busy and satisfied. Keep a bottle of unsalted almonds in your desk to satisfy an emergency snack craving.
7. Precook some of your entrees on the weekend so you just have the veggies to steam and the salad to prepare. Steaming is a good way of retaining nutrients and vitamins. Make a double portion of dinner so you can freeze it for another dinner when busy--or make a large roast and use it for a few meals.
8. One of the easiest ways to loose weight is walking. Loose weight, strengthen your lungs and think about your goals--all at the same time. Keep walking shoes at work. Eat a light lunch and then head outdoors to do some power walking…and invite a friend.
9. Plan activities with your hands to keep busy, so you don't reach for the snacks. Play games with the kids, read a book, go outside and walk around the block as a family. If you are crafty, start a project to complete. Start dancing. Take an art class.
10. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. You'll feel more energetic in the morning.
YOU are the only one who can change any unhealthy habits and it all starts with your attitude-- the time to start getting healthier is NOW! Do yourself a favor and make that wonderful decision for yourself today. It will take effort and some organized planning to fit in exercise and eating right…but as with any organizing project, the results far outweigh the effort!
Remember the last time you went on a trip or a vacation? You decided where you were going before packing your bags or making any other travel plans.
When getting organized, it works best if you follow the same process. Though the urge to just dive-in and get started organizing will be strong, resist this urge and do a bit of groundwork first. Decide where you are going and how you want things to be when you get there. What will your space look like? What will you do when you arrive at destination organization? Then, make the appropriate plans to get there.
You wouldn’t dream of leaving on vacation without knowing the destination, in part because you wouldn’t know what you need when you get there. Do we need sweaters or swim suits? It’s just the same with organizing. Until you decide where you’re going, it’s much harder to decide what to keep and what to let go of. But, with just a bit of pre-planning, this and every other decision in the organizing process is much, much easier.
Do you feel like you are constantly overloaded with laundry? Most busy families have more laundry than they can keep up with...I’m sure you can relate! So what can you do to make it more bearable? Here is a suggestion that might just help!
Give every family member his or her own laundry basket (distinguished by color). When it is laundry time, bring the baskets into the laundry room so the clothes can be washed. As clothing comes out of the dryer, put them back into the respective baskets. Then, family members can come and collect their stuff and take it to their rooms to be folded, hung up and put away. After the clean stuff is put away, the family members return their baskets with the next soiled pieces of laundry.
Another helpful idea is to have one additional basket for anything that is missing buttons, needs repair, etc.
There's nothing nicer than having an empty Inbox and a computer that is quick, organized and efficient. All it takes is a bit of work now and you'll reap the benefits the entire year!
1. Inbox:
- Start by deleting any junk mail, spam, forwards, or any other mail that you have read and/or dealt with
- Go through the rest of the mail in your ‘Inbox’ and read and/or take action to respond to every e-mail you can.
- Delete the e-mails you just dealt with and file/archive the ones you have to hang onto
- Create folders for the different e-mails you archive (family, friends, work, church, ect)
- Go through your ‘Sent Items’ and delete as much as you can
- Finally, delete ALL mail in your ‘Deleted Items!’
2. Contacts: - Delete any duplicates…but make sure you know which set of information is correct
- Delete any contacts you can’t remember who they are or why you have their details
- Have a system…either always go alphabetically by first name or by last name.
- Take some time to catch up with old friends!
3. Files and folders: - If you don’t have any folders…now would be a good time to create some!
- Have a separate folder for every person in your family…and then subfolders for different activities, classes, projects, businesses, etc.
- Delete any files you no longer use, especially PDF books you've already read.
- Free up space on your hard drive by burning files or documents you need to keep for referencing later on. Make sure you label the CD so you know what is on it.
- If you have really important files, make sure you back them up regularly, either on a portable hard drive or on a CD.
4. Photos: - First, delete any duplicates, blurry pictures, or any that are GREAT!
- Categorize those that are left by even or simply in chronological order.
- Burn your photos to disc (for back up) and delete the files from your hard drive. Again, remember to label the CD so you know where you pictures are stored.
- Take some time to open a ShutterFly account to share you pictures with friends and family.
- Print off a bunch of your favorites and actually enjoy your pictures!
This year, resolve to apply the one in-one out principle. For every file you download, delete one. Drastic? Maybe, but it works! You will be amazed at how much more efficient your computer will be…and how much more efficient you will be as you work at your computer!
january 18 -- january 24, 2009 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Ana from Kapaa, HI
Ana writes: "I always write the date a bill is due, in bright red, directly on the envelope it came in. Then I put the bill that's due the soonest at the top or front of the stack. That way, with a quick glance, I know what payment is due next."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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.
Organizing and creativity go hand in hand... and organizing can be fun!! Here’s why. First, its way more fun to add a dose of creativity to your organizing projects. But there’s something else important at play, too. If you love your freshly organized space—if it really makes you happy—you’ll be much more likely to keep it organized going forward. Adding creative elements to your organizing projects makes any space more lovable.
Use the ideas below as a starting point to infuse your organizing projects with a dash of creativity.
Use creative labels: Sure a label-maker is functional, but using craft supplies to label your organizing projects is functional and fun! Creative labeling can be super simple and give you delightful results. Purchase some pre-made tags, a spool of ribbon in your happiest color and a fine-point black marker. Then, add a creative label to everything from pantry shelves to pails…and everything in between.
Create systems that “think” like you do: Adding creativity to your organizing isn’t just about making things look creative. It is also about setting up systems that are customized with you in mind. When setting up organizing systems, tap into your thought processes. How do you think about things? How do you look for things? How do you do things? By approaching your projects using your own unique way of thinking, you’ll put together creative organizing systems that are uniquely suited for you.
Play with color: There are a number of ways to use color to add order and energy to your organizing projects. First, you could select containers, such as brightly colored canvas bins, to add a dash of your favorite color to your space. Or, organize the items in your space, such as books on bookshelves and the shirts in your closet, by color. Grouping items by color gives your eyes fewer and more definite places to rest, adding an instant sense of order to your space. Plus, those pops of color will look fantastic, too!
Tap into the power of texture: It’s important that your organized space feels homey—a place you want to be. If you think an organized space feels sterile and lifeless, you’ll likely resist the process of creating an organized space. A simple way to bring life into a space, without taking away a smidgen of order, is to use containers of various materials and textures. Pair the rough and natural texture of baskets, for example, with shiny glass jars with metal lids. Or, use wooden boxes and ceramic bowls, or canvas bins and brightly colored metal pails. You get the idea—use contrasting textures to infuse your space with life.
Trust your instincts: Most of all, when it comes to getting organized and adding a dose of personal creativity, trust your gut. If you think it will work and it makes you happy—go for it!
Now doesn’t that sound like fun! Start tonight…get creative, get organized and have fun!!
Getting control of paper is one of the most important steps in organizing a home. It can be a great first step to reducing clutter. However, so many people I work with are buried in paper…especially families with school-age children. Every day they bring home more art projects, report cards, special stories, poems, projects, etc…where do you go with them all?
My suggestion is to have a “best work” binder:
When the kids come home from school, just save all the papers for a week, then at the end of the week the kids and mom or dad pick out two favorites to keep.
Using a 3-hole punch, put the saved papers in a binder and recycle the rest.
One binder per school year and at the end of 12 years, you've got the best of the child's school work that you can just hand a college-bound student.
This is such a great option because you will decide as a family which papers and drawings should be saved and your child will feel great about the work in their “best work” binder. You could even have them decorate their binder to make it extra special. Then, when the child is old enough, you give them their binder and it is out of your house!
One other suggestion for younger children would be to pick one piece of art work each month to go in a special frame on the wall. The child should pick their favorite piece each month and you can insert it into the frame. After a year, they will have their 12 favorite pieces that you can put into a notebook or “best work” binder.
Do you know the number one organization problem for many people when?
GETTING STARTED!!!!!
Taking that first step often is the hardest but if you can do it…it will make all the difference.
Even the thought or idea of getting organized can be overwhelming for some people…but remember you shouldn’t aim for perfect when starting out.
I saw and episode of 'Oprah' about organizing and woman said she was a perfectionist. She wouldn't put anything away until she had the perfect place for it. Unfortunately perfection is impossible and as a result her house was in total chaos.
If you can motivate yourself to take the first step…you will be on your way to a more organized home and life. Here are some tips to help you get started:
• Pick one room and work on organizing that room until it is finished (the office) • Pick one place in that room to start (the desk) • Work from top to bottom and right to left (first clear off the top of the desk then work down through the drawers) • Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes so you don’t burn yourself out. If you want to go longer…great! Just remember, it doesn’t all have to be done today! • Be prepared to get rid of lots of stuff. Have separate bags and boxes ready for “trash” “donations” “friends” “school” etc. • Have an accountability partner to “check up” on you and ask how your progress is coming along.
Keep these ideas in mind and get started today. Even 15 minutes will make a big difference over time!
Getting organized at the beginning of the year ranks right up there with losing weight when it comes to resolutions; the problem is that a lot of people lose the list by February!
So how can you stick to your resolution this year and really strive to get (and stay) organized? Here are 3 things to think about on your journey to organization:
1. Get a vision for your space. What is your ultimate goal?
Example: Do you want to eat at the kitchen table? How do they want a room to function?
2. Start small and break your long-term vision down into small chunks:
Example: Long Term: organize the kitchen…Tonight: organize one drawer… Tomorrow: organize under the sink.
3. Stay focused: If you goal is the kitchen, don’t worry about the piles of paper in the office and the clutter laundry room until you have the kitchen under control. Multi-tasking is one great asset of being a female but it can hinder our abilities to stay focused and get organized!
Try implementing these 3 steps in your next organizing project and see how quickly you accomplish your goal and vision. Try taking a before picture…and then an after picture. Make sure the “after” picture matches your original vision for the space and then reward yourself for a job well done!
Quick and SIMPLE Clutter Control: January 21 (6-9 PM) Have you made it a goal to get organized for the new year? This class will focus on eliminating clutter from every area of your life and give you helpful suggestion on how to keep clutter at bay all through 2009.
Family Planning: February 19 (6-9 PM) This class is great for busy family and will help you (as the parent) learn how to better manage your time and plan your family's daily activities.
Boost Productivity at Home & Work: March 18 (6-9 PM) Are you looking for a way to increase you productivity at work? How would you like to have more time to do the things you really want to do each day? This class will show you how to do just that in one, compact workshop!
Let me guess…you are super busy? Trying to balance work and family, not to mention household chores, errands and everyone different schedules can drive you crazy…right? Unfortunately, when we get busy, our own needs and wants often fall by the wayside. But the reality is that in order to perform all your duties everyday, sometimes you need a little bit of a break and that's where 'ME time' comes in.
We all need and deserve some time for ourselves each and every day. It does not have to be long--sometimes even 5 or 10 minutes is enough time to rejuvenate and recharge our batteries. So… from a cup of tea, to a good book, to a half hour walk or anything in between, let's all make an effort to incorporate 'ME time' into our schedules. Here are some ideas of where to begin!
1. Mind set: realize that everyone needs a break now and then and it's important to recognize when you are feeling stressed, tired, or anxious. Taking time for one's self daily will help lessen the possibility of burnout, stress, and anxiety.
2. Delegate: Not every chore or errand must be handled by you. Spouses, teenagers, older children, and even friends or neighbors can handle some of the daily activities around the house. For example, your spouse may agree to clean up the kitchen after you have made supper. Children may agree to help clean the bathroom or their own bedrooms each week. Teenagers may help by looking after younger siblings or if they have their driver's license may be willing to pick up dry cleaning or run to the store. Keep in mind that people are not mind readers! They must be asked politely to help out around the house.
3. Find what you enjoy: You must find an activity you enjoy. Most of all, you should do the activities (crafts, baking, gardening, physical activity, etc.) you enjoy.
4. Use as a reward: After a hard day at work or doing housework, use 'ME time' as a reward or relaxation. You deserve a nice break, so make some time for you every day. Set up a system that gives you an appropriate reward for so many hours worked or so many chores accomplished.
5. Hire help: Sometimes, in order to squeeze out a few extra minutes a day, we must hire help. For example, a neighborhood teenager may be willing to help with outdoor chores, walk the dog, or baby-sit. The 5 or 10 dollars is a great investment, if it helps you find time for yourself.
6. Do something nice for someone else: Sometimes we want to find more time to contribute to various charities or to volunteer with an organization. Allow that to be your time away.
There are many ways to enjoy your 'ME time' while allowing yourself not to feel guilty; you just need to remember… 'You are important, and you must take care of yourself in order to help take care of others.'
So take a break and enjoy a few minutes just for you every day! Your body, mind, and soul will appreciate it.
january 11 -- january 17, 2009 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Deb from West Hollywood, CA
Deb writes: "I travel a lot for business and had trouble keeping track of confirmations, reservations, directions, meeting agendas and receipts. Now, I take an 11x14 white envelope, write the dates of travel, the location and type of meeting in the upper right hand corner, and place anything having to do with the trip in the envelope.
The envelopes are placed in a divider on my desk in date order and I simply pick up the ones I need as I leave for a trip. During the trip, I place all my receipts and notes in the envelope so I can easily do an expense report when I return, review my notes and write reports and follow-ups.
Once everything is completed, I re-label the envelope to use when another trip arises. It works so well, I now use the same method for personal travel. Some of my trips are placed up to a year in advance, so this envelope trick makes it so much easier!"
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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 www.andreadekker.com. It is full of great organizing tips for every area of your life.
I got an e-mail today from Cozi... a free web service that helps families manage crazy schedules, track shopping and to-do lists, organize household chores, stay in communication and share memories—all in one place. You can access it from any computer, e-mail your shopping lists or even have information sent to your cell phone as a text message!
I've already signed up and have started using Cozi. It is great...and the best thing...it's FREE!! Can't get any better than that.
Another added bonus...if you sign up before February 4, 2009 you will be entered to receive a FREE 2-day organizing make over for your home! Click here for details.
The other day, I came across this great resource called "Get Organized Wizard for Smart Women" It is an e-book...actually a series of PDF files that you can instantly download onto your computer and start getting organized today!
Get Organized Wizard for Smart Womenis a beautifully laid out, motivating system that helps you simplify, de-clutter and organize your entire life. It’s like having a personal coach help you to realize all your plans and goals.
You’ll be guided to replace stress and frustration with order. And you’ll love the confidence, peace of mind and sense of direction that comes with it.
The best part about it is that it come with a 365-day money back guarantee...so you really have nothing to lose! So if you want to get organized in 2009...check out this site.
What would it be like if your life was simple, organized, and carefree? What does organized, simple, and carefree mean?
SIMPLE: easy to understand, not elaborate, not ornate or luxurious, not complicated or complex, sincere, not sophisticated.
ORGANIZED: to form into a whole from parts, to systematize, to give structure, to combine into an organization, or to arrange into a desired pattern or structure.
CAREFREE: without anxiety or fear, requiring little care, free of worries and responsibilities.
So what do these terms mean to you and how can you achieve a SIMPLE, ORGANIZED and CAREFEE life?
Here is how…
1. Identify your priorities, values, and goals both long term and short term: It might be a job, our family and friends, good health, community involvement, etc. Keep in mind your personal values and also your goals for the future. Always think ahead and at the big picture.
2. Evaluate how you spend your time: Do your priorities match up with your time? One way to check this out is to list your top 4 or 5 priorities and then take a schedule and map your time out for one week. Is there any overlap between the schedule and your list? If not it might be time to look at re-evaluating your time and whether some of the things you are doing are really valuable.
3. Begin simplifying ONE area of your life: Start small and with one area of your life that will allow you more breathing room and space. It might be your wardrobe, media distractions, your kitchen, meal planning, etc. Other areas might be paperwork, bill paying, closets and drawers, or organizing a room or area within your house that particularly bothers you or takes up too much of your time.
4. Live simply: It comes down to the rule 'don't let your stuff own you.' How much stuff does one family or one person need or use? Do you have too much stuff? Does your life, mind, and space feel cluttered? Are you living outside your means because you buy too much? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, re- evaluate all the stuff cluttering your life that is preventing you from living a simple life.
5. Live healthy: Remember to take care of your body, since you only get one in a lifetime. Make time for exercise, healthy food, plenty of rest, and water (the necessities of life). You may be surprised if you follow these 4 simple guidelines how much better you may feel, how much less you may get sick, and your how much your health may improve.
6. Find spiritual peace: Living simply is not just about your personal space but also about your mindset and your heart. Live honestly, help others, and be the person you truly want to be. Allow yourself to live life to the fullest. This might mean taking a hard look at yourself and your life. Are you the person you want to be or have things gotten out of control? Find your control and be the person you want to be.
7. Find something you love and do it: Everyone needs to find a creative outlet and something they enjoy doing and can be good at. There is a wide variety of choices that can be made here including gardening, painting, sculpture, and writing, flower arranging, knitting, or sewing among a wide variety of other choices.
Regardless of your definitions of living simply, carefree, and organized, there are always ways you to improve. Remember it is not instantaneous and will take time, but it is possible for everyone.
Below is a tip from an "anonymous" reader that I thought was a pretty cleaver way of dealing with her junk mail...and protecting herself from identity theft!
"When going through the incoming mail, I sort out all the letters or offers for credit cards and home loans that have information that could be used for identity theft. Instead of shredding these, I go for the ultimate protection. I twist all the papers into 'logs' to be used as fire starters for our chiminea and fireplace.
Shredded documents can be reconstructed by a determined identity thief, but ashes are another story!
Plus, the paper logs help to start wonderful fires, and we love to gather 'round for warmth and good old fashioned family time."
So you want to organize a room but don't know where to begin? Follow these four basic steps and you will be on your way to a more organized home, office, family and life.
Make a list of how the room or area is used. For example, a family room may be used for watching television and videos, listening to music, reading and playing games.
Remove anything that is not related to those functions (except decorative items). For example, you might need to remove miscellaneous paperwork and some toys.
List items that should stay and group them into categories. In a family room these might include: television (remote controls, TV Guide), videos (videos, DVDs, remotes), music (CDs, cassettes, remote, earphones), reading (books, soft pillows, glasses), and games (games, note pads and pencils).
Group like objects together. Make sure you have containers for everything. You can place the remotes and the TV Guide in a basket by the couch. The videos go in the left side of the entertainment center with the stereo. Books belong in a magazine rack by the couch. Games can also be placed in the entertainment center, below the videos.
Using this system, you can effectively organize any room or space…even your purse, your bathroom drawers, kitchen cupboards, car trunk, gym bag…and much more!
There are lots of resolutions 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 (or goals as I like to call them) you can declare for yourself is to get organized in 2009. I guarantee that it will affect every area of your life. No matter what your goals are, organizing is at the center of all 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.
1. Remove the clutter: Whether it's in your bedroom, your basement, your email inbox or your mind, clutter takes up precious space that could be used for the important things.
2. Write it down: If it's just in your mind, it's floating around up there with everything else you have to think about. Write it down, make it concrete, and get it done.
3. Prioritize: Have three important things to complete in every day and do them in the order of importance. If you don't complete one of them, put it on your list for tomorrow.
4. Get help: If you try to do it all yourself, you're going to get stressed, exhausted and frustrated. Delegate some responsibilities to others in your home or at work. If you live alone, hire help or ask for volunteer help from students or neighbors.
5. A little bit each day: No matter what it is you wish to do, if you just do a little bit each day to get you closer to your goal, you'll get there. Set your watch for 5 pm each day. If you haven't worked on your goal for at least 15 minutes by then, stop everything and work on it immediately.
6. Just say no: Respect your time. Most of us like volunteering, and that's a good thing. However, if you have too much going on, your goals will get pushed to the wayside. It's OK to say NO to some of those time requests--especially when they don't fit with your goals.
7. Streamline: Using a time log for a few weeks, determine what's taking up your time. Eliminate the time wasters.
8. Reward yourself: Yes, just getting something done may be a reward in itself, but why not add a cherry on top? Designate mini-rewards, like a 10-minute break to enjoy a cup of tea, for accomplishments like getting the medicine cabinet organized or clearing out your email inbox.
Get things done and have fun in 2009. May this New Year be your best yet!
january 4 -- january 10, 2009 this weeks "tip of the week" was sent from Melinda from Washington, UT
Melinda writes: " Take a safety pin and pin it on the inside of one of your socks. When finished wearing the socks, pin them together before you put them in the hamper or laundry chute. Do these for all of your pairs, and when they have gone through the washer and dryer, you already have your matches together! '
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As you start the New Year, make a point to avoid procrastination by using the "five minute rule."
Tell yourself you only have to do a certain task for five minutes and then allow yourself to stop...unless you choose to continue.
Usually, the hardest part is getting started because most people view the task ahead as too overwhelming. If you simply make it a goal to "start"...even if it is only for 5 minutes, it will become more routine for you and it may even turn into a habit!! Now that would be a great way to start off the New Year!
