Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Avoid Procrastination When Organizing the House
It is easy for many people to procrastinate about cleaning and organizing their homes. However, keep in mind that chronic disorganization may possibly lead to a chaotic lifestyle.
It can be helpful to envision what you would like each room in your house to look like after it is organized. You can think of the important functional aspects of each room and how the family will utilize each room on a daily basis.
You can plan purposeful action goals to do small projects to be completed one at a time around the house. This may be a controllable way to successfully achieve your goals to organize and declutter the house. You can decide the steps that will need to be taken to get the organizing projects done.
You may feel inspired and motivated after you see the results of your efforts around the hose. If you focus on one organizing task at a time, you may be less likely to feel overwhelmed and get disappointed.
Small workable tasks may help you to reach your home organizing goals. Keep focused and stay motivated with your plan to declutter the house. Consistent efforts to organize your house may bring some very favorable results.
If you enjoy reading about organizing, you may want to check out the following:
If you enjoy reading about organizing, you may want to check out the following:
Positive Motivation May Help You Organize the House
Some people may not want to organize their house because they may feel overwhelmed and have great difficulty finding enough time to do the work involved.
Many moms have part-time or full-time jobs outside of the house and their everyday schedules may be very demanding. It is hard to imagine adding on more tasks onto the busy calendar.
However, there are realistic methods to accomplish many organizing goals. It may be helpful to focus on small projects one at a time. For example, if you want to organize the whole kitchen, you may think about cleaning and organizing one kitchen cabinet each day, until your whole project is complete.
Sometimes, it may be helpful to reward yourself after you accomplish a project. You could look forward to watching one of your favorite movies after you complete your main chore or goal for the day. That can be a little positive motivation to help you achieve your organizing goals.
If you like to read about home organization, you may enjoy reading
If you like to read about home organization, you may enjoy reading
Keeping the House Free of Clutter
Are you reading books about organizing your home and time management? Have you recently been setting short-term and long-terms goals for organizing your whole house? Maybe you are working on improving your environment at home or at your office.
I routinely feel more relaxed and in control of my life when my house is nicely organized. I find it easier to function on a daily basis with my household responsibilities when I can easily find everything I am looking for at my house. I like to routinely keep everything clutter-free.
It takes time to declutter and organize a house. I try to plan my organizing projects by breaking them down into manageable tasks that I can realistically accomplish.
I don't think of the "all or none" idea when I am planning my projects. I try to set aside at least 30 minutes a day to complete one small organizing project in the house. It gives me positive reinforcement to see the results of my efforts around the house. Household chores and daily maintenance gets a little easier each time I organize a new area in my house.
I especially like to try to keep most flat surfaces and counter tops clear and free of clutter. I keep the kitchen sink clean and try to do all of the dishes after each meal. It's a nice habit to make all of the beds everyday. All of these things help to keep your home neat and tidy.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Organizing the Junk Drawer
By
Julie Riber
Everyone has at least one junk drawer and some have one in every
room. It is where all the small items with no home end up. I see
coupons, scissors, staples, paper clips, and old gum. I have seen it
all. It does not have to be that way. You can actually have a
functioning junk drawer.
Just like all the other organizing jobs we have done, our first step is to remove everything and place it on the counter or table. Take a good look at what you have and start arranging it in similar groups. For instance, desk items might include scissors, staplers, tape and glue. Kitchen items could include coupons, jar openers, and measuring spoon. Make sure you make a pile of items you do not want in the drawer such as toys or broken things.
Next, decide what you really want in the area. Are you using it for some desk supplies or an area for coupons? How many do you really need? If there ar 4 pair of scissors, do you need that many in this location? If not, redistribute or donate. Make sure you throw out any broken items or parts to something you no longer own. If the item has been there for over a year and you were not looking for it, throw it out. If it is a key and you do not know what it goes to and you have not been missing any, throw it out. Most junk drawers are just that because the items in them are unwanted or unknown. Make decisions on all of the items.
When you are finished with the decision making portion, you should have a more manageable amount of items to sort and organize. Organize them into piles that make sense to you. For instance, scissors, tape, and white out might all be together. You have your writing pieces all in one pile. Maybe that pile needs to be further reduced. Make sure all the pens work. If the pen is suppose to have a cap and does not, discard or donate it. I have never had a client that is short on pens. Get rid of some so you find a working pen when you need it.
Now it is time for the organizing back into the drawer. If you are purchasing some containers for the drawer, measure first. Make sure the items you purchase will fit. Drawer organizers come in an array of colors and types. You can shop at many stores to find the one that you like the most and will make your junk drawer organized so you can find the items.
For coupons, whether for stores, restaurants, or carryout, I recommend a separate organizer. If you use coupons for the grocery store frequently, separate them by department in the store such as food, cleaning, laundry, and pet food. For restaurants, pizza, and other types, maybe try January-December. Place the items in the month they expire, that way you do not have to go through them periodically to discard those you never used. Make sure it is located in a place you will look every time you venture out for lunch or dinner. Leave one slot for never expiring coupons. Some retailers offer that.
Just like all the other organizing jobs we have done, our first step is to remove everything and place it on the counter or table. Take a good look at what you have and start arranging it in similar groups. For instance, desk items might include scissors, staplers, tape and glue. Kitchen items could include coupons, jar openers, and measuring spoon. Make sure you make a pile of items you do not want in the drawer such as toys or broken things.
Next, decide what you really want in the area. Are you using it for some desk supplies or an area for coupons? How many do you really need? If there ar 4 pair of scissors, do you need that many in this location? If not, redistribute or donate. Make sure you throw out any broken items or parts to something you no longer own. If the item has been there for over a year and you were not looking for it, throw it out. If it is a key and you do not know what it goes to and you have not been missing any, throw it out. Most junk drawers are just that because the items in them are unwanted or unknown. Make decisions on all of the items.
When you are finished with the decision making portion, you should have a more manageable amount of items to sort and organize. Organize them into piles that make sense to you. For instance, scissors, tape, and white out might all be together. You have your writing pieces all in one pile. Maybe that pile needs to be further reduced. Make sure all the pens work. If the pen is suppose to have a cap and does not, discard or donate it. I have never had a client that is short on pens. Get rid of some so you find a working pen when you need it.
Now it is time for the organizing back into the drawer. If you are purchasing some containers for the drawer, measure first. Make sure the items you purchase will fit. Drawer organizers come in an array of colors and types. You can shop at many stores to find the one that you like the most and will make your junk drawer organized so you can find the items.
For coupons, whether for stores, restaurants, or carryout, I recommend a separate organizer. If you use coupons for the grocery store frequently, separate them by department in the store such as food, cleaning, laundry, and pet food. For restaurants, pizza, and other types, maybe try January-December. Place the items in the month they expire, that way you do not have to go through them periodically to discard those you never used. Make sure it is located in a place you will look every time you venture out for lunch or dinner. Leave one slot for never expiring coupons. Some retailers offer that.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. She is also a Certified Senior Move Manager.
Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Thursday, September 13, 2012
How I Learned to Declutter My House With These Simple Tips
By Penny Scott
Decluttering a whole house can seem overwhelming. BUT if it's broken down into bite size chunks, it doesn't seem so bad. These tips helped me declutter my house. Hopefully you'll find them just as useful.
#1. Start with decluttering for 15 minutes a day. It's enough time to achieve something. It's short enough that we can all fit it into our busy schedules. If you do this one thing, it becomes a good habit. It will also ensure you keep your home clutter free in the future.
#2. Pick one room for your 15 minutes a day sessions and stick to it until it's decluttered. It doesn't really matter which room you start with.
#3. Declutter storage space first. Once you get control of drawers, cabinets and closets it will be so much easier to find a home for everything.
#4. Be ruthless in deciding what to keep and let go. You can't succeed at decluttering unless your willing to let stuff go.
#5. Make it easy to get rid of stuff. Designate space for items you want to sell, donate to charity, give away, send for recycle or bin.
#6. Deal with paper. Little and often works best. Paper causes a lot of clutter. Bills, invoices, receipts... it's so easy to get out of control. Get a simple system going for incoming mail. You'll need a bin and a 2 tier tray. One tray for items that need to be actioned, the other for documents that need to be filed. Set up a filing system. Use a diary for scheduling actions, like paying bills.
#7. As soon as you bring something new into the house, set aside storage space for it. Always keep it in it's place when not in use.
#1. Start with decluttering for 15 minutes a day. It's enough time to achieve something. It's short enough that we can all fit it into our busy schedules. If you do this one thing, it becomes a good habit. It will also ensure you keep your home clutter free in the future.
#2. Pick one room for your 15 minutes a day sessions and stick to it until it's decluttered. It doesn't really matter which room you start with.
#3. Declutter storage space first. Once you get control of drawers, cabinets and closets it will be so much easier to find a home for everything.
#4. Be ruthless in deciding what to keep and let go. You can't succeed at decluttering unless your willing to let stuff go.
#5. Make it easy to get rid of stuff. Designate space for items you want to sell, donate to charity, give away, send for recycle or bin.
#6. Deal with paper. Little and often works best. Paper causes a lot of clutter. Bills, invoices, receipts... it's so easy to get out of control. Get a simple system going for incoming mail. You'll need a bin and a 2 tier tray. One tray for items that need to be actioned, the other for documents that need to be filed. Set up a filing system. Use a diary for scheduling actions, like paying bills.
#7. As soon as you bring something new into the house, set aside storage space for it. Always keep it in it's place when not in use.
Click here for more ideas on how to declutter your home fast. I followed the advice on how to declutter my house and you can too. Why don't you give it a try?
Discover the best home organization solutions
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Scott Discover the best home organization solutions
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Mastering Kitchen Organizing
By
Juliana Montgomery
The kitchen is one of those areas that is often the most
difficult to organize. I do not know about you but in my house all sorts
of things end up in the kitchen. And a lot of the time it is not things
that really belong there. Things like school projects, art projects,
mail, toys, paperwork. You name it, it has probably ended up in my
kitchen at one point. Between that and the dishes that can pile up in no
time, it can really end up being a mess.
So how do you master kitchen organizing so that everything and anything does not end up in your kitchen? One simple rule at my house is that anything that does not belong in the kitchen gets removed by the end of the day. So while all sorts of oddities may end up in your kitchen throughout the day, by the end of each day, they are gone. And not only does this go for others in my home, but I also hold myself to this standard. So any mail on the counter gets put (hopefully) where it belongs in my office.
Then there is the problem of all of those dishes that can pile up during the day. My rule on this one is that all dishes get cleaned up after a meal. Everyone brings their plate to the counter and then all dishes get washed or put in the dishwasher. So that one person is not always doing all of the cooking or all of the cleaning, alternating chores in the kitchen is a good way to go. Setup a kitchen organizing schedule that has each chore and then has the person assigned to that chore.
So how do you master kitchen organizing so that everything and anything does not end up in your kitchen? One simple rule at my house is that anything that does not belong in the kitchen gets removed by the end of the day. So while all sorts of oddities may end up in your kitchen throughout the day, by the end of each day, they are gone. And not only does this go for others in my home, but I also hold myself to this standard. So any mail on the counter gets put (hopefully) where it belongs in my office.
Then there is the problem of all of those dishes that can pile up during the day. My rule on this one is that all dishes get cleaned up after a meal. Everyone brings their plate to the counter and then all dishes get washed or put in the dishwasher. So that one person is not always doing all of the cooking or all of the cleaning, alternating chores in the kitchen is a good way to go. Setup a kitchen organizing schedule that has each chore and then has the person assigned to that chore.
Keeping to a set daily schedule and having set rules for your kitchen can help you master kitchen organizing
and keep your kitchen neat and clean. Having each person responsible
for their own things and alternating common chores help to keep things
equal as well. Need more help? You can find it for free at http://www.yourhomeisorganized.com/KitchenOrganization.htm
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliana_Montgomery
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Troubles With Creating an Organized Home?
By
Juliana Montgomery
Realizing the problem is the initial step to assisting you in
producing an organized home once more. What occurred that made your home
disorganized? Was it stress or many commitments in your life? If you
wish to break the pattern, you must know what happened to prompt it. If
you discover that the problem is tension at home or at work, recognize
that this is a problem for you and work on ways to ensure it does not
occur again. It is especially vital to identify the difficulty if you go
on having the identical troubles in keeping yourself organized.
One system you can utilize is to enter down everything that you ought to do in a day or in a week to maintain an organized home. A vital part of this is ensuring that you see the listing on a daily basis so situate it in an area which you will see every day. By doing this you have a daily reminder of what you must do. Being unorganized can at times add to tension so work on making these jobs a priority in your schedule. It might help to place your daily or weekly organization jobs into whatever planning practice you make use of to ensure that you regard your organization jobs similar to appointments.
When your entire house has turned into a heap of clutter, it is critical to choose a room to start in. When you are struggling with a lot of chaos, feelings of aggravation can make it seem like there is no purpose in even beginning. This is the precise reason why you should start in one space. Make sure that you make at least a general idea of how to fix the area. But maintain your target on that space until it is finished. Then go on to the next area you should tackle to make an organized home. Focusing your labors on one place at a time can help in keeping you working on single tasks rather than the entire house.
Feeling like you have failed is not uncommon when you have setbacks in establishing an organized home. It can look like you simply can not do it. When this occurs, it would be easy to toss in the towel and just stop trying. Don't drop into this trap. The trick is to know that you can change the habits and behaviors that led to this. Believe in your capability and see this as a chance to grow rather than reflecting on it as failure. As with any parts of life, you should learn from this and move on.
Look for flaws in your organization planning. It could be that whatever practice you are utilizing to maintain an organized home fell apart somewhere along the way. This could be because your life altered in some way or it might just be that the technique you have is no longer effective for you. When this takes place you simply need to go back to the drawing board and develop a new plan. You may have to choose alternate days of the week to organize or different times of day. If you do not have a plan at all, now is the time to create one. Making organizing part of your daily or weekly schedule is important to ensuring that your house does not become out of control.
One system you can utilize is to enter down everything that you ought to do in a day or in a week to maintain an organized home. A vital part of this is ensuring that you see the listing on a daily basis so situate it in an area which you will see every day. By doing this you have a daily reminder of what you must do. Being unorganized can at times add to tension so work on making these jobs a priority in your schedule. It might help to place your daily or weekly organization jobs into whatever planning practice you make use of to ensure that you regard your organization jobs similar to appointments.
When your entire house has turned into a heap of clutter, it is critical to choose a room to start in. When you are struggling with a lot of chaos, feelings of aggravation can make it seem like there is no purpose in even beginning. This is the precise reason why you should start in one space. Make sure that you make at least a general idea of how to fix the area. But maintain your target on that space until it is finished. Then go on to the next area you should tackle to make an organized home. Focusing your labors on one place at a time can help in keeping you working on single tasks rather than the entire house.
Feeling like you have failed is not uncommon when you have setbacks in establishing an organized home. It can look like you simply can not do it. When this occurs, it would be easy to toss in the towel and just stop trying. Don't drop into this trap. The trick is to know that you can change the habits and behaviors that led to this. Believe in your capability and see this as a chance to grow rather than reflecting on it as failure. As with any parts of life, you should learn from this and move on.
Look for flaws in your organization planning. It could be that whatever practice you are utilizing to maintain an organized home fell apart somewhere along the way. This could be because your life altered in some way or it might just be that the technique you have is no longer effective for you. When this takes place you simply need to go back to the drawing board and develop a new plan. You may have to choose alternate days of the week to organize or different times of day. If you do not have a plan at all, now is the time to create one. Making organizing part of your daily or weekly schedule is important to ensuring that your house does not become out of control.
Deem a obstacle in your path to making an organized home
as a chance to re-evaluate. So these same problems do not recur,
reflect on how you can do things in a different way in the future. Visit
http://www.YourHomeIsOrganized.com for additional ideas.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliana_MontgomeryWednesday, August 8, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
10 Clutter Solutions
By
Linda Samuels
Clutter can infiltrate all areas of our lives or just a corner.
We can be comfortable with our clutter or completely overwhelmed by it.
Are you looking to make some changes? Below are some of the most common
areas that clutter collects and some simple strategies to manage them.
1. Paper Clutter - Be honest. Do you have to keep as many papers? If released, could you easily replace them IF you needed to? Statistics show that we only retrieve 20% of the papers we file.
2. Clothing Clutter - Be ruthless. Clothing clutter management begins with asking good questions. Does it fit? Do I feel fabulous wearing it? Does it look good on me? When was the last time I wore it? Can it be donated, consigned or given to a friend?
3. Toy Clutter - Less is easier. How many trucks, dolls, super heroes, balls or magic wands are enough? Less toys means easier maintenance, better organization, and less overwhelm for you and the kids.
4. Electronic Clutter - Establish boundaries. With 24/7 potential access and availability, setting limits about how much electronic noise you allow during the day is essential. Protect yourself and your time by turning off beeps, taking "tech-less" hours, and minimizing the sources of digital input.
5. Mind Clutter - Release thoughts. Our minds can feel as cluttered as our spaces. Too much activity "upstairs" can make us lose focus and feel frazzled. Try a brain download by transferring thoughts onto paper, computer or voice recorder.
6. Calendar Clutter - Evaluate schedule. The "too busy" syndrome is often a function of saying, "yes" without considering how that affects our stress level. If you're overwhelmed by overscheduled days, consider these questions: What is on my "yes" list that I can convert to a "no?" What can be delegated? How much downtime do I need or want in a day?
7. Gift Clutter - Move on. Receiving gifts that we don't like, want, or have room for is another source of clutter. You do not have to keep them. Let go. Remove the guilt and the clutter by permitting those gifts to move on. Exchange, donate, or re-gift.
8. Handbag Clutter - Quick sort. An assortment of things collects in our handbags from empty wrappers to expired ticket stubs to receipts that need to be filed. Take 5 minutes at night to do a quick clutter check. Remove all items that are expired, no longer useful, or belong elsewhere.
9. Space Clutter - Reclaim control. Excess clutter can cause stress. It's no fun to hunt for hidden items, trip over paper stacks, or negotiate through overflowing closets. Pick one area to begin organizing and de-cluttering. Determine use for that area. Re-route items elsewhere that don't belong. Be ruthless about remaining contents. Release what isn't useful, you no longer want, or has overstayed its welcome.
10. Someday Clutter - Don't postpone. Keeping things because you "might" need them someday are a source of clutter accumulation. When you hear yourself uttering the "someday" phrase, ask these questions: Is it worth the space? Is it worth the mental energy? Is it likely I'll actually need or use it? Is my focus on "someday" preventing me from fully living and enjoying now?
Taking action and working on just one of the cluttered areas can greatly reduce your stress and restore some balance. What area is calling your attention? What is your next step?
1. Paper Clutter - Be honest. Do you have to keep as many papers? If released, could you easily replace them IF you needed to? Statistics show that we only retrieve 20% of the papers we file.
2. Clothing Clutter - Be ruthless. Clothing clutter management begins with asking good questions. Does it fit? Do I feel fabulous wearing it? Does it look good on me? When was the last time I wore it? Can it be donated, consigned or given to a friend?
3. Toy Clutter - Less is easier. How many trucks, dolls, super heroes, balls or magic wands are enough? Less toys means easier maintenance, better organization, and less overwhelm for you and the kids.
4. Electronic Clutter - Establish boundaries. With 24/7 potential access and availability, setting limits about how much electronic noise you allow during the day is essential. Protect yourself and your time by turning off beeps, taking "tech-less" hours, and minimizing the sources of digital input.
5. Mind Clutter - Release thoughts. Our minds can feel as cluttered as our spaces. Too much activity "upstairs" can make us lose focus and feel frazzled. Try a brain download by transferring thoughts onto paper, computer or voice recorder.
6. Calendar Clutter - Evaluate schedule. The "too busy" syndrome is often a function of saying, "yes" without considering how that affects our stress level. If you're overwhelmed by overscheduled days, consider these questions: What is on my "yes" list that I can convert to a "no?" What can be delegated? How much downtime do I need or want in a day?
7. Gift Clutter - Move on. Receiving gifts that we don't like, want, or have room for is another source of clutter. You do not have to keep them. Let go. Remove the guilt and the clutter by permitting those gifts to move on. Exchange, donate, or re-gift.
8. Handbag Clutter - Quick sort. An assortment of things collects in our handbags from empty wrappers to expired ticket stubs to receipts that need to be filed. Take 5 minutes at night to do a quick clutter check. Remove all items that are expired, no longer useful, or belong elsewhere.
9. Space Clutter - Reclaim control. Excess clutter can cause stress. It's no fun to hunt for hidden items, trip over paper stacks, or negotiate through overflowing closets. Pick one area to begin organizing and de-cluttering. Determine use for that area. Re-route items elsewhere that don't belong. Be ruthless about remaining contents. Release what isn't useful, you no longer want, or has overstayed its welcome.
10. Someday Clutter - Don't postpone. Keeping things because you "might" need them someday are a source of clutter accumulation. When you hear yourself uttering the "someday" phrase, ask these questions: Is it worth the space? Is it worth the mental energy? Is it likely I'll actually need or use it? Is my focus on "someday" preventing me from fully living and enjoying now?
Taking action and working on just one of the cluttered areas can greatly reduce your stress and restore some balance. What area is calling your attention? What is your next step?
Compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer and coach, Linda Samuels, CPO-CD invites you to visit http://www.ohsoorganized.com to sign up for your free monthly e-newsletter with bonus "Organizing Tip 101" series.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_SamuelsThursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Organizing the Coat Closet
By
Julie Riber
The coat closet is always crowded with many coats, hats, gloves,
umbrellas and other items that seem to find a home in the coat closet.
Many coat closets seem too small to hold all the coats and items end up
on the floor or crammed in so tight that nothing can go in or out. Many
of the closets have one rod and a shelf.
There are a few tips to make the closet hold more and be organized which will be covered in this article. As in all of the other closets we have covered, the first step is to remove everything from the closet. Sort the coats into seasons and sort the gloves and hats into types such as driving and outdoor. Separate the scarves and all other items so you know what you have at hand. Go through all the items to make sure they still fit, gloves all have a match, and you are not storing a coat you will never wear.
I always recommend purchasing an over the door hanger with clear pockets. You can purchase these at many stores and they are inexpensive. In the pockets, put the children's gloves, hats and scarves. This allows the children to retrieve the items instead of calling you each time they need a hat or gloves. It will also eliminate the constant gathering of gloves and hats on the floor when they cannot reach the shelf to put them away. It takes a few times, but they do catch on. These pockets are also a great place for guests to put their hats and gloves. The pockets can hold small umbrellas, binoculars, scarves, hoods to coats, and other items you keep in your coat closet.
If your coat closet has one shelf, and a large space above, consider installing another shelf. Purchase baskets to fit on the shelf (try for at least 3 per shelf). Place your driving gloves in one, hats in another and outdoor activity gloves in another. If you have a 2nd shelf or have decided to install another one, put items in baskets that are for the other season such as ponchos, umbrellas, rain pants, and maybe even stadium cushions.
When it comes to hats, I find many of my clients collect caps at different events or have them from work, but never plan on wearing them. To eliminate the guilt, they just throw them in the closet. It is time to give them to someone who needs and wears the caps. Do not keep items you will never wear in an already crammed space. Try keeping the winter hats in one of the baskets and the caps in another location if space is short.
If you have closet that is too small to hold all your coats, try separating them by season. Put only the current season in the closet. Fall and winter coats take up the most space as they are bulky. For spring and summer jackets, since they take up much less space and usually there are fewer, leave the long coats in the closet and just store the winter jackets elsewhere. Many stores sell cloth bags you can store your off season clothes in. Do not store coats in dry cleaner bags, as they contain chemicals and could cause harm to your coat. Make sure you look at each coat to decide if you need to keep it. Have you worn it in the last 2 years? Is it in the color and style you appreciate?
If you are lucky enough to have a larger coat closet, consider making part of it a double hang. This way you can fit twice as many coats in and not have to store out of season elsewhere.
Boots can go on the floor and if you keep your vacuum in the coat closet, put it to the side to avoid damage to the coats. Go through your coats at the end of each season especially if you have children. They can out grow them quickly and someone else could be using them. You might decide the color and style you chose 15 years ago is not what you currently like and look good in. Others can use your coats.
There are a few tips to make the closet hold more and be organized which will be covered in this article. As in all of the other closets we have covered, the first step is to remove everything from the closet. Sort the coats into seasons and sort the gloves and hats into types such as driving and outdoor. Separate the scarves and all other items so you know what you have at hand. Go through all the items to make sure they still fit, gloves all have a match, and you are not storing a coat you will never wear.
I always recommend purchasing an over the door hanger with clear pockets. You can purchase these at many stores and they are inexpensive. In the pockets, put the children's gloves, hats and scarves. This allows the children to retrieve the items instead of calling you each time they need a hat or gloves. It will also eliminate the constant gathering of gloves and hats on the floor when they cannot reach the shelf to put them away. It takes a few times, but they do catch on. These pockets are also a great place for guests to put their hats and gloves. The pockets can hold small umbrellas, binoculars, scarves, hoods to coats, and other items you keep in your coat closet.
If your coat closet has one shelf, and a large space above, consider installing another shelf. Purchase baskets to fit on the shelf (try for at least 3 per shelf). Place your driving gloves in one, hats in another and outdoor activity gloves in another. If you have a 2nd shelf or have decided to install another one, put items in baskets that are for the other season such as ponchos, umbrellas, rain pants, and maybe even stadium cushions.
When it comes to hats, I find many of my clients collect caps at different events or have them from work, but never plan on wearing them. To eliminate the guilt, they just throw them in the closet. It is time to give them to someone who needs and wears the caps. Do not keep items you will never wear in an already crammed space. Try keeping the winter hats in one of the baskets and the caps in another location if space is short.
If you have closet that is too small to hold all your coats, try separating them by season. Put only the current season in the closet. Fall and winter coats take up the most space as they are bulky. For spring and summer jackets, since they take up much less space and usually there are fewer, leave the long coats in the closet and just store the winter jackets elsewhere. Many stores sell cloth bags you can store your off season clothes in. Do not store coats in dry cleaner bags, as they contain chemicals and could cause harm to your coat. Make sure you look at each coat to decide if you need to keep it. Have you worn it in the last 2 years? Is it in the color and style you appreciate?
If you are lucky enough to have a larger coat closet, consider making part of it a double hang. This way you can fit twice as many coats in and not have to store out of season elsewhere.
Boots can go on the floor and if you keep your vacuum in the coat closet, put it to the side to avoid damage to the coats. Go through your coats at the end of each season especially if you have children. They can out grow them quickly and someone else could be using them. You might decide the color and style you chose 15 years ago is not what you currently like and look good in. Others can use your coats.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Organize Your Room, Get Rid of The Clutter
By
Renee Pullman
Do you use a room in your house until you fill it so full of
stuff that you can hardly get around in it? Do you then move on to the
next room? Lots of stuff that you never really use cluttered and
crowded. Did you know that organizing the room will do wonders for you
and you will be able to enjoy the room again.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
When you organize a room you give it a new life as well as waking something inside you up. I invite you to visit http://deskorganize.net and learn more.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Pullman
Organize Your Kitchen And Start Out Right Each Day
By
Renee Pullman
Your kitchen probably serves as a meeting room, a place to have
meals, and a place to just hang out. The kitchen is the focal point in
most homes.
You should experience a relaxed environment in your kitchen where you are at peace and in charge. If your kitchen is kept organized it will serve you and your family better. Here are some ideas to help organize.
When is the last time you have surveyed your kitchen to see what you used and what you didn't. To see the things that you might use and things that just need to be cleared out. What kinds of things are broken and just need to be thrown out.
After you decided what goes and what stays consider which items that you use most. These things need to be conveniently placed so they are at hand when you need them. Cooking utensils can be placed in a standing container where they can be easily reached while cooking.
Do you have your kitchen zoned? Are there areas of the kitchen where you do certain activities. Food prep, cooking, serving, storage, etc. If there are such areas then perhaps it makes since to store items used in those activities in that part of the kitchen. What are the important items that you use in each area. If you set this up right your kitchen will flow and be convenient.
Having a clean organized kitchen will make your life easier. An area for each thing to be done will help save you time and energy. Finding the things you need near the work to be done will help your work flow more smoothly and help you get it done faster.
Putting your kitchen in order and maintaining it will help you get on with your day better everyday.
You should experience a relaxed environment in your kitchen where you are at peace and in charge. If your kitchen is kept organized it will serve you and your family better. Here are some ideas to help organize.
When is the last time you have surveyed your kitchen to see what you used and what you didn't. To see the things that you might use and things that just need to be cleared out. What kinds of things are broken and just need to be thrown out.
After you decided what goes and what stays consider which items that you use most. These things need to be conveniently placed so they are at hand when you need them. Cooking utensils can be placed in a standing container where they can be easily reached while cooking.
Do you have your kitchen zoned? Are there areas of the kitchen where you do certain activities. Food prep, cooking, serving, storage, etc. If there are such areas then perhaps it makes since to store items used in those activities in that part of the kitchen. What are the important items that you use in each area. If you set this up right your kitchen will flow and be convenient.
Having a clean organized kitchen will make your life easier. An area for each thing to be done will help save you time and energy. Finding the things you need near the work to be done will help your work flow more smoothly and help you get it done faster.
Putting your kitchen in order and maintaining it will help you get on with your day better everyday.
Organizing your home can mean a big boost in pride and efficiency. Organize and see what I mean. I invite you to visit http://deskorganize.net and discover increased productivity.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_Pullman
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Myths About Professional Organizers
By
Julie Riber
There are many myths surrounding what professional organizers
actually do when they are working with a client. Some people think we go
in and tell clients they must get rid of all their items and keep only
the bare minimum. Some think that organizers are just expensive cleaning
people. Others think we do it all while the client is gone and then the
client is required to keep it up with no instruction.
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area.
She has been organizing homes and businesses for over 4 years. She is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and
President of the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Spring Clutter Removal
By
Julie Riber
Every spring you plan on cleaning out all the closets, deep
cleaning the cupboards and maybe even having a garage sale to remove all
the clutter in the basement or garage. It seems like you never have the
time or the weather is so nice you would rather be outside. The kids
have started their spring sport programs with practices and games. Your
time is limited.
Spring cleaning can be accomplished if you follow a few tips and have it planned on your calendar. Try to schedule 2 hours or more on the weekends or during the week if time permits. Choose the area to clean based on the weather. When it is 70 degrees or above and sunny out, clean out the garage. You will want to take most items out to spray out the salt and chemicals that have accumulated on your garage floor over the winter. Tracking those in the house is bad on any type of flooring you have. Install some shelving units to get items off the floor. Thinking vertically will allow you to remove more items off the floor. The wall space in the garage is the most under utilized. Make use of it and remove the clutter.
Spring cleaning also includes the yard, such as the leaves that you missed on the last rake. Many leaves end up under the bushes, get those out on the nice spring days. Review your perennial plants to see if they survived the winter. Give them until the first of June to bloom in case they are late bloomers.
Save the rainy April days for the closets and the basement. If you have children, choose a rainy April day to go through their wardrobe. Do not try to do it all in one sitting. Try on short sleeved shirts one day and shorts the next. The warm weather happens gradually, so you have time as long as you do not have to donate all their clothes from last year. Make a list of items they will need and then on sale days, go out a buy them.
Your wardrobe should also be examined. Decide what you wore last year and what you did not. Styles change for the stores as well as for you. Most people do not wear in their forties what they wore in their twenties. Decide on what you like and keep items you will really wear. Maybe you changed careers and your current job is more casual. Keep only the dress items that are classic, not trends. Some colors are trendy too. Keep the basics such as black, brown, and navy.
Shoes change too, so donate those clumpy shoes. Look at the top of your closet. Is there space that is not being utilized above the top shelf? If so, consider storing sweaters in cloth containers over the winter. Individual stacking shelves can be purchased to extend this area and to store those winter clothes on. If you have an older closet with just one rod, consider buying an attachable rod to separate shirts and pants. This will double your space and leave your clothes looking nicer than when they are all jammed in a small space. Get shoe racks that can be stacked but that are also sturdy. This will remove more items off the floor.
Look through the coat closet and decide what coats are no longer needed. Maybe your child barely fit into it at the end of the season. Put it in a bag or container to sell in the autumn along with the clothes they grew out of. Throw out any gloves that no longer have matches and hats that no longer fit.
If you tackle a space at a time, it will get done and seem less daunting then tackling the entire project over one weekend.
Spring cleaning can be accomplished if you follow a few tips and have it planned on your calendar. Try to schedule 2 hours or more on the weekends or during the week if time permits. Choose the area to clean based on the weather. When it is 70 degrees or above and sunny out, clean out the garage. You will want to take most items out to spray out the salt and chemicals that have accumulated on your garage floor over the winter. Tracking those in the house is bad on any type of flooring you have. Install some shelving units to get items off the floor. Thinking vertically will allow you to remove more items off the floor. The wall space in the garage is the most under utilized. Make use of it and remove the clutter.
Spring cleaning also includes the yard, such as the leaves that you missed on the last rake. Many leaves end up under the bushes, get those out on the nice spring days. Review your perennial plants to see if they survived the winter. Give them until the first of June to bloom in case they are late bloomers.
Save the rainy April days for the closets and the basement. If you have children, choose a rainy April day to go through their wardrobe. Do not try to do it all in one sitting. Try on short sleeved shirts one day and shorts the next. The warm weather happens gradually, so you have time as long as you do not have to donate all their clothes from last year. Make a list of items they will need and then on sale days, go out a buy them.
Your wardrobe should also be examined. Decide what you wore last year and what you did not. Styles change for the stores as well as for you. Most people do not wear in their forties what they wore in their twenties. Decide on what you like and keep items you will really wear. Maybe you changed careers and your current job is more casual. Keep only the dress items that are classic, not trends. Some colors are trendy too. Keep the basics such as black, brown, and navy.
Shoes change too, so donate those clumpy shoes. Look at the top of your closet. Is there space that is not being utilized above the top shelf? If so, consider storing sweaters in cloth containers over the winter. Individual stacking shelves can be purchased to extend this area and to store those winter clothes on. If you have an older closet with just one rod, consider buying an attachable rod to separate shirts and pants. This will double your space and leave your clothes looking nicer than when they are all jammed in a small space. Get shoe racks that can be stacked but that are also sturdy. This will remove more items off the floor.
Look through the coat closet and decide what coats are no longer needed. Maybe your child barely fit into it at the end of the season. Put it in a bag or container to sell in the autumn along with the clothes they grew out of. Throw out any gloves that no longer have matches and hats that no longer fit.
If you tackle a space at a time, it will get done and seem less daunting then tackling the entire project over one weekend.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area.
She has been organizing homes and businesses for over 4 years. She is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and
President of the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_RiberGetting The Spring Cleaning Completed
By
Julie Riber
If you feel like you are going to rip your hair out when you hear
spring cleaning, you are not alone. Many think that spring cleaning
means to clean every inch of your house in a month's time. That is
impossible for anyone to do and unrealistic. This article will help you
decide what to clean and how to do organize as you go.
Spring cleaning should be different every year. You should choose different areas to tackle each year. For instance, as your children get older, their rooms might need a spring cleaning as they move from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Certain closets probably do not need to have a spring cleaning every year as they are not used as frequently as others.
The first step in spring cleaning is to list all the areas that really need it this year. Concentrate on those areas that have not been completely emptied in the past two years. The next is to prioritize them in the order in which they are to be completed. Consider the weather if one of them is your garage. The next step to complete your spring cleaning is to make an appointment with yourself for that area. If you can give 2 hours once or twice a week, put those in your appointment book. If you do not schedule the time, you will never get it done.
On your first appointment, remove all the items from the area and give the shelves, or carpet a good cleaning. Take a look at all the items and decide what items got put there by mistake and remove them from the area. Make sure to sort all the items into groups. Sorting has no right or wrong way, but only the way it makes sense to you. Sorting allows you to see how many of any one item you have. Maybe you have it in a variety of colors or you have duplicates. It is time to make the tough decision on what stays and what goes. Anything broken or torn should go as well as any item not used or missed in the last year. Keep only items you must have or use consistently.
Your second appointment should be used to put all the items left back in an organized manner. Make sure you label any bins or baskets you might use to contain small objects. If it is not labeled, how is anyone else suppose to know what goes in the container? You, too, might forget. Buy only containers you needs. I see clients everyday who buy many containers, but do not use them, or use them incorrectly. They end up with hundreds of containers cluttering up their home. Remember, being organized is not just storing items in a bin. It requires you to really decide if you need the items contained.
The last step is to donate the items you no longer need. There are hundreds of charities out there waiting for your unneeded stuff for others to use and enjoy. Now, you have completed a spring cleaning project. It is time to move on to the next one.
Spring cleaning should be different every year. You should choose different areas to tackle each year. For instance, as your children get older, their rooms might need a spring cleaning as they move from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. Certain closets probably do not need to have a spring cleaning every year as they are not used as frequently as others.
The first step in spring cleaning is to list all the areas that really need it this year. Concentrate on those areas that have not been completely emptied in the past two years. The next is to prioritize them in the order in which they are to be completed. Consider the weather if one of them is your garage. The next step to complete your spring cleaning is to make an appointment with yourself for that area. If you can give 2 hours once or twice a week, put those in your appointment book. If you do not schedule the time, you will never get it done.
On your first appointment, remove all the items from the area and give the shelves, or carpet a good cleaning. Take a look at all the items and decide what items got put there by mistake and remove them from the area. Make sure to sort all the items into groups. Sorting has no right or wrong way, but only the way it makes sense to you. Sorting allows you to see how many of any one item you have. Maybe you have it in a variety of colors or you have duplicates. It is time to make the tough decision on what stays and what goes. Anything broken or torn should go as well as any item not used or missed in the last year. Keep only items you must have or use consistently.
Your second appointment should be used to put all the items left back in an organized manner. Make sure you label any bins or baskets you might use to contain small objects. If it is not labeled, how is anyone else suppose to know what goes in the container? You, too, might forget. Buy only containers you needs. I see clients everyday who buy many containers, but do not use them, or use them incorrectly. They end up with hundreds of containers cluttering up their home. Remember, being organized is not just storing items in a bin. It requires you to really decide if you need the items contained.
The last step is to donate the items you no longer need. There are hundreds of charities out there waiting for your unneeded stuff for others to use and enjoy. Now, you have completed a spring cleaning project. It is time to move on to the next one.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
What You Can't Afford in This Economy
By
Susan Stewart
What you can't afford in this economy is to be DISORGANIZED. Here's why:
Buying duplicate items because you couldn't find what you needed or you didn't remember you had it in the first place wastes money.
Questions to ask:
Do you have more than 3 bags of pasta or spaghetti sauce in your pantry?
If your entire house were searched, would more than 3 staplers turn up?
When it comes time to get out the holiday decorations, are you unable to find them all and end up purchasing new ones each year?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be wasting money by purchasing things you do not need.
Food uses a bigger portion of the budget than is needed.
Questions to ask:
Does your lack of meal planning lead to eating out more than twice a week?
Do you often go out to eat simply because the kitchen is so cluttered that the thought of cooking is completely overwhelming?
When you grocery shop, do you shop without a list?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be spending more money on food than is necessary.
1 in 4 adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring late fees) because they lose them.
Questions to ask:
When a bill comes in the mail, do you have a consistent place to put it?
Do you have a schedule you follow for paying your bills?
Do you feel in control of the mail and have a system for dealing with it?
If you answered no to any of these questions, you may be wasting money on late fees.
Buying duplicate items because you couldn't find what you needed or you didn't remember you had it in the first place wastes money.
Questions to ask:
Do you have more than 3 bags of pasta or spaghetti sauce in your pantry?
If your entire house were searched, would more than 3 staplers turn up?
When it comes time to get out the holiday decorations, are you unable to find them all and end up purchasing new ones each year?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be wasting money by purchasing things you do not need.
Food uses a bigger portion of the budget than is needed.
Questions to ask:
Does your lack of meal planning lead to eating out more than twice a week?
Do you often go out to eat simply because the kitchen is so cluttered that the thought of cooking is completely overwhelming?
When you grocery shop, do you shop without a list?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be spending more money on food than is necessary.
1 in 4 adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring late fees) because they lose them.
Questions to ask:
When a bill comes in the mail, do you have a consistent place to put it?
Do you have a schedule you follow for paying your bills?
Do you feel in control of the mail and have a system for dealing with it?
If you answered no to any of these questions, you may be wasting money on late fees.
Susan Stewart is a professional organizer and the founder of
Perfectly Placed Professional Organization and Design in the Phoenix
area. Perfectly Placed simplifies the domestic lives of women through
organization. You can find out more about Susan and Perfectly Placed at
her website: http://www.perfectlyplaced.org
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_StewartOrganizing A More Productive Day
By
Julie Riber
The economy has put the world in a spin and many workers fear the
loss of their job. The more productive you are at work, the less likely
you will be picked when downsizing becomes the inevitable. Make sure
you are the one your employer look to for high productivity.
To organize a productive day at work, you must first look at your week as a whole. Whether you work 8-5 Monday - Friday, or if you work a different schedule every day, you need to take time on the day before your work week starts. For many in the workforce today, that day is Sunday. I will use Sunday as my example, but you can use any day of the week. First, on Sunday evening, take a look at your schedule for the week and look at the days you are booked with meetings or appointments. Next, look at the days you have time not currently filled.
Schedule in time for projects you are working on and time for correspondence. Schedule time for your to do list and any other item you need to work on this week. Not only are you looking at your day schedule, you need to look at the evenings too. Many families spend time at practices and games, so scheduling after school appointments, to do list time and family time is tough.
Every day should have time in the morning and early afternoon scheduled to look and answer at e-mail. If you leave your e-mail open all day, you will get nothing else accomplished. If your are used to looking at e-mail all day long, this will be a tough habit to break, but it will improve your productivity.
If you return a number of phone calls on a daily basis, that time too, should be scheduled. Obviously, something can come up that will disrupt your scheduled day, but this will not happen everyday. Try to stick to your schedule as close as possible to be the most productive. If you can, mark out time for these on Outlook so others do not schedule you for a meeting during these times, do so.
If possible, close your door during times you need to really concentrate. If you work in an open office area, try to put a note on your cubicle to let everyone know you are busy, or try a conference room for some privacy if you are interrupted constantly during the day.
Organizing your week will allow you to remember the projects and items that must be completed that week and you will become much more productive.
To organize a productive day at work, you must first look at your week as a whole. Whether you work 8-5 Monday - Friday, or if you work a different schedule every day, you need to take time on the day before your work week starts. For many in the workforce today, that day is Sunday. I will use Sunday as my example, but you can use any day of the week. First, on Sunday evening, take a look at your schedule for the week and look at the days you are booked with meetings or appointments. Next, look at the days you have time not currently filled.
Schedule in time for projects you are working on and time for correspondence. Schedule time for your to do list and any other item you need to work on this week. Not only are you looking at your day schedule, you need to look at the evenings too. Many families spend time at practices and games, so scheduling after school appointments, to do list time and family time is tough.
Every day should have time in the morning and early afternoon scheduled to look and answer at e-mail. If you leave your e-mail open all day, you will get nothing else accomplished. If your are used to looking at e-mail all day long, this will be a tough habit to break, but it will improve your productivity.
If you return a number of phone calls on a daily basis, that time too, should be scheduled. Obviously, something can come up that will disrupt your scheduled day, but this will not happen everyday. Try to stick to your schedule as close as possible to be the most productive. If you can, mark out time for these on Outlook so others do not schedule you for a meeting during these times, do so.
If possible, close your door during times you need to really concentrate. If you work in an open office area, try to put a note on your cubicle to let everyone know you are busy, or try a conference room for some privacy if you are interrupted constantly during the day.
Organizing your week will allow you to remember the projects and items that must be completed that week and you will become much more productive.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
Make the Most of Vertical Space
By
Susan Stewart
When working with small spaces, it is imperative to make use of
vertical space. If you can't go out, you've got to go up! Choose a
product that is attractive, and your organization is now doing double
duty as wall decor. Here are 3 tips for making the most of vertical
storage.
1. Pick the color intentionally, not spontaneously. Many people choose a product spontaneously because they like a color they see in the store. When they get home and realize it doesn't match the room they want to put it in, they become frustrated. A little planning can go a long way here. Think through where you will use it and choose your color accordingly.
2. Do not let pockets, baskets, or any container become a "catch all" or that is exactly what it will do. Containers that become "catch all's" are containers that gather dust. No one wants to sort through miscellaneous junk to find what they are looking for. Instead, give things a home and be consistent about placing that particular item (and only that particular item) in that spot. You can still use baskets or containers for these homes.
3. Too many sticky notes or things on a bulletin board or magnet board makes clutter. People tend to post notes as a reminder but when a board is covered with notes, the note doesn't get seen. Using a to do list for lists works better and easier to read. Use the board for morning reminders or motivating quotes.
1. Pick the color intentionally, not spontaneously. Many people choose a product spontaneously because they like a color they see in the store. When they get home and realize it doesn't match the room they want to put it in, they become frustrated. A little planning can go a long way here. Think through where you will use it and choose your color accordingly.
2. Do not let pockets, baskets, or any container become a "catch all" or that is exactly what it will do. Containers that become "catch all's" are containers that gather dust. No one wants to sort through miscellaneous junk to find what they are looking for. Instead, give things a home and be consistent about placing that particular item (and only that particular item) in that spot. You can still use baskets or containers for these homes.
3. Too many sticky notes or things on a bulletin board or magnet board makes clutter. People tend to post notes as a reminder but when a board is covered with notes, the note doesn't get seen. Using a to do list for lists works better and easier to read. Use the board for morning reminders or motivating quotes.
Susan Stewart is a professional organizer and the founder of
Perfectly Placed Professional Organization and Design in the Phoenix
area. Perfectly Placed specializes in bringing peace and order to busy
families through organization. You can find out more about Susan and
Perfectly Placed at her website: http://www.perfectlyplaced.org/
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_StewartWednesday, June 20, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Positive Advantages of Being Organized at Your Home or Office
People who have an organized home and office seem to be less stressed and more motivated in life. They are usually productive with their work. Business clients and associates may be impressed with the nice surroundings of your office.
Organized individuals routinely store their items in the most appropriate places in their homes and they may put things back when they are done using them to keep things in order. This helps to keep the home or office tidy. When items are organized, they will be easy to find when needed. You may be more efficient when doing your household chores and you may save valuable time.
You could reward yourself and use this precious time on things you truly enjoy such as writing, walking, or spending time with friends and family. When your home is decluttered and organized, you may feel worry-free and confident when your friends come over to visit.
The important thing is that you should have more time to focus and take good care of yourself and concentrate on a healthy environment and lifestyle. It takes dedicated time to routinely prepare nutritious meals everyday. You may be able to schedule some time for appropriate exercise or daily relaxation time, such as watching a good movie or listening to your favorite music.
It may be easier in general to focus and concentrate when you are organized. You can make specific short-term and long-term goals for your future plans. It is a good idea to periodically re-evaluate your goals and update your plans accordingly. Don't forget to write down your daily "To Do" list every evening in preparation for the next day. It is nice to be able to take great pride in your new organized way of life and everyday routine.
You may possibly be able to save a little money once you are organized because you will realize exactly what items that you have at home when you go shopping. In summary, good organizational skills can lead to many positive benefits in life.
Organized individuals routinely store their items in the most appropriate places in their homes and they may put things back when they are done using them to keep things in order. This helps to keep the home or office tidy. When items are organized, they will be easy to find when needed. You may be more efficient when doing your household chores and you may save valuable time.
You could reward yourself and use this precious time on things you truly enjoy such as writing, walking, or spending time with friends and family. When your home is decluttered and organized, you may feel worry-free and confident when your friends come over to visit.
The important thing is that you should have more time to focus and take good care of yourself and concentrate on a healthy environment and lifestyle. It takes dedicated time to routinely prepare nutritious meals everyday. You may be able to schedule some time for appropriate exercise or daily relaxation time, such as watching a good movie or listening to your favorite music.
It may be easier in general to focus and concentrate when you are organized. You can make specific short-term and long-term goals for your future plans. It is a good idea to periodically re-evaluate your goals and update your plans accordingly. Don't forget to write down your daily "To Do" list every evening in preparation for the next day. It is nice to be able to take great pride in your new organized way of life and everyday routine.
You may possibly be able to save a little money once you are organized because you will realize exactly what items that you have at home when you go shopping. In summary, good organizational skills can lead to many positive benefits in life.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Declutter Your Dining Room and Kitchen Table
Many families are so busy these days. Often times, both parents may be
working and children may have a variety of school responsibilities.
People may begin to feel disorganized when their homes become cluttered.
This type of situation can be stressful and interfere with our daily
lives. Clutter can easily affect the function of a room in your home.
This is especially true for dining room and kitchen areas in many busy homes. Family members may have a habit of walking through the front door and placing some of the following common items on a dining room or kitchen table: mail, newspapers, handbags, car keys, bags of groceries from the store, school books, homework papers, and book bags. The dining room table is a likely spot where paperwork in general may collect, such as bills and coupons for the grocery store, etc.
One helpful solution is to have a designated container, or storage box for each individual family member with their name on it that would be located at a central location in your home. Possibly, you could set up a nicely organized area in the entrance area of your house, so each family member would have a temporary space that would be suitable to place some of their miscellaneous belongings. Maybe a nice bench with shelves or decorative baskets may come in handy to help hold book bags, umbrellas, or handbags. There are beautiful storage solutions, such as sturdy cloth boxes in different colors, a variety of wicker baskets, and even durable plastic containers.
If your children happen to have art or homework projects, you may also want to have special containers to keep their school supplies for their projects. You can label the containers. It may be a good organizing habit to encourage everyone to put away their supplies after they are done using them.
These things sound simple; however, if practiced on a regular basis they can help to keep the household going along on a smooth routine. When you become organized, you will save time and labor in the future while maintaining your home and keeping it tidy.
Some family members may routinely have different working schedules and after-school events. People often become so busy that they forget about the importance of sitting down all together as a family at least once a day for a nice family meal. If the dining room table happens to be cluttered the majority of the time, there won't be any room for the family members to gather around to eat, relax, and communicate during a meal.
I believe a better plan is to get into the habit of routinely keeping your dining room or kitchen table clean and free of all clutter. It may be a nice idea to place a pretty tablecloth on your table. After dinner is finished, you can make sure the table is clean and the dishes are done. If appropriate, some of the family members may share in the responsibility of setting the table and clean-up after the meal. This provides some special time together to share stories from the day and communicate in general.
If family members have snacks before bedtime, you can quickly straighten up the area once again. I have gotten into the habit of doing a quick walk through the rooms in my home in the evening to declutter anything that needs my attention. It is so much nicer to wake up to a clean kitchen and dining room area at breakfast time.
These may be sensible organizational tips for easy everyday clean-up; however, a few simple tips can help with maintaining an orderly home. Learning to organize your home may help you to save time in the future while doing your daily chores in the house.
When you sort through and organize your home, hopefully, you will find a good place to routinely keep most of the items in your house. As you become more organized, you will be pleasantly surprised about how easy it will become to find specific items in your home. As you declutter areas in your house and stay organized, you may feel less stressed in general and more productive with work.
This is especially true for dining room and kitchen areas in many busy homes. Family members may have a habit of walking through the front door and placing some of the following common items on a dining room or kitchen table: mail, newspapers, handbags, car keys, bags of groceries from the store, school books, homework papers, and book bags. The dining room table is a likely spot where paperwork in general may collect, such as bills and coupons for the grocery store, etc.
One helpful solution is to have a designated container, or storage box for each individual family member with their name on it that would be located at a central location in your home. Possibly, you could set up a nicely organized area in the entrance area of your house, so each family member would have a temporary space that would be suitable to place some of their miscellaneous belongings. Maybe a nice bench with shelves or decorative baskets may come in handy to help hold book bags, umbrellas, or handbags. There are beautiful storage solutions, such as sturdy cloth boxes in different colors, a variety of wicker baskets, and even durable plastic containers.
If your children happen to have art or homework projects, you may also want to have special containers to keep their school supplies for their projects. You can label the containers. It may be a good organizing habit to encourage everyone to put away their supplies after they are done using them.
These things sound simple; however, if practiced on a regular basis they can help to keep the household going along on a smooth routine. When you become organized, you will save time and labor in the future while maintaining your home and keeping it tidy.
Some family members may routinely have different working schedules and after-school events. People often become so busy that they forget about the importance of sitting down all together as a family at least once a day for a nice family meal. If the dining room table happens to be cluttered the majority of the time, there won't be any room for the family members to gather around to eat, relax, and communicate during a meal.
I believe a better plan is to get into the habit of routinely keeping your dining room or kitchen table clean and free of all clutter. It may be a nice idea to place a pretty tablecloth on your table. After dinner is finished, you can make sure the table is clean and the dishes are done. If appropriate, some of the family members may share in the responsibility of setting the table and clean-up after the meal. This provides some special time together to share stories from the day and communicate in general.
If family members have snacks before bedtime, you can quickly straighten up the area once again. I have gotten into the habit of doing a quick walk through the rooms in my home in the evening to declutter anything that needs my attention. It is so much nicer to wake up to a clean kitchen and dining room area at breakfast time.
These may be sensible organizational tips for easy everyday clean-up; however, a few simple tips can help with maintaining an orderly home. Learning to organize your home may help you to save time in the future while doing your daily chores in the house.
When you sort through and organize your home, hopefully, you will find a good place to routinely keep most of the items in your house. As you become more organized, you will be pleasantly surprised about how easy it will become to find specific items in your home. As you declutter areas in your house and stay organized, you may feel less stressed in general and more productive with work.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Spring Organizing Made Easy
By
Julie Riber
Spring cleaning can be any easy task for anyone to do if you just
have a few basic rules. First, do not try to spring clean your entire
home in one day or even one weekend. Spread the process out over a month
or two depending on how much you want to accomplish.
Second, write out a plan as far as the goals you would like to accomplish. An example would be to clean out all closets or just yours and the guest closet. List each task separately so that planning the time is easier. Are there tasks that can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less such as wiping out the fridge or washing out the trash can? Those are tasks you could accomplish one evening after dinner or one weekend morning.
Divide the tasks into time frames such as 30 minutes or less, 1-4 hours, or half a day. This too will make it easier to plan your time.
Next, decide what days you will accomplish the bigger projects by putting them into your calendar. If you don't schedule the project, it will never get done. Keep your list handy so when you find you have a little extra time, you can get one or two smaller tasks accomplished. Make sure to award yourself after you have completed a few smaller spring cleaning tasks, or a larger one by buying yourself something you need or having coffee or lunch with a friend.
To keep yourself motivated and not discouraged, start the spring cleaning with a few of the smaller tasks and then move into the larger projects. Remember, a few projects might become interrupted, so plan your schedule to be flexible. An outdoor event might be cancelled due to weather, so can you move your project up a weekend? Spring cleaning is a time for renewal and removing cluttering from the areas you feel need to be revamped. Make it fun and the goals attainable.
Second, write out a plan as far as the goals you would like to accomplish. An example would be to clean out all closets or just yours and the guest closet. List each task separately so that planning the time is easier. Are there tasks that can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less such as wiping out the fridge or washing out the trash can? Those are tasks you could accomplish one evening after dinner or one weekend morning.
Divide the tasks into time frames such as 30 minutes or less, 1-4 hours, or half a day. This too will make it easier to plan your time.
Next, decide what days you will accomplish the bigger projects by putting them into your calendar. If you don't schedule the project, it will never get done. Keep your list handy so when you find you have a little extra time, you can get one or two smaller tasks accomplished. Make sure to award yourself after you have completed a few smaller spring cleaning tasks, or a larger one by buying yourself something you need or having coffee or lunch with a friend.
To keep yourself motivated and not discouraged, start the spring cleaning with a few of the smaller tasks and then move into the larger projects. Remember, a few projects might become interrupted, so plan your schedule to be flexible. An outdoor event might be cancelled due to weather, so can you move your project up a weekend? Spring cleaning is a time for renewal and removing cluttering from the areas you feel need to be revamped. Make it fun and the goals attainable.
Julie Riber has been a professional organizer in the central Ohio
area since 2004. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and a board member of the Ohio
Chapter of NAPO since 2005. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_RiberClutter Attracts Clutter
By
Julie Riber
Do you have piles of mail and paper that just seem to get bigger?
Clutter attracts more clutter because once you create a pile, it is
easy to continue to add to that pile. Once it is too high, you just
start a new pile.
So how can you prevent this from happening? One is to take a look at where all the clutter accumulates and decide if that piece of furniture is necessary for that room. I find many little tables in my clients homes that just attract piles. The table is not really needed or missed when it is removed. If the piece of furniture does not have a designated purpose, remove it.
Another way to prevent piles is to go through your mail everyday instead of waiting for a week or more. I usually find mostly junk mail in the piles. Most people separate the important bills and letters and then put the junk mail down. They believe they will look through it later, but they never do. The best item you can purchase is a shredder and have it next to the door you come in with your mail and shred the junk mail as soon as you come in the door. Make yourself do it everyday so that pile does not start. Have one basket or area to stick your bills. If you feel comfortable, try paying some of your bills on line and this will eliminate some of the mail you receive.
Do you have a room that all your miscellaneous items get dumped? It might be a guest room or a seldom used room that gets all the overflow from the family. The items usually have no home or they are not needed any longer but disposal has not occurred yet. Disposal is hard because you either paid too much, you do not have time to take it, you forget to take it, or you do not know where to take the item. Many different charities and groups can use the items you are no longer using and Professional Organizers have a list of those charities.
To stop dumping unused items in that room, ask yourself if you actually need the item or if someone else could use it more often. Have boxes or totes in your garage or near the front door for charities and keep filling and donating the items as they accumulate.
Remember, gifts are given to do with what you want. Do not feel guilty for giving away a gift you no longer need. You are not obligated to keep any gift for any period of time.
Work on one pile at a time of either paper or items. Continue to ask the hard questions and ask if you are unsure of who will take it as a donation.
So how can you prevent this from happening? One is to take a look at where all the clutter accumulates and decide if that piece of furniture is necessary for that room. I find many little tables in my clients homes that just attract piles. The table is not really needed or missed when it is removed. If the piece of furniture does not have a designated purpose, remove it.
Another way to prevent piles is to go through your mail everyday instead of waiting for a week or more. I usually find mostly junk mail in the piles. Most people separate the important bills and letters and then put the junk mail down. They believe they will look through it later, but they never do. The best item you can purchase is a shredder and have it next to the door you come in with your mail and shred the junk mail as soon as you come in the door. Make yourself do it everyday so that pile does not start. Have one basket or area to stick your bills. If you feel comfortable, try paying some of your bills on line and this will eliminate some of the mail you receive.
Do you have a room that all your miscellaneous items get dumped? It might be a guest room or a seldom used room that gets all the overflow from the family. The items usually have no home or they are not needed any longer but disposal has not occurred yet. Disposal is hard because you either paid too much, you do not have time to take it, you forget to take it, or you do not know where to take the item. Many different charities and groups can use the items you are no longer using and Professional Organizers have a list of those charities.
To stop dumping unused items in that room, ask yourself if you actually need the item or if someone else could use it more often. Have boxes or totes in your garage or near the front door for charities and keep filling and donating the items as they accumulate.
Remember, gifts are given to do with what you want. Do not feel guilty for giving away a gift you no longer need. You are not obligated to keep any gift for any period of time.
Work on one pile at a time of either paper or items. Continue to ask the hard questions and ask if you are unsure of who will take it as a donation.
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area
for over 5 years. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and Immediate Past President of
the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Riber
A Look Into A Professional Organizer's Home
By
Julie Riber
Over the past 7 years of being a Professional Organizer, I have
been asked by many of my clients what my home and office look like. "I
bet your house is super organized", they always say. Yes, my home is
organized, but it does not look like I live in a magazine. We live in
our home and so we might have a newspaper out on the counter or the
kitchen table for the afternoon or my son might have his clothes on the
floor when he wakes up. It is not about being a neat freak, it is about
being able to find the items you need in a reasonable amount of time.
Yes, this is something I can do. I know where the items I need are and
can obtain them within 5 minutes. Now, five minutes might be too fast
for you, so maybe you need to obtain your items within 10 minutes. It is
an individual issue. Mail on the counter might not bother you, but
dirty clothes on the floor does. Clutter and its limits are individual
choices. So when do you know your clutter is a problem?
You should not have to buy something because you cannot find it. This is when you know you need to do something about the clutter in your home. Think about the amount of money you can save by not buying items multiple times. This goes for bills too. I have many clients who spend hundreds of dollars a year on late fees because they cannot find the bill to pay. This again, is when you know clutter has messed up your life and you need to gain control.
My house has a place for everything and many places are labeled for the rest of the family to know where to get items and where to put them back. Do not assume that once you eliminate the clutter in a space and it looks great, that everyone else will know what you did and where to find the items again. De-cluttering is a household affair and labeling just makes it easier for everyone. If mail is the issue, then as soon as the mail comes in the house, eliminate the junk mail. Have a recycle bin or trash can out in your garage or where ever you enter the home. Do not bring junk mail, ads you will never use, or flyers into your home. I find more grocery store ads and flyers in my clients home and most are to stores they never enter. Also, remember that most grocery stores have the current ad in the store as you walk in. Put your bills in a place that will be easy to find, will not attract other clutter, and you have access to anytime. Do not just set it on the counter. That is where they can accidentally get thrown out or lost in a sea of paper.
Take control of your clutter by making sure you need and use the item. If it was purchased on a whim and has been sitting there for years, get rid of it. I live with the items I actually use. For the things I use occasionally, I try to store those in the basement or a top shelf, so they are not taking up space where everyday items can be placed. Every season and holiday, as I put items away, I ask myself if I will be wearing or using that next season. Purging on a regular basis will also keep your clutter under control.
Be proactive when it comes to your space.
You should not have to buy something because you cannot find it. This is when you know you need to do something about the clutter in your home. Think about the amount of money you can save by not buying items multiple times. This goes for bills too. I have many clients who spend hundreds of dollars a year on late fees because they cannot find the bill to pay. This again, is when you know clutter has messed up your life and you need to gain control.
My house has a place for everything and many places are labeled for the rest of the family to know where to get items and where to put them back. Do not assume that once you eliminate the clutter in a space and it looks great, that everyone else will know what you did and where to find the items again. De-cluttering is a household affair and labeling just makes it easier for everyone. If mail is the issue, then as soon as the mail comes in the house, eliminate the junk mail. Have a recycle bin or trash can out in your garage or where ever you enter the home. Do not bring junk mail, ads you will never use, or flyers into your home. I find more grocery store ads and flyers in my clients home and most are to stores they never enter. Also, remember that most grocery stores have the current ad in the store as you walk in. Put your bills in a place that will be easy to find, will not attract other clutter, and you have access to anytime. Do not just set it on the counter. That is where they can accidentally get thrown out or lost in a sea of paper.
Take control of your clutter by making sure you need and use the item. If it was purchased on a whim and has been sitting there for years, get rid of it. I live with the items I actually use. For the things I use occasionally, I try to store those in the basement or a top shelf, so they are not taking up space where everyday items can be placed. Every season and holiday, as I put items away, I ask myself if I will be wearing or using that next season. Purging on a regular basis will also keep your clutter under control.
Be proactive when it comes to your space.
Julie Riber has been a professional organizer in the central Ohio
area since 2004. She helps organize individuals spaces, time, and lives
and she helps businesses streamline processes, increase productivity,
and organize their spaces. She is a Golden Circle member of the National
Association of Professional Organizers and a board member of the Ohio
Chapter of NAPO since 2005. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter with
organizing tips. http://www.transformare.net
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_RiberOrganize Your Room, Get Rid of The Clutter
By
Renee Pullman
Do you use a room in your house until you fill it so full of
stuff that you can hardly get around in it? Do you then move on to the
next room? Lots of stuff that you never really use cluttered and
crowded. Did you know that organizing the room will do wonders for you
and you will be able to enjoy the room again.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
A well organized room is not just finding things when you want them but it is about making a welcoming room where you can relax and work in comfort and without all the stress that clutter makes. When you set out to organize the room you must identify what you want to do with the room. You must decide what to keep and what to throw out. Given a little time you can get the room they way you want it to be.
What is the purpose of the room, TV, sleeping, games, whatever it is be clear on it's primary purpose. Then make a list of the things you want the room to contain. These things should, of course, support the main purpose of the room. Then position these things at places they make sense in the room.
Get rid of the things in the room that do not support the purpose of the room. Do these things belong in a different room or do you just need to get rid of them. Next position the things that you want to keep strategically in the room. You want to be careful of the things you keep and how you position them, after all you are getting rid of clutter and not laying the grounds to re-clutter the room. Be sure to utilize the storage within the room, drawers, cabinets, closets, etc should be used efficiently and not as catch-alls for accumulating more stuff.
Having your space laid out properly is a very good thing. Be sure to throw away all the junk and sort and organize the rest. Maintain your freshly organized room, whether your room stays organized is all in your hands.
When you organize a room you give it a new life as well as waking something inside you up. I invite you to visit http://deskorganize.net and learn more.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Renee_PullmanSaturday, June 2, 2012
Be Realistic When Planning Your Organizing
It is important to be realistic when planning your organizing goals that you want to accomplish. Everyone is usually very busy these days with many various responsibilities each day, either with their work or their family or both. I find it extremely helpful to write my daily "To Do" list and try to balance enough time to complete a few organizing goals each day, even if my smaller projects may only require less than an hour in time.
Don't think "all or nothing" when beginning an organizational project. I used to start my day with good expectations and lots of energy planning to spend a couple of uninterrupted hours to completely finish organizing a really large room from top to bottom.
However, many times my plans were somewhat unrealistic because you often times may need to start and stop a project if working on a specific room or section in your home due to other responsibilities, such as preparing lunch or supper for other family members, etc.
For example, today I am planning to finish cleaning and organizing 2 more cabinets in my kitchen, which includes a total of 6 shelves. I also want to clean and organize a large drawer in my kitchen. I would really like to clean the whole inside of my refrigerator too, but realistically I may need to put that project on tomorrow's schedule.
I am planning on making a lot of homemade chili today lunch, in addition to making a large chicken casserole for supper. At least with those two meals, hopefully, I will have some leftovers for the next day, which may save me some time tomorrow.
As I complete my inividual projects today, I will make a check mark of completion on my "To Do" list and I will have a good feeling of accomplishment for the day. It's helpful and optimistic to remember that after you successfully complete each specific project, it should save you time in the future and make it easier to maintain your living area in the home and help you to relax and truly enjoy your environment!
Don't think "all or nothing" when beginning an organizational project. I used to start my day with good expectations and lots of energy planning to spend a couple of uninterrupted hours to completely finish organizing a really large room from top to bottom.
However, many times my plans were somewhat unrealistic because you often times may need to start and stop a project if working on a specific room or section in your home due to other responsibilities, such as preparing lunch or supper for other family members, etc.
For example, today I am planning to finish cleaning and organizing 2 more cabinets in my kitchen, which includes a total of 6 shelves. I also want to clean and organize a large drawer in my kitchen. I would really like to clean the whole inside of my refrigerator too, but realistically I may need to put that project on tomorrow's schedule.
I am planning on making a lot of homemade chili today lunch, in addition to making a large chicken casserole for supper. At least with those two meals, hopefully, I will have some leftovers for the next day, which may save me some time tomorrow.
As I complete my inividual projects today, I will make a check mark of completion on my "To Do" list and I will have a good feeling of accomplishment for the day. It's helpful and optimistic to remember that after you successfully complete each specific project, it should save you time in the future and make it easier to maintain your living area in the home and help you to relax and truly enjoy your environment!
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