Does Your Garage Pass The Test?

By Erica Duran

Have you ever had to move your household? If you have you probably couldn't believe all the stuff you had accumulated over the years.

If you know me at all you know I LOVE moving! Most people dread moving but every spring my lease seems to be up and around February or March I start getting excited and looking around for new places - except for when I spent eight years on the beach - that place was hard to leave.;) If I don't move one year, I actually pretend that I am moving and go through every cabinet and drawer to de-clutter and have it deep cleaned. Anyway, the point is, when I go new home shopping I ask for place without a garage! For me, a garage is a potential place for clutter to start breeding!

What is the state of your garage? Is it serving its purpose? When you drive up to it do you feel like the walls are closing in on you and your energy is instantly drained?

Take my Garage Test and see how your garage is serving you...
Keep count of how many questions you answer in a "Yes".

1. Is your $10,000++ car living outside because you are storing things that are not good enough to be in the house in your garage? I am sure those exiled household items are not worth what you spent on your car.

2. Are there a lot of plastic storage bins or other types of boxes? I always tell my clients, "If it has to go in a bin, it isn't used frequently enough, and you should REALLY consider passing it on to someone else." Plan a day to go through all your bins and really access if the items are worth the space and upkeep.

3. Is there excessive holiday and seasonal decor? Is something you display once a year worth all that hassle of storing, unpacking, setting it up, taking it down, cleaning it, packing it back up. And, when you really think about it does anyone else really care how many holiday decorations you have out? Is there a way you can use natural items instead like flowers, pumpkins, and pine cones to get in the holiday spirit instead of plastic or ceramic decorations?

4. Do you have items from an abandon hobby stored in the garage? Our lifestyles change so gradually sometimes we don't even know when we gave up a hobby we once enjoyed. Did you golf? Camp? Have a fish tank? SCUBA? Ski? It is OK to sell these items or give them away. You are probably not going to get re-interested in the hobby and when/if you do there will be a whole new kind or technology out there so you have the latest and greatest gear. Getting rid of these abandon interests renews your energy by not staring at you when you open your garage making you feel guilty. Make room for new interests and experiences in your life.

5. Do you have anything that belongs to someone else that you are storing in your garage? Let's say your child went off to college and you turned their room into a yoga studio. But, they told you they would be back to get their "stuff" for their new apartment. Problem is... that was four years ago and the stuff is still in your garage! Call or email the person who you are harboring the stuff for and give them a deadline to come and get it. If they don't make the deadline, let them know that the stuff will be sold or given to a charity.

6. Are there any large items that are seldom used? A Ping-Pong table? An air hockey game? A table saw that was bought with good intentions of fulfilling a long honey-do list?

7. Are there any baby clothes or baby furniture in your garage? Thinking that you may have another baby someday, or can't bring yourself to get rid of your little one's clothing? In reality, you know you will get new gifts when a new baby is on its way. And, what if your next baby is the other gender? Pass these items on to babies in need and create space for a new life.

8. Are you holding onto items just because they belonged to a loved one that has passed away? Sentimental feelings are strong, but the deceased wouldn't want you to be crowded out of your own house! Keep one or two things that you really enjoy having and remind you of the person and display them in respect - no need to keep their life treasures in a dusty garage.

9. Clothes that no longer fit, have stains, have holes or rips, or have a bad feeling or emotion associated with them. Clothes with stains and holes should not even be donated - those poor people have enough problems! Bad memories associated with your high school sweater or prom dress? Now is the time to let that stuff go both emotionally and physically. Are you holding onto clothes that no longer fit? When you do lose the weight most likely your body will be in a slightly different shape and the clothes won't fit you as well even though the weight is gone. Reward yourself with new clothes as an incentive to your weight loss goal. Also, clothes that have been in storage just don't seem right when you take them out. They are usually musty and faded, etc.

10. Do you store old cleaners, paint, car stuff, etc. Most garages have an excess of old cleaning products - and I know you are using the environmental and hormone friendly ones, right? Old paint? You can always take a paint chip to the hardware store and get a fresh batch mixed. Old car care supplies for a car you no longer have or you no longer use because you found it more productivity-minded to have the dealer take care of your car needs. Just be sure to discard the old paint, cleaners, and car supplies at an authorized eco-friendly location.

11. Scraps and extra parts taking up space? Saving pieces of wood in case you can use it "someday"? Still have all those extra screws and parts from a piece of IKEA furniture you put together years ago? These items are just taking up space and energy in most households and I am betting that if you needed one of those extra screws you wouldn't be able to find it anyway.

12. Gardening and lawn care items still lurking in your garage but you've opted to have a landscaper take care of your outside living space? You figured out that it was a good idea to not spend your hard-earned Saturday taking care of the lawn, but your gardener brings all his own supplies as part of his service. Pass these items on to a neighbor that could use these supplies.

So, how did you do? Add up the number of questions you said "yes" to. Here is the scale:

9-12 questions answered in a Yes = I am sorry but you have a major project on your hands. This will not, and should not be tackled in one weekend of overly ambitious thoughts by taking everything out of the garage at once to go through, sort, decide what to keep and then trying to put everything back in an organized fashion. Attempting the all-or-nothing approach will be too daunting and exhausting for one weekend. For this escalated clutter situation, you need to break your garage into zones and then schedule yourself to work on each zone in four-hour increments so as to not get overwhelmed or burnt out on your garage transformation project.

5-8 questions answered in a Yes = Be careful! If you've lived in the same home for a number of years this amount of clutter is understandable but not necessary. It is time to nip it in the bud! Go through your items in your garage and make sure everything is serving the life you are living now! Be tough with yourself! It may help to ask yourself "If I were moving next week, would this item be worth the time and money to pack, move and unpack?

1-4 questions answered in a Yes = You are doing great! There are a few items in your garage that are rarely used but I bet they are pretty well organized. You know what you have and where to find it. You are good at regularly going through your stuff and weeding it out for a sale or charity. But, I challenge you to just go through everything and double check for things you can release out of your life.

Erica Duran is a Productivity Expert and Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®). At Erica Duran International, she provides both virtual and in-person coaching around the globe through her programs, courses, and products. Erica mostly attracts women entrepreneurs and small business owners who want results fast! She helps them to clear the clutter in their lives at ALL levels, gets them out of just being "busy" and "overwhelmed" and into a calm, flowing, profitable and balanced lifestyle.

Learn more and claim your FREE gifts at http://www.EricaDuran.Co

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Duran

Your Office: Tired or Inspired?

By Erica Duran

Everyone has different office needs. With the overwhelming amount of people that are working from home now and starting their own businesses (especially women) an inspired office is essential to your success.

You may be asking yourself: "Does having a clean, calm, organized office space matter to my productivity and bottom line?" Yes! It actually matters more than you think.

In this article I will touch on some topics that are not the usual "how to organize your office tips" - you've heard all those before and seen all the images of neatly organized desk drawers online, right? Having an inspired office means that of course, it is clean, neat, tidy, and organized... but there are some deeper things to think about.

When you put the thought into why you are doing something in a certain way you tend to keep the habit because you know exactly why the reasons behind it.

First, let's just take a moment to appreciate the fact that you have the freedom to work from home. No time-wasting commute, no idle chat in the employee break room, you can wear more comfortable clothes while you work, etc. If you don't work from home right now take a moment to envision what you life would be like if you did step out on your own and started that business you've always dreamed of. By envisioning it, you will start to make decisions to lead you in that direction.

So, you've ditched the stale corporate environment and your boring cubicle. Everything is up to you now so why is your office a mess of piles of paper, unfinished projects, entangled wires and loads lost opportunity in the form of business cards that are not in your database? If you owned a company and your employee's office was in that state would you be happy with their performance? Would you think they were productive and professional? You would probably not.

The state of your office totally reflects the state of your business and your bottom line. Having a cluttered office with poor equipment and no systems completely drains your energy. I work with creative types all the time who are afraid to clean up their office because they feel that the order will stifle their creativity. But, the exact opposite happens. Once, we put just a little bit of structure and thought into their environment, they have an immense increase in creativity and energy and they have the new clients and customers to show for it.

When you work for yourself you environment is a reflection of you. Your workspace does matter and affects the quality of your work. Even if you are the only one that sees your office - it comes through in your attitude and confidence.

The first step in creating an Inspired Office is to actually carve out a space in your home for your business. No kitchen table office that must be pushed aside every night for dinner. You must give your business the respect it needs to grow while decreasing the distractions that occur when your workspace is not defined.

Even in the smallest homes I've helped clients define a proper workspace for their business. Sometimes we redo a closet or purchase an armoire that actually has an office set-up inside, but none the less we defined a space that can be "opened for business" during working hours and "shut down" for when you are off work.

Defining the space helps you define your hours spent working as well. This is a harder thing to do than most people think who haven't ever worked from home. People who work from home tend to have a ton of guilt! They always have a nagging feeling that they should be working when they are taking some time off. On the other hand, they also feel like they should be spending time with family or having free time to themselves while they are working. Defining the office space helps balance this inner turmoil.

Now that you've defined a space, it needs to be pretty, reflective of your personality and have a life and energy to it. You are not in a grey-walled cubicle anymore! You can actually choose the decor where you will spend countless hours. Even if you are using a re-done closet as an office - make it pretty and fun.

But, before any space can be pretty, it has to be de-cluttered of anything that isn't useful or beautiful.

There are only about eight things that should be on someone's desk:

1. Your planner - you knew that would be one of the items right? This takes the place of all other calendars, scratch paper, to-do lists, reference materials, etc.

2. A task lamp with a white light bulb. Even if you have enough overhead light or natural light from windows, studies show that productivity is increased with a small task lamp with a white light bulb. Besides, it gives your office a comfortable, homey feel too.

3. A coaster to keep drinks from sweating on your paperwork or electronics.

4. Your cell phone and/or landline phone.

5. Your computer/keyboard/mouse. (Mac of course! Who needs the stress of all those PC viruses and your screen freezing all the time? PCs are not productive... or pretty!)

6. A business card holder with your cards only. Raise the professionalism of your home office space with your business cards in an attractive holder on your desk. This also makes them easy to grab to put in thank you cards, etc. Having your business cards available on your desk just makes your business feel more "real".

7. A desk blotter that doubles as a mouse pad. A desk blotter protects your desk from wear and tear, adds color, gives a smooth writing surface, and if it is big enough can even take the place of a mouse pad.

8. A potted plant of fresh flowers. You would be amazed at how much energy just having a living thing on your desk brings. Fresh flowers are not that expensive to switch out every week - just a few dollars at the local farmers market or grocery store for this big environmental and emotional energy boost. Plus, if your desk has pretty things, you will be deterred from cluttering it up with junk!

Bonus item: You may want your favorite photo on your desk. But it must be respected with a decorative frame. Or, hang the photos on the wall and get them off your workspace. Better yet - use your favorite photo as wallpaper or the screensaver on your computer.

Everything else that is currently on your desk should be in a drawer, cabinet, closet, or in a "to sell/give away" pile.

This includes your current projects and client files. They should be brought out one at a time, worked on, and then put away at the end of each work session. This practice leads to greater focus and reduces piles.

When you have piles of "very important" stuff on and around your desk get buried by the next batch of "very important" things that come into your life. With a bunch of piles around to remind you to do something is very distracting and a reactive. You react to a file because you see it - not because it is really urgent or important to work on at the moment. Or, worse yet, a potential opportunity or client gets buried under unimportant stuff. We want to strive for proactively planning our workflow and not reacting to visual cues.

You maybe asking "But what about pens and pencils? Aren't those kept on my desk?" Yes, and no. Your favorite pen and/or pencil should be in your day planner. There is no need for a jar of random, cheap, non-working pens with other people's marketing slogans on them. Throw all those out or donate them, use your favorite all the time with you planner and everything else you write. Life is too short to deal with pens you don't enjoy using. If you must have other colored pens, highlighters, pencils for the type of work you do then neatly have them in a container in a cabinet or in a drawer, not taking up the prime real estate of your desktop.

Only have the things at your fingertips that you actually use all the time. Think about how our work has changed over the last few years with more and more things online or held electronically. I can't remember the last time I used a paper clip, stapler, or roll of tape. If you have these things on your desk still from years ago when they were everyday tools, consider giving them a home somewhere else out of sight and space. If you do use them everyday though, keep them. The space needs to work for you, but define that you need them in your line of work, instead of just having them because you think you should have them on your desk.

What no inbox? I know this sounds crazy! Most productivity experts and professional organizers teach all sorts of paper flow systems and they usually all start with an inbox. However, I think an inbox is just a breeding ground for delayed decisions and procrastination. Usually, they take up quite a bit of physical space on your desk - which is prime workspace. In my programs you will learn how to use your planner and computer to take care of the usual inbox inhabitants on the spot with nothing to pile up to an overwhelming paralysis state.

Another objection I get about my "Eight items allowed on the desk rule" is: "But my coach, guru, up-line, etc. says that I should have a vision board in front of me at all times to motivate me, can that be on my desk?"

I would say no, not the ones I've seen with magazine tear-outs with a third grade cut-and-paste construction. In my opinion these vision boards look a bit junky and often don't really motivate - they become wallpaper - something you don't really notice after just a few days.

What I would suggest instead are two alternatives:

1.Create a slide show of all the images that represent something on your vision board and make it your screen saver set to random order. The movement of the photos keeps them from becoming stale and each time you return to your desk a different vision is on the screen.

2.Print images that are truly motivating and also beautiful and get them framed. Arrange them on the walls around your office or together in a collage on one wall. Switch out the images as your vision changes. With this option, the images are in front of you, but they are more artfully displayed and the quality of the image is probably a little more sophisticated than a magazine tear-out. Besides, do you realize how long it takes to flip through all those magazines looking for photos!

We've covered many topics about the desk area. Now let's dive into just four more topics for having a productive home office over all.

1. First, I would suggest that if at all possible you don't face a wall, have your back to a door, or block any windows. This is a little bit of Feng Shui and a little bit of common sense. There is bad flow and energy to a space if you are facing a wall or have your back to the doorway; it feels un-welcoming for any opportunities to come to you. Windows are not supposed to be blocked with furniture or equipment. Let all the light in you can and hopefully your view outside is inspiring too. If not, maybe you can plant something or add a bird feeder outside to improve the view and add interest.

2. Next, I would suggest having the best equipment you can afford. I am not saying you have to be outfitted like the CEO of Apple, but you may to invest in equipment like a printer that doesn't jam all the time. Babysitting the printer or fax machine is not a good use of your time, drains your energy and disrupts your workflow. Check the state of your chair. If you don't invest in a chair that promotes good ergonomics now - you may have to invest later in chiropractor care. File drawers that stick shut drain your energy every time you try to open them. Use what you have but also reinvest in your company when you can to make each day more enjoyable and productive.

3. Wires - Try to keep the ugly mess of wires and chargers to a minimum by upgrading to wireless equipment when you can. Use what is called a "cable box" (sold at most office supply or organizing stores) to keep cords hidden and dust free. In each home or office I organize there is usually "the box" of all the wires the client is too scared to throw away for they may belong to something. But, chances are if they have been in that box for years, you no longer have the item they go to (or you will never figure it out). Just take inventory that you have all the electric cords that go with everything in your house that you are currently using. Put all the cords with their matches and toss the rest of the tangled mess. If later you find out that you do need one of the discarded cords (and you won't, but if you do) they are easily found online and replaced for just a few dollars).

4. Have an "Air of Portability" to your work. When you are planning and organizing your inspired office, think about how you can make your work portable by using different sections of your planner, a laptop, or other tools. Working from home can get lonely, uninspired and even outright noisy if your family is around when you are trying to work. You don't want to feel trapped in your own home office! Make your work portable so you can escape your chaotic home and go to a library, a park, a beach, or even your front porch. Or, maybe your home's energy is a little "dead" at the moment. You can relocate and refuel at a buzzing coffee shop or take a walk and make all your follow-up calls on your cell phone. Just give some thought to the various tasks what you need to do in your office and how you could make them to go.

One last thought, try to evaluate your surroundings regularly for not just where you are at now in your business, but where you want to be. If you were a six-figure business owner would your office be that cluttered and have non-functional equipment? Start making the decisions and forming the habits like you were a successful six-figure-plus business owner now and you will be one step closer to actually getting there!

Erica Duran is a Productivity Expert and Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®). At Erica Duran International, she provides both virtual and in-person coaching around the globe through her programs, courses, and products. Erica mostly attracts women entrepreneurs and small business owners who want results fast! She helps them to clear the clutter in their lives at ALL levels, gets them out of just being "busy" and "overwhelmed" and into a calm, flowing, profitable and balanced lifestyle.

Learn more and claim your FREE gifts at http://www.EricaDuran.Co

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Duran

Ask a Professional Organizer: "How Can I Keep Up With All My Treasured Magazines?"

By Erica Duran

This is a question I receive often from clients all over the world. They ask something like "I LOVE magazines and have about 10 subscriptions that come in every month. But, my business is growing and I don't have time to read them all. I am having trouble letting them go because I truly enjoy some of the articles and photos in them. What is a good compromise or process for dealing with all this info"?

The following are a few simple strategies that I share with my clients that have this delima. Magazines used to be a tough clutter issue for myself so I know exactly what they are tourtered with. This was especially an issue when I wanted to focus on my business more. I kept thinking to myself that some of those articles I could really learn from. And, some were just a fun escape. Here are some of the rules and limits I put on myself and suggest to clients everyday about their piles of magazines.

1. Only keep the current 6 months or so. Keeping old magazines around just makes you feel like there is one more thing that you aren't doing or getting to.

2. If you must keep older magazines - go through the table of contents in the front. Decide which articles you want to keep to read. Cut them out and put them in a basket, box, or your handbag so you can read them while you are waiting for appointments or you kid's soccer games, etc. Most of the magazines are ads and just taking the articles you want out will save so much space and "weight" in your home of that "one more thing to get to one day" feeling.

3. Most articles or information can be accessed digitally nowadays. You don't have to feel like you can't ever get the information back. If you have an iPad or Kindle - sign up for the electronic version of you magazines - often the electronic versions free to their paper subscribers. Some are even key-word searchable.

4. Limit the amount of magazines you subscribe to. Once a year re-evaluate all the magazines you subscribe to. Have you outgrown or moved on from the subject matter? When you open your mail box and see it does it bring joy or guilt? Magazines you purchase are supposed to bring knowledge, inspiration, and joy NOT guilt!

5. When you've decided on which ones stay and go - pass them on or toss them. There are all kinds of places that would like donated magazines: schools, hospitals, etc. or just recycle them. If there is an article I REALLY want to save I scan it to my computer to avoid the paper clutter and so it is searchable with a touch of a button.

The truth is it all comes down to sometimes making hard decisions and taking your business seriously. Revisit why you want to focus more on your business. Is it to have a secure retirement? A vacation? Time with your kids why they are young? Freedom to come and go as you please? After thinking about your "why" the magazines won't seem as important anymore.

Erica Duran is a Certified Professional Organizer® and Productivity Coach. At Erica Duran International, she provides both virtual and in-person coaching around the globe through her programs, courses, and products. Learn more at http://www.EricaDuran.Co Have a question for Erica? Send her your question about productivity and organizing. You (and even a link your business) may be featured here in an upcoming issue of "Transforming Lifestyles E-zine"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Duran

Ask a Professional Organizer: "I'm a Wife, Mother, and Business Owner, HELP!"

By Erica Duran

Question: As a small business owner and busy wife and mother of 2 teenage daughters I find it difficult to focus on business related tasks when I am at home, outside of my client appointments. When I am home, I feel compelled to do household chores and jobs first to keep my household running, rather than focusing on business support activities. How can I focus my time better so I can successfully manage my household, my business and also have time to recharge and relax?

Professional Organizer's Answer: Boy, this is really the ULTIMATE question that I am sure all women are seeking an answer to this one. To achieve this balance in life would take weeks (maybe months) of coaching and/or forming new habits that support the lifestyle and outcome you want. But, let me just give you a few basics so you can start to gain clarity, feel more in control, and take a day off!

I think we can sum up your question into the following quote:

You can have it all, but not all at the same time.

You must be very clear on your goals and end results you want from all the roles in your life. At certain times a woman may need to focus and decide on the tasks that are the most important in their life right now. Right now, is it time to spend precious time in the mother role with a newborn or squeeze in a few days before your children go off to college? Or, are your kids so busy with their own after school activities that now is the time you can log in a few more sales calls? Sometimes we have to decide what we really want and let the other stuff go... even if just for a little while.

It sounds cliche, but you have to know what your goals are, not what anyone else wants or expects. There are tons of books, courses, coaches and programs out there to help you go deeper and find your true path. And, with all the lip-service to goal setting it amazes me that less than 10% of the population even bother to write their goals down still and only about 3% achieve them!

The first step is to look at the different roles in your life and don't forget "yourself" as a role! Keep in mind that your roles may change from time to time. You may find there will be some weeks when your responsibilities in a certain role are very minimal. That doesn't mean the role goes away, but you can be grateful to have one less role to think about that week. List all your different roles: friend, runner, wife, mother, PTA member, pet owner, mogle, church member, daughter-in-law, etc. on a piece of paper or in your computer.

Then, when you plan weekly (let's say on a Sunday night) you look over your list of roles and ask yourself: "What are the most important tasks I can do in this role this week that would have the greatest impact on my life?" and schedule the tasks throughout the week to support your goals. Again, don't forget putting "self" as a role. Some weeks will be filled with family activity and some with deadlines for your business. But, a week is a good chunk of time to look at your roles and how you can further your relationships, impact your business goals, and try to balance it all a bit.

Whew! Now that I went over all that deep soul searching stuff, let me just give you some practical suggestions that can be implemented right away if they fit your lifestyle goals.

1. Batching - Stop and look at all your tasks for the week. Batch all like tasks together and try to do them all in the same span of time. For example running errands - don't just run to the market, while you are out go to the post office, dry cleaners, etc. Also, let tasks build up until it is worth it to do them all at once. Let the mail collect in your email, voice mail, or physical mailbox for a few days or a week and go through it all at once. This also increases efficiency for you get into a rhythm doing one type of task at a time instead of starting and stopping different tasks.

2. Outsourcing - How much do you make per hour doing what you love and how much does it cost for someone else to do tasks that do NOTHING to get you to your goals? This includes: housekeeping, errand running, bookkeeping, laundry, client database, appointment setting, etc. Then, to see an instant ROI (return on investment) for this enlisted help do nothing but revenue generating activities with the time you have gained back. With this "found" time you can make your sales calls, attend networking events, write and submit articles, create a product, anything that contributes directly to your bottom line.

3. Block Time - Block time in your calendar for family, business, self, friends, etc. Just knowing that you have devoted time allocated for your different roles takes the guilt away and lets you focus on the task at hand. While you are at the beach with your daughters on Saturday, just know that you have blocked out a sufficient 3 hours on Tuesday for a networking meeting.

4. Automate - Take a look at the tasks you need to perform and see where you can automate them. Examples are: bill paying on your bank's website, appointment setting with programs like Timetrade.com, social media with HootSuite.com, invoicing clients, reduce routine calls and emails with an FAQ (frequently asked questions) page on your website, ordering groceries for delivery online (they save your favorites list too), ordering from drugstore.com instead of driving around, etc.

5. Delete - Again, look at your task lists. Can anything be deleted? Is it just busy work? Has it contributed to your income or happiness? Is it something you think you should be doing because everyone else is like social media? Is it something you really want or need to do? Is it an escape activity like watching TV? Just be mindful, check in with yourself and delete what isn't really joyful to you.

6. Create an Inspired Office - No matter how small your workspace is you need a dedicated space and it needs to be functional and pretty. Women work best when their environments are comfortable. Even if your desk is in a hall closet put up a vision board and have some fresh flowers. Clear away anything that isn't useful or beautiful. Clear away all old files, paperwork, projects you have decided are no longer important, etc. Get rid of anything that isn't supporting the life you have or the life you want right now. Make sure that you can't see the overflowing laundry basket when you are at your desk, clear the path so that when you are walking to the fax machine you aren't tripping over toys, and get the grape jelly out from between your keyboard keys.

7. Set Boundaries - If you've done your share of soul searching and the business is really something that is important to you then when it is time to do business tasks you must treat it like a real business and not a hobby. Set boundaries with yourself and your family. No "just real quick" throwing in a load of laundry in the middle of the workday. Would you do that if you worked for a traditional company? Explain to your family that you need "X" number of hours to devote to the business and you can't be distracted or multitask with household chores or requests from them at this dedicated work time. What a great example you will be setting for your young daughters about dedication and work ethic! Then when the work day is up, close up shop, and turn off your smart phone so you can focus on your family. Setting boundaries and time so you can take care of yourself is also a fabulous habit for you to model to your children. Show them that you need to take the time and that you care about exercising to stay healthy, get your hair and nails done to feel and represent your best, and go out to bond with just your girlfriends on certain nights, etc. You will feel taken care of and be able to give more. An overused saying from the airline industry, but it illustrates what I am talking about so well is "Put your oxygen mask on first before you can help others around you."

Your question is a very deep one, but I hope some of these simple tips and strategies will lead you to design the life you want without feeling so frazzled.

Erica Duran is a Certified Professional Organizer CPO® and Productivity Coach. At Erica Duran International ( http://www.ericaduran.co ), she provides both virtual and in-person coaching around the globe through her programs, courses, and products. Erica mostly attracts women entrepreneurs and business owners. She helps them to clear the clutter in their lives at ALL levels, gets them out of just being "busy" and "overwhelmed" and into a calm, flowing, and balanced lifestyle. Want to ask Erica a Question and be featured in her electronic magazine, blog, and other articles. Submit your question here: http://ericaduran.co/ask-erica/#

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Duran

Why People Aren't Organized

By Karin E. Fried

People have asked me "Why do people hire you to organize their home? Can't they just do it themselves?".

The simple answer is "NO, they can't."

But there is nothing simple about the "real" answer.

It's sort of like asking "why do people hire someone to mow their grass?". The answer, "because they don't have the time". Or "because they don't like yard work". Or simply "because they don't want to do it themselves".

Yes, a lot of people are "capable" of "organizing" their own home. But they need someone to stand over them to direct them and to make them do it. They tend to second guess themselves and really need an outsider's opinion and direction.

People that have a disorganized workspace or home are not less educated, in fact a lot of people with disorganized spaces and clutter are actually very bright and highly educated. And that's part of the problem. They think that the task of "organizing" is "boring" and they can't stay focused long enough to get anything accomplished.

Some people just get overwhelmed when they try to start organizing a space. Instead of focusing on one aspect at a time they look at the entire room and just see one big mess and start hyperventilating. Then they just throw up their hands and call it a day.

A professional organizers job is to get the client to focus on one aspect at a time and go through a "process". They need to keep the client on track to get the job done.

Some people were just never taught any organizational skills when they were younger.

Some people just let things go too long and the clutter got out of control and they know that the project is too big for them to handle.

A lot of people think that being "organized" is too time consuming. They don't understand that once you are "organized" you will actually save a lot of time because you will be able to find things easily. Maintaining an organized space is also a lot less time consuming because you aren't spending a lot of time thinking about how you are going to organize the space, it's already organized. You are merely putting things into designated spaces.

When you have an entire family that is disorganized it is really important that everyone is on the same page if you are going to get your space de-cluttered and organized. If your family won't cooperate with your plan to organize your home it's almost impossible to have an organized home. Another reason why people tend to throw in the towel. "Why bother, they are just going to mess it up anyway".

It is crucial that the entire family is on board with the organizing plan. A professional organizer can transform a space...but if the family isn't on board with the idea, the space will just go back to the cluttered mess that it was before the organizer got there.

A Professional Organizer does more than just de-clutter and organize a space. They also educate the client (and the entire family) on why a space should be organized. On how to organize a space. On how being organized saves you time and money. And on how "being organized" is a crucial lesson that will stay with them the rest of their lives and will be something they use in all aspects of their life.

Being "organized" isn't only about space management and clutter control. It's about time management, paper management, project management and life management.

Organization affects all aspects of your life.

Start today and have a more "organized" life.

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
http://www.professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karin_E._Fried

Twenty Organizing Tips

By Karin E. Fried

There are numerous things that we can do every day to keep ourselves organized. Here are a few tips that can help you become more organized.

Closet:

• Stick to the " one-for-one " rule. After you buy a new piece of clothing, get rid of one piece. This will save space in your closet and make you think about your purchase before hand if you know that you have to get rid of something.
• Keep like items together. Sweaters, skirts, dresses, pants... Keep like colors together.
• At least twice a year (maybe the spring and fall) go through your closet and get rid of clothes that you haven't worn in a while, don't fit or you are just plain tired of. Remember to donate them to an organization or church group.
Kitchen:
• Keep a pre-printed grocery list in your kitchen and as you run out of things just check them off on the list and you will never again forget something while you're in the store.
• Plan your meals a week ahead of time and make your grocery list at the same time. That way you will have all of the ingredients needed for each meal.
• Use baskets in your kitchen cabinets for snacks (it takes up less room than keeping them in the original container). For kids put the baskets on a lower level shelf.
• Use organizing dividers in your drawers to keep your utensils in place.
Office:
• Only keep essentials on your desk. When you are done working immediately put it back in a drawer.
• Keep all of your office supplies in one place. Keep like items together.
• Use some type of divider or baskets to keep your pens, paperclips, staples... organized.
Paper:
• When going through your mail automatically throw the "junk" mail into the trash can.
• File any bills that come in the mail in a "bills to pay" folder for paying at a later date.
• Set aside a specific day or time every week (or two) to pay bills.
• Set aside a specific day or time every week to do all of your filing.
• Have one file for "taxes" and put anything related to taxes (W4's, financial statements, loan information...) in this file.
Car:
• Keep a notebook and pen in your glove compartment. Great for notes or if you need to record mileage for business expenses.
• Keep a few "cloth" bags in your car at all times. Great for grocery shopping (now that everyone is moving away from plastic). Also great to keep the clutter from spreading throughout the entire car.
• Keep a basic emergency first aid kit in your car. You'll never know when you need that Band-Aid.
Special Occasions: 
• Buy all of your birthday cards for the year at once. Address them and write the persons birthdate in pencil in the upper right hand corner where the stamp would go. Then put them into a pendaflex folder labeled by month. Near the end of the month look at the next month and pull out the cards that need to be mailed. You will never miss a birthday again.
• Have a "present" closet or shelf. Keep a supply of basic items such as candles, stationary, games...so that you will always have something on hand if case you need a last minute gift. Stock up on items when there is a sale.
Happy Organizing!

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
http://www.professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karin_E._Fried

What Can I Do in Twenty Minutes

By Karin E. Fried

People always seem to complain that they don't have enough time to do all of the things that they need or want to do in their day. I've always said, "the person that invents more hours in the day is going to be rich".

But the reality is.... there are only twenty-four hours in a day. So what are you doing with those twenty-four hours? Besides wasting them?

Admit it... if you actually wrote down all of the things you did during the day....you would be shocked. Because you would see....in black and white...that you wasted a lot of time.

O.K....maybe you are a really busy person. Maybe you don't have enough time to do the big project that should get done in your home or office. But you probably have twenty minutes a day that you are wasting....talking to your friends, hanging around the water cooler, staring into space...

So what can you do in twenty minutes or less? Lots of things:

• Read a book to your child
• Read a magazine article
• Throw in a load of laundry
• Load the dishwasher
• Pay your bills
• File your bills in the appropriate files
• Check your email
• Water your plants
• Write out the birthday cards for the month
• Make your doctors appointment
• Dust your living room
• Organize a drawer
• Make your shopping list
• Make your lunch for tomorrow
• Organize your medicine cabinet
• Organize the top of your desk
• Unload the dishwasher
• Fold a load of laundry

It might not seem like a lot. It might seem like normal, everyday boring things to do.. But if you don't do them they will pile up. And then you will have clutter...and dead plants!

So stop wasting your time and pick one or two things to do every day and your house will be a lot more organized and you will be a lot less stressed.

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
http://www.professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com

Member: National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
Member: National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)
Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization
NAPO, Quantum Leap Trainer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karin_E._Fried