Organizing Blogs by Professional Organizers
Discover organizing tips and simple creative solutions
to help you get organized.
So many times I hear "I've started to get organized but I didn't finish". "It just makes things worse because there isn't enough time to get it all done, so why bother"?  Getting through the entire process can be long and tedious. Getting started is part of the problem. Buyt once you get started, how do you make sure that you finish? When it comes to organizing piles of paperwork, the sorting system is general. You start your categories such as: car, house, bills, warranty and medical, just to name a few. It is easy to remove paperwork from the boxes and sort through everything. What can happen though is that the system easily falls apart because as the sorting becomes more detailed, it becomes more tedious. And now you have multiple piles of paperwork instead of one box. The box is looking pretty good right now! Taking all of the paperwork and putting it into a system that works is the stressful part - and how big of a space do you need to sort through everything can be deceiving. In order to manage it all you may need quite a large space. Last week we had this issue. We ended up laying out every out on top of a bed. This quickly became back-breaking work. Bending over to pick up paperwork and sort through it quickly became discouraging. So we needed a solution! The solution to too sorting through boxes of paperwork is to..... Purchase several vertical file systems - the wire kind that hold file folders work very well. These are what I use on my desk to keep my most vital paperwork handy. They take up very little space on your flat surface and will allow you to hold up to 8 files in a very limited space. Simply drop the paperwork into the files. An easy way to identify what type of paperwork is in each file is to simply take a colored sticky note and place it on the side of each file folder. Using a black marker, boldly write the name of the file on the sticky note. To make it even easier, rotate the sticky notes - alternating the sticky notes on the left and right, some lower on the file folder and some higher on the file folder. The key is to be able to look at all eight folders and be able to easily see the file name. To make it even easier, you can alphabetize your stick notes, i.e. auto, bills, house, medical, warranty.
Not everyone has their kitchen spices arranged in alphabetical order. I haven't felt the need to have the "alum" in the front of my spice area simply because it begins with "A". I probably won't use it again until next fall when I make that specific recipe that calls for just one teaspoon of Alum - and by that time, it will probably be expired! Your organizing style works best when it works in conjunction with your personality. If a process or system that requires your attention, on a daily basis, is inconvenient - you should consider taking a second look at your system. What am I talking about? Let's take a look at your office. Does it really make sense to have a current client's file - one that you are working in on a daily basis - tucked away in a filing cabinet that is clear across the room? Personally, I don't think so. It should be located somewhere close to where you sit and work for that client. Perhaps it is in a lateral filing system that allows you to have 8 files handy and within reach. (I like these because I can see multiple files at one time). If your client's file has confidential information in it, this may change your strategy. I would recommend that your client files be gathered and put into the very front of a filing cabinet so that they can be locked up in the evening. Of course, it always really bugs me when I walk into a doctor's office and I see piles of files stacked over an entire countertop, knowing that my personal information is in that file and that it is so easily accessible to anyone and everyone. I don't know what I can do about that...but I'm thinking about it! Should your files be color-coded? Should your cabinet have pull-out shelves? What type of storage will work best for your situation? When making these decisions, think about what makes the most sense. Try not to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of the new and "must haves" of organizing. There are tons of possibilities to organize the exact same area. But what will work best for you?
As an Entrepreneur or the owner of a home-based business it is typically necessary for you to hold meeting outside of your home office. You probably have your favorite coffee shop where you can meet with potential clients or network your business. But how do you handle the need to carry all of the materials required for you to show your  professionalism. Do you have a briefcase that you carry everything in? Are you too embarrassed to have a potential client "see" your briefcase because it is a disaster? Are you embarrassed for anyone to see your car (since you "live" in your car, it can have a tendency to look like a bomb has gone off in it)? I started this journey over 10 years ago when I signed on with a National MLM Company - which I won't name. In the 7 years with the company I noticed one major flaw. It seemed that every quarter someone (probably from Corporate), came up with a "better and easier" way to organize all of my supplies. This usually meant me making a purchase of some kind of organizing bag for display purposes and reorganizing, yet again, how I was transporting my materials in order to hold appointments. Here are my top 3 Lessons Learned regarding having a Traveling Office. Now, as a true Entrepreneur, the issue is the same. I need to have brochures, business cards, potential client forms, etc. available - and a way to make notes (and then follow-up with those notes). Here are a few tips I have learned over the years: 1. Have a specific plan for where everything goes. Don't allow yourself to be lazy and just place an item "somewhere" (for right now). Odds are that you won't remember where you put it, get frustrated and then your first thought will be...this systems doesn't work for me! When, actually, you aren't working with your system. Consistency in where everything is kept is crucial when organizing your Traveling Office. I recommend using a portable portfolio or file box if you need to carry paperwork. Keep extra copies of what you need filed away so that they can be found quickly and easily. For your computer or tablet use a traveling tote that shows your professionalism. To work with other professionals, you must be a professional yourself. 2. Don't allow papers to run around "loose" in your car. They will get damaged or torn. If you are carrying around brochures, your image will be based on whether your paperwork is neat and tidy or whether your paperwork has corners that have been turned down and torn. And remember...you paid good money for those brochures - having to throw them away would not be a good ROI. Again, keep everything within your Portable Portfolio or File Box in your car.
What does your filing cabinet look like? Are you one of the few people who doesn't spend 55 minutes a week looking for that ONE piece of paper? Good for You because typically every person wastes 2 hours a year looking for paperwork. It is National Organize Your Files Week so let's take a look at how you can get your files organized! First - Sort through your paperwork and put it all into categories. Some of your categories may be bills (which could be broken down into credit cards, household expenses and medical bills). They may also be bank statements, newsletters, and general correspondence (that needs your attention). Second - If you haven't filed for a while this may seem like a daunting task but don't give up. Gather your paperwork a handful at a time and use a large space for your sorting. This is one of the few times that I would recommend using a flat surface for pile management!!! Third - Don't get too detailed as you do your initial sorting. Make this sort short and quick. You will get detailed later. Fourth - If you have mail that you haven't opened yet, take a minute to open it and take out all of the advertisements that are included in with your bills. (There isn't a reason to add all of that unnecessary paperwork to your piles).
Our daily routine has made it difficult to stay organized on a regular basis. 25 years ago, life just breezed along. I remember how life seemed so simple and how much we enjoyed spending time with the children on weekends. We used to spend family time crabbing for our dinner. Life just seemed to flow along without stress and chaos. Well, that isn't the way that things are today. Technology has made it more difficult to keep up with everything that is happening. We feel the need to be "connected" 24 hours a day. The term instant messaging took control of our lives. There is the constant need to immediately respond to everyone and everything that is happening. I have to say that it is very frustrating to me (and quite honestly, rude) to work with someone who is constantly checking email and texting on their phone. As a Professional Organizer, I know that there are things that you can do to help you organize your day so that you don't have to feel the need to be "connected" constantly. First - Relieve your anxiety. Know exactly what you "have" to do every day. What needs to be done in order for you to: be accountable to your job and family; what appointments do you have scheduled; what paperwork needs to be completed; which bills need to be paid. You get the idea. Knowing exactly what you need to get done is crucial to ensuring that you keep your day organized. Second - Schedule a time to disconnect yourself from your cell phone, tablet and computer for a while every day. Continually checking all of your electronic gadgets actually causes stress - which doesn't help keep you organized. It actually causes disorganization because it is a distraction from what you really need to be attending to. Turn off all of your alarms, dings, bells and whistles that tell you that you have incoming mail too. Talk about distracting!! Third - Develop a system for handling every part of your home and office. Have a process to handle your incoming and outgoing mail. Schedule out what day (and even the time of the day) that you do specific tasks. I remember growing up - my mom had a schedule for every part of the household duties. It seemed really mundane at the time, even boring. But I know that having a day assigned to your regular routines will help you get organized and stay organized.
 Telecommuting can turn an ok "J.O.B." into your dream "J.O.B." Sleeping in just a little longer, making the short walk to the office and the money you will save on gas can make working at home seem very enticing. You can actually take a quick break and do something around the house, rather than hanging out in the water cooler. What a home office needs to be functional is a good work space to be functional. Your setup should be easy to maintain and free from distractions. This means identifying a space that is designated just for work, without a television. Some things to consider are: have a comfy chair that allows you to work without causing stress on your back and neck, there should also be good lighting that won't cause a strain on your eyes. Since a messy pile of unfiled paperwork can definitely be a stressful distraction, create a workable and maintainable filing system. It should be simple. Have a clearly defined set of drawers for your files (there are many options available now). If your space is limited, consider making your files mobile - using a file cart that can be tucked away at the end of the day may be an option. Keep only those things on your desk that you need to deal with - everything else should have an assigned home where it can be found quickly and easily--so that it can be found when it is needed. Your physical and electronic files should mimic each other. Use the same systematic method to set-up each system. This will help keep you organized and save time from searching for files when you need them. Nothing will waste more time of your day than searching for your files. There are a ton of desktop office accessories available. Keep the basic items on your desk. A staples, pens and pencils, sticky notes and a pad of paper to take notes. Be selective when you think about what you should put on your desk. This is valuable real estate that you will need to be functional. If your desk space is limited, consider file boxes that can be attached to the wall. These can be used to sort paperwork and a short-term holding bin for weekly To Do Lists. If your home office is also your work office designate a separate space for your home and office files. One solution is to divide a file drawer (if you are using a lateral file system) or designate specific file drawers if you are using a traditional file cabinet. If you are using a lateral file cabinet it can also be used to hold your In box and To Do List. A graduated vertical filing system can also be kept on top of the lateral file cabinet to hold those files that you need handy - but not necessarily on top of your desk. And, they can also hold thicker files easily too. Also, have a specific place to identify your mail. This is, of course, after you have eliminated all junk mail.
As we approached the deadline to file taxes for 2011 I have been hearing more and more questions about how to organize receipts that are eligible for a write-off. As a small business owner (and even homeowners), there are items that we purchase while we are at Staples, Home Depot, Office Depot and even Wal-Mart and Target that are eligible for a tax write-off and it is important that we have a system to document these receipts and keep them organized. Too many times the receipts find their way into the bottom of a purse, pockets, stuck in a checkbook, tossed onto the front seat of your car or even the trash - accidentally, of course. Here is a simple suggestion that I shared at speaking engagements last week - so I thought I would share them with you to help you keep your receipts organized. 1. Use a simple coupon holder that you can carry in your purse or in the glove compartment of your car. Instead of storing your coupons in it, however, identify each section for a month of the year. Coupon holders usually have 13 sections available so this works perfectly. Make it a habit to store every receipt into your coupon holder. 2. At the end of every month - of even at the middle of the next month: remove the receipts, scan those that need to be kept for tax purposes and eliminate (or shred) the rest of the receipts. 3. Using the coupon holder for receipts also helps keep receipts handy and available - should you need to return an item for any reason. You will save time and energy looking for the receipt in order to return your item. I also have a simple tax file that I use to hold all of my papers that need to be set aside for tax purposes, such as our property tax information, quarterly church donations, school donations, etc. It is not broken down into categories. Throughout the year I am constantly placing paperwork into this file. Since I am not a "type A" personality, I am satisfied with knowing where I can find all of my tax paperwork. Of course, if this isn't your personality, you can (and should) set it up in a manner that makes sense to you.
This Article was contributed by Melanie Yost, LCSW. Author, Speaker and Business Mentor Time Management is an oxymoron. I've always said that we can't manage time...we are in charge of what, when and how we use our time every day. Distractions are unavoidable, and how we gather ourselves up from the dust and continue onto the next obstacle will dictate our progress. My good friend, mentor and business coach just wrote this article yesterday and I just had to share her words of wisdom. Time management is a hot topic! There are all kinds of tools, techniques and trainings to help you take control and manage your time. The funny thing is, I really don't believe that you can manage time. Albert Einstein proved with his theory of relativity that time as we think of it doesn't really exist and that we have the ability to expand or contract our perception of time with where we focus our thoughts and energy.
So, instead of talking about time management to help us be more productive, I think the real issues are actually self management and schedule management.
When you are a business owner, you are the one who establishes priorities, determines deadlines and sets your schedule. Because you have to wear so many hats every day, it is very easy to become distracted by the people, tasks and priorities competing for your attention. In order to be productive and feel accomplished at the end of the day, you need to exercise some self management and schedule management strategies.
Identify your time wasters. What are the things you do that eat up a lot of your time? For the next week, carry a note book around and keep track of everything you do and how much time you spend doing it during your work day. This will only work if you are willing to be really honest with yourself.
Remove distractions. Once you have identified your time wasters, eliminate them from your work day. If there are things that are necessary to your business but end up eating up a lot of your time (social media, email), then plan them into your schedule for specific amounts of time and use a timer to indicate it's time to move on. During times when you really need to focus on a task, turn off your email, silence your phone and text alerts and close out your social media pages. Know what works best for your personality. Are you someone who needs large chunks of time to complete projects and tasks all at once or do you do better breaking the project into bite sized chunks and completing it in multiple small increments of time? I personally do better with large chunks of time so I can really focus on a task or project. When I am transitioning between tasks, I can end up getting distracted and wasting a lot of time. Other people get overwhelmed with too much time and allow themselves to be distracted because they think they have plenty of time and end feeling frustrated and non-productive.
Cluster your activities. This is a tactic I have used for many years to manage my schedule. Because I know I waste a lot of time during transitions, I group similar activities together. When I have phone appointments, I do my best to schedule them around each other. On days when I have a meeting or appointment out of the office, I schedule all my other out of office meetings on that day if possible. As much as possible, I schedule meetings and appointments back to back. I always leave one day a week with no scheduled appointments so that I can take care of the creative and administrative tasks of my business (newsletter, copy writing, content creation, marketing strategies).
Make a list of tasks you need to complete during the week and plan them into your schedule. I still keep a paper schedule (yes, I'm old fashioned) so after I have clustered my appointments and meetings, I estimate how much time my creative and administrative tasks are going to take me and I write them into my schedule. If you find yourself spending hours managing your email, schedule time to check it twice a day for ½ hour each time. When the time allotted for the task is over, move on to the next task.
Schedule mini breaks into your day so that you can refocus and re-energize. Every 90 minutes, take a 10 minute break to stretch, get some tea, step outside, get a snack . . . whatever it takes to refresh yourself.
By managing myself and my schedule in these ways, I was able to build my coaching business from the ground up while running my full time therapy practice and being a hands-on mom to my young daughter. I would love to hear what you are able to accomplish with using these tools and techniques. Linda Clevenger, Speaker and Professional Organizer Organization Direct www.organizationdirect.com
What is Your Red Light? Do you have goals that you are striving to reach for 2012? As we finish up the first quarter, take a look at where what goals you have reached this year. Personally, I have completed 2 Goals. One was to take a 10 day vacation....done! The other was to hire my business coach/mentor, Melanie Yost....done too! And what a difference it has made. I knew that working with the right coach would help me launch my business all over again...but I never would have thought that taking a vacation would be "good" for business. What a surprise! (This was our first "real" family vacation in 9 years!) What is your red light that keeps you from reaching your goals? My personal red light was having to get over myself. I needed the expertise of an outside source who could help me see the much bigger picture. Drawing from the insight, expertise and experience from a business coach and mentor has allowed me to see the big picture of where and how I can help businesses with their organizing needs. When your focus can become crystal clear, obstacles seem to just disappear. Giving yourself the green light to: move forward, make decisions (that are right for your business), have a direct line that will allow you take the next step - then another step, and another.... is the best feeling ever! With the first quarter of 2012 history, think of how you can adjust and overcome obstacles for the rest of the year. Here are some suggestions that may help:
I wanted to write about this topic because I am working with more and more people who are "left behind" to handle the paper clutter after a loss. Typically it is because of a divorce or death of a parent, spouse, aunt or uncle. The person who has left the paperwork behind just didn't have the desire or energy to handle the paperwork and now my clients aren't at the age where they really "feel" like wanting to deal with it all either. They have their own families to think about, their own schedules that are already being stretched and finding the time to handle a mish-mash of paperwork is daunting. Being left behind is painful and stressful - having to deal with all of the paperwork can sometimes seem like too big of a task to handle, and it can even cause resentment. There are some easy things that can be done to ease the burden of the person "left behind". 1. Make sure that important documents are placed in a secure box, i.e. Will, Living Will, Life Insurance Policies, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and other important Court documents, including the Deed to the Home and any other pertinent home information. The key thing to remember is that these items are in a fire-proof box. The other piece to this is to have a good and reliable friend or relative know the location of the key to the security box. Don't keep both keys in the same location - keep one off-site. 2. Document the items in the home. Use a Home Inventory System to document anything that you feel is valuable and/or sentimental. This also includes taking a picture of everything that you know (or feel) is of value. It is easier to keep emotions in check when you have the documentation needed to prove the value of an item - or that an item existed. 3. Scan all of your important documents. I recommend scanning Life Insurance Policies - at least the Structure Page that states the value of the Policy, the beneficiary, the Policy Number and who to contact - when you need to reach a Company or Agent. You can use this as a backup, should something happen to the security box. After the items are scanned, save them on a flash drive or CD that is stored at an outside location. A bank safety deposit box would be the most logical location, but if that isn't possible, have a responsible and reliable friend or relative lock the flash drive in their home or office. And remember, if you chose your Inventory List onto a CD, a CD is not necessarily safe in a fire-proof safety box. Extreme heat can still melt the CD that is inside of the box. Protect your CD's in another way such as a Bank Safety Deposit Box. Being left behind is stressful. Having all of your paperwork and documentation in order can make the process of dealing with the process so much easier. It can also save you money when you can hand organized paperwork over to an attorney to begin the Probate process.
Don't Give Up on Yourself Well, we are 10 weeks into the year and how are you feeling about your goals for this year? Have you given up already or are you feeling regenerated about how much you have achieved? Remember that the goals that you made at the beginning of the year may have already changed. And if getting yourself, your life or your business organized was one of your goals events may have occurred that took you off track - just a little. Don't be discouraged. That is the great thing about goals, they can always be readjusted, reworked and reset. The only person getting in the way of you reaching your goals is you! The key to reaching goals is consistency in your reality and persistency in your pursuit. If you are like me, obstacles have already presented themselves. Things just came up last week that tried to refocus my concentration from what is important. And it wasn't just one thing but, as Murphy's Law would suggest, there were 3 things back to back that required my attention and in a really short period of time too.
To some, it is everything perfectly placed throughout your office and/or home. It looks just like a magazine cover. Perfect, in every way! But is this your reality....it's definitely not mine. I remember, many years ago, I took a girlfriend trip down to North Carolina to do some furniture shopping. (It was actually just an excuse to get away from our husbands and children for a few days). My friend had a long-time friend who lived in the area and she invited us to stay with her so that we could make it an overnight trip. What fun....shopping, relaxing and no one to worry about but myself for a change. "Real girlfriend time". Well, this friend had an absolutely beautiful home. Everything was perfectly placed. Including the toiletry items that were placed in my "private" bathroom. It was better than any hotel I had ever stayed in before. It was absolutely Beautiful...but so darn scary at the same time that I was afraid to touch anything. I remember crawling under the sheets and folding my arms on top of the covers to sleep. I woke up in the exact same position 6 hours later because I was too scared to move around on the bed and even wrinkle the sheets. Everything was too perfect! It was the most miserable night's sleep ever! At Organization Direct we believe that yes, neatness and tidiness all have a part of things being organized in your home and office. However.....being comfortable and productive does not require you to be uncomfortable in your space. After all, last time I checked, we do "work" in our home office and "live" in our home. There may be times that paperwork is still in your "in box" or you have a project spread out across the desk. There is one major key to keeping everything organized - Systems - have a system that you can utilize on a daily basis to keep your paperwork, space, projects and lists organized. At the end of the day you need to know where and how you are going to wrap up your paperwork, be prepared to dive right into the project tomorrow and not waste time with do-overs tomorrow. Two of the most important systems should be your: Mail System and a Filing System
The more we work with home office clients, the more we enjoy hearing their success stories. None of them had a realistic or valid reason that they weren't organized. Their excuses were: not enough time, they felt too overwhelmed to begin the process, they were actually afraid to begin the process and last, they just really didn't have a legitimate reason...just because. Let's check out the excuses: Not enough time. Well, this is just silly! Organizing your home office is one of the best investments that you can make in yourself and after reading this article you still find that you are wanting to get organized but don't have the time, consider hiring a Professional Organizer in your area. This will cut the time in less than half and you will have a fresh set of eyes that will help you not just start the process, but complete the process. Realistically, a lot of business just don't knowso the amount of time that it will take them to become organized becomes greater and greater as the months and years go by. In order to begin the process, block out the time on your calendar - it can be as little as 30 minutes a day. You can easily accomplish this by adding an the extra time in the beginning or end of your day. Remember, it won't be forever! Just until you are organized! Too overwhelmed to begin the process. What I will say is...stop your procrastinating now. When your office is organized your give yourself permission to grow your business. One recent client's comments about her feelings after getting organized were: "Mentally freed", "More efficient" and "My bank account looks beautiful". She knew that her organizing style was simple and easy and we were able to find ways to allow her to organize not just her home office but also her portable office. The result is - No More Overwhelm.
What was your biggest stress factor when it came to filing your 2011 Taxes? Was it how your paperwork was filed? No matter whether you are filing physical papers or computer paperwork, it is important that you have a system that is easy for you to work in. Organizing your paperwork is not rocket science and I have found that most businesses make it much more complicated than it needs to be. Before the first quarter of 2012 passes you by, make sure that you fine-tune your paperwork filing system and avoid the chaos and stress of years past. Here are some quick and easy tools that can save you time: First - Go through your files and purge, purge, purge! Really, if you haven't used it in years - get rid of it. (Except your tax paperwork if you are a business owner). Second - Look at what area caused you the most stress and how you can fix your problem. Your solution doesn't have to be complicated and have a ton of steps involved. Keep your solution simple to ensure success. Third - Take a second look at your filing system and find the missing piece or pieces that keep you from being totally organized.
One of my Major Challenge as a Home-Based Business  You live it, so do I! You left your 9-5 daily grind because your schedule is packed with work, school, family, activities, business and appointments. You wanted more freedom and flexibility. You have the talent, education, experience and passion so you start your own business. You are rolling along, business is growing and then something totally unexpected comes up and you Have to find time for it. How will you fit it into your schedule? I'm sharing my personal story with you. A medical issue has surfaced and I was told that I would need physical therapy (2-3 times a week for at least 1 hour each time). Each appointment - besides the hour - will also require an hour of travel time from my schedule. My calendar is already tight - where will I find an additional 4-6 hours a week? Will I just freak out about the situation and allow myself to shut down totally? I didn't do either. I didn't realize it back then but 7 years ago, the time wasn't such an issue - because I was still working in Corporate America. And, I could take my sick time, vacation time, personal time - or just work a little extra during the week to make sure that I could make my appointments. No problem. It is an easy adjustment. But having your own home-based business makes it a bit more challenging. It can easily become a stressful situation. Trying to fit your schedule around the doctor's schedule is crazy enough but what I have found is that the "9-5ers" office staff aren't very understanding that we have appointments on our calendar too and that we aren't just available when it is the most convenient for them.
Road Map Your Systems February...already, really? Getting your act together in 2012 and organizing your office was a promise that you made to yourself. You know that there are so many opportunities that you are missing, clients that you are losing and sleep that you are depriving yourself of just because you are wasting too much time in your office. The reason you haven't started making a change is??? Everything that we do is a process. It is like the old saying: "Putting the cart before the Horse". When you try to do the 3rd step of a process before the first and second, you end up spending (and wasting time). Think about the process that you use when you brush your teeth, and get ready for work in the morning. We do it every morning with our children, right? Why not have specific processes that we follow in the home office. Road Mapping your systems and processes will help you fine-tune your processes and allow you to get more done - in less time. Let's look at three parts of your business that can be more productive by having a Road Map.
Papers, Papers Everywhere!  It's time for you to gather everything that you need to either do your taxes yourself or hand them over to your Bookkeeper and/or CPA to make it happen for you. Does just the thought of this stress you out? In these times, you want to be sure that you have counted every legitimate deduction possible. This can mean bits and pieces of paper that could be found in places such as: the desk drawer, a mirage of file folders, some of them may be found on the computer or maybe they are even on the kitchen table stacked in one of those never-ending piles. Developing a system to track your paperwork is even more important in 2012. If you are getting a lot of your papers emailed to you...Great! However, a computer is just a filing system too! Papers can get just as lost in your computer as they can on the desk of your home office. The job of quickly and easily finding paperwork requires a system that is simple and flexible. Is this possible? Absolutely! Of course, managing your paperwork is all about having a system to do it! There are several things that need to be considered whether you are filing on the computer or filing paperwork:
It's that time of year again! No, not the post-holiday doldrums, but time to clean out the house to make room for everything Santa brought! Every year we do a mass toy cleanout and donate the items. The rules for cleaning out toys are very similar to the rules you apply when cleaning out your closet: Does it fit (is it age-appropriate)? Is it in good shape? Do you still use it? Does it fit? If you are holding on to baby toys or an exersaucer because you really think you might need it again in the near future, sure, keep it. But if your baby days are done, it is time to let go. If your child outgrew his Thomas trains years ago and you are reluctant to donate them, try selling them on eBay or Craiglist. Take a look around and if your kids haven't played with something in the past year, sell or donate. If you plan to sell on Craigslist read this article for tips http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/03/guest-post-successfully-selling-on-craigslist.html. Is it in good shape? If you have puzzles missing pieces or broken robots, it may be time to toss them, but try Freecyling them first. http://www.freecycle.org/ is a free online community where people offer unwanted items to keep them out of the landfill. It is not needs-based, and you can choose who you give the items to. Crafters often use broken toys and puzzle pieces, so before you toss, try to find a taker! Do not donate items to charity that are broken or missing pieces, that is a big no-no and the IRS only allows a deduction for items in good condition. You can also ask for items on Freecycle! If you have toys in good condition to donate, check out these articles http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-37043554/old-toys-4-tips-when-donating-them-to-charity/ and http://www.ehow.com/how_2042415_donate-childrens-toys.html for some donation tips. Do you still use it?
What is Your "P" that keeps you focused? It's now three weeks into your "P"romise to yourself to make a change in 2012. You may be doing ok with your goal to do whatever you have decided to change. You may not. So I thought I'd share with you these five "P's" to help rejuvenate you into achieving your goals. Passion -- How bad do you want it? Is that space driving you crazy enough to begin the process to get it organized , or, are you willing to be satisfied to live with it just the way that it is? You've got to want the goal badly enough to see results. Don't get discouraged - recharge your passion to change. Persistence -- Nothing happens until something happens! And sometimes, it takes longer than expected so don't give up. Something will step in the way of your progress, get back on the horse and try again, and again if needed. If you give up...nothing will change.
 We are two weeks into the long list of New Year Resolutions that we planned to keep. Truth be told, in my mind, a Resolution is a habit that we are committing ourselves to change. And change is hard! There are always things that we can improve on - in our life and business - and a New Year just seems the logical date and time to make a change. But, with everything else that we change - resolutions don't work unless we commit ourselves to changing a habit. The habits of choice are: exercise, organizing and to quit smoking. As we finish the first 2 weeks of 2012 - Don't Give Up! Let's re-evaluate your New Year Resolutions and Goals. First - Don't expect that you should have reached your goal 100% already. Developing habits takes time. If habits were quick and easy resolutions not be a concern. Second - Every goal takes multiple steps to accomplish. No matter how small, there is usually a list of things that have to happen in order to reach your goal. Think about it...everything that we do takes multiple steps. Keep it simple and specific. Just the simple act of brushing your teeth requires at least 6 steps (pick up the toothbrush, unscrew the cap of the toothpaste, put the toothpaste onto your toothbrush, brush your teeth, rinse the toothbrush, rinse your mouth and then put the cap back onto the toothpaste). It just comes natural to you because you have been doing it the same way...forever. Think about what individual steps you can take to help you achieve your goals and habits for 2012.
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