Get Organized: My Note Wall

I don't know about you, but I use sticky notes like crazy! If I need to remind myself to take out the trash, I put a sticky note on the bathroom mirror so that I see it first thing in the morning. If I need to make an important call, I put a sticky on my computer screen so that I can't miss the reminder. I use sticky notes at least 10 times a day to help me manage my time and "to dos."

Needless to say, when I ran across the website My Note Wall, I got really excited. My Note Wall allows you to create your own page of cyberspace stickies. Here's a screen capture of my very own note wall to show you what I mean:


So instead of notes all over my desk, I can clear the clutter and store all the notes on my desktop. Within each virtual sticky, I can log details about the task as well as resources that I might need to complete the task. Plus, I can delete, add, or edit a note at any time.

The basic account - which is FREE - permits only a limited number of notes, but it can be upgraded to a premium account with unlimited notes for just $2 a month. Cheap, easy, and it helps me get organized?! Ah....if only everything were this fabulous! :) Continue Entry»

Get Organized: A Daily Dose of Motivation

Zig Ziglar is somewhat of an American institution, still wow-ing people today with his motivational messages at 81 years old. He once explained, “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.”

Isn’t that human nature right on the nose? Motivation dies off. It may be a quick death for some, a slow death for others…but eventually the newness of it all goes away.

When I was 8 years old, I desperately wanted to learn how to play the piano. I begged my parents for months until they caved, but only if I would agree to their terms: if they bought me a piano, then I must play it for 5 years.

Easy enough, I thought, my motivation high. I wanna play the piano! 5 years is nothin’.

The beautiful piano arrived, and I started lessons. My teacher informed me that I would need to practice everyday between each meeting.

Every day! No one told me that I would have to do this, I thought, my motivation waning.

At that point, the piano had graced my presence for less than 5 days. (For me, motivation often has a quick death!) 5 years was going to be a really looooooong time!

But my parents owned up to their part of the contract, so I had to own up to mine. There were a lot of days during those 5 years that I had to force myself to sit down on the piano bench and lift my fingers to the keys. There were many things that I would have preferred over practicing the piano – watching a movie, talking on the phone, playing outside with my friends – but piano had to take precedence.

I imagine that some of you have had a similar experience with getting organized. Perhaps you made a resolution to get organized this year, but since the beginning of January, your motivation has been on a downward spiral. Or maybe you have already abandoned hope of getting organized at all.

If you made the decision to get organized, it was obviously important enough for you to use brain bytes on the process. So I encourage you to have another go at it. Re-energize your motivation! And whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up over the fact that you lost focus; it happens to all of us.

And as you start back on your journey to getting organized, follow Zig’s advice: don’t forget to take the recommended daily dose of motivation along the way!


© 2008 Clutterbugs, LLC - offering solutions for the organizationally challenged!
Note: Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office Online. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Packing for a Trip

If you were in high school circa 1992 like me, then you must remember watching Anderson Cooper on Channel 1 news. At the time, I was less interested in world affairs and more interested in what I was going to do on Friday nights. But I have changed my perspective a bit since then, and I really enjoy watching Anderson Cooper 360° each night on CNN.

In my opinion, Cooper always seems a very together person. So I was surprised to run across this quote, which came out of an interview about traveling.

“Well, it is funny…I get pulled over by security for some reason about every time I fly. And I'm inevitably embarrassed, because the guy opens up the bag, and I have to explain to him, like, I'm messy, I'm sorry.”

I never imagined A.C. as being messy!

But packing for a trip can be a real monster of a task, even if your life is not as hectic as that of an Emmy award-winning reporter - there are a lot of things to remember!

If you find that you have problems getting organized for travel, then take a look at the Clutterbugs checklist “Packing for a Trip.” You will find it on the Get Organized! Checklists and Worksheets web page. It’ll help you have a stress-free, mess-free packing experience!


Notes: Anderson Cooper's quote is from CNN Saturday Morning News, August 2002. Graphic courtesy of Microsoft Office Online. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?

At some point, you’ve probably seen Peter Walsh on Oprah or on TLC’s Clean Sweep.

Prior to becoming a professional organizer, I assumed he was popular in the US because his Australian accent set him apart. It seemed to me as if all organizers said the same kind of stuff, but his Aussie accent made his advice sound so much more amazing than everybody else’s!

After settling on a career as a professional organizer, I really started to pay attention to philosophies promoted by different organizers. It was then that I realized that Peter Walsh had more going for his ideas than his accent.

His latest book is called Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat: An Easy Plan for Consuming Less and Living More. Here’s a short description:

“When it comes to clearing clutter, it isn't about the stuff itself; it's about the life you want to live…

Using his expert techniques honed from years as a clutter expert and organizational consultant, Peter demonstrates…how to clean up not just the spaces…but the routines around them…

Peter knows all the pitfalls and in Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?, he gives you the tools (and courage) you need to get over all your excuses, [and] face the issues…”

I have read Peter Walsh's other two books, and I’m expecting Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? to be just a good – if not better. It is set to be released on February 1st.

Until then, I encourage you all to cut back on your clutter calories. Just do one small task that lessens the amount of excess in your life! Here are 15 ideas off the top of my head…

Delete a few unnecessary emails from your inbox
Throw out an old pair of socks
Trash an expired item from your fridge
Remove one item from the kitchen counter that hasn’t been used in 1+ month
Toss a handful of out-of-date coupons
Pick up the clothes off the bedroom floor
File a document or two
Take out the trash
Donate an item to charity
Remove an old reminder from the family bulletin board
Pick up the trash in your car
Transfer a floating address on a sticky to your address book
Clean out your purse
Wash the dishes in the sink
Pick up the shoes at your front door and return them to the closet

Remember: January is National Get Organized Month. And it’s never too little or too late to start! How are you cutting back on clutter calories?


Notes: Book description courtesy of its publisher Simon and Schuster. Photo courtesy of Amazon.com. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Clip-Tabs

I spent 4 of the last 6 years living outside of the good ole US of A. There were a lot of different TV shows, movies, toys, gadgets, fads, and changes that affected American culture during that time that I just missed altogether. So once I returned stateside, I felt like I had been stuck in a time warp, always surprised by the "things that happened while I was away."

Even now, a year after my return, I am still catching up. I walked into Subway yesterday to get myself a sandwich and redeem my "buy 8, get one free" card which I had built up during my last year in Europe and had been saving for the right moment. But when I got to the register, the cashier deflated all my hopes by telling me that Subway hasn't accepted those cards in "forever." (Yes, that was the exact word she used.)

My introduction to Clip-Tabs was another one of these experiences, although it's still a fairly new product so I wasn't quite as behind on this one. Clip-Tabs are a hybrid of sticky notes and European-style paper clips. They are really versatile, so you can use them in many different ways to help you stay organized! I mostly use my Clip-Tabs as bookmarks and file markers. Or also as attention grabbers -- Clip-Tabs work really well if I need a document to catch my eye and remind me to do a task.

The product page for Clip-Tabs does a great job of describing all its benefits and features. And if you are interested in purchasing some handy Clip-Tabs to help you get organized, then you can find them at your local Office Max, Office Depot, or Staples.


Note: Photo courtesy of cliprite.com. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Real Simple Magazine Online

I love the magazine Real Simple. I was first introduced to it several years ago when I received a year-long subscription as a gift, and I have been a fan ever since!

Of course, my feelings for Real Simple extend toward its online version as well...

Real Simple online has an entire section on home and organization, to include info on organizing strategies, organizing each room of your home, and featured products to help you get organized.

If their freebie website information leaves you hungry for more, you can request a free trial issue (a few minor restrictions apply), or you can request a 12-month subscription for about 24 bucks. A subscription comes with a free gift that benefits organizing junkies and clutterbugs alike - it's called Real Simple Solutions: Getting Organized.


Note: Photo courtesy of Real Simple magazine online. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: It's Always Your Choice

The other day, one of my friends asked me what I remembered most about going through boot camp. What a loaded question!

There are too many things I remember about boot camp and most of them unpleasant. Running in combat boots. Getting yelled at. Doing push ups until I collapsed. Getting yelled at. Woken up in the middle of the night for inspections. Getting yelled at some more.

The worst of all for me...having 30 seconds to take a shower. What girl can take a 30-second shower? It takes me that long just to get in the shower!

I recall thinking at one point, Why am I putting up with 6 weeks of this? While all my friends were enjoying summer vacations, I was being subjected to unwanted rules, impossible orders, minimal sleep, nasty food, physical fitness ad nauseam - all topped off with copious amounts of shouting.

But then I remembered how much I wanted to be in the military and serve my country, and I realized that 6 weeks of training would only make me a stronger, better soldier. The end justifies the means, if you will. And I could be miserable during the whole ordeal or I could make the most of it...it was totally up to me!

I realize that for some of you out there, organizing may be just about as fun as boot camp. But in this day in age, when life's demands are ever-increasing, you can't afford not to be organized!

Wayne Dyer once said, “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.”

Isn't that so true? I could have been miserable through boot camp, but instead I tried to motivate myself as much as possible, keeping the end in sight.

The same goes for organizing. If you know you have to get organized, you can choose to procrastinate...and your disorganization will just cause you more frustration. Or you can choose to get motivated, get organized, and truly know the freedom that comes with it. It's always your choice...


© 2008 Clutterbugs, LLC - offering solutions for the organizationally challenged!
Note: Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office Online.
Continue Entry»

Get Organized: How to Organize a Closet

Does your closet look like the one in this photo? Wouldn't you rather it be organized?

Normally when you find an instructional on how to organize a closet, it's combined with a bunch of other “how to organize” topics in a big book. So you receive only a little information on a lot of organizing tasks. If you really want a detailed description on how to organize a closet...well, you’re simply not going to find what you're looking for!

I like to take a different approach to my writing as a professional organizer. For example, when I work with a client, we don't de-clutter their entire house at once...we break it down into smaller projects. I bring that very same philosophy to my written work, and I designed the entire Operation Organize series around this concept - conquer the clutter one area at a time!

Each guidebook in the Operation Organize series focuses on how to organize one thing and one thing only from start to finish. Unlike its competitors, Operation Organize: The Adult Closet will give you over 50 pages of information on how to organize a closet, not just a measly little checklist!

The benefits of using Operation Organize:

- Have more time and energy. Instead of scurrying to find matching socks or ironing out wrinkles, you can be enjoying other things such as a healthy breakfast or more quality time with your family. (Or if you're are like me, you can sleep a few minutes longer!)

- Save money. When you have a dedicated spot to hold your clothing and accessories, you won't waste cash on replacing lost or damaged items due to improper storage.

One of the most popular features in Operation Organize is space-saving folding techniques for the 9 most common clothing categories. But there are many other helpful ideas inside, including the six steps necessary to organize a closet, help identifying your problem areas, and recommended closet organizers...plus many more! And these are all techniques that I personally teach my clients.

Read more about Operation Organize: The Adult Closet.

For a free excerpt of Operation Organize: The Adult Closet, you can request a FREE Get Organized! Tip Kit here.


© 2008 Clutterbugs, LLC - offering solutions for the organizationally challenged! Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Living in Small Spaces

When my mom showed me the picture to the right, I laughed and thought it was some kind of Southern redneck joke. But after reading the article that went with the photo, I was quickly put in my place!

This home is one of the tiny houses associated with the Small House Movement. This movement has a growing number of supporters, including movie stars who have proudly downsized into 3000 sq. ft. to people on houseboats or in trailers with just a few hundred sq. ft. around them. Size is relative to the Small House Movement; the main concern of its members is the ecological, economic and psychological toll that excessive housing takes on our lives.

The founders of the Small House Movement strongly state that its not a movement about people claiming to be "tinier than thou" but rather people making their own choices toward simpler and smaller living, however they feel it best fits their life.

There are many benefits of living in smaller spaces, such as owning fewer possessions, consuming less, and having lower utility bills. (Score 1 for squashing the clutterbug!)

I must say that I give these people some major props. I personally don't have the same amount of dedication as the men and women of the Small House Movement, especially the ones who live in 100 sq. ft. or less. I'm a fanatic when it comes to downsizing and organizing, but I do love my stuff! What about you - could you live in a tiny house like the one in the picture?


Note: Information and photo courtesy of the Small House Society.
Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Self Magazine's 30-Day Challenge

Self magazine online has several One-Month Makeovers, such as "Do Good, Feel Great" and "The SELF Jump Start Diet." There is also one called "In 30 Days, You Can Get Organized" - so in honor of National Get Organized Month and in the spirit of New Year's Resolutions, I decided to give it a try!

There are a few steps involved...

Step 1: Create an online account at Self.com.

Step 2: Log on to Self.com each day for a new organizing tip.

Step 3: Every day during the 30-day period, check off the organizing tips you complete, rate and comment on tips provided, and view how other users felt about the tips. You can also monitor how well you're doing overall on your own personal calendar.

Bonus: You'll automatically be entered to win a getaway for 2 to La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California.

So if your organizing efforts need a little boost, then take the challenge! And in 30 days, you will be more organized...and if you're really lucky, you'll be on your way to sunny Cali. Now that is what I call an incentive! Continue Entry»

Get Organized: The Urge to Purge

My husband and I just got married last July. Since both of us were in our late 20s, we had each acquired an entire household of stuff since college...so we had two of everything! After the wedding, I took on the job of purging and consolidating our things. I set a goal to have everything streamlined and organized within one year.

While that may seem like a long time, I like to set realistic deadlines. I knew that starting a business would fill up the majority of my schedule, and what free moments I actually would have...well, I didn't want to spend them all organizing! :) I normally devote a few hours a month to weeding through an area, deciding what to keep/toss, organizing the keepers, and boxing up the rest for charity. At this rate, a year suits me just fine!

Because of this whole process, I created a worksheet called "Purging Unwanted Items" - it helps me to keep everything on track. I can log what I want to throw out, give away, sell, or return.

-- When I call it quits for one day, I don't have to worry about picking things back up the next time around...I always remember my stopping and starting points!

-- When I need to itemize donations for a tax write-off, I have everything listed for quick and easy reference.

-- If any of the "toss" items require a special disposal method or recycling, the worksheet reminds me to schedule a time on my calendar to take care of it.

-- If I think that I can sell an item, then I simply jot down a note on the worksheet to tackle that task as soon as possible.

-- When an item either belongs in another room of my house or to another person, I have a written reminder to return it to the proper place or person.

If you are purging things from your home, feel free to use the "Purging Unwanted Items" worksheet to help you out! You will find it (+ instructions) on the Get Organized! Checklists and Worksheets web page.


© 2008 Clutterbugs, LLC - offering solutions for the organizationally challenged!
Note: Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office Online. Continue Entry»

Get Organized: Making Organization a Priority

Once upon a time, there was a Grasshopper enjoying a beautiful summer day. He was hopping about, chirping and singing to his heart's content. In the middle of the Grasshopper’s delightful afternoon, an Ant passed by, struggling to carry an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?"

"I’m helping to lay up food for winter," said the Ant, "and I recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?!" said the Grasshopper, “It’s such a beautiful day! And we have got plenty of food right now." But the Ant went on his way and continued his toil.

Several months later, a harsh winter fell. The Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while he saw the Ants distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

Many of you have heard of this famed Aesop’s fable, probably from a parent or teacher when you were in kindergarten or elementary school. The wisdom of its lesson applies to several aspects of life, organization being one of them. If there is an area of your life that you need or want to organize, then start working on it immediately! If not, you may find yourself in a situation where you wished that you had made organization a priority.

For example,

- Organize your files at work today, so that tomorrow when your boss calls on you in a crisis, the documents you need are readily at hand.

- Straighten up your car this weekend, so that next week when your crush asks you for a ride, there is no embarrassing mess to explain away.

- De-clutter the extra room this month, so that next month when your little brother unexpectedly needs a place to crash, there is a comfy spot ready.

- Put your estate in order this year, so that an unexpected tragedy in the next year does not leave your family in the lurch.

If you want to begin making organization a priority in your life, then there is no time like the New Year to set and achieve your organizing goals! The New Year always gives each of us the opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to make our lives better than ever before. I don't know about you, but I want to be more organized at the end of 2008 than I was in the beginning!


© 2008 Clutterbugs, LLC - offering solutions for the organizationally challenged! Continue Entry»