Setting Guidelines To Get Organized

When it comes to organizing, it's best to set guidelines for a project - guidelines that will not only help define what you want but also help determine a project's time line and framework.

Don't say: I'll organize my house completely over the next two weeks.

Do say: I want to organize my entire house, but I'll start with the garage. I will give myself 2 weeks to finish it, and then I will move to the bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Why is the 2nd option the best? Because...

(1) There's a reasonable time limit.

You know your limitations better than anyone, and a new organizing project is not the area in which to bite off more than you can chew.

(2) There's a deadline.

It's more likely that you will prioritize with a looming deadline. If it helps, have a friend or a spouse hold you to your goal.

(3) There are baby steps.

I believe Confucius said it best - "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."

For more tips on how to focus, prioritize, and accomplish your organizing objectives, see Goal Setting Strategy.

How do you set guidelines to get organized?

3 Steps To Help Kids Get Organized

Kids will be kids, as the saying goes. Which means it may seem like organizing kids - whether tyke or teen - requires a super-sized miracle!

Here are 3 major factors for parents to consider when trying to help kids get organized:

(1) Set the example.

Kids mirror the behavior of those around them.

That's evident when, one day, you slip up and say *@#%$! and then, the next day, little Johnny says the very same word in front of an audience...and you are mortified.

In the same respect, it's hard to expect your kids to be organized when you aren't organized yourself. So set a good example by keeping your own room tidy.

(2) Straight talk.

Clarify your ground rules and expectations. After all, you can't get upset with them for not straightening up when you have given them little to no guidelines to follow.

Talk to your kids about the 5 Ws - who, what, where, when and why.

Who = You. I expect you to clean up your messes.

What = Your stuff. If you use it, you put it back after you're done.

Where = Your play area and room. That's where you spend most of your time.

When = On your own (ideally), on command, or at a scheduled time of day. When you are done playing, pick up on your own. -OR - Do so when I tell you to pick up - the first time I tell you. -OR - It's 730pm. Ready for Nightly Neaties?

Why = My little helper. You're mommy's/daddy's big helper when you do this...

Of course, you'll have to adjust your speech to the age and responsibility level of each child. Just remember that it's never too early to start organizing kids and instilling the habits of proper organization.

And be sure to reward good behavior!!!

(3) Stick to your guns.

Once you lay the groundwork of the 5 Ws, don't allow your kids an escape route. You've made your rules very clear, and thus they must be strictly enforced. This is a huge foot stomper when it comes to organizing kids!

How do you help your kids get organized?

And The Eco Organizing Awards Go To...

Happy Earth Day! As part of the celebrations, it's time to announce the winners of the Eco Organizing Awards.

Drum roll, please...

(1) Jeri, who nominated Freecycle.org.

Jeri says, "I use my local Freecycle group all the time to find new homes for things: both my own things and my clients' things. The clients are thrilled to see their unused items helping out someone else."

(2) Megan, who nominated reusablebags.com.

In addition to having great products, Megan explains that "I love their e-newsletters...I always seem to read them top to bottom! After finding the site, I realized just how many things ARE reusable..."

Freecycle and Reusablebags are both great resources to help prevent clutter and preserve Mother Earth -- the essence of the Eco Organizing Awards.

Thanks for participating, ladies, and congrats!

You'll each receive an Envirosax reusable shopping bag (example pictured) as your prize. In keeping with the eco organizing spirit, Envirosax help you get organized and stay organized in a "green" way.

Get Organized: N Is For Non-Planner Datebook

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

Look through just about any planner these days, and you'll see the standard stuff. Here's the calendar...here's the address book...here's the list of holidays...

Don't get me wrong - I love the basics just as much as the next. One could argue that they're vital to any good personal organizer.

However, one could also argue that they're boring and unoriginal. If you're on this side of the argument, then you should check out the Non-Planner Datebook.

With its whimsical layout and artwork, the Non-Planner Datebook is anything but dull! It provides a fun way to not only organize for the future but also reflect on the moment.

In essence, the Non-Planner Datebook is for those who like structure - but not too much structure - in their world.

Alice in Wonderland mused "What is the use of a book without pictures or conversations?" Using this philosophy, the Non-Planner Datebook hits a definite home run.

How much? $16.00

Where? Buy online at Little Otsu

Why? In a world where many go with the flow, this organizer goes against it!

Is there anything unconventional about your planner?

A Get Organized Funny: Maxine

Since 1986, Americans have purchased over 220 million Maxine greeting cards. She's the crabby granny that we've all come to love through her sarcastic quips about life. This time, the topic of organizing is in the hot seat...

Note: Image courtesy of Webshots.

Get Organized: M Is For Modern-Twist Pocket Pillow

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

We're so used to home organizers looking like...well, organizers.

The Modern-Twist Pocket Pillow challenges our traditional concept of storage and organization -- what looks like a pillow is really a large pocket for tucking things away.

The Pocket Pillow is inspired by a Japanese anemone box, which is customarily used to hold special family heirlooms.

It's a great fit for any place a pillow can liven things up, such as a couch, a bed, or an entryway bench. Stash small toys, magazines, blankets, gloves, slippers, etc inside...an it's outta sight, outta mind!

How much? Approx. $80 - 85, prices vary according to location

Where? Search for a store near you

Note: I did find a few online stores like Greener Grass Design that carry some of the patterns but not all.

Why? It's a little "twisted"!

What would you store inside a Modern-Twist Pocket Pillow?

Get Organized: L Is For LifeSTYLE File Tote

This post is part of the "Organizers A to Z" series. Cool organizers you could live without, but why would you want to?!

It's true that girls just wanna have fun. It's also true that when the fun stops and we have to go back to work, girls just wanna look good.

But it's hard to look like we've got it all together when we're carrying a kid, a purse, a lunch, and a big stack of teetering papers and files!

That's where the LifeSTYLE File Tote comes into play. It combines the convenience and function of an office file with the elegance of a stylish handbag.

It's the perfect organized accessory for scrap bookers, independent sales consultants, teachers, volunteers, bride-to-be's, and many others!

I'm the happy owner of a LifeSTYLE File Tote, and here's what I love about mine:

(1) It's chic and sophisticated.

LifeSTYLE is an extremely sharp-looking tote, and by carrying it, I present a more polished and professional image.

(2) It's well-constructed.

A file tote will take a lot of abuse during its lifetime -- back and forth to the car, meetings with clients, files being moved around. My biggest concern: it can be pretty all day long, but is it gonna last?

The LifeSTYLE File Tote proves that it's not only a beautiful bag, but it's super sturdy as well.

How much? $45.00

Where? Buy online at Jamie Raquel

Why? It's elegance, function, and design - all wrapped into one!

How could the LifeSTYLE File Tote help you get organized?

Celebrity Confessions: I Need To Get Organized!

Even with outrageously good looks, fancy cars, and lots o' money, these 13 celebrities prove that getting organized can be equally as challenging for a superstar as it can be for you and me...

"I'm very disorganized. It's a great shame for me. The only organizational skills I ever developed involved using a Filofax."
Actress Uma Thurman


"This year, I am determined to conquer the clutter in my house."
Singer Martina McBride


“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.”
CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper

“I'm definitely a messy person... I know where everything is but I just can't organize. I don't make lists and find scripts on the laundry machine, and under my bed, or in the bathroom, kitchen.”
Actress Katie Holmes


“…I'm not very good at cleaning up and doing the homemaker thing."
Singer Gwen Stefani


“I really have to force myself to tidy up around the house. I wish I could do all the things [my Desperate Housewives' character] Bree does.”
Actress Marcia Cross


"Separate bathrooms is always a really great idea. Mine is so messy, I'd absolutely hate for my husband to realize just how incredibly cluttery I can be."
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones


"I think it was fun playing a personal assistant [in Sex and the City: The Movie], but I can't work no computer and I'm not that organized at all."
Actress and Singer Jennifer Hudson


"I'm a slob. I forget things all the time and it really irritates everybody. It irritates Kev [Kevin Bacon] because somehow he remembers it all and my kids do, too. They're like, 'Mom, I told you. Don't you remember?'"
Actress Kyra Sedgwick


"Maybe it's a male thing, but we are like pack rats. There was this shirt from when I was 8, and I was like 'No, I might wear that some day!'"
Actor Joshua Jackson


"I ask my staff never to hand me paper until two seconds before I'll need it because I will lose it."
U.S. President Barack Obama


"I'm not organized, and he [Tony Romo] isn't organized either..."
Singer Jessica Simpson


"I want to be organized this year!"
Actress Shannon Elizabeth

70+ Free Printable Labels To Help You Get Organized

According to U.S. News and World Report, the average American spends 1 year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items at home and in the office.

Yikes!

Perhaps some labels could help?

My latest website Home Organization Online has a *free* label library. There are currently over 70 label templates in 12 style categories: children; hobbies; sports; black and white, florals, patterns; kitchen, bath, laundry; closet and clothing; and more!

Each sheet includes 8 - 10 labels and is in PDF format, which makes for easy printing.

If you need a quick way to create tags for your next organizing project, look no further than the Free Label Templates from Home Organization Online.

Get Organized To Slim Down, Live Longer

It's well-established that getting organized has many benefits, like saving you money and time as well as keeping the stress-o-meter down.

Now, you can add "helps burn calories" and "increases life span" to that list!

According to Prevention's recent feature 14 Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think, if you don't have a housekeeper, you can lower your risk of death by 30%.

How's that?

On average, DIY organizing and cleaning burns up to 285 calories an hour. (That's roughly equivalent to walking for 1 hour at a speed of 3.5 mph.) The extra activity is not only good for your house, it's also good for your ticker.

For more details: 14 Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think

Eco Organizing Awards - You Could Be A Winner!

It's a GOOD day when you do something to get organized. It's a GREAT day when you do something to get organized and preserve Mother Earth at the same time!

That's why Get Organized is proud to kick-off the Eco Organizing Awards. And I sincerely hope that you'll help me celebrate and promote Earth Day 2009!

How can you help celebrate?

Do you like things that help you fight clutter in your home, office, life, or schedule? Do you like to do your part to safeguard our environment?

Nominate your best eco organizing idea, product, or resource -- and you could be a winner. That's it! Easy stuff.

The winners, who will be announced on Earth Day, 22 April, will each receive an Envirosax reusable shopping bag. In keeping with the theme of the Eco Organizing Awards, Envirosax help you stay organized in a "green" way.

How can you help promote?

Blog about the Eco Organizing Awards! Even just a quick mention will spread the word and connect people to earth-friendly organizing solutions. Solutions that'll make their life easier and allow them to give back to nature.

If you'd like a little flair for the cause, copy/paste the code in the box below to add this badge to your blog.


<a href="http://getorganizedtips.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Eco Organizing Awards" src="http://www.organizeclutterbugs.com/images/EcoOrg200.jpg"/></a>

Here are the official contest rules:

*** No purchase required to enter or win ***

1. Purpose:

To connect the public with earth-friendly organizing ideas, products, and other resources.

2. Eligibility:

This contest is open to those people -- of any country or age -- who want to get organized and preserve Mother Earth while doing so.

3. Prize:

Candy Series Envirosax reusable shopping bags (1 of 5 in the series is pictured) are provided by Envirosax, West Burleigh, QLD, 4219, Australia.

4. Sponsors:

Clutterbugs, LLC: http://www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com/
Get Organized Blog: http://GetOrganizedTips.blogspot.com/
Home Organization Online: http://www.Home-Organization-Online.com/

5. Entry Period:

2 April - 21 April 2009

6. Entry/Submission:

Leave a comment below. The comment must include...

(a) Your email address, so that you can be contacted if you are selected as a winner.

(b) Your nomination for an eco organizing idea, product, or other resource.

This can be...
- A "green" product that you've created
- A story about how you got organized in a "green" way
- A "green" product that someone else has created but that you use/like
- A "green" website/company that helps you get organized in some way

Note: If you nominate a product or website that is not your own and your entry is selected as a winner, you will receive the prize not the respective creator/company.

7. Winner Selection:

Entries will be judged by Carmen Coker of Clutterbugs, LLC, the Get Organized Blog, and Home Organization Online. The top 3 entries will be announced on Earth Day, 22 April 09, via the Get Organized Blog.

Potential winners will also be contacted by email and asked to provide their full name and mailing address. If a potential winner does not respond within the time frame stated in the notification email, an alternate potential winner will be selected in his/her place.

More info: Envirosax bags, Earth Day

Use Your Head To Get Organized Give Gifts

If it has a visor, it needs a Visorganizer! The Visorganizer transforms any type of hat into a handy storage pocket that can carry up to 7 lbs.

Sounds like a great organizer, huh? Ummm...NO. Who wants to tote around 7 lbs of stuff on their head?

But the Visorganizer does sound like a great idea for a joke! You see, the product is phony, but the empty box is the real deal.

There's nothing like disguising a nice gift inside a Visorganizer box, only to watch the recipient feign delight over such a "wonderful" surprise.

Just a little April Fool's inspiration for you pranksters out there! :)

Get your own Visorganizer box at The Onion.