Get Organized: 4 Ways to Be Less Forgetful

There's an old Chinese proverb that says,"The palest ink is better than the best memory." And there's a good reason for that — relying on your memory can be tricky business!

If you find that you're a little scatterbrained, here are 4 ways to boost your memory skills so that you are less forgetful:

(1) Memory fitness

There are lots of reasons why you could forget something, but many of the common causes of memory loss are related to how well you take care of yourself. Stress, unhealthy diet, sleep deprivation — all lead to poor brain function.

So if you take care of your overall fitness, you'll also be taking care of your memory's fitness. How's that for multi-tasking!

(2) Memory routines

One could argue that repetition is boring. However, if a regular routine has programmed you to always...

- Meet your best friend at the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 630am

- Call your mom at 2pm each Saturday

- Pay your bills on the 12th of the month

- Spend quality time with your kids from 6-830pm daily

- Answer important personal emails from 9-930pm every night

- Plan tomorrow's dinner the night before

...then you're more likely to remember what needs to be done or where you need to be, and when.

(3) Memory cues

Putting a sticky note message on your bathroom mirror, setting a watch alarm to beep an hour before a big appointment, noting and checking to-do's on your calendar, creating pop-up reminders in your email — these are all popular examples of memory cues. And they're popular because they're simple and they work!

(4) Memory techniques

Sound complicated? Great news! Many of these techniques you learned as a child, like alliteration. An elementary example of alliteration would be "Susy sells sea shells by the sea shore." Of course, that's not likely to help you as a grown-up! Something like "Family on Fridays," "Menu Plan Mondays," or "Bi-monthly Bills" is more useful for the adults.

Another type of a memory technique is association, where you mentally link something with a way of remembering it. For example, your favorite radio show goes off the air at 9pm every night. When the DJ signs off, you associate that with packing lunches for the next day.

So the next time you need a memory jogger, try one (or more) of the above methods to boost your ability to recall the what's, when's, and where's of life.



© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: How a Messy Car Costs You (and How a Tidy One Saves You Money)

You've probably thought about how clutter in your home and office costs you resources like time and money. But have you ever considered that a cluttered car costs you as well?

It does! Especially where gasoline expenses are concerned.

Here are 4 ways organizing your vehicle, its maintenance, and its use can save you BIG on gas money:

(1) Remove excess weight.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, you should "avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon (MPG) by up to 2%."

So get rid of extra cargo like books, CDs, sports equipment, tools, toys, trash...these little things not only add up, they add clutter to your car.

(2) Do your research.

Look at websites like GasNearU, GasPriceWatch, and GasBuddy to determine the stations that have the lowest gas prices in your local area. (Note: I found the cheapest option on GasBuddy.)

(3) Plan ahead.

Before stepping out of the house, make a list of all the errands that you need to run. Then map out your tasks by determining what's nearby or on your way and plan the most gas efficient route.

Feeling overwhelmed? Or maybe just lazy? The web tool Remember the Milk will do this entire step for you...

(4) Stay on schedule, be on time.

Knowing when your car needs to go into the shop for tune ups, oil changes, and tire rotations is only half the battle. Making and keeping the maintenance appointments are the second half. By accomplishing each half, your car will remain the well-oiled machine that it was made to be...all while helping stretch the gas as far as it can go.

There you have it — 4 ways an organized car can be a money-saving car. Now, the question is...what are you gonna do with the extra cash in your pocket?!

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Get Organized: When Lists Don't Work

Generally speaking, a list is a good thing because...

When you write a list, it helps you focus. When you follow a list, it keeps you on track and moving toward list completion. And when you cross off list items, you feel productive.

And yet, despite proven results and positive qualities, lists don't always work for everyone, every time because...

When you have to make a list, it means you have lots to accomplish. When you have lots to accomplish, you suddenly don't want to do anything but sit on your couch, watch TV, and eat ice cream.

In other words, making a list is making you procrastinate. At this point, you've entered into a mind-game between your lazy self and your productive self, and your lazy self is winning!

If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to fight back by creating a “NOT To-Do” List to help you get organized.

The “NOT To-Do” List is exactly as the name implies; a list of things you do not want to do.

For example...

#1 The Not To-Do List for Housekeeping

- Throw shoes by the front door

- Let mail pile up on the kitchen counter

- Forget to file bills at the end of month

#2 The Not To-Do List for Time Management

- Hit the "snooze" button on the alarm more than once

- Check email more than 2 times per day

- Turn on TV while getting ready for work

With the "NOT To-Do" List, you're giving your lazy self permission to be lazy while, at the same time, giving your productive self permission to get things done.

© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com