Desk Makeover
April 29, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
Does you desk need a makeover?
Do you look at it and feel panic? You think you know where everything is but in reality, you wonder! If you want to feel more productive, more creative and more in control, follow these steps!
1. Remove- First step is to remove your things from your desk and give it a good spring cleaning. Clean the phone, the keyboard, the computer, etc.
2. Plan- Zone your desk into sections, for example; desktop, drawers, shelves, etc. Analyze the space you have and start thinking about how you use your desk. What is most important, what can be stored somewhere else.
3. Sort – Start getting rid of items you no longer need, pens that no longer work. Recycle old files and papers. Look for duplicate information and information you can find online. Save your space. 80% of what we file, we never look at again… Remember this when going through your paperwork. Is it really necessary?
4. Organize – Organize your papers from most important to least important. This will determine if items should be placed on the desktop vs. a drawer. Evaluate your current filing systems, is it currently working? It must be easy and simple to maintain. When creating tabs, use categories and subcategories that make the most sense to you. Keep extra manila folders and labels available for paper that does not have a home. Avoid the MISC. File – it can be a clutter zone! Set up a system for active files- have the files be clearly labeled with action items, for example; to do, to consider, to read, to sign and return.
Extra Tips
1. Keep a spiral notebook by the phone for messages and phone numbers – do not use anything else. This way the next time you are looking for a phone number, you know it will be in this notebook, not a sticky note.
2. Resist the urge to pile paper – take care of it immediately.
3. Keep your work surface clear except for essentials and your current project.
4. Take 10 minutes at the end of the day to keep your desk organized. Clean it up! Plan for your day tomorrow, know your schedule, start your to do list. The more you know and prepare, the more control you have.
Are You Organized?
April 25, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
Is This Organization?
It can be! What does it mean to be organized? To me, it means you are able to find your things when you need them.
The average American is spending 55 minutes a day looking for items they know they own but can not find. Does this sound familiar? It happens to all of us. What would you do with your extra time if it was given back?
Organization does not have to be pretty with everything in baskets. It can be as simple as putting all of the coats in one closet, rather than having them spread out throughout the house. The basic principal of organization is For Everything There is a Place, if you know where that place is and are able to return the items to their home, then guess what You Are Organized! Basic definition of organization: If you are happy in your space, you can find your things, then you are well organized!
So the next time you are searching for your keys or something you have lost, think about how you can prevent this from happening again. What one place in your home can you set aside just for that item.
Again, being organized is the system you put in place, not just the pretty box’s!
Cutting Clutter
April 22, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
A great organizing tip in controlling clutter is applying a Golden Rule in organizing. If you buy one new item, it is time to get rid of an old item. One In, One Out! If you have a collection of items, say too many cowboy boots, then consider when you buy a new pair, you actually get rid of two. This will narrow your collection so you can add new items, without running out of space.
Review my post, Sorting by Emotion, to determine what items in your collections are friends, acquaintances or strangers. This will help you determine what you love and what is OK to let go.
Be a more conscious consumer. Prior to buying something new, think about where it is going to go in your home. Everything has to have a place to live. Do you have the space? What do you need to get rid of in order to achieve the space you need?
Being aware, will in turn cut the clutter you bring into your home!
Organize Your Family Vacation
April 13, 2009 by Nikki · 2 Comments
- Vacation
Your Family Vacation
It’s spring and many of us now are starting to plan our summer vacations. How can you do this in an organized way, so the frustration is minimal? Preparation is key… Just like anything in life, the more you prepare, the more organized you will be! Here are some simple tips to follow when planning your next vacation!
Travel Notebook - Have one notebook or file, which is filled with everything you need to know about your trip. Keep everything in the same place, this way you will never wonder where the printout of the hotel went? You will know exactly where to go. Separate the file or notebook into categories, for example: Budget, Hotel, Meals, Important Phone numbers, Tourist Attractions.
Destination- Have a family meeting and decide on some different places you would like to go. It’s not always easy to decide and there may be need of compromise. Research the destinations prior to deciding. Look at all the activities, sites and options available.
Set a budget - How much money do you have to spend on this trip? This could be a main factor of where you end of going. If you have a lump sum saved, figure out a budget by breaking down what each piece of the trip will cost. For example, transportation to and from and in between, hotel accommodations, meals, activities, mementos, etc. Be on the safe side and over estimate! Nothing is worse in than going on vacation and running out of money, or feeling guilty because you overspent. Plan and be wise, look for discounts and deals on the internet. Ask friends and family what there experiences have been like.
Bookings - Research what needs to be paid for in advanced. What places need reservations, what short cuts can be taken. Be prepared, so you are not left disappointed later.
Packing- type up a general packing list for each member of your family. When preparing to leave, print them up and hand them out as a check off list. This way no one will forget their toothbrushes, however they only get to check off when it’s packed! Make sure to leave room for purchases.
Away from Home- Have a to do list ready which includes everything you need to do to take care of your home while you are away. Depending on the length of the trip will determine how long your to do list will be. Examples – stop your mail, stop your newspaper, get a timer for lights in your home, notify a neighbor you will be gone, leave contact information with the neighbor, garbage collection, pet care, lawn mowed.
Last tip- be flexible, things do not always go as we plan, be as prepared as you can be, have fun, and make memories with your loved ones!
Top 10 Spring Organizing Tips
April 13, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
Spring Organizing
1. Choose 1 Area at a Time
To be the most effective in your organizing projects, start small and start in one place. Multi-tasking is not your friend when it comes to organizing your space. It’s too easy to get distracted and if you have too many projects going on at once, you will either forget about some or just not have the same motivation to get it done. It will seem too overwhelming. If you start with one space, you will see results quicker and will want to keep going forward.
2. Clear the Clutter
Now you have chosen your space, you need to decide what should be in the space and what needs to go. Start sorting and getting rid of anything that does not belong in the space. Less clutter means less to maintain. Items can either be moved to the proper location or if you no longer need the items, donate or trash. Ask yourself some questions…Do I really need this? Do I use this? Do I love it? If you do not have an affirmative YES, then let it go.
3. Make it fun
Organizing does not have to be boring or a have too chore… make it fun! Open the windows and put on your favorite music! Set a timer and try to accomplish as much as you can in specific amount of time. Think of an award to give yourself when you are done.
4. Eliminate distractions
Remember multi tasking is not your friend. This means eliminate any distractions, turn off the phone, don’t check your email. Set this time aside to just do your organizing. Make sure the kids are taken care of. You will work faster and do a better job if you are not pulled away.
5. Rotate Décor & Collections
One of the easiest ways to declutter your home is to rotate your decorations and collections. Now is the time to do it. Not every picture frame or trophy needs to be displayed. It will be easier to clean and when summer comes you can rotate again. It will take less time to clean an area with a few items than with several. Plus you get the added advantage of enjoying something new and different every season.
6. Seasonal Clothing Switch
This is the time where the sweaters can be put away and you make room for the Spring attire!
Evaluate - What do you have? What do you still wear? What could go to make room for new purchases? When was the last time you wore it? Do you even like it anymore? Make room and donate! Check your children’s closets- what clothes have they outgrown and make a list of items they may need as the seasons change.
7. Clean out the garage ( Two weekend process )
The first weekend is the time to go through and sort, categorize and get rid of anything you no longer need. Zone the garage into sections and have this determine where everything will go. The second weekend is for a garage sale. Spring is great time to organize a sale and whatever extra cash you get, could go towards new organizing products.
8. Spring Clean your car
Take everything out, and deep clean the car! Throw away all trash and only keep must have items in the car. Keep like items together and try to keep items off of the floor. Over the seat organizers are great for storing kids toys, snacks, maps, umbrellas etc. Evaluate how you store CD’s, make sure if you add 3 new CD’s you are also taking 3 CD’s out. Schedule a monthly appointment to clean your car, inside and out.
9. The Right Tools – Your Product!
As tempting as it may be to purchase great organizing products, you do want to wait until after you have sorted and purged. It isn’t until after this process is done where you will have the correct information to do “smart” shopping. You want to measure and know exactly how many of something you need before wasting your time and money. Organizing is the process you go through it’s not about pretty box’s and bins. Set up the process first and then buy the product.
10. For Everything There is a Place
To be effective in your organizing mission, you must have a home for every item. For anything that does not have a home, set aside and evaluate where the best place is for that item. Think about where you use the item, what is it’s purpose. When things have a home, then they will be returned to that home after they have been used. This is the key to maintaining an organized lifestyle.
Take Control Organizing in the Media!
April 10, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
This Spring, I am very proud to share with you two articles where I was quoted in giving Organizing Tips!
I would like to thank Vanessa Brunner in taking the time to interview me for her article, “Controllable Chaos”, Page 37 in the Spring issue of the Eugene Magazine.
I also would like to thank Dawn Papandrea with ivillage.com. She was so kind to include me in her article about how to “Makeover Your Makeup Bag”. You will see my quote on Page 4 of the slideshow.
Sorting by Emotion
April 10, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
As part of my job and service, I am always looking for study materials, books, classes etc. to make me a better Organizer but also to help my clients find new and more efficient ways to get organized. A colleague of mine recommended a book by Judith Kolberg, “Conquering Chronic Disorganization”. I have found the book to be fascinating on it’s creative organizing techniques.
One chapter struck me as very relevant to my clients and I wanted to share. Many of us, most of us, attach emotions to our things. They represent us in some way, maybe they remind of us a certain time in our lives, a person, or a feeling we get every time we see the item. Which is often times why we feel guilty in not throwing certain things away. Even if the emotion it provides is not a good one.
Judith Kolberg has a whole chapter on Emotional Organizing. And when sorting, she asks her clients to separate her collections and belongings into 3 categories: Friends, Acquaintances, and Strangers.
Who are these people?
Friends – These are the items you know well, who give you positive feelings, things that have sentimental value. Judith Kolberg suggests the client define the meaning of what a friend is to them.
Strangers – It is easier to sort strangers than acquaintances. So what is a stranger? You wouldn’t want a stranger in your home for too long, she says. Strangers could be items that were given to you and you don’t even remember who or why the gift was given, and frankly you do not care for the item. It could be items you picked up on sale but never used. Anything that you are hanging on to, but wouldn’t miss if it was gone. Items that are buried in cupboards and garages.
Acquaintances- In between a friend and a stranger. These often times can be the hardest to decide on. Judith Kolberg suggest these items to go to a charity that is dear to you. I suggest you give a chance for these items be given away to other family members or friends who may want them. Especially handed down family items. It they also do not care for the item, then go ahead and donate it to your favorite charity. Other suggestions I have for acquaintances- box them up for 6 months. If you do not think about the box or have any interest in going into the box, then go ahead and give yourself the freedom to donate. You can also take a picture of the item, so you don’t forget it exists but allows you to not to have it in your home taking up space.
Additional Tips by Judith Kolberg: Clear an area to sort. Collect the items to sort. Count the items you are sorting. Choose 1/3 to be Friends. Go with your gut. The faster you pick out your friends, the better. Identify Strangers. Clear them out of your house immediately. Have someone else donate them, no chances of changing your mind! Determine a personal charity and donate your acquaintances.
Happy Sorting!
Hangin in the Closet!
April 5, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
Quick Closet Tip: To have your closet look and feel more organized consider switching your hangers to all one style. I personally love the look of wood hangers, and you can find box’s of wood hangers for around $25.00 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, and Fred Meyer. These box’s come with around 20-25 hangers. There are other styles that are more expensive that do not come in bulk. For Pant hangers, I have had to buy these separately. This can add up, however the investment is to have a crisp, clean closet to go into every morning, and they will last a long time!
For a least expensive route, consider going with all the same color plastic hangers, you will save money, and still achieve the look of cohesiveness.
Lost and Found
April 2, 2009 by Nikki · Leave a Comment
We all have items that seem homeless, there is no right place to put them, or maybe you just don’t feel like putting them away at that moment! They end up in junk drawers, on the bottom step, countertops and so forth.
A creative way to eliminate the pile up of clutter is to create a lost and found destination. This is where you put any items family members have left out or “lost”. It can be a large basket in the corner or a specific drawer in your kitchen or bathroom.
When your family is looking for something, refer them back to the lost and found!
It keeps clutter contained to one area, if the area gets too full, you know it’s time to return items to their permanent home !
