Sunday, September 20, 2009, 09:19 PM
Last week I had a free morning and thought I'd "clean up" our playroom. Ha! Little did I know what I was headed for. FOUR HOURS LATER I was done. I was exhausted and stunned. What happened? Why was the room so out of control? What had I learned from the experience?
Here's what I learned from suffering through my ordeal:
--A room should be fairly easy to clean. If you feel there's no real way to tidy up an area, you probably need to devote several hours to a decluttering and reorganizing session.
--It's amazing how quickly a room can become cluttered and disorganized if you don't maintain it. I filled THREE large Hefty bags during my session, which was about triple what I thought I'd fill.
--Toys and crafts need to be reviewed CONSTANTLY. If you turn your back they multiply. Small goody bag items, broken crayons, markers without caps and abandoned Lego projects keep coming and coming, so it's really important to keep an eye on the buildup.
--It's important to be purge toys and crafts that no longer reflect your child's developmental stage. My eight-year-old has been done with Play Doh for over a year, yet there it sat on my shelf.
--Extended organizing sessions are VERY challenging. They require instense focus and can really sap your energy. Pace yourself.
--Extended organizing sessions are not always fun! You need to be motivated by a concrete goal, or you may be tempted to walk away and find something more enjoyable to do! My goal was to return my playroom to the organized haven it had once been, and after many hours I was rewarded. My kids have been happily playing ever since...
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 06:58 PM
On Wednesday, 6/17, I'm teaming up with a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and holding a special program titled "Organizing Your Financial Life".
The program will be held at On The Side Spa at 740 South Ave. West in Westfield from 7:30-9:00 P.M. Please call me at 908-358-3460 if you'd like to register. The cost is $10/person.
The program will cover FINANCIAL GOAL SETTING, BUDGETING, BILL PAYING,INVESTMENTS, SIMPLIFYING TAX PREPARATION & GENERAL PAPER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. Please bring questions!
My co-presenter, Diane Taylor, is a CFP with extensive experience with financial planning and tax preparation. You can read her bio on her employer's web site: www.shapirofsg.com.
If your desk is buried and your financial goals are unclear or unmet, this is the program for you. Call soon--space is limited.
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 06:53 PM
I've written a new article that's been published on www.chicmommagazine.com titled "Organizing for Moms: What Works in YOUR House?".
While the word "mom" is in the title of the article and the name of the publication, the organizing concepts I discuss can be applied to a variety of people and situations.
Here's the link:
http://chicmommagazine.com/articles/sur ... your-house
The article is connected to one of my earlier blog entries ("Assess Your Mess!), and provides an up-close look at how I work with my clients.
Happy reading!
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Monday, June 8, 2009, 02:44 PM
If you think you can't afford organizing services, you may be wrong.
There is a special classification of organizing clients: the "DIYers" (Do It Yourselfers). These folks have the motivation and natural organizing skills it takes to "get it done", so they require only minimal services. If you're highly motivated to get organized, have carved out the time in your schedule, and have past organizing successes under your belt, you might fit into this category.
If you're a "DIYer" here's how I might be able to help you:
Step 1: Invite me in for a free 1-hour consultation. This allows us to meet and for me to tour your home/office.
Step 2: Schedule a strategy session or purchase a written organizing plan. This takes care of that initial phase, when you need to prioritize and formulate/schedule the steps of your organizing
project(s). This might be a good time to discuss if any products need to be purchased.
Step 3: If necessary, schedule a "jump start" session of 1-2 hours. I help you to get your organizing session underway and structured, and then leave! Your motivation and skills take over, PLUS you save money!!
Again, this is not for everyone. The majority of my clients want and need for me to be present for most or all of the organizing process. But if you think you can take the reins with a minimal amount of help, GO FOR IT!
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 09:44 PM
I recently heard a presentation by an expert in the field of ADD. I was a teacher, so I have had a lot of exposure to people with ADD, but it was a great refresher, and I learned a lot of new information as well.
I'm sure you're not surprised to hear that Professional Organizers work with LOTS of people with ADD. A quick list of symptoms reveals why: inattention, impulsiveness, hyperactivity (sometimes), misplaced items, messiness, clutter, missed appointments, procrastination, trouble with deadlines, trouble following directions, trouble finishing tasks, etc.
ADD can affect multiple areas of your life, from health, to work, finances, and relationships. And people with ADD are 6 times more likely to have another psychiatric or learning disorder.
An important concept is that THESE PROBLEMS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WILLPOWER, as in "why can't she just clean up the house and get her act together". ADD affects the executive functioning of the brain, making it much more difficult to "just do it".
If you have ADD, it's important to hire someone who knows what you're going through and has been properly trained. Organizational strategies are not "one size fits all", and there are many ways a Professional Organizer can customize strategies to help ADD clients to find success.
This entry is barely scratching the surface of this topic, but I'd be happy to talk more to anyone who's interested.
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