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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Friday, April 24, 2009, 07:27 PM
I learned an important on-the-job lesson this week: it's important to step back every once in a while and assess where you're at, organizationally speaking. We're not focused on organizing 24/7, so it's easy to lose track of which organizational systems are working and which ones aren't.
Here's what I suggest...
Grab a pad and a pen and take a walk through your house. Make notes for each room. Give yourself credit for what's working ("I love my backpack holder. The kids don't mind using it, and it gets the backpacks off the floor".) Then, list what's not working. (1. There's a pile of unused tote bags clogging the corner of my closet. Time to purge. 2. I never liked that white board calendar. Time to toss it), etc., etc.
Next, make a game plan. First, make a list of the tasks you need to complete for each room. Second, schedule time in your calendar to tackle these tasks, one at a time.
Finally, don't be shy about dismantling systems that no longer work. Be honest, and accept that it's time to move on. Organization is a process, so there's nothing wrong with taking stock and making some changes.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 04:17 PM
It sounds like a no-brainer. When the weather starts to get warmer, it's time to put away the heavy sweaters and corduroys and take out the spring clothing. Then why does it seem like such a pain in the neck?!
It all comes down to volume and storage. How much clothing do you have? Do you have the proper storage?
When it comes to the amount of clothing you have, it's time to take stock. What REALLY fits? What's flattering? What's still in style? Now's the opportunity to make some decisions and clear out the clutter. My trick? I keep a handled shopping bag in the back of my closet. Every time I try something on and realize I don't like it or don't fit into it I toss it in the bag. When the bag's full I toss it in the car and drive to the nearest clothing collection site.
Once you've decluttered, it's time to assess your storage. What are your needs? People who wear a lot of dressy clothing need more hanging space and fewer drawers and shelves. For those who wear jeans & khakis every day, the opposite is usually true.
Finally, where do you keep your out-of-season clothing. If you're lucky enough to have a large, well-appointed walk-in closet, you may just have to shift items around a bit. If you have a smaller closet, you may have to put the winter stuff away completely (I'm one of these people!) I swear by my underbed boxes on wheels. I keep 2 large ones under my bed. Right now they're loaded up with the warm weather stuff. Very shortly I'll be switching out the contents.
It's all about accessibility, and those heavy sweaters are starting to get in my way! I'm looking forward to putting them away and organizing my spring clothing.
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