You Name It!

A few weeks ago, I reduced the amount of stuff I keep on my desktop. I relocated a number of binders that I wasn’t using often. I assigned them a home in an empty drawer across the room. Today I needed one of those binders. Hmm... where did I put them? I know what you’re thinking, “See, that’s why I don’t organize, because then I can’t find anything!” 

I knew I had given them a home in my office, but what slowed my search was having to open a few containers that weren’t labeled to see if my binders were inside. Perhaps I thought I’d remember what was in them, or had been too lazy to get my label maker out. Regardless, it was now taking extra time. Soon after, I discovered the binders in the drawer. My next step was to label my nameless bins. 

If you like the idea of spending less time looking for things and more time doing what you love, consider making it one step easier to find what you need. Pick up a label maker on your next trip to Costco, Target, or shop Amazon.com. Even a roll of masking tape and a marker will be better than nothing. Check out Timely Tips for some great labeling ideas that will simplify life.

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TIMELY TIPS - You name it! The time you invest up front will be multiplied back to you when (at a glance) you can find what you're looking for!

 1. Kitchen - Label the front edge of the shelves inside the cabinets with what goes there-- dinner plates, glasses, mugs, etc. Then everyone who's emptying the dishwasher will know where to put and find them. In the pantry label open-topped bins for snack foods, pasta, beans, seasoning packets, tea, etc.

2. Closet - Containerize and label stacking bins for batteries, candles, sewing supplies, lights bulbs, craft supplies, photos, keepsakes, party supplies, and whatever else you need and use.  

3. Kids' Rooms -Label the front or top edge of drawers (pants, shorts, shirts), so kids can keep their own clothes organized. Containerize and label bins for toys like cars, balls, ponies, Legos, action figures, etc. If kids aren't reading yet, print a picture of what's inside to post alongside the label. It's a great way to teach them sight words.

4. Bathroom - Label edge of shelves for items like bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, TP, etc. Use labeled open-topped containers for daily use items and stackable containers labeled for back-up supplies. 

5. Office - Label the spines of binders on your bookcase so you don't have to remove them from the shelf to remember what's in them. Likewise label music, picture, and video disks so you don't have to pop them into a device to figure out what they are. Give your file folders clean and readable labels. Containerize similar office supplies together and label the bins. 

 

Wise Words

Labeling is not just for kids. It ensures that things get put back where they belong, making cleanup a quick, painless, and mindless activity.   - Julie Morgenstern

Two for One!

Everyone’s pitching their strategy for how to have a successful New Year’s resolution. This week I heard both “weigh yourself everyday” and “throw out the scale if you want to lose weight.” So who’s right? I’m leaning toward the daily weigh-in for the simple reason that you’re not going to weigh yourself one day and find you’ve gained 15 pounds the next day! Routine checks help prevent the overwhelm.

Just like weight loss has various elements that combine to bring success, so does organizing. In fact, I found several weight loss tips (some from www.health.com) that have similar organizing applications! So, today you get two for one! Here they are.

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1. Make mindful purchases when hungry. Just like empty calories have negative consequences, so can mindless trips to the dollar store, or impulse buying while standing in line at the register. Make wise purchases, giving thought to how and when things will be used and where they’ll be stored.

2. Everything in moderation. Don’t believe the old adage “you can’t have too much of a good thing.” Whether it’s food or magazines or shoes, having a moderate amount creates a healthier body and environment.

3. Fill a pretty glass pitcher with water and sliced cucumbers. Just because something’s good for you doesn’t mean it has to be humdrum. Filing is good for you and you can make it a little more fun with decorative folders, or a cute file holder or cabinet. Put on some music you love while accomplishing your filing task.

4. Take a before photo. Need some motivation to keep on task with your goal? Take a before photo of the space you’re organizing and post it in the room or on the door.

5. Cut out the drinks with calories. Know your weaknesses and what gets you in trouble. Maybe it’s amazon.com, Target, or Joann’s Fabric and Craft. Avoid your nemesis when possible or shop for only what’s on a pre-determined list.

6. Brush and floss right after dinner. That action will influence what you put into your mouth the rest of the evening. When you make your bed first thing in the morning it sets a tidy tone for the rest of the day.

7. Lose one pound twenty times. Reduce the overwhelm of your goal by setting and celebrating small goals. First organize the floor of your closet. Celebrate. Next, tackle the hanging clothes and then the shelves. Each victory will motivate you to the next step. You don’t have to do it all in one day.

8. Wear something tight. It’s not comfortable until we’ve reduced to what will fit. Set some boundaries for your stuff (mugs, office supplies, DVDs, purses, whatever) and then reduce what you have until it fits comfortably in that space.

9. Weigh in daily. Like I said, no one gains 15 pounds in a day. Routine checking in on our weight and rooms can be the key to not becoming paralyzed by an overwhelming task. Do a quick walk-through your home before going to bed and put away items that were left out.

10. Plan to fail. I’ve only seen The Biggest Loser a few times, but the contestants I’ve seen always experience a setback at some point. Planning to fail isn’t being pessimistic, it’s a way to prepare so you’re not caught off-guard when it happens. Whether you fall off the wagon with your diet and exercise, or your organizing goals, by deciding ahead of time what you’re going to do when that happens, you’ll be one step closer to getting back on.

Wise Words                                                                                                                                     

"As for clutter so for food: If you focus exclusively on the obvious (the stuff in your home, or the stuff on your plate), you will never succeed in achieving any long-term success. The only way to stay on-track is, oddly enough, to take a step back and ask yourself, What is it I want from life?"    -Peter Walsh (Author of Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat)

Pricey vs. Priceless Gifts

We need to spend a little more time thinking about what we receive for Christmas. Yes, I said receive! That may sound selfish, but hear me out. What criteria do you use to judge the gifts you receive. "Judge" may sound harsh, but really, there are some gifts that warm our hearts more than others. Thinking about what's meaningful to us on the receiving end can drive our giving to more meaningful gifts for others. 

Is it the amount of money someone spent? Is it the number of gifts we receive from them? Is it how much space we need to store it? Well, maybe if it's a BMW. But in general, that's not the criteria that creates a cheerful receiver.

Of course there are times when a shirt, sweater, toy, or trinket can be meaningful too, but since you're reading this organizing newsletter, I'm thinking you're open to some meaningful, clutter-free and maybe less expensive gift ideas for Christmas.

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Timely Tip #1 - Food Gifts

Food passes the clutter-free test since it's consumable, but I think it has value beyond that.  Eating is often an activity we share with our loved ones. Homemade cookie mix, soup mix, muffin mix-- these are all gifts that can create shared experiences, making and eating them. There's an endless list of recipes for gifts in a jar online. If you're not that crafty, purchase some local nuts or dried fruit, specialty coffee or tea, or anything covered in dark chocolate (if it's for me). Email me for a copy of my easy-to-make Pumpkin Bread recipe. It makes plenty to share!

We all enjoy a night off from cooking! Create a gift certificate with three menu choices and dates for your gift recipient to choose from and then bring dinner over on the agreed date (in disposable containers). You might want to make enough to stay and enjoy with them, or if cooking isn't your thing, a gift card to a favorite restaurant is always appreciated. 

Timely Tips #2 - Activity Gifts

The gift of an experience is a way to build relationships and meaningful memories. You can give a round of golf or create a certificate for a day-trip to the mountains or coast. It might be as simple as a movie and frozen yogurt date. The key is to set a date right away so the gift isn't lost in the busyness of life.

If kids or grandkids are on your list, consider age appropriate activities that you can do with them or give them certificates for their families to enjoy-- a membership to the zoo or aquarium, tickets to a sports event, or bowling.

A true gift of sacrifice is finding an activity that your spouse would love and then signing up both of you-- dance lessons, cooking classes, sports or concert tickets, etc. 

Timely Tips #3 - Gifts of Service

Lunch 'n Labor combines food and service! My sister and I gift to each other a day of service and lunch out. Over the years we have organized each others photos and recipes, cleaned light fixtures and a garden shed, arranged a bookshelf, and more. Those tasks are enjoyed much more when shared.

One memorable gift was when some friends came to our house while we were gone and planted flowers in our front yard. Think about something you enjoy doing and consider making that a gift for a friend or family member. It might be gardening, painting, computer help, music lessons, organizing, cooking, babysitting, or even decorating and un-decorating for Christmas!

Go to CreativeCertificates.com for free downloadable gift certificate templates.  

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Click on the angels for a beautiful gift of music by Pentatonix:

Merry Christmas!

 

Finishing What You Start

If you think marriage is easy, you're probably not married. This month we're celebrating my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. During this season of Thanksgiving, I think it's appropriate to express my gratitude for their 60 years of expressing love through commitment, affection, and sacrifice. No marriage is seamless, but I don't know anyone who has provided a better example to follow than the two of them. 

Today a prospective client called regarding a big project that she's tackled several times, but failed to complete. In inquiring about my services, she asked if I had tenacity. I know that for many of my clients, starting but stopping before completion is a common experience and an obstacle to a peaceful and productive environment. In honor of my parents I'd like to share what I've learned from them about tenacity and finishing what you start.

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TIMELY TIPS - Finishing what you start

1. Choose wisely before committing. Even though my parents didn't have a long engagement, they made sure that they were a match on the majors, like their faith and values. Whether you're considering marriage, employment, or a hobby project, make sure it's a good match for you. 

2. Establish a time-line. For my parents it's "till death do us part." If you have a project you're committing to, you probably want to consider a different time frame. Look realistically at the amount of time you have to invest, and the amount of time it will take and then come up with a completion date goal. 

3. Plan your steps. "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage." That was the plan my parents followed. Without a plan the best of us get sidetracked from our projects and commitments. Besides, it can be overwhelming when you're looking at the whole thing instead of breaking it down into reasonable steps. 

4. Maintain balance. My parents volunteer at a local Elementary school reading program, work at a non-profit thrift store, sing in their church choir, and spend fun times with friends and family (including their twin great-granddaughters!). It's good to have some well-placed diversions from your project so you don't burn-out before you're finished.  

5. Share the load. Hospitality is hallmark at my parents' home and it wouldn't be possible without teamwork. Not all, but many projects and commitments are better shared. Consider who you might share yours with to make it more productive and enjoyable. 

6. Failure isn't the end. Like I said, my parents' relationship isn't perfect, but I never heard them consider their failures a reason to give up. Yes, there will be glitches in your project time-line and you may miss a goal, but it's an opportunity to learn and persevere, producing strength and the ability to empathize with others. 

7. Celebrate milestones. Whether it's a trip to Hawaii or a nice dinner out, acknowledging progress in their lifetime goal of marriage has been a standard for my parents. If you have a long-term project, create some short-term goals that you can celebrate along the way. Plan out your rewards and make sure to follow through when you accomplish your goals. 

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Wise Words

"If it's important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse." -Unknown

The Easy/Hard Way

The other day I went into my office to put some folders away. They belong in a bin on the top shelf of the closet. They didn't land there. I stuck them on a lower shelf so I wouldn't have to get the step stool. I blew off my "if it takes less than two minutes, do it now" mantra and rationalized that I was saving time and energy because I'd do it when I had more to put up there. But, will I remember those folders waiting below? Probably not. 
One of my clients calls this the Easy/Hard Way. It'seasy to put stuff where you can reach, or cram, or on the nearest flat surface, but it transforms to hard when later, you can't find it because it's not where it belongs, or it's buried under a pile.

Maybe you've taken the Easy/Hard route before. Today's Timely Tips offer some common scenarios and practical strategies to eliminate them. The Hard/Easy way may not be as hard as you think!

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TIMELY TIPS - Remedies for Easy/Hard scenarios 

Scenario #1 - The Car: Your kids are snacking while you drive them home from soccer. Everyone's tired and you choose not to add stress by making them clean up their car mess before going inside (easy). After a week of similar car trips, the car is trashed (hard). You lose your cool and yell at the kids for being such pigs... and then apologize (harder).

The Hard/Easy car scenario would look something like this. You purchase a car trash bin (not too hard). You explain and demonstrate to the family how to use it. You don't let them out of the car until all the trash is in the bin (kinda hard). You add "empty the car trash" to one of the kids' chore list with a regular routine and follow through with accountability (ok, that's hard). But, the next time you're picking up friends for a girls' night out, you get in the car and go-- without having to clean out the car first (easy)!

Scenario #2 - The Mail: You come in from work, fling the mail on the pile of papers on the counter and turn on the news (easy). A few nights and handfuls of mail later, you get company. The pile is shoved into a closet (easy). The next month, with the pile forgotten, you spend an hour looking for tickets you know were on the kitchen counter (hard). You receive two statements that include late fees for bills that were in the pile (hard). 

The Hard/Easy answer starts with processing the mail nightly (harder than watching TV, but not as hard as you might think!). Designate folders,  stacking trays, or wall pockets for bills to pay, events, and other papers that need some type of action. Discard or shred junk mail immediately. Now it's easy to find things and be prompt with your payments. Not to mention, your counter is always ready for company!

Scenario #3 - The Closet: You're in a hurry to change clothes and get to an event. You leave what you were wearing on the floor (easy). When you get home you're really tired so you kick your shoes into the closet and add the clothes to the pile (easy). The next day you do a load of laundry and dump the clean pile next to the dirty pile (easy). After a couple weeks like this, you can't find the shoes you want and have to reach over piles of dirty/clean clothes to get the the hung up clothes (hard). You buy another belt because yours has disappeared. 

The Hard/Easy way starts with timing how long it actually takes to hang up a pair of pants and a shirt. I bet you can do it in under 30 seconds! Now, decide that for one week, you're going to hang up or put in the dirty clothes hamper everything you wear. Now... follow through and do it (hard).  Do it for a second week (not as hard), and a third week (easier). By the end of the month you'll be enjoying the ease of walking into your closet and easily finding and reaching what you need!

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Wise Words

"Small targets lead to small victories, and small victories can often trigger a positive spiral of behavior." --Chip and Dan Heath

Fall Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month. Normally this topic refers to getting prepared for emergencies and disasters.     That's a really good thing to do, but today I want to encourage a different type of preparedness. At our house when September hits I always say, "Christmas is around the corner!" That means it's not too early to begin preparing for the holidays (which hopefully, is quite unlike a disaster!).

I'm not referring to baking cookies and addressing Christmas cards. I'm suggesting creating a home environment that's ready for a busy season. It's kind of like Spring Cleaning, only it's Fall Preparedness! This way when you have less time for routine chores, and more stuff (decorations, food, gifts) and people coming into your home, you will be ready!

Check out the Timely Tips and choose an area to focus on each week in October. By November you'll be prepared and ready to focus on the fun stuff!

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TIMELY TIPS - Fall Preparedness 

1. Start in the kitchen. Remove everything from the fridge and freezer. Toss items that have been there too long and share items you know you'll never use. Wipe it down and return contents, grouping like items in drawers and on shelves so you'll easily see what you have and what you need.

2. Attack the paper pile. If your house is normal, you have a pile of papers sitting on the kitchen counter. Rather than dumping them in a bag when company is on its way, create homes now for bills to pay, catalogs, receipts, school papers, invitations, etc. Install labeled wall pockets, use stacking trays, or put them in folders in an open-topped container.

3. Clear the rest of the counter. Put away unused or rarely used items like bread makers, blenders, etc. making space on your counter for holiday baking and large cooking projects. Also do a quick purge of your cabinets, removing excess or unused dishes, glassware, mugs, and expired or unlikely to be used dry goods.

4. Survey the family room. Does it have the feel of an inviting place to have a cup of hot chocolate? I'm not talking about creating the resemblance of a model home, just remove the clutter (recycle, relocate, donate). Then, it will be ready for family times around the fireplace and tree.

5. Check the guest room. They often become a catch-all if not used regularly. Use the recycle, relocate, and donate strategy to get it in shape. Clear a spot in the closet for guests to use and for a designated holding place for Christmas gifts purchased ahead. If you can't open the guest room door at all right now-- it may be time to call me!

6. De-clutter the guest/hall bath. If the guest/hall bath is also your kids' bathroom, containerize the frequently used items normally stored on the countertop, and clear areas in the cabinet for the containers when not in use. Purge and clean the drawers, making sure there are supplies your guests might need. Let go of the towels no one uses and create sets of "guest-worthy" towels. 

7. Pick one area - kitchen, family room, guest room, and hall bath to focus on each week during October. If you're still stuck - call me. ( :

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Wise Words

"People who have fully prepared always save time. Albert Einstein was right to teach that if he is given six hours to chop down a tree, he would spend the first four sharpening the axes. When you are done with your action plans, work will be easier!"  -- Israelmore Ayivor

Is your family under a microscope?

Science was not my strong subject in high school. It probably didn't help that the new football coach got stuck teaching my biology class. It apparently wasn't his subject either! 

The one thing I remember is watching paramecia under a microscope. My friend and I would use the term, paramecium, when in tight places where we were bumping into people. Basically all paramecia do is swim around bumping into things, obviously not the most intelligent of life forms. But, according to a 2006 study, even paramecia are capable of being trained-- albeit through an electrical current. 

I'm certainly not advocating training families by that method, but I'm thinking that the idea of "trained paramecia" makes maintaining some organizational systems for back to school a viable reality!

If getting your family out the door for school resembles a petrie dish of jumbled cells, try some of these Timely Tips for back to school organizing.

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TIMELY TIPS - School days the organized way! 

1. Get enough sleep. The more I read about productivity, the more I hear about how essential sleep is. Establish a reasonable bedtime for everyone-- including yourself!

2. Night before prep. The night before, have everyone pack whatever needs to go out the door in the morning. Even lunches can be assembled and refrigerated for the next day. 

3. Establish a morning routine. Create a list of everything that needs to be done on school-day mornings. Calculate how much time each action takes. Add that up and then add at least 15 minutes. Back that up from the time you need to leave the house to determine an appropriate wake-up time. Now put the action list with a time schedule in order (6:30 am - wake up, 6:35 - shower, 6:45 - get dressed, 7:00 - eat breakfast, etc.) Create a chart for each family member (use pictures for young ones). FamilyEducation.com has a Morning Routine Checklist to help get you started.

4. Designate In 'n Out spots. Place a book shelf near the door with labeled or colored containers (dishpans work), for each person in the family to use for incoming and outgoing items (library books, sports uniforms, etc). Cube storage, or units like this one from Bed Bath & Beyond also work.  

5. System for paperwork. Label a "Parent" folder for each of your kids' backpacks. Whenever they receive a permission slip, newsletter, etc. they place it in the Parent folder and then into a designated "In" tray at home. From there, it's your job to make sure things are signed and placed in the "Out" tray for your child to put back when packing the backpack for the next day. 

6. Use a Family Calendar. If you prefer using a calendar on your phone, use Google Calendar or something like Cozi.com that each family member can sync to. Or, have a family calendar posted on the wall where everyone can see what's going on and add to it. This helps eliminate double-booking.

7. Establish Family Meetings. Start the week with some designated time together. Talk about the upcoming schedule, discuss new things you want to establish (like the morning routine), encourage one another, and give opportunity for working out problems. For more ideas see Family Meetings by Dr. Jane Nelsen.

8. Balance after-school activity. If sports, music, dance, gymnastics is keeping your family running everyday till dinner-time and beyond, consider allowing everyone a limited number of activities, so that you can balance it with some down-time at home as well. 

9. Monitor TV/Game time. Establish ground rules for when and how much time kids can spend on TV or computer games.  OrganizingHomeLife.com offers agreat Limiting TV time with Tokens system. 

10. Determine to listen. Decide ahead of time to spend the first after-school moments listening to your kids. Whether it's turning off the radio or phone in the car, or sitting down at the kitchen table together with a snack when they walk in the door, be in the moment with them. You won't regret it!

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Wise Words

"Parenting is not about being popular and giving in to every child's whim and desire. It's about making decisions that are truly win-win-- however they may appear to the child at the time."

-Stephen R. Covey

Link it!

Jonah linked with Seena - seated with Candice (1984)

Shortly after getting married we started our "family" of assorted dogs and cats (a little later came the kids). Among our pets were Jonah, a German Shepherd mix, and Seena, a beautiful blue-eyed Siberian Husky. Seena turned out to be a runner. She would slip through when a door or gate was left open and take off. We felt bad leaving her in the back yard when the rest of the family was spending time in the front so Scott came up with a plan. He took a short chain and connected Seen's collar to Jonah's. Now, linked to the dog we could trust, Seena stayed where she belonged. 

   This week I realized one of my to-dos had slipped through the cracks. I write a monthly column for the Ranchos Independent and I missed my deadline. I had failed to link my to-do to a trusted system. 

   Without a link to a trusted system, our minds are continually trying to recollect what needs to be done, while constantly adding new things. Sound stressful? Yes, it is! Not only does it stress us, it stresses those affected by what we forget to do.

Fortunately, my editor was patient and accepted my late entry. I made sure to "link it" for future articles, so I wouldn't miss another one! Here are some Timely Tips for linking your to-dos to a trusted system. 

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TIMELY TIPS - Link your to-dos and get things done!

First containerize your to-dos. If you're very connected to your phone, this might be the best place for your to-do list. Some of the current apps for that include Todoist, Any.do, and Wunderlist. These allow you to create lists, reminders, and sync your list with others.

Evernote and OneNote are two other popular apps that keep to-do lists, and more. If you prefer the paper mode, a spiral notebook with dividers for categories is a good place to store your lists. 

Now, link them! Link your to-dos to specific days/times on your calendar just like you would record a dentist appointment. Hopefully your calendar is a trusted system for keeping you on track with where to be and when. By expanding its use to include specific to-dos each day, you can be more productive and keep things from slipping through the cracks. 

If you must record dates and to-dos on napkins, backs of envelopes, and scraps of paper, have one place where they gather and transfer them to your trusted system as soon as possible!

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Wise Words

"Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them."  -David Allen

Ladies & Gentlemen

I love the "Name Your Own Price" feature on Priceline.com. When we travel to Southern California, we stay at really nice hotels for much less than retail prices. I'm confident the hotel's restroom will be stocked daily with all the soaps, shampoo, conditioner, towels, tissues, and toilet paper we need without being cluttered with unneeded and left-over supplies. When I enter a "ladies" room in a public place I expect similar service-- at least that there will be adequate washroom supplies. 

For many, the Ladies & Gents room in their own home is a different story. The shower floor is strewn with near-empty bottles of shampoo and conditioner. The bathroom counter is cluttered with expired prescriptions, makeup, hair products, and messy rolled-up toothpaste tubes. There are never extra rolls of toilet paper handy when needed, and what? We're out of toothpaste again?!?

So how do we achieve the hotel-like atmosphere without hiring a full-time staff? As usual, it starts with a good purging, ends with consistent maintenance, and is enhanced with some well-chosen organizing tools. Check out these Timely Tips for a well-organized bathroom.

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TIMELY TIPS - for a well-organized bathroom

Makeup - Most makeup experts will agree on purging mascara at three months, liquid foundation and eye liner at six months, and powders and lipstick at two years. So, purge all the old stuff! For the future, use a permanent marker to write the date on makeup when opened. Use a clear acrylic makeup organizer to store the items you use most frequently. I tuck my makeup organizer in a cabinet when not in use to keep the counter clear. Keep backup supplies in a bin under the counter or in a nearby closet. 

Medications - Prescriptions and other medications are a little easier to purge because they have expiration dates. But, they tend to accumulate faster, and stick around longer than you might imagine, so even if you think you don't you have expired or no longer used items, be sure to check. Keep only the items you use daily on the countertop. If you stock a lot of medicine, sort it by categories (pain relievers, cold remedies, children's, etc.) and then store them in separate, labeled bins. 

Hair Products - Back in the day when Prell and Breck were the only two hair products on the market it was easier to manage (not our hair, but at least our products). Now there are gels, mousse, sprays, conditioners (my kids make fun of me when I accidentally call it "creme rinse"), texturizers, etc. Most of these products we use for a time and then switch to something new midway through a can, bottle, or tube. We feel bad throwing away "good" product, so instead we let it sit in our bathroom and clutter up the countertop, shower, or cabinet. It's time to let those things go. Consider using a shower caddy and let that to be your boundary for products inside the shower. When you stop using something-- give it to someone who will, or throw it out. Now, doesn't that look nice? 

Hair Tools/Accessories - Relocate your hair crimper and scrunchies to your dress-up bin so you'll have them handy in case of an 80s party. Decide if you're really going to ever use your sponge or hot rollers again and remove accordingly. Use a couple large mesh magazine holders to store your hot straightener, curling iron, and hair dryer under the sink.

Bathroom Drawer - Relocate or toss items that are making it a "junk" drawer. Using a drawer organizer, create specific homes for toothpaste, floss, deodorant, hair bands, brushes, etc. In other words, things that you need and use in the bathroom.

Misc. Supplies - If space in the bathroom cabinet is limited, use your vertical wall space for storing extra supplies of towels, toilet paper, soap, and feminine products. Purchase an over-the-toilet shelf unit or attach cubbyhole shelves to the wall. Place items in canvas cubes or handled baskets for a cleaner look.

Cleaning Supplies - Double the under-sink space with a 2-tier slide-out organizer for your cleaning products and misc supplies. Small items can also sit on a two-tiered turn table for easy access. Everything should fit once you purge the products you had good intentions of using, but never have.

Maintenance - Keep a sticky notepad and pen in the drawer. When you run out of something while getting ready, write it down and stick it to the mirror so you can grab it and take it with you when you leave. Don't purchase more than you have space to comfortably store-- even if it's a good sale! Take two minutes to put everything away before walking out of the bathroom each morning. Purge every few months or sooner if you see things beginning to stack up. 

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Comical Words

"Life is like a bath, the longer you're in it the more wrinkled you get." - Unkown

"It will change your life!"

I was listening to Pandora when a Netflix ad came on. After touting its features and price the voice said confidently, "It's going to change your life!" That's a bold statement, I thought. Then it hit me... it had! Netflix had changed my life! Not the whole thing, of course, but my distaste for commercials and major network programming (we don't have cable), meant that prior to Netflix I didn't watch that much TV. Now, my husband and I often sit down in the evening and watch "our shows." And like last night, because of the on-demand feature, when the story-line left us hanging we opted to watch just one more, putting us an hour later than we should be for a good night's rest. I'm not anti-Netflix now, but I'm more aware of how things can influence my life in subtle ways.

My focus for 2014 is to live with purpose-- to be intentional about life and not just let it happen to me. It's not about control, rather about choice. The overwhelming number of things we can't control can often leave us feeling like we've also lost our ability to choose. Maybe you started the year with some lofty goals and life has gotten in the way, or maybe your attitude has been, why try? Now is always a good time to choose some life-changing strategies... other than Netflix. Check out Timely Tips that will "change your life!"

TIMELY TIPS - to change your life 

Step 1 - When we built our house, the foundation was the first step. Without a strong foundation it wouldn't be standing 34 years later. Your mission statement is the foundation for building a life of purpose. What are you here for? What impact do you want to have? What do you want to be remembered for? Take some time to think about this and then write out a few sentences stating your purpose. 

Step 2 - We've all heard, "No one gets to the end of life and regrets not spending more time at the office." Maybe your calendar doesn't really reflect what matters most to you. Maybe you just haven't stopped to think about what those things, or who those people are. Keeping in mind your mission statement - write down your top three priorities?

Step 3 - Dictionary.com defines a goal as "the result or achievement toward which effort is directed." You got it, the next step is to identify specific goals. What types of results are you looking for? These might include financial, spiritual, physical, relational, career, educational, or recreational goals. Don't include goals you have no intention of directing effort toward. Do maintain balance and don't attempt them all at once! 

Step 4 - A football team doesn't enter the field with only high hopes and good intentions of scoring a goal. They prepare with strategy and game plays. Elizabeth Hagen, author of 9 Fears That Keep Your Business Stuck, suggests identifying Highly Value Activities (HVAs) to help accomplish your goals. One of your HVAs for a relational goal might be to schedule lunch with friends once/month, or date night with your spouse. An HVA for an educational goal might be to sign up for a class, or take an entrance exam. Choose one of your goals and list three HVAs that will help you achieve that goal. 

Step 5 - Put them on your calendar! Without scheduling HVAs, they're unlikely to get done. So the next step is to put them on your calendar just like you would a dentist or hair appointment. Be intentional about your follow-through and protect your priorities. Schedule notification reminders on your phone. Ask a friend to be your accountability partner or consider scheduling a series of coaching calls with Organized By Choice!

Coaching Testimonial

"Just finished my last coaching call with Brenda at Organized By Choice. Her accountability structure and coaching helped me accomplish a significant goal that was weighing me down for years. I'm grateful."     -Forest B.

Wise Words

"Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established."   -King Solomon

Seeing Double

What grandma would miss an opportunity to share a photo of her new twin granddaughters?!? Abigail Hope and Jacqueline Rene were born March 14th, 2014. They are as precious as can be. Congrats to our daughter Candice and her husband Micah!

Photograph by Casie Ramirez

To further validate this blog's "new babies" theme, today's Timely Tips offer ideas on organizing your nursery and children's rooms. 

TIMELY TIPS - for an organized nursery or children's room

 Step 1 - Start with the closet -- if it's just a single shelf with a clothes hanging rod, it's not maximizing your space. For just a little over $100, you can purchase a ClosetMaid Adjustable Shelf Track Closet Organizer, like we did for our granddaughters' closet. Or, you can use a bookcase on one side of the closet for shelving, and hang a Double Hang Closet Rod to maximize the vertical space on the other side. This also makes the lower hanging clothes accessible to children.  Use Baby Clothes Size Organizers for the first year or two when babies are going through sizes quickly. Categorize the remaining contents of the closet such as blankets, grown out of clothes, etc. Place those items on the shelves in labeled  fabric bins.

 Step 2 - Assign folded clothes -sleepers, onesies, shorts, pants, long-sleeve and short-sleeve specific places in the dresser drawers. Use drawer dividers to keep it orderly. I labeled the top edge of drawers so anyone helping could easily identify where specific items belong.

Step 3 - Create homes for toys using tubs or bins on shelves. Use your storage area as a boundary for how many toys are available at one time. You can rotate additional toys as desired, but having a limit means less stress when it's time to clean up! 

Jacqueline and Abigail's Nursery

My new grandbabies are enjoying their new home. A big THANK YOU to my clients who are patiently awaiting my return from round-the-clock grandma duty!

Wise Words

"There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared: twins."   -Josh Billings

Accessing Your Accessories

 I remember as a child playing with a jewelry box that had an assortment of clip-on earrings and matching necklaces. It was fun dressing up, even though the clip-on earrings were painful! Maybe that's why I didn't get my ears pierced till I was almost 30.

    I love bling, but still feel like I'm playing dress-up when I put it on, so I opt for a more subtle look and don't have all that much. If you're among those who have a collection of fine, costume, and/or sentimental jewelry, you might sometimes find it difficult to access your accessories. 

    Of course if you have a fine cigar, I mean, jewelry box like the one pictured here, you're probably fine. (I made it for my mom in the 60s; it looked "better" before the sprayed-gold macaroni fell off.) If you don't have one and need some up-to-date tips for organizing your jewelry check out the Timely Tips below.

TIMELY TIPS - Access Your Accessories

1. As always, the first step is to purge and sort. Remove the single earrings that have been missing their partners for the last five years and the broken items that your good intentions haven't fixed. Let go of the unloved and unused jewelry as well.

2. Sort your remaining jewelry into three categories - fine, costume, and sentimental. Consider creating a display of your sentimental pieces in a shadow box so you can enjoy seeing them. Or, designate a specific compartment in a dresser-top jewelry box for those items. That way, they don't get in the way of accessing the jewelry you regularly use.

3. Secure your fine jewelry in a safe, or keep it hidden in a hollowed out book or aDiversion Can Safe. Apparently sock drawers, the freezer, and of course, jewelry boxes are the most commonly checked by thieves.

For the rest of your jewelry, accessibility is the key!

4. The hanging pocket jewelry organizer is a favorite because it can be hung on the back of the closet door, or on the closet rod so that you can choose and retrieve your accessories while getting dressed. Bed, Bath, and Beyond has a cute one in the shape of a little black dress. One side has pockets for earrings and the other side has loops that hang necklaces and bracelets. You can find similar organizers at Home Goods and other discounted stores.

5. The velvet lined jewelry dividers keep your items from being a jumbled mess and can be stacked in dresser drawers. A thriftier version is using ice trays which can hold 14+ pairs of earrings each and are also easily stacked.

6. More re-purposing ideas: A belt/tie hanger can hang necklaces and bracelets. An accordion rack, formerly used for kitchen mugs, or a decorative towel rod with S-shaped shower curtain rings can do the same. The most unique repurposing I've seen is a metal rake (without its handle), for those of you with a more rustic motif. You can find that on Sarahndipities Blogspot.

7. DIY projects: A framed fabric-covered cork-board with decorative pushpins makes an attractive wall jewelry organizer. Even cup-hooks screwed into stained or painted wood strips can create lots of hanging space for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Check out Pinterest for more crafty jewelry organizing ideas.

8. There are plenty of standard jewelry boxes, hangers and holders available everywhere from department to discount stores. I even saw some at Michael's this week! So grab your40% off coupon and find the perfect match for your newly sorted jewelry. Just keep in mind single layers-- the more you see, the more you'll use. 

FEATURED LINKS

Tagua Fair Trade Fresno  &  The Haitian Bead Project

Just because I don't wear a lot of jewelry doesn't mean I don't have impeccable taste! ( : Two of my favorite jewelry sources are Tagua Fair Trade Fresno  and The Haitian Bead Project (Website & FB). 

Both are suppliers of beautiful handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. And both supply jewelry with a purpose! Sales from these non-profit organizations create opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers - placing the interests of producers and their communities as the primary concern.  

You can follow them and find out where they'll be selling their products next by clicking the links above.

Comical Words

"Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles."   -Sarah Phillips

You have my permission

Today is (gulp) December 13th. I can't remember a time when my house wasn't fully decorated by this date. My daughter, Candice, came over on Sunday and helped decorate the tree. The nativity's in place, the stockings are hung there's a fresh wreath on the door from a dear friend in Saint Ignace, Michigan, but that's about it.

As part of my coach training course, I'm learning to ask questions that help me let go of unreasonable expectations of myself, ornaments I probably won't use, and even traditions that aren't going to make or break our holiday celebration. 

• What is most meaningful to me and my loved ones as we celebrate Christmas?
• Who will notice if that third layer of ornaments doesn't make it to the tree this year?
• Would a "the twins have arrived" card in April be a wiser choice for my time and resources than sending out Christmas cards right now?   

Not doing it all isn't failure, it's a choice. I'm giving myself permission to let go of the less important and focus on my top priorities. I know you don't need my permission to do the same, but sometimes we need to hear that "it's OK!" 

If Christmas has snuck up on you in these three weeks between Thanksgiving and December 25th, take a few minutes to prioritize and give yourself permission to not do it all. And, consider a few ways to simplify with the following Timely Tips.

Tip #1 - Consider purchasing one type of gift wrap and one or two colors of ribbon. It will save you time figuring out what to wrap each gift in and will create let clutter for storage. 

Tip #2 - Rather than trying to think of unique gifts for everyone, simplify with a theme - everyone gets movie tickets, or a scarf... if you live on our block you know you're getting pumpkin bread and Crispix cookies-- every year! Hey, if it works, stick with it. It's one less decision to make at the holidays. 

Tip #3 - Give the valuable gift of a peaceful and productive environment with an Organized By Choice gift certificate!

I hope you have been encouraged and challenged by the tools and tips shared in these blogs. Please feel free to email or call if you ever have any questions I can answer for you. Christmas blessings to you and yours!

WISE WORDS

 "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" The Apostle Paul

How to Have Enough

What makes what we have enough? 

  A few weeks ago I found myself wandering the isles of Kohl's looking for something to purchase with my $10 reward certificate. In my frugal thinking that was "free money" that I needed to use, right? But, after wandering awhile I realized I had succumbed to consumerism. I didn't have a list of things I needed, but there I was, shopping. Realistically, even if I had a list, would they be things I really need?

  Plato said, "The greatest wealth is to live content with little." Compared to the world at large, none of us have to be content with "little." But can we be content with what we have?

  Melody Beattie has found the antidote to wanting more. She says, "Gratitude turns what we have into enough."

  During this season of Thanksgiving I challenge you to be grateful for all you have and to exercise the Timely Tips that will help develop a sense of contentment all through the year.   

TIMELY TIPS - Steps to Contentment 

1. Start each day with gratitude. Choose to have your first thought be one of thanksgiving. Maybe it's as simple as "I'm thankful I'm alive!" Maybe it's being grateful for a nice warm bed that you don't want to get out of, or a good cup of coffee waiting for you in the kitchen, or an opportunity you know is coming up later in the day. 

2. Place a journal or calendar in the kitchen. Each evening record one experience from the day that you're grateful for. 

 3. Use your senses to trigger gratefulness. When you smell the sweet scent of orange blossoms, feel a puppy's fuzzy fur, hear beautiful music, taste adelicious meal, or see an awesome sunset, be grateful for the senses you have that allow that enjoyment. 

4. Live in the present. Say no to "what if" and "should have" thinking. Focusing on the past or future destroys our present contentment.

5. Shift your focus. If scanning the ads, web catalogs, Pinterest, and Craig's List is is a daily occurrence, consider investing that time in a relationship, exercise, or a hobby. 

6. Express your gratitude. Buy a box of Thank You cards and determine to send out one a week, or month until they're gone. Be creative in acknowledging people for things they have done for you or what they have meant to you. (You might end up buying another box when you're done!)

7. Volunteer with a group or organization that provides for the needs of those less fortunate.

8. Choose to hang out with people who are content.

9. Donate money to bring relief to victims of natural and manmade disasters. 

10. Purge the things you're no longer using and share out of your abundance. Make your donation a blessing to someone in need. 

BONUS TIP (from my soap box): Make gratitude a priority this Thanksgiving. Don't succumb to the pressure of making it a shopping day. 

As I work with people and their stuff, I find a repetitive theme-- more stuff doesn't equal more happiness. In fact, it can be just the opposite. Paul Graham's essay provides a timely perspective on our stuff.

Paul Graham's Essay - Stuff

Wise Words

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough"

-Melody Beattie

Is your fear greater than your pain?

"I have to get to where my fear is greater than my pain." This is how my client expressed her need for motivation to create order with her paperwork. 

Has your fear caught up with, or surpassed your pain of filing? How many hours would it take to collect the documents you'd need to refinance? Can you easily locate your family's birth certificates, medical records, or passports? How would you feel about an IRS visit? 

Today's Timely Tips will help you reduce both the fear and the pain as you create homes and easy access for your long-term filing. 

TIMELY TIPS - Fearless Filing Part 2

1. If you're starting with a file cabinet that you can't stuff another piece of paper into, it's time to purge. And even if there is room for more, it will be easier to find things if you remove outdated folders and documents. (See "How long do I really need to keep this?" for purging guidelines.)

2. Rather than having one long stream of A-Z folders, break down your files into categories. Place a tab that identifies the category on the right side of your hanging folders, and use the left side for tabs that name the individual folders. Here's a sampling of home office categories:

• Tax Documents - W2s, deductions, bank statements, etc.
• Paid Bills (non-tax related) - service provider statements, credit card statements, petty receipts, etc.
• Permanent Records - Auto Records, Birth Certificates, Home Records, Medical Records, Pet Records, Warranties/Manuals, Education Records, etc.
• Insurance - Auto, Health, Home, Life, etc.
• Resources - Gardening, Health/Fitness, Travel, other hobbies, etc.

3. The simplest way to file non-tax related paid bills is in monthly folders. As you pay a stack of bills, file them all together in the month you pay them. Since they're not tax related, there's no need to keep them once you've received verification that they received your last payment, but this gives you a way to save them for that year. If you prefer to save them longer, you can bundle them in a large envelope, date it, and re-use your January - December folders for the next year. I wouldn't recommend keeping them beyond an extra year, unless you have special circumstances that would require it.

4. The only thing left to do is-- make a plan to file! Doing it immediately is the best way to reduce the overwhelm of a stack of papers looming before you.You might prefer to schedule a time to file once a week or month. I use a wire basket in my home office and when it's full, it's time to file. Set yourself up for success by making a plan and sticking to it!

5. If just reading through these steps is causing anxiety, there is an easier way. Check out Freedom Filer. This label system is user friendly and provides a home for all the papers you need to keep. You can contact me at info@organizedbychoice.com for a pre-made system in the Fresno/Clovis/Madera area. 

Setting up a working system is an investment of time that will reap an environment of peace and productivity! 

Wise Words

"Making things work takes work."   -Maryann Donovan 

Now you see it, now you don't

When I started doing live TV organizing segments on KSEE 24's Central Valley Today, I was nervous, to say the least. Live TV... what's the worst that could happen? Well, fortunately outside of dropping a prop or two, and showing up in a green jacket the day they used a green screen behind us (which made me invisible), it really hasn't been that bad. In fact, Alex Delgado makes it fun! I'm glad I didn't let my fear keep me from doing it.

   If the fear of filing has created stacks and stacks of papers in your office or home, I can't promise I will make it fun, but I can offer you some tips on how to file fearlessly.

   Most people's fear of filing centers around the idea that if it's filed, it's gone forever-- never to be seen again. It is scary to think you might miss paying a bill, or forget to attend an event. But in reality, by the time your paper stack has more than one item, you've lost the visual reminder, except of course, for whatever's lucky enough to land on top.  

   Check out Timely Tips for visual reminder methods that will clear the clutter, and promote productivity. 

TIMELY TIPS - Fearless Filing Part 1

Step 1 - Secure a calendar/planner that works with your preferred mode of operation. Is paper your enemy? Use the calendar on your phone or Outlook on your computer to track your to-dos. Not so techie? Purchase a paper calendar. I prefer one with a week-at-a-glance and enough space to record appointments and to-dos.

Step 2 - Sort the paper piles into three categories: Discard (recycle/shred), Active (papers that need some sort of action taken), and Long-term filing. 

Step 3 - Take the "Active" paper stack and assign on your calendar specific times to take whatever action is needed, just like you would record a dentist appointment. In other words, make an appointment with yourself to do it. For your bills, you might want to assign two dates per month to pay them (i.e. the first and fifteenth). If you saved a business card to remind you to call for an estimate on some service, write "Call ___________" on a specific date on your calendar. This way you still have a visual reminder for everything you need to do, but now you only have to look in one place-- your calendar! 

Step 4 - Once you've recorded them on your calendar, place the papers in vertical files using a standard desktop file holder, or even a decorative basket in which folders can stand up. Label your folders with categories that best fit your Active paperwork. Use language that will trigger easy retrieval ("Bills to Pay" "Call or Write" "Coming Events"). Remember, for papers with deadlines, you're relying on your calendar, not on seeing your papers to remind you of the action needed. You simply need to be able to easily locate the papers, without having to thumb through a foot-high stack.

Step 5 - Check your calendar daily and complete whatever Active paperwork assignments are listed there. Refer to your Active file holder for the corresponding papers. Skim through the files weekly to see if anything was overlooked.

Step 6 - Eliminate the "discard" pile and set aside the long-term filing for next month's instructions - Fearless Filing Part 2!

Comical Words

"Organized people are just people who are too lazy to look for things."

-Randy Glasbergen

Need to Get Organized???

THREE-NIGHT COURSE

Need to get organized? Feeling stuck? Tried and failed?  

Whether your life is an organizational nightmare, or you're simply looking for some tips to help you fine-tune things, this course provides practical tools to establish a more peaceful and productive environment. Topics include what to do with the endless paper flow, organizing your space, and how to manage your time and household. Brenda McElroy, owner of Organized By Choice, presents a functional plan so you can experience the freedom of life beyond clutter and chaos. All are welcome!

ORGANIZE YOUR PAPER, SPACE, AND LIFE     

Sept. 10, 17, 24, 2013  

6:30-8:30 PM      

$48/person  

Clovis Community Education

1452 David E. Cook Way

Clovis, CA 93611

Register Online 

or call 559.327.2876

 REDISCOVER YOUR DESKTOP AND RECLAIM YOUR WALK-IN CLOSET!

That Dreaded Question

I'm getting spoiled! We're hosting our daughter Candice, son-in-law Micah, and granddog Champ for three weeks as they transition from the house they sold to their new place. How nice to come home to the sight and aroma of dinner prepared! Micah and Candice are a great cooking team. If you don't have the luxury of live-in help, you might be dreading the question, "What's for dinner?!?"

Part of my motivation for posting our dinner menu when my kids were growing up was sparing myself from having to hear sighs and moans when answering that question. It's kind of like a tree falling in the forest. If you're not there to hear it, it doesn't matter if it made a sound or not.  

There were, of course, other incentives for meal planning such as no 4 o'clock panic, eating healthier, and spending less money. 

Today's Timely Tips will give you the tools you need to gain control of your meal planning and enjoy the dinner hour in a whole new way!

TIMELY TIPS - MEAL PLANNING 101

1. Create a routine. Schedule a time, say Sunday evenings, once every other week to sit down and plan your menu. That gives you two Sundays off, and two weeks of planned meals.

2. Gather your cookbooks, computer, forms (see #3), and lists.

3. Use a free printable form to record what's for dinner like this the one offered by Picklebums (isn't that a fun name?) - Menu Planner. I use the two-week, dinner only planner. For more free printable options check out: 15 free printable menu planners.

4. Try creating traditions to simplify planning and build family bonds. Maybe Monday is taco night and Friday pizza night. Have each family member record their favorite dinner and then serve it whenever he or she has an accomplishment or special occasion to celebrate. 

5. As you plan your menu consider your schedule for the week and choose crockpot recipes, left-over nights, and less-prep meal ideas for the days you'll be coming home late. Check recipe websites like AllRecipes.com or FoodNetwork.com for fast healthy recipes, BBQ, and crockpot ideas. 

6. If you'd rather bi-pass the decision about what to make, FoodOnTheTable.com will decide for you and send you a weekly meal plan based on your family's preferences. 

7. Use the "cook once, eat twice" method by preparing enough for two meals and freezing one. Be sure to keep a list of freezer items (chicken you cooked ahead, casseroles, meat you bought on sale, etc.) so you don't forget about them. 

8. Once you've set your menu, check your stock of supplies and create a list of what you need for those two weeks of meals. This will eliminate extra trips to the store and save time and gas. Set a grocery shopping day. I use the GroceryIQ.com app to store my grocery list on my phone so it's always with me.

9. If preparing meals at home is new to you, try easing into it with a trip to Dinner My Way where they help you prepare, or prepare for you "home cooked" meals. 

10. Cozi.com is a one-stop free website and app where you can create your dinner plans, get recipe ideas, store your grocery list and much more! 

BONUS TIP: If there's more than one eating, there should be more than one participating in the dinner-time process. Designate jobs such as setting/clearing the table, putting away left-overs, loading the dishwasher and washing pots and pans so that the workload is more evenly distributed. 

For most of us, it's challenging to get a good meal on the table every night. For those in crisis (health issues, the loss of a loved one), or even good times like bringing home a new baby, meal planning can be overwhelming.

TakeThemAMeal.com is a website that simplifies meal coordination for someone in need. Friends and family can sign up for a specific day, see what others are bringing, and get the specifics about delivery, food allergies/preferences, etc. They even provide recipe ideas and a dinner order/delivery service, if needed! 

Their motto is: For those times in life when filling their table will warm their hearts. I encourage you to saveTakeThemA Meal.com in your website favorites for a time when you can provide this meaningful service to someone in need.

Wise Words

"Learn to do common things uncommonly well; we must always keep in mind that anything that helps fill the dinner pail is valuable."

-George Washington Carver

Sharp Turn Ahead

The other night my husband, Scott, took me to the   RaceRoom Fresno at River Park. After a quick review of the basics-- pedals, steering wheel, etc., the checkered flag dropped and I was off! 

I actually did fairly well, speeding along at 130 MPH-- until I had to TURN! Had it not been for the "virtual" aspect of this activity, I would have ended up in the ER. It was fun though and I highly recommend it! Maybe someday I'll get to try out my lead foot on the Autobahn.

Do the curves in life tend to create a mess in your world? I often hear clients say, "I was organized before..." I believe that's true. It's not too difficult to keep order when life is cruising along. But, when you experience a sharp turn in the road like an illness, divorce, death in the family, or even something joyful like marriage, having kids, or getting a promotion at work, disorder can easily ensue. 

In his book, Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson suggests the healthiest life comes equipped with four gears. Today's Timely Tips include those gears and my advice for maintaining your balance while navigating the curves in life.

TIMELY TIPS - Gear for Success 

1st Gear - Park 

To be equipped for the sharp turns, we must stop and rest. Swenson suggests taking time for things such as contemplating values, studying, praying, reading. This doesn't happen naturally in our busy lives. I carve out time first thing in the morning to set the focus for my day. 

2nd Gear - Low

This gear is for relationships. When we are designating uninterrupted time for the people we care about, we are creating a support base for the curves in life. Schedule a date-night with your spouse, or with one of your kids. Join a Meetup group with those who share your interests. My small group from church infuses encouragement and laughter into my life each week. I know they'll be there when I experience bumps in the road.

3rd Gear - Drive

We pick up the pace for work and play. This gear uses more energy and gives us a sense of accomplishment when used correctly. Establishing healthy routines for work and play is like having a high level suspension on your car. They ground you and you're less likely to go off the road as you maneuver the curves in life.

4th Gear - Overdrive 

This is what kicks in when you're up against a deadline or have way more to do than you have time for. Our society tends to celebrate the "driven" life, but as Swenson says, "Our cars are not meant to race at high speeds continuously. Neither are our bodies or spirits." Recognize the value and "success" of a balanced life. Saying no to some of the things that keep you in continual overdrive enables you to enjoy the ride!

WISE WORDS

"The goal of much that is written about life management is to enable us to do more in less time, but is this necessarily a desirable goal? Perhaps we need to get less done, but the right things."

-Jean Fleming

Purse Perfection

As they distributed quart-size Ziplock bags, I contemplated just what I would put in mine. It was a telling exercise and part of my training as a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist. I emptied my purse and began to make choices about what I would "keep" (in the bag), and what I would "let go of."

On a very small scale, it helped me identify with my clients who are downsizing from 2,000+ square foot homes to small apartments or assisted living spaces.  Fortunately, my choices didn't have to be permanent, until recently. Succumbing to the pain of carrying too heavy a purse, I chose to scale down. 

If you're a client with whom I've organized, you probably know I'm not too familiar with designer names when it comes to handbags. 

       Me, "That's a cute purse." 

      Client, "Yeah, I don't know why I never use it."

      Me, "Shall I move it to the donate pile?"

      Client, "Um, no. It's a Hermes." 

      Me, "Ohhh..."

Regardless of the looks, price, or name, a handbag is a much better accessory when it's functioning well and not causing back and shoulder pain. If your purse is a black hole, or simply needs some fine tuning, check out the Timely Tips to get it, and keep it, in perfect working order. 

TIMELY TIPS - Purse Perfection 

1. Sort - Empty the contents of your purse. Make three piles:

• Trash (old tissues, loose breath mints, obsolete business cards, etc)

• Re-locate (kids' report cards, paint brush, or other random things that might have landed in your purse)

• Keep (things you frequently need and use while out with your purse)

• Distribute the trash/re-locate piles to their final destinations and then re-visit the keep pile. Are there things in the keep pile that could be stored in the glove compartment or in a trunk container rather than your purse-- still handy, but lightening your load? Once you have your keep items down to the essentials, you're ready for the next step.                                       

2. Containerize - If it's worth having, it's worth being able to find, right? Especially if it's your keys or phone! 

• Assign a home to everything you store in your purse. I always look for a purse that has at least two outer pockets-- one for my keys and one for my phone. A third is handy for sunglasses. Easy access is key for things you use the most. I also recommend sections and pockets inside the purse so there's an assigned place for your wallet, lipstick, business cards, pens, etc. 

• If the inside of the purse is just one open space (a.k.a. black hole) consider purchasing an interior purse organizer. 

• These also make it super simple to change purses, because you have one, instead of fifteen things, to switch to the other purse. Here are some links to some choice products: The Container StoreEtsy.com, Purseket.com,  Pouchee.com, PursePerfector.com.

3. Paper Clutter - Create a home for the paper in your purse.

• Yes, even the trash - use one of the small, plastic cosmetic bags you received free when purchasing make up. (Don't try to deny having a collection of these.) Or, you can use a sandwich-size Ziplock bag and toss it when full. Keep it unzipped for easy access. Whenever possible avoid putting trash in your purse and place your trash in a nearby trashcan. But, when necessary this will be a temporary holding place for your used tissues, receipts you don't need, etc.

• Use a small, wallet-size accordion file to store coupons, receipts to save, business cards, etc. Check Target's dollar section for a deal on these.   

4. Reduce some more

• Replace your full-size brush with a pop-up hair brush/mirror combination (ContainerStore.com).

• If you need to carry water, use a junior size bottle and refill as necessary. 

• Replace your membership/rewards cards with the Key Ring App on your smart phone. 

5. Maintain your newly organized purse 

• Link your purse maintenance plan with another regular routine, like bill paying. Re-locate random items that have landed in your handbag, empty the trash, and do a quick purge of your paper file.

• Use the time while waiting at, or driving through, the car wash to purge your coupons, receipts, etc. 

I got my purse down to 3.5 pounds! Your shoulders and back will thank you, and you'll find yourself less stressed when using your purse!

Purse Quiz @ BlogThings.com

What does your purse say about you?

I can't vouch for its accuracy, except that the assessment was spot on for me!

WISE WORDS

"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse."   -George Washington        (before you downsize)