True Confession

Hello. My name is Brenda McElroy and I have clutter-- digital clutter, that is. I used to tell myself that since I wasn't physically tripping over it, and I could easily find the email messages I needed, it didn't really matter.    

Recently I decided it does matter. When I open my email I want my inbox to function like my closet-- everything in its place and easy access to what I need most (at least most of the time). I don't want to be distracted by stuff that isn't essential or no longer pertinent. I don't want to wonder if I missed seeing something important, or forgot to respond to something because it slipped to the next page. I don't want to hear my kids say, "You have how many messages in your inbox?!?" anymore.                                                        

I'm happy to say that I'm a couple weeks into it and with the tips and tools I've outlined below, it's not hard to maintain! 

---

TIMELY TIPS - for a clutter-free inbox 

1. Purge-- I started by selecting all starred emails (those I had previously identified as important), bringing them to the top of the page and then quickly scanning through the rest. I archived all the ones that weren't worth filing. If your email provider doesn't have that option, you would hit "delete." Yes ouch, but really-- what's the worst thing that could happen deleting email that you don't care about enough to file?   
2. Create Folders-- Use broad categories such as Friends, Family, Finances, Orders, etc. For my business email I have folders for Advertising, Clients, Coaching, Classes, etc. Transfer save-worthy email messages into folders. 
3. Use Auto-Filters-- Gmail has three main tabs Primary, Social (Facebook, Twitter, etc), and Promotional (store advertisements, newsletters, etc). You can add others like Updates (statements, bills, receipts) and Forums (discussion boards, online groups, etc). When messages are categorized like that, it makes scanning and deleting quick and easy. You can also designate messages from specific senders to bi-pass your inbox/tabs and go directly into folders, such as auto-pay notification messages into your Finance folder. 
4. Reduce Inflow-- As new messages arrive, unsubscribe to ads/newsletters (except mine, of course) or check to see if they have a monthly option rather than daily or weekly messages. Mark unsolicited email as spam so that future messages from that sender will go directly to junk mail. Consider picking up the phone to reduce the string of messages that go back and forth as you and your friends or colleagues decide on something. Resist the temptation to click on every "Subscribe" button.
5. Add Boomerang-- A helpful tool for Gmail users allows you to schedule a reminder if someone hasn't responded to your email message. You can type an email and schedule it to be sent at a later time/date and set up recurring messages. If you have an email message that you need to handle the next day, or next week, you can have Boomerang remove it from your inbox and automagically show up on the day/time you designate. 
6. Set Boundaries-- Have specific times for checking email and consider removing notification sounds so that you're not distracted by incoming messages. Determine an inbox limit so that it doesn't get out of hand or overwhelming. A one-page goal may be more reasonable, but if you want to have a zero balance at the end of the day, go for it!

Wise Words

According to a Canadian study and reported in RD's World of Medicine-- April 2015, checking email less frequently (not more than 3 times/day) lowered overall daily stress levels.

A Slow Leak

    One day when I knelt to get a gift bag from a container under my bed, my knees got wet. Uh oh, I thought. Sure enough, there was a slow leak in a pipe under the concrete.

   If we dried the carpet,  replaced the pad, but didn't fix the pipe, we would have eventually been in the same soggy situation.

   Similarly it's often a slow leak of things seeping into your bedroom that causes clutter-- your bag of "treasures" from a conference or home show, gifts for an upcoming birthday. It may be clothes and shoes that seep out of your closet onto the floor, bed, or chair; books and magazines piled and waiting to be read; a half-finished sewing project... you get the picture. 

  It takes a combination of cleaning up the mess and stopping the slow leak to create a peaceful bedroom that promotes a good night's sleep.

   When you walk into your bedroom what message do you receive? Is it one that invites rest and peace, or is it one that leaves you feeling stressed and burdened with stuff to do?

   Timely Tips has some practical ideas on how to clean the mess and stop the slow leak.

---

TIMELY TIPS - for a peaceful bedroom

1. Gather supplies - Laundry basket (for dirty clothes); trash/recycle bag; bag/box for donate; bag/box for relocate. Make sure you have your containers clearly marked. Have a dusting cloth and vacuum handy for cleaning after de-cluttering.  

2. Clear and cover the bed  - Use a sheet and temporarily place items on the bed that belong in the bedroom but don't have a home yet.
 
3. Clear the floor and furniture - If you pick up something to wear (clothes, shoes, belts, hats, scarves, jewelry, etc.), make sure it passes the "love it," "feel good wearing it," and "I don't have too many of these" test, otherwise it goes to donate. If it stays, put it away. 

4. Use your relocate box - Place papers, dishes, kids' stuff, projects, and other items that don't serve a purpose in your bedroom into your relocate box.  

5. Create Homes - For items that belong in the bedroom, but are homeless, be intentional about creating specific places for them in the closet, bathroom cabinet, nightstand, or dresser.

6. Toss/Donate/Relocate - Toss the trash, put the donate in your car, and relocate the items belonging elsewhere.  

7. Clean - Give the room a good cleaning. 

8. Stop the slow leak:                                                                                                                           

• Start the day by making your bed (it will help set the tone for a clutter-free room)                      
• Be mindful about what you carry into your room                                                                          
• Don't put things down, put them away
• Change clothes in your closet so that you can hang things up or put them in the dirty clothes right away
• Place clean loads of laundry on your bed and commit to putting them away before bedtime
• End each day with a quick clean-up - relocate items that don't belong and put things away        an upcoming birthday or shower, the pile that got moved from the kitchen counter when company was coming, a half-finished sewing project, clothes that need to be ironed.

Wise Words

"Bedmakers are 19 percent more likely to report getting a good night's sleep than people who leave their blankets messy in the morning."  --National Sleep Foundation

Recharge

Allison and Chase - March 14, 2015  (Photo Credit Hom Photography)

 "Low battery. Your Mac will sleep soon unless plugged into a power outlet." As soon as that popped onto my screen I had a choice. I could plug into power, or take a chance of my laptop shutting down. 

   When I coach people around life management issues, I sometimes wish I could hold up a sign, "Your self-care is dangerously low. If you don't recharge, you're at risk of shutting down."

   Shutting down can manifest itself in exhaustion, stress, sickness, disease, anxiety, depression, strained relationships, and more. 

   This month my son, Chase, and his bride, Allison, got married. With the endless list of last minute wedding to-dos they had a choice-- run themselves into the ground and use the honeymoon to recuperate, or make self-care a priority and show up healthy and ready for the big day.

   Chase and Allison chose mindful eating and some yoga to help them stay healthy and productive. They did a great job, created a beautiful marriage celebration, and still looked refreshed and ready for a honeymoon in Costa Rica!

   Whether you're under a deadline, trying to keep up at home, or overwhelmed with life in general, Timely Tips has some recharging techniques that will make a difference for you.

---

TIMELY TIPS - Recharge  

1. Breathe - Of course you're already breathing, but consciously breathing deeply is a healthy, de-stressing activity. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, filling your abdomen, not your chest, with air. Slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Stopping to "catch your breath" will have a calming effect.

2. Nap - Babies nap. Older folks nap. Why are those of us in between missing out? A 20-minute nap can recharge your batteries and provide a boost of energy.

3. Eat Healthy & Regularly - A pretty obvious way to recharge, yet often neglected. Set you alarm so you have time to eat breakfast and pack a healthy lunch. Ward off fast food for dinner by creating a weekly meal plan.

4. Develop Routines - Dr. David B. Agus says, "One of our biggest stressors is not finances or marriage, but the lack of a regular routine. Even simply eating lunch an hour later than usual can spike levels of the stress hormone cortisol and disrupt your body's ideal state." Rather than running around like a chicken with its head cut off, design routines for things you do daily at home and at work. 

5. Go to Bed On Time - That might be different for everyone, but according to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Turn off electronic screen earlier in the evening and create a clutter-free bedroom to promote a good night's sleep. 

 6. Exercise - Yep, you knew it was coming, right? But, it doesn't have to mean spending an enormous amount of time and money on a gym membership. FitnessMagazine.com has a 15 Minute De-stress Workout you can do at home, but even something as simple as walking or bike riding can help. Find something you enjoy doing so it's sustainable. You certainly don't want to get stressed about de-stressing!

Wise Words

Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors. --Norman Cousins

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.  

---

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.

---

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. 

---

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!

---

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!

---

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!

---

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. ( :

---

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.

---

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!

---

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. 

---

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!

---

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.

---

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. 

---

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!