General Organizing Tips
Friday, January 27, 2017
HOW TO ORGANIZE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
Being naturally disorganized, I've seen the differences between myself and those naturally organized creatures ..... they keep track of everything whether on paper, electronic or in a cloud. But you and I, the "striving-to-be-functionally-organized", still lose info! Why?
Because we love all those fun new things and we act like that cartoon dog who's so easily distracted by squirrels: ohh Dropbox, that'll be perfect...ohhh Evernote, that's the one that'll save me...oh my, iCloud you are the best...Oh yes, that new daytimer will keep me on task.....oh wow, how did I live without (insert latest technology or product)!?!?!?
Yes, I still struggle to keep on top of all info I want to save! For me, less is more! I use Notes on my phone to keep info I need to recall. And I use the notes sections on Outlook to keep people-specific notes and info. And lastly, I use the Carbonite app to ... full
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
PROJECTS!
Projects can be exciting and energizing or depressing and terrifying! Why are projects such a difficult prospect for disorganized people? It's because a project holds numerous decisions, steps and goals all wrapped up in one big package! Where do we begin? HOW do we begin? I personally love the "SUN-Project" way of breaking down the huge project into small to-do items: Draw a large circle on your project paper or board - write the name of the project inside the sun. Now draw lines, or rays, coming out of the big circle (like you drew the sun and rays when you were in elementary school) Now label each ray as one of the larger jobs within your project; wedding venue, wedding day, rehearsal, food, decor, Now draw small branches coming off the large rays; like tree branches with new growth stems The small branches will be the individual tasks required for each large ray or ... full
Friday, November 4, 2016
BLOGGING UPDATES
Do you blog? Do you journal? When we're naturally disorganized, the only way to do anything consistently is to have a way to remember the that thing you keep forgetting! Blogging just isn't on my mind. But when someone asked me for my blog address, I looked and realized I haven't blogged in 11 months!! I'm not sure you can call it a blog if it's a yearly message! So, if you want to blog, journal or just remember to accomplish something consistently, here is my solution: make it a calendar appointment with a set time and alarm! If it's not in the calendar system, it will not be accomplished for most naturally disorganized people. My appointment is set as "Do your stinkin' blog Tracy!" - every month on the 25th - with a reminder for a 24 hours prior and 1 hour prior. Check back on the 25th and see ... full
Thursday, July 23, 2015
SMART PHONE SCANNING
As we've been in the midst of purchasing a new home I've found my iPhone scanning app to be priceless! I've needed to send documents that I'd not yet scanned and was away from my laptop. Thanks to TurboScan I could scan right from my phone and email a doc within seconds! I think every business or busy person needs a scanner app on their smart phone! Here are some of the top rated on iTunes (sorry, I'm a iPhone freak, but I know you can find android apps also): Turbo ScanScanner ProCam ScannerYes, most of these kind of apps have a fee but it's small - I think I paid $2.99 for TurboScan. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN SAVED BY HAVING A SCANNER ON YOUR PHONE? I'd love to hear! Happy Scanning, Tracy
Friday, August 1, 2014
SIRI FOR THE DISORGANIZED
This week I shared the blessings of the iPhone's assistant, Siri, with lots of clients who've never used her! As a "naturally disorganized - but, now functionally organized" business owner I have discovered how amazing this tool is for a busy or disorganized people!
Example 1: you are driving and receive a phone call from a prospective client. You know your memory will fail you if you try to remember to call her back - come on, be honest, how many times have you said, "I'll call you as soon as I get to ___"? And then around 3am you finally remember! STOP trying to remember and use your fabulous assistant Siri.
Press and hold the home key till you hear the beep-beep.
** Siri - remind me to call back Jane Doe when arrive at the office or **Siri - remind me in one hour to check available appointments for Jane Doe
Now you can be assured the new client will indeed hear ... full
Saturday, September 15, 2012
LIVING MINIMALISTICALLY
Since moving from Alabama to our new home in North Carolina I've discovered the ups and downs of "minimalistic living". It's amazingly easy to unpack when you bring next to nothing with you, but then you discover those things you wish you'd kept; wireless router, ice tea pitcher, iron etc.
So, how can you live more minimalistic without giving up everything?
1. Go through your cabinets, cupboards and closets and donate/sell anything you've not used in the last year. One year is all you need to evaluate because you'll have hit all the holidays and seasons. Get rid of those extra bowls, serving pieces, hats, shoes, towels, sheets and even decor and candles. 2. Reduce the amount of "like items"; cereal bowls -keep one days worth for your size family, keep one set of extra sheets for each bed, reduce the cooking utensils, baking sets etc. 3. Remove extra pieces of furniture that ... full
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
TIPS FOR CLUTTER FREE GARAGE
Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Garage
1. Utilize storage
you already have before purchasing anything new. Old dressers are great for storing small
tools, rags, etc.
2. Make separate
areas for small tools, supplies, hardware, large tools, liquids etc.
3. Purchase multiples
of the same size storage containers.
They will stack easy and give the appearance of order.
4. Keep a small file
box with numbered dividers. For each
storage unit put a label with a number on it, then list its contents on a 3x5
or 4x6 card and place the card behind the corresponding number in your file
box. This works great for boxes stored
up on rafters. Make sure you can SEE the
number on the box (write in on all four sides), then when you need something
you locate it in your file box and go straight to ... full
Friday, February 3, 2012
DO YOU HOARD?
Hoarding
Have
you ever wondered whether you are a hoarder?
Does keeping 20 years
of past Christmas cards constitute hoarding? Is there an acceptable
expiration date by which you can still use food and not be considered a
hoarder? How much trash has to pile up before you're labeled a hoarder?
Does having extra sets of things mean you're a hoarder?
If you watched any of the
Hoarding specials these past couple of years, you probably have some
strong opinions about what you witnessed. It can be heart wrenching to
watch. I have clients who live in the pain and shame of hoarding and
excessive clutter; it takes control of their lives and slowly destroys any
sense of a safe and comfortable home.
One segment I watched
involved a sweet elderly lady who was living in a Level 5 Hoarding situation
(see explanation below)and she clearly ... full
Thursday, December 29, 2011
NATIONAL "GET ORGANIZED" MONTH
National GET-ORGANIZED
month January
Plan now to use January to get
yourself organized and off on the right foot for 2012! What better month to
focus on organizing than January? You've
just cluttered the home with wonderful Holiday
celebrations and have to figure out what to do with it all; it's the end of the
year and you have to plan for that dreaded April 15th date that
approaches almost as fast as Christmas does; you're ready to make a resolution
that will be kept for once. So, get in
the organizing frame of mind now. Make a plan today to seek out the
encouragement you need to de-clutter your home during the winter months. No matter where you live, you should be able
to locate a Professional Organizer through NAPO (National Assoc. of Prof.
Organizers) at http://www.napo.net/ Just select Find an Organizer and
type in your info. NAPO
gives ... full
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
STRESS-LESS CHRISTMAS
As I look ahead to Christmas
I know that many of you, like me, will fight off the overwhelming sense of
stress. What is so stressful about this
time? It's the disorganized tangle of
lights, ornaments, wrapping paper and décor as well as the overloaded lists of
food preparation, appointments, invitations and shopping. If you are naturally disorganized, this scene
is capable of sending you into the "post Christmas crash”. So, let me encourage you to change how you
handle the hours leading up to the presents so you'll be able to handle the
hours after the presents.
·
On Christmas Eve: Take the time to run the
dishwasher even if it's not full, and then empty it; it'll make the morning
much easier! Set up your cameras so
you're ready for the first surprise of the morning. Clear any clutter that's
been building throughout the day. Remind
Santa to ...
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ABOUT ME
As a Certified Professional Organizer I desire to share ideas and tools to assist anyone who desires to increase productivity in their home or office.
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