Organizing and Learning How to Organize Articles

If you are like many people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD) you find getting organized a constant struggle. You push yourself to spend time and energy “cleaning up”, then, within days or hours, it looks like nothing was done and worse it is impossible to find anything. You are right back where you started from. nnHow do you put something away so that you are able to find it again? How do you put something away so that when you take it out to us

What is the right way to organize my shoes? As an organizer, I often hear that question (or one like it). My answer is always the same: There is no “right” way to organize anything; you have to find a way that works best for you. At this point, most people breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe there’s hope for my closet after all, they reason.nWhile there is no right way to organize your shoes, there are some strategies you can use to make your closet work better.n**Last mont

Clearing out a closet of any kind usually strikes fear (or at least distaste) in the hearts of most people, but it doesn’t have to have that effect. Overstuffed closets make us feel stressed and irritated, especially when we can’t find what we want. Whether your shoes are in boxes or all over the floor of your closet, clearing out your shoes will give you a sense of control and help you enjoy your shoes more.nThe first thing you need to do is look. Really look at each pai

We’ve got way to go to reach the paperless future shown in The Jetsons and Star Trek. During the course of daily life, many of us are faced with a deluge of paper, all of which needs to be dealt with in some way. Many people I’ve worked with are drowning in stacks, piles, and desks full of paper, and want to gain control over the paper in their lives. If this rings true with you, read on for some tips on how to begin to turn off the “paper faucet.”nnMa

Once an afterthought, people who spend time at a desk have come to recognize the benefits of creating an ergonomic, efficient workspace. Whether you’re spending time at a desk at home or at an office, a comfortable, well thought out space can go a long way towards making you feel more productive. Here’s a few tips to get the process started:nnChoose the right workstation. Think about the functions that you’ll be doing at your desk. Analyze what you do in a d

One day my client and I were discussing her job. She gets to work early every day, works through lunch and finally goes home after everyone else. Yet, despite all the hours she was putting in she didn’t feel like she was accomplishing anything. She felt unproductive, ineffective and without direction. nnThe first thing I asked her was what she expected to get done each day. She didn’t know. I asked her if she used a to-do or task list. She told me that she creates them al

A client of mine sent me a "pearl of wisdom" which defined "junk" as something that you’ve kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it. Who makes this stuff up? Probably the Chief Marketing Officer of the Container Store!n nHow do you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? Do you keep things because a family member, friend, or advertisement tells you to? Outside views don't always recognize the value, or lack of value, something may have to you. n nHow

Are you tired of asking your kids to put away their toys, clothes, and school books? If “clean up your room!” is a popular refrain in your household, there are some simple steps you can take to get your kids on the organizing bandwagon.nn1. Give them control. You already know your children are full of ideas, so allowing them to participate in the organizing plan is a great first step. Instead of making decisions for them about where their toys should be stored or

How many times have you told yourself that you really should get organized? You may have promised yourself that you’ll do it and you've even set aside whole weekends to finally get the job done. Somehow, the weekends come and go, and it still isn't done. nnYou know it is going to take a lot of time and effort, so the question is: "Why bother?" nnGetting organized is a very personal thing. Just like there is no one system that will work for everyone there is no universal rea

Do you ever feel that somehow clutter has taken over your home, office, or life? Many of my clients do. At some point they have thrown up their hands and given in: “Why bother? It’s too much work. I don’t have time to be organized.”nIf you have ever felt this way, begin thinking about how the clutter began. Most clutter begins as a small pile that builds and spreads over time, taking on a life of its own until it becomes a mountain. That same thing happened to me year

Figuring out how to pay for college can put a lot of stress on a family budget. And for those students who can’t rely on financial support from mom and dad, the pressure can be even greater. nnBut by rethinking your college experience and breaking it down into two different phases—the first two years at community college and the second two at the four-year university of your choice—you could potentially save yourself thousands of dollars, says NextStudent, a

You want to be more organized but where do you start? Here are a few organizing tips to implement today to get you on the road to a more organized life.nn*What about a gift that you received but do not love? Well, after you say thank you, you are the new owner, and it is your choice to do with it as you choose. The giver of the gift would want it to be used which means that you could “re-gift” or just give it to someone who will love it and make use of it. Don’t let it

Thirteen and a half inches! Every day for one week I measured the amount of mail I got. All totaled, over a foot of paper came through my front door. Only half an inch of it was even remotely important. n nHow you handle the mail coming into your home is one of the keys to reducing your piles of paper. nnWhen you consider that more mail comes into our homes over the course of a month then our grandparents received in a lifetime, it's no wonder that we don't know what to do wi

OK, so you know you have a problem, right? No matter how hard you try to keep your home organized, you just can’t seem to pull it off. The reality is that some people are naturally better organized while others are a bit more organizationally challenged. If you fall into the latter category, you can still keep yourself better organized with these three organizing tips.nnKeep Things HandynnOne of the problems that many people face when trying to get organized is keeping orga

One of the rooms that has a tendency to get disorganized and untidy is the home office. In many cases, the home office becomes a dumping ground for paperwork and other items that need a home. By following these simple organizing tips, however, you can regain control of your home office and make your items much easier to find.nnOne of the first organizing tips you can implement in your home office is to simply purchase a few organizational items. A filing cabinet will go a lon

San Francisco living is great – many of us are fortunate to live in beautiful, historic buildings that are just bursting with character. Another thing that’s bursting is our closets. With more clothing and belongings than ever before, it can be a constant struggle to find places to put all our “stuff,” especially in closets that were designed twenty-five, fifty, or a hundred years ago. Our lives, and our storage needs, are very different than our prede

Dreams are not merely the nightly thoughts you experience as the brain sorts out the day's events. They are the goals and visions that fire your heart and saturate your soul with joy at the very thought of them. They are those continuing visions of what you want your life to be at its highest level of fulfilment--what you want to do, how you want to do it, what kind of person you want to become in the process. Your destiny and reason for living are wrapped up tightly in your dreams and desires, like the genetic information inside a seed.

People who have difficulty purging stuff often manufacture reasons why it is not a good idea to get rid of things. To get an organized lifestyle techniques are done quickly and without emotion.

Do you have enough time for work, recreation, family and relaxation? We spend atleast eight hours sleeping in twenty-four hours of the day; which leaves 16 hours left over. Most people work atleast eight hours a day; which leaves another eight hours of free time to do as we wish. In that eight hours it is best to come up with a plan of how you want to spend those hours and if properly planned organizing can fit in each daily routine.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I never have enough time!”? Maybe you have even said it yourself. I hate to break the news to you...we all have the same amount of time: 24 hours in a day which means 168 hours per week. There is nothing that anyone can do to change it. For some people that is the bad news. There is good news, however. You are in charge of your time.

I knew the time had come to pare down my burgeoning collection of mementos when I tried to stuff just one more greeting card into one of my four keepsake boxes and a cascade of papers came tumbling down - with no lid to hold back the avalanche, I received a very tangible wake-up call that I can't save everything. Are you hanging on to physical reminders of people and events thinking it will be a great way to reminisce or even to honor the people those things represent? I certainly understand the emotions that greeting cards, ticket stubs, old toys, and even clothing can bring.

What happened? Your kitchen used to be your domain. You were equal parts queen and sorceress, ruling benevolently over your kingdom and creating magical and tasty concoctions for your family. So where did all the magic go? Perhaps your empire has slid into disarray and disorganization to the point where it takes you just as long to find what you need as it does to work your domestic magic.

"To do two things at once – is to do neither." ~ Roman philosopher Publilius Syrus, 100 A.D. When we need to accomplish many tasks, we do 2-3 things at once, sometimes more. We do this in order to be more productive. Multi-tasking has basically become the American way. In fact, employers often include "multi-tasking" as one of the desirable traits they look for in job descriptions. But is multi-tasking really leading to increased productivity? According to some experts, the answer is no. Multi-tasking is generally less efficient than focusing on one thing at a time.

Every room in the home has a function. In many households, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms, and it serves several functions. We all must eat to live and having a clean kitchen is very essential to that need. If you want to have a clean kitchen, it really starts with having an organized kitchen. When you’re cooking, you don’t want to worry about a thick layer of dust on the range or dirty countertops or shelves. However, cleaning can be a chore, even though it does promote a healthy home and safe cooking environment.

Is your to-do list a mile long? Do you look at the same long list of tasks every day and wonder where to start? If so, how do you choose which tasks you will work on today? Writing down your to-dos or entering them into your task list is only the first step to getting things done. You also need to assign each task to a date when you plan to complete it.

Do you qualify to be added to the list of Organized People in the world? There are some of people that are just born with the good luck, to be organized, in every facet of their lives. Boy, I am envious of those people. I had to learn the hard way, by making tons of mistakes, living with ...Do you qualify to be added to the list of Organized People in the world?

In a truly well organized home, everyone pitches in to keep things neat and tidy. If your home is feeling cluttered, or if cleaning day is stressing you out, here are some simple home organization tips that everyone can use. To get started, you will need to determine how much time you want everyone to devote to cleaning each day, or do you want to dedicate a certain day of the week to cleaning instead? Everything should have a place of its own and everything should be put away if it is not in use.

It’s ‘GO’ Month (Get Organized)! Moreover, it’s a new year and a new decade. This is the perfect time to set the tone for a new phase. Remember, small changes over time lead to a huge cumulative positive change. Let’s talk about your office & desk area, whether it’s a home office or a business office. Many of the same issues are the same for both areas. If you find that you have always struggled with getting or staying organized and managing your time, consider hiring a Certified Professional Organizer to help you identify and set up a sustainable customized system.

Dealing with “End of Life Issues” There are so many wonderful things about our particular society but facing the end of life isn't one of our strong suits. We do very little to prepare for this certain event. This topic, "end of life issues", has been on my mind for some time but it has become especially prominent since several of my friends and acquaintances have lost a parent and I personally have a family member with a serious illness. These unfortunate facts have prompted me to suggest discussions and plans of action for end of life issues for all of us.

As an entrepreneur or any other type of business professional, you are probably often asked to take on volunteer leadership positions, such as a Board member, a committee chair, etc. These roles can be incredibly satisfying from a personal and professional standpoint. However, it is often difficult to know when to say "no" when faced with too many opportunities and too little time with regard to volunteer leadership roles. Recently, I was asked to take on two separate leadership positions for two different organizations that I am a member of.

The trees have started to bud, the birds are singing, and the daffodils are popping open everywhere. You can just feel spring on its way! When it gets like this outside I have the strong urge to shake up the stagnant winter energy inside my home. The air indoors seems in such stark contrast to the fresh, vibrant breeze making its way through the trees. We have such little time each day to devote to a big spring cleaning job, so I have outlined here some of my favorite quick and easy ways to refresh the energy in your home and make it feel ready to welcome spring. Enjoy! 1.

It is no secret. As people advance through their lives, they generally continue to accumulate more and more personal possessions, whether it’s clothing, tools, electronics, or accessories. And while most people cherish their possessions, many struggle to keep them organize, safe and clutter free. But let’s face it — it is far easier to remember where you put the lawn mower or a sweater than it is to recollect where you misplaced the necklace your grandmother handed down to you!

Tell me if this sounds familiar -- someone asks you to do something that you really don’t want to do or you honestly don’t have time for. It might be a church bake sale, a school fundraiser, participating on a committee, or even just working late. But you feel like you will let the other person down if you say no. You feel GUILTY already, and you haven’t even responded yet! So you say, “Sure,” even though doing so is going to put you under tremendous stress and PRESSURE.

Consider your physical mailbox at home. Would you store pieces of mail in your mailbox that require action? What about mail announcing that your friend has moved and has a new address? How about mail reminding you of an upcoming appointment? I didn’t think so. Your email inbox should not be any different. A mailbox, whether physical or virtual, is a place to receive mail. It is NOT meant for storage. Mail should come in and out quickly. Below are some of the most common items that we find “stored” in our clients’ inboxes.

I have confessed in the past, to loving organization in all its forms. At work, at home, on vacation... it just makes me feel good. So, without further ado, here are 8 great organizational tips for the whole family. 1. Set an intention rnHow do you want your family life to be? What would your best day look like? How much organization do you need to function effectively as a unit? To be happy?rn rnTake some time to write down your vision of a blissfully organized life. Craft a

When you agree to perform services for a client, and the client agrees to pay you for such services, you and your client have entered into a legal contract, often referred to as an agreement. The terms of the agreement, however, are difficult to recall and prove unless in writing.

Statistics show that people respond better to positive support than to negative input. If you want your employees to perform well, cultivate patience and a positive environment. Not all people possess the same skills; employees who are assigned tasks beyond their capability may not adhere to training no matter how specific and effective the strategies. Locating the individual value and contribution of each employee allows you to focus on improving his/her overall productivity and enthusiasm for the job. When training one-on-one, these strategies will be beneficial:

How often do the words "I need" come out of your mouth, as it relates to your business? When you run your own company, it's easy to think that the only way to succeed is to be moving forward with your expenses -- the newest technology, a broader circle of professionals providing you services, involvement in more and more costly marketing efforts, etc. And it's particularly difficult to resist the urge when you know you can generally take a tax DEDUCTION for any business expenses.

We have so many hours in the day, and we tend to think we can get everything done that we planned to do, right? Not always, so we multitask some things in order to catch up. But can it be a costly mistake to multitask most of the time? So let's discuss some things. Multitasking is a symptom of ...

Have you seen my? Watch? Keys? Socks? Purse? Homework? Pretty much anything you can think of can and will get lost in the course of a day. That, my friend, is exactly why you need to get organized. According to statistics, the average person spends an hour a day looking for things. If ...

It is well known that exercise helps to alleviate stress. In fact, the American Council on Exercise reminds Americans that one of the most effective methods of stress relief is exercise. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Association endorses exercise as a way to reduce stress, and recommends ...

If you have a large brood, then you’re unquestionably faced with many storage issues. Among the most common: shoe organization. With lots of people come lots of shoes; heaps, in fact. Shoe organizers are smart storage solutions for big families. With so many different designs available, organizers make it easy to win the shoe storage battle. Rack ’em Up

Do you find yourself nagging your spouse to get rid of clutter and to organize? Nagging doesn’t work and can drive a wedge between you. These 7 tips will help get your spouse organized without nagging. As a professional organizer one questio I am often asked is, “How do I get my husband to get organized?” I have given this some serious thought and have come up with a few ideas that will help you help him without turning into a nag.

Many individuals lead busy lives and experience hectic mornings on a consistent basis. Days can start out on a sour note if we cannot find our work clothes or that blouse that perfectly complements the skirt we have chosen to wear in a hurry. With an organized closet, you could avoid this ...

Feeling sick, stressed or fatigue may not be the result of your day. It may however be the result of the environment you are living in and working in. As a Professional Organizer, I always emphasize the importance of an uncluttered environment not solely for the joy of finding things when you need them, but because the clutter can be making you sick. Clutter holds mass amounts of dust mites, pet dander and dust. These three things can cause poor air quality and potential ast

We all dream every night. Some people don't remember dreaming and would swear that they never dream. But dreaming is essential for sorting out and releasing the emotional buildup from our day so we can start the new day with a clean slate. If you stop people from dreaming, they become disturbed, ...

Management function requires planning and structuring an organization along with monitoring various activities. Top-notch managers and business executives are not necessarily leaders. Organizational leadership segregates excellent leaders from average managers. Organizational leadership follows a specialized people centric approach to the practice of supervision that helps in aligning individual goals with strategic goals and objectives. Such professionals work in the capacit

Summer is here, our days are packed full and we often become stressed. We sometimes have so much going on we think there's no time to laugh and have fun. Wrong! There is good news! Smiling and laughter are really good for your health! And the more you do them the better! From biblical ...

It is hard for anyone to watch someone that you love deteriorate from the Disease of Alzheimer's. The once vivacious individual that you always knew is still there-somewhere. The problem is that it may only be for a fleeting moment at eventually not at all. Is it hard for them as well? Do they fully understand what is happening? Some doctors say that they have a hard time coping and that they understand that things will only get worse and others have the opposite opinion, so I guess that we will never really know for sure.

In its purest form, gardening is about connecting with the earth and resetting our clocks to the simple, natural rhythms of life. Try as we may, we can't really speed up a tomato plant and make it grow by our time table. We must adapt and in doing so, gardening offers us a gentle reminder ...