Browse Organizing and Learning How to Organize

How is it that shoes can end up in a massive heap in the blink of an eye? And how is it that one shoe manages to burrow down to the depths of the pile, while its mate covertly sneaks off under the bed, often managing to remain hidden for months? It’s time to take control of this shoe war. Fortunately, thanks to these seven types of great shoe organizers, you’ll save lots of time and energy. Cubes Shoe cubes are an excellent way to store men’s and women’s shoes in a cubby-style manner. The Melamine Shoe Cube offers organization of 25 or 15 shoe pairs.

We all know a shoe addict. Ever since Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker made her love of Manolo Blahnik’s known as Carrie Bradshaw on HBO’s hit show, women around the globe have been justifying their enormous shoe collections. As Carrie famously said on the show, “I like my money right where I can see it – hanging in my closet.”

Ahh, summer. In June summer stretches out, appearing limitless. Now as August and the back-to-school ads bombard us, we realize that summer soon will be gone. Have you accomplished some of the plans you made in the spring? If not, you may have fallen victim to a time zapper. What activities zap your time? Possibilities include: o Catching up on Facebook, Twitter, etc. o Shopping (in a store or on-line) o Channel-surfing o Playing video games o Talking on the phone or texting

If you’ve ever visited the home of a friend and sneaked a peak into her closet, don’t feel guilty. We’re all looking for ways to get that private space organized in a way that makes sense. Fortunately, there are plenty of closet organizers available today that can keep your whole wardrobe in order.

Do you love your shoes? Are you a Carrie Bradshaw-level footwear junkie? If you are, you’re no doubt sick of tripping over your favorite heels and forcing closet doors shut over huge bluffs of flats and espadrilles. Curating a generous collection of trendy footwear doesn’t have to be a chore. Integrate a few clever space-saving devices and you’ll be enjoying a happy reunion with the visible floor of your closet before you know it. And just imagine how many new pairs of gorgeous shoes you’ll have room for once the clutter is gone.

Teens and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder often have a difficult time keeping rooms and other areas of their home, office or life organized and clutter-free. As the mother of an ADD teen and a professional organizer, I can relate! Many people with ADD say that clutter sometimes gets to a point where even thinking about it is overwhelming. It may get so stressful it’s hard to know what to do or where, how and when to get started. Organizing techniques that work for man

When women find out that I am a professional organizer inevitably they ask if my home is organized. When I simply say yes then they ask me if all of my cupboards are organized. When I say yes they ask if my closets are organized. Again I say yes. My home doesn’t look like a page out of a magazine because we live in it. A home can have a homey feel and at the same time be organized. Think of someone who you think is totally organized. Here are 6 secrets on how they keep organized. It is simple to declutter your home when you know how.

May is Family Wellness Month. Whether you are a family of one or a family of ten or more, there are a number of ways that you can enhance wellness in your life. This article will speak to wellness in terms of mental health as it relates to a functional space and calendar.

If you are like most people, chances are you read a variety of different magazines. Although some magazines can simply be read and then discarded, other magazines can be useful for a longer period of time. For example, you probably wouldn't want to discard your sewing, woodworking or other crafting magazines after reading them. If you have a number of different magazines that you want to keep for reference purposes, organizing them in a neat and efficient manner is probably one of your conce s. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your magazines safe, neat and easily accessible.

It is getting close to that time of year when we are going to be entertaining more than usual and we will need a Master Plan in order to remember everything on our lists. Entertaining can be stressful, there are so many things to think of and plan for, things to purchase, not to mention when we are going to have the event.

Are you one of those people who know precisely how many accounts you have with different companies and institutions? Do you have all of the details for each account duly noted and recorded in some organized fashion? If you are and if you do, you are likely in the minority. For purposes of this discussion, we will use a broader definition of the word ‘account’ than may immediately come to mind with most people. We will define an account as being ‘a situation where a person has a business relationship with a third party’.

"It wasn't raining when Noah build the ark." Howard Ruff It's all too common for families to be 'winging it' through life, quite unprepared for reaching their personal and financial goals, and unable to deal with unexpected situations that life can (and will!) throw at us. Here are 10 Financial/Lifestyle Strategies to pay attention to in order to take care of your family.

Is there a project sitting around your office, closet, garage, or spare room? Maybe it’s something you’d like to get done, but there never seems to be enough time to get started. It sits in a box or on a shelf, waiting, maybe even mocking you. This may be what I call a “dead-end” project. Ask these questions: • Do I really have the time to do this project? Think through all the steps involved in completing it. Think about current obligations, work schedule, and family activities. Do you really have the time?

The bedroom closet is one of the most important spaces in any home. It is where we store our best clothes, shoes and fashionable accessories. One of the most common complaints of American homeowners is that they simply do not have enough closet space. This is particularly true when it comes to the bedroom closet, which people have a habit of overstuffing. It isn’t their fault, of course. But most of us have a problem letting go. We see an item we like, wear it a few times, and it stays in our closet for years.

The road to organization is sometimes a long one, especially if you want to start organizing an area that has been growing and spreading for a while! If you can start at the beginning, by that I mean, before things get out of hand, get organized from the get go. The sooner you start, the less ...

Most people associate the word “addict” with alcohol or drugs. Reality is that people can become addicted to either a substance or a behavior. As a professional organizer, I work with many clients who are addicted to stuff. What does this look like? Here are some of the signs: o more stuff enters a space than leaves a space o the urge to have the “latest and greatest” is strong o shopping is used as a type of therapy o although clutter may bother a person, it doesn’t affect the person enough to stop acquiring new items

Imagine a store that doesn't bother putting together any policies or procedures. No one has ever decided what their business hours will be, so the customers don't know when the shop will be open -- it could be 10-2 one day and 6-6 another day. No one has decided what the store will sell, so customers don't know if they will get flowers or salami when they walk in the front door. And the owner has never bothered to set a policy about the type of payment the store accepts, so a customer who paid with a credit card on Monday might be told "cash only" on Tuesday.

Most people treasure their jewelry. They wear it proudly, pass it down to loved ones and even insure it. But do they care for it properly on a daily basis? Jewelry gets dirty with simple daily wear. It is exposed to the elements, rubs up against oily skin and gets smudged by makeup, food bits, etc. That is why, at the very least, you should regularly wipe down your jewelry with a clean, smooth, 100 percent cotton cloth. This is especially true with jewelry you wear often – like a wedding ring or watch. Sterling silver jewelry tarnishes quickly when exposed to the air and light.

Keeping your kitchen organized is a never ending task. It is a project that requires dedication and commitment. It might take you a couple of attempts at organizing before you think you have found the setup that works best for you. One of the ways to keep your kitchen organized is to take the time after grocery shopping to make sure similar items will be stored together. The next time you are ready to go to the grocery store, your new organization will help you figure out what you need to buy, and will stop you from buying items you already have on hand.

Imagine you are on a roll, engrossed in a project, in the "flow." All of a sudden, the phone rings, an e-mail alarm goes off, a colleague is standing in your doorway, a fax is coming over the machine, etc. Ah, interruptions. If you didn't define all of those as an interruption, think again. Experts estimate that the average American is interrupted 73 times per day. Some people find this number to be high, others find it extremely low. It depends on what your definition of an interruption is. My definition is anything that you didn't want to, or expect to, happen at that time.

Deciding Whether to Go Legal As a former full-time practicing atto ey and now a small business owner, I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to the legal issues a business owner may face. This provides me with the distinct advantage of knowing when to call in an atto ey for assistance, as opposed to using another professional, such as an accountant, financial planner, insurance agent, or business coach -- or perhaps handling the matter myself. In addition, my background helps me to select an atto ey that is the best fit for the business matter at hand.

Things run more smoothly when they are working under a well-organized system. Take, for example, your refrigerator shelves. In most cases, people simply put whatever food they have into their refrigerator, and then just use the food as they need it. This works fairly well for the most part, but every now and then there will be a problem. Something will get tucked into a back corner of the refrigerator and forgotten for weeks, or someone will forget how long the meatloaf has b

It is no secret that many females have an affinity for shoes. Most shoe lovers could own easily over 200 pairs. A true shoe love has an ever expanding footwear collection. But without the right organizational products and systems in place, even moderate footwear fanatics can find themselves with limited closet space.

A well organized bathroom can be a relaxing haven when you need to take care of yourself. Getting ready to go to work, or out for a night on the town is a lengthy and frustrating process when your favorite essentials are lost in the clutter of an unorganized bathroom. Keeping your bathroom clutter-free will reduce stress, and time wasted looking for missing items.

Is your bedroom calm and serene, a place where you can relax and get a restful night's sleep? Or is it a chaotic place filled with clutter, clothes, papers and the like? If your bedroom is anything but restful, consider spending some time de-cluttering and organizing it so it becomes a sanctuary to replenish your mind and soul. In addition, organizing your bedroom will make getting dressed each day a simple endeavor rather than a frantic hunt for matching shoes!r

Okay, empty your wallet. Clear off some space on your desk and take everything out. Spread it around so you can see everything. Now, we’re going to categorize it. Coupons: Are they still good? Are they worthwhile? If you're not in the habit of using coupons, they can be more trouble than ...Okay, empty your wallet. Clear off some space on your desk and take everything out. Spread it around so you can see everything. Now, we’re going to categorize it.

Can Your Business Run Without You? What would happen to your business if you became ill for an extended period of time? Could someone else man the shop for you easily? Would you be more relaxed on vacation (or at the very least, take a vacation!) if you knew that the business could be better taken care of while you are away? Have you ever thought about hiring an employee or assistant, but are overwhelmed with the thought of training someone in all of your business systems and processes?

Human beings have been wearing shoes for thousands of years. Archeologists have uncovered sandals that date back to 8000 BC. Early footwear was entirely utilitarian. Its only purpose was to protect the feet from injury. In time, however, more decorative shoes made their way to the stage.

The messy closet – we’ve all fallen victim to it. Each and every weekend, we tell ourselves that we’ll clean it out. This will be the weekend we’ll get organized – but then something comes up. The kids have be taken to their best friend’s birthday party, your infant gets sick, your husband needs you to make dinner because he’s going into the office. Whatever the reason, something always comes up. The reality is that taming your messy closet is positively overwhelming – there are shirts and shoes to organize, dresses to hang and purses to catalog.

Let’s face it, nobody looks forward to doing laundry. This statement is even more true among large families. By the time you’ve gathered everyone’s dirty clothes, sorted them by color and material, it’s already cocktail hour. Really, who wants to fold a week's worth of laundry while holding a martini?

Few people enjoy doing laundry, but let’s face it – it’s got to get done. Instead of dreading it, take an afte oon and introduce some simple organization to your laundry room. With just a little effort and some small purchases, you may find laundry a more pleasant task that’s not nearly as time consuming. First, declutter your laundry room. Take out everything that weighs less than 25 pounds or isn’t bolted down.

What do you do with that extra room in the house? The one that has no real purpose except to collect things? Or you may have an empty room or two when the last of the kids have moved out or gone away to school. We end up with lots of remnants of their lives, but no kids. This room becomes ...

Supervisors play a pivotal role in any workplace – they are the middle ground between managers and employees – and carry a lot of responsibility in regards to OHS laws. Legislation requires employers to ensure workers are adequately trained and supervised, making it critical to ensure the competency of supervisors. The process of ensuring supervisor competency can be overwhelming when viewed as a large project. It is much easier to view the project in steps and tackle eac

For years there has been a stereotype that women love having a wide variety of shoes, but is it true? Do women really own more pairs of shoes than men do? Some do and there is nothing wrong with that. Women buy shoes to match outfits and to accommodate their daily activities. Variety is an integral part of happiness in our daily existence, and frankly, we could all benefit from a little change of pace in our outfits now and then.

All those boyfriends and holidays added up to many memories and a lot of bling! Though it might seem small, your jewelry collection can take up a lot of space. Not to mention that it can be next to impossible to find that matching earring if the bottom of a box of beautiful jewelry. Take the diamond out of the rough with a very clever and spacious jewelry organizer. Keep the earrings in their pairs and necklaces knot free with these solutions! Over Door Mirror Armoire

"We shape our buildings and afterwards, our buildings shape us," said Winston Churchill. The kind of environment we live in has effects on our thinking, behaviorism, and health. A chaotic environment has an adverse effect on physical and emotional state. Just like living with negative people ...

An organized kitchen pantry simplifies your work in the kitchen, allowing you to find the things that you need without a lot of effort. Organizing the pantry doesn’t take a whole lot of effort. If you have the right tools and an hour or so of time, then you can turn any pantry (or even a closet near the kitchen) into a useful storage area that will help you stay organized and make the most efficient use of your time. A properly organized pantry can free up cabinet space in the kitchen while giving you plenty of room to store plenty of food and other supplies. Installing Shelvingr

Your bathroom should be one of the most relaxing rooms in the house: a simple, clean haven from the increasingly jumbled, overcrowded and public world outside. If your water closet offers somewhat cramped quarters, keeping all your essential toiletries and linens organized can be a bit of a quandary. Help your powder room achieve its most peaceful potential and get it in order with these helpful bathroom organizers. Toilet Tank Shelf / Space Saver One of the most common places in the bathroom for space to go unused is above the toilet.

Having an organized house is a great way to save time and get the most out of your effort when you dedicate an afte oon to cleaning. One major area that needs to be organized is your closet. Precious time can be wasted trying to figure out what to wear if your closet is unorganized. There are most likely garments at the bottom of your closet that you thought were lost.

It is amazing what people will do to get an extra few minutes of sleep. Some people make their breakfast the night before. Some skip breakfast altogether. Some people lay out their clothes for the next day before they go to bed. Others frantically root through their closet in the morning because they hit the snooze button one too many times. People are constantly looking for new ways to cut down on the time it takes to get ready in the morning, but it always seems to take the same amount of time in the bathroom. Well, not anymore.

We’ve all fallen victim to disorganization, especially when it comes to our jewelry. You know the drill – your necklaces sit, wrinkled and potentially ruined, in a pile at the bottom of your drawer, your rings in a clump, your bracelets are scattered around the house – don’t even get started on the earrings! Getting things organized is tough! But what's the best way to organize it all? We’re talking about organization to the point of actually being able to find what you need, Imagine that!

Last week I was asked twice by people in totally different circumstances, how a person can begin to declutter, when they feel overwhelmed both by their “stuff” and their emotions, as well as the very thought of tackling the task. The most challenging step when decluttering is the first – beginning. But once you can begin, you’ll be surprised at how much obvious trash you can eliminate, and what a “dent” that can make. Just beginning and making that first “dent” will give you a sense of relief and accomplishment that can encourage you to continue.

The 2011 Organize Anything Top 10 Organizing Product List is a comprehensive collection of products that allow you to save time and live your life. We’ve spent the year looking at products recommended to us by clients, suppliers and that we’ve run across that just make life simpler. Here are our Organize Anything Top 10. 1. Pendalflex Desk Free Hanging Organizer with Caser

You've seen it before, or maybe even experienced it. Something new comes into your home or office. You don't have time to deal with it straight away, so you put it down in that place where “things that don't have a home” go. Over the next week, the item either gets left where it ...

Kids have an over abundance of papers, some of them it is wise to keep and others should be thrown away. These tips and hints for organizing schoolwork will help to make it easy to do and to keep it that way. If you find that, your lockers are overcrowded and everything falls on the floor when ...

Do you wish for a miracle, or perhaps you are hoping that the “organizing fairy” will appear while you are sleeping, to deal with the ever-accumulating piles of paper on your desk? Let’s face it, for now; the paperless office is just a myth. You may have thought that your ...

Time Management for Entrepreneursr Whether you've just launched your first business or you're neck-deep in three or four, you know how easily the hours can slip away when you're your own boss. I've spoken with a lot of entrepreneurs over the years (and am one myself, of course!), and in that time I've found that time management is one of the most important skills for any business owner. Here are some strategies for ensuring that you get everything done-and still have time lef

With mountains of dirty clothes, bedding and towels landing in your laundry room each week, it pays to find ways to keep your space organized. You need to have at your fingertips anything that would send you to another room in order to complete your laundry task. Eyeglasses For instance, how about keeping a spare pair of reading glasses in the laundry room? Place a spare pair of drugstore readers in a drawer in the laundry room, or clip the glasses to a wire rack. Then, when you need to read the tag on a new blouse, you don’t have to run to another room to find your glasses.r

Organizing your closet is one of the most difficult tasks one can perform around the house. You may be in too much of a hurry in the morning to worry about neatness, and you may not have enough energy in the evening to care if your clothes are neatly folded or on the right hanger. More often ...

It can be so frustrating to want to be organized and try many different things to get organized but nothing seems to work. We are not all the same, we learn differently and we like different things. What will work for one person may not work for another. As a professional organizer I receive questions from people all the time who want to be organized. A sweet young girl wrote me the following: