Tag Archive for: organizing

Resist Your Inner Pack Rat and Clear Clutter

Cluttered shed

Cluttered shed (Photo credit: UnnarYmir)

I have a confession to make. I’m somewhat of a pack rat. I like to keep things in case I need them. But I really needed to strike back this weekend. I’ve been irritated and borderline obsessed with the clutter that was living in my desk drawer at home. It was filled with lots of papers and things I didn’t need and lots and lots of power cords.

There are chargers for 4 iPhones, a Blackberry, a MacBook, an iPad Mini, an iPad keyboard case and some wireless speakers — I can’t take it! I’ve been researching ways to tame the power cords and got exhausted.

The Power of Lists

When you put a task down on paper – you set the intention to reach that goal. No matter if we’re talking about doing the best job at work or at home — lists will help you be more successful.  From grocery shopping, planning events, keeping track of your projects or going on vacation — a well-organized list will help you do more.

 

Recently I was asked to give some list-making tips and tricks on “The Joyful Organizer” Internet radio show.

Listen to internet radio with The Joyful Organizer on Blog Talk Radio

Take a listen — we cover these topics and more:

  • Strategies for staying on task during the day
  • Preparing for meetings and presentations
  • Why lists work for almost any task
  • My favorite kinds of lists
  • Tips for non-list makers

6 Steps to Simplifying Your Daily Routine

I have a problem getting out of the house in the morning. I do a lot of things like make lunch and pick out my clothes the night before.  So that’s helpful.  But in the morning I check emails, I tweak my blog, I post to Facebook, I poke around Twitter…all while I’m trying to get ready.  It drives my husband crazy.  I suppose even I could use a list for getting out the door in the morning.

I actually wrote one in my ebook called “The Top 10 Lists Every Mom Needs.” Download it and check it out.  But I could always use some fresh ideas so that’s why I asked organizing goddess, Tracy McCubbin, for a little insight.

6 Steps to Simplifying Your Daily Routine

by Tracy McCubbin

Most of us know the benefits of de-cluttering, especially if you’re reading this blog, but what we don’t realize is that clutter causes stress in our everyday lives. How many times have you scrambled in the morning to find your keys, a matching shoe or even your purse?

It’s my goal to help everyone, whether you’re a mom of quints or a single 20-something, develop livable systems of organization they can incorporate into their daily lives to make it more enjoyable and less stressful.

Here are six simple steps you can take to give your daily routine a makeover. Learn it, live it, love it. Read more

Checklist for Organizing Your Home

This upcoming weekend is the last free one that I will have in quite a while. So I’m going to make the best of of it! Jay will be watching football and I’ll be organizing! But as you know — I don’t take on a task without being prepared with a checklist. Professional organizer Bonnie Joy Dewkett has helped in the past with my paper problem — and now here’s her list for staying organized at home.

Top 10 Home Organization Tips

by Bonnie Joy Dewkett

Organizing your home doesn’t have to be a challenge. Take the time to effectively plan your projects out. Then give them the thought, attention, and time they deserve.

1. Start by writing down your organizing goal. Don’t start with “organize the garage.” Start with WHY you want to get organized. For example, “I want to organize my family room, so that I have more time with my kids” or, “I want to organize my closet, so that I have a less stressful morning routine.”

2. Next, write down the space you want to organize. From there, identify the smaller steps you will need to take to do so. This will make the overall project less daunting, and will create a great “to-do” list. This can seem like a big task, but making the smaller to do list will show just how much better it will make everything else. For example, in a garage, you may write down the following: Read more