Sharing solutions to organize and transform your space.
It’s spring cleaning time! And time to purge some books you no longer need or want. Donate them to More Than Words for their annual Spring Clean Book Drive between April 27th – 29th. Located in Waltham, More Than Words accepts books, CDs, and DVDs.
Check out their website for more information on the book drive, and how the organization empowers local youth.
Here are my favorite finds from the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference for dealing with paper:
WallMates – From At-A-Glance®, these self-adhesive dry erase surfaces turn any wall or flat surface into an area for your to do list, goals, or whatever you need to jot down. WallMates are repositionable, don’t damage your walls (or office furniture) and come blank or with a monthly calendar outline. Thinking beyond the office, this could be a great place for important notes in a kitchen or mudroom.
Bring some more organization to your projects or paper piles with the Stackit™ organizers from Smead . These folders hold papers vertically, with three tabbed sections and a flap.
If you are ready to go paperless, check out the NeatDesk® Scanner from NeatReceipts®. This scanner has separate slots for scanning business cards, receipts, and regular 8x11 documents…all at the same time! And the software knows to put business card information into contacts (synchs with Outlook for example), receipts into one folder, and documents into a third folder.
What’s the secret to get your kid to clean their room? Start good habits early on, and make sure your expectations are appropriate for your child’s age.
Read the rest of my tips in the April 2012 edition of Boston Parents Paper digital edition, page 14.
Happy spring cleaning!
Last week I had a blast at the National Association of Professional Organizers conference in Baltimore!
Over 800 organizing professionals attended, including many leaders in the field. 13 different countries were represented—the profession is expanding to more each year.
One of my favorite presentations was by Bill Rancic, the first winner of Donald Trump’s Apprentice. Bill was the keynote speaker and shared his tips for thinking like an entrepreneur. He came across as a very genuine guy.
I also loved going through the Organizing Expo to find the best new products. More posts to come on what I found!
Finally, I wanted to share that one of my favorite learning sessions was about incorporating ideas from Feng Shui into organizing. I have always been drawn to Feng Shui and now I’m excited to help clients clear the clutter and make room for positive, new energy to come into their lives.
All in all, it was a great conference – so glad I went.
I’m excited to be heading to Baltimore for the National Association of Professional Organizers Annual Conference!
Bill Rancic, the first winner of Donald Trump’s Apprentice contest, is giving the keynote address on Entrepreneurship. I’m also excited to attend sessions on organizing photos (digital and printed) and Feng Shui, among other topics, and will be checking out the latest and greatest products in the Expo. Look for posts on what I found when I’m back.
Anton’s Cleaners is once again sponsoring the Belle of the Ball, a program to “clean and distribute prom dresses to high school junior and senior girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend their school's prom.”
Check your closet, talk to your daughter, and see if you have any dresses to support this worthy cause. Donate gently used dresses before April 1st at Anton’s Cleaners or Jordan’s Furniture locations.
Today is March 15th, one month before the federal income tax day of April 15th. Are your taxes done? If not, have you carved out some time to do them or get your papers together for the accountant? Take out your calendar and schedule some time right now.
After helping numerous clients over the past six weeks get their papers in order for taxes, I finally got mine done this week. I feel so much better because that task is off my To-Do list, and now I can relax and enjoy the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference next week in Baltimore!
Here is my post from a few years ago about getting organized for taxes. If you have any great tips to share, please post or email me!
I love to use a desktop file holder for key files and action items because it keeps critical information at your fingertips. Why not use a file container that you like to look at?
A client did just that, inspired by the January project in the 12 Months of Organizing2012 Desk Calendar Creative Storage Solutions.
She was so excited to show me her work, and I’m happy to share her example! This cheery file bin now sits in the corner of her living room, near her computer.
If you’d like to get some organizing inspiration, 2012 Desk Calendars are now 50% off!
National Organize Your Office Day is March 8th!
No, I didn't make this up. I just learned that this "holiday" happens every March.
So plan some time this Thursday to give your office a little TLC.
Whether you have 15 minutes or 2 hours, take some action. You’ll feel better, I promise!
For more office and paper organizing ideas ideas, read these blog posts:
It just happens that I'm teaching my Papers, Piles & Projects class on National Organize Your Office Day. Still time to register for the class!
Do you feel like you are in a losing a battle with your papers? You CAN take control and find your desk or countertop again.
Register today for my Papers, Piles, & Projects: Strategies to Clear the Paper Clutter class through Minuteman Community Education. The next class is March 8th in Lexington, MA so sign up today.
While making a quick trip to Staples yesterday to pick up a few supplies for clients, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fun line of organizing products from Martha Stewart. There were journals, labels, binders, desktop accessories and file folders.
My favorites:
No compensation was received for this post.
This week I had a client email me another thank you for helping her find the documents she needed for her taxes. With just a little organizing support she got a huge task done and off her mind!
Yes, it’s almost tax time! Here’s my previous post about how you can get organized before April 15th.
I’m often asked, “so where do you get your containers? Is there a secret store that only Professional Organizers know about?” No, we don’t have an inside deal on containers, and I buy them at the same places you do…Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and The Container Store.
But when it comes to clear shoe boxes and sweater boxes, I recommend the ones from The Container Store. Why you ask?
1. Clarity: Using a clear container for many things is a given. But The Container Store boxes are much clearer than other brands…and clearer than ones I had from years ago. I noticed this recently as I replaced my older large storage boxes with The Container Store sweater boxes. Using smaller boxes on my high closet shelf now makes it easier for me to bring down just the bin of sweaters I need…instead of pulling down the huge under-the-bed box I had been using.
2. Stackable: The Container Store clear boxes stack easily and kind of snap into place.
3. Sturdy: I like how the box lids snap on tightly, and the plastic is strong and durable.
4. Versatile: While The Container Store boxes are perfect for sweaters, boots and shoes as their names imply…I have also used them at clients homes to organize:
Of course I received no compensation for this post…I just have come to love this product.
Take the first step towards a newly organized 2012. Pick an organizing project and commit to completing it this month.
You know you'll feel better...and you may even find some inspiration and motivation to tackle those other trouble spots in your home.
Organizing Projects to Get You Going
This was originally published in The Neat Sheet January/February 2012.
Today one of my clients said, “Let’s make a to do list. I find if I write it down, I tend to actually do it.”
How true! I’m a big fan of the daily to do list, but it has to be short and sweet. It can be on an index card, a post-it note, or in your smartphone. List no more than 3-5 things to do and see how it works for you!
For more tips on lists, read these blog posts (can you tell that I love lists??):
Do you feel like you are running all over town trying to get things done?
Do you keep thinking of the errands you need to do? Often my list swirls around in my head, or is scribbled on several sticky notes on my desk.
Here’s my simple 3-step system to keep the errand list under control:
Step 1: I get a piece of paper and write down all the places I need to go in the next week or two. I basically empty my brain of all the stores where I need to pick up something or return an item. My initial list looks like this.
Step 2: Then I try to group the errands into trips. For example, one trip might be Target and HomeGoods since they are near each other. So my list looks like this:
Step 3: The last step to really make it happen…schedule time! I get my Google calendar and look at where I have pockets of time, and slot in the trips.
This simple process helps me to get all the nagging to do’s out of my head and on to my calendar. Happy shopping!
Now that you have the gifts, it’s time to wrap ‘em up! But can you find the paper and bows? Get your gift wrapping supplies in order.
I love finding the perfect gift for someone, but often gifts end up being just more stuff…stuff we may not really need or love. Here are some tips for thinking outside the gift box:
Today I was a guest on the Martha Stewart Living Radio show, “Living Today,” and had a great time chatting with the host about getting organized for the holidays.
Since it ‘tis the season, I’ll be posting my favorite holiday tips this month. Today’s tips have to do with keeping those decorations in order:
It’s that time again: time to clean out the closet and donate to the Coats for Kids coat drive.
Between now and January 8, 2012, drop off your unused, good condition coats for babies, kids or adults at any Anton’s Cleaners or Jordan’s Furniture store. They will be distributed to local agencies serving people in need.
That's Neat! Organizing Elizabeth Goodsell 617.905.7762
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