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Thank you to everyone who sent congratulations and comments on my new book, Organizing Outside the Box: Conquer Clutter Using Your Natural Learning Style. You can now look inside the book online at: http://tinyurl.com/ng8664. You can also post your customer reviews there, so, if you've read the book, please let others know what you think.
Quick Tips on Organizing Your Home:
Create a functional craft space
Use tall shelving units to store your craft supplies. By maximizing the vertical space, you'll keep the floor space clear and have more room to work. Keep your supplies visible, so you can find what you need quickly and easily; use glass jars, plastic shoe boxes, and stackable drawer units. Store similar items together and don't forget to clearly label the contents. Use a wall mounted spice rack to hold small bottles of glitter, paint and glue. If you don't have a craft room, consider storing your supplies in a mobile unit (rolling cart) that can be tucked out of the way when not in use.
Save steps when taking out the trash
Store a few extra garbage bags at the bottom of your bins in the kitchen and bathrooms. When you take out the full garbage bag, you can replace it quickly. Not only does this save space, it also saves steps.
Spend less time doing laundry
Keep laundry hampers in each room to discourage dirty clothes from being piled on the floor. Removing the lid to the laundry basket makes it more convenient to use it. Give each family member a small mesh laundry/lingerie bag with a zippered top to place dirty socks inside. On laundry day, just toss each bag into the washer and dryer - you won't have to separate socks by family member and you'll avoid the missing sock syndrome. You can also use these bags for washing underwear and delicates.
Quick Tips on Organizing Your Office:
Manage your email almost effortlessly
Are you making the most of the 'rules' option provided in your email program? Once you set these up, categorizing and sorting your incoming messages is done automatically. Create rules for categories such as 'Read' (for newsletters you subscribe to), 'Facebook' (friend requests), 'Workshops/Classes', 'Personal', etc. You'll save time processing your daily emails because the first step has been completed effortlessly. (Refer to your user's manual or online Help section of the email program you use for more detail.)
Corral your electrical cords
Cords don't just look messy; they can be a safety hazard. Bind them together using bread ties, zip ties or twist ties. Use adhesive labels to identify the cords, so when you have to unplug your modem you won't be spending precious time figuring out which cord is attached to it. A cable tamer (which looks like a plastic snake) will cover the mess of cords so it looks tidy, and keep your pet from chewing on them!
Create more space
If your filing cabinets are crammed so full that it's difficult to file new documents, chances are you are going to just pile the papers on top. Human nature is that we take the path of least resistance. Eventually, the file will grow and it will feel overwhelming to tackle. Avoid this problem by spending just 15 minutes a day pulling out old files and either putting them in a 'to shred' box or an 'archive' box. Keep track of where you left off by placing a colored file folder vertically in the spot. Empty the contents of the boxes on a weekly basis. If you don't have shredding services at your business, or if you work from a home office, you can take the papers to one of the big box office supply stores (i.e. Staples) for shredding (for a fee). The archived files can be stored in labeled bankers boxes or an old filing cabinet, best kept in a storage area rather than in your office.
Quick Tips on Organizing Your Life:
Re-evaluate half-finished projects
Make a list of projects you've started but have abandoned. Look at each item on the list and ask yourself if you are still truly interested in it? Be honest. If you are committed to finishing it, block several timeslots in your calendar to work on it. If you have lost interest, give yourself permission to let go of it and all the supplies that are attached to it. We all outgrow certain goals, so why carry them around like a ball and chain? Releasing them will make space for new opportunities and interests. Keep a running list of projects you are committed to and review weekly. Getting it off your mind and on paper (or the computer) frees up mental energy.
Do your best in the time you have
We have access to more information than ever before. We are bombarded with offers, invitations and opportunities. Many of us don't want to miss anything, so we try to cram it all in, and yet we feel we still don't have enough time to do it all. The stress comes from the unrealistic expectation. The reality is that no one has enough time to read everything, go to every event, and accept every offer (even if it's free). So let yourself off the hook. Choose what's most important to you right now based on the time you have and let the rest go, without guilt. Not only will you get more enjoyment from what you are doing in every moment, you will also experience a sense of peace.
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