Get Organized Now! Weblog

Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow

One important concept, when it comes to organizing, is not putting off until tomorrow, what can be done today.

For instance, leave dirty dishes in the sink for a day or two, and not only will they pile up, but they'll be more difficult to clean. As soon as Joe and I are done eating, the dishes go directly into the dishwasher--and the dishwasher cycle is run every single night. Don't have a dishwasher? It will only take a few minutes to wash those dishes immediately.

If you allow paper to begin piling, it may grow to the ceiling and it will take forever to file it all away if you wait a week or more. I always file as needed, or at the latest, at the end of each day.

Wait a week to clean the bathroom, and it will require deep cleaning each week. Tidy up the bathroom each day for just a few minutes, and you'll never have to deep clean again.

This concept applies to so many different areas of life. Whenever possible (and most times it IS possible), don't delay on the basic, everyday things that tend to pile up. Handle them now and you won't have to even think about them later.

Cute 'Oh So True for So Many' Cleaning Poem

I saw this post on a message board and thought it would be fun to share. Hope it makes you smile.

I asked the Lord to tell me
why my house is such a mess.
He asked if I'd been 'putering',
and I had to answer YES.

He told me to get off my fanny
and tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up
the smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick.
I was just admiring my work.
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
a real absorbing site
that I got SO way into,
I was into it all night. (Sigh)

Nothing's changed except my mouse.
It's very, very shiny.
I guess my house will stay a mess
while I sit here on my hiney.

Cold Outside? Think Spring!

This past weekend in Wisconsin was COLD! As I watched the thermometer drop well below zero, I started to warm up immediately with thoughts of spring weather ahead.

Here are a few things I did to 'warm up' this weekend...

1) I went into the garage and organized my potting containers by style and size. I also researched some new plants I'd like in my front yard come spring.

2) I ordered some new spring outfits online. They'll be here and ready for upcoming spring events--just around the corner.

3) I made a list of places our family can visit this spring. Lots of outdoors activities so we can enjoy each other, AND the fresh air!

4) I added an extra-morning of exercise to my weekly exercise routine. There's no time like today to start getting in shape for the season of shorts--and bathing suits to soon follow.

5) I started some spring craft projects. I'm sewing up some new pillows and tote bags.

Remember, as the old proverb goes, 'No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.'

Getting Thank You Notes Out in a Timely Manner

Most people will agree that a Thank You note is a must after someone has given you a gift. It's a rule of etiquette that has been around forever, and it's a lovely and gracious way of expressing how grateful you are that someone thought of you.

But, with all the To Do's on your list, how do make the time to get those thank you notes out in a timely manner? Here are 5 things that I do...

1) Always have Thank You cards (or nice stationery) on hand. This is a must! If you actually have to go to the store or make a card, chances are the card is going to be sent out very late, if at all. Buy generic thank you cards and always have a batch on hand. Even if you enjoy making your own cards, unless you always have 10 or more on hand, having some generic standbys will ensure your Thank You's go out immediately. By the way, same goes for having postage on hand.

2) Send it out the same day you get the gift. While the gift and the occasion for which you were given the gift is fresh in your mind, this is the perfect time to jot a few words of appreciation and get the card done, stamped and mailed right then and there.

3) In some cases, like for wedding gifts or funeral thank you's, you won't be able to get your cards out that day. In those cases, you do have some extra time. When you're ready, determine how many need to go out, and how many you can-- realistically--get out each day. For example, 20 cards divided by 5 days equals 4 cards per day. Once you're at this point, just write them out a few at a time--each day-- until you're done. To give yourself some assistance with large batches of thank you cards, print out mailing labels so you don't have to hand address each envelope.

4) Get a book that gives you ideas on how to say thank you gracefully. This way, you won't be staring at a blank thank you card forever, at a loss for words.

5) When opening gifts from lots of different people, like at a birthday party, be sure to ask someone to log the gifts and who gave them as they're being opened. You'll then be about to easily personalize your thank you's and be specific to your giver, rather than the more general and less appreciative, 'thanks for the gift' (whatever it was) card. This also reduces the chances of your thank you card going out late because you're still trying to remember what that person gave you.

My New Year's Resolutions

A big part of getting organized is ensuring that you're doing the things that will help you to grow as a person, and to ensure you feel good about yourself each day.

Each year, I come up with 10 personal New Year's Resolutions, which are listed below in no particular order. Some are new; some have been on my list for years and act as constant reminders.

I post them in a prominent place, and I make sure to do something each day that allows me to say that I did something I promised myself I would do.

(Note: I always come up with business-related New Year's Resolutions in addition, that are not listed here.)

1) Learn how to follow and apply a simple sewing pattern.

2) Learn how to read basic music notes and play a minimum of one song each month on our new piano.

3) Make a minimum of one new recipe each week.

4) Work out a minimum of 3 times each week for at least one hour each.

5) Commit to no more than 'one' (non-family) social activity per week.

6) Send one unexpected letter, card or gift each month to make someone's day.

7) Scrapbook no less than once each week.

8) Spend an hour or more each weeknight with my husband and daughter, just doing something relaxing and fun, in addition to our weekend time.

9) Do something educational and/or cultural--music, theater, museum, etc.--once each month.

10) Organize, or re-organize, something, even if for only 10 minutes per day.

It is recommended that you come up with your own list, and post this list somewhere that you're sure to see every single day.

Your New Year's Resolutions will help you identify the path you want to take in life, will keep you on track, and will help you enjoy life along the way.

If you make your resolutions, and you realize along the way that you haven't been keeping up with them, don't give up. Just start again. It doesn't have to be January 1st for you to get a fresh, new start. Unwrap each day like the gift that it is.

Wishing you and your family a happy, organized New Year 2011!

Do you have any time to breathe?

"Maria, after reading your biography, I was discouraged.
You're just one of those super women always running from one activity to the next with no time to breathe. I mean, you don't even have a second to do absolutely nothing. You don't take any time to smell the roses."

This is just a brief--and nicer--summary of a comment I received recently. Wow, this person doesn't know how far off base she is! How unfortunate that she doesn't really get what it means to be organized.

Twiddling my thumbs?
I'm not even sure what this woman means by "doing nothing." Does she mean meditating? Staring at a wall? Sleeping the morning away? Twiddling my thumbs?

As a matter of fact, you wouldn't believe how much free time I have for my family, my friends and myself BECAUSE I'm organized. If I wasn't, I would just have stress and frustration. There would be no time for peace and enjoyment at all.

Yesterday, I sat outside on the deck just enjoying the sunshine (YES, we're getting unusually warm weather in Wisconsin for November), and the day before I smiled as I watched my daughter running around in the fallen fall leaves. Is that doing nothing? If so, I do a lot of it.

What does it mean to be organized?
Contrary to this person's thinking, being organized doesn't mean your entire day is jam-packed with tasks, appointments, errands and activities.

It doesn't mean you're running from one activity to the next--I never run for anything, as my husband will attest. He is always ten paces ahead waiting for me!

It doesn't mean you don't have time to breathe--I breathe all the time...without any problem. Being organized is not about living on a never-ending treadmill of things to do.

We all have tasks to do each day in our home life as well as our work life. We can't just blow these off, without serious consequences.

The bottom line . . .
Being organized is "finding everything you need when you need it, and getting everything done when it's due." Why is that so important? Because being organized allows you to cut the clutter, clear your mind of stress and chaos, and free your schedule so you have plenty of available time to enjoy your life, whether you choose to spend that time doing "something" or "nothing at all." It's your choice.

For hundreds of free organizing tips,
visit Get Organized Now!

Fall--A Season of Change Outside and Inside

While driving to a friend's house this morning, I noticed all the beautiful fall colors signifying my favorite time of the year. The incredible foliage and the colder weather really get me in the mood for outdoor fall activities, such as hay rides, apple picking and watching my daughter jump in a big pile of red, orange and yellow leaves.

This season of change also gets me in the mood for some changes around the house. I might alter the placement of a piece of furniture or change an accessory, re-organize the kitchen cabinets a bit or make a list of special treats I'd like to have on hand, such as a cinnamon-apple scented candle, a Mrs. Smith's pumpkin pie--all ready to toss in the oven--and some new magazines ready and waiting for those nights our family wants to cozy-up by the fireplace and just enjoy being together.

The colors also entice me to try some things that may add some spice to my life. I might try a new activity that I've never done before, like giving a new scrapbooking technique a shot or making a recipe that may be a bit beyond what I usually tend to make.

No matter what, I always try to do something each fall that makes my life a little more colorful--so that I can enjoy this wonderful season both outside and inside.

Bringing BIG Projects Down to Manageable Levels

A sure-fire way to ensure that a BIG project appears less colossal is to divide it up into smaller, more manageable parts.

For instance, writing a book seems like a daunting task to most people. However, starting with a simple outline of what you want included in the book--like chapter titles-- gives you a good start. A second part may be designating a file folder for each chapter, and--when you're done--collecting tips and ideas for each of those parts.

Learning how to make a quilt may seem overwhelming for someone who has never even toughed a sewing machine before. However, learning how to thread the machine may be one of the first steps. Once that's accomplished, doing some practice sewing may be the next logical step, and so on.

So often, people have BIG projects they must accomplish and they immediately hit a road block that they feel they can't surpass.

If you always take your BIG projects and break them down into smaller pieces, the projects--a little bit at a time-- will get done.

15 Minutes Earlier Per Night

My 6-year old daughter, Amanda, has been having the time of her life this summer--going to bed around 10 at night, and sleeping in until around 9 in the morning. But, as they say, all good things must end. School is starting on September 1st, and her bed times and wake times need to be adjusted.

Now that we're one week prior to the first day of school, we'll be getting her to bed 15 minutes earlier, each night, until bedtime is back at 8:00.

That means...

tonight, bedtime is 9:45P

Wednesday, bedtime is at 9:30P

Thursday, bedtime is at 9:15P

Friday, bedtime is at 9:00P

Saturday, bedtime is at 8:45P

Sunday, bedtime is at 8:30P

Monday, bedtime is at 8:15P

Tuesday, bedtime is at 8:00P

Of course, I'll help her get adjusted to her wake times as well in the same manner, each day getting up 15 minutes earlier.

Even if you don't have school-age children, this system works beautifully for any time adjustment you need, whether it's getting up earlier to get to work earlier, or going to bed at the time that will allow you to get enough restful sleep for a productive day tomorrow.

These incremental adjustments, rather than one that's more severe, help ease the body and the mind. It's a lot less stressful to adjust in baby steps.

Don't Forget to Use the Rewards You've Earned

I took my daughter shopping at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee for some back-to-school clothes a few days ago. Nearly every store now has some sort of Rewards program.

Gymboree for example, has a program in place called Gymbucks. In a nutshell, for every $50 spent at Gymboree during a specific earnings period, you get $25 worth of Gymbucks that can be used during another specific period of time. It's a very good deal--IF you remember to visit the store during the earnings periods AND IF you remember to return to the store during the redemption period.

It's a lot to remember, especially when several stores are running similar promotions on various weeks of the year, and you have plenty of other more pressing matters on your mind.

As soon as I learn about a promotion week, I immediately jot that information on my calendar and highlight it in a color that stands out. When I go to the store that week and earn a reward that must be redeemed during a future week of the year, I very quickly jot that information into my calendar to ensure I remember to return to the store and redeem my reward.

On this last shopping trip alone, we received rewards that must be redeemed later from 4 different stores! Again, it will work out great for us, because there's no chance I'll forget to redeem those rewards.

Whether you use a paper calendar or an electronic version, this is a great way to ensure you receive maximum benefits at the stores you patronize.