Jot down any notes, dates, ideas, or information that you want to discuss with your spouse and children in a small notebook and keep it next to the dinning room table or kitchen table. I keep my notes next to the kitchen table on the counter. This helps jog my memory and reminds me to address the issues before, after, or during dinner time.
Read your E-mail with your calendar, date book or planner (whether it’s paper or electronic) right next to you so you can immediately jot down dates, notes and reminders. This will make it easier to delete those E-mails, since the information will already be noted in your calendar.
Would you consider purchasing containers as the “fun” part to organizing? You wouldn’t be alone. Containers are multifunctional and practical. They serve important functions in organizing. They provide boundaries for stuff. They hold and keep like items together. They prevent pieces and parts from getting lost or misplaced.
I recommend being creative and resourceful when it comes to containers. Instead of purchasing, I advocate repurposing containers that we already have in our space. It’s very economical and environmentally conscious.
Here are several ideas for repurposing the zippered bags that blankets, comforters, and sheets come in.
Ideas for the small zipped pillow case bags:
Proud member of NAPO
What containers have you repurposed? Please share.
© May 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All rights reserved
I’m often asked by a potential clients if they can purchase any organizing products in preparation of our work appointment. My answer is usually no. (The exception is when we’re working in a brand new space.) The reason for my “no” answer, is that in the process of organizing we uncover, discover, locate, unearth, and find plenty of items that can be re-purposed as suitable organizing products. Re-purposing items in our spaces allows us to be more economical and environmentally conscious.
Here are a few examples of how I re-purposed products in my home:
1. Re-purposed coffee mugs holding
brushes, razors, and pens
2. Re-purposed notepaper boxes
holding ziplock bags and garbage bags
3. Re-purposed bread container holding
measuring cups and small baking tools
© May 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All rights reserved
Proud member of NAPO
You may have heard the phrase that organizing is a process, not a task. What does that mean exactly? A process involves more than one step, for example doing the laundry. A process also involves three distinct phases, planning, doing, and follow-up. A task, on the other hand, is completed in one step, for example unloading the dish washer. It’s important to note the distinction, because tackling an organizing process as if it were a task, causes frustration, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Devoting time to each of the three phases of the organizing process (planning, doing, and follow-up) will enable clarity, focus, and direction.
The planning phase of the organizing process is concerned with goals and objectives. What is your organizing goal? What do you want to accomplish? How much time is required? How much help and resources will you need? Is it worth calling in a professional?
The doing phase of the organizing process is the physical work needed to make the goals and objectives happen. It usually involves a process all it’s own, involving 3 (or more) steps:
sorting
discarding
assigning a home.
The follow-up phase of the organizing process is concerned with the upkeep and maintenance of the order once it’s established. This phase of the process is best accomplished by establishing personal guidelines, habits, and systems.
So, the next time you say to yourself, just get organized. Stop. Think. Devote some time to each of the three phases of the organizing process. It will provide clarity, focus, and direction.
© May 2014 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All rights reserved
Proud member of NAPO
Follow Me