The first thing you should do when you want to get organized is go shopping for containers, right? WRONG!!
If you begin with this step, you are definitely not alone.  However, it is most certainly one of the least effective methods for beginning most organizing projects.

Why?
1.  Most of the time you simply purchase large opaque tubs available in just about any store.  I guess the urge is to be able to dump your stuff into the big bin, throw on the lid and you instantly feel better because you don’t have to look at the clutter anymore.  OK, sounds good in theory.  But it certainly isn’t organized and many people often still FEEL cluttered and chaotic even though the stuff is contained.

2.  Until you know the quantity, volume and actual measurements of the stuff you need to contain you are unlikely to purchase the right size or type of container.

3.  They often compound the challenge because not only did they not solve your problem, now you have to find a place to store them and you will often spend more time digging through them trying to find what you need.

Here is a tip about using large plastic tubs:  They are useful for larger items in places like the basement, garage or attic.  They are great for seasonal supplies and decorations- as long as you separate smaller items in their own smaller container inside.  Make sure to store like with like, dumping lots of stuff is just containing not organizing.  Avoid purchasing opaque containers, clear containers will improve the storage and retrieval process.  And, finally, (I’m sure you are sick of hearing me say this) don’t forget to label clearly!!

Agree or disagree?

In the organizing profession, we often ask our clients what organization looks and feels like to them.  It helps to create a vision for the project and is a great motivator.  But what does it sound like?

Do you need an extra inspirational kick in the pants to get organized?  NAPSI recently posted this article on Music to Get Organized By.   Among the recommendations are classic titles such as “Come Together” by the Beatles along with more recent songs for getting in the groove like Sheryl Crow’s “A Change Would Do You Good” or “Throw It All Away” from Brandi Carlile. And, yes, even the Queen of Pop makes the list with “Express Yourself”.  My personal fave for getting started is “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble.

I’d love to hear what music gets you motivated…whether it’s for a getting organized, going for a run, working out, whatever.  What does inspiration sound like to you?

Can you believe it?  Thanksgiving is next week already.  Thought I would share an article I wrote a few years ago on holiday meal tips…

Here are some tips for preparing for the holiday meal to make the actual event considerably less stressful.

Don’t let your regular activities slip- like paying your bills, sorting the mail, doing the laundry, etc.  However, now is not the time to revamp your entire organizational system and start cleaning out all of your cabinets, or rearranging your closets, etc.

Make an effort to consume the food you have in your refrigerator instead of making huge shopping trips.  This will make room for the turkey and other fixings.

If you are having people over, plan in advance and ask your guests to bring a dish. Bringing one dish is considerably less work than hosting the meal, so I am sure they would be more than happy to do so.  And make sure to coordinate so you don’t end up having three people bringing sweet potatoes and no veggies!

Gather your recipes in advance. Not only will it eliminate last minute searches for grandma’s mashed potato recipe, it will also allow you to create a thorough shopping list be referring to all of the recipes at once.

Make sure you have plenty of containers for leftovers- my family has taken to using ½ and 1 gallon sized plastic sealable bags.  It eliminates the need to search for just the right sized container and it makes storing leftovers much easier because the bags are much more flexible than hard plastic containers.  And, of course, you can readily see what’s in the bag!

You may also be able to prepare some dishes in advance. This is where the plastic bags can be helpful, too.  They can be thrown in the microwave or purchase boiling bags so you can toss the whole thing into a pot of boiling water to easily reheat dishes and cut down on the massive amount of food preparation on the holiday.

Don’t forget to thaw the turkey! In case you don’t already know this (or forget every year at this time), it could take three or four days to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator.

If you have converted to frying your turkey, don’t forget to check if you have enough oil or make that purchase.  And start looking for the equipment now.  This will eliminate the stress of a last minute search craze for all of the parts.

Prepare your linens by pre-washing (and yes, that dreaded ironing), especially if they have been stored in the attic or musty space all year.  Or better yet, bring it to the dry-cleaner to press in advance.  Just make sure to remember to pick it up.  And make sure you have enough napkins.

Some families have chosen to go disposable. Is it really worth all of the stress to wash and re-wash dishes and utensils on this special holiday in order to make sure there are enough for every course?  Or would you rather spend that time enjoying the holiday with your family and friends?  There are so many options available that you can choose from to match your tastes.

Make sure to have games and activities set up for any children so they will be entertained while the adults spend time together.  There is nothing worse than a bored child- except maybe many bored children!

Create new traditions- try to plan a traditional event, particularly an active one.  During the holidays, the average American gains 1-3 pounds.  Encourage everyone to get up off the couch, go outside and play a game.  This could be a game of touch football, kickball, a ‘turkey trot’ fun run, a scavenger hunt.  The possibilities are endless.

Last, but not least, if you are traveling, keep in mind that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Leave extra time and be realistic about your travel expectations.  Many times we are extra-stressed because we fool ourselves into thinking that it will take us the same amount of time as it always does.

Remember that this is a time of giving and sharing and time to be spent with those we care about.  If you know someone who is unable to spend the holiday with their friends and family, please consider inviting them to share in your meal.  You don’t have to go overboard here- inviting one or two additional guests is a gracious gesture.  And finally, don’t forget to cherish the time you spend with your loved ones.  The more you are able to plan in advance, the less stressed everyone will be.

I just heard about this great new product from Post-it® called the Post-it® Pocket.

Of course, they have an adhesive back and they are repositionable and tear-resistant. Great for using on vertical spaces like walls and doors, etc. and they come in handy on the inside of binders and folders, too. Post-it® Pockets are available in 3 sizes: 9 in. X 12 in.; 5 1/2 in. X 9 in.; and 4 in. X 9 in. I can’t wait to come up with more creative uses for them…how about inside hanging folders for receipts?

I haven’t seen them in stores yet but their website says you can purchase them at your local Target or Office Depot and online at 3M.com.

I’d love to hear your ideas on creative uses for the Post-it® Pockets, please leave a comment…

Overwhelmingly, paper is at the top of the list of struggles for my clients and readers so I wanted to share a few ‘baby steps’ to help you get started on tackling your paper clutter:

1.  Tackle the mail as soon as you bring it into the house.  This means getting rid of the outer envelopes and inserts that come with bills, any obvious junk mail and sort/file the rest into action and reference categories.  You can check out this previous post for more info on eliminating junk mail.

2.  Set up a ‘bill paying’ center.  Designate an area/container to place your bills once you have opened them. It may also help to designate a bill paying day or days…find something that works for you.  If you feel you only need to pay bills once a month, choose a day and try to stick to it.  You may feel that every 2 weeks works better for you.  Try asking your spouse/significant other to help you remember your designated bill paying day (but only if you feel that would help you remember- not cause you to be resentful )

3.  Be more selective about the paper you keep- Here are some questions you can ask yourself when dealing with the decision, remember it only helps you to keep it if you can retrieve it when you need it!

- Is it expired (or soon to be)?

- Can you reference the information quickly and easily elsewhere?   These days, the internet is a great reference tool. Or more importantly, ARE YOU more likely to reference it elsewhere?  It isn’t really necessary to file the paper if you are more likely to go online to search for the info.

- Can you condense the paper clutter?  If you have collected a brochure or other literature, can you transfer the pertinent information (web address, name, phone #, etc.) to a small notepad dedicated to that purpose and throw out the remaining paper?  I use a Circa journal-sized notebook that I carry in my purse, for small reminders, phone numbers and reference information (like window measurements, etc. I even tape swatches into my notebook so I have them when I am out shopping).

- Do you really need it?  Be realistic and ask yourself – am I really going to read this article/magazine/catalog?  If you decide to keep it, dedicate yourself to following through and then toss the item when you are done.  (This will also help you determine if it is worth your time to keep those papers the next time.)

Of course, these are just some basic steps and there is much more to an effective paper management system.  But it’s a start…Check back soon for more on tackling your paper clutter- especially since tax season is fast approaching!