Freedom from Clutter

Happy 4th of July!

4th of July weekend is perfect to spend quality time with friends and family and celebrate our country.  Celebrate the people who  have sacrificed for us and our democracy.  The “land of the free”…free is such a powerful word.

If clutter or disorganization is a cause of distress for you, you can start now, in the spirit of freedom, to declare your independence from clutter.  Taking the time to tackle these challenges will help free you not only from physical clutter, but emotional clutter as well.

• Commit the time
• Create goals
  
• Make decluttering a priority
• Enlist the help you need
  
• Refer to this blog for tips on specific areas
  

Remember…

Organizing is a Process not an Event

You can start small with  1 drawer, the kitchen counter or the bathroom vanity.  Edit out what no longer benefits you and create a home for what does.  Free yourself from the clutter.

But first, have a great weekend…I am wishing you and yours a very happy and safe holiday weekend.

Beat Cable Clutter With Beads

Beat Cable Clutter With Beads

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Junk Mail Gets Digital – Media Money with Julia Boorstin – CNBC.com

Junk Mail Gets Digital – Media Money with Julia Boorstin – CNBC.com

Shared via AddThis

Over Abundance

Love the line from the new Microsoft ad I saw last night…  so relates to our life, our space, our clutter…

Less is the new More!

Love that!  How simple but profound!

Have a great weekend!

Organizing Time ….Practice What I Preach!

Something came over me this weekend.  Maybe it was because I had a busy weekend of work and play, maybe it was the fresh air getting into my brain or the wonderful sunshine enlightening me.  I decided that I was feeling a sense of  “information overload.”

I love catching up with friends, family, clients and colleagues via facebook.  I really do.  But do I need to check to see what is going on so often?  No I do not.  I should be spending that time on something more fun or productive or nothing at all …that can be healthy too!

I also love getting through my email daily and making sure I respond in a timely manner.  But so much spam comes through, so many things that are not time sensitive.  I think I will keep my Blackberry on silent just a little more.

There is so much “good” info out there.  But I am now re-evaluating the various newsletters, etc. that I have subscribed to.  I just can’t get through them all, and they end up being too much clutter on my computer and on my mind.  More of a weight on my shoulder than a source of enlightenment.

This morning I decided to try and be really good at managing my time, especially as it relates to my computer and my Blackberry.   Ok, basically practicing what I preach to clients!  I confess, I had strayed.

I did not check facbook until my priorities were done — when I was having a snack.  I am going to shut down my Twitter account for now.  It has been too much pressure.  Perhaps when I have some new business ventures up and running that are appropriate for that I will be back.

I am working from home today.  I also have turned off my email most of the day and have checked it periodically in between projects.   I feel so much more focused, less drained from sitting in front of the computer for so long and most of all feel that I have accomplished a lot!

So today’s reminder is on time management.  It really will help you be more efficient and feel more in control.

• Shut off email when working on projects.  Focus your energy on the task at hand.
• Shut off the phone when appropriate when you have other work to do.
• Do the most challenging item on your to do list first thing in the morning.
• Schedule time to check fun sites like facebook, twitter, and other informational websites.  It will be different for everyone, but set guidelines that are right for you.
• If you post to blogs, facebook, twitter, Linkedin, etc. for business or marketing purposes, create a schedule of when you will be doing this.  Maybe you blog 2x per week.  Well,  schedule in when you will be doing this.  Some things may be spontaneous, but don’t keep going on to the sites until your priorities are out of the way.

Several years ago we were taught that multi-tasking was fabulous.  As it turns out it is not.  It actually takes longer to get things done.  The brain uses a lot of energy to go back and forth and re-focus.

Posting to my blog was one of my priorities today.  Done.

Ok, on to the next priority and I promise myself I am not going to check www.People.com along the way!

Have a good and efficient day!

Organize for the Worm! Computer Worm that is!

From large companies to the individual users, folks with computers around the world were wondering if the joke was on them this April Fools Day.  Luckily, there seems to have been little affect from the anticipated Conflicker Worm .  But some report the bad guys behind it have put it on hold because everyone is on such high alert.

Hopefully it will never come to fruition.  From what I have read, computers that are regularly protected will have a much less  chance of  having problems.  But the scare and they hype did teach us a good lesson.  It is important to make sure that your computer is protected.  It is very simple to keep your computer up to date.  You should install anti virus and anti Spyware software.

• Set computer for automatic updates from Microsoft.  Many times they send “patches” when they know a problem is going on or  its way.
• Set computer for automatic Spyware scans.
• Be sure to back up your information.  Many options are available.  External hard drives, downloading to CD or automatic on-line updates such as Carbonite.
• Scan discs and devices for viruses.
• Be careful what links you open and forward.  Many viruses are disguised as something else.

There are a ton of reasons why being organized is a positive thing.  You must Organize for Disaster as well.  We all want to say, “oh, that won’t happen to me…” but when it does you want to be able to recover as quickly and as stress free as possible.

Organizers Get Organized – New NAPO Website Launch

NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers just got a face lift.  Check out the new website!

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about getting organized and how working with a Professional Organizer can enhance your life…check out the new site.  There are two short videos that talk to “What Organizers Do” and “Getting Organized.”  There are also links to client case studies.  You will see you are not alone and there are solutions out there.  There is also a set of tips to help you get started and/or motivated.  Want more tips?  Continue read or subscribe to this blog or log onto my website.

There are over 4,200 of us Professional Organizer… and last year we taught thousands of clients how to be better organized.

What really is a Professional Organizer or as I like to say…Personal Organizer?

A professional organizer enhances the lives of clients by designing systems and processes using organizing principles through transferring organizational skills.  They provide information, products and/or assistance to help others meet their organizing needs.  An organizers will guide, encourage and educate clients about organizing by offering support, focus and direction.

Be cautious of people on sites like Craig’s list offering supper cheap services.  When looking to hire someone, hire an expert, a NAPO member.

Happy viewing!

Organize Your Health

Today was the day of my annual skin check.  This is an important thing to do once a year.  It only takes less than 1/2 hour and it gives you the security in knowing that all is fine…that all the years of sun have not done any damage. I was a baby oil girl back in the day!   I never thought this was very important until a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with some serious skin cancers.  Catching it early was very important.

Be sure to schedule all of your yearly/bi-yearly check ups.  Today, I made my appointment for next year.  It makes it easy.  I decided to make next year’s appointment on my birthday.  That way I get to take the day off!  I usually have a spring dental appointment.  Gonna schedule that now for the same day.   I will start the year off fresh…and end the day with a massage to celebrate!

When thinking about Organizing your Health, here are some other things to think about for you and your family:

• Create a listing of medications & medical history.   This info is important if a trip to the ER arises. You won’t have to worry about missing anything if you are in a stressful situation.
• Do you have an I.C.E. number in your cell phone?  ICE is short for In Case of Emergency.  If something happens to you, and you are alone, people helping you (good Samaritans, emergency medical folks) will know who to contact on your behalf.
• Make sure your family members have copies of important documents relating to your health, including health care proxy, organ donation, etc.
• Go through your first aid materials and medicines at home.  Get rid (properly) of anything that is out of date.  Organize like items together and keep them where you use them.  Create a first aid box with all the staples.  Especially if you have children, they are going to be heading out more now that the weather is better — scrapes are sure to come!
• Keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy Spring!

Clutter Quote

One of my favorite quotes…

PLENTY robs you of valuable space, time, money, calm and sense of control.

Powerful…

Organizer’s Best Friend

Yes, it is true.  A label maker is an organizer’s best friend.

Using labels help you stay organized.  They can be especially helpful with multiple users in a home or office.  That way everyone can be on the same page on where the “home” for an item is.  For playrooms and children’s rooms, it can help with reading skills.  Regular maintenance and items have a “home” are the staples of staying organized.

It is important that the label you place on something makes sense to you, what you would call something.  If the label does not make sense to you then you will not be driven by it and end up placing  items in other locations.

There are all different types of labels to help you.

The basic: Standard label maker.  You know the white strip with black letters.  This is the most universal one of them all.  Can be used on files, shelves, boxes, bins, etc.

Fun: I just found these pre-made labels at The Paper Source that I love for mail, paper centers.  They have lots of other fun and decorative labels as well.

Decorative: Mabel’s Labels is  a great site for decorative labels.  Many clients like to label jars, drawers, cabinets but the traditional style of a label maker doesn’t work.  Now there is a better option.  Various sizes and designs  available  for home products as well as children’s clothing.

Creative: Crafty?  Make your own.  It can be fun and decorative!  I have used kid’s school pictures on ribbons tied to school paper “in boxes.”  Creative paper with fun colored binder clips.  The better you like the look, the more you will be attracted to it and use the system!

Remember — function over fashion, but if you get the functionality down, have fun with it!

Monday Morning Quarterbacking

I had a fun weekend.  I had planned to have a balance of work and play…but ended up playing or relaxing more than working (ok, no work.)  I woke up this morning with energy and a million to do’s and new ideas racing through my head.  A little overwhelming.  I know I have a bunch of things I need to do, but I am also  excited about the new things…so what would I tell a client?

• Take time to prioritize and organize my week.  Get it out of my head.
• Take care/schedule the most important tasks first.
• Write down my new biz development ideas, to be schedule later.
• Ignore Facebook
• Turn off Email while working on projects
• Don’t cancel the gym today to catch up on work.  Do both.

Doing a blog posting was one of my “most important” things on my list.  Ok, now back the rest…focus, focus.

Have a great and productive Monday!

Turn Snow Day Into Purge Day!

So are you like many who have an unexpected day home due to snow or ice?  School or activities cancelled?

I grew up in New England when school was cancelled once the snow actually fell and it was getting too tough to drive in.  Couldn’t image school being cancelled before the flake fell.  Even President Obama was just joking at a news conference that his daughters couldn’t believe they didn’t have school today because of ice  in Washington.  The girls said back in Chicago, they would not only have had school but they would have gone out for recess!

So you have some time at home you had not planned on?  Take an hour and de-clutter an area that has been bugging you.  Many areas don’t take long at all to go through.  Take everything out, sort by like item.   Re-locate anything that does not belong.  Toss anything that is broken, expired, no long used.  Make a donate pile for anything that can be donated.  Easy areas to tackle in a short amount of time include:

• Kitchen junk drawer
• Medicine cabinet
• Vanity
• Under sink
• Kitchen island
• Mail center
• Kid school paper drop off
• Tupperware area

Take advantage of the extra time!  Then make some hot chocolate,  go out and make a snowman, help an elderly neighbor.   Embrace the unexpected!

Organizing nets $3,133 in found money!

I like to have “noise” in the background when I work.  Today listening to my regular cable news there sure is a lot of “NOISE.”  Doom and gloom with the financial markets.  Monday morning announcements of bad earning and more layoffs.  I think it is time to switch to listening to music!

We have to keep ourselves positive and moving forward.  Many folks I have talked to are in a panic even though they have a secure job and their pay continues the same and will not be using their recently diminished retirement funds for another 25 years.  They are reacting to the unfortunate news they continue to hear and read.  Now you must always be prepared ….but to fester on negative news and live in the land of negativity is not healthy.  Think about what is working, what is positive in your life.  Many people are facing tough times.  Count the blessing you have.

Worried about your financial status in times like these?  Being organized can help!  Not only with peace of mind, but with finances as well.

Last week while working with clients, my found money total was $3,133.  Money that had  been misplaced.  Yes, I am talking real money, cash-o-la, the Benjamins! Sometimes I joke that I should put a Jerry Lewis Telethon type total board on my website.  Total being how much money (cash, checks, gift certificates, bonds, gift certificates) have been found during organizing sessions!

Now we don’t always find money,  but it is fabulous when it happens!  Here are some other tips to lessen the stress and save money in tough economic times.

• Limit purchases.
  • Curb abundance – need vs. want.
  • Less focus on “things.”  Focus on life, family, friends.
  • If something is on sale for 70% off and you don’t need it, you just wasted 30%.
    
• Save money by not wasting it.
  • Organizing closets and other areas help you see what you really need.  Many times people waste money by buying items they ALREADY have because they cannot locate them.
  • Don’t let late fees and interest payment add up.  Pay bills on time.
  • Review your spending….cell phone plans, insurance premiums, etc.
    
• Make money by clearing out the clutter.
  • Donate unwanted items to charity and obtain a tax receipt.  This not only helps you (more peaceful living space and a tax credit) but it also help others who are facing even bigger financial challenges in this environment.
  • Sell, sell, sell.  Use Ebay, consignment, Craig’s List, etc. to sell items that are no longer important to you.
• Create a mail system.
  • Cancel catalogues that are tempting to make purchases from.
  • This is one area of clutter than can be done in minutes a day.
    
  • Utilize “get off list” services to limit the amount of mail that comes in.
• Organize finances and important paperwork.
  • Know your financial situation & take control.  Don’t stress just because the that is what we hear on TV.
    

Welcome!

Thanks for checking out my new Blog!

My name is Ann Marie Williams and I am a personal organizing and home staging expert.  I created my company Atmosphere Consulting 6 years ago, leaving the corporate world behind.

I really wanted a life change and I knew that I wanted to do something that helped people.  Something that lessened stress.  Something that makes an impact.  I worked for many years as the director of Entertainment Marketing for Reebok.  I loved my job and mostly the people I worked with but did not like the pace and the changing industry.  When I boiled it down, giving rich people free shoes didn’t cut it for me in the karma category.  Now I still work with shoes, but I help clients edit them from their closets and donate them to charity

I will be posting info, tips and tid bits to help my readers live a calmer, clutter-free and hopefully stress free life.  I invite you to join in by commenting and sharing info.  Got a question?  Just ask.

There is so much doom and gloom around … let’s not give in to it!  Start the new year off right.  Fresh start.  Out with the old, in with the new.  Times like these make us think of what is most important in life.

Stay tuned for more insightful information.  Thanks again for taking your valuable time to check out the new blog!