Time is our greatest asset, yet we often feel as though we don't have enough of it. Here are a few quick fixes for organizing your life when you don't have much time. If you can do a few of these in 10 minutes - imagine what you could accomplish in 30 to 45 minutes.
Quick Fixes:
1. Clean out your purse and/or wallet
2. Clean out the refrigerator
3. Create a grocery or shopping list
4. Create a quick menu for the week
5. Put away clean laundry
6. Take out the trash
7. Clear off the kitchen counters/put dishes away
8. Make your bed
9. Clean out a drawer or cabinet
10. Pay a few bills on line
There are many more quick fixes - but this should get you started on the right track!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
10 Minute Quick Fixes
Donation Days!!!
I love to donate! It not only helps when decluttering - but it feels great to give back, as well. I encourage friends, followers, and clients to designate preferably 1 day a month for donating clothes, household items, etc. I understand that for many, 1 day a month may be too often - but a minimum of 4 times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) will suffice in the beginning.
Think about this: 1 donation each month (X) 12 months = 12 donations a year
12 donations a year = A LOT OF HAPPY PEOPLE & LESS CLUTTER
If nothing else motivates you to get organized, allow the thought of someone else's life being enhanced through the gift of your donation to jumpstart your movement. You can donate anywhere! Goodwill, church, Disabled Veterans, charity, a local shelter, etc. The options are unlimited.
I have listed a few for you to consider:
1. www.freecycle.org
2. www.goodwill.org
3. www.HoustoncharityAgency.org
4. www.justgive.org
5. www.cvm.org
6. www.dav.org
7. www.booksforafrica.org
AND SO MUCH MORE! Let's join together and donate our "stuff" to be a blessing in the life of another!
What day is your Donation Day this month? My day is July 17, 2010!
Declutter and donate today!
Until We Blog Again....
CEO, Organize N Refine
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Really Cool Photo Storage Trays
If you follow me @organizenrefine on Twitter - you'll read that I love Kangaroom Storage! The site is awesome and they have really cool storage solutions. As I was browsing the site recently, I found these cool photo storage trays.
If you're like me - you LOVE photos! I have an extensive photo library on my laptop, desktop, as well as photo albums.
These neat trays store up to 400 4x6 photos. The site also sells photo storage boxes that store up to 800 4x6 prints.
Pretty cool, if you ask me!
Visit the site: www.kangaroomstorage.com
Visit this link: http://bit.ly/djwi1l
If you have photos everywhere and would like to keep them organized until they make it into an album - order one of these cool photo trays or boxes today!
Until We Blog Again...
CEO, Organize N Refine
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Use the Expiration Date
When cleaning out the medicine cabinet, bathroom drawers, the fridge, or even the pantry - the most important thing is to look for expiration dates. Many of us have at least ONE item in our home that should have been thrown out 2 years ago.
Here are a few tips to help you declutter those cabinets and pantries:
1. Toss all expired food and canned goods.
2. Toss all expired prescription medicines.
3. Toss all make-up over a year old.
4. Toss all perfume over 3 years old.
5. Toss all lotions and sunscreens over 2 years old.
6. Toss all cleaning supplies over 2 years old.
There are many more items to be covered, but this should be enough to get you started. Now, go tackle those cabinets!
Until We Blog Again....
CEO, Organize N Refine
Monday, June 21, 2010
Eliminate Junk Mail! Take Control of Your Time!
Are you tired of the endless junk mail and e-mails? Take back your time and energy.
1. Contact the Direct Marketing Association to end e-mail solicitation.
2. Call 1-888-567-8688 to eliminate pre-approved credit card offers.
3. Add yourself to the Texas no call list for $2.25 to eliminate cold calls and telemarketers by calling 1-866-896-6225.
4. If you live outside of Texas, visit: www.donotcall.gov
Stop Carrying Clutter
Ladies, how many of you have purses double stuffed with junk, napkins, receipts, and make up? Stop carrying the clutter around. A purse is meant to carry necessities while on the go such as - your wallet, keys, inhaler, cell phone, etc. Women lead such busy lifestyles and often feel the need to keep everything on hand at all times, in order to multitask effectively. This practice can be a blessing and a curse. The key to eliminating purse clutter is to one, stop before you start. Before placing an item in your purse- ask yourself, "Can I go an entire day without this?" "Will I need this to make a purchase or to show identification?" "Will I need this at a definite time while out?" The answer to these questions will allow you to easily determine what stays in the purse and what goes. Also, at the end of the day when you arrive home - sort through your purse completely and immediately toss all unnecessary receipts, paper, candy wrappers, etc. Start fresh the next day!
If you wear make-up and can't leave the house without it - keep a small make-up bag full of your everyday cosmetics. Upon arrival of your destination, leave the cosmetics in the car, with the exception of small items, such as lipstick, compact, or mascara. If you need your cosmetics while at work - leave your make-up bag in a drawer at your desk or cubicle.
Hopefully, after reading this - you empty your purse and ask yourself the 3 suggested questions. Stop carrying the clutter and start creating solutions.
Until We Blog Again....
CEO, Organize N Refine
Saturday, June 12, 2010
What Makes Your "Stuff" Sentimental?
What is your definition of sentimental? Most people find sentimental items to evoke an emotion of some sort - but we must remember that when clearing out the clutter, you may find a sentimental item that you're unsure about, ask yourself this question "Does this item bring about positive or negative memories?" If the answer is negative - you must part with it.
A large part in getting and staying organized is creating a functional and positive space. If you surround yourself with blasts from the past, you will subconsciously never be able to move forward with your life or move forward in that specific area of life. Do not allow sentimental items to hinder your best self.
When sorting through the overwhelm, if you find for example, old elementary school artwork your children created - find a creative way to display a few of your favorite pieces in your home. Perhaps, framing them, creating a collage, or if they cannot be hung, place them on a shelf for display. I recommend asking yourself about positive or negative sentiment, instead of happy or sad sentiment, because I understand through life there are items we accumulate that cause happy and sad thoughts for example, the death of a loved one. If you have sentimental items of that person you loved - you may laugh and cry when you look at them - but the ultimate question is "Does this item create a positive energy in your life or a negative energy?" Keep only items that make you smile and remind you of a positive time in your life. Let the rest go. Do not allow yourself to remain stagnant in clutter, simply to hold a moment in time when you received certain items. Hold on to special memories and the joy of a certain time period. Move forward in your organizing journey. Move forward in your life.
Until We Blog Again....
CEO, Organize N Refine
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Do You Have 5 Minutes?
Do you have 5 minutes out of the 1440 minutes in each day? I think we all do. As a child, my mother often said, "It only takes a minute." This has proven to be true. Many things we moan and whine about doing - only take a minute.
In this day and age, people are leading busy lifestyles and no one seems to have time for anything. Truth is - we make time for what is important to each of us. Is creating order in your home important? Is having better clarity important? Is managing and saving time important? If so, it only takes a minute.
Each night before bed - take 5 minutes to clear off a space, such as the nightstand, bathroom counter, or kitchen table. Do not go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes. Instead, take 5 minutes and load the dishwasher or depending on how small the load - wash the dishes. Lay out your clothes for the following day, alongside shoes and socks. All of these things only take a minute. You will be surprised at what can be accomplished in 5 minutes or less. Let's stop focusing on what we don't want to do and why we don't feel like doing it - and GET IT DONE. Get organized 5 minutes at a time.
Until We Blog Again...
CEO, Organize N Refine
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