Better Use of Our Greatest Asset

Before we can stop a bad habit - we must assess why it exists. One of the biggest, if not THE BIGGEST killler of time is procrastination. I have blogged about this before, but it is such a large problem across society that I thought, "Why not discuss it further?"

To procrastinate is to waste time. To waste time is to self-sabotage. Let's explore what we can do differently to better use our greatest asset - time.

1. Multi-task or Single-task:

Depending on the nature of the task and its attached requirements, you may want to consider breaking a single task into smaller tasks, or dividing multiple tasks into groups for better management. If multi-tasking decreases your productivity and quality of work, consider single-tasking. Overall, do not overload or underload your plate. Plan your tasks, prepare accordingly, and execute efficiently. Also, designate a certain day or days for task completion and outline what will be done each day. Winging it won't take you far.

2. Be Decisive:

Decisiveness will save you time and money. Be quick in your decision-making. I am not implying that one should not put thought and intellect into daily choices - but don't use the time you could be acting, to think and decide. Get moving! Be decisive. Be productive.

3. Over-commiting:

This idea ties into multi-tasking and single-tasking. Be mindful of what you alot your time to. Do not over-commit and possibly, under-deliver. Create a list of tasks to complete, time alloted to each task, and deadline for completion.

4. Be Assertive:

How assertive are you? How often do you view a task or opportunity and jump into action? If your answer is "not often", you may consider increasing your assertiveness. It is important to be self-assured and self-confident. The people who wait around for someone to guide or instruct them, waste time standing around when they could be moving.


The world is filled with golden opportunities to advance and leverage our lives! Take action and get moving! Don't waste time, wasting time. Save time by prioritizing tasks, quickly making decisions, controlling your comittments, and being assertive!

Until We Blog Again....



CEO, Organize N Refine

Storage Front - Thank You!

Words cannot express how thrilled and appreciative I am to be featured by Storage Front! What a wonderful company and group of people!

Use Storage Front to find the right facility to store your most prized possessions!

Also, check out my featured blog post HERE!

Thank you Storage Front for allowing me my first interview and feature blog post! I am grateful for your recognition!


Until We Blog Again....


CEO, Organize N Refine

Organize Your Vision

Our vision is one of our greatest assets and makes us individually unique. Management of your ideas and visions is extremely important. It's the foundation for your goals and success. Disorganized ideas cripple your progress and disable you from actualizing your goals. My mother gave me the wonderful idea of creating a "Look Book" for keeping file of my different visions a few years ago. I've kept one ever since.

What is a "look book"? A look book is simply a photo album or binder filled with photos of all the places you wish to see, real estate you'd like to own, furniture you'd like to have, fashion you'd like to wear, design ideas, cars you like, influential people, etc. It can be whatever you envision it to be. Often, we keep our visions trapped in our minds and it's time to set them free!

Create your own look book:

1. Get an 8'x10" photo album with full-page sheets.

2. Sort through magazines, newspapers, or the internet and begin to clip images that reflect your vision in a particular area. (i.e. fashion, real estate, travel, design ideas, influential people, charity, etc.)

3. Begin to place clippings into the photo album. Feel free to use creative stickers, markers, etc.

4. Type 1-page bulleted list or summarized sentences of your displayed visions.

The idea may seem similar to a scrapbook - but what makes it so unique is that you are compiling images reflecting your future pursuits, projects, and envisioned accomplishments. Scrapbooking is primarily used to preserve past memories (i.e. college, holidays, childhood, etc.) for future generations. Allow your look book to guide your vision and serve as inspiration to make your dreams into reality.

Until We Blog Again....


CEO, Organize N Refine

Organizer of the Week - Jennifer Palais

Every Monday, starting today, I feature an Organizer of the Week on my website www.organizenrefine.com/. The idea came to me as I was thinking of generous ways to showcase other organizing stars while building my professional network. Organizing is my passion. Organizing professionally is my business. I thought it would be fantastic to highlight organizers around the world taking clutter by storm.

Organizer of the Week

Jennifer Palais

Professional Organizer

Venice Beach, CA

Specialties:
- Paperless office transition
- Business and home office organizing
- Time-management coaching
- Working with couples to eliminate clutter

What inspires you most?: Dessert. Oh...and seeing the guilt and anxiety lift from clients as they learn new skills.

Favorite Quote: They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it. - Gracie Allen


Contact Jennifer Palais:


Website: http://www.palaisprofessionalorganizer.com/

Twitter: @JenniferPalais

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PalaisProfessionalOrganizer

Shoe Fanatic

I love shoes! I can't deny it. I wouldn't say that I have a shoe fetish because I have met women who love and own more shoes than I do - but all in all - I love shoes! This can be a problem when working with limited closet space. Unless, you are fortunate enough to have your very own shoe closet. Depending on the size of your shoe collection, you have several different options to keep them organized. Take a look below:

1. Shoe Boxes - Shoe boxes are a great idea for shoe storage and cleanliness. Boxes allow you to stack your shoes on top of each other neatly creating more space for other closet items, or even more shoes! Purchasing plastic shoe boxes from the store can become a bit expensive - so depending on your budget and the amount of shoes you own, it is quite alright to use regular cardboard shoe boxes. I suggest taking 30 minutes to photograph each pair of shoes. Once developed, tape each photo to its corresponding pair of shoes. This enables you to clearly see what each box contains without going through each box to find a pair.
2. Shoe Racks/Shelves - This is a great storage solution, as well - but your shoe storage is limited to the amount of rack or shelf space you have. This can create an overflow problem. Consider sorting through all of your shoes before shelving them. I'm willing to bet there will be a few pair you can do without due to wear-and-tear or they are just simply out of style. The cool thing about shelving is that you can implement shoe boxes, as well! Be creative!
3. Overdoor - Overdoor shoe storage systems come in handy when you have limited floor or shelf space. This solution may also require you to minimize your shoe collection, as well - as most overdoor shoe bags only contain 24, 30, or 36 pockets. Also, keep in mind that most overdoor storage systems cannot hold bulky shoes, such as boots, clogs, and certain style tennis shoes. In the past, I have used overdoor shoe storage primarily for flip-flops and sandals.
4. Shoe Tree - Shoe Tree's are primarily used in small spaces for shoes to be temporarily stored - such as by the front door, garage door, or even in your office. They come in 3-tiers and 4-tiers, and are often adjustable for a custom fit. I wouldn't recommend this product for your entire closet shoe collection, but if you have an area in your home where shoes are often piled by the door - this would be a great solution.

All of these shoe storage ideas can be found and purchased in stores like Target, Walmart, The Container Store, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. Hopefully, these options gave you shoe lovers insight on how to better store your shoes!

Until We Blog Again....



CEO, Organize N Refine

Keep the Kids Entertained While Traveling

It's the summer! Most of you parents are taking the kids on some sort of vacation - whether it be camp, visiting the grandparents, Disney World, or a family road trip. It is important to keep the trip as orderly and peaceful as possible. The idea of peaceful may be far fetched when traveling with the little ones.

Here are a few ideas to keeping the kids occupied and entertained, while giving you peace of mind on your travels:

1. Portable DVD Player - This is a costly, but wise investment ranging from $80 - $150 at Walmart. Get
    one of these for the kids, pop in an action-packed kid flick or educational program along with headphones
    and watch them be entertained for hours. If you have more than one child, the portable DVD players will
    play just as great without the headphones. Check out this link: http://bit.ly/9i7ohI

2. Travel Journal - Invest in a disposable camera, colorful notebook, markers, and colorful pens/pencils.

     Help your kids create their very own travel journal documenting all the sights and activities experienced on
     your trip. This is a great way to capture memories, promote creativity, and keep them occupied artistically
     while traveling.

3. Map for the Kids - Give your kids a map, markers, and stickers. Let them help your track where home
    is where you're going, and what you've seen, thus far. Involve them in the travel experience. Allow them to
    feel like co-pilots!

4. Card Games - This is a no-brainer for most of you. Games like Uno, Old Maid, Crazy 8s, Speed, Go
    Fish, and so many more always keep the kids entertained.

5. Scavenger Hunt - Give the each child a list of things to look for during the trip. This can be created in
    advance and adjusted for the scenery. (i.e. Things in the airport, things along the road trip, places, people)

There are thousands of games and ideas to keep the kids occupied this summer, but this should start you on the right track. My favorite is the scavenger hunt idea. Feel free to comment and let me know how your travels went this summer! Have a wonderful vacation!

Until We Blog Again...
 



CEO, Organize N Refine

Determine Your "Y"

Take a look around. What do you see? Is your space a reflection of who you really are? If not, it's probably time to get organized. Often, we want to start but have no clue  where to begin. This is when it becomes extremely important to identify your "why". Why do you want to be organized? How will being accountable for your habits change your life? How will a new system or positive habit benefit you? Why have you become disorganized over the years? These are all pertinent questions when assessing where to start. If you have no idea why you should travel - you will most likely stay at home. It's time to step outside of your comfort zone and into your growth zone. Explore your mind and habits. The possibilities are endless!

Becoming organized is a challenge for many people - but the results of gaining control over your time and life are quite rewarding. You have to want peace of mind for yourself and determine why it is important to you. Do you want a better relationship with your spouse? Do you want to have dinner as a family at the kitchen table once the clutter is gone? Do you want to have time for yourself or your family? Do you want to have company over once you can see the floor? Do you want to get ahead financially once all of the bills are sorted? Whatever the reason - I support you and believe in you!

I encourage all of you to look around yourselves. Your energy is as positive or negative as the environment which surrounds you. Let your best self shine through! Do not live the rest of your life timeless, stressed, and surrounded by clutter! If you don't know your why - let it be simply because you deserve to live in peace and harmony. Let's get organized together - one space at a time!

Until We Blog Again....



CEO, Organize N Refine

Space Savers to the Rescue

If you are a Twitter-lover like me - #Follow @spacebag.

 www.spacesaverscommunity.com/

As their tagline reads, they are "A Community Dedicated to Saving Space & Getting Organized." I have yet to purchase my first space bag therefore, I cannot provide a product review - but I intend to invest in the near future. Their products can be used to organize bedroom closets, basements, linen closets, travel packing, and so much more. They are a great solution for cutting clutter and creating space.

Join the Space Savers like I did and receive monthly newsletters, promotions, and 20% off the Space Bag Starter Set. You'll be glad you did!

Until We Blog Again....




CEO, Organize N Refine