Create Order with Files

You've created a system for incoming paper!! (You've Got Mail! ) You've gone through piles of old paper!! (Extreme Mailage Intervention) Now you have a bunch of stuff you need to file. It's time for the really fun part---creating files and putting it all away!

From: The Container Store

      Well, o.k., it's not exactly fun in the usual sense of the word, but this step will make you feel like you're the boss of this stuff once and for all.  The process is sort of...not fascinating, and may take awhile, but you've come such a long way and you're almost there!!!!

     This is where some people get bogged down.  They look at all of the paper and think: " You mean I have to go through all of this  @#$% (expletive deleted) paper??"  The bad news is, yes, you do.  The good news: you only have to do it ONE PIECE AT A TIME.

     If you're easily distracted by that big pile of

Source

unsorted paper, put it in one room, and take it to a different room to sort.  Then you can grab just a small number of papers and take them with you to be
sorted.  This tricks your mind into thinking you only have a little to do, and it's not as overwhelming.  Sometimes, clients work well when I hold the stack in my lap under the table and hand it to them one piece at a time.  (tip: maybe you can bribe one of the kids or a friend to do this for you).

STEP ONE:  SORT BY YEAR
     Put the papers in stacks by year, pull out any permanent or current documents such as birth certificates, mortgage documents, life insurance info, and so on.  The rest of the papers can be put in a folder, label with the year, and stored in a portable file box somewhere out of the way or in a file cabinet.

STEP TWO: SORT THIS YEAR
     You'll find that the paper naturally lends itself to different broad categories;  things like:  monthly bills, financial statements, house/mortgage, auto. It's not important how you label and arrange the files, but it is important that it makes sense to you, so you can find things when you need them.

      The broad categories are your hanging files, and file folders are subcategories.  For example: The hanging file is labeled Auto.  The folders inside could be: Insurance,  Registration, Repairs/Services.  Or, if you have more than one vehicle, the papers could be sorted by vehicle, as: Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar.

If you're a visual person (or if you just want to impress yourself and others with your organizing skills), you can use colors for different categories. 

For many monthly statements that are not tax deductible, you can toss or shred the last statement, and keep only the current one.  (More information about creating home filing systems: here.)

Step 3: Put the files away.  
Files that you are currently using should be easily accessable.  You won't use them if they're difficult to get to!   Some people need to have these files clearly visible, out on a shelf or counter and in an open crate, a filing cabinet is fine for the rest of us.

Step 4: Use online banking services if you're not already doing so.  I was a late-comer to this, but once I started, I was amazed at how much more quickly and easily I was able to complete the task. Some people have security concerns about paying online, but in my opinion you're just as safe--if not safer--than when you put a piece of paper with your checking account number in the mail.  Just make sure you have a good password.

Congratulations!  Taking control of the paper monster is a HUGE step towards creating order in your life.  Remember, if you need help at any stage of the project, you can always call on your friendly home organizer to give you a helping hand and a high five when you've finished!

Resources for finding an organizer:

National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)

NAPO Wisconsin , click on "Find an Organizer"

NAPO: How to Hire an Organizer

NAPO Organizer Directory

Also: Find My Organizer

source

For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957
createorder1@gmail.com

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service
"Say YES to less"

   

Extreme Mailage Intervention

Now that you've got a system for handling mail, it's time to attack those piles, bags, or boxes of old mail and paperwork that have piled up over the months or even years.

Why do all of those papers have the power to cause so much anxiety for many of us?  My theory:  in spite of technology, those of us who were born before the computer age have brains that are still wired to think printed material must be important, therefore, it shouldn't be thrown away.  A lot of us are perfectionists who are terrified we'll make a mistake, throw the wrong thing away, or put it in the wrong place and when some unknown scarey person demands that we come up with it, we'll lose everything because we can't find it.  Some of us have been traumatized by bad surprises (usually financial in nature) that have come in the mail.  So it piles up.

The truth is, most of this stuff won't ever be needed.  There are very few documents that can't be found or replicated.  Some of them might require a little more time or effort to recover, but it can be done.

The other truth is that if it's piled up or in boxes or bags, you won't be able to find what you need anyway.

Having said that, it is important that documents be kept in an orderly way, so you can find them IF you need them, thus making your life easier and more serene.  It's easier to grab your birth certificate from a file than to go through the process of getting another one.

So, the first thing you want to do when tackling that huge pile of backed up mail is to gather it all together on one spot.   If you have more than a year's worth, pull out the current year as best you can to get started. Take a deep breath and grab the recycling bin.  If you feel anxiety starting to tighten its grip on you, set a time for ten minutes and KEEP GOING ANYWAY.  I recommend three piles:  keep, recycle, shred. Those are the only decisions you're making right now...don't worry about sorting yet.

Get a good letter opener and open every piece.  ALL junk mail goes into the recycling or shred pile!   As do newspapers, (anything earlier than today) magazines (keep no more than the TWO latest issues), flyers, and newsletters.

 Even if you see something that interests you, something you want to donate to or buy, get rid of it!  You'll hear from these people again, and if you don't, you can find them online.  (Helpful article:   What to Shred and What to Keep.)  DON'T save envelopes the mail came in, don't save a flier for a place you may want to tell your friend about, or information you think your kids or friends will want: DON'T DO IT! You don't need to save any but the most recent of most monthly bills. If you think you want to use envelopes as note paper, there will be plenty more coming in.  Right now your goal is to get the stuff out of here!  If it's not a record of something you've actually done or paid, you don't need it.

I recycle all junk mail and only shred if it contains account numbers or other personal information. I figure anyone can find my name and address with just a couple of clicks, so I don't worry about it, but some people prefer to shred anything that has a name or address on it.

This process can take days, or even months.  You're not going to do it all at once, so get over the idea that it's going to go quickly.  Grab a batch to do while you're watching t.v. or bribe the kids to help you. If you can get in 30 or even 20 minutes a day, you can make some good progress.

When you're done getting rid of all the junk, you'll be left with a relatively small amount of stuff in the "keep" pile.  Next, you'll be setting up files.

And if you find yourself getting bogged down, remember, your friendly professional organizer is only a click away!

Resources for finding an organizer:
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
NAPO Wisconsin , click on "Find an Organizer"
NAPO: How to Hire an Organizer
NAPO Organizer Directory
Also: Find My Organizer

For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957
createorder1@gmail.com

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

You've Got Mail!

When people and businesses started using PCs, did you envision a paperless future?   I know I did.   That was many years ago, but paper clutter is still one of the top reasons people want to work with a professional organizer. For some reason, we still struggle with those piles, bags, bins and boxes of paper.

Most people think they have to organize all of the paper they have, sort it all out, set up files and THEN they're ready to be organized with what's coming in.   That thought alone can send us running for our favorite avoidance strategy (t.v., ice cream, Facebook, etc) .

The good news is that the backlog doesn't have to disappear before you can set up a system, if you start with today and think only about going forward for now.

The very FIRST step is to set up a system for handling the paper that's coming in today. You can even put all of the old stuff in a bin or box and set it aside for now. You could probably light a fire under it and never miss it, but I won't recommend it.

This is what has worked for many organizing clients:  You'll need three baskets or trays, or mail sized containers.  I use wire baskets because they're easy to move and things don't fall out of them easily.

OPEN AND TOSS (5 minutes)
When you get today's mail, IMMEDIATELY (today!)  recycle or add to the shredding pile any and all junk mail, brochures, catalogues, etc.  If it's not something you intend to act on NOW, it goes out.  Unless you're a really organized coupon person and you use them all the time, get rid of those too.  You can lose more money as a result of disorganization than you'll ever save with the coupons, and they won't be there to torment you about not using them.  Now the mail goes into the Holding Basket.  

THROW IN HOLDING BASKET AND FORGET IT FOR NOW (1 minute)  The holding basket might be in your kitchen or entryway, or wherever you normally put the mail down when you bring it in.

Basket #1 is your Holding Basket.  This one is kind of controversial.  Theoretically, you're supposed to sort your mail the minute you bring it in, but the problem is, no one does that!  I throw mine in this basket and then open and sort it every few days, or at least once a week.   I also put in receipts I need to keep or other information I have to deal with or file.

SORT AND TAKE ACTION ( 5-20 minutes at least once a week!) This is when you get everything out of the holding basket and put it where it belongs.  These baskets would be located in your office, or wherever you do your paperwork.

 If you can pick the same time each week to sort, it's so much easier to remember. When you sort ( at least once a week) everything goes into basket two or three.

Basket #2--Action Basket.  Doesn't that sound great?  You're going to take action!  These are things such as bills that need to be paid, classes you're going to sign up for, invitations to RSVP, permission slip forms that need to be signed, and anything else you have to take care of.

Anything that's due the following week should be taken care of at this time (at least once a week)  I pay bills once a month, so the bills stay here until bill-paying day.

Basket #3 --Reference Basket.  Here's where you keep information you're absolutely going to want to refer to IN THE NEAR FUTURE.  "Might want to use some day" doesn't fit into this category! "Can be found on the internet" doesn't fit into this category, either.   It might be schedule of community classes you want to sign up for, or store sales and coupon notices.   I recommend NO catalogues, unless you know for certain you're going to order something.  Each time you sort your mail, you'll get rid of outdated stuff in this basket.

To be filed--this can be a file folder.  In here you'll have things that should go in your yearly files, such as bills that you've paid, receipts, statements, etc.  You'll be filing these at least once a month.

(Note:  the HOLDING BASKET is now EMPTY.  Yes, you heard me correctly: empty!  No exceptions).

Yay!  Now that you have a system going, you've made a HUGE first step in dealing with all that paper. Watch this spot for strategies to deal with the backlog.

If you need help getting started, remember that your friendly home organizer is just a phone call (or email) away.

For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957
createorder1@gmail.com

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

  

Deck the Front Door

(From: Picture of a Perfect Christmas)

     I get a kick out of looking at magazine headlines this time of year.  Half of them are:  How To Have the Perfect Holiday in which Everyone is Joyous and Your House Looks Like a Magazine Photo Shoot.  The other half are:  How to Avoid Holiday Stress.

      I don't know about you, but there are times when I've knocked myself out trying to do both at the same time.  Now I'm convinced it just isn't possible. 

     It took me some time to figure out that NOTHING on my list of holiday have-tos is compulsory--not even being happy or having a good time.  It would be fun to have a house that looks like it's been decorated by Martha Stewart (who probably doesn't even do her own house by herself) but when I looked a little more closely at that desire, I realize it comes from a place of wanting to appear more capable than I actually am. 

I can't think of a more useless waste of time.  Why would anyone want to do that?  If people think I'm perfect I'd be under constant pressure to remain so, and anyway, let's face it, most of us sort of resent someone who seems perfect.  We secretly think they need to get a life.

I love having the the house decorated and the tree up, but I've stopped pretending I'm doing it for anyone but me.  I've let go of the timetables and the lists, and as a result I enjoy the process much more.  No one has ever come in to my home and asked, "Where are the festive garlands crafted out of used coffee filters?" (a true project from a magazine).

It's great to give the perfect gift that the recipient will treasure and remember always, but not when trying to do so results in a month-long frantic search right up to Christmas Eve, ending with the purchase of a gift card.  I decided to skip the shopping part and go right to the gift card or cash.  So far, no one has complained.  Eventually, most of us have decided that, since our gifts "cancel each other out", we'll just skip the whole thing and give each other a toast or a hug.   

Sometimes, the holiday stuff is magical and wondrous, and sometimes it's just something you think you have to do.  I've found that when I let go of my expectations and my need to make it so, the magic and wonder can sneak up on me at the most unpredictable moments without the least bit of effort.  

And, if I want a Norman Rockwell Christmas, I can always look at a Norman Rockwell print, because I'm pretty sure that's the only place it exists.

(From: Around the World in 110 Days)

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, 

schedule a free consultation, 

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service
 In the Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas

262-784-3957

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

On Facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order

True Confession

People often ask me if my own house is organized and I have to say that I  have a place for everything--even if everything isn't always in its place.  And I only have what I love, need, or use, and will fit in the space.  In that sense, I'm doing o.k.

But there is one area in which I'm just like most of my clients -- the computer!

The desktop is crammed with stuff, some of which I don't even recognize.  When I open up the download file, I take one look and quickly close it right back down. And those photos!  I have some files that I created about two years ago, but everything else is in a place labeled "misc".  I delete a bunch of emails every week, and tell myself I'll file the others "later", so they're piling up.  Don't even talk to me about backing things up on the cloud or anywhere else!

The only difference between my computer and a desk overflowing with piles of paper is that I can't see the computer mess when I walk in the room.  Otherwise, it's exactly the same, and I deal with it in exactly the same way that many people deal with their physical stuff:  I procrastinate.  I sit down to organize the computer and get sidetracked for about an hour and a half reading emails & catching up on networking. I feel overwhelmed, so I shut the thing down and walk away.  I try to put the niggling thought that I have to do it away, but I can feel the weight of it bogging my down in other areas of my life, just as physical clutter does.

Well, that stops now!  It's time to make an appointment with myself (my most challenging client) and  and start taking my own advice.  I'll break up the job into smaller tasks, set a time frame to work, and tell myself gently at first,and then a little more sternly, to stay on task.  I'll remind myself often of what it will be like to have a nicely organized, clutter-free computer where I can easily find everything I need.

If that doesn't work, I know lots of Professional Organizers who will be happy to assist me!  Wish me luck.

For more on this topic:  Organize Your E-Clutter Like a Pro

 For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

                                  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

on the web:  createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

facebook:  Linda Palmer/Create Order Organizing Service

Be Rich Without Money!

     Most of us think we have to have a lot of money in the bank to feel rich.  In truth, there are a lot of VERY wealthy people who are anxious and worried about money, and a lot of happy people who may or may not be rich.  The good news is: we can all be a part of the second group!  Here are some ways to trick yourself into feeling rich.

Give: whenever you get the chance.  Even if you're having trouble making ends meet, you might put 25 cents in the MACC fund can at the counter, a packet of spaghetti in the food collection bin at the store, or add a dollar at the register to support a cause.  You can do things for people--any people.   Over-tip whenever and whatever you can.  It makes you feel benevolent and generous, a vibe which some people (me)  believe will attract abundance.  And, it feels so much better to put something in that bell-ringer's bucket than trying to sneak past without making eye contact!

Pretend:  When I went through a period of feeling seriously cash-deprived, I would go to the mall and pretend I could have anything I wanted.  I surprised myself by being very picky in my choices, which made me realize I didn't want most of that stuff after all.  One time, a friend and I did this at an art fair, giving ourselves $50,000 to spend.  We were amazed at how attentive and helpful the artists were as soon as we started "shopping"!  Neither of us managed to spend the entire amount.

Practice Gratitude:  This can include a gratitude journal, counting blessings etc. but there are a few other fun things you can do. Say "Thank you" at every possible opportunity. Before I started paying everything online, I would write little notes on the bills when returning them with payment:  "Thanks for the electricity!  We really enjoyed it during this hot spell." or " I so appreciate you lending me the money for my car.  I don't know where I'd be without it." I know it sounds crazy, but it completely transformed the bill-paying experience for me.  I imagined that someone would open the envelope, see the note, and maybe have a good laugh with someone about it...or send the men in the white coats...but it was fun for me.

(fromhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/middle-class-problems?s)

Keep things in perspective:  Some time ago, I read a little piece on BuzzFeed called Middle Class Problems.  It made me laugh, but it also made me realize that the 80% of the world's population that doesn't have enough to eat, a place to sleep, or clean water, would love to have my problems.  When I find myself fretting or complaining about finances, I remind myself:  This is a middle class problem!  Instantly, it seems less problematic.

Last, but not least:  Get Rid of Stuff!  Letting go of extra stuff sends a subconscious message to your brain: "I have what I need, and I can get what I will need in the future."

When you realize you have plenty, you're less likely to acquire a lot of stuff you don't need. Which allows you to have more space, more order, and more of what you need and love in your life.  And who doesn't want that?

More reading on this topic:  How to Feel Rich and Wealthy

 For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

                                  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

on the web:  createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

facebook:  Linda Palmer/Create Order Organizing Service

 

How to Create Order in Any Space

If the thought of cleaning out your purse, never mind a closet or the garage, makes you want to RUN in the opposite direction and play hours of solitaire on the computer or watch a "Petticoat Junction" marathon on t.v., here are some simple steps to get you started in almost any space.

     Before you begin, be clear about your purpose for the space.  Is it going to hold cleaning supplies, winter coats, ex husbands? (Anecdote:  I have a friend who is very clear about the purpose of her handbag, which contains:  grooming and make up center, first aid station, wardrobe malfunction emergency kit, supplies and tools for possible mechanical breakdown, various record keeping items:  address, phone number, calendars, lists of various sorts, financial necessities and  hydration and nutrition items. All perfectly organized).

Allow yourself roughly twice the amount of time you think this project will take.  Hurrying is the enemy of organization!

 EXHIBIT A   (photo from houndrat.com)

Take EVERYTHING out of the space.  As you take it out, you can sort into 4 separate piles or bins.

     Bin #1:  I can't use it and neither can anyone else--toss!  Be ruthless!  I know you don't want to put extra stuff into landfills, and you shouldn't.  Resolve that in the future, you will be mindful of that when you're considering a purchase.  But also consider whether you want it hanging around your house for the rest of your life, only to go right into the landfill anyway once you are gone.

     Bin #2:   I don't use it, love it, or need it, but someone else might--donate. (Warning:  be careful of putting things aside to give to someone else.  Those items have a way of sticking around for a LONG time and sometimes forever!)

     Bin #3:   I use it, love it, or need it, but it doesn't belong in this space.  You don't have to figure out where it will go right this minute....this bin can be put aside to deal with later.

(photo: Jeri's Organizing & Decluttering News)

     Bin #4:   I use it, love it, or need it and it belongs in this space.  Keep in mind the purpose you've given the space, and the amount of space available.

     Now you can put the stuff from Bin #4 back into the space in an orderly way. Group similar items together, and use bins or labels as needed.  Throw the items from Bin #1 in the garbage,  box or bag items from Bin #2 to donate, and find homes for the items in Bin #3 (this could be a separate project).  Dust off your hands and give yourself a big pat on the back.

     You deserve it!  And remember, if you need help, your friendly home organizer is always ready!

   For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

 

                                  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

on the web:  createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

facebook:  Linda Palmer/Create Order Organizing Service

   


 

Order Without Organizing

Would you be surprised to know that you can start to create order in your life without touching or moving even one object?  Yes, you can take action without diving into large piles of "homeless" possessions--even if you don't have time to start sorting objects at this very moment.
Here's how:

Be rested:  Being organized involves a lot of decision making, and fatigue can drastically affect our ability to make decisions and follow through with action.  It's easy to find plenty of information about good sleep habits.  For people like me, it's usually as simple as:  Put down that darn remote!  And go to bed!

Pay attention to your energy level:  Eat well and get exercise. You've heard this many times, so I won't go on about it. It's important.

Meditate: This is huge!  You'd think that sitting still and doing nothing for a short amount of time would be a relief in our over-scheduled lives, so why does it seem difficult for most of us to establish a regular practice of stillness?  I don't have the answer, but I can tell you that it's well worth it to make it a priority and not give up on this one.  The mental and physical benefits will have a positive effect on EVERYTHING in your life. And you don't have to be a yogi or a guru for that to happen.

Practice mindfulness:  After a week in which I lost a glove, a pair of glasses, and my calendar (and found all three plus an extra glove I had lost earlier), this is a big one for me.  I am still working on the habit of doing ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY at a time and keeping my monkey mind on that one thing.

Shop consciously  (or--shop like a man):   Don't shop because you're feeling bored, angry, inadequate, or stressed -- shop because you need something specific. Go out with a list, and stick to it.   If you happen to see something you love while you're out - yes, even if it's on sale! - tell yourself you can have it if you still want it after a week.  You'll actually save money, because after a week you often forget about the item, or realize you don't really want it anyway.

  Creating order isn't just about having a neat home or office.  It's also about being present in your life, and having the time and energy to do what needs to be done, to relax, and to enjoy yourself.

And, if you find you need help once you're ready deal with the "stuff", your helpful professional organizer is just a phone call away

(Thanks to Julie Gray, of Profound Impact Coaching and Organizing. for the inspiration!  To visit her website:  profound-impact.com )

For solutions to your organizing challenges,

to schedule a free consultation,

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

facebook:  Linda Palmer/Create Order Organizing Service

"Stuff Nirvana"

     I'm always looking for ways to break the organizing process down into ideas that are easy to remember and understand.  That's why my ears sort of perked up when I came across a video on YouTube  featuring Andrew Mellen.  (see video)

     Andrew is described on his website as "The most organized man in America", which made me wonder...is there a "most organized man on the planet?"  If so, I want to know about that guy.

     I watched the 44 minute video, and one minute later I was on Amazon buying his book Unstuff Your Life.  One thing I know for sure about Andrew is that his marketing methods are HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, as I am not normally an easy sell.  The tag line on his website,  andrewmellen.com, is:  "More Love, Less Stuff!"  Now, who can resist that?  I am hooked.

     Andrew has so many great ideas, but my favorite is his "Organizational Triangle" which consists of three rules:

      1)  One home for everything. This sounds like a no-brainer, but when I thought about it, I realized that  I don't always follow this rule.  Example:  keys and glasses.  Need I say more?  I'm always looking for them. Once I lost a set of keys because they were in the refrigerator AT WORK.  Embarrassing story, but it is true.

     2)  Like with like.  Objects that are similar in form or function live together.  Andrew even goes so far as to give preparation utensils and serving utensils separate "homes" in his kitchen, which I greatly admire and would totally do if I had more drawer space.

     3)  Something in, something out.  Genius!  Andrew defines "stuff equilibrium" as the state of having only stuff you use or love, and a home for everything.   Once you've reached "Stuff Equilibrium",  (which I prefer to call "Stuff Nirvana"),  you're no longer in the process of acquiring, but are now replacing items you no longer need, use, or love.

     Easy, right?  Just follow these three rules and your life will be perfect.

      Well, okay, not exactly that easy, but if you keep these three rules in mind as you work, it may help you to navigate your journey toward Stuff Nirvana. And if you need help getting inspired or getting started, remember:  your friendly professional organizer is just a phone call or an email away.

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, 

schedule a free consultation, 

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

On Facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order

I

What Resolution?

 

     Change isn't easy, and if we could do it with resolutions, we'd all be perfect by now!  I'm not a big fan of resolutions, having made and broken many over the years, but if you're looking to live a more orderly life, here are some suggestions:

• Get rid of one item a day for 365 days.  It sounds like a lot, but you might be surprised  how easy it is to find things you don't need.  Even a broken paper clip counts!
• Stop telling people that you need to "get organized."  This only reinforces your thought that you're NOT organized.
• Make a list of ways your life (inner and outer) would be different without all of the extra "stuff".  Read and add to the list on a regular basis.
• Daily or weekly,  fill a box or bag with items to recycle, throw away, or donate. Schedule  a specific time to take donations away weekly or monthly.
• Another list:  A magic fairy appears and offers to do it all for you, but you have to write down every single thing that needs doing, and order it from most to least urgent.  Now, take number one on the list and write down every step she (or he) will need to take to accomplish the task.  Do the first step. (for example:  Task: Clean out the coat closet.  Step 1:  take everything out that is not a coat, boot or hat)
• Practice some form of gratitude, every single day.  Get in the habit of noticing, speaking or writing about your blessings.   This will help you realize that you have  "enough", and it will be easier to let go of items you don't need.  For some tips about keeping a gratitude journal go to :  Simple Abundance . 
• Give some thought to your relationship to your "stuff".  Keep a journal or ask a friend for a listening ear (remember, though, no whining or complaining!)  Most people say they've acquired so much stuff because they just don't have the time to take care of it, but often behind that there are feelings of loss, sadness, and even anger that we may be avoiding.

         Resolutions, dreams, intentions, wishes--whatever you call them, you do have the power to make them come true in 2013, and every year!  Here's hoping this year is the best yet for all of us.

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, 

schedule a free consultation, 

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer
262-784-3957

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

  In Waukesha and Milwaukee WI counties, and surrounding area

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

On Facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order

   

   

Stress-Free Holidays? Maybe you're not paying attention!

     Everywhere I look I see articles, blogs and posts about how to have a stress-free holidays, and I have to say that the pressure is starting to get to me.

     I think it's pretty good advice, and I know everyone is doing their best to be helpful, but having people constantly tell me not to be stressed is a little unnerving.  It makes me wonder if I'm missing something. There's probably something I should be doing that I have not done, and I'm going to realize it at the last minute and completely RUIN everyone's holiday.  Or I'm not going to realize it at all, and everyone will talk about it for years to come.  So, it's a little....you know.....(stressful)

      Some of us know this about ourselves:  if we're not under pressure, we lie down. We play Christmas music on the radio and dance around the house right past the pilgrims and pumpkins that have not yet been put away.  We may watch Lifetime TV Christmas movies while the store bought cookie dough expires in the refrigerator. Stress may be the only thing between us and total inaction.

     And besides, what will we talk to people about if we aren't talking about how much we have to do and how stressed we are about it all?

     So, I am going to say that if it helps you feel better and get a few things done, go ahead and stress. Like everything else, it will eventually pass! Happy Holidays!  Or, if you are one of those people who stresses about the greetings you get at this time of year:  Merry Christmas!

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, 

schedule a free consultation, 

or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Call Linda Palmer

at Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service In the Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas

                                                                      

                                                                      262-784-3957

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

On Facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order

Practice Makes...Good Enough

      So...since it's between lawn work season and snow shoveling season, I thought it would be a good idea to establish some kind of a regular exercise routine.

     Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to exert myself physically.  I just don't like getting up off of the couch to do it.  It's  easier when the lawn needs to be mowed, or the hedge needs trimming, or it's a beautiful day for a hike, but these days, when it gets dark at 4:30 and it's cold, my body only wants to eat carbs and hibernate.

     I thought about what I suggest to people for creating an "orderliness habit", especially when they find themselves resisting or rebelling against the process and aren't doing anything at all:  Don't make it your goal to be done.  That goal is doomed to failure!

     A more realistic goal is to create a daily practice.  So, to begin, it's a good idea to do much LESS than you want to, like 10 minutes a day of sorting paper, or filling a box with items give or throw away.  Play some of your favorite music--you get to choose: energizing or relaxing.  Light a candle and maybe even some incense.  Heck, pour a glass of wine.  Whatever works!

      I emphasize this next part: do not do any more than your allotted time, even if you're on a roll and feeling like you could go on all night.  It's important to stop when you're  enjoying yourself and wanting to do more. That way your brain will make positive associations with the activity.  If you're having trouble doing even that small amount of time, make it less.

      I know people who decided to start by sitting in  an area for five minutes and regarding it silently.  The real fight here is not the amount you accomplish, but that you show up for yourself every time.  At  first you might try to weasel out of it and make excuses:  "I'm tired" , "Work was bad today, I deserve a break", "My show is on t.v. so I won't have time."  Don't listen to that!

      That "showing up" muscle gets weak from inactivity, but each time you use it you get stronger and it's easier to resist the temptation.

     You can decide at the outset to give yourself a day off, say on Sundays, but do NOT allow yourself to skip days. If you do, NO making it up by doubling time the next day...just continue. Here's where an "accountability partner" comes in handy--someone to whom you can report when you're done that will tell you you're awesome. (Many professional organizers offer this service).

     It usually takes about ten days of practice for a habit to begin to take hold, so aim for ten days in a row before you start to increase the time. This might take a long time, but that's OK.  This habit could last for a lifetime!  When you do increase the time, increase it in small increments... like 5 or 10 minutes a week.

     This principle can be applied to just about any kind of a habit you want to establish; eating habits, a regular schedule for meditation, housework or exercise.

     Yep, that's my advice, and today, for the third day in a row I've done 15 minutes on the treadmill at no more than 3.0 mph while listening to some favorite old and new dance tunes.  It's not much--yet--but it does burn more calories than watching "Dancing with the Stars" and eating corn chips, and I will add time, speed and weights gradually.  Better yet, I am not dreading my next "workout" session!

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, 
schedule a free consultation, 
or have a conversation about your organizing needs:
Call Linda Palmer
at Create Order
Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

                                           Photo source

                                                   In the Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas

                                                                      262-784-3957

createorder.org

email: createorder1@gmail.com

On Facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order

It is What You Think it Is

A number of years ago, Oprah featured a "gratitude journal" on  her show.  It seemed like a great thing.  Every day you're supposed to write, in a journal, three or more things for which you are grateful.  This gets you noticing the good things in your life and being grateful for them, which in turn attracts more of what you are grateful for.  Oprah said it changed her life.

I know I have trillions of things in my life for which I am very grateful.  All I had to do was write them down. Then trillions more would come rushing in!

Only, it didn't work that way for me.  I thought I had to get in all of the really important things:  I am warm, I have a roof over my head, I have food to eat -- to name just a few.  I couldn't possibly get them all in, and if I leave some off the list, does that mean that I'm not grateful?  Which could possibly mean that they'd be snatched right out of my hands.  Somehow I found a way to feel anxious about a gratitude journal. Not exactly the intended outcome.

However, I did think of a way to change it that took the pressure off. Instead of trying to decide which three things to include on my gratitude list,  I wrote about three or more good things that happened to me each day.  Not life-changing events, just little things. Usually, I try to think of random events, not caused by me or my own actions, but sometimes I  include something I've accomplished, or a time when I know I've done something well, or made someone feel better. I even allow myself to be shallow and include compliments I've received.

Once, when I walked into the grocery store, a baby sitting in a cart looked up at me and gave me huge grin, as if  I was exactly what she had been waiting for.  Another time, I came around a corner of my hiking trail and stopped short, actually gasping to see a row of fiery autumn trees blazing  in a pink sunset, with a full harvest moon hung overhead. I have to confess that the Green Bay Packers made it in there a time or two. And, yes, there was that day I wrote: 1) "The really great thing about today is that I made it to the end of the day without seriously hurting anyone. 2) I am in my nice bed now.  3) I have a good book to read."

As soon as I started recording these events, one of two things happened: either 1) the number of good things that happened to me increased dramatically, or 2) they had been there all along, and  I was now noticing them.

I don't much care which it is. I go through my days looking for something good to happen, fully expecting that it will--and that's a great way to spend a day!  At the end of the day, I'm thinking about blessings, instead of worrying about tomorrow.

By paying attention to, and appreciating what we have, we are less inclined to chase happiness by accumulating possessions. And that's a good thing!

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, to schedule a free consultation, or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Linda Palmer

Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

262-784-3957

createorder.org

email:  createorder1@gmail.com

on facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order Organizing Service

Serving Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas

"The Simple Life is a Manly Life"...and Other True Things about Living an Orderly Existence

By Linda Palmer

  There are so many great ideas and thoughts out there about bringing order and simplicity into our lives.  Here are a few favorites I've collected from different sources. I hope you find them helpful.   Let me know of your own favorites! 

For the Upwardly Mobile:

"We tend to think we need more belongings than we really do, to live comfortably. TV shows, commercials and even our friends are constantly showing us new things we can’t live without. Taking the time to sort through the items you've accumulated can be a real wake up call. Once you start to give up a few unnecessary things, you’ll realize how little importance they had to begin with. The change in mindset that comes with this realization can ease the pressure we put on our finances by wanting more."

(From: Ten Financial Reasons you should Declutter your House  By Dana O. Crandall

For the Neat-Freaks
"Everyone knows that getting organized is about creating "order" in your life -- but what the heck does that mean? Going back to my good pal Merriam-Webster, putting something in order is defined as "arranging" or "classifying" or "systematizing." You'll notice there's no mention anywhere of things being "tidy" or "clean" -- that's because it's not about neatness, it's about being able to find what you need, when you need it, so you can function effectively in the world!"

From:   O Is For Order by Ramona Creel:  The A to Z of Getting Organized

For the 99%:

"I recently read the book Great With Money by Melissa Burke and Ellen Rogin. With the goal of the book being to help readers create a prosperous mindset and a confident approach to money, you might expect it to focus on how to earn more and spend less. Well, it may surprise you to know that “clear your clutter” is the first step to prosperity described by the authors. Yup, clearing the clutter in your life is the first step towards prosperity."

From: Clear the Clutter and Find Prosperity, by Sue Becker From Piles To Smiles Organizing Service blog

For the Science Geeks:

"Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute published the results of a study they conducted in the January issue of The Journal of Neuroscience that relates directly to uncluttered and organized living. From their report “Interactions of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mechanisms in Human Visual Cortex”:

"Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation by mutually suppressing their evoked activity throughout visual cortex, providing a neural correlate for the limited processing capacity of the visual system.

"Or, to paraphrase in non-neuroscience jargon: When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment."  

From:  Unclutterer.com posted by Erin.

And...for the Guys 

    "The simple life is a manly life. Some of history’s manliest men lived lives of true simplicity, free from unneeded clutter. The Spartans basically had one piece of clothing they wore all year, a spear, a shield, and some farm tools. Because of their simple lifestyle, they were able to focus on learning how to be fighting machines.

    
  "Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson were evangelists of simplicity. When Thoreau went to Walden Pond he brought with him just a few things. Because he didn’t have crap distracting him, he was able to focus his energies into writing some awesomely deep thoughts.

    "The simple life is a manly life because a man defines himself not by his possessions but by his character, virtues, relationships, and experiences. These are the things that he invests his time, energy, and emotions in, because these are the things that no natural disaster, no bomb, no prison can ever take away from him. The less stuff we accumulate, the less energy we have to devote to the maintenance of it, and the more energy we can put into becoming better men."

From:30 Days to a Better Man Day 13: Declutter Your Life by Brett & Kate McKay

To find solutions for your organizing challenges, to schedule a free consultation, or have a conversation about your organizing needs:

Linda Palmer

Create Order

Home Organizing and De-materializing Service

262-784-3957

createorder.org

email:  createorder1@gmail.com

on facebook:  Linda Palmer/ Create Order Organizing Service

Serving Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas