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Spring brings Freshness & New Birth!

spring4Our weather here in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) has been a mixed bag since our season has changed from Winter to Spring. We went from Winter (very Cold!) to Summer (very Hot!) or as it seems.  No really from 40 degrees to 90, almost overnight!  But normally when you think of Spring, it’s a period of refreshing.  The trees are blossoming, the birds are singing and there is a slight breezy chill in the air.  So what does Spring has to do with Order and Organizing?

Many of us think of Spring Cleaning during this time of year.  The house has been closed up, families have spent most of their time indoors and it is now time to open up the house and let the air in. Cleaning can be considered phase one of organizing, but cleaning and organizing are technically two different things.  In my opinion, cleaning is to remove dust and dirt, but organizing is to remove clutter and disorder.

As you begin to freshen up the house, consider phase two of the process.  Once you have cleaned all the windows, washed the window sills and scrubbed the baseboards, then it’s time to sort through the winter clothes, purge and put them away.  Move through the Spring and Summer wear, sort, give away and get ready for the New Birth! Shed off the old, and put on the new.

We are in the 4th month of the year already.  Assess your progress as it pertains to your objectives & goals for 2013.  Do an attitude check… what is your temperature?  Are you still in the coldness of the Chaos of your past or have you given Birth to the warmth of your future? Peace and Order are so critical to our well-being.  Take a moment to see where you are, so that your Steps may be Ordered to the next level…

Your Season of Refreshing & New Birth has Sprung!!

10wallpaper.com

10wallpaper.com

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Let’s Tackle the Closet!

If you have been paying attention, you know that to be “organized” means to be able to find what you need when you need it!  So let’s talk about tackling the closet.  It can be any closet, but I’d like to focus on the clothes closet.  It is the clothes closet that you have to face EVERY morning….

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“Let’s Organize Your Closet”

Step 1 – We must know EVERY item that is in our closet.  Most of us believe that we know every item in our closet.  Do you?  I would venture to guess that you may not know every item in your closet. Some of us may have things in our clothes closet that we forgot were even there.  Is that you?

Step 2 – We must know EVERY item in our closet… which means we MUST touch every item in our closet.  Would someone please move the needle on the record?  LOL!!  But seriously, things get sucked into the black hole of our clothes closets because they get pushed further and further back where we can’t see them, thus we forget that they are there.

Step 3 – Make a decision on EVERY item in our closet… Keep, Donate, Throw Away and make the decision QUICKLY.  If you think about it too long, it is very likely that you will decide to keep it.  To the woman that has the size ___ (fill in the blank) that you are going to fit in again– it’s been 5 years – it is time to let it go.  To the man who has that favorite sweater that is two (2) sizes too small, it is time to give it away!

Step 4 – Once we have completely PURGED the entire closet, it is time for us to organize.

Step 5 – So what’s left?  There are tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, sweaters, pants, shirts, suits, shoes, boots, etc.  Let me suggest that we put “like” items together.  Once we have grouped “like” items, it is up to you to what degree of organization that you want to go — the same color, the same sleeve length, light jackets, heavy jackets, BUT to whatever degree you go, you have to be able to MAINTAIN IT!

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Don’t Over Organize -OR- within a week,

your organized system is NO longer organized.

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Allow Order Your Steps to help you to put some Order to your Chaos!  

Please take a moment to “LIKE” my Facebook page.  

Thanks in advance!

If I have only skimmed the surface and you would like to have more details on tackling the closet, please leave me a comment or two…

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“Order Out of Chaos” FREE Workshop, Now Open to the Public**

I thought that I would give you an update on my FREE “Order Out of Chaos” Workshops.  Initially I focused on the senior citizen living facilities.  The participants were open to sharing their own struggles with getting organized, especially after downsizing from their much larger homes.  My presentation, “Organizing made Simple” was only 30 minutes and then we had a Q&A session.  I thoroughly enjoyed them.  I’d always wanted to teach, so now I get to teach, organize and teach about organizing!!!

In February, the “Order Out of Chaos” FREE workshop was OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Along with the owner of the local franchise of ShelfGenie, we decided to conduct the workshops as part of a LifeStyle Transitions Series.  Arline and I, as small business owners in our community, wanted to do something for the community that would have a positive impact.  Organizing will be a common thread throughout the workshops, as it pertains to healthy living, nutrition, exercise and just getting your life in order.  Our first workshop in the series was held at Wegmans in Woodmore/Lanham, MD.  Unfortunately, Wegmans has a very strict policy prohibiting advertising on the premises, so we advertised on Facebook and via the ShelfGenie newsletter, flyers, etc.  We had a small turnout, but I believe that I prefer small.  It’s better when I can interact with the audience and that are able to interact with each other.  I believe that moving forward will we limit the attendance to each session to thirty 30 people.  Soooooo… due to the overwhelming response (the show being SOLD OUT), I will have to add a session or two or three…..

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Our next workshop is entitled “Spending Your Time Wisely”,   We will focus on time management tips.  It will be held on the last Saturday in March at one of the local libraries … where we can hand out flyers! :-)

Stay Tuned for more info throughout the month.

Please PASS THE WORD to all your family and friends

in the DC, Md. and N. Va.!!

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Tips to Organize Your Pantry

Is it difficult to find what you are looking for in your pantry?  Is your pantry so cluttered that you have forgotten what’s in it, so when you go to the store, you just buy another “one”, just in case?  Well, then it’s time to de-clutter and organize.   Organize means to know what we have and our ability to find what we need, when we need it.  This process has the potential to save us time and money! $$ $$

First, set aside the time to dedicate to the entire task.  If you don’t have a lot of time, focus on doing one or two shelves at a time.  But make the commitment to complete the assignment.

Helpful Hint:  Music can make the time go by faster and the task won’t seem as tedious.

  1. Empty each shelf of all the items stored.  As you touch each item, check the “best used” date (**for further explanation see links below).  “Purge” or throw away as you go along, if necessary.
  2. Sort all “like” items together, i.e. dry goods (beans, rice, pasta, etc.), can goods (vegetables vs. fruits, etc.), baking goods, etc., etc. etc.
  3. As you sort, start thinking about how you are going to reorganize.  You want to store your items so that the more frequency used items are near the front and more easily accessible.  As for all of your cabinets, you want everything arranged so that you are the most efficient and productive while in your kitchen.
  4. When you have cleared off all the shelves, then it’s time to reorganize each shelf with all “like” items grouped together.  In addition, if you have these types of items in other parts of the kitchen, make sure you pull them into the pantry.  Of course, you want shorter items in the front, taller items in the back and all labels facing forward.
  5.  You may want to use your lower shelves for the heavier items.  In addition, you may have to use your floor space for paper towels, tall soda bottles, etc.
  6. Unfortunately, if you run out of space, you will need to consider other storage area options, but try not to separate the “like” items, unless it’s surplus.
  7. Once the pantry is almost complete, you may decide that you need other organizing tools to better utilize your space, enhance your organizing system or simply make room for everything.

Take your Time, Make it Fun and Enjoy!!

Pantry Before

BEFORE

Pantry After

AFTER

 shelfgenie logo

My Organizing partner for Custom made Glide-outs and other organizing solutions!

Check us out at http://www.shelfgenie.com/maryland

**Links to more Info on “Best Used” Dates**

Still Tasty Magazine, CBS News, USDA

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“I could probably find the time, BUT I really don’t want to do it!”

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Yes, I believe that we have the time to tackle our clutter, but we channel our time and energy into things that we would rather do!  Why don’t we make time to do the things that we know that we really need to do?  Getting organized is no difference than losing weight, exercising on a consistent basis and eating more healthy…. We must be motivated, committed and have the willpower to stick with it.  ”So how are going to group “organizing” with that other stuff that has a real impact on me living better”?  Because (broken record speech again) Our Lives Need ORDER!  OK, I won’t go into the rest of the speech, BUT disorder & Chaos in our lives creates stress, frustration, etc. etc. etc.  I hear it all the time.  So why don’t we take the time to get it done?  Most times, we just need a little motivation!

I worked with a client recently, who just needed a little motivation.  She owns her own business and business has been going very, very well, but unfortunately, she just could not keep up with all the things that needed to be done.  The BIG things that impacted rather she got paid or not, and the small things that just made the business run smoother.  When she hired me, she was already on a mission.  She was determined to get more organized because she knew the impact that it was having not only on her business, but on her life overall.  Our project was 90% paper management.  She sorted and purged her paper so quickly.  She was on a mission!  She was motivated, but she needed me to keep her focused and on track.  She knew that when I left, she would stop working.  We whipped through the paper, like a knife through butter.  She had A LOT of paper, but once we purged, organizing was easy.  We set up a filing system that she could maintain and developed a work process together that would be easy to follow because we made only minor adjustments to how she worked naturally.  (Click on the link to read her testimonial)

So the question is “what will it take to get you motivated?”  Sorry, I don’t have the answer.  But I would strongly suggest that you tap into your inner spirit to find the answer.  It applies to ALL the things that you really NEED to get done… but you really don’t want to do it!  It may be just having someone there working with you.  It could be a professional organizer, personal trainer, nutritionist, etc. OR it may just be a friend or your spouse whose mere presence is enough to keep you motivated until you get the job done.

What are your thoughts?

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I don’t have time!!!!

Have you ever been in the position, where you see  something SO clearly, but very few, if anyone see things the same way you do??

As a professional organizer, I see that people really need my help.  I know in my heart that clutter creates chaos and chaos disturbs the divine order that life should have.  I believe that people understand this, but they CAN’T see it…. THEY JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME!

I know, I sound like a broken record.  BUT I see it SOOOOOOO clearly!!!  Many of us are in a vicious cycle of Chaos, a state of utter confusion!  Get Up (still ragged out from the day before), Eat (if you have time), Get dressed (if you can find the mate to that shoe or find the pair of socks that match)!

Get the kids ready, Get the kids to school, Go to work, pick up the kids, get dinner, get ready for bed, etc. etc. etc.

Maybe the person that I just described is the exception, NOT the rule. But the folks who realize that they could use some help and call me, they still just don’t have time!!  They are not enough hours in the day…  Can anyone relate?  So where will the time come from???

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TO BE CONTINUED…..

Got any ideas?  I would love to hear your comments.

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Let’s Organize for Thanksgiving!

I thought that I would post early for next week, because someone out there may need some help getting ready for “Turkey Day”!

So let me begin by asking a few questions:

Do you have a plan for Thanksgiving dinner?

Or are you going to wing it?

Who’s coming to dinner?  What is the menu? Who’s cooking what?

“Organize”, you say….” that takes all the fun out of it!”

Let me suggest that if we plan ahead, we lessen the frustration level, especially for the cook(s)… and for our family, friends and guests.

 How late is dinner, usually?

Keep it simple!

1. Make notes (answer the questions above and put them on paper).

2. Stage your kitchen counter by having all your ingredients readily available.  Have many trips to the store do you make before dinner last year? 

3. Confirm the food items that others are bringing and extra dishes prepared, just in case.

4. Check the guest list and prepare for the unexpected.  Make more than needed,  instead of less.

5.  Prepare to have dinner ready ahead of time, or at least earlier, than later.

6. Take a breather before the guests arrive.

7. Greet your family, friends and special guests.

Give Thanks for His Goodness & Eat your Glorious Dinner!

8. Don’t forget to have a plan for clean-up after dinner.

Get Ready for Dessert and Coffee &  ENJOY YOUR DAY!

 P.S. I won’t be posting next week, I will be enjoying time with my babies!  Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!  … And YES, I am grateful every day and I am sure you are too.

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A Few More Tips on Toys….

I wanted to take a few moments to talk about playtime clean-up. Students at home mentioned the potential of an hour clean-up before Daddy gets home, which is a long time.

We need to make clean-up time fun!

ehow.com

Let me give you a few things to consider:

  • Music always seem to make clean-up time go a little faster (that goes for adults too.)
  • Try to make clean-up time a game…. Toss the Toy, Hot Potato…. I don’t know, I am trying to be creative.
  • Maybe we could try not to play with all the toys, all the time.  Of course, we have to remain flexible, BUT if we divided playtime up into smaller segments, we could clean-up as we go.
    • Doll time, Dress-up time, Lego time, Race car time, etc. etc.  Again, I am trying to be creative. :-)

Remember, if the play/clean-up time becomes a routine (repetition, repetition, repetition), it will not appear as restrictive…. and the reward, reward, reward would be less clean-up time … and more time to prepare for Dad’s arrival!

blogs.babble.com

Please let me know your thoughts.

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Organizing Toys for Kids

My friend over at students at home asked for some help with organizing tips for her 6 & 8 year old.  In my opinion, we must remain VERY flexible when introducing an organizing system to young children. I would suggest that we Keep It Simple!  Many times, the organizing system looks really “neat & organized”, but it may not be very practical and difficult to maintain.

With any new organizing system that we introduce, we must take the time to explain the system, how it is  to be used and the benefits to the child as well as the parent.  Organizing is a learned behavior — repetition, repetition, repetition and reward, reward, reward!

We have three (3) main objectives:

1. We really want them to put their toys away.

2. We want them to be able to find the toy(s) that they play with most, without emptying the entire toy box every time.

3.  Periodically, we want to purge their toys, with their help, to make room for new toys.

Students at Home, I am not sure how much room that we are working with, but I would suggest that maybe we should have two toy boxes, one for each child.  Then we should have a separate area designated for their favorites.  Of course, their choice of favorites will change, but just cycle the toys back into the toy box when needed.  When other kids come over to play, allow the children some leeway, but again show them how to reorganize once playtime is over. :-)

When it is time to purge, especially after special holidays, allow the child to work with you to choose toys that they want to give away to their friends or donate to other children.  In addition, I suggest that you start a trade off system, where when you buy a toy, they must give up a toy.

Hopefully, some of these tips may help.  Maybe you can send me a picture of your space and I may have other ideas for you.    Please let me know how this works out for you.

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http://thenavystripe.blogspot.com/2011/12/organizing-kids-toys.html

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A year and almost a month has passed…

On September 13, 2011, Order Your Steps became a reality.  It has truly been an interesting ride since last Sept.  I haven’t made a lot of money :-( … But it hasn’t been about money yet.   My Xerox checks didn’t stop until mid-August and my pension checks started in mid-Sept.  So we are still eating and we have a place to stay. :-) But my primary mission has been to help people to find order in their chaos. I did not want money to be the showstopper…  Let’s work out a special rate or a payment plan, because this is more to me than just putting order to peoples’ stuff.  My desire has been to help others to de-clutter, de-stress and de-compress their daily lives!

I have had an a wide variety of clients, some easy and some difficult. There have been organizing projects with big clutter and little clutter. Many of my clients have come and gone over the past several months, but the pace has been relatively steady.  I’ve learned to enjoy the periods of rest between jobs.  In order to broaden my horizons, keep money coming in and add to my business portfolio of service offerings, I completed designer training for ShelfGenie (click the link and find out more).   

So what is next for me?   I want to continue to grow and prosper Order your Steps (OYS)!  I see OYS and ShelfGenie operating in tandem with one another.  I want to expand my workshops to other community and church groups.  I also want to start consulting with small businesses owners in organizational effectiveness.

For now, all is all, my life is really good! Satan would have me to believe that WOW!  Things are just TOO good. The devil is a liar.  This is what God wants our lives to be.  He has a Divine Order for our lives. This does not mean a “perfect” life, but for us to have the peace of God that passes all understanding. Some of you may say, Who is she kidding?  Well, all I can say is, if you  only knew from whence I came… you already know some of it from previous posts, but you don’t know the half of it.

I know that God will continue to Order my Steps, as I take one Step at a time…..

P.S.  I have written about all my children, so on Wednesday, find out more about my other half, my husband of 28 years…..

Honeymoon in the Poconos – 1984

P.S.S.  I want to solicit your requests for topics and ideas for future posts on organizing and other points of interest.

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