Often before trying to organize a space clients will go to their favorit store to buy boxes and containers.  Rather than do this I recommend that you "STOP bofore you GO".  STOP stands for SORT, TOSS, ORIENT, PLACE.  First you SORT what you have into piles of what you use and love, items that are broken, trash and items to donate to charity.

Do you know what is in you wallet?  What would happen if you lost it today?  I have had clients who have reported that this has happened to them in the past and it has devastated them.  The worst part is not knowing what might have been lost or stolen.  Just like you should back up your cell phone data and your hard drives, you should back up the contents of your wallet.  Make photocopies, scan to your computer hard drive, make a spreadsheet with the numbers, contact info for the company and any other data that would help in the event of a loss.

I have found some great products that assist my clients everyday to make life easier.

The Magic Eraser-cleans marks off walls, scum off bathtubs, pools, floors, grout, tools and countertops (these are just the ones I have tried). No chemicals and wonderful results.  Mr. Clean makes them, try them, you will love them.

Now is a good time to assess your home record keeping systems to determine if they are effective or not.  If not, January is the perfect time to make a change.

How would you like to find some money?  I find money all the time in my work with clients.  It is a great feeling.  Lost cash, paychecks and once the proceeds from a recent home sale...$262,000.00 That's right, two hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars!  It got mixed in with a pile of papers, only to resurface as we organized the office.

As Part of our participation in the National Association of Professional Organizers GO Month (Get Organized Month) I will be providing answers to the organizing dilemmas submitted by the Members of the Business Network International – Business Referrals Unlimited Chapter

Our first dilemma is submitted by Judy Carlough of One Day Home Staging and Redesign.

Today's Dilemma is from Karen Burke, MBA, ACC, ELI-MP Mobius Business Coaching, LLC
I am giving away half of what we own this year - and writing about it - I look forward to sharing the journey along the way -  I would also like your advice! I was wondering how would you recommend someone get rid of half of what they own? What steps would you advice - that is my question!

Here are some steps that I would suggest in devising the list of what to send on to the universe.

It’s a brand new year and you’ve made a resolution to get organized, a resolution you have made several times before.  You may have the best of intentions, but often, obstacles get in the way.

Using a timer will improve productivity.  I have clients who think that everything will take longer than it really does, because they have never really assessed how long things take. I often recommend the Time Timer.

It has been a very cold and snowy winter here in New England as it has been in most of the country.  The forced days at home with the kids can be a golden opportunity to get some organizing projects done.

Kids love to play and have fun, so here is an idea to do with the kids today during the storm.

Just a little dose of inspiration for us all today! If you believe you can, you will make tremendous things come true! Enjoy!

I had a horrible nightmare last night. I was walking alone and was entering a tunnel. When I approached I could see the streetlight from the other side. Then, once in the tunnel, I lost sight of the light and I thought I was approaching a wall. I realized I was quickly being overtaken by a large individual who grabbed me and robbed me. When I finished screaming in my sleep and awoke fully it made me think about personal safety and I want to offer you these tips.

Despite your best efforts to get and stay organized you have not been able to get yourself out from under.  Here are some familiar reasons why your efforts can fail and some strategies you can use to move forward.

Clutter Support Group Spring 2013

A New Session of the Clutter Support Group is forming now!  Spring is in the air!  Now is the perfect time to get you organized. Feel the benefits of more daylight and more energy for getting started on the road to organizing success.

Recently, I was very fortunate to visit Volcanoes National Park and see first-hand the increasing activity in the caldera just prior to the recent eruptions and opening of new fissures.
Since seeing these sites in person and the updated footage on the evening news daily, the volcano is in my mind almost constantly.
I was awestruck by the volcano. What a large an area it covers. I watched the lava boiling near the vent - over 2000 degrees and shooting hot lava hundreds of feet in the air. It is remarkable to me that this volcano has been active for decades. Just as striking, there are other areas like the Kilauea Iki Crater a short distance away that are filled with cooled, solidified lava from eruptions in 1959. Quite a juxtaposition.
In a world where most days we hear numerous references about the awesomeness of this or that, let me say that when you use this word, you want to be referring to events like this one. I had many moments while in the park that moved me so deeply, the word awesome does not begin to convey those feelings.
What has all this do with business and productivity you ask?