Disorder2Order - keeping busy families organized

Living for today and not the "what if's"

Megan Spears — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:31:00 GMT

This past weekend we took the kids to Spokane for the weekend. For no particular reason we just decided to head North for a couple of days. Being in the car for long periods of time, I decided to pack up my stack of magazines and read them in the car.

I was especially taken with an article I read in Family Circle (November 2009 Issue) called House Call (by Meredith Janson). Not realizing what the article was (after all it was under the "Health" section of the magazine), I was pleased to see this discussion about....

...how clutter effects our overall health and quality of life.

The author brings in all the experts that I love and follow, Laurie Marrero (Clutter Diet), Peter Walsh (Clean Sweep), David Allen (Getting Things Done) and Julie Morgenstern (SHED Your Stuff). It really is an amazing thing to think about how your stuff truly does effect our overall health. Too often I hear about clutter situations and how it effects the household and one's quality of life (or in some cases even death).

It's an interesting thing... clutter. Most people really do have genuinely a relationship with their clutter and often, find that it fills a space in life similar to like a family member does. Taking it away would make them feel badly and often sad. One of the points made in the article, which is frequently an "ah-ha" moment for some, is when they talk about the "what if's."

What if I need that someday?
What if I can give it to a family member or someone who will need it?
What if it I should find a better way to recycle it?
What if it will harm someone or the earth?

The "what if's" are a never ending list and there will always be a reason to have a "what if". Taking a look at how the clutter is impacting your life TODAY is where the focus really needs to be. Ask yourself...

...what are you sacrificing TODAY to keep your clutter around?
... are you living the life you want to TODAY?
... what does keeping the stuff do for you TODAY?
... what value does keeping the stuff give you TODAY?

When you can look at clutter from a different perspective, it becomes easier to see things a little differently. It's not always about just throwing everything away, but living your life the best you can.

Are we living our best when we can't eat a meal at the table with our family?

Are we living our best when we can't invite our loved ones over for dinner?

BOOK REVIEW: Get Rich Organizing: The Professional Organizers Survival Guide...

Megan Spears — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:59:00 GMT

I love to read (it's almost funny to hear myself say that sometimes).

Typically, I like to read at least two books at the same time (my dad would be so proud), one personal and one business/organizing book. This summer though I decided to take a break from business/organizing books and dedicated my time to reading for pleasure.

In late August though, a friend of mine released her new book, Get Rich Organizing: The Professional Organizers Survival Guide to Launch, Manage and Grow a Profitable Business, I knew I had to get a copy and dig in!

If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say that "this book needs to be on every new organizers book shelf!"

Getting Rich has not a whole lot to do with money, it has to do with getting a rich experience from being a professional organizer and giving the richest experience for your clients (and yourself). The money just comes along with the experiences.

Anne Blumer, CPO shares her passion and dedication throughout the book and it's clear she is good at what she does. She mentioned in the book early on, that when she started her business, no such book existed. I couldn't agree more, that this book would have saved me a lot of time and energy when I started my business.

With her vast knowledge of the industry and as the owner of the Professional Organizing Institute, she shares a wealth of information on running an organizing business. Who wouldn't want to tap into that? She examines every step needed in starting a business, as well as gives you the tools needed to get right out into the field and properly assess your clients needs.

Everyone has the ability to be an organizer, but running an organizing business is an entirely different story. Anne really can equip you with everything needed to run your business and then some!

Great job Anne! As a five year business owner and professional organizer, I was able to get a lot of great ideas and information that I too can implement into my business... A great investment for any professional organizer starting out!

P.S. You can follow Anne on her blog too!

The Post-It Label Pad - A must have in your supply box

Megan Spears — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:46:00 GMT

Yesterday was our one year anniversary living in the new house in Hood River! When people ask me what it's like living out in the gorge, I tell them it's like living on vacation everyday! It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by so quickly.

We just love it here... we feel at home!

For some reason though, I am still struggling with getting various spaces organized (yes, organizers struggle with getting organized too). The kitchen is especially my biggest challenge.

I have moved my pots and pans probably three times in the last six months, and I still can't quit find the right spot for them. I have sorted, downsized and even gotten rid of a few items I don't use and yet I still struggle. It drives my husband crazy that I keep moving things around... especially when he is unloading the dishwasher and all the pans have moved... again!

About a month ago, I ran across an ad in a magazine (but it might have been a commercial I saw... I don't remember) for the Post-It Removable Label Pads. Either way, when I saw the product I knew that I had to try it... it was calling my name! It was a little hard to find at first as it's a brand new product. They apparently are stocked at the big box stores, but I ordered online.

I purchased the 525 assorted pack. All sizes and shapes (and colors) came in the pack and I was really excited to see if I can put these to good use as I am still finding homes for all my stuff (especially in the kitchen). You can use them to label food containers, snack bins, file folders, storage items, boxes in the garage... the possibilities are endless!

The pad functions just like a regular post-it pad, but in a reverse format to a standard post-it pad. The entire surface area is now sticky, with a small non-sticky area perforated so that you can remove each sheet, tear off the perforation for placement. How often have you used just the sticky part of a post-it to create your own "removable" label? No more!

Post-it does it once again... I can't wait to get up into the kids playroom with the bright orange labels!

*image from the 3M Website - where all things good happen!

Paper piles: How you too can overcome them

Megan Spears — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:54:00 GMT

I got a phone call the other day from a friend and client (friend first, client second). This is what she said...

"Hi Meg, whatcha doing?" She sounded a little panicked and I could tell that something was going on and it didn't sound good... I said, "fine, what are you doing, are you okay?"

She proceeded, "I am working in my office... HELP ME... Give me a tip, some advice or something that will help me... I have all these piles and I don't know what to do."

How often does this happen to you? The overwhelming feeling that relates to too many piles of paper.

I am convinced that paper is the biggest contributing factors to what makes clutter happen. It grows rapidly and can become so powerful that it truly can stop you in your tracks.

As I talked to my friend, I asked her some questions about the paper... "tell me what are in the piles?" She proceeded to divulge the various projects she has been stacking, paycheck stubs she was collecting to file, other paperwork etc., etc., etc.

I began to ask her a series of specific questions about the piles, what she planned to do with each pile or project, why was she holding on to certain paper and I noticed that as she was explaining the paper, her speech started to slow down, she didn't sound as frazzled as she initially did and her sense of panic was slowly dissipating away.

By the end of the call (which really lasted only about 15 minutes) she had a game plan. She had made some decisions and knew where to go in getting her office cleared. Later that evening, this was the email I got ...

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement earlier today. I made it through a big portion of the clean up and feel so much better about my office.

I still have to organize my "project pile, hand and/or purge pictures, and organize my craft/pictures area. Each of those projects are their own, but I got through a huge chunk today. I really appreciate your support.

So you see... sometimes it doesn't have to be making mountains of progress... it might be just working through one pile, one stack... it's just taking the time to do it... consistently!

Gosh... it's good to be back at my blog!

BOOK REVIEW: The Silent Savior (Daring to Believe He's Still There)

Megan Spears — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:42:00 GMT

What a great summer it’s been. As always a bitter sweet time of year, fall begins and the leaves start dropping, but it also means getting back into the daily grind. This year is particularly monumental for me because we are coming up to the first anniversary of our big move to Hood River. It’s been such an amazing year filled with so many blessings!

This summer I decided to take a break from books on the organizing industry and I read for pleasure. I recently finished reading a book, SILENT SAVIOR, by A.J. Gregory and I have to say this was really an enjoyable book!

I felt so connected with A.J.’s book because I too struggle with understanding the silence of God. It’s never been a question of whether or not God exist, but more like why He is it so hard to hear what He is saying.

Before we moved, I was overwhelmingly frustrated with the silence. For the longest time I couldn’t figure out why God wasn’t listening to me. At first, I was angry and wondered if the silence was going to push me to the brink. The anger then turned into frustration and defeat. It was enough to drive me to the edge, but really all it did was drive me to my knees. Overtime, I began to soften and spend more time in prayer, and slowly I began to understand truly what God was trying to teach me.

A.J. Gregory’s book, SILENT SAVIOR discusses over and over these same struggles. With humor and true emotion, she shares personal stories of how she dealt with the silence and began to really hear what God was saying. Although silence is usually the most difficult thing to understand, it really does play an big role in the overall understanding of our faith.

Faith means hanging around, not giving up on the miracle that may come, not leaving before we may hear a knock at the door. Some miracles come and others never show up. Some prayers are answered, and some are followed by silence. The point of faith is to keep on keeping on. It gives us the right amount of strength to do so.

I love how A.J. paints a true picture of her struggles in silence for her readers. It’s like you are her oldest girlfriend and she is baring her soul to you because you, her oldest friend will understand. She is not talking to her congregation or the media; she is talking to you!

Over and over again throughout the book, I was reminded that it’s okay to be frustrated, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Because at the end of the day, I still believe in Gold, I still have faith in His power and I will still keep moving forward. Pick it up, it’s a great read!

Book: A.J. Gregory, THE SILENT SAVIOR: DARING TO BELIEVE HE’S STILL THERE by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing.

22 things to do with dryer sheets

Megan Spears — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT

I can't believe it's been 19 days since my last post. Argh, time is just getting away from me and it seems like there is always something to do. Keep up with the everyday stuff during the summer is just a challenge, but in the end everything seems to get done. I was working through some emails the other day and I just get overwhelmed with the "FW's". I love all my friends and family but this time of year I just don't have time to read them all... except this one caught my attention and I wanted to share.

I did a blog post about dryer sheets a few months ago and I had no idea there were so many uses for dryer sheets. I am still planning to invest into my dryer ball but in the meantime here are a few great ways to re-use a dryer sheet!

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling..

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19.. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20.. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe lovebugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

*image courtesy of totallyfreecrap.com

Summer distraction leads to procrastination...

Megan Spears — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Summer time is an endless distraction for me. A million things to do, weeds to be pulled, parties to attend and kids to entertain, it's always something. Distractions... something to take me away from doing what I know what I should be doing but clearly am not (aka Procrastination). Although I have always put my kids first, I find myself feeling guilty enjoying an afternoon together when there are chores to be done or work to be completed. Guilt... I hate that word!

There are 62 days until school starts (yeah, you heard me), and I am loving the long days with my boys. We have been berry picking, swimming at the pool, walks to the park, bike riding on the trails, camping, swimming lessons and occasionally just chillin' in the yard. Distractions!

When I make the time to work on business related things (or even laundry), I do the bare minimum... hence the reason why it's been almost a month since I blogged last. These distractions are getting the better part of me and instead of fighting it, I am going to embrace what I have to offer and here is how I am going to do it...

1. Cut back. With my time being limited and knowing that things just aren't going to get done, it's time to cut back on some of the "fat". By examining what I have on my plate, I can see where I can start making the changes to relieve myself of some of the "extra" responsibilities. This is not a forever cutback, it's a temporary "hold" so that I can be more available for the things that I need to take care of (you know, my two little distractions).

2. Re-prioritize my goals. When looking at where to cutback, I have to start with my to-do list. If there are things that can sit idle for a while or be trimmed down, that's the first place to start. Less pressure to get so many things done means that when can actually dedicate the time to do the work I can be more focused.

3. Enjoy! We have to enjoy what we do. If we feel like everything is a burden, why do it? If I "feel" like I am getting things done, I am more inclined to press on. Life is too short!

FREE TELE-CLASS: Using Outlook

Megan Spears — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:08:00 GMT

I am shocked to see how long it's been since I posted. Where does all the time go?

It's been a crazy few weeks all in good stride, I have been busy wrapping up and gearing up all at the same time. I love being busy but as you can see, a few things have had to sit (like my blog) while other projects take the center stage. I am exited for the next few months, especially since a project I have been working on for a while has finally come to the surface!

Do you struggle with Outlook?

Do you wonder if there is an easier way to execute a specific task in Outlook?

Here is your chance. I will be hosting a FREE teleclass on Using Outlook. In this one hour call, you will learn more about your inbox, using your contacts, the keys to a to-do list and how your calendar can work for you!

Sign up here today! Did I mention that it's free?

Two FREE Fun activities for kids during the summer

Megan Spears — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:22:00 GMT

I am a firm believer that there is no better activity for kids than ones that are FREE!

Free is one of my favorite words in the English language. To me it means Fun-Relaxing-Easy-Entertained!! What better way to start my summer planning for than with TWO GREAT FREE activities! Be sure to check out my resources (especially if you are local to the Portland Metro area) for more fun (and FREE activities) for the summer!

Library Summer Reading Program
I just picked up the schedule and this summer there are six great entertainers coming to the library here in HR, plus a weekly creative club and open studio time. What's not to love about that? Be sure to check out your local library to see what kind of summer activities they have planned for kids.

Family Fun Festival - Regal Cinemas
This is one event that we just don't miss. FREE movies! What's nice is that this is nationwide so all you need to do is find your state and see what local theaters are participating! Who doesn't love to go to the movies... for FREE!

Four steps to getting back on track

Megan Spears — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:54:00 GMT

Do you ever get so busy that you wonder if you are really getting anything done?

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I have been in a tornado of tasks, appointments and meetings, I am just barely able to keep my head above water. It's an interesting feeling being this busy and really, a little bit uncomfortable for me. I know that eventually, I will get past all the details and get back to "normal". Here is how you too can do it...

1. Documentation
Formulate a tracking system is critical to the success of getting back on track and staying organized. By using a task list or planner will help to identify what you can do and when. There are many methods of tracking, pick what will work best for you!

2. Do what I can (when I can)
There are 24 hours in a day. Always process the most critical task first even if it's not a fun task. The important thing is to allow those less critical things to be set aside for a time until you are caught back up!

3. Review and Repeat
It's important to spend as much time managing tasks as you do processing them. By reviewing regularly you know exactly what needs to be done and when. If you have a lot going on, sometimes reviewing your list three or four times a day will help you stay on top of what needs to be done.

4. Anticipation
Being prepared and planning ahead allows you to better anticipate future tasks. If you know of an up coming event or task, and you have a little extra time do it now. You will save yourself time in the long run and open up extra time for unexpected events.

I am still about waist deep but I feel a little better in control. It's takes time to get back on track. Sometimes you just have to let go.

FRIDAY FINDS: Clear the clutter with Gazelle

Megan Spears — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:29:00 GMT

Welcome to your Friday Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is clearing the clutter!

I love a good web resource. A place I can get information that will improve our quality of life and our planet! When I read about Gazelle, I thought, "no way... this is genius!" A one stop shop to get rid of those unwanted small gadgets and electronics that we all have (don't kid yourself, I am sure there is something laying around your house you could ).

Gazelle helps you SELL or RECYCLE your gadgets, quick, easy, fast at little to nothing. They actually send you the box and pay for shipping. I like that they coin their site as "getting paid to be environmentally responsible." It's a WIN/WIN!

I have a few little things laying around I just might have to give it a test run! Always looking for a way to live with less...

Helpful travel tip

Megan Spears — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:26:00 GMT

Are you directionally challenged? I have a good friend (who's name shall not be named Lizard...) who has a hard time finding her own driveway. For years we would tease her about being the designated driver thinking that we would never make it to our destination of choice. Without fail and many missed turns we would always get to where we were going.

I have always considered myself to be good with direction. I love to watch where I am going so I know where I have been. Anymore with all the GPS hardware we take advantage of doing the footwork of knowing where we are going... hence my helpful travel tip for today!

About 15 or so years ago a good friend of mine (not Lizard) gave me a helpful tip that has stuck with me to this day.

Did you know that (almost) always, no matter what city you are in, the even address numbers are always on the NORTH or WEST side of the street and the odd are on the SOUTH or EAST side.

Today, I was driving to a client appointment and as I glanced at my notes to look for the address (which was 2010) I immediately thought... "the street is an East/West street so the house is going to be on the RIGHT (North side). I can't tell you how many times this little nugget has saved my bacon!

Got a nugget to share?

What would you do...

Megan Spears — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:37:00 GMT

The idea of minimizing our expenses was something my husband and I started doing about six years ago when I left the corporate world. I am still drawn to news headlines about how to save more money and reduce expenses. It's reassuring to know that we do (pretty much) all that we can to cut our costs!

Anymore we have to evaluate how we spend money. I have seen more often the "What would you do with an extra $100?" question. It just keeps popping up... everywhere!

I see it in just about every issue of Real Simple and now I see it on blogs and in the paper. It's crazy... 16,800,000 hits on Google crazy.

So I have to ask myself, what would I do with an extra $100?

I would probably find a babysitter ($30-$40) and take my husband out for sushi ($60-$70). A night out for sushi and no kids is a real treat for us and we just don't get to do it as much as we would like. As you can see, a night out for us starts at $100 so you can see why we don't do it that often.

So, you guessed it... I am going to ask. What would you do with an extra $100.00?

FRIDAY FINDS: Who doesn't love F-R-E-E?

Megan Spears — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Welcome to your Friday Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is free easy organizing ideas!

In an effort to keep with the Earth Day theme, I remembered this great list of easy organizing ideas* from Real Simple that I wanted to share with you.

Here are 17 of my favorite suggestions, oh, and did I mention that they are all FREE. Ready, here it goes...

Use a wooden ladder to hang magazines or cloths.
Store your spices in a drawer and label the tops for easy retrieval.
Re-purpose ribbons from gifts by wrapping sets of sheets together for storing in the linen closet.
Rolodex can be used in a kitchen for recipes or website passwords and log-on names.
Use a desk organizer in the bathroom for those small storage items.
Organize your email messages with either adding a number before each message or an (*).
Ice cube trays can be used for drawer organizers.
Use a tray on your desk to corral such items like a stapler, post-its or tape.
Use an empty tissue box to store your plastic bags.
Use a three ring binder to store instruction manuals.
Wine racks can be also used for magazines.
Use a cardboard box inside a tote bag and you can use it to store garden tools.
Use a three tiered hanging basket in your closet for the random items.
Group medicine into bags by category (head, allergy or children's) and keep in one bin.
Use a lazy susan for everything... it's so versatile!
Use pictures of toys on the front of kid storage bins so they can learn to be organized.
Use velcro or cable ties to manage all the cords and cables.

*All of these items came directly out of the June 2008 Real Simple Low-Cost Organizing Ideas article. If I could find it online, I would totally share it with you! Enjoy!

**this awesome image was found at www.iwasateenagewebsite.com/.

10 uses for a fork

Megan Spears — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:14:00 GMT

Sometimes I just wonder if I should embrace the idea that I love Martha Stewart. I read her magazine (religiously), I blog about her a lot and I actually use her ideas and projects pretty regularly.

Okay, okay, I love Martha. You don't have to hit me in the head.

In the April issue she shares in her Good Things 10 (more) things a fork can do. Awesome... who would have thought it... enjoy!P.S. I just love those good things... they really are good!

10 (more) things a fork can do
1. Reaming - insert the tines into a halved citrus fruits to extract the juice.
2. Pricking - making holes in pie crust or potatoes before baking.
3. Crimping - decorating raw pie crust by pressing tines along the edge.
4. Whisking - whip eggs for omelets or other drinks.
5. Mashing - crush berries for sauce or bananas for banana bread.
6. Decorating - make a crosshatch pattern on cookies or sides of cakes.
7. Dipping - lower nuts, fruit or cookies into melted chocolate.
8. Scraping - carve out spaghetti squash.
9. Spearing - lift pickles out of the jar and waffles from the waffle iron, hold meat while slicing.
10. Testing - check if boiled potatoes are cooked through.

Do you notice a theme here... these all relate to food. Do you suppose the reason why I love her is because she loves food?

FRIDAY FINDS (on Monday): Task Mug

Megan Spears — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Welcome to your Friday Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is to-do's!

I know, I know, it's Monday and Friday Finds usually comes out on Friday. I am not trying to make excuses, but here is the deal. Last week was crazy busy for me and the family. I had back to back appointments, meetings and classes which left little to no time for some of the less critical to-do's on my list (aka my blog posts).

I talk about this very subject in my time management class... you have to evaluate priorities and do the most important first... it doesn't mean that I don't get to the other tasks... hence, Friday Finds on Monday!

In the past few weeks I have found a whole bunch of fun products that I can't wait to share with you... all in due time, all in due time! My focus this April has been time management and what effects our time the most? To-Do Lists!

I ran across this mug in the April issue of Real Simple. I love it! So handy, so practical and would make a fun gift for anyone who struggles with remembering the to-do's for today. Who doesn't think about their To-Do list when they are drinking coffee or morning beverage of choice?

The Task Mug comes with a small pencil (again, another reason I love this mug, it uses a pencil) you can write out your to-do's for the day and then erase and use tomorrow. What's not to love about that? Task Mug comes in three different styles... I found it at a super cute website called FredFlare... fun, unique products for your everyday needs, check them out (it's bookmarked in my favorites).

Task Mug
Retail: $16.00

Menu Planning: What to do with leftovers

Megan Spears — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:43:00 GMT

I hope that you all had a nice holiday weekend. We enjoyed a nice quite day with family at our house. I am excited to get dinner started this week... for all the yummy leftover ham!

We normally are at my in-laws for Easter, but this year I asked everyone out to our house! I got a HUGE ham because I love to use the leftovers in various different meals, and especially to make up a batch of split pea soup! Yum!

Here is just a few yummy meals on my agenda this weeks:

Ham & cheese Omelette's
Cheese Pizza
Grilled shrimp and cornbread
Chicken cutlets and smashed potatoes with ham
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tri-tip steak and veggies
Ham and split pea soup
Grilled chicken fingers
Turkey burgers and fries
Beef burritos
Sweet and Sour Pork

FRIDAY FINDS: Buttoned Up Mail Sorter

Megan Spears — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Welcome to your Friday Finds... here I will share a new product or service that I think is helpful, practical and a good use of organization!!! Today's focus is mail management!

For the average person, mail is often a difficult thing to manage. Is it because it come six times a week and it can be easily overlooked, or if it's because when it comes, usually somebody wants our money? A question I have often pondered.

Either way, if you have a desire to get your mail in order the first thing you really need to do is get a system into place. It could be your best investment when trying to get organized.

Buttoned Up, by Franklin Covey (I found it at Spoon Sisters for only $16), has a great mail sorter that I must share with you! It's simple, easy to use and compact for any space.

Not only does it sort your mail by "notice me," "respond to me," "read me," and "pay me," but there is a nice little section for stamps, envelopes and a few writing instruments.

All Buttoned Up Mail Sorter
Retail: $18.95

How do you sort or manage your mail?

Eco organizing awards over at Get Organized!

Megan Spears — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:45:00 GMT

Earth day is coming and it's a great time of year to remind us of ways that we can live better for ourselves and the earth!

My good friend Carmen over at Get Organized is hosting a 2009 Eco Organizing Awards event. Here, she is not only promoting organizing, but reminding us to think of our mother earth.

Those who participate can share their earth friendly organizing story, idea, product or resource on her blog comments and win a prize. Winners will be announced on April 22nd.

You can check out the official rules here if you like. Come and join in on the fun...

YES TO LESS: Update

Megan Spears — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:00:00 GMT

I haven't done a post in quite a while on the Say Yes to Less crusade. What I have found so ironic about this whole lifestyle, is just how much I see the word LESS. In magazines, I frequently see advertisements for "using less," or an article in the newspaper (or a segment on television) about how to "spend less." I don't know if it's that I am paying attention to the idea of less, or if everyone else is really starting to get it too? What do you think?

In the beginning of my quest for LESS in 2009, I came across Leo's book, The Power of Less. I of course, added it to my must read list for this year. After being on a "long wait" at the library, I finally got my copy last week and I am LOVING this read! It's a fantastic book and so practical in how Leo breaks down the pieces of our lives that create the EXCESS.

A few points from the first few chapters (I don't want to give the whole book away) that I wanted to share with you...

1. It's really all about limits! If we haven't defined a limit to what we can handle, how do we know when to stop? This applies to, and for, just about E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G in our life!

2. Simplicity comes down to two steps: Identify the essentials, and eliminate the rest (if only it was that easy, right?).

3. His six principles for productivity are:
- Set limits
- Choose the essentials
- Simplify
- Focus
- Create habits
- Start small

I really do love this list and wow, how simple it really is! However, when I stop and think about it, for some people, it's just a bunch of words that may or may not have a clear understanding or meaning. Sometimes it's not easy to know where to start, how to set limits or what really is essential in our lives.

Another thing that really hits home for me is that Leo shares his personal story of how his life was prior to creating LESS in his life. I think anyone can relate to being overwhelmed and not knowing where to start... but what I like is that he did, and really shares how you can too!