OrganizingLA Blog

Health Net Presents Solid Evidence That Being Organized Is Good For You

2010-03-08T18:56:41-08:00

Leave it to Los Angeles-based Health Net to present what seems like solid medical evidence that being organized encourages less daily stress, a sense of optimism, less overwhelm, reduced time pressure and a more harmonious home and office environment. Read the article by clicking here.

The study, coordinated by Ian Shaffer, M.D., chief medical officer and staff of MHN, Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, says the energy needed to clean and dust not only provides a portion of the physical activity we need daily, but provides a "bounty" of other benefits. Shaffer points to three:

Reduced time pressure:

"Among the greatest sources of stress is time pressure, i.e., so much to do, so little time. While being organized doesn't add hours to the day, it does enable you to make the most of the 24 hours in each day. Organized individuals don't waste time wondering what work project is due when, or where a needed item -- from an unpaid bill to an uncashed check -- might be hiding. The time saved can be spent on any number of stress-busting activities, such as exercising or preparing a healthy meal."

Disorganization makes it hard to see things in their components:

"Failing to see the parts leads to a few of the whole that can be very overwhelming and at times will lead to immobilization and people failing to act and move forward."

No disorganization domino effect:

"As a general rule, disorganization creates a ripple effect, impacting not only the offender, but also those around him or her. If you're disorganized, the fallout can extend to family, friends as well as co-workers, and a tension-filled environment can become the order of the day. Conversely, while organization doesn't guarantee harmony and happiness, it unquestionably helps."

This is probably the most interesting piece of medical evidence we've ever seen in the past few years. Health Net is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. For an organization to provide opinion on the subject validates our work and what many professional organizers around the Globe preach about daily. Bravo Health Net!

Image of cartwheel man at Getty Center Brentwood courtesy DRGANDY on Flickr

Do Organized People Find Love Faster?

2010-02-13T22:00:11-08:00

Here’s an interesting question now that Valentine’s Day is here:

Do organized people find love faster, or easier than say, so-called disorganized people? Or does it really matter? Read on and weigh in.

We started thinking about this the other day. Being organized is about acknowledging your goals and in most cases, writing them down or (at the very least) making a mental list. You refer to the list every so often, daily, weekly, or for general reference. You have to make sure your goals are somewhat obtainable, real perhaps not too lofty or too low. Or do you? Some people create a wish list. Some write all this in a diary under lock and key. What about a spreadsheet password protected? We'd imagine some even tucking these lists under their pillow at night.

Here are some some basic questions you can ask yourself when organizing yourself for love:

Write down the age, height and build of your dream mate.
Write down what kind of job you’d picture them having.
Make some notes about what hobbies they’ll have, religious beliefs, personal likes and dislikes.
Get a reality check about deal breakers (smokes, drinks, couch potato).
Are you looking for a spouse, dating material or a romantic fling?
(the list can go on and one—you get the point).

Earlier this week in between client appointments, we posted this question on several social networking sites. Here are some of the responses we received on our Twitter account:

And a response we received on our Facebook page:

The idea here is elementary. Organized people make lists, focus and work towards goals. But can they find love faster, easier and find it more fulfilling than a disorganized person who just goes out and wings it?

Share your ideas in the comment section below.

Image courtesy Next Exit Photography, Los Angeles (fabulous photo taken by Long Beach Harbor Downtown Aquarium)

Related Posts:

Je t' adore Valentine's Day (2/06)

Patty Stanger Millionare Matchmaker Organizes Your Love Life (4/09)

How To Make a Beautiful Home When No One Agrees (5/06)

Archive Your Wedding Gown Like a Museum (2/08)

Los Angeles Awards Show Honors Worldwide Organizing Industry Leaders

2010-01-21T03:00:00-08:00

Next Saturday January 30th will mark the Fifth Anniversary of the Los Angeles Organizing Awards.

Organizing industry leaders from across the globe will convene in Hollywood at Historic Raleigh Studios for a celebration of the best people, products and services for the past year. We'll be there, presenting alongside our beloved colleague Jill Revitsky, owner of Discover Organizing in Pittsburg, PA. Join us if you're in town.

To read a recent press release announcing Avery Dennison as Presenting Sponsor, continue past the jump.

Avery Dennison Goes Hollywood as Presenting Sponsor of the Fifth Annual Los Angeles Organizing Awards

Avery Dennison Office Products Company, one of the world's leading manufacturers of home, office and school product supplies, has joined as Presenting Sponsor of the Fifth Annual Los Angeles Organizing Awards.

Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) January 8, 2010 -- The Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-LA) today announced that Avery Dennison Office Products Company, one of the world's leading manufacturers of home, office and school product supplies, has joined as Presenting Sponsor of the Fifth Annual Los Angeles Organizing Awards (http://www.organizingawards.com). The event will be held Saturday, January 30, 2010.

The Los Angeles Organizing Awards were introduced in 2006 to honor professional organizers, organizing retailers, organizing products services & resources, charities, technology providers, authors and the media for their nationwide contributions to the organizing industry. This year's red carpet celebration dinner and awards ceremony will move to Hollywood, California and be held at the historic Raleigh Studios. A special celebrity host and presenters will be on hand and the public is invited to attend.

"It's important that the Organizing Awards cultivate a sense of nationwide community to build awareness and continue an ongoing effort to share the value of living an organized life," according to Chantale Bordonaro, CPO® and NAPO-LA President. "NAPO-LA is honored to partner with Avery Dennison to celebrate this year's best people, products and services that are essential to organizing success."

"We are delighted to be the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Los Angeles Organizing Awards. Our Avery-brand products are designed to help consumers organize their professional and personal lives. Together, the 2010 Los Angeles Organizing Awards and Avery Dennison (http://www.avery.com) celebrate this year's contributions that have helped bring solutions and inspiration to consumers," said Melissa Chapman, senior director of marketing for Avery Dennison Office Products.

Voting Deadline:

The official final ballot for the 2010 Los Angeles Organizing Awards is now closed. Voting was held in an open, public process online at through December 15, 2009. Recipients are chosen by popular demand and announced at the public ceremony live on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Raleigh Studios. A total of twenty-three awards will be presented. Finalist names, web links and official rules are available online.

About the Organizing Awards:

The Los Angeles Organizing Awards were introduced in 2006 by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-LA) to honor professional organizers, organizing retailers, organizing products services & resources, charities, technology providers, authors and the media for their contributions to the organizing industry. The Awards conclude "National Get Organized Month."

Sponsorships:

The Organizing Awards are a fundraising and public awareness event. Produced and presented by the National Association of Professional Organizers, Los Angeles Chapter (NAPO-LA), a not-for-profit organization meeting IRS Tax Code 501(c)3 requirements. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and will underwrite production costs. All proceeds from the Awards benefit NAPO-LA for its chapter educational programming and outreach efforts. Benefits of sponsorship include mention in all press releases and prominent logo usage on all promotional materials, invitations and banners.

About Raleigh Studios Hollywood:

Located in the heart of Hollywood, Raleigh Studios is the longest continuously operating movie studio in the United States. Raleigh commenced operations in 1915 as "Famous Players Fiction Studios" with a Mary Pickford production - one of the first features to be filmed on the historic site. The lot since then has hosted a who's who list of entertainment industry pioneers including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Walt Disney and Betty Davis in what has become a hub of tv, feature film and music video production.

About Avery Dennison Office Products:

Avery Dennison Office Products (http://www.avery.com) markets products under the well-known Avery brand name and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of self-adhesive labels for laser and ink jet printers, labeling software, binders, sheet protectors, index and tab dividers and other office-, home- and school-related supplies. Avery Dennison Office Products, a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation, is based in Brea, California. For more information about Avery-brand products, consumers can visit the Avery Dennison Worldwide Office Products Web site at http://www.avery.com or call the Avery Dennison Consumer Service Center at 1-800-GO-AVERY (1-800-462-8379).

About NAPO-Los Angeles:

The Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-LA) is a group of 150 professional organizers and associate members dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. The Founding Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, "The Organizing Authority®," our mission is to develop, lead and promote professional organizers and the organizing industry since 1985. The chapter produces the Los Angeles Organizing Expo as well as the Los Angeles Organizing Awards and is the recipient of the 2008 NAPO National President's Award for innovative contributions to the organizing industry. For details visit http://www.napola.org or http://www.organizingawards.com.

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Video: Use Acid-Free Tissue for Holiday Storage

2009-12-21T14:37:36-08:00

Let's face it: holiday decor can be a big investment.

So why not treat your ornaments with the respect they deserve? Not only will you pamper your precious commodities, you'll save them from total destruction in the years ahead. So ditch the bubble wrap and the newsprint and use acid-free archival tissue. Why? Watch our newest video (only 90 seconds) and see why.

RSS Readers, click here to watch the video.

Do you have a storage tip for the holiday? Why not share it with us using the comment feature below.

Simple Succcessful Strategies for Holiday Organizing

2009-12-01T13:59:12-08:00

If you're anything like us, you have vowed each year after Thanksgiving that this year, this holiday season, you are going to plan the holidays right.

You're going to get totally, absolutely organized. Your cards will be in the mail early, gifts purchased and wrapped on time, decorations will be adorning your fireplace and your guest rooms will be ready and willing to take on your beloved relatives.

Ah, yes, in a perfect world.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but we have to remind you (as much as we remind ourselves) that getting organized for the holidays does not have to be a daunting task. To help this, we've asked our friends on Facebook and Twitter to send us their holiday organizing tips. We received so many tips and tricks we couldn't fit them all in one post, so look for more tips in the upcoming weeks.

Spreadsheets:

Tricia O'Neill DiMeglio of Metuchen, NJ loves spreadsheets:

"I plan my schedule leading up to (cleaning/set-up) and including Christmas appetizer, dinner and desserts with Excel spreadsheets. I carry them forward from year to year and make alterations as needed. Oh, I also use it for all the gift planning and buying with all the little kiddies.... nieces, nephews and such. Helps to plan the budget and to see from year to year where the $$ goes. We have both sides of the family to our house for Christmas. I LOVE my Excel spreadsheets!!!"

Kathy Melamed, a West Hollywood Clothing and Belt Designer also loves spreadsheets:

"I organize my list in excel by year and separate business from personal. It is also a great reminder of what you gave to who the year before and helps make sure I didn't leave anyone off."

Strategize:

San Francisco organizing colleague and author Emily Wilska recommends strategy:

"Use the next few weeks to set some general goals and guidelines for your seasonal celebrations. For example, you might decide to reconsider exchanging gifts with friends and extended family, opting instead to pool your money to pay for a special celebration, to make a collective donation to charity, or give one simple gift per family. Share your thoughts and plans with those you celebrate with so you're all on the same page and can figure out details before the holidays."

Organize Don't Decorate:

Saundra Wright, an Akron, Ohio home organizer, seems to have the key to holiday bliss:

"As we approach the holiday season, many of us are looking forward to decorating our homes with all of our favorite seasonal decorations. However, sometimes when we bring out all of these holiday decorations our houses seem to look more "cluttered" rather than "decorated." Consider organizing for the holidays rather than decorating for the holidays!

Borrow, Rent or Repurpose:

Karli Bertocchi, professional organizer from Chicago, Illinois, has a smart idea:

"Borrow, rent or re-purpose what you can instead of adding appliances, dishes or furniture to your home for a "once a year" event."

Concentrate on Clutter Free Gifts:

Monica Ricci, Atlanta-based organizing expert and author gives out shopping advice:

"You can still enjoy giving gifts and let someone know you care without giving them a gift that will clutter their life and their home. There are plenty of creative, thoughtful and sure to please gifts, especially for that person who has everything!"

Practice Clutter Portion Control:

Lorie Marrero of the Clutter Diet in Austin, Texas recommends a "clutter watcher's" approach:

"Pay attention to portion control for your purchases. Shop with a list, leave plenty of time so you're not rushed into purchasing decisions and bring a friend to help curb your clutter appetite."

Have a comment or trick of your own? Please join the conversation and leave your tip below and stay tuned for more holiday organizing tips.

Photo of Los Angeles City Hall above courtesy Benjamin Page and Flickr.

Holiday cleaning tips from Fly Lady (11/05)

A handy holiday switch (7/05)

Testimonial - Home Paper Management System for a New Veterinarian

2009-11-30T20:54:06-08:00

We recently organized the home office of a newly-graduated Veterinarian in the Hollywood Hills.

Robert admitted that he had neglected significant amounts of office paper while attending medical school. Just a few months after graduation, he called us to perform some hands on work organizing and creating a manageable system to handle the paper. He also recognized that he had no system to track and submit payments for his student loans (they were about to arrive). Robert has allowed us to share his first name, occupation and a bit of his personal story for this testimonial:

"After four years of graduate school, I was swamped with stacks and stacks of paperwork. From old tests and schoolwork, to student loan information, even miscellaneous bills and insurance information. I would look at the piles and just freeze. I was blocked and needed some assistance to get over the hump and begin to make progress."
"That’s when I called John Trosko and OrganizingLA. John came to the rescue and in just a few short hours, we were able to clear the clutter into manageable files. He left me with an organized system, clear instructions on how to minimize what was left, and the motivation to finish the job myself. Thanks John, for your help and for giving me my dining room table back!"

Robert I., D.V.S.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Hollywood, Calif.

Flipping Out Star Ryan Brown Curbs Clutter for Daughter Chloe

2009-11-15T16:32:06-08:00

Ryan Brown knows that storage doesn't have to be an issue for small children.

The star of Bravo-TV's Flipping Out says it's important to provide children with "accessible storage" around the house, build low drawers and designate areas areas that are exclusively theirs. We agree.

In a Los Angeles Daily News Home Home & Garden interview, the talented, cool and collected Interior Designer Brown talks about moving from the Sunset Strip to the Oaks section of the Hollywood Hills for a more walkable family-friendly lifestyle. But completely redesigning the house was more than just aesthetic, the home and furnishings had to be functional for his entire family, including 3-year old daughter Chloe and Brown's partner, chef Dale Monchamp. Brown's interview focused on beautiful yet functional interior decorating.

""A lot of people have these boxes that look like obvious child furniture, but with something like this," Brown says, lifting the lid off a woven storage cube in the family room, "you'd never know it, but this is her go-to place for tucking things away."

"[Keep] storage down low... as opposed to on a shelf somewhere," he adds, opening the bottom drawer of the entertainment center where, among other things, Wii remote controls are kept. "If you give your child a designated area, you keep things contained."

So what do you think? Are Ryan Brown's design and storage ideas for children direct from Neverland? Share your comments below.

Images courtesy Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer/Daily News

Read More:

More in store: family fights clutter (L.A. Daily News)

Ryan Brown - blog, website and store.

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Hold a Professional Clothes Drive

2009-10-23T14:26:06-07:00

Fall is here. Now may be the perfect time to take a good hard look at your wardrobe.

Why not ditch the pieces that no longer fit, are out of style or just plain not you anymore. Perhaps you have clothes that are new, in perfect condition and you have no intention on wearing them? To make yourself feel good and help others in need, gather some friends, (or better yet) some office colleagues and start a professional clothes drive.

A simple email, collection center, and designated charity will do the trick. We suggest you chose Dress for Success, where women in transition benefit from donated business outfits. if you want to check into some local Los Angeles resources, dive into our 2007 post written for a reader who wanted to lose her 1990's business suits and didn't know how to.

Here are some tips we put together recently for a Professional Clothes Drive for one of the world's largest professional services firms in Downtown Los Angeles:

Clear Out Your Closet:

Let's face it, everyone knows it's hard to let go of clothes that you really like even though you have not worn. Below are three closet-clearing tips from fellow CLARE Foundation volunteer and organization expert, John Trosko of OrganizingLA. John has a few tips up his sleeve to help you clear out the old, to make way for the new, and in the meantime, help make a difference in someone's life:

The 15-Minute Rule:

If you want to make a difference in your closet and don’t have a lot of time, set a time limit and “go shopping” for things that are ready to be donated. But keep your focus on this specific task and don’t allow yourself to be distracted. It helps if you can carefully choose a friend to help you clean out your clothes closet. You’ll want a person who will constructively criticize your taste, but with a sense of humor to make it fun.

Suits That Are No Longer Suit-able:

Nostalgia’s tug is strong— but use this opportunity to clear out the larger key pieces such as men’s suits, ties, dark belts and dress shoes. For women, perhaps you have a dress-for-success ensemble that isn’t suitable for your current work environment—why not donate it along with some sensible low-pumps and simple jewelry? Never donate another person’s clothes, always check with them.

Stop Tripping Down Memory Lane:

3.) Remember, avoid keeping items in your closet as a benchmark of your achievements. Professional Clothes Drive for the Clare Foundation honors needy individuals with basic essentials and you’ll want to donate good, clean, gently-used or new clothing. You’ll feel better knowing your unwanted clothes will benefit others!

If you're putting together a professional clothes drive, feel free to use the tips above, just give us credit. O rcontact us if you'd like to explore something more.

What ideas have you implemented for your clothes donations? Please share them below.

Image above courtesy J Crew and Uncrate.

Related Posts:

Reinvent yourself with Closet Therapy's Barbra Horowitz (9/05)

What do I do with 1990's business suits? (2/07)

Build a connection with a charity (3/06)

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John Trosko Organizes Shoe Lovers for Better Homes & Gardens

2009-10-21T00:42:22-07:00

Does your personality dictate the way you organize your closet?

Three top organizing experts including Lorie Marrero of the Clutter Diet (Austin, Texas), Meryl Starr (New York, New York) and yours truly answer this question by addressing three different "closet personalities" in the November issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

The 6-page article (pages 78-86) features advice tailored to women who either fold or hang their clothes or a woman with shoes on center stage. Along with our friends at Closet Maid, Hanger City, the Container Store, Organize.com, Caldrea, KangaRoom Storage, OrganizeIt, Hammocks and High Tea, Agraria Home and Elizabeth W, our segment "Shoe Lover" ticked off ideas for maximizing the passion of a "shoe hog" while minimizing the clutter. Closet Maid's shoe cubby inserts helped us maintain a sense of order and accessibility. Did you know the average mature woman owns between 40-60 pairs of shoes?

"If you adore your shoes, put them front and center in cubbies. Plan enough of them to house every pair you own in a season."

There are lots more tips from Marrero and Starr, along with some excellent organizational products the talented editors discovered. Get your copy of the November BHG on newsstands nationwide now.

What kind of closet personality do you have? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Share with us by writing a comment below.

Related Posts:

Vanity Fair - John featured in March 2008 issue of BHG

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Organizing Emergency: A Reader Wants To Buy a Laundry Hamper - Part One

2009-10-17T12:21:50-07:00

DaneNow on Twitter wants to know where professional organizers get their hampers.

He's just moved into a new house in West Los Angeles and headed to IKEA to shop for a temporary clothes hamper for his closet. We put this together for Dale to get him started (and by the way, you can follow us on Twitter, too-- click here).

What is a Laundry Hamper?

A hamper serves an important function in a home. The unit is a homebase to gather, sort and store dirty laundry. By strategically placing the hamper where you need it most, you'll save time and energy doing laundry. The same kind of container can be used to re-distribute clean clothes back to their origin. Laundry Hampers are usually made of wicker, but are now offered in wood, canvas, fabric, stainless sleel, plastic, mesh and acrylic.

Save Yourself Disappointment, Ask These Questions Before Buying a Hamper:

Before Dane heads out and chooses a hamper, we suggest asking these quick questions. Thinking about them ahead of time will save him and his family time and disappointment.

Quality: Is the hamper going to be an investment piece or just serve a simple function?
Impression: Will anyone see the hamper or will you hide it in the back of your closet? Do you need to impress guests if the hamper is out in the open?
Mobility: Does the hamper need to be on wheels?
Maintainable: Does the hamper need to have a removable washable liner (ie; wet towels, dirty diapers)?
Separable: Do you need to separate whites, darks, hand washables as you toss?
Strength: Men's clothes weigh more than women's and children's clothes. A flimsy hamper will solve a short term desire for a long term demand.
Size: Is laundry done each week, once a day, every month? The timing dictates the size of your hamper. Last thing you want to do is to have your dirty clothes towering over the top. Maybe you need two hampers? Do you even have the space for a hamper?

Buy Today vs. Tomorrow:

If Dane wants his hamper today, IKEA is certainly a good bet. He can head off to Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, KMart, Container Store and even a local designer hardware store will have them. Quick purchases are good even as a placeholder and an excellent interim solution until you can buy something of higher quality. And if you're fine with the quick solution, great.

If Dane can wait, he can order it online. there are pros and cons to this-- they're harder to return but you'll have a much wider ability to order something more interesting.

We'll continue this post on Monday and give Dane some suggestions. So look out for Part II.

In the meantime, if you have comments for Dane, feel free to add to the conversation below.

Image above courtesy Industrial House

Related Posts:

Organizing Emergency: Hollywood Stylist Needs Bin Labels

Organizing Emergency: Garage Shelving Solutions

Organizing Emergency: How To Find A Lazy Susan

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