If you need to organize, declutter, restructure, eliminate, purge, and/or clean, this site will get you off to a great start and on the track to cleanliness, organization, decluttering, and de-stressing!

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, Click here

Take a deep breath and let’s plan your strategy!  Your room probably didn’t get messy, dirty, or cluttered in a day, so don’t expect it to instantly become perfect.  There are actually techniques involved when trying to declutter, and organize a room.

If your room is large, mentally section it off into smaller areas, such as the bookcase area or the TV area, etc.  Focus only on that small area first so that you can make a dent in it and see some progress quickly.  Even a little bit of progress makes you feel like you have accomplished something and then you are ready to tackle the next area.

I like to get out plastic bins and place them in the middle of the room and have them labeled.  The first I label, “Give Away”.  The second I label, “Put Away”, (meaning out of view).  The third I label, “Throw Away”, and sometimes I just get a big garbage can and skip the bin for this group of stuff.  The fourth group is things I need to keep, but don’t belong in that particular room.  The last group is the things I want to keep in that room, but just need to find the right spot for, after I have cleaned that area, i.e. dusted and vacuumed, etc.

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, Click here

These are just a few tips I use when I need to declutter my room.  I also use these same techniques when I am organizing, cleaning, and decluttering my garage and/or office.

When I went to buy my apartment everything was in the early stages and I was not able to see what my garage would look like (apart from the wonderful designs that the builder showed me). I was very skeptical about paying that large amount for something I had not seen, but I knew I had to! I moved in recently and my happiness was doubled when I saw the enormous garage space. Sometimes life springs little surprises, some happy some sad, thankfully my garage belongs to the former category.

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, Click here

How to Organize Your Garage Storage
Organized space not only looks visually appealing but also provides a sense of well being. Today we will discuss a space that is usually a dumping ground for all the rubbish lying around the house. All the things that lie cluttered in the garage can be organized by installing a good garage storage system. To begin with you need to carefully decide which of the items you plan to keep and the ones you need to throw away. Once you have decided that, double check to ensure that you haven’t put something you need into the boxes.

Now you can finally decide what to buy to store the left over items in. Do not fret because there is a wide range of garage storage units such as shelves, racks and cabinets available in the market. Each of these pieces come in different styles, capacities and designs which make it easier to select one that goes with the other elements in the room. Garage Storage Racks Racks are an ideal way to store most of the things like gardening tools, screwdrivers, pliers and gym equipment. If you are undecided about what to do with some of the items that you have stored in the garage, you could just place them on the racks.

To select the ideal garage storage rack you can visit a trusted and reliable home improvement dealer. If you do not find one, then go to the local dealer or visit the stores online. You are sure to find the right rack from amongst the wide range available in the market! Garage Storage Cabinets This is another option that you can choose while looking for storage units. Garage storage units can be customized, all you need to do is find a reputable supplier online and place an order with him.

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, Click here

If you are not comfortable with ordering goods online, you can visit the local dealer and look through the range that he has to offer. Most of the cabinets are easy to put together and are available in a variety of sizes to provide a custom look and fit. These cabinets are available in various materials like wood, metal and heavy-duty plastic. Sturdy, beautiful and customized, what else would you want in a garage storage unit?

Garage Storage Shelves
Add that spark to your garage using garage storage shelves. Garage storage shelves are less expensive than the other storage units and provides access to all the things at home. Not only that, this storage unit only uses a very small area of the garage’s vertical space and despite that has plenty of storage spaces for your things!

Garage storage shelves come in various styles, configurations and materials. You could opt for steel shelves if you want durable, heavy-duty storage. You can also make your own shelves if you want to. All you need is some planks of wood like pine or fir and some tools.

By Rachna Gupta Published: 12/7/2007

Organize That Garage

ONLY put back in what goes in a garage. Either find a place for the other stuff or have a yard sale!!!

Organizing a Garage: Garage Storage Solutions

Organizing a garage can be a daunting task. Follow these tips to simplify the process of organizing a garage.

50-Piece Peg Board Set – Organize Garage and Workshop!

50-Piece Peg Board Set – Organize Garage and Workshop! Works with any 1/8″ peg board. Set includes four 5″ & five 2-1/2″ single stakes, six small & two large curved hooks, six angle hooks & twelve large angle hooks, five straight hooks,

Organize the Garage with Slatwall

If you’re like most people, the garage is the last location to organize. So you keep tripping over boxes, tools, toys, cleaning supplies; whatever won’t fit in the house, goes into the garage, right?

How To Organize a Garage Sale

Remove everything from the garage that you don’t want to sell or cover the items with a sheet or drop cloth.

What’s it like to work with a professional organizer? Victoria Pearlman, a professional organizer in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, who calls herself the Order Artisan (www.orderartisan.com), answers our FAQs:

What types of people hire a professional organizer?

It’s quite a variety. A lot of clients are professional women. They’re working all the time and have no time for the stuff that needs to get done at home. Busy mothers and people who are chronically disorganized are also frequently clients. Working with a professional organizer is good for anyone who needs a semblance of organization in her busy life. If you just don’t have the time or you can’t get it scheduled, having someone come in and help you with it means you’ll get it done.

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, by Yourself -  Click here

How does it work?

It starts with a phone conversation. Typically a professional organizer talks at length with the client to get an idea of what’s going on in her life. Most of the time people call because they’re under stress: there’s some life change going on, or they just can’t take the chaos anymore. Then you set up an appointment, and the organizer comes to the person’s office or home for a tour of the space they want to organize. You talk about a game plan and get started.

How long does it take?

It depends on how quick a decision-maker the client is. Professional organizers help you move along. We’re not going to sit there and look at the box of pictures. That’s part of the benefitwe keep you on task and help you to prioritize what really needs to get done right now. We focus on what’s driving you the craziest. And we help you examine why you’re keeping things and how to let go of items that you don’t love or want. But we’re not going to say that you have to throw everything out. People are afraid of that, too. We help you find the treasures both emotionally and physically.

To organize your Home, Office, or Garage, by Yourself -  Click here

What does it cost?

Organizers charge anywhere from $50-$250 an hour. Business organizing usually is double the cost of residential organizing.

Should people expect to go out and buy new storage systems?

It depends on the organizer and the client. Many people have all types of organizing and storage devices; they just aren’t using them. Sometimes organizers can see things in a different way and get better use from storage that clients already have.

What should you look for in a professional organizer?

I would recommend finding somebody through the National Association of Professional Organizers (www. napo.net). NAPO members have a code of ethics and ongoing education.

Look for someone you have a good rapport with. You can get a feel for the person on the phone. Just as you want to go to a hairdresser you feel comfortable with, you need to have a comfort level with a professional organizer. The things we’re going through are very personal. (Of course, everything is confidential.)

A good professional organizer will tailor his or her system to you. We work with clients to figure out what works best for them. We don’t just set up a system and leave. We talk, we tweak, we do it together.

How do people feel about the results?

People are always happy in the end, even if they cry during the process. (One client actually did cry, but it was a good thing because she was letting go of something that was a burden to her.) But everyone’s happy because they’ve accomplished something.

So if you’re tired of dealing with the mess, consider hiring a professional organizer to restore your home or office to a place that works.

About The Author

Carol Weeg writes and edits Finding Our Way: Wit and Wisdom for Women, the newsletter for thinking women in midlife. Carol inspires women to explore their lives todayfrom work, to relationships, to dealing with perimenopause and menopause (is it hot in here?). Visit Carol Weeg on the Web at www.findingourway.com to download a free sample copy of Finding Our Way.

This article was posted on September 04, 2006

Organizing your life with time management skills will help you in every area of your life.  Not only will it improve you emotionally and physically, but it will increase your productivity at work, at school, at home, and even decluttering your house, office, and garage.

Organize your life and get results with 10 essential time management tips. Managing time is much about managing self. Make choices, develop habits, and take the actions to get the results you crave. Read on for practical steps to get the important stuff done.

To organize life and manage time we have to aim to manage self. How we spend time that produces results (or lack of) is about choices, habits, and actions. Here are ten tips to get the most of your day and the results you want.

Make Deliberate Choices

Intentionally choose how to use time. Time can be used pouring out your strengths, passions, skills, and values, and not be wasted. Our choices can make it such so choose wisely.

1- Know Your Priorities- For least resistance align priorities based on who you are. What is really important to you? List 3-5 top priorities in order. Look at them daily. What goals are most important right now for long-term fulfillment?

2- Be Aware of Time Bandits- Monitor how you spend time for 24-72 hours. Notice where time is wasted or how it can be put to better use. EX: Run errands once a week versus daily trips. Notice distracters, those things that steal your focus such as phone calls, e-mail, things breaking down, etc.

3- Set your Mind on the Ultimate Result- Thoughts guide behavior. Focus negatively, and you may get discouraged and quit. The Wright Brothers focused on the end result, ‘what it takes to fly’, not being grounded. Choose your line of thought or your brain will take a shortcut and choose the thought pattern/ habit that is in place, whether or not it serves you. It is a choice! You can accept or reject a thought. Choose a positive, results-aimed mind set always!

Develop Great Habits and a Structure to Support Your Actions

Many people are busy, but without the structure and habits in place to get the results they crave. Know that great habits with structure support you to complete primary tasks. You then get results which lead to more freedom to do what you want (without the fear or guilt).

4- Have an Efficient Scheduling System- Whether using a pda, home computer, or a planner, it is critical to have a structure that supports your planning style. I love the planner systems at www.day-timer.com and www.franklincovey.com which provide monthly calendars, daily appointment schedule, space for daily notes, and more in one efficient hand-held planner.

5- Schedule Priorities First, Block Time, and Take Action- Block time for priorities first, then follow through. Focus on how great you will feel after doing it. Block time for various roles and avoid multi-tasking to maintain focus. Do not do housework during business hours. Set yourself up for success by scheduling high energy tasks when you have energy and low energy tasks later. Stay fully focused to complete priorities with excellence. Give full attention to one activity at a time.

6- Set Time Limits- Set a time limit when you begin a task then stay focused. This takes practice. Most tasks take longer than we anticipate, but it will save time. Most of us could waste plenty of time on e-mail, but can save a lot when we set a limit.

7- Plan a Day Ahead- For most, each day is different. It helps to plan your schedule the day/evening before. Then you can jump out of bed in the morning with a smile on because you know exactly what to do.

8- Create Daily Habits that Serve You- What daily action would make the greatest positive difference? Examples: Spiritual studies, go to bed or wake up earlier, watch less tv, read, make three new contacts, drink more water, do something you love, limit time for e-mail, write, organize, plan, create, help others, etc. Make it specific. Ask which daily habits uplift you and which hold you back then make a shift.

Be in Action on What is Most Important

Reaching goals means taking the steps that get you there… no matter what. You are either interested or committed. Life will get in the way. Fear will want to hold you back. It is a choice to continue in action on the important stuff, and rewards come when you do.

9- Do It, Delegate It, or Dump It- It is easier to stay in action on priorities when you leverage your strengths, passions, values, and skills. Learn in action and gain experience. Delegate what is not your cup of tea. Dump what is not that important right now. Block time to handle tolerations that drain your energy such as clutter, repairs, etc.

10- Simplify and Systematize- Put systems in place to make things easier. Consistently seek the more efficient way. EX: position employees to leverage their strengths/ passions, run errands weekly when stores are low traffic, when you buy something get rid of something to avoid clutter, organize the office at the end of each day, give everything a home so nothing is ever lost. Strive for efficiency.

 

To organize life and manage yourself for peak performance you have to feel your best. This means scheduling rejuvenation time regularly to enjoy what you love and what life has to offer right now. Implement these tips and raise your quality of life… StartingNow!

Beth Tabak of www.StartingNowCoaching.com is 100% committed to small business coaching and personal life coaching. She is also a speaker and columnist. Beth coaches big thinkers to be unlimited, stand out in the crowd, and experience the vastness of their capabilities. Come see all that is available to you and say “hello”.

By
 

Beth Tabak
Published: 3/25/2008

Time Management: How To Finish Multiple Tasks

The first thing that you need to learn about time management is setting priorities and goal management.

Time Management v Task Management

The standard approach to fitting more into your day is to seek out advice on time management, right?

Some Tips for Time Management

If you’re struggling with time management, the last thing you’ve got time for is researching ways to better balance your days.

Time Management – Goal Setting

Time Management methods most often incorporate some element of the goal setting process, as a key ingredient for overall effective use of time.