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Derek Egeberg - NMLS#180899 Branch Manager, Loan Officer Guild Mortgage (NMLS 3274) Phone: (928) 247-9089 License: BK 0915245 derek.egeberg@guildmortgage.net www.guildyuma.com |
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August 2009
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Get Organized Before Summer Ends! 5 Projects, Plus Proven Strategies from a Professional Organizer It happens to the best of us. We're so busy with our summer events and daily to-do lists that things get a little out of place and out of hand. Before you know it, summer's over–and the unresolved clutter from one season starts spilling over into the next. Preventing this problem is easier said than done. Being organized takes time and energy. And if you haven't done it in a while, it can leave you wondering where you should start and how to get through it. That's where the advice from a professional comes in. So to help you tackle even the toughest organizational challenges, we interviewed Allison Carter, Chief Executive Organizer and owner of The Professional Organizer, a company that trains and licenses organizers and is dedicated to helping people get organized. What Should You Do Right Now–Before Summer Ends? Allison Carter explained that this time of year is crucial to maintaining an organized, clutter-free home heading into the next season. "Before winter, there are some areas of the home, inside and out, that generally need to be cleaned up and cleaned out," Carter stated. So before you get overwhelmed with other projects or areas of the house you may have been putting off, start with these 5 simple areas before summer ends: To tackle these projects–and other areas of your house that need organization–Carter recommends you have a kit ready to use. What should you put in the kit? Here are some things Carter recommends you keep on hand to help with your organizing projects:
These items will help you quickly work through your projects and finish them off by storing and organizing your items, as well as donating or throwing away any unwanted items. Plan of Attack – Organize One Step at a Time Once you have these items together, it's time to prioritize your projects. Although deciding what to do first, second, third and so on can seem overwhelming, Carter has simple advice to help you decide. "Prioritization is based on how important something is to you," explained Carter. So she recommends you start by asking yourself a few simple questions:
Then, follow Carter's ABCs of organizing to tackle each project step by step: E – Evaluate. Every day, week, month and year, evaluate your situation and re-organize what has become undone. To help overcome that problem Carter offered the following tip. "One key to staying organized is to learn when you have reached ‘good enough' and not strive for perfection...because there is never a perfect." Another common mistake is not using the space well, including room at the top of pantries or closets. "Adding shelves can maximize the space," explained Carter. Should It Stay or Should It Go? When organizing a space, there are bound to be a number of items that you just don't know what to do with. How many sheets should you keep in a full closet? What about that gift you received six years ago? To help you quickly determine what to keep, what to throw out, and what to donate, Carter suggested the following tips:
Finally, remember that it's okay to get rid of things that were once prized possessions. "Just because you loved something once, doesn't mean you still have to keep it," Carter stated. "Taste changes and it's okay to be done with items you don't love any longer." First, group tasks together so you can get the most done in one location or area. Have all your supplies ready before you start organizing a space. Don't leave the room to put things away. Gather up everything that goes elsewhere and put it away after you finish organizing the space or during a break. Second, don't confuse grouping tasks with multi-tasking, which can be problematic. According to Carter, you shouldn't multi-task on two projects that both require thinking. "It takes up more time to switch back and forth from task to task," Carter stated. "If you need to do more than one thing at once, only one project should require thinking. The other should be mindless–like folding laundry while having a conversation." "Even if you don't do it right away, you should put items away in a reasonable amount of time," Carter explained. "If you work full time or are busy with kids, you might find that you do a big ‘put away' session on the weekends. And that's okay." Keep It Real…And Keep Your Sanity In her final words of wisdom, Carter reiterated that organizing is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing. "Most people buy more than they actually need–and that's great for capitalism, but bad for clutter," Carter stated. "If your home is full, think twice and three times before making new purchases. And if you do want to buy something, take a minute to toss something out or donate an item." Allison Carter is the Chief Executive Organizer and owner of The Professional Organizer, a company that trains and licenses organizers and is dedicated to helping people get organized. For more organization tips or information on working with a professional organizer, visit http://www.theprofessionalorganizer.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LO# 0915245 BK# 0904081 Corp NMLS# 3113 Corp CA# 4170013 CA-DOC180899 Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. You are receiving a complimentary subscription to YOU Magazine as a result of your ongoing business relationship with Derek Egeberg - NMLS#180899. While beneficial to a wide audience, this information is also commercial in nature and it may contain advertising materials. INVITE A FRIEND to receive YOU Magazine. Please feel free to invite your friends and colleagues to subscribe. SUBSCRIBE to YOU Magazine. If you received this message from a friend, you can subscribe online. UNSUBSCRIBE: If you would like to stop receiving emails from Derek Egeberg - NMLS#180899, you can easily unsubscribe. Guild Mortgage (NMLS 3274) |
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