Welcome to "Organizing Blog Central" -- where we give organizers around the world a chance to share their experiences, advice, and opinions about getting organized. You'll find everything here -- inspiration, motivation, tips, product recommendations, and even a few challenges to your current belief system (you can't change without letting go of a few preconceptions!)
Come back daily, as we have a dozen different blogs a day every day of the week -- on topics like home and office organizing, paper and time management, organizing your kids, simplifying you life, getting your finances in order, travel, moving, and much more!
I trust you're having peaceful day today and that you did not experience what author Caroline Bonner-Thompson describes in her poem, "The Plight Before Christmas"…
'Twas the night before Christmas, on land and at sea,
Not a creature was stirring at home – except ME!
I tied on my kerchief and faded old rob,
Same as most mothers all over the globe.
My husband was nestled all snug in our bed,
Snoring quite loudly, with nothing to dread.
I glared in resentment, then raced down the stair,
With so much to do, I had no time to spare.
I said not a word, but went straight to my work,...
For all of you observing Christmas, I hope you're having a merry one, and I anticipate you've settled in to read this post only after a thrilling day of unwrapping presents, partaking of great food and enjoying warm conversation. And for those of you like me, who will be spending the day having Chinese food and going to the movies, I wish you a nifty day off. (And if you're a first responder or otherwise working hard today...thank you!)
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Simplifying the holidays can be as easy as getting your thoughts organized. Why? So you can enjoy the holidays and celebrate the reason for the season! Decide how you want to feel when you think about the holidays: do you want to feel dread or overwhelmed? Or do you want to simplify the holidays and enjoy the little things that make it special. In order to be present and in the moment during the holidays, let's break it down: Guilt-free holidays:...
Have you ever heard of the ripple effect? I'm sure you have. Did you ever think about how it might relate to organization? Well, it does!
I picture myself as a small drop in a large body of water. I believe that my purpose is to drop my knowledge, information and value into that large body of water so that it can ripple and touch others' lives. Then, the lives that I touch will pass their knowledge, information and value onto others. That is the ripple effect. I simply do it through organization.
I was speaking on the phone the other night to a new client and she asked if what I would be teaching her in the process of us working together would help her children. Without a doubt, it would.
We all have goals -- or in New Year's parlance, resolutions. We all have visions of what we'd like our lives, careers, and business to be. For many people, thinking about what you would like to change and transform is the easy part. The tough part is actually turning those goals and visions into reality. There are many strategies for creating the life, career, or business that you want. Each strategy involves some type of reflection and planning. You know that you need to prioritize. Failing to do so means that everything gets equal weight. But how do you determine what's important and gets more of your attention? Read more...
Perhaps it's time to change your Christmas routine from sleepless nights wrapping presents and rushing to 24 hour stores for last minute gifts, to preplanning that can make the week before Christmas more relaxed and restful. It might be nice if I could add more hours to your day, but even if I could, I'm afraid you'd just become more frazzled and frantic. Instead, I'll offer a few suggestions that might help you plan ahead for next year and some might even still help for this year.
• Buy a couple of gifts each week and wrap and tag them when you get them home or use the free service at stores offering this option.
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As the days spin down, it's time to be thinking about how to plan all of your events and activities for 2013. In the past, we've talked a lot about finding the right planner to keep your days in order. Just a year ago, in Paper Doll Marks the Calendar for a Successful 2012, I shared my tips for selecting the consummate planner system, whether paper or digital, for your needs.
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The impending holiday season can bring about emotions from anticipation to delight. If you're not organized, the season can bring feelings of dread to being totally overwhelmed. Choosing the perfect gift can be part of that dread if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or something especially unique. Handmade gifts are a special one-of-a-kind present if you possess the skills and the organization to make it happen. Last month, my column was about reorganizing that extra room in your home to spark creativity. If you missed it, you can go to my website and read it to get some ideas to set up that crafty area and start creating! ...
The first thing you need to do is to plan ahead so you don't become depressed, frantic, under pressure and over budget. If you ever feel like you're in a pressure cooker, it's now! Much of the pleasure of a merry Christmas is based on using good organizational techniques and time management principles. You need directions and boundaries to keep from being overwhelmed.
Most of us don't have the luxury of devoting all our spare time during November and December to Christmas activities. All the things you have to do can bring pressure if you don't bring your wants and needs into a manageable schedule.
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The Paper Doll 2011 Holiday Gift List was so popular, I wanted to continue the tradition. Of course, I'm still strongly in favor of the experiential gifts of education, entertainment, pampering, adventure, practicality and year-long presents -- all items that require no dry-cleaning or dusting. And I still love the standout organizing-themed gift ideas on last year's list, especially the Grit-It!, The Tote Buddy and The Card Cubby. But today's list includes a combination of the practical and whimsical to both delight and organize your loved ones (and yourself)....
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