http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=119 The purpose of the DECIDE™ to be Organized blog is to motivate, inspire and empower success-minded individuals and busy professionals to achieve results at home, at work, and in life. The blog is a great clearing-house for me to share ideas, tips, information, expertise, and musings as I draw upon my experience as an organizer, business & life coach, and speaker (as well as my background as an attorney!). Hopefully, it will prove to be a valuable source of information to you, along with a little entertainment at times. So sit back, relax, get a cup of coffee (or tea!) and come along for the ride. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:45:02 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3592 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3592 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST As a productivity consultant whose business is founded on the idea of making people's lives easier and more manageable, I spend nearly every day thinking about control in some sense. Control is strange when you stop to really think about it. Is it a concept? An idea? Or a goal? And is it inherently good or bad? My answer is... it depends. To me, control is a dichotomy. When you think of physical organizing, control translates into having a place for everything and being able to maintain ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3572 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3572 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST Overwhelmed just thinking about the upcoming holiday season? Relax. If you take a little time to plan your holiday season, it will be more enjoyable for you and your family! Focus on practicing good organizational techniques and time management principles. Here are some tips to make the holidays enjoyable and the New Year start off in a positive manner. Set Goals We are pulled in so many different directions during the holidays: travel, family gatherings, parties and social events, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3537 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3537 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST Millions of Americans vow to be better organized every year. But did you know that being more organized can save you money? Yes indeed! Here's how. Organized finances – If your financial papers and systems are organized, you can easily assess your budget, track your spending and see where to cut corners if need be. It will be easier to access all the details of your accounts and finances. Knowledge is power and when your financial life is accessible and trackable, it usually results ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3494 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3494 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST Powerful smart phones, computers, tablets, websites, software, blogs and social media. There are so many technology tools and gadgets these days that it is hard to keep up! On the other end of the spectrum are people that are glued to their devices, addicted to their "Crackberry." Indeed, for many people, technology has become the master. However, true technology was designed to be our servant. The following tools (some are "apps," which is short for applications for those of you that have are ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3455 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3455 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST Ah, procrastination. Most people experience it at one time or another. Procrastination can be a deep-seated problem involving fear of failure or success, or a natural result of overload. Regardless of why you are experiencing procrastination, there are ways to overcome it! How you choose to overcome procrastination depends on the task involved, the people involved, and the underlying reason for the procrastination. Take a look at the following strategies, and see which help conquer your ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3432 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3432 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST I recently had the pleasure of conducting a teleclass on creating multiple streams of income for a service-based business. The participants were made up of several different types of entrepreneurs who all had one thing in common -- the awareness that having multiple streams of income is a sound business decision. Many of my business coaching clients, whether they are professional organizers, redesigners, home stagers, coaches, or any other type of entrepreneur, know how important it is to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3385 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3385 Wed, 25 May 2011 13:30:00 EST What is clutter? The answer depends on whom you ask. For many disorganized people, nothing is clutter (a definition that often leads in the extreme to hoarding). For others, clutter is anything that piles up above and beyond their normal possessions. I like to say that clutter is like a weed in a garden. It is something that doesn't belong. Either you did not plant it, it got carried along to a new location where it shouldn't be, or it has outgrown its space. It can even be a plant or ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3378 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3378 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:30:00 EST Recently, one of my clients posed this question to me about using online images. It made me realize that many business owners and entrepreneurs may struggle with this issue. If you've ever wondered about using images online and how that use impacts copyright law, then you owe it to yourself to take a peek at my answer. It is better to be educated (and safe) than ignorant (and potentially, sorry)! Question: Many people are confused about using images in ezines, products or on ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3333 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3333 Wed, 2 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST For those of you that were in high school in the 1980s (that would be me!), you may remember Joan Jett singing, "I don't give a damn about my reputation!" Sure, Joan could get away with not caring about her reputation (indeed, one can argue that her image was, in fact, not caring about her reputation, but I digress), but can you? The idea of projecting an organized image can be controversial. Why? Because as professional organizers, many of us teach that being organized has less to do ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3317 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3317 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST When you put in so much time and effort to get organized, the last thing you want is to backslide and wind up back where you started. The good news is that you can stay organized once you reach an organized state of bliss (or even a semi-organized, "it's better than it was and I can live with it state"!). All that is required is active maintenance. Oh no, you think – more work! Yes, but remember, it is a lot easier to stay organized than it is to get organized. Maintenance Should ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3316 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3316 Wed, 9 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST This article is an excerpt from my upcoming book, The Ultimate Life Organizer: An Interactive Guide to a Simpler, Less Stressful & More Organized Life , which will be published by Peter Pauper Press in April 2011. As you start the organizing journey, you may suffer from what I like to call, Temporary Organizing Paralysis. This is when you start organizing, freeze up, stare at all of the stuff and think, "Where do I begin?" "What am I going to do with all of this stuff?" Realize that ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3288 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3288 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST Ah, New Year's Resolutions. They come but once per year, and cause quite a stir. Indeed, people talk about their New Year's Resolutions quite freely. A small portion of people even write them down. But how many truly achieve them? The number is probably dismally small. Why? Because most people do a great job of talking about their resolutions, but don't do such a great job of taking action on them. They often set themselves up for failure by biting off more than they can chew! ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3205 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3205 Wed, 6 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST I'm excited to host Meggin McIntosh as she presents: Strategies for When You Are Seriously and Scarily Behind Sign up now! We all get a little behind sometimes – at home, at work, in our classes, in our chores, and in our many projects. It happens and we can laugh about it and try to clear some time to get "caught up." BUT, other times, we are: Significantly behind in our projects; Clearly in arrears on our promises; Unquestionably freaked-out about how far behind ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3166 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3166 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST Many people say they want to get better organized, but in order to act upon that wish, you must deeply examine your motives for wanting to do so. Your motives must be strong enough to sustain you through the change process. DECIDE is an empowering process that leads to change. It will assist you in achieving results at home, at work, and in life in general. While the process guides a person in making decisions that lead to a more organized state, it is itself a decision; a decision to take ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3044 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3044 Wed, 19 May 2010 13:30:00 EST I have worked with many clients over the years to organize after the loss of a loved one. Living in the greater NY metropolitan area, I have helped many 9-11 widows and widowers organize after losing a loved one in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. It is an emotionally draining process. My best advice is to take it slow and go at your own pace. After the death of a loved one, some people are tempted to sift through belongings and make decisions quickly. If this feels natural to you, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2940 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2940 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST While "green" and organizing may sound unrelated, promoting green consciousness is a natural extension of the organizing process. Professional organizers enter homes and businesses on a regular basis, and armed with proper knowledge, a professional organizer can assist clients in becoming more Earth-friendly. As the Chair of my town's Earth Day Clean Sweep for the past five years, I am well aware of the importance of reducing and recycling, and relish the opportunity to influence clients ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2939 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2939 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST Spring marks the transition from winter into summer. It is a time that most of us equate with renewal, increasing day length, and a symbolic changing of the seasons. Spring is seen as a time of growth, when new life (both plant and animal) are born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times. For many, it is also a time for cleaning and organizing - i.e., the Spring Fling! During the winter, we tend to stockpile. It is in our nature. Chances are ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2932 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2932 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST What is a Meta Decision? A meta decision is an umbrella-type decision that impacts all of the smaller decisions that come thereafter. It is made with the intention of impacting or replacing a number of future decisions. Thus, meta decisions are crucial to organizing because they save the mental anguish and time involved with making hundreds of individual decisions one by one. How Can You Use Meta Decisions to Get Organized? You can use meta decisions with clothing ("I will not keep ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2931 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2931 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~ Thomas Edison So, you are searching for a new job? Perhaps you are making a voluntary career transition. Maybe you have been laid off, or worse, fired. Regardless of the reason for your job search, one fact remains true: if you are conducting a job search, it is vital that you take an organized approach. Managing your job search is just like managing any other major project. You must create an ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2791 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2791 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST "The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together." ~ Robert C. Dodds I've worked with many couples as a professional organizer over the last 7 years. Many of them are married, some are domestic partners, others just roommates, etc. My background as a trained mediator often comes in handy during these client sessions. Often, during an organizing assessment, a client will mention that another user in the home cannot maintain an organizing system (or that the other ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2753 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2753 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST This post is a re-print of an article I wrote that was published by Balance magazine. Balance was a great, but short-lived, magazine that focused on achieving balance through organization. (Photos by Megan Joplin.) It is difficult enough for one person to be organized and maintain that state of organization on a daily basis. Now imagine being thrust into a living situation with a person you have never met before, who is not a relative or even a friend. A person with different sleeping, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2792 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2792 Wed, 6 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST "Our life is frittered away by detail … simplify, simplify." ~ Henry David Thoreau When I am conducting an organizing, time management or business related workshop, I often ask if anyone has heard of the Pareto Principle . I usually get a room full of blank stares. However, if I ask if anyone has heard of the 80/20 Rule, many people nod their heads yes, and have a better idea what I am talking about. The Pareto Principle takes its name from a 19 th century ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2820 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2820 Tue, 5 Jan 2010 19:02:48 EST Many people say they want to get better organized, but in order to act upon that wish, you must deeply examine your motives for wanting to do so. Your motives must be strong enough to sustain you through the change process. DECIDE is an empowering process that leads to change. It will assist you in achieving results at home, at work, and in life in general. While the process guides a person in making decisions that lead to a more organized state, it is itself a decision; a decision to take ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2751 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2751 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST I not only love to travel, I love to plan to travel. I can spend hours researching locales and lodging choices, preparing itineraries, packing, etc. Therefore, it seems only fitting to share some of my well-honed travel planning tips so that you can benefit from my travel planning addiction, and enjoy an organized travel experience. The tips that follow may be common sense, but are not always commonly applied. Create a Personalized Packing List – Create a packing list on your computer so ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2711 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2711 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. ~ Sidney Howard Recently, I was asked to take on two separate leadership positions for two different organizations that I am a member of. While both offers were extremely tempting, I knew right away that there was no way that I could say yes to both positions, and do both with finesse. Every time we say yes to something, we say no to something else. Therefore, I made a difficult phone call to the incoming ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2710 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2710 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST Time management is a major issue for many people. And it's not getting any better. Experts estimate that during the last 25 years, our leisure time has declined by 37% while our workweek has increased by a full day. The American's Use of Time Project at the University of Maryland revealed that the average American spends more than 20 hours per week on housework. Even if you are an otherwise excellent time manager, a disorganized physical environment will steal a large amount of ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2790 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2790 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:21:34 EST Overwhelmed just thinking about the upcoming holiday season? Relax. If you take a little time to plan your holiday season, it will be more enjoyable for you and your family! Focus on practicing good organizational techniques and time management principles. Here are some tips to make the holidays enjoyable and the new year start off in a positive manner. Setting Your Goals for the Holiday Season · We are pulled in so many different directions ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2708 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2708 Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST First, let me start by saying that, if it weren't for my friend, Tracy, I probably would not even be a professional organizer, or at least, it would have taken longer to find the profession that is my true calling. Tracy, demonstrating the intuitiveness that I have come to know is her classic style, guided me to the field of professional organizing in 1999. I was living in Michigan at the time and working as a lawyer — the career I trained, studied, and prepared for most of my life, and ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2667 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2667 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST The entryway. Depending on your home, it can be an entire mud room with lots of space, a formal foyer at the front of your house, a breezeway from the garage, or a portion of a hall in a small apartment. Regardless of where it is, or its size, if it is organized, your homecoming will always be less stressful, not to mention that you may actually want to have visitors over! The following are some tips to help make your entryway more organized: If you have a front or back hall closet, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2669 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2669 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST A large percentage of my clients face paper clutter challenges. Despite visions of a paperless society when the computer was invented, we are still inundated with paper at home and at work. One of the biggest culprits is "junk mail" — those credit card solicitations, catalogs, circulars, and the like that you don't want or need, but that still keep coming. Experts estimate that the average person receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year. How to stop the madness? Here are some great ...