http://www.OnlineOrganizing.com/BlogList.asp Are you buried in clutter, wishing you had more time in your day, and behind in your paperwork? Are you looking for the tools and techniques to help you get and stay organized? Blog Central at OnlineOrganizing.com is the world’s largest organizing blog – with tips and tricks from dozens of Professional Organizers. Come back every day for new ideas for organizing your home or office! Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:45:01 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3564 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3564 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST This past week I was asked by a current client of mine to help get her relatively new blended family better organized around the house. Anyone who has a blended family knows how difficult this can be. So I put on my "Super Nanny" hat and went to her home and conducted a family meeting to get everyone involved and provide the parents with some guideline to use in setting up a Weekly Responsibility Chart, not only for their five children but the parents as well. We discussed how to create a ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3605 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3605 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST Organizing employment and HR files can seem a bit intimidating at first -- the potential consequences for making a mistake are much more serious than if you accidentally throw out a credit card statement too soon! But as long as you understand your legal responsibilities and have a consistent system for each employee's files, you should be fine. Hiring, Personnel, Benefits, And Payroll As you consider potential employees, you will accumulate a lot of documents for each ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3598 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3598 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST Perhaps you’re reading this from your office at home or one away from home. Look around you. Maybe you need to take some time to reorganize! Let’s start with your files or should I say piles? Whether they’re in a pile or a file take some time today to go through a group of them with weeding in mind. You may be amazed at what you find inside them. Some things may be out dated and need to be tossed and some things may pop out at you as if finding a lost treasure because you’ve been ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3617 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3617 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Some days it can feel as though, despite your best efforts, you haven't accomplished a dadgum thing. Quitting time rolls around and all you have to show for it is hours and hours down the drain, blown on activities that gave you little or no payoff -- not to mention the fact that your to-do list is still sitting there staring at you, waiting to be tackled tomorrow! Where Does Your Time Go? How much of your life is spent on "time wasters" -- activities that do nothing ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3584 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3584 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST Paper Doll knows you're keeping track of a lot of information. Chances are good that you use a digital device for jotting down notes on the run. Digital is dandy...except in a downpour. If it's raining or snowing, a non-digital alternative is often preferable. That said, paper isn't always the best way to deal with the problem, either. Rain. Fog. Snow. Humidity. All of these make it pretty difficult to organize your thoughts without ink bleeding through a mess of soggy papers. And ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3603 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3603 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST Horchow has the most beautiful high-end file boxes that you have ever seen! These file boxes are designed to be an elegant piece of furniture. I've really never seen anything like them. They can upscale your office instantly. If you or someone you know has purchased one, I'd love to hear your feedback. Are they as functional as they are decorative? Click here to link to Horchow file ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3599 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3599 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3597 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3597 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:38:01 EST We all know the saying, "You can't take it with you", yet we all tend to save things as though we can. Toss while you have the time and energy to do so! If you're a senior citizen with a lifetime accumulation of "things" like, furniture, picture, old diaries, letters, trip souvenirs, to name a few, then it's probably time to distribute and thin out this stash. Leaving it for your heirs is doing them no favor. It's a very painful chore for loved ones to have to sift through ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3595 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3595 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST Welcome to the Winter 2012 edition of the Paper Doll Organizing Carnival! As I mentioned back in September , this periodic series will give us a chance to discuss some of the more quixotic and delightful items related to paper and organizing. PAPER DOLL'S PAPER DOLLS In The Sentimental Stuff: A Photo or Portrait Can Sometimes Replace a Thing , the magnificent Jeri Dansky illustrates how one kind of paper -- a photographic representation of an item -- can preserve an emotional ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3593 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3593 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST It's the beginning of the new year--a time when people make resolutions to lose weight, spend more time with family and make other such improvements to their life. Many set goals to get organized in the New Year. If that is one of your goals, that's wonderful! I commend you for setting a goal to improve the quality of your life. I have the perfect organizing project for you. When you've finished it, you'll be less stressed and have more time to enjoy the beginning of Spring. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3594 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3594 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST January is Get Organized (GO) Month, and it's time to get inspired! It's hope for the future. What is your dream for your space? How do you want it to look, feel and function? In working with clients, Professional Organizers start with a Needs Assessment which takes a quick review of the client's current space (or time) and then works with the client to understand his/her dream, vision and purpose for the new space looking into the future. This step is inspirational and ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3591 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3591 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3563 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3563 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST Some of you might still need to put away those holiday decorations. Your holidaydecorations can quickly overrun your household if there is no rhyme or reason to their organization. An easy and visual sorting system will allow you access to your holiday decorations quickly and easily. This system not only applies to Christmas, but also to Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chanukah, etc. I suggest either using clear plastic bins or ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3515 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3515 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST In business settings, "eco-friendly" is the new watchword -- companies are scrambling to make their processes (from mass production to the purchase of toner cartridges to the disposal of wastepaper) less polluting and kinder to the environment. But these changes don't just need to happen at the corporate level -- you as an individual business owner or employee can do your part to help "green-up" your own office. Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle The manufacture of office supplies is a ... 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=3531 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3531 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST It's incredibly difficult for folks to admit that they can't do everything themselves. Well, guess what -- you can't! And I don't know that you'd want to, even if you had the time. Some activities are unpleasant, outside your range of expertise, or just not what you want to spend your time on. There's nothing wrong with bowing out, as long as you can find someone else to take care of it. Knowing What's Really Important We often focus too much on the daily grind ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3590 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3590 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST LIST LOVE It's a common practice that when you want to be productive, you make a list. A grocery list. A packing list. A to-do list. What's a recipe except a list of ingredients followed by a list of tasks? What's an instruction manual except an ordered list of behaviors for achieving the optimum outcome? List-making has always been popular, even among celebrities whom you might think would have "people" for that. ( Paper Doll likes to imagine that "Meet Paper Doll " is on ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3514 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3514 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Your resume is an employer's first look at you -- and the impression it makes can either earn or lose you that job. What is your future boss looking for in a resume? How can you make yours stand out in the crowd? Here are a few tips. The Devil Is In The Details When was the last time you read through your resume critically? Reviewed your grammar, spelling, and the structure of your sentences? While this isn't a novel, you should be just as concerned about your writing style ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3583 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3583 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST America's #1 Cleaning Expert, Don Aslett, has come up with 10 commandments to use when moving. If you are expecting to move soon you'll want to note these to make for a smoother move. Don says to always double the amount of garbage bags and boxes you think you will need and it will be just right. Nothing is worse than stopping to get more boxes when you are on a roll. This prevents us from over-loading or cramming the wrong sized stuff in the wrong size box. Don't be afraid ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3530 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST When I sit down with a client to work on prioritizing and delegating, the biggest challenge is always deciding what kinds of activities and responsibilities to give up. Quite often, we get so entrenched in what we think we "should" be doing, that we forget to pay attention to what we "enjoy" doing. The Biggest Bang For Your Buck Have you ever caught yourself spending a lot of time on a very low-payoff activity? Low-payoff doesn't mean worthless. This task might actually need to be ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3555 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3555 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST The issue of expired coupons in last week's post prompted a flurry of reader email . It's time to admit why Paper Doll has generally avoided blogging about coupons. It's certainly not because I fail to appreciate bargains. My reticence has more to do with what I see as the Coupon-Industrial Complex. GOING TO EXTREMES Whole web sites are devoted to an increasingly complex series of coupon-related grocery store challenges, and TLC has elevated Extreme Couponing to a national ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3586 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3586 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST Between raising a family and being a business owner, there's a lot going on in my brain. If I need to remember something, I have to write it down or else it's as good as gone. I'm a visual person so I like post-its and pads of paper for quickly jotting down ideas, to-do's and lists. With four people in our household, we go through a lot of food. When we would run out of something, I'd add it to my shopping list (my main supermarket is ShopRite). But, I shop in four or five ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3587 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3587 Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST January is Get Organized (GO) Month, and I think it is appropriately named. It's a fresh start, time to get inspired and time to take action. I believe "Get Organized" is one of the top 5 New Year's Resolutions. So go for it: Get Inspired – What is your dream for your space? What does a perfect day look like? Prioritize – You can't do every organizing project at once, so determine what's most important. Do you want to start with better time management, or ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3491 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3491 Fri, 6 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST With the start of the New Year, now is the time to get control over your time, rather than have time control you. For both entrepreneurs and individuals with flexible schedules, proper time management can be an invaluable skill when attempting to reach your goals. Using a weekly planner , look ahead to next week. First, block off the firm commitments like school or work. Next, decide on two to three blocks of time during the week that will be spent furthering your career ie., business ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3513 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3513 Thu, 5 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST In this economy, there are more people than ever looking for work -- that means greater competition for each available position. While you may be the most qualified applicant, credentials alone won't get you hired if you aren't organized in your search. Here are some tips for maximizing your chances of finding the best possible job. Expectations And Options Even in tough times, a job search doesn't have to be about taking absolutely ANYTHING that comes along (at least until ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3582 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3582 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST A resolution to start a good habit is easier to implement than a pledge to break a bad one. The most successful resolutions have both elements combined. For example, cut back on evenings at the office and volunteer some time at a local charity. Substituting habits works best if the two are incompatible. One woman decided to lose weight and to walk instead of a snack before dinner. She bought a pair of sport shoes and resolved to walk 40 blocks home from work each evening. That gave her ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3529 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST Simplifying your life is all about prioritizing -- determining which activities are worth doing yourself, and which are better left undone or delegated to someone else. The first step toward making this determination is knowing how much your time is worth -- then you can decide when to invest this precious and limited resource, as well as when to save up for something you want even more. Learning How To Quantify When you were a kid, you probably didn't think much about what it took to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3575 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3575 Tue, 3 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST Happy New Year, Paper Doll readers! January is designated National Get Organized Month. To help you get started on the road to organization without causing the old January Gym Membership Effect , today's post gives you tiny, easily-digestible tips for achieving organization without pulling any muscles or becoming overwhelmed. SHOW 2011 PAPERS TO THE EXIT Holding on to paper you don't need builds clutter. Go from room-to-room, zone-to-zone, purse-to-bookbag and isolate the paper ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3580 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3580 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3512 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=3512 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST One of the biggest roadblocks my clients face in trying to get (and keep) on top of their to-do's scheduling -- finding the time to for paying bills and writing letters, for making phone calls and taking care of personal projects. Big blocks of time are hard to find, so you're better off breaking your to-do's into tasks that can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Think that's impossible? Let me show you how it's done! A Faster Way To Get It All Done Most people's ...