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Blog: Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
 Clutter and Disorganization: A Hazard to Your Heart
 Clutter and disorganization are not just annoying; they can actually be hazardous to your health, affecting your blood pressure, eating habits and, ultimately, the health of your heart. The American Heart Association has designated February as Go Red for Women month, and it is the perfect time to think about what you can do to simplify your life and reduce your stress level. This February 14th, be YOUR OWN special Valentine and vow to get better organized, less stressed, and more heart-healthy!
1. Let Go of Perfection
Organization is not about attaining perfection, but rather achieving FUNCTION. If you can quickly find WHAT you need, WHEN you need it, you are organized. Will there be modifications along the way? Sure! As your family grows and changes, so do your organizational needs and necessary functions. Just modify what needs tweaking and remember: ALWAYS REMAIN FLEXIBLE.
2. Simplify.
When you create an organizational system, aim for the most simplistic version. Filing systems with a "gazillion" categories, for example, will only frustrate you. Plus, they are destined to fail. Instead of thinking, "Where should I STORE this?" think in terms of, "Where would I LOOK for this?"
3. Strive for Tolerance.
It is one thing to organize yourself. It is completely another to organize your family members, too. When you establish new systems in your house, consider things from you children's and spouse's point of view. Just because you organize clothes by color, does not mean it is wrong for your daughter to hang her clothes according to function, and your husband to store his clothes by sleeve length. Allowing your family to have a say in the system, and accepting their different ideas, will usually result in a system that is easier to maintain, last, and WORK.
4. One Step at a Time
Did you get overzealous with your 2008 New Year's resolutions? Is your organization To-Do list longer than the Yellow Brick Road? DO NOT try to do it all at once. Start with the area that will have the biggest IMPACT. Next month, work on a different area. For those difficult areas you would rather avoid, limit your work sessions to 30 minutes at a time; it is OK to stop a session before you finish the area. It WILL be there when you come back, and it is much better to approach an area refreshed and energized, rather than continue working into the wee hours, tired, unfocused and resentful.
And, if you are feeling down on yourself because it's now February and your promise to re-organize has already been abandoned, DO NOT STRESS OUT – it is not worth the hazard to your health! Resolutions and commitments can be made anytime of the year. So sit down, re-evaluate your original goal, modify it into a more MANAGEABLE goal, and get going! And, if you are STILL overwhelmed at the project, hire a Professional Organizer, who can help de-stress your life and help you plan a "Clutter Attack!" Schedule one session to jump-start the project, or hire us to help you through ALL phases of the re-organization. It is NOT a sign of weakness, ineptness, or any other negative "-ness," but rather a sign that you are truly committed to your promise to simplify and de-stress your household and your life.
Your heart will thank you for it!
Coming Next Week:
When it comes to organization, or the lack there of, what area of your house bugs you the most? What area have you tried repeatedly to improve, but always seem unable to conquer? Until next week, happy organizing, happy Valentine's Day, and happy "Be kind to your heart month!"
Simply yours,
Debbie
posted on: 2/8/2008 9:00:00 AM by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
category: Family
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Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
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About Debbie:
Debbie Jordan Kravitz is a Professional Organizer, Author, and Owner of Virtually Organized by Debbie LLC. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Debbie's goal is to help her clients customize, organize and simplify their lives so they can spend less time searching for their things and more time doing the things they love.
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VirtuallyOrganized.com
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Visit my blog, "Virtually Organized," and be sure to leave me a comment to let me know you found me through www.OnlineOrganizing.com. "Virtually Organized" includes even MORE tips, ideas, and inspiration, as well as "Steals & Deals" (links to cool products at GREAT discounts, or even FREE!"
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