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Can We Have Some Order Here? by Ramona Creel

Tips For Getting Organized

I've been organizing people for over 10 years, and during that time, I've learned a lot about what works and doesn't work. Blogging give me an even better way to share my ideas about organizing with the masses -- and dadgummit, I intend to do just that! This weekly blog is a compendium of tips, tricks, techniques, and theory about how to organize every area of your life. You will find a little bit of everything -- time management, paper management, space organizing, clutter-clearing, home, work, kids, finances, travel, holidays, you name it. If you're new to us and starting at the very beginning (which Julie Andrews says is a very good place to start) you will find a discussion of my organizing philosophy (so you know where I'm coming from), where our clutter and disorganization come from, and the first steps for organizing any area of your life...

Latest Posts:


The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: H Is For Homelessness I realize that homelessness might seem like a strange issue to address in a discussion of getting organized -- but I'm talking not talking about street people. I'm referring to homeless belongings -- those poor lost, wandering souls that clutter up your house because they don't have a set place to live. It's time to give these neglected treasures a roof over their heads! Giving Each Item A Place To Live ... Read more... posted on: 10/18/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: G Is For Grouping You've heard the very old and very cliche saying "birds of a feather flock together?" Well, when it comes to space organizing, this idiom is only about half right. While it certainly makes sense to keep different classes of belongings with other similar belongings, don't expect those storage areas to magically re-arrange themselves -- first you've got to come up with your own definition of what a "flock" is, and then be the one to forcibly corral and contain your birds! Storing Like With Like ... Read more... posted on: 10/11/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: F Is For Frequency When determining where to store something in your home or office, what's the first question you ask? Is it about the thing's size or whether it comes with attachments or the temperature of the storage area? If you're smart about your organizing, it will be something along the lines of, "How often will I need to get at it?" -- because frequency of use is one of the most important factors to consider when determining where something should live. How Often Do You Use It? ... Read more... posted on: 10/4/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: E Is For Effficiency How many times a day do you hear the word "efficiency" in a conversation (especially at your workplace or during a professional meeting?) This has become one of the most overused and least understood organizing catchphrases of the decade! Why then is it that so many people who think they are being "efficient" by going 90 miles an hour are still stressed-out and overwhelmed? Because they're focusing their efforts in the wrong direction. Making Everything A Bit Easier ... Read more... posted on: 9/27/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: D Is For Decluttering A lot of people think that organizing is about the systems you set up -- having everything color-coded and alphabetized and stored by season. That's certainly part of it, but arranging your places and spaces comes later. You can't effectively organize when you're weighed down. To create order out of chaos, you must lighten the load -- but the tricky part is figuring out exactly what in your life qualifies as "clutter." Clearing Out Clutter Of All Kinds ... Read more... posted on: 9/20/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: C Is For Customization Have you ever had some well-meaning (and probably highly anal-retentive) person give you organizing advice -- suggesting that they've discovered the "right" way to do things, and assuring you that your clutter problems will disappear overnight if only you would use their system? Here's something you might not realize as you attempt to tame the chaos in your life -- there is no one "right" way to organize. Finding What Works For You ... Read more... posted on: 9/13/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: B Is For Beneficence Have you ever attempted to clean out a bunch of clutter you didn't really need -- but couldn't talk yourself into letting any of it go because it seemed like such a waste? I mean, you spent good money for this junk! And now you're supposed to just give it away? Where's the logic in that?? Charitable Donations -- A Win-Win ... Read more... posted on: 9/6/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

The A-To-Z Of Getting Organized: A Is For Awareness So you're attempting to craft a more orderly existence on this planet -- good for you! But do you actually know which habits and behaviors are creating the chaos in your life? What the root problem is? Remember, the very first rule of organizing is you have to be aware of what's not working to make effective and lasting changes. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly ... Read more... posted on: 8/30/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

Making Coupons And Discounts Pay Offf Coupons, if done correctly, can be a great way to reduce your weekly grocery bill. Unfortunately, very few people manage to take full advantage of all those discounts offered in the Sunday paper. Why is it that, more often than not, your good intentions end up expiring before they can save you the first dime? Why Is It So Hard? ... Read more... posted on: 8/23/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

Getting Over The Back-To-School Hump School is solidly back in session -- what does that mean to you? For some people, it's finishing shopping for supplies, gearing up for PTA meetings, and artwork taped to the refrigerator. For others, it's the beginning of a constant struggle to stay on top of homework, extracurricular activities, and the household chores. How on earth do you make the transition without everyone in the family feeling the stress? Set Up A Family Calendar ... Read more... posted on: 8/16/2012 11:30:00 AM by Ramona Creel category: General Organizing Tips

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About Ramona:

I have been a Professional Organizer for more than 10 years, I am a NAPO Golden Circle member, and I was the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. I have worked one-on-one with scores of clients and have trained dozens of newbie organizers as they got started in the industry. I provide both hands-on and virtual coaching to help clients improve their organizing skills and simplify their lives. I invite you to visit my website at http://www.RamonaCreel.com, and I challenge you to find one new idea that you can put into practice in your life, to help you become better organized, starting TODAY! I am passionate about coaching folks toward a more balanced, productive, and enjoyable life -- and I firmly believe that if I can do it, so can you!

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www.RamonaCreel.com

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