10 Steps to Painless Organizing

Friday, March 26th 2010 @ 4:36 PM    post viewed 182 times

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10 Steps to Painless Organizing    by Ann Gambrell

1. Bring your calendar up to date with appointments, deadlines, special occasions and any other information to keep you on track. Apply this step to family, personal and business calendars.
2. Handle paperwork as quickly and brutally as possible, saving only those necessary for tax deductions, proof of purchase or liability and, of course, selective keepsakes.
3. Spend a few minutes each evening planning the next day's activities, appointments, deadlines, errands, etc. Consolidate activities to conserve energy and time and to insure completion.
4. Keep a small notebook handy for thoughts of future activities or ideas to incorporate later into your goals and calendar. Eliminate notes on scraps of paper only to waste time later searching for them. 
5. Start an ongoing grocery list, or photocopy the store's directory to circle needed items for the next weekly shopping day, eliminating expensive and time wasting stops at the market for "a few items."
6. Plan to organize one area of your life a week...large or small. Start with a drawer or two or the car or a stack of old magazines. Then celebrate each accomplishment with a fun activity. The regular progress will be an encouragement and quite motivating.
7. Practice delegating to those around you, hiring help as needed for those tasks others could manage, creating time for your work or leisure. A sign of a good manager is one who is able to delegate.
8. Deal with the mail on a daily basis to stay on top of activities, bills, and obligations and to eliminate those dreaded stacks and piles later.
9. Keep a list of emergency information numbers in an address book, Rolodex or business card holder, for your use and others on the job and at home. Some would include, plumber, school, neighbor, physician, etc.
10. Establish a habit of tidying your work areas daily or after each project to mark a completion and to create an inviting environment for your return. Cleaning off or reorganizing a desk top or eliminating a room of daily clutter are a couple examples.

Organization isn’t difficult…..it just takes planning.

 

Editor's Note: Ann Gambrell is an organizational consultant and speaker available to inform and entertain audiences. She facilitates weekday and Saturday Clutter Support Groups and teaches organizing classes through the Torrance Adult School. To learn more, phone Ann at 310-212-0917 or request her for FREE monthly email tips email gambrellann@aol.com. You will be glad you did!

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What Can I Do in 5 Minutes?

Friday, March 12th 2010 @ 11:47 AM    post viewed 128 times

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What Can I Do In 5 Minutes?  by Ann Gambrell

For some reason we think that all projects will take too long to finish, so why start until there is plenty of time to complete. Wrong! Taking on a few five minute tasks can make small work of large projects. Give it a try.

NOTE: Set the timer for 5 minutes and see just what you can accomplish!

1. Move newspapers & magazines to the recycle bin
2. Sort laundry in baskets; one for each load 
3. Fold a load of dried laundry 
4. Load the dishwasher
5. Unload the dishwasher
6. Wash the dishes in the sink
7. Clean off the stove top
8. De-clutter the kitchen junk drawer
9. Sort mail and discard/recycle unnecessary mail
10. Purge expired store coupons
11. Water household plants
12. Take out the trash
13. Remove trash from the car
14. Remove unnecessary items from the car trunk
15. Remove car items that belong elsewhere
16. Pay 2 bills…or more
17. Dust the blinds on one window
18. Move 2 things to where they belong
19. Shred papers
20. Move recycles to the recycle bin
21. De-clutter a one foot area of the kitchen counter
22. Wipe off a kitchen counter
23. Put 2 away two things in the kitchen
24. Make the bed
25. Change the bed sheets. 
26. Dust some furniture
27. Purge one file folder
28. Wipe out the microwave oven
29. Clean the kitchen or bathroom sink
30. Walk into a room and put two items where they belong
31. Clean off the phone and cradle
32. Place dry cleaning/library books, etc. near exit door
33. Wipe off the toaster & empty the crumb drawer
34. Sweep the kitchen or bathroom floor
35. Clean the bathroom mirror
36. Clean the toilet
37. Discard outdated cosmetics
38. Answer 2 emails
39. Discard 2 items from your desk/work area
40. Remove 2 spoiled/inedible items from the refrigerator
41. Discard 2 outdated freezer (food) items 
42. Make a list of freezer items for future shopping reference
43. Dust off all TV screens
44. Address two birthday cards
45. Plan 2 meals for the week
46. Schedule a medical appointment
47. Clear messages on the phone
48. Hang clean towels in the bathroom
49. Select 5 clothing items to donate
50. Pick up after the dog/cat 

Editor's Note:  Ann Gambrell is an organizational consultant and speaker available to inform and entertain audiences.  She facilitates weekday and Saturday Clutter Support Groups and teaches organizing classes through the Torrance Adult School. To learn more, phone Ann at 310-212-0917 or request her for FREE monthly email tips email gambrellann@aol.com.  You will be glad you did!

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