Posts Tagged ‘motivation’

Wouldn’t YOU like 10x the results?

Posted on: June 23rd, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

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Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It’s similar to other productivity ideas where you focus on your tasks for a block of time–25 minutes.

Thomas Oppong explains the technique in This Simple Life-Changing Technique Can Help You Achieve 10x Results.

 

Ask yourself, “How can I be more productive?”



A Quote from Robin S Sharma

Posted on: June 19th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments



Canada 150!

Posted on: June 15th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy MendlerARE YOU TOO BUSY?

“Life is busy. There are daily concerns and obligations that have to be met, and to take time to think about how precious and special a human life is that you only get one, and that every wasted minute is lost. You can’t get it back.”
~Rush Limbaugh

How often do you ask someone how they are, and they respond with the words “Very busy!”? That’s just the way life seems to be. Most of us are trying to cram too much into our lives. Each day has:

  • 24 hours
  • 1,440 minutes or
  •  86,400 seconds

We overschedule ourselves and our children. Often, we feel like hamsters on a wheel that never stops.

Do you remember how much you looked forward to the last day of school when you were a child? Summer seemed endless. It’s a shame that we don’t tend to think the same way as adults.

Take some time to reflect this summer–as you relax and enjoy the warm temperatures.

Think about what you can do differently, so that your family’s schedule isn’t as chaotic in the fall.

C A N A D A   1 5 0

How do you plan to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial on July 1, 2017! Our neighbourhood is planning a get-together on Canada Day. I can’t wait to see everything decked out in red and white!

Schedule some time in your calendar to celebrate with the rest of the country.

Remember Simon & Garfunkel’s lyrics, “Slow down, you move too fast …”

Get started and turn over another leaf!

Until next month,

a new leaf-cathy.png



It’s Yard Sale Season!

Posted on: June 2nd, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

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Whether you’re putting your home up for sale or are clearing out some clutter, check out our Yard Sale Checklist.



Introducing… Lynda Schmidt from Staged to Sell

Posted on: May 29th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments
STAGED TO SELL

Staged to Sell 1

As a professional home stager, Lynda Schmidt notes that many homeowners trying to sell their homes often make the same mistakes:

  • too much stuff
  • dated flooring
  • dark rooms, or
  • startling wall colours

Lynda works with homeowners and real estate agents who see untapped potential in homes about to go on the market. “The biggest thing is clutter, too much stuff,” she says, referring to the clutter as “visual noise.”

With rooms filled with collections, family photos, religious icons, furniture and toys, prospective buyers tend to focus on the stuff rather than the room itself. If that first showing proves negative, chances are the buyer will simply move on.

“Every potential buyer only knows what they see, not the potential (of the house).”

Buyers will also zero in on specific items like that defeated old couch in the rec room. “Even though the furniture shouldn’t matter, it does.” Use slip covers or remove the couch all together. Also, think of furniture placement: in a small dining room for example, placing the chairs at two sides of the table rather than on all four sides will provide more space.

It is most important for sellers to “de-personalize” their space by removing all personal items, anything that smacks of the homeowner’s tastes or interests.

“Painting has the biggest impact and is the cheapest,” she says. “And remove old, dated wallpaper.” Removing extra furniture can also make a difference: a small living room with a couch, loveseat and three or four chairs makes the room seem cramped and small.

Lynda suggests having the bedrooms and bathroom appear unused. Remove cleaning products as well as personal items such as shampoos and cosmetics. Kitchens are also an issue, as homeowners tend to keep everything–from coffee makers to spice racks–on the counters. Clear it off. “You’re selling counter space, not the stuff on the counter. “Empty and organize your closets too.”

Repairs should be done before the first showing. Every flaw–from having to remove wallpaper border to updating the kitchen flooring–will give the buyer an excuse to “chip away” at the price. This can mean the seller loses more in the sale than it would cost to do the upgrades.

When she is hired to stage a home, Lynda rents larger items such as furniture. She has her own warehouse filled with everything from candlesticks to art work to give homes some oomph — which could mean the difference between a quick sale and languishing on the market.

“A high percentage will pay more for a property they can move into without doing a thing.”

Staged to Sell 2

Lynda Schmidt is the owner of L.B. Schmidt Creative Services and was one of the first Home Staging professionals in Waterloo Region. She has been in the buiness of creative visual presentation for over 25 years. You can contact her at lbschmidt@rogers.com or 519-589-7456.



Everyone Loves a Good Hack!

Posted on: May 26th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Get Productive...

Even though Dunja Lazic’s article is entitled “10 Time Management Hacks Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know,” these hacks apply to everyone. Try out a couple!

 

Ask yourself, “How can I be more productive?”

 



A Quote from Jennifer Coolidge

Posted on: May 22nd, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments



A Few Words About Storage Units…

Posted on: May 17th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy Mendler
“I have three storage units, and that’s no lie. Three storage units. All books.”
Junot Diaz, American writer 

Spring cleaning is well underway in many households!

Do you own a storage unit? If your answer is “Yes,” do you know exactly what is stored there? Did you know that furniture is the most common item found in a storage unit?

Have you ever watched an episode of the reality show “Storage Wars?” The show chronicles storage units which have been abandoned–the contents of which are put up for auction.

While researching this month’s topic, I came across some statistics which may surprise you. 

Joshua Becker tells us that “[t]he United States has upward of 50,000 storage facilities, more than five times the number of Starbucks. Currently, there is 7.3 square feet of self storage space for every man, woman and child in the nation.”

In late 2013 there were “… only 10,000 in the rest of the world” according to the Self Storage Association in Alexandria, Virginia. “About 10% of Americans have a storage locker compared to 1% of Canadians,” according to industry experts.

“For the most part, storage units were meant to temporarily absorb the possessions of those in transition: moving, marrying or divorcing, or dealing with a death in the family.”

What has been your experience? In my line of work, I would say this is partially true. I was just speaking with a client today about this very topic.

THE PROS AND CONS OF STORAGE UNITS

Pros

  • temporary storage while staging a home for sale
  • useful for people who are between homes when moving
  • alternative to renting a larger living space
  • less costly for a small business to store inventory
  • many units have 24/7 access
  • security of storage units
  • climate-controlled storage can be better for furniture and heirlooms  

Cons

  • #1 – cost of storage unit – Often the long-term cost exceeds the value of items stored.
  • storing items that are rarely or never used
  • Out of sight is out of mind!
  • vehicle rental cost to transport items to storage unit – if required
  • security of storage units

Alternatives

  • Declutter your home
  • Organize your storage areas so they are efficient
  • Store items with a family member or friend
  • Store items in your garage or shed

Remember“The more storage you have, the more stuff you accumulate.”
Alexis Stewart, American TV host

Take advantage of A New Leaf’s offer below in “Get the Deal.”

Get started and turn over another leaf!

Until next month,

a new leaf-cathy.png



Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Posted on: May 4th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA SALAD – RecipeGirl.com

Ingredients:

Salad:

  • Two 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
  • 2/3 cup chopped bell pepper (mix red/yellow/orange)
  • 3/4 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 12 kalamata olives, sliced in half
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Dressing:

  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon redwine vinegar
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large [dish], toss together the salad ingredients. In a separate [dish], whisk together the dressing ingredients. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss. Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle juices on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

It’s never too late to make healthier choices!



Spring Cleaning

Posted on: April 28th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Get Checking...

Check out this past Spring Cleaning blog post.