“He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice …” Even Santa is a list maker!
The countdown to the holidays has begun. Don’t stress! A small amount of planning now can provide you with more time for those extra chores on your list in the coming weeks.
Check out these archived blog posts if you need some help getting started.
Planning for the Holidays – Part 1 and Part 2
Check out Rachel Hartman’s 9 Decluttering Projects to Tackle This Summer.
How does Richard Branson accomplish so much? Lists! In How I get things done, he shares his top 10 tips for making lists.
Ask yourself, “How can I be more productive?”
I hope you were able to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. It’s great to still see so many Canadian flags everywhere. Our neighbourhood get-together on Canada Day was a lot of fun. We enjoyed great company, a delicious assortment of food and ended the night with a campfire watching several fireworks displays.
SUMMERTIME
“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” I love this quote of Doe Zantamata’s. And it’s so true! How often do you find that you’re worried about something and after taking a break, it’s not as much of a problem?
In our last edition, I talked about life’s fast pace and the fact that most people feel they are too busy.
Take some time to slow down and enjoy all that summer has to offer. Continue to reflect and make some decisions about what you can do differently to lighten your schedule this fall. Yes, it will take some effort–especially if you’re trying to create some new habits.
“I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change.” Jim Rohn
In 5 Reasons to Streamline Your Life, Susan Krauss Whitbourne tells us “…. clutter, physical and mental, can interrupt our flow–both your ability to move and your ability to think. … your well-being could also become victim to what we might call the “clutter effect.”
The 5 reasons:
Susan’s article is worth reading in its entirety. She concludes with “Streamlining seems to have its advantages, … not just as a housekeeping tool, but as an essential process for maintaining your happiness in your home environment and at work.”
And for those of you who have trouble unplugging while you’re away, ParkSleepFly’s How to Unplug while on Vacation is a great read.
If you’re cleaning out your closets this month, please consider donating any gently used professional attire to Moore’s Canadian Suit Drive being held July 1-31. This drive assists at-risk men and women who want to join the workforce. Give a suit. Change a life!
So get started and turn over another leaf!
Until next month,
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?”
Spring has sprung! Easter weekend will be here in a couple of days. It’s nice to see sunshine and warmer temperatures.
Last month I talked about Minimalism. This month I’ll introduce the idea of a Capsule Wardrobe. Have you heard about this concept?
Wikipedia tells us “[t]he term ‘capsule wardrobe’ was coined by Susie Faux … in the 1970s to refer to … essential items of clothing that would not go out of fashion, and therefore could be worn for multiple seasons. The aim was to update this [wardrobe] with seasonal pieces to provide something to wear for any occasion without buying many new items of clothing. … [It’s] an especially important tool in a recession as it allows people to look good on a small budget. This is perhaps part of the reason that the idea has endured.”
Creating a capsule wardrobe is not complicated. Wikipedia provides some General rules for creating one.
Courtney Carver’s “Project 333 is the minimalist fashion challenge that invites you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months.”
Here’s more food for thought. Joshua Becker of becomingminimalist tells us:
In “Get the Associate Scoop” below, Linda Samuels (an organizing colleague) shares her “Learn One Amazing Secret That Helps You Let Go.” Thanks Linda!
As you declutter your closet this spring, keep these statistics in mind. Is the capsule wardrobe something you would consider?
Contemplate the benefits of living a minimalist lifestyle.
Get started and turn over another leaf!
Until next month,
We’re halfway through February already!
After reading last month’s newsletter, what decluttering or organizing tasks/projects have you completed? Haven’t accomplished what you had hoped?
Are you having trouble getting started because you’re overwhelmed? Don’t despair! If you just can’t seem to get started–for whatever reason–consider hiring a Professional Organizer.
THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
People often think it’s a luxury to be able to hire an organizer, but the benefits can definitely outweigh the cost. In an organizing session with one particular client, we found gift cards and cash/cheques which far exceeded the cost of my services that day.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect.
Whether you’re hoping to declutter and organize your office, your entire house or a storage locker, consider hiring A New Leaf to help you. Contrary to what some people think, a professional organizer will not make you get rid of everything!
When your computer breaks down, you call your tech company. If your washer stops working, you call a repair person. Why not get a professional organizer to help you with your decluttering or organizing projects?
So get started and turn over another leaf!
Until next month,
Do you own a storage locker–2 perhaps or even 3? Stay tuned to future issues for a deal to help you clean out that locker–once and for all!
SUMMER IS HERE!
Summer has arrived–with its high temperatures and humidity.
Whether you’re taking day trips or a lengthy vacation, going to the beach or just trying to stay cool, remember to have fun! And don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!
TACKLING SUMMER PROJECTS
Warm summer days make it easier to work on outdoor projects.
Planning
Be realistic about how many projects you can handle. If you’ve chosen a stay-at-home vacation this year, you don’t want to spend your whole time working!
Books
“I still think of summer as the best time to read for fun.” Margaret Haddix
Before pulling up a lawn chair and grabbing a book you haven’t read yet, sort through your bookcase. Donate your used books to friends, neighbours or your favourite charity.
Organize your books by category, alphabetically or by author. Leave some space on your shelves for new purchases. Or sign up for a library card and borrow books–saving yourself some money!
Magazines
Summer can be the perfect time to get caught up with your magazine reading. When you only have a few minutes to read, short magazine articles are often best.
When you pick up a magazine at the store or your new issue arrives in the mail, put it in your designated reading area. If you haven’t read an issue by the time the next one arrives, you probably won’t read it–give it to a friend or recycle it.
Photographs/Movies
When you get together with family and friends–especially if a reunion is on your schedule–spend a couple of hours reminiscing and sort through your old photos. There may be photos you don’t wish to keep, but someone else might appreciate them.
Photographs can be organized in a number of ways. Organize them by child, family, friends, decades, vacations, etc. Store photographs in mylar albums or acidfree photo boxes; plastic or painted metal boxes can cause photos to deteriorate.
Transfer old home movies onto DVDs. There are a number of businesses that provide this service if you don’t want to attempt it yourself. It’s also a great gift idea.
Gardening
Spending time in your garden is a wonderful way to enjoy the fresh air. Take photos of your garden during the summer months. If you like to plan next year’s garden during the winter, photos will come in handy. Make some notes; they’ll help you decide what you liked or what you’d like to do differently next year.
Garage
Organizing the garage can be a very big undertaking. Click here for our tips.
Outdoor Projects
Make a list of all your outdoor projects–paint garage doors, stain deck or refinish a chair. Our warm weather never seems to last long enough to accomplish everything we want to do.
Reward Yourself
The best part about summer projects is that you get to spend some time outside. Plan a fun activity for the whole family–head to your favourite place for ice cream, a picnic in the park or an outing to the beach–after the hard work is finished.
Until next month,
P.S. Do YOU or someone you know need a professional organizer? TAKE OUR TEST and find out for yourself today!
TO TOSS OR NOT TO TOSS?
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, right? Here’s a quick list of things to toss from your home office TODAY! Some of them are a bit TOO obvious!
• Pens and markers that don’t work
• Bent paper clips
• Old newspapers and magazines
• Old equipment like phones, computer components and printers
• Old documents
Please remember to be kind to the environment and RECYCLE! Check out the WHERE TO RECYCLE resource page on our website to learn more about how to recycle markers, electronics and much more!
Do you wonder when is the right time to shred documents? Here’s a quick guide:
• Pay stubs for one year, until you receive your new T4 (or W2) receipt
• Credit card statements until the next one is received (remember to check for accuracy)
• Tax returns and receipts after seven years – Check with your accountant and/or Canada Revenue.
• Bank and investment statements for one year – Check with your accountant, financial planner and/or Canada Revenue.
• Medical bills and benefits statements for one year – unless required for income tax purposes – Check with your accountant and/or Canada Revenue.
• Newspapers and magazines ideally after you’ve read them
If you follow these simple rules to rid your home office of excess clutter, you’ll find that you have more energy to GET PRODUCTIVE!
Do you agree with our list? Comment on our BLOG or FACEBOOK PAGE, and share your opinion with our readers!
This year, give the gift of organization!
Send a gift certificate to a friend from A New Leaf Organizers!
CLICK HERE for more info.
Cathy Mendler
Phone: 519-669-1377
Email: info@anewleaforganizers.ca
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