Posts Tagged ‘organizing’

Organizing Your Garage!

Posted on: July 23rd, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments




Summer is here—with lots of sunshine, heat and humidity! It’s time to take a well-deserved break.

Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!


Organizing Your Garage


“I had more clothes than I had closets, more cars than garage space, but no money.” Sammy Davis, Jr.


Are you able to park your car(s) in your garage? If you can’t, do you keep your garage door closed to hide the clutter? Many people say that their garage is their most disorganized space.


The same principles used to organize the inside of your house can also be applied to the garage.


Planning


When you live in our region of the country, organizing the garage has to be done when the weather permits. Choose a date and time as well as an alternate date in case of extremely hot or poor weather. Check with your neighbours. You may not want to clear out your garage when they’re planning a yard sale. Their customers will assume you’re having a yard sale too!


The size of your garage and the amount of clutter will determine how much time you will need. Remember to set a realistic goal for the amount of time you have set aside. Decide if this will be a project for the whole family.


Supplies


Stock up ahead of time–garbage bags, recycle bin, empty boxes, broom, dust pan, gloves, etc. Have cold drinks and snacks readily available.


Get Started


Dress comfortably. Put on your favourite tunes.


Designate areas: Keep, Sell, Donate, Garbage and Recycling. Have the children label areas on the driveway with coloured sidewalk chalk.


Start by removing everything from the garage onto your driveway and/or lawn. If that’s too overwhelming, work on one area at a time. As you empty the garage, sort items into categories—toys, sporting equipment, bikes, tools, car cleaning supplies, outdoor decorations, gardening items, etc. Ensure that all items you keep are in good, working condition. Place items to donate or sell into boxes or bags. Recycling and garbage should be placed in their designated area.


The most important thing is to stay focused on the project at hand. Take short breaks to keep up your energy—especially if your children are helping. Visualize the end result; it will help keep you on track.


Questions to Ask when Sorting


Do I need more than one of an item? How often do I use it? Borrowing or renting an item may be a better option—especially if it takes up a lot of space.


Be realistic about how much your garage will hold.


Organizing Your Possessions


Gather together everything you want to store in an area before you start organizing that space. Designate a different zone for each activity–toys, sporting equipment, bikes, tools, gardening items, garbage and recycling, etc.


Plastic containers are ideal for garage storage because they keep items clean and the bugs away. The garage is not a good place to store photos and heirlooms because of extreme temperature differences.


Use storage containers that you already own. It’s important to measure before you buy any new containers; only buy containers if you need a different size or style. Clear storage containers are best—especially if containers will be stacked. Try to avoid rows of containers; if you have to move a lot of containers, an item is less likely to be put back. Remember to label all containers.


Make use of vertical space as much as possible. Adjust shelves or add extra ones.


Hang tools on pegboards. Draw an outline of the tool, so everyone knows where it belongs.


Stacking recycle bins are available to conserve space.


Create parking spaces for your children’s bikes with paint or tape lines on the garage floor.


Deck boxes are great for storing cushions and other outdoor items.


A cabinet just inside the garage close to the deck can store plastic dishes, glasses and other serving items–making table setting easier.

Garage storage cabinets are available in various price ranges at home building and hardware stores. Cabinets look tidier because items are out of sight. Ceiling-mounted racks can store less frequently used items. There are numerous garage organizing companies who will create the garage of your dreams.


Make sure that paint, gardening chemicals and cleaning supplies are stored safely and out of reach of young children. Dispose of them safely at a household hazardous waste location.


Consider installing a shed to store items such as lawn mowers, lawn furniture, etc., if you don’t have a garage.


Recycling


You’ll feel like you’ve really completed your project if you can dispose of any donations, recycling and garbage right away.


Reward Yourself


Plan a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy after all your hard work!

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Kind Words from Our Client Linda Fergus!

					
					

	Posted on: July 2nd, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
“A New Leaf helped me to purge and organize my cluttered house so we could put it on the market and downsize. For days after we worked on our previously overstuffed linen closet, I would look in there to see what was possible, it was amazing! We got help prioritizing which space to tackle first and choosing where things that we decided were no longer needed would go: donation, consignment or trash/recycling. That was important to me as I don’t like things to go to waste if they are still usable. Another hugely helpful thing they did for us was to take our extra stuff away at the end of the session so we would not have to see it or think about it any more!


“I would recommend A New Leaf for any organizing or de-cluttering project that seems too big to tackle alone.


“Thank you Cathy!”


Linda, Fergus, ON


Thanks for reading…



P.S. To read more testimonials, please Click Here

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
The Myth of Time Management–Deborah Plouffe from rewriter.ca!”

					
					

	Posted on: June 29th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
    The Myth of Time Management

by Deborah Plouffe


Here’s the myth: there is no such thing as time management. Time is a constant; it doesn’t change. We can’t manage time any more than we can change the direction of the tide. No, we can’t manage time.


We can only manage ourselves and plan to use our time effectively. When it comes to our professional success, the most important asset that we can allocate is our time. Even if it seems that the more successful we become, the less time we seem to have, the #1 key to efficiency is planning, scheduling and prioritizing our tasks effectively.


Take the time to consider these top three most important Time Tips:


1) Take time to write it down. If your prefer to keep track of your schedule and task lists in your head, give writing it all down a try for a specified amount of time and see for yourself how your efficiency will improve. Try the system that you think will work best for you. Carry a notebook, digital recorder or electronic aid to add to and keep track of your schedule.


2) Take time to plan. Take a least 30 minutes each week to plan out your weekly tasks and appointments. Remember to work toward aligning these tasks with your written goals, and don’t forget to set aside time to improve yourself. Evaluate and review past schedules to identify the time stealers and work to eliminate them. Remember that the best way to squelch a bad habit is to replace it with a good one.


3) Take time to prioritize. Learn to say “no” to low priority requests and don’t over commit yourself. Think before you leap into a new committment that is not in line with your written goals.


The way that you approach planning your time can make a more profound difference in your results than anything else that you do…and don’t forget the old adage that for every moment spent in planning an hour is gained.


Deborah Plouffe is a Canadian business writer and the owner of rewriter.ca

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Procrastinating and Perfection!

					
					

	Posted on: June 27th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						


 


  “Someday is NOT a day of the week!” 


 


Do you procrastinate because you’re a perfectionist or you’re afraid of failing? Twice in the past week, I’ve seen the quote—“If you fall on your face, at least you’re falling forward.” So really, what’s the worst that can happen?


Harold Taylor, a Canadian time management expert, tells us that “Perfectionism is not attempting to be perfect when performing a task; it is the act of spending more time on a task, activity or decision than the results justify. … The opposite of perfectionism is not sloppiness. An e-mail message may not be that important for instance. But a hasty reply filled with typos and fractured sentences will waste more time than you saved by generating a chain of messages attempting to clarify the communication.”

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Packing and Yard Sale Checklists!

					
					

	Posted on: June 27th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						


 


Introducing our first checklist—PACKING CHECKLIST–just in time for vacation!


Our second checklist will help you get organized for a YARD SALE.


 


Watch for the introduction of more handy checklists in upcoming editions!

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Organizing Your Yard Sale!

					
					

	Posted on: June 21st, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
Welcome to our second edition The Monthly Organizer! I apologize that it’s been so long since the first edition. Recovering from an operation took more time than expected, but I’m back.


I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.


How is your ideal life coming along? If it’s not progressing as quickly as you would like, that’s OK. Even small steps keep you moving forward.


Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!


Organizing Your Yard Sale


“Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them.” Napoleon Bonaparte


It’s that time of year. Congratulations if you have decluttered and decided to have a yard sale. The next step is to plan it and get organized. If you’ve never had a yard sale before, check out a few beforehand. It may help you determine appropriate prices for your items. Maybe you’ll decide that a yard sale is not worth your time and effort.


Planning


Determine the date and time. Choose an alternate date in case of poor weather.


Decide whether you will advertise in the paper or put up signs in your neighbourhood. Post a store-bought sign, or let your children put their creative talents to work.


Ask friends, neighbours and family to join your sale. Larger sales tend to attract more people.


Make sure you have sufficient help on the day of your sale.


Preparation


Sort items into categories—toys, books, household items, furniture, clothing, etc. Display similar or complementary items together.


Ensure that all items are clean and in good, working condition.


Determine whether items will be priced individually or have a price sign for each different section–$1, $2, $5, $10, $25.


If other people are joining your sale, each person should mark his/her items differently, or you can keep track of each person’s sales in a notebook.


If you decide to donate a portion of your sale profits to charity, put up a sign to tell your customers.


Supplies


    

  • Cash box and change–coin and small bills
    • 

  • Newspaper or tissue paper to wrap breakable items
    • 

  • Bags or boxes
    • 

  • Extension cords, batteries or bulbs
    • 

  • Tables
    • 

  • Plastic cloths—in case of rain
    • 



Note:  Remember to get a good night’s sleep the night before your sale!


Sale Day


Allow yourself sufficient time to get everything set up before your scheduled start time. Set up as much as possible the day or night before your sale.


Delegate one person to be in charge of the cash box. Never leave it unguarded.


Be prepared to negotiate the price. Remember that you want to sell as much as possible!


Have fun! Let your kids sell coffee or cold drinks.


After the Yard Sale


Drop off any unsold items which you are donating as soon as possible once your yard sale is finished. You don’t want your left-over items collecting dust!


Be as kind to the environment as possible. Good, usable items should not be thrown in the garbage.


Talk to your friends, neighbours and family to see if there are items which they can use. Remember–you don’t want to add to someone else’s clutter!


The list of charitable organizations accepting donations or businesses accepting items for sale is almost unlimited. You should call ahead of time to ensure that your items will be accepted.


Online


Sell items online at www.eBay.com, www.craigslist.com, www.freecycle.com or Kijiji. There are businesses who will sell items online for you if you don’t want to do it yourself. The cost is a percentage of the sale price.


Recycling


Reduce what you send to the landfill by recycling as much as possible. Old cell phones can be donated to e-waste programs. Ink cartridges can be refilled or donated for school programs.


Junk Removal Companies


Contact a junk removal company ahead of time if you have a large quantity for disposal.


And last but not least–don’t forget to reward yourself for all your hard work!!

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Kind Words from Our Client J.K.!

					
					

	Posted on: June 7th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
“You gave me lots of inspiration to get my own place back in order, and all week have been taking a part of my day to just focus on decluttering one small area of my house. It’s starting to really show now. I even took a few “Before” pics to see the difference. Thanks so much for coming and speaking to us.” J.K.


Thanks for reading…




P.S. To read more testimonials, please CLICK HERE!

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Feeling Better Inside and Out–from Coach Fiona!

					
					

	Posted on: June 5th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
How to Feel Better Emotionally and Physically


A Life Coach is trained to help you improve your life by finding the answers that lie within you. Two very basic elements of improving life are to feel better emotionally and physically. There are several different changes or modifications you can make to feel better. Being able to spot and eradicate the high and hidden “life costs” that sneak in to throw you off track is very beneficial. Those costs can be physical, emotional, and monetary or lost time. Realizing the high toll certain situations takes on you is vital to steering life in a fulfilling direction. Often, life circumstances can deplete you of essential ingredients and make situations difficult. Learning how to create a pool of money, energy, time and love is principal to keeping life on track and flowing down a healthy, happy and satisfying path.


The chaos of fast-paced lives can frequently leave major areas of life in disarray. When homes, offices and cars become untidy, it affects your physical and emotional well-being. Clearing out the clutter in your personal spaces will make you feel better emotionally, look better, save time and allow you to focus on the important issues. Having the ability to rid your surroundings of clutter and replace it with organization makes daily life much easier. When you know where everything is and can find the things you need, it enables you to work and play much more efficiently. Keeping your personal spaces in good order promotes calmness and alleviates stress.


In order to improve the quality of life in any way, it is necessary for you to take care of yourself. No exercise and consuming large quantities of fast food loaded with saturated fat and calories makes you sluggish and perform below peak level. Eating right and practicing healthy lifestyle habits keeps your body and mind fit as well as empowering you to be and reach for the best. Taking care of yourself also includes learning how to have your personal needs met in a timely manner. As a Life Coach, I can help you find your voice and use that voice to ask and receive the things in life you need.


If you’re interested in making serious changes in your life but are having trouble getting your plan off the ground, check out Life Coach Fiona.


She’ll help you identify your goals, formulate a do-able plan, and keep you on track with open and honest accountability. She helps people leverage their internal guidance system in order to create a truly inspired life.


It’s never too late to become the person you always wanted to be!


Coach Fiona can be contacted through her website or her Facebook page.

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Wise Words from Lao Tzu

					
					

	Posted on: May 31st, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”


~ Lao Tzu


For a daily dose of motivation, sign up for our ORGANIZING TIP OF THE DAY!

                        


					


				


						
				

				
					
Prepare to be Productive!

					
					

	Posted on: May 28th, 2012	by Cathy Mendler	No Comments

					

						
In order to be productive, you must be prepared. People often think planning and preparation take too much time, but it actually saves time. It will also lower your stress level.


Brian Tracy, an American author says, “Prepare thoroughly before you begin: Have everything you need at hand before you start. Assemble all the papers, information, tools, work materials, and numbers you might require so that you can get started and keep going.”


You are far less likely to be distracted when you’re well prepared before tackling any project. Whether you’re at the office or at home, you’ll accomplish your tasks more quickly.