To Organize…

A number of  years ago, I called my mom to ask her for a recipe for her famous Sausage and Bean Soup.  She didn’t give it to me right then – we decided that I could get it the next time we talked.   We continued on our conversation for about ten more minutes and then it was time to go.

About a minute and a half after we hung up – – my phone rang again.

…it was my mom.

…with the recipe.

My mom is a really good cook.  I even dedicated my eBook to her.  She made a home-cooked meal almost every night that we were growing up.

She also has quite the recipe collection.

Yet, it was no surprise when she called back so quickly and had the recipe ready for me to transcribe.  You see, my mom is also quite organized.  I’ll spare you how we had to maintain our sock drawers while we were growing up.

My question to you is – how long would it take you to find a recipe?  Or the manual to the garage door opener?  Or your tax paperwork from 2003?  Or your sunglasses?

This month our Word of the Month is – Organize.  So let’s do just that.

I challenge you to pick three things that you have been wanting to and meaning to get organized over the last weeks, months, years – – and get them done!  It is still the very beginning of the month and you have plenty of time to accomplish this!

Why three?

Well – five seemed like too much and three was the last number of the year (13).

But in reality, if you haven’t done whatever it is you are planning on tackling with this month’s challenge – it is most likely because

a. you either don’t want to do it or

b. it is too big to do in one day.

Three seems like an achievable number of projects to complete in the month.

I would encourage you to find projects that need to be done (don’t pick something you routinely do like put laundry away), identify the supplies you’ll need and set some time aside either daily, every other day or weekly.  But schedule it in.  That part is important.  It is because you haven’t made time for it in the past, that you haven’t gotten it done today.

Go – block off some time on your calendar right now.

 

I’ll wait!

 

Great!!!

Now – I invite you to share with everyone in the comments below or on my Facebook page.  What are you going to tackle?  I can’t wait to hear what’ s on everyone’s agendas.

Let’s do this!!!

Happy Tuesday!

~Amy

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Tips on Tuesday – – The case for a clean closet

Here’s a question for you….how clean is your closet?

One of the biggest things I like to talk with people about when trying to find more minutes in their day is the importance of having organized systems.  When you are organized it not only takes less time to find things, it is less stressful on your mind.  What do I mean by that?

Well – it is simple – which of these pictures is easier on your eyes?

OR

 

I hope you picked the second one.  The second, cleaned version, is so much easier on your eyes and your mind.  Instead of mentally having to decipher what’s going on in that mess of a space in the first picture, the second photo is calming.

I personally find I can’t work – be it in my office, the kitchen or my car – if the areas are trashed.  I find it too distracting, too maddening to sort through papers and piles to find a clear space to work.  I notice my focus isn’t as clear and I easily get discouraged or overwhelmed.

If  you are struggling with everyday tasks and finding yourself always wishing  you had more time or were more focused to get things done…try clearing your workspace…even if it is just moving the piles off to the floor for a bit.  Test this idea and see if that doesn’t also clear your mind.

Need help setting up a system to stay organized?  Let’s talk.  I’d love to help!

~Amy

 

“Not Me” Monday – Tickle Files

Good Morning,

And welcome to my first edition of Not Me Monday, where I present others’ ideas that I’ve run across throughout the week and share them with you.

I love this idea of a Tickle File – it is very similar to my accordion folder filing system that I’ve written about before.  In fact, instead of creating a file system with individual files as the author suggests, I’d probably just use an accordion folder for this system too.

It might take a few reminders to get into the habit of filing things by day and by month, and it might take a couple of reminders to check it everyday – but the idea of keeping my desktop and counter clear of paperwork – – love it!

Are you liking Not Me Mondays so far?  This is just one of the changes I’ll be implementing on the blog this year.   Read here for more.

Would love to hear your comments!

~Amy