Manage your time, manage your life.

A main part of a professional organizers job is to create solutions that will support their clients in creating a user friendly and time efficient space. If one can organize their time better they can manage their lives better. Here are some examples of how to manage your time through solutions, thus creating a serene and functional space:

1.  Filing sytems can make your life either very stressful or very calm. One must find the right filing system for them, we do not all think the same, therefore; there is not just one solution that fits all. Two of my favorites are the Freedom Filer and The Tickler File.

The Freedom Filer can be purchased at your local office depot and explains how to create it and has all the labels you will need. The premis for this system is that it is self purging. It is set up for short term files, long term files and annual files that will be purged in 2 years since only documents that are not needed for long term are filed in them. Files are colour coded and labelled. This system is easy to follow and will house all your files both work and personal.

The Tickler File sytem looks at the month and year in files. It is set up so you can file items that you know are needed in a few days or weeks, even months from now. You have files lablled 1 - 31 and files labelled January to December. For example I have to do follow-up calls/emails on the 8th of June, today is May 29th. I can put my contacts business cards or other form of information for them in the file labelled 8 ( it represents June the 8th) the calendar is used for the month on hand. No files should have papers left in them once the day has come and gone. You can also put information into the 12 months of the year if you know something needs to be done in September not June, for example; back to school shopping/blog ideas etc. It is like a calendar done in files for you to stay on top of all your projects.

2.  Like with Like: in professional organizing we put like with like, ie. all gardeing supplies together in one spot, all christmas decorations in one area, all linens in one spot etc. This will make it much easier to know where everything goes and less time thinking about where can I store this til I need it. It is hard to have everything in its place in  your home at all times but knowing where each item is meant to live reduces ones stress greatly and will make tidying up a breeze. I suggest having a 10 minute tidy up time before retiring for the night, it will make for your next day to be less stressful to start it uncluttered.

3.  To Do Lists in action: it is great to make To Do Lists but if you are not scheduling them into your calendar to do them, then the odds of it getting done is very slim. Make a to do list on a daily basis in the morning, then look at your calendar and schedule them in, even if it is a 2 minute item schedule it. Life happens and days do not unfold as we schedule them so yes not everything will get done on a daily basis but a very high percentage will. If an item does not get done that day simply reschedule it for an upcoming day. It will eventually get done.

These are just a few examples of solutions to daily time management issues. Manage your time, manage your life.

I moved but did I purge enough?

Hi there, so I shared I was moving in an earlier post and was really trying my best to walk the walk. So I purged a lot before I staged the house for viewing. and the results were great had 8 offers in 30 hours and sold it in 4 days woot woot. I am now in my new place, I downsized to a one bedroom unit. Did I purge enough on my move?

It is perfectly natural to do a second purge when unpacking. One can see if there is enough room for everthing and it puts items into perspective of how important they are. I am now unpacked and repurging items as I have less room and less need for many items.

On a second purge ask these questions:
When was the last time I used this?
When do I plan on using it next?
Do I have a place for this?
How important is this item to me?
Is it easily replaceable if ever needed?
Can I honour this item instead of storing it in a box?

The main thing to remember is items can be donated and will be used by people who will really need and cherish them.
I am almost done purging and unpacking and organizing the new place, I am loving it here.