Organizer Coach Blog

Many closets are so cluttered that just opening the door can make your heart sink. In an organized closet everything is accessible and there is a feeling of peace when you open the door.

How do you know when a closet needs organization?  If you can’t see what you have, can’t find what you want when you want it, and feel frustrated every time you look inside, your closet needs organizing.

Here are five steps to turn your jumbled closet into one you will love.

1. Remove everything from the closet and spruce up the space. 

Wipe down walls and shelving, sweep it out or vacuum carpeting.  You are creating a masterpiece, so start with a clean canvas. If it’s a large closet, empty and clean it one section at a time to prevent discouragement and overwhelm.

2. Make three piles: 1) things to keep, 2) things to sell or give away, 3) things to throw out. 

If you are organizing a clothes closet, everything you keep should fit, be in style and be ready to wear.  If an item is uncomfortable or ill-fitting, stained, ripped, worn out, outdated, or inappropriate for your age or the image you desire to project, it may be time to let it go.

If you are organizing a storage closet, the things you keep should be in good and usable condition and worthy of the space they take.

If an item is in good condition, but no longer useful for your lifestyle, box or bag it up for charity or your next garage sale, or to pass on to someone you know who may better use it.

If it’s torn, broken, cracked, discolored, or in overall disrepair, and not capable of being repaired or refurbished, it’s probably time to throw it out.

If you are uncertain about an item, move it to another location to look at it again later.  When the time comes to reassess your decision, ask yourself:   “Do I really love it?”  “Do I, or will I, ever use it?”  If the answer is “no” get rid of it.

3. Take the “throwaways” directly to the trash, and the “giveaways” directly to your vehicle.

If your charitable donations are already in your car, the next time you are out and about you will be prepared to drop them off.  Another benefit of getting these things immediately out of the house is that you will create space within your environment that can be used for additional sorting, organizing and decluttering.

4. Put back the items you are keeping so you can see and access everything easily.

There are several ways to organize a clothes closet:

• By season:  hang the in-season items in the more convenient location of your closet and out-of-season clothes toward the back, stored in plastic bins, or in another location.
• By use:  keep categories of clothes such as work, casual, evening, exercise or sports grouped together.
• By complete outfit:  assemble everything for a single outfit together, including shoes and accessories.
• By color palette:  group everything together that goes with black, same for brown and navy.
• By  item type:  keep all items of the same classification together, such as pants, blouses or shirts, sweaters, dresses, etc.

Use your lifestyle to decide which system best works for you.  If you have to dress up for work each day, you may want to have complete outfits at the ready to minimize the amount of time you need each day to dress and prepare.  If you are under no time pressure when choosing your daily outfit, any of the systems can work.

Other ways to keep your clothes closets organized and clutter-free are:

• Use sturdy hangers and avoid wire hangers as they rust, bend and do not provide good support for garments.
• Whenever possible utilize the shelf and wall space to stack or hang items.  However, do not overload or assign too many items to one system.  For example, if you put up wall hooks for bags or purses, decide that you will put no more than three items on one hook.
• By all means, keep as much off the floor as possible.  Stuff on the floor can be a safety hazard, as well as contribute to excessive and unnecessary wear and tear on garments.

5. Prevent future closet clutter by making a commitment to maintenance and conscious consumption.

Make maintaining an organized closet an ongoing activity.   Organization is not a one-time job because things don’t stay organized without attention and maintenance.  Quarterly sessions scheduled into your calendar for regular maintenance can make keeping closets organized easier.

When shopping, ask yourself if you can use something you already own to fill a need before you buy something new.  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you will take it back if it doesn’t work or you decide you don’t need it.  Few people follow through on that commitment.

I cannot overstate the power and joy of organizing and decluttering your closets.  Once you start, you will feel a change in the flow of energy, experience increased satisfaction, and save money and time.  Remember, less is more. If you have only what you love, looks good, and what perfectly fits your lifestyle, you’ll have more confidence, energy and success.

Perhaps these following famous people can better drive the point home:

 True elegance consists not in having a closet bursting with clothes, but rather in having a few well-chosen numbers in which one feels totally at ease.   Coco Chanel

They should put expiration dates on clothes, so we would know when they go out of style.    Gary Shandling

I did not have 3,000 pairs of shoes.  I had 1,600.  Imelda Marcos

If you spend most days flying by the seat of your pants – disorganized, confused, feeling stressed and wondering what is falling through the cracks – an investment of 30 minutes each morning can help.

Here are five daily habits that can change your life and make your day better organized.  These action steps will take, at the most, six-minutes each.  The five daily habits have made  a great  impact on my life and on the lives of those I serve as a professional organizer.  I invite you to consider adopting them.

1.  Take six minutes to make your bed shortly after you get up.  Think of it as the transition that completes your nightly sleep time and begins your daily activities.  Your bedroom will appear better organized and this task will provide you with your first successful accomplishment of the day.  At the end of the day, you will find that the experience of entering a nicely made bed is both comforting and calming.  Make this a ritual that affirms the importance of a restful night’s sleep and provides a symbolic beginning and end to the day.
2. Take six minutes to center your mind and body.  Each morning, sit quietly for a few minutes to settle your thoughts and relax your body.  Listen to the sounds around you; imagine yourself in a serene and peaceful place; feel the beat of your heart; pay attention to the inhaling and exhaling of your breath.  This small investment in stillness will reap tremendous benefits throughout the day.  You will enter the day with a greater sense of well-being and a clearer mind.
3. Take six minutes to eat something nutritious.  No time for breakfast?  Try to have on hand something quick and easy such as a banana, a bowl of cereal, piece of whole wheat toast, instant oatmeal or a granola bar.  Get something into your system to kick start the day.  Your mind and body will work better and your ability to be organized and operate effectively will increase.
4. Take six minutes to go over your “to do” list.  One technique is to take a piece of paper and draw one vertical line down the middle and one horizontal line across the center to create four quadrants.  Use each quadrant to list different kinds of tasks you are facing for this day.  One quadrant can be for errands to run, another for appointments, a third for people to contact by email or telephone, and the fourth for action steps related to current projects on which you are working.  Now that you have your list, take a second look and realistically assess whether or not your list is too big for one day.  If so, eliminate the non-priority tasks.  Making a daily to-do list will reinforce your awareness of what’s ahead and allow you to visualize it all getting done effortlessly.  This will increase your chances of having a successful and productive day.
5. Take six minutes to delete all incoming emails that are obvious junk.  Before you concentrate on the important business of the day, why not quickly clean out the spam and clutter in your inbox.  Not only will this reduce the amount of mail to which you need to pay attention, it will also bring what’s really important into better focus.

Total time invested:  30 minutes.  Results:  Priceless.

For more information on formulating your own “Five Daily Habits,” or to order a daily habits reminder bracelet, please visit my website at

http://www.organizer-coach.com/bracelet.html

Now is a great time to start decluttering your closets, cabinets, bookcases, drawers, toy chests, shelves – any space overflowing with “stuff.”

Letting go can often be difficult, but it’s true that clearing some of it out will be a good thing.  Creating more space would make life easier and help you feel more peaceful.  Also, think of all the people you will help out and make happy by donating or passing on your unwanted and unneeded extras.  In this age of recycling, it’s the right thing to do.

To help you make decisions and let go of stuff consciously and confidently, here are 10 essential questions to ask yourself while you are decluttering your space and your life.

1.    Do I own more than one of these?  If your answer is yes, ask yourself why you would need two or more.  Chances are, you own duplicates because you forgot about your original purchase and went out and bought another needlessly.  Pick out the best one and recycle the rest.

2.    When was the last time I used, wore, read or looked at this?  If it has been more than six months, you no longer need it.  Let it go.

3.    Does the condition of this item reflect the image I want to present?  If the item does not meet your standards you don’t need to hold on to it.

4.     If I throw this out, will I deeply regret it?   Tap into your intuition for the answer.  If you feel a tugging in your heart, set the item aside and take a second look later.

5.    Am I ever going to read, wear or use this again?   Just be realistic.  If you’ve outgrown, forgotten about or replaced this item, you probably have already dismissed it from your life.  Pass it on.

6.    Have I gotten all the possible benefit from this item?  If it has served you well and over time and become worn or outdated, you’ve probably gotten your money’s worth from it.  Lay it to rest; it has been a worthy servant (book, shirt, mug, etc.).

7.    Does this item represent who I am now, or someone I used to be?  What once was original and interesting might now be old hat (or an old hat).  If you have moved on to new tastes and interests, you can let what suited the old you go to someone else.

8.    If I had to replace this, would it be easy and affordable?  Just about anything can be replaced.  Venues such as craigslist, amazon, ebay, thrift stores and garage sales are fun places to search for most anything you need or want.  However, if an item is incredibly valuable, absolutely irreplaceable and you are still in love with it, don’t put it back into a box or the back of a closet.  Commit to finding the perfect place to display or use it.

9.    Do I have a sentimental or emotional attachment to this?  If it would break your heart to let Grandma’s tablecloth go, then by all means keep it.  But, if you don’t have room or are ready to let it go, take a photo of it and keep the picture instead.

10.  Is owning this item more trouble than it’s worth?  Some items demand more attention and maintenance than they are merit.   If your goal is to simplify your life, get rid of the high maintenance items and set yourself free.

Bonus question:  Do I really have space for this?  What is more important:  this item or your peace of mind and well-being?   Crowded spaces are energy thieves and safety hazards.  If you are cramped for space, you will always have to stumble over what’s in the way, or dig around to find what you really love, use and want.  Today is the day to let it go!

Spring is the perfect time to create a plan for clearing out, cleaning up and making way for the new.  Some people look forward to the process and the wonderful sense of rejuvenation and peace that comes with it, while others are overwhelmed by the thought of where to start.

Here are four steps to help you get started.  If you take it step by step, and task by task, you can make the seasonal transition a simple and graceful process:

Step 1.  Assess the situation.  Go from room to room and make a comprehensive list of everything you want to do in each room to make it clean and fresh.  Think in terms of what needs to be eliminated, cleaned, replaced or repaired.

Step 2.  Create categories.  Break your room-by-room lists of tasks into three groups:

• Decluttering:  note items to swap out, store, donate, or sell.
• Housework:   jot down what needs cleaning
• Repairs:  list things to fix or replace.

Use this checklist for ideas.

DECLUTTER:

o  Declutter the closets by donating clothes you no longer need or wear

o  Eliminate unneeded small appliances, cookware and dishware that are cluttering the kitchen.

o  Eliminate extra books you’ll never read again

o  Go through your craft supplies and recycle abandoned projects

o  Clear out the hall closet and store the winter coats, hats and gloves

CLEAN:

o  Have drapes and carpeting professionally cleaned

o  Wash the windows inside and out and clean the blinds

o  Clean the refrigerator, oven and stove

o  Polish vinyl and wood floors

o  Clear out the cobwebs

RENEW:

o  Replace the welcome mat and throw rugs

o Swap out bedspreads and replace pillows

o  Replace the shower head, shower liners and curtain, and guest towels.

o  Replace the kitchen curtains

o  Replace burned out bulbs in ceiling fixtures or lamps

REPAIR:

o  Fix dripping faucets or running toilets

o  Repair holes in walls or broken tiles

o  Touch up wall paint

o  Repair broken windows or torn screens

Step 3.  Dedicate time.  Set aside specific blocks of time in your calendar for these tasks.  Having a time line and schedule will better ensure your success.  Make an appointment with yourself to get these jobs completed and keep that appointment.

Step 4.  Get help.  For the bigger jobs, decide whether to do-it-yourself or hire a professional.  You can also enlist the help of family members or friends.  A Certified Professional Organizer® can assist you with the decluttering process as well as keep you motivated and on task.

Spring brings new potential to all aspects of our lives.   A thorough spring cleaning is a great way to revitalize and rejuvenate your home and yourself.  Now is the time to clear out and clean up!

Maintaining an organized and efficient home or office doesn’t have to be daunting. You can do it in 5 to 15-minute chunks.  Keep this list of small tasks in a notebook or post it on a wall or bulletin board. Whenever you find a few spare minutes during the day, choose one or two tasks and make good use of the time.

IN THE OFFICE:

• Clear the clutter from your desktop.
• Return supplies and file folders to their proper homes.
• Revise and rewrite your daily to-do list.
• Start a box for things to take home.
• Go through and organize a small pile of paper.
• Pick anything up from the floor that doesn’t belong there.
• Scan your email in-box for items to delete.
• Read a short newsletter or article.
• Update your voice mail message.
• Make a list of phone calls you need to place or return.
• Jot down a few ideas for your next business meeting.
• Open, read and sort the day’s mail.
• Organize receipts.
• Go over and update your Outlook task list.
• Pull out one or two overstuffed file folders and check for possible discards.
• Review a project checklist.
• Water the plants.
• Organize a desk drawer.
• Stretch your muscles.
• Take a quick walk around the building.
• Make an overdue phone call.
• Transfer contact information from business cards to your computer.
• Check over your calendar or appointment schedule.
• Write a thank you note.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Create a mission statement.
• Enjoy a healthy beverage or snack.
• Take stuff to the building’s recycling center.
• Organize your briefcase.
• Relax and think beautiful thoughts.

IN THE HOME

• Shake out all your throw rugs.
• Clean out a kitchen drawer.
• Wash the mirrors and glass on framed artwork.
• Organize potting supplies in the garage.
• Sweep out the garage.
• Go through your hanging clothes and pull out six things for charity.
• Put a load in the washer and start it up.
• Clear off the front of the refrigerator or the bulletin board.
• Check the pantry or refrigerator for expired foodstuff.
• Organize your purse or briefcase.
• Wash the dishes.
• Clear off the seats and floor of the car.
• Make the beds.
• Fill a bucket with water and vinegar and wipe off the window sills.
• Get out the vacuum and sweep the blinds.
• Sort through catalogs and recycle.
• Pull articles you want to keep from magazines.
• Check coupons and gift cards for expiration dates.
• Wash the fronts of all your cupboards.
• Return CDs and DVDs to their cases.
• Pull off the couch cushions and vacuum inside the couch.
• Check the medicine cabinet for expiration dates.
• Check all your battery run clocks to make sure they are still running.
• Put scattered books, magazines, catalogs into a basket or bin.
• Wash the bathroom, kitchen and entryway rugs.
• Wash off the refrigerator shelves.
• Clear out everything under the beds and vacuum.
• Sort through kid’s school papers and artwork.  Put keepers in a folder.
• Make a shopping or grocery list.
• Take a walk, a shower or a nap.

Have you tried driving to work with a flat tire or empty gas tank? Children are often expected to straighten and clean their room facing similar obstacles. Picture a child trying to make a bed that is wedged between large pieces of furniture, or hang clothes on a rod twelve inches above their head. Make it easier for children to maintain their room by keeping things streamlined, right-sized, and compartmentalized.
STREAMLINE CLOTHING AND TOYS
Simplify clothing by making colors easy to mix and match and keeping only what is currently in use. Store or pass on anything that doesn’t fit or is rarely worn. Avoid morning chaos by helping your child pre-plan outfits for the entire week.
Decide how many toys and books your child can comfortably enjoy and keep the rest out of sight. Rotate once a month. If space in the child’s room is limited, create a play area in the basement or spare bedroom and keep just a few of their very favorite toys and books in their room.
Bottom line: Do not use your child’s room as extra storage space for you.Using your child’s closet to hold your out-of-season clothing, or stashing your luggage under their bed, does not foster a sense of “ownership” or encourage responsibility.
MAKE IT RIGHT-SIZED
Inaccessibility to storage is a primary reason things don’t get put away. Lower closet rods and shelves so that children can reach them. Hooks hung low are easier than hangers for bulky coats and jackets. Utilize high spaces for out-of-season or rarely used items, or for toys and books on rotation.
Make sure furniture is the right height and size. Select a dresser low enough so that the child can reach the top. Provide a waste basket that is large enough for the amount of trash children typically generate.
Bottom line: Store small items in small containers, large items in big containers. Check out your local discount or home supply store for ideas.
COMPARTMENTALIZE
Use small plastic bins or dishpans for loose items like socks and gloves. Keep school supplies and small toys together by storing them in lidded plastic shoe boxes. Nestle bins and boxes into drawers or on shelves to keep items separated and organized.Hanging shoe bags work well for various items that need organization. Small items kept in rolling carts with drawers can be wheeled into the closet when not in use.
Bottom line: Label everything. Items kept in drawers, shelves and storage
containers that are labeled are more likely to end up in their proper home.
Labels can be pictures or words depending on your child’s age.

Organized kids feel more in control and competent. The entire household is less stressful and runs more harmoniously. If your children establish habits which prevent tardiness, forgotten supplies, and lost homework assignments, they will be happier and so will you.

 
TEACH PRE-PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Teach your kids to plan ahead by encouraging them to ask, “What is my goal, what materials do I need, and what steps are necessary to complete the goal?” Teach the concept of “preparation” by discussing how to plan for future events, tasks or outings. Talk it through step-by-step. Have a planning session each evening to go over the next day’s activities.

 
TEACH CONSISTENCY AND ESTABLISH ROUTINES
Establish a practical routine for each task or responsibility that involves your child. There is security in consistency. Have a standard place and  time for doing homework, and a designated space for jackets, gloves, and backpacks. Set up a center for depositing school work and a regular time to go over it together. Allow your child to select a strategy that works well for them. If they habitually leave the house without their lunch sack or gym shoes, let them
decide the best way to remember.

 
TEACH DECISION-MAKING SKILLS
Help children learn to make decisions by looking at the “who, what, when and where.” If the question is whether to go out for basketball, many things need to be considered. When and where are team practices? Are special shoes, clothes or equipment required, and how much do they cost? Who will pay for that? What about transportation? Are there conflicts with other activities or duties?
If the child develops a sense of how each decision impacts other aspects of their lives, they will make better choices as they grow older and life gets more complex.
TEACH RESPONSIBILITY
Assign age-appropriate responsibilities. Give kids a role in the household which allows them to assist the family in operating efficiently. Explain how feeding the cat ensures the health of the family pet and helps out other family members who rely on them to do that job.
Help your child learn to anticipate the consequences of their actions. What happens if homework is not ready on the day it is due?  What are possible consequences of leaving a pair of shoes in the middle of the floor? Encourage kids to write down responsibilities on paper. A chore chart, or calendar showing what assignments are due and when, can instill respect for goals. Charting and list-making are skills that will have lasting benefits as the child grows older.

 
REINFORCE ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS WITH PRAISE
As your child begins to demonstrate behaviors that show pre-planning, consistency and responsibility, praise them. Let them know that they are capable, lovable and good. By all means set clear rules regarding behavior that will not be tolerated, but notice the good things too. You are instilling organizational and decisionmaking skills and building character – and doing it with love.

There comes a time for most people when they decide they need or want less “stuff.” Often individuals decide to downsize or eliminate some of their accumulated possessions because they want to realize the benefits of a simpler life. Some do it because they get tired of all the attention and maintenance that possessions demand. Whatever the motivation, decluttering is a process that can be accomplished easily and effectively and will also bringing greater peace, freedom and control into one’s life.

 
START WITH SUBTRACTION
A great way to begin the decluttering process is to start “subtracting.” Look all around the house for anything that could easily be thrown out or immediately given away. The idea is to create some space and get the “energy” moving. Once you start to “subtract” you will experience greater well-being, and a more optimistic outlook.

 
CHOOSE A STARTING PLACE AND STICK TO IT
Pick a place to start and stick to it until that area is decluttered. Many people get overwhelmed because they get easily distracted and never complete the organizing task they started. Once you complete an area you will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment that will provide the motivation to keep going.

 
FREE YOURSELF BY LETTING GO
Whenever we declutter, it is normal to experience emotional attachments to our possessions. These attachments are not easy to break. However, if you take a realistic look at the condition of these things, you may realize that they are outdated, worn out or no longer useful. Although letting go of these things may be difficult, making the commitment to keep only what is truly meaningful, necessary and irreplaceable, can make it easier. Through the decluttering experience we can learn how holding on to too many possessions can limit our freedom and our space.

 
KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
The most important thing to remember is that your attitude can make all the difference in the ease and success of your project. If you approach organization or decluttering  with the end in mind — a simpler, happier, more carefree life — you will enjoy the process so much more.

10 tips for better time management, efficiency and organization

1. “Bookend” your day with planning and organization.
When you start your day with a plan and an organized office, you are able to hit the ground running and accomplish so much more. Each morning, review and revise your “to do” list. At the end of the day straighten up your work space and create your schedule for the following day.

 
2. Focus on the task at hand.
It is hard to do more than one task well at a time. Put your energy into doing one thing right and move on to the next thing when you are done. If necessary, keep a running list of what needs to be done as new tasks pop up.

 
3. Set aside a block of uninterrupted time during the day.
Let everyone you work with know that you are unavailable for phone calls, appointments or questions and during this time. Use your undisturbed time to reorganize or for catching up on tasks you usually don’t have time for.

 
4. Take control of your email.
Delete emails on a regular basis, check email only at designated intervals, and keep as little in your in-box as possible. If you feel like you are drowning in emails, set aside a block of time just for the task of getting them under control.

 
5. Develop a “short call” mindset.
Courtesy is expected in business conversation, but you can still make brevity your intention without being rude. Replace, “How are you?” with ”How may I help you?” Open-ended questions like, “How are you?” invite lengthier responses.

 
6. Establish boundaries on how long you will allow meetings to last.
The key to an effective (and brief) meeting is preparation. Let everyone know ahead of time how long the meeting will last, the topics that will be addressed, and the information you expect each person to contribute. Stick to the plan and discourage sidetracking.

7. Make a single page list of frequently called phone numbers and post
it near your phone.
It takes more time than you realize to look up a number on your computer or rolodex. Have the numbers you need most often at the tip of your dialing finger.

 
8. Group similar tasks for maximum efficiency.
Returning phone calls, answering emails, writing personal notes, and running errands are all categories of tasks that are done more easily if grouped together. When you make one phone call it is easier to just keep moving down the list.

 
9. Keep separate in-boxes for different categories of papers.
Try separating your papers into these categories: items that are immediate and important; items that are “on hold” or pending; items that are ready to be filed, passed on to someone else or reviewed at a later time.  Keep the in-boxes on a surface near your desk.

 
10. Keep your desk clutter-free.
Keep your stapler, tape dispenser, extra pens and other supplies in a drawer rather than on top of your desk. Display photos, awards and knickknacks on walls or shelves, and reserve the top of your desk for the essentials – your telephone, computer, and today’s paperwork.

Many people entertain the idea of getting more organized. It’s well known that organization
is the key to growing business, creating more balance in our personal lives, using time to
the greatest advantage and managing resources for optimal benefit and return. Yet for
many, making time for getting organized hasn’t become a priority. Now is not only the
perfect time, but a necessary step to help move through the current economic downturn
and set the stage for the next chapter of life. Economic down times offer the perfect
opportunity to assess your current financial and business situation, make new plans and
cultivate gratitude.

In fact, right now, you can’t afford NOT to be organized. Not only has the time and
opportunity come, but the necessity for organization is greater than ever. In these times, it
is essential to make sure everything counts – money, time and personnel at the
business/financial level, and energy, attitude and action on the personal level. Unless you
are organized, you risk wasting precious resources, and may allow situations to dictate your
state of mind and keep you stuck in old patterns that are no longer working.
Here are five tips to be better organized as you navigate this economy.

1. Conserve & Manage Resources
Get a thorough idea of what you currently have – money, contacts, supplies, opportunities.
Take one sheet of paper for each category and make a list. Once you have a clear picture,
ask yourself where or how you can use what you have more economically or create new
opportunities. Use information for planning and take action. Redesign your spending plan,
reconnect with contacts, organize your supplies so that you no longer duplicate purchases,
and move forward on potential business.

2. Plug up & Prevent Leaks
Ask yourself where you are wasting money or time and plug up the leak. If a daily
cappuccino is busting your budget, start making coffee at home. If you are spending too
much at the video store, check out the DVD selection at the library. Prevent future leaks by
canceling subscriptions, catalogs, and stop using shopping as entertainment. Check out
opportunities for volunteerism and use your spare time for the greater good.

3. Become More Conscientious
Create a new mindset that says you will pay better attention to every action you take every
minute of the day. Pay attention to what you think, say and do. Watch yourself as you
spend money and time. Check yourself as you experience emotions, especially fear,
irritability, worry and anger. When you notice you are overspending or caught up in a
negative emotion, take out your journal and write a few sentences about it. This will help
you keep better control of your finances and attitudes and keep you on a more even keel.
Staying balanced is equivalent to staying organized.

4. Gain New Appreciation for What You Have
It’s easy to look at what you’ve lost, can’t do, aren’t getting, and want, but don’t have.
Focus on what you do have and use those assets to your advantage. You may have worries
and concerns, but you also have trusted and helpful people in your life to help you
brainstorm solutions to current challenges. Things may feel tough, but when you remember
that you have your health, your family and loved ones, friends and colleagues, hope is
www.organizer-coach.comrenewed and the future seems brighter. Look at the big picture. You know what’s truly
important and what’s not.

5. Utilize Down Time to Strategize
Use down time to review and refine your contact list. Write letters or emails to reconnect
with prior clients or colleagues. Update your website, rewrite your resume, and redesign
your marketing materials. Clean out your files, desk drawer, storage cabinet, closets,
garage, basement or attic. How many times in life do we get extra time to return to
projects, revisit a craft or go back to a sport? What about that book you were writing, the
business you thought about starting, the friends or family you’ve thought about visiting, the
topic you’ve wanted to research, the skill you would love to hone? While you are engaged in
new activity, that new prospect is emerging, new ideas are cooking and strategies are being
created. Let go of the old patterns, the and the disorganization, and you may just walk right
into a new world of opportunity.
Disorganization sends the message that you are unprepared, disheartened and befuddled -
you can’t afford that. Getting organized now will not only pave the way for greater income
and opportunity, but when new prospects start to emerge you’ll be more prepared than ever
to greet them.