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I asked my colleagues from the Professional Organizers in Canada Cyber Chapter to send me their favourite organizing tips. This is what they said.
Patti Schneider from Time to Organize Coach™ in Huntsville, Ontario tells us :
- Don’t organize anything without tossing, recycling and donating first!
April Miller owner of April Miller Professional Organizing in St John`s Newfoundland shared:
- To ensure better maintenance: Organize according to what works for you, not according to someone else’s system.
Elana Kleinman owner of EK Organizing in Toronto, Ontario
- For maintenance, do a 5-10 minute scan of your home before bed and return everything to its assigned home. This prevents end-of-week (month?) organizing marathons:)
Ruth Beattie-Ostrom of HOME, Hard Organizing Made Easy from Parry Sound, Ontario shared:
- A fun tip to involve children to help maintain the house: set the timer for 15 min and everyone (including mom) puts items back in their place.
Kym McFadden owns Space-Ese-Solutions Inc in Burlington, Ontario.
- If you don’t use it, lose it. Recycle, donate or toss it in the garbage. I generally tell clients for clothing wear it within 6 months and all other items use it within 6-12 months or out it goes. Then go have fun! If it is close to bedtime read books together.
Nathalie Bureau owner of Nathalie Bureau L’Art de l’Organisation/Organized Living from Saint Boniface, Quebec tells us:
- Using the space vertically is one of my best tips
- Sort food packages in a drawer using hand made separators or dividers.
Adele Lapointe of Chaos to Clarity from Burlington, Ontario simply said:
- Like with like
Karen McIntosh Murdock, Your Organized Friend in Edmonton, Alberta
- If grieving clients are having trouble releasing sentimental belongings I recommend that we take photos of the items, write down the stories surrounding the item and make them into a photobook.
Bev Chandler owner of C & C Organizing from Regina, Saskatchewan shared:
- Keep the things you use the most, close at hand.
Adriana Romkes from Dundas, Ontario tell us:
- Less is more
My tip, Julie Stobbe owner of Mind over Clutter in Beamsville, Ontario
- If you are having trouble letting go of things figure out if it is because you are clinging to the past or fear the future. Once you solve that mystery it will be easier to part with unused items.
Share your favourite organizing tip with me in the comment box.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Samsill Medium Pop’n Store Box
I have used a lot of pop-up and unfolding type boxes in my organizing business. They usually like to refold themselves flat, have weak bottoms that collapse and may or may not have lids. The Samsill Medium Pop’n Store Box is great. It has none of those problems.
It is easy to assemble and it stays together. Although it can be unfolded it may be hard to get the bottom back up which I like. Having a strong, tight fitting bottom means the sides are well supported, the box will stay square and the lid will fit on firmly.
It is made of very thick strong cardboard with a lovely low gloss pebbly looking finish. It gives it the look of being made of fabric, not cardboard. The corners of the lid are reinforced with metal to prevent them from ripping or tearing. The bottom is made of fabric so it won`t scratch your furniture.
Samsill Pop,n Store Container
It is light and easy to handle but strong and ridged and lovely to the eye. It combines functionality with beauty to store and organize your items. It comes in 5 sizes and multiple colours.
What is your favourite pop-up container?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Samsill 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 Organizers
Samsill has a 2-in-1 organizer and a 3-in 1-organizer. They are binders with a section of 7 clear plastic accordion style dividers and a fold-over cover with an elastic closure to hold the organizer closed. They come in a variety of colours.
1 Inch 3 Ring Binder + 7 Pocket Accordion Style Expanding File + Hanging File –
There are very few differences between the 2 products. The 3 in 1 organizer has 4 slide out clips that allows you to hang the binder in your filing cabinet. The clips lock into position making it easy to use them. This function makes storing the files neat, tidy and easy to retrieve. No more shelves of binders that slide and tip over every time you remove one.
The binder has clips to hang in a filing drawer.
The 2-in-1 organizer has tabs on the top of each file section making it easy for labeling. It also has 2 elastic closures so you can open just the file section or just the binder section. This is helpful as it prevents any loose papers from falling out when you open the binder section.
In addition to the clips to hang in a filing cabinet, the 3-in-1 organizer has tabs only on 3 file sections for easy labelling and one elastic closure.
The fold over lid is quite stiff and initially caused me some problems but if you fold it open and re-crease the fold the lid will stay back and make it easy to access the plastic file section. The files hold paper that is exactly 8 ½ by 11 inches. If you have manuals or slightly large paperwork you may need to trim it.
Fold over lid keeps document secure.
At first, you may be fooled and think the elastic closure won`t stay closed because the elastic is loose. The elastic closure works well when the organizer contains paperwork making the elastic tighter.
The elastic closure hooks securely onto the front of the binder
The file sections are open at the bottom edge, it is not a pocket. Some small items may slide under the edge and into the next section. If this is a problem for you try using an envelope to hold small items in the file section. The dividers are flexible and bend slightly making it hard to get the paper to slide easily into the correct section. As you get used to it and you have more paper in the sections it becomes quite easy to use.
This may be the perfect product if you have large client files. You can record your ongoing notes, to-do lists, reference information in the binder section and use the file section for billing, receipts, marketing material, information to give to the client, calculator, and iPad.etc. It would also be a great networking tool. You can have a place for notes, following up with clients after a meeting, recording upcoming events and to-do lists and filing all your marketing material. It would always be ready to go when a networking event arises. Having the binder and file system in one organizer gives you the flexibility of storing paperwork in the way that suits your preferred style and the paper best. You can pick it up and go and look like you are ready to work.
If you need help setting up a filing system contact me at julie@mindoverclutter.ca.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Janet Barclay of Organized Assistant
Today I am happy to introduce you to Janet Barclay of Organized Assistant.
Here is her story of following her passion and successfully transitioning her business focus. I hope it will motivate you to take a step towards making changes in your life, work or business.
- When I first met you, you were a Professional Organizer. What did you do before becoming an organizer and how did you choose to become a professional organizer?
Before starting my business, I worked as a customer service rep, office supervisor, administrative assistant, computer instructor, and employment counsellor. When I was an employment counsellor, I decided to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Qualifying Program. Because the MBTI is a widely used career assessment tool, I thought it would be a good thing to have on my resume.
In the course, I learned that our personality type influences not only our career choices, but many other aspects of our lives, and I was particularly fascinated with the way that personality type affects the way we deal with time and space. I was so excited by the possibilities that I wasn’t satisfied to simply have the MBTI listed on my resume – I wanted to actually use it! Since there was no opportunity to do so in the position I held at the time, I decided to start a side business where I would use my new knowledge to help others choose a career or become more effective by using organizing strategies that respect their natural preferences.
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contact www.organizedassistant.com
How long was it before you transitioned from being a professional organizer to becoming a virtual assistant? How did you make that business transition?
A year or so after becoming a professional organizer, one of my organizing colleagues hired me to automate her monthly newsletter. At that moment, I realized that you can organize someone’s workspace, and you can teach them good time management skills, but sometimes the best way to help them is to free up some of their time.
This was a real turning point for me, and I began adding virtual assistance and website design (which I’d also been doing on the side for several years) to my professional organizing service offerings. I enjoyed this type of work so much that I resigned from my job to work in my business full time. As my client base grew, organizing became less important and eventually I gave it up altogether.
- When transitioning your business services, what do you feel is one mistake you made or something you could have done better to make the transition easier?
When I decided to become a virtual assistant, I had to change my business name from Barclay Career & Organizing Solutions to something more in line with my new service offerings. I chose Organized Assistant because it was something I could stick with in the event I decided to discontinue either organizing or virtual assistance down the road.
The transition itself went pretty smoothly because it was gradual and my business seemed to evolve naturally. However, over the past few years, I’ve become less of a virtual assistant and more of a marketing consultant and web designer, and my business name no longer feels like a good fit. Had I anticipated further changes, I would have simply branded myself as Janet Barclay.
- Although you are still a virtual assistant the focus of your business is changing again. Tell us about your new focus.
I’ve always enjoyed working with solopreneur women, and they seem to enjoy working with me too. However, solopreneurs tend to look after their own marketing, either for financial reasons or simply out of personal preference. In order to cater to their needs, earlier this year I founded Maximize Marketing Club. In this supportive online community, members learn and develop important marketing strategies for less than the cost of a virtual assistant and much less than a one-on-one marketing coach.
- How important is it, in making a successful business transition, to start a networking group and/or an online group?
Building a network is essential no matter what stage you’re at in your business. When you’re making a transition, a well-established network of supporters can help you test your ideas and spread the word about your new products or services.
If you need assistance with your website or marketing please contact Janet Barclay.
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Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Kiersten Bush is my guest blogger this week.
Laundry is a chore, but there’s no way around it. There is, however, a better way to do laundry, one that will save your clothes, save your appliances, and save your energy. To do that, it’s necessary to get to know your clothes a little bit better by studying the tags.
Tags aren’t just a window into the fabric makeup of your clothing. Every tag has to have certain care information that tells you what temperature water, what wash cycle, and what dry time to care for your clothes. Those same tags also tell you whether or not laundry additives like bleach are appropriate, or whether you should skip self-wash and self-dry altogether and go straight to the dry cleaner. Use this infographic to learn more about the right way to do your laundry. How to read laundry tags.
Thanks to Kiersten Bush of http://ghergich.com for writing this article. You can contact her at kiersten@ghergich.com
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Author Sandra Felton
Sandra Felton, the organizer lady, is the author of this very practical book to help people bring order to their life. The book helps people to “reach their organizational goals in the simplest way possible. This is why I recommend the book. The book is full of people’s stories, quizzes, tips and practical solutions to suit a variety of personalities.
She focuses on planning. I recently tweeted “hope is not a plan”. She outlines how to develop a plan that is right for the person, how to work with the plan getting each space in the house organized and how to live with the plan and maintain the new organized life.
Here are some of the tips that appear in her book.
Bathroom
If a bathroom is shared by several children and is cluttered with their things, get them their own coloured basket for toiletries. Each child can take it back and forth to the bedroom leaving the bathroom clear.
Garage
Use the walls to hang up smaller items you need more often. Put up a peg board in the garage and use S- hooks to hang up gardening equipment, tools and sports equipment.
Laundry Routine
If you do laundry for a number of people, refuse to wash unpaired socks. Insist that everyone pins each pair of socks together with a sturdy safety pin or those little plastic circles into which some sock pairs will slip. If they aren’t paired you won’t wash them. Now no more pairing socks. Another good idea is to colour code socks. Buy a different colour band or sock for each individual and let him or her match their socks.
Sandra Felton encourages,” spending less time and energy on the mechanics of living and giving more time for more significant pursuits.” Her books help people to be successful at this.
If you need help getting organized book a complimentary 30 minute chat with me on Zoom.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
When you begin to organize your kitchen, think of dividing it into centers. Here are some suggestions.
The area with the most counter space
1.Use the cupboards above and below the counter as the meal preparation centre. It is the home of items needed to prepare and cook food – cutting board, knives, bowls, graters, pots, pans, casserole dishes, strainer, etc.
Store everything you need to make your meals in one area.
The area with a smaller amount of counter space near the fridge
2. The drink centre contains coffee, tea, hot chocolate, drink mixes, cups, glasses, sugar/sweetener, coffee maker, kettle, tea pot, etc. Try storing your glasses and mugs in this area instead of with your plates and bowls
Plan a drink center in your kitchen
The area near the dishwasher or sink
3. The dish centre contains dishes and cutlery and should be near the dishwasher for fast and easy unloading. Aim to store items at an age-appropriate height so children can participate without needing assistance. If you like thinking outside the box, store your dishes in the base cabinets until your children are tall enough to reach the cabinets above the counter. Some homes have a pantry. Instead of storing food try storing your plates and bowls in it. Everyone will be able to reach them and it may help to have less traffic near the food preparation and cooking areas.
Area with counter space
4. The baking centre contains food items and utensils specifically for baking – spices, flour, nuts, chocolate chips, spatulas, cookie sheets, casserole dishes, pie plates, cake pans, etc.
Recycling area
5. Establish a recycling/garbage centre for easy collection. There are great products that fit under the kitchen sink and hold 2 or 3 containers to make recycling easy.
Make recycling easy.
Paperwork area
6. The desk/paperwork centre, which can be located near the telephone or computer, holds recipes, notepaper, a whiteboard or bulletin board, and a charging center for cellphones.
Miscellaneous Drawer
The miscellaneous drawer contains small tools and items which you need quick access in the kitchen – screwdriver, tape, twist ties, scissors, pen, marker, etc. Don’t let the one miscellaneous drawer turn into 2 or 3 drawers.
Use one drawer to store items that are handy to have close at hand, marker, tape, screwdriver
Determine what centers you need in your kitchen and plan your space to hold everything so it is easy to reach and use.
How do you store your plastic food containers?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Start by determining any special uses of the bedroom other than sleeping and relaxing (e.g., home office, baby’s crib and supply storage etc.) This will let you plan how to use the space in your bedroom. Conversely if your bedroom has items in it that shouldn’t be there remove them.
Get your clothes off the floor
1. Store your clothes in the closet on hangers or shelves or in a dresser. Double your hanging space by installing a lower hanging bar. A lower bar also makes it easy for children to tidy up their rooms and select their clothes to wear. Add an extra shelf up high in the closet to store off-season items.
Add a second bar to your closet to double your hanging space.
Look for storage spaces in unused areas of your room
2. Under-bed storage containers are very helpful for oversized items or off-season clothing. If your bed is very low to the ground you can purchase bed risers to raise the bed and make room for containers.
Use bins under your bed to increase your storage space.
Use the wall space in your room when there is limited floor space
3. Use vertical space to add more storage. An armoire or tall-boy dresser may suit your room better than a long, low dresser.
Use vertical space when floor space is limited
Use the back and inside of doors to store items.
4. Use the inside of the bedroom and closet doors to hang items. Over-the-door rack and hook products accommodate shoes, jewellery, scarves, ties, etc.
There are many over the door products to help you store items
How do you keep your dresser drawers organized?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Use vertical space to optimize your storage space.
Use Vertical Space
- Make use of vertical space. Buy shelving units to keep your items off the floor. This will help protect them from water damage and allow for air movement in and around containers, reducing the build-up of mould. Choose shelves that are 24” deep, if your room permits.
Create Zones
- Divide your storage into zones – sports equipment, decorations, household items, electronics, and memorabilia – categories that best suit the items you wish to store.
Use Plastic Storage Bins
- Use plastic storage bins to protect your items from moisture. Use clear bins, labelling them so you can easily see what is inside.
Measure your Space then buy the Shelving Units
- If you need five shelves you may find that two storage units – one with two shelves the other with three shelves – fit the space better.
Need a Deep Shelf for Large items
- Two 24” storage units laced together will make a 48” deep shelf to hold hockey bags.
Secure 2 shelves together to make a place for storing large items
Leave Space for Tall Items to Stand
6. Place two storage units side by side, with a space in between, to create a support for golf bags.
Add your Advise
What product have you found to help keep your basement organized?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Set up your laundry room to suit your needs
Collection Area
- Keep a central collection area for your laundry close to where people change. The main bathroom, near the bedrooms, is often a good choice. Keep three hampers – one each for light, medium and dark colours Make sure everyone knows to empty pockets, because no one else is going to check.
Treat Stains
- Keep a stain remover nearby so that everyone can treat the stains on their clothing. Children may need help with the most difficult, like blood. Use shampoo without conditioner on grease stains. Once stains are treated, fold the clothing to prevent stain remover from touching the hamper. Remember to place clothing in the correct laundry hamper.
Make a Space for Folding
- Have a table or space available so you can fold and pile items as they are removed from the dryer.
Have a Rack for Hanging Clothes
- Have a place to hang up clothes – a line, door hooks or a free-standing wire rack.
Keep Supplies Handy
- Establish a laundry supply shelf or cupboard. Be sure to have a variety of supplies available so you can easily handle any stain – detergent, bleach, shampoo, stain remover, and a bar of laundry soap for quick hand-washing items. Include a basin so you can conveniently soak or hand wash items.
Add Your Advice in the Comments
What do you do to make laundry easy in your home?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
