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With many people working from home, it is important to have time when you’re not interrupted. Make sure to have a sign or signal that indicates you are unavailable.
Many people realize that multitasking is not the best way to get work completed. However, they experience many small interruptions in their day, e-mail, texting and phone calls that take away from concentrating on a project.
These small tasks, added together, use up your work day.
“Drive by” conversations, when colleagues stop by your desk, stop you in the hall or a family member bursts into your office and gives you information also take time away from completing important tasks. As well the information may be forgotten or lost.
Being interrupted by colleagues stopping to chat can cost you a lot of valuable time.
Some offices have designated a specific time of the day for working on projects. It is an interruption-free time to concentrate on work during which employees can’t send or answer emails, texts, phone calls, attend meetings, etc. Each office is different so the designated time may be office-wide or scheduled into each person’s work day, week, or month individually. It is important that this time and format are respected by your colleagues, family and supported by management. You may be surprised how much you can get done in one hour without interruptions and your full concentration on one task at a time.
How do you plan on scheduling interruption free time? Let me know in the comments.
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
Every storage room has its different problems to consider. Some have very low ceilings. Some may be hard to get into. The walls and corners might be angled. Sometimes they have a smell you need to get rid of. There are a number of questions to ask yourself before you purchase shelving for your storage room.
Show or Stow?
1. Do you like things displayed on open shelves or stowed behind closed doors? This will help you determine if you want a cupboard or shelving.
Measure Carefully
2. Next measure the space. You need to get storage that uses all the area and not buy storage that leaves some of the area unusable. This happens when one storage unit is too large and another storage unit can’t fit into the remaining space.
Lids or no lids?
3. Next ask yourself, will you open a lid to put things into a container, will you reclose the top of a box? If the answer is no, cut the flaps off the box or purchase containers without lids. You want to make it as easy as possible to get the items into the correct box.
Make it easy to get to the bottom container
4. Lastly ask yourself, if your bins are stacked will you unstack them to put something in the bottom container? Will you restack the containers on the storage unit? If your answer is no then buy large containers that fill the vertical space between the shelves so you can maximize your storage. It is usually good to have two or three containers on each shelf so they are easy to move and not too heavy.
How to place items on the shelves
Now you have your storage units and bins.
- Store items you use frequently at eye level.
- Store heavy items on the bottom shelf
- Store items close to where you use them
- Store infrequently used items up high or in less accessible areas.
Hockey bags?
Trying to store hockey bags? Try placing two shelving units that are 4 or 5 shelves high, with 24” or 36” deep shelves, one in front of the other and securely attach them together. This will hold one bag per shelf with room to leave it open to air out and place some items beside the bag to dry.
Do you need to mitigate an odour?
I contributed to an article about smells in homes. I suggested when you enter a new room there may be an odour you don’t like. The easiest first step is to increase the air circulation, open some windows, prop open a door and use a fan to circulate the air. The next thing you can try is a dehumidifier especially if you are in the basement. Removing the dampness can help remove unwanted odours. If the problem is not solved try a deep clean of the walls, carpets and window coverings. Fabrics can hold many odours from the previous clients’ cooking, pets and hobbies. We were named a local expert on ApartmentGuide. Read the full article here: What to Do About Bad Smells in the House.
ApartmentGuide is a subsidiary of Redfin.com
With the right shelves and bins, it is easy to sort your items into categories, place them in a labelled container and locate them in your storage room. Removing smells from your storage areas will keep your items clean and fresh. Remember to keep only what you need and love.
Book a complimentary 30-minute virtual chat with me to get started planning your storage area.
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
With the change in seasons, eating habits change too. You might eat more fresh produce, barbecue, make salads, eat sandwiches or plan picnics. Now is a good time to look at what is in your fridge and use up items before you buy new things for this season of cooking.
Here are the steps for cleaning and organizing your fridge.
Take everything out of the fridge.
Remove all the items from the shelves, drawers, and compartments in the door. It is important to be thorough. You may think you know what is “hiding” in your fridge. Things fall over and get lost from view.
Compost expired and spoiled food
Check each item for an expiry date. Check food items for signs that they are spoiled. There may be mould on the edge of a jar or bottle. Make a place for the items you have checked and will return to the fridge later.
Wipe down all the surfaces
Use warm soapy water to wash off all the shelves, bins, compartments and sides of the fridge. Wipe it a second time with clear warm water. You may need to leave a small amount of water on a tough stain to soften it. Once it has sat for a few minutes try wiping it away before the water completely cools and the stain becomes hard.
Rearrange the shelves to maximize space and organization
It is time to put the food back in. Plan zones in your fridge based on how you use items or into food group categories. This will make it easy to find things. Make an area for leftovers so they can be easily seen and get eaten before they are spoiled. Keep all your cheeses, meats, vegetables and fruits together in their own areas. Locate your condiments, sauces and salad dressings together. After you have opened one of these items check the label to see if it can go back into the pantry or if it goes into the fridge once it is opened. Using bins to hold categories for food makes it easy to keep it together, take it out and find what you need and slide it back on a shelf. Adjust the shelf spacing to suit taller items and shorter items so the space is used efficiently. Regularly assess your organization system and make changes as needed.
Tips and tricks
Here are a few additional tips that may help you to keep your fridge working well.
- Put taller items at the back and shorter ones at the front. It makes it easier to see everything.
- Don’t overstuff your fridge. It is hard for the fridge to stay at the correct temperature and for the air to circulate properly. Food may get spoiled more quickly.
- Use labels or clear containers if items are not in their original containers.
- Label shelves so everyone knows where to put the food back. It helps you to know if something has been used up if it is always stored near the same spot. This prevents having multiples of the same item open in the fridge and taking up space.
Menu planning is easier when your fridge is organized. You know what you have available to put on your menu. You can quickly see what needs to be used so it doesn’t spoil. Reducing the amount of food that spoils saves you money on your grocery bill. A clean and organized fridge helps you stay healthy. There are fewer bacteria in your fridge and that keeps your food safe and you healthy.
I think I have covered everything. If I left something out please share your ideas in the comments.
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
Are you stuck in a mindset of “lack”?
Do you sometimes feel that you will never get ahead? That life is holding you back. I feel that way some days when I am working in my business. There can be a number of stumbling blocks to becoming successful. Some we may not have any control over. One of the biggest stumbling blocks can be our own attitude.
Overcoming a mindset of lack and embracing abundance requires adopting new habits. Here are some steps you can take to cultivate an abundance mindset.
Your beliefs
Start by becoming aware of any negative beliefs you have about abundance and wealth. Sometimes you may think “Money is scarce,” “I’ll never have enough,”. Interestingly you may think that “rich people are greedy” and so you do things so you won’t become rich. Think about your beliefs and make sure they are positive and empowering ones so you can create wealth and abundance in all areas of your life.
Feel gratitude
Gratitude is one way to shift your mindset. Acknowledge and appreciate the things you already have in your life, no matter how small they may seem. Make a habit of expressing gratitude for your experiences in supporting loved ones, your health, or any opportunities that come your way.
Show generosity
In my Organizing Mind and Space Facebook group, we did a random acts of kindness challenge. Show your generosity by doing something unexpected for someone. Here are some ideas for you.
When you give without expecting anything in return, you reinforce the belief that there is always enough to share. This creates a positive abundance cycle of giving and receiving.
Take action
An abundance mindset alone is not enough; it must be paired with action. Take steps toward your goals, whether it’s investing in your education, starting a business, or seeking new opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks and step out of your comfort zone. I was once told that even if you fall on your face you are still moving forward. Use your mistakes to learn new things and create new opportunities for yourself. Taking action alone can be difficult. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.
These are 4 steps you can take to change a mindset of lack, not having enough, wanting more and not sure how to move forward. A mindset of abundance helps you to see your future in a way that brings a sense of fulfillment, accomplishment and excitement into many areas of your life.
In the comments let me know how you overcome those feelings that you can’t achieve something that you want to accomplish.
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 enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Sometimes when we are organizing we make the organization look like art. We organize books by the colour of their spine, hang baskets on a wall in an interesting pattern or use brightly coloured baskets to hold exercise equipment. Let’s look at the reverse of this idea. Can artwork help you get organized?
This piece of artwork provides storage opportunities.
I attended the National Home Show in Toronto Canada a few years ago. I saw this great piece of artwork. If you have a small home this artwork is dual purpose. It can be used to hold CDs, video games and equipment, and books. Plants would look lovely on this tree especially ivy or other hanging plants that would give it “leaves”. It would be fun to decorate it for any season or special event.
Here is a creative use of a sign. This piece of artwork has hooks added to it to organize cycling gear. When the cycling gear is removed you have a lovely picture on your wall.
Let me know about artwork in your home that helps you stay 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
My guest blogger is Sophia Perry from Arizona Moving Professional
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to reflect on why decluttering your home is so important. For starters, cluttered living spaces can have a negative impact on your mental health, causing feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. On the other hand, a tidy home can promote feelings of calm, relaxation, and happiness. A clutter-free space can also increase your productivity and creativity, making it easier to focus on the things that matter most to you. It’s a fantastic feeling to purge unwanted items and create a clean and organized space. However, maintaining that momentum and preventing clutter from creeping back in is the real challenge. Don’t worry! Whether you’re a decluttering pro or just starting, this guide will provide practical tips and expert advice on maintaining momentum after decluttering your home to help you keep your home clutter-free. Let’s get started!
#1 Set boundaries for what enters your home
The first step in maintaining a decluttered home is to set boundaries for the items you allow into your space. When shopping or accepting gifts, consider whether the item will add value to your life or just take up space. Creating a rule such as “one item in, one item out” can also help prevent accumulation.
Another useful strategy is to implement a waiting period before making any new purchases. If you see something you like, wait a few days before purchasing it. During this time, you can evaluate if the item is truly essential or if it’s just a passing phase. If you find that you still want the item after the waiting period, you can feel more confident that it’s a worthwhile purchase.
#2 Maintain your space daily
Keep up with daily maintenance to prevent clutter from building up. One of the biggest mistakes people make is giving up decluttering once they are finished with it. Therefore, take a few minutes each day to tidy up and put things away. This can be as simple as making your bed in the morning or quickly sweeping your living space before bed. By taking these small steps consistently, you’ll prevent clutter from accumulating and ensure that your space stays clean and organized.
Another useful strategy is to implement a system for organizing your belongings. This can include using storage bins, labels, and drawer dividers to keep everything in its place. Having designated spots for your possessions makes putting things away easier and prevents them from getting lost in the shuffle.
#3 Set aside things that are not important
There is no better way to maintain momentum after decluttering than by donating things that are not important to you. It’s easy to feel like every item in your home is essential, but in reality, some things are less necessary than others. For example, do you really need five sets of sheets for your bed, or could you make do with two? If you feel 5 sets of sheets are important find storage space for 3 sets of sheets in another area until you need them. Keeping only 2 sets of sheets in your linen closet can help prevent it from becoming cluttered again. Keep the important items easily accessible and consider how many duplicates you need to keep. Duplicates create clutter.
One way to create space for less important things is to prioritize your belongings. Think about what items you use daily versus what items you only use occasionally. Store the occasional-use items in a less accessible place, such as a high shelf or a storage closet, or rent a storage unit. This will help prevent them from taking up valuable real estate in your home.
Regularly reevaluate your possessions and donate items that no longer serve you. This can be a challenging task, but it’s essential for maintaining a clutter-free home.
#4 Set a regular cleaning schedule
Establishing a regular cleaning schedule is important for maintaining momentum after decluttering your home. This will help maintain the sense of space and organization you’ve created. By setting aside a few hours each week to clean, you can prevent clutter from accumulating and keep your home feeling fresh and tidy.
Start by creating a checklist of cleaning tasks that need to be done regularly. Assign these tasks to specific days of the week or month. Make sure to mark them on your calendar or planner so you don’t miss them. You can also enlist the help of family members or roommates to share the cleaning responsibilities. Create a chore chart and assign tasks to each person, making sure to rotate them regularly so that everyone gets a chance to do different tasks.
#5 Don’t clutter it, donate it!
Aren’t you tired of cluttering your house with things you don’t even need? Wouldn’t it be better to donate them to someone who could appreciate them? Creating a donation system is an excellent way to maintain momentum after decluttering your home. Not only will you be doing something good for others, you’ll also be reducing clutter in your home.
Set a date and time to drop off or have your donations picked up, and mark it on your calendar. This will help you stay accountable and ensure that your items don’t just sit around your home, taking up space.
#6 Embrace minimalism
Can you embrace minimalism as a way of life? Minimalism isn’t just about having fewer possessions. It’s a mindset that can help you live a more intentional and fulfilling life. By focusing on the things that truly matter to you and letting go of the rest, you’ll create more space, time, and energy for the things that bring you joy.
Embracing minimalism also means being mindful of your consumption habits. Rather than constantly buying new things, focus on using and appreciating what you already have. When you do make purchases, invest in high-quality items that will last for years rather than cheap, disposable products that will clutter up your home.
Final thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve succeeded in decluttering your home and creating a new sense of space and organization. But the work doesn’t stop there! Maintaining momentum after decluttering your home is just as big of a task. In the end, decluttering is a journey, not a destination. It’s a continuous process of letting go, simplifying, and making room for less clutter and more joy in your life. And with the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining momentum and enjoying the benefits of a clutter-free home.
I think Sophia Perry has created a good guide. What would you add to this guide? Leave me a comment.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, 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
Pinterest can be a great resource. It has ideas on how to organize everything and anything. It has DIY solutions in all price ranges and skill levels. Pinterest is a good resource for visual learners, you see the design on your screen.
So why don’t I like it?
The problem that arises for me, as a Trained Professional Organizer, occurs when clients see something on Pinterest and ask me to create that system for them. Just because it is on Pinterest doesn’t mean it is the right solution for you. It is the right solution for the person who posted it.
Evaluate the idea and think about how you do things before you copy it. Just because you like the way it looks or because it is trending doesn’t mean it will work for the way you think and do things. Deciding how to organize your books, jewelry etc needs to be done in a way that you can find what you need when you need it and in a timely manner.
Organizing your books by colour looks great on the wall, will you be able to find the book you need? If you did it with a small number of books or only pick 2 or 3 colours of books you could adapt the idea and make it work.
Books sorted by colour create an interesting design for your wall
If you organize your jewelry hanging it from the horizontal bar of a hanger using binder clips to attach the jewelry may be a good solution if you don’t have a lot of jewelry. If you hang all your jewelry and then slide the hangers on a rod to look for a certain piece of jewelry the jewelry might become tangled as they sway when the hangers are moved. How would you attach your rings? You might end up this your jewelry stored in many different locations and not be able to find what you want.
If you have a small amount of jewelry and space on your wall to place your hanger this might work for you.
A recipe may look great. Is it something you can make in a big batch and freeze so you can get 2 meals for the time you are spending in the kitchen? Are the ingredients something you have in your cupboard or will you need to make an extra trip to the store?
Enjoy using Pinterest use it wisely to help you save time, money and effort.
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
Did you think virtual organizing was about using online tools and technologies to get organized? Working at a task solving your organizing dilemmas on your own by listening to videos?
Organizing can be done remotely, via video conferencing, email, phone calls, or other forms of communication with a Professional Organizer. Instead of having an organizer physically come to your location, we work virtually to get organized, set goals, manage projects, and keep track of important information.
Why is it important to work with a virtual organizer?
Some people might think if the Professional Organizer is not in your home doing the work with you why not work alone? There are many benefits to having the expertise of a Professional Organizer available remotely.
- Increased productivity: A virtual organizer can help you set goals and prioritize your tasks, which can help you get more done in less time.
- Reduced stress: Receiving advice, steps and guidance that you can use immediately to organize your home or office with the organizer online with you, will provide a sense of control and reduce feelings of overwhelm. If you run into a stumbling a block, no need to procrastinate, the virtual organizer is there to help.
- Improved time management: A virtual organizer can help you manage your time more effectively by creating schedules and routines that are tailored to your needs. Imagine having your week, month or year in front of you to manage busy times of the year, know when all your household tasks are completed each week and by whom, plan fun parties and stop double booking your commitments. While working online with you a virtual organizer can prompt you to think about items you may have forgotten or never even considered scheduling.
- Better decision making: Some people are afraid to make decisions. They fear making the wrong decision or making a decision that will hurt someone’s feelings. They may not have built their confidence that they are good at making decisions. Working with a virtual organizer gives you someone to talk with about what to keep, what to do next, and how to allocate your resources. When you’re organized, you’re better able to make informed decisions about what tasks to prioritize, what items to keep and what goals to set for the future.
- Enhanced focus: A virtual organizer can help you stay focused on your goals by providing accountability and guidance. If you start procrastinating, your online organizer will notice and keep you heading toward your goal. The accountability and guidance can be at the time you are working or during scheduled mini organizing sessions.
- Virtual: It’s a convenient and cost-effective option for people who want to get organized but can’t meet with an organizer in person. It is a good option for those who prefer a more flexible and self-directed approach to organizing. You can work on your own schedule to suit your personality and lifestyle.
Virtual organizing is the process of organizing and managing your space and time with an actual live human offering you support and knowledge. Virtual organizing is a great way to stay on top of your tasks and responsibilities and make the most of your time and resources.
How to Get Started with Virtual Organizing
Determine your goals and priorities:
Virtual organizers can virtually organize anything. Everyone’s goals are different. You may want to have a room/ space organized so it functions better. You may need help with time management, scheduling or building routines that help to get the many tasks in a home or office completed quickly and on time without expending a lot of energy thinking about them.
Establish a routine and stick to it:
Scheduling time to work on your priorities is the only way they will move forward. Why am I writing this? Talking and planning about your project are important, the work actually has to happen too. Setting time aside helps you to be accountable and prevents procrastination.
Communicate with your virtual organizer regularly:
Meeting with your virtual organizer on a regular basis will help to get the tasks completed. Meetings can take many forms, including an email, text, phone call, 30 minute mini session or longer sessions while you are working on your task. Don’t think it is a one time conversation to get information and then you are on your own to struggle through the project. Most people are more successful if they use all the services and support the virtual organizer offers.
Track your progress and make adjustments as needed:
No plan is perfect. As you move forward on your project it is important to evaluate the progress and plan. You may need to adjust the length of time you schedule for working. Some people do better with many short sessions and others like one longer one. The length of the session may vary depending on the project and not only your style. A virtual organizer can offer suggestions, encouragement and information so you continue to complete your project successfully.
Tips for Successful Virtual Organizing
Stay motivated and focused:
Your virtual organizer is not the only person who can help you stay focused and motivated. Talk to friends about what you’re doing. This will help you to keep the project at the forefront of your schedule. They will ask how it is going and you will want to give them updates on your success. Use your technology to remind you of your work schedule and goals so you continue to see the benefits you are achieving.
Keep your virtual organizer updated:
Don’t avoid your virtual organizer. We are here to help move you forward. Lots of times life gets in the way and the organizing project gets derailed. Tell the virtual organizer exactly what is going on so you can work together to make adjustments. On the other hand, celebrating together on your success is enjoyable for both parties.
Celebrate your successes:
Whether big or small it is important to recognize the success you are making in reaching your goals.
Be open to feedback and suggestions:
Feedback and suggestions are a way to have a conversation to discover what is working well and what is not. Both parties need to understand this. I always tell my clients if they can’t get something completed then we haven’t found the best process yet. As a virtual organizer, I need feedback on how to best help my clients. They may want me to push them a little harder to get something done, be more understanding about their situation, be a motivating force to help them remember why this is important to them etc.
Conclusion
Although some people may prefer physical organizing, virtual organizing offers many benefits, including increased productivity, reduced stress, improved time management, better decision-making, and enhanced focus. Give it a try. Working with a human being is easier than navigating technology on your own or interacting with a robot. Almost everyone can use some help organizing something in their life. Whatever bothers you the most, start with that task and let a virtual organizer walk you through the steps, give you the knowledge and help you be accountable so you will feel less stressed, happier and more relaxed. If you’re looking for a convenient and effective way to get organized and stay on top of your tasks and responsibilities, virtual organizing is a great option.
I think I have covered all the reasons it is fun and not scary to work with a virtual organizer. I would like to hear your thoughts.
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
Scheduling helps you to use your time in blocks and avoid scattering single tasks throughout the day leaving small segments of unproductive time.
My tip for parents running their businesses from home is about time management.
Running a business and organizing a household is a complex task. Time management is the key to success and sanity. Scheduling everything will help:
- tasks to get completed,
- commitments to be honoured
- and make arriving on time possible
However, scheduling everything can be overwhelming initially. Start by using only one calendar, paper or electronic, for all the activities in your schedule. Try a “clearing your mind” task. This involves writing down everything you have to do. Record one task per line on your paper or one task per entry until you have everything recorded. Including, exercise, work appointments, social commitments, bill payments, household tasks, children’s commitments, social media, doctor appointments, marketing, networking, a trip to the park, birthday parties etc. After you have them recorded, go back to the top of your list and write the date and time (schedule) when you will complete the task. Put all of these dates on your calendar remember to include travel time when you schedule tasks. As you look at your calendar you will be able to determine how much time you have each day, month and year available for the activities that are important to your life, family and business. It will help to put time into perspective and help determine why you might be feeling:
- overwhelmed
- overworked
- bored
- tired
- successful
- energized
- excited
- frustrated
Once you start to schedule everything, it will become easier because many of the entries will be recurring each day, week, month or year. They will be in your calendar and only new items will need to be added to your schedule. This will provide a structure that you can rely on to help you with the complex task of running a business and organizing a household.
If you need help with time management book a series of mini organizing sessions with me.
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
Moving house from town to town, state to state, or county to county can be rather intensive. It takes real effort to pack up your life and place it somewhere new. The orbit of your life has changed, and it may even take some time to convince your children of the change and to settle in well.
If that takes some time to get used to, imagine what it’s like moving from country to country. You may have an experience planned out yourself, perhaps moving for a new job, experiencing a new culture, or being closer to family. No matter your reasons, it’s important to remember that this effort is more than possible and a positive life change. That doesn’t mean it comes easy.
In this post, we’ll discuss a few insights that they rarely tell you about moving from country to country, and how you can pre-empt those issues or new experiences to better handle them. Without further ado, let’s get started:
You May Need To Relearn The Basics Of Daily Living
It’s easy to think living in one place is the same as everywhere, but that’s not always the case. Anyone who has moved to Canada with North American Van Lines will no doubt notice the weather change. In some cases, feet of snow has to be negotiated all winter long before driving anywhere. Perhaps preparing your home against the weather will become a new norm you have to get used to. In some countries, like Spain, the professional environment can be more relaxed and you need to make provisions for daily siestas. The standards of your daily living may change, and that’s okay.
Residential Standards May Be Different
The same goes for residential standards. In some countries, making noise past a certain time might be bad form. In others, late-night music and celebration may be commonplace. The utilities change too – for instance, in the United States, many people have to pay fees for garbage collection, in the United Kingdom this is relatively unheard of. Understanding that and asking questions of your neighbours can make a big difference, and help you feel well-situated and less confused within your new home.
You May Require Specific Aid From Equipped Services
In some cases, the move you’re planning could be to a remote location, a new country, or perhaps an area underserved by a moving specialist. In some countries using removalists who are licensed to move your belongings from country to country cleanly, without getting caught at border patrol, and with drivers who may be skilled at driving in that new location (for instance, heading into Canada during winter is quite the unique and frozen driving experience), can make the move more seamless, and you won’t have to worry about it. Perhaps you have specific requirements such as needing your insurance provider to offer insurance on highly valuable items. Keep this in mind when transitioning large quantities of possessions.
With this advice, you’re sure to move to a new country with care.
Let me know the situation you had to deal with when you moved to a new country.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, 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
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