Latest Blog Posts
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
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer.
Carolyn Shannon is my guest blogger today. Her business Venting Creatively helps people to find creative ways to shine a light on their life from a different view. She publishes a magazine called Women of Worth magazine.
Being productive leaves time for the things that are important to you
Top 10 Productivity Time Killers
Every day countless hours are wasted away due to non-productive activities. Time is money, so when distractions and procrastination set in profitability will decline. A survey conducted by OfficeTime.net has revealed 10 of the biggest time killers. The main offenders that reduce our productivity are:
1. Emails
2. Surfing the net
3. Watching TV
4. Procrastination
5. Meetings
6. Non-business conversations
7. Commuting & travel time
8. Social networking
9. Cell Phones & texting
10. Dealing with red tape
Types of Time Wasting
There are many factors that lead to procrastination. There are a few broad categories that most time wasting falls into.
1. Indecision.
Perfectionists will often struggle with indecision. Some things may never become perfect, and putting too much focus on perfection will mean too much time spent on one job. Splitting the work into smaller tasks is one way to deal with it more effectively.
2. Avoidance.
Fear of being judged can be the main cause of procrastination. It could be fear of failure or even success. Neither of these is something to be ashamed of. Success should be celebrated, and failure is the best way of learning. Think less about what others may think and more about trying your best at the task at hand.
3. Thrill Seeking.
This is when procrastination is justified because the worker likes the thrill of an approaching deadline. If this is the case it is best to move deadlines closer and set personal targets. This still gets you the thrill of working against the clock, while reducing procrastination.
How to Put an End to Time Killers
The first step to battling time killers is to understand and appreciate the amount of time that is being wasted. What is the value of all that lost time? Time wasters will directly affect your career advancement opportunities and reduce the amount of income you could have received. Tracking where your time is spent will allow for efficient time management. Don’t just rely on your memory to remember what you did during the day. Use a system so that you have a written record that can be looked over and analyzed. This could be as simple as creating a timetable on a piece of paper or utilizing a computer program or app to record your daily activities. Cutting down on time killers is a good start, but there are other strategies that should be used to effectively manage your time:
1. Define your purpose.
You need to know exactly what you want when starting a task. Without a definite purpose, you will lose focus.
2. Smart goal setting.
Choose realistic and specific goals and targets. It should be measurable so you know when it has been completed.
3. Plan on a regular basis.
As factors change, your plan should be adjusted to reflect the reality of the situation.
To truly beat time killers you need to work on your mindset & stick to your plan for the long term.
Which type of Time Waster Are You?
1. Thrill Seekers
They feel they can procrastinate, as they enjoy the feeling of working against a deadline
Tip: constantly set and adjust deadlines so that you still get the adrenaline rush but are using your time more effectively than procrastinating
2. Avoiders
They prefer to procrastinate as a means to avoid being judged. Whether it is a success or a failure
Tip: Success is a good thing and nothing to be ashamed of. Failure is a way to learn and improve. Focus on doing the best job you can and not on what others think.
3. Indecisive people
They are often perfectionists but procrastinate to shift responsibility from themselves
Tip: Not everything has to be perfect so try to take small risks and use your intuition. Mistakes may mean you learn something new. Try to split the task up into more manageable parts.
Need help setting new patterns and mindsets this year contact me. I can work with you virtually to help you become more productive and have time for the things that are important to you.
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 Professionals
Small homes can be tricky when you have many things you need to store. However, you may have more storage space than you realize. Maximizing your home’s storage space can be much easier than it seems at first. With minimal upgrades and these space-saving hacks, your small home will be transformed. Moreover, you won’t have to stress as much over the lack of space in your home. The final result will have your home looking bright and airy, which is something every homeowner strives for.
Use vertical space
In every small home, vertical space is the best way to store things. Vertical storage solutions are fantastic, as you will not have to sacrifice any floor space to gain additional room for storage. They are also some of the most affordable home upgrades you can make. Open wall shelves, door hangers, and bike racks for walls can save a lot of space in your small home. If you are looking to divide the space, use a divider that doubles as a shelving unit. This way, you’ll get to separate the areas and make them feel bigger. In addition to this, you will find the divider useful because it will be a great way to store things. You can also decorate it so that it ties the whole room together.
Utilize every corner of your home
If you find a way to use every corner of our home, you will have enough room for storage. Add built-in shelves for the narrow corner between closets to make the most out of the space. Fill it with smaller items such as books and decor. These will now have a designated area, making your room look much better. Underneath some beds is an empty space that can be used for storage. Simply packing things in bags and putting them underneath isn’t the way to go. You can easily organize this space and make it easy to use with roll-out drawers specifically designed for this space. This is a fantastic solution for extra pillows and linens you don’t have the space for in your closet. These things are easily accessible without ruining the room’s overall look.
Space-saving storage hacks for small kitchens
Cooking in a small kitchen can be annoying if it is cluttered. If you own an extensive collection of mugs and other dishes, you can display them to save space. Use vertical hangers for all of your fanciest cups so that they can be on display. You can use high-quality packing materials if you are relocating into a new, small home and don’t want them to get damaged. To keep your fragile items safe, let a reliable team handle transport for your next long-distance move from Toronto. In the kitchen, you can use your fine china as decor saving cupboard space for the things you use every day.
Open shelving is a great storage solution for narrow spaces. And in a small home, you want to use as much of it as possible. Closed storage solutions, like many cupboards, can make your kitchen feel smaller. But installing open shelving instead can be the right solution for this.
Furthermore, you can even use the ceiling to create more space in your kitchen. Hang the cooking utensils and pots you use the most above the kitchen counters or the kitchen island. They will now be easily accessible and simultaneously make more room in your cupboards and drawers.
Organize your closet in a smart way
You may be surprised to see how much room you can make in your closet with a little reorganization. By reorganizing a little bit, you will have more room for all your clothes. A shoe organizer for your door is great for smaller shoes, such as sandals and flip-flops. Moreover, it can be an excellent way to store accessories like belts and necklaces. To organize your shoe collection:
- Use a variety of shoe racks.
- Separate them if you can so they don’t get damaged by the weight of the other shoes.
- Use vacuum bags for seasonal clothes like winter jackets that you won’t have to use for a few months.
This way, you’ll save space and keep the things you use regularly at your fingertips.
Turn the stairs into a storage solution
Another smart way to make more storage space in your tiny home is to use your staircase as a storage solution. You can achieve this in several different ways. One way would be to turn each step into a drawer for storage. This excellent idea is great for smaller things and seasonal shoes. It can be beneficial because the staircase is usually close to the entry door. Another way is to maximize the space underneath the staircase by making a custom built-in closet or a set of drawers. This is the perfect place for storing your coats and sporting equipment. Now, your sporting equipment is easily accessible and stays hidden when not used. However, before you begin renovating your new home, experts from Centennial Moving advise you to declutter. You may need less space than you think at first.
Summing up these space-saving hacks
Even though your home may be small, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the storage room you need. By using smart, space-saving hacks for your home, you will have enough space for all of your things. These hacks and solutions will make your small home feel bigger and brighter in the process. In addition, if you ever run out of space, you can always use a storage unit for all your seasonal items. Finally, it’s all about combining various hacks and storage solutions to create a smart home that’s well-organized and clutter-free to suit your personality and lifestyle.
If Sophia missed anything add it to the comments.
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
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer.
A lovely colleague sent me this first tip. Marie Mushing runs a networking group called People in Connection
1. Make the area a showcase
See what working with a professional organizer can do for you? Professional Organizers rub out junk. Where there was once chaos and huge piles of paper, is now a showcase. Thank you Julie! Replace the junk pile with something pretty as I did, then you won’t want to pile junk on that again. Great motivation to keep the filing done!
2. Prevent drop zones from forming
If you have an empty flat surface it sometimes calls to people, “to fill me with stuff.” To prevent that area from becoming cluttered, put a large object or two in that spot. It will make the area feel full and then you won’t drop things there. With only 2 larger objects, it is easy to pick them up and dust and clean them. If you use a number of smaller items it may make the area harder to clean.
3. Designate a paper collection spot
Assign a place to put papers that need to be read, filed, signed etc. Place a tray, lovely baskets, eye catching red container etc in a convenient location. Why red? Red is a high energy colour, it increases your heart rate, and your eye is drawn to red items. Using a red basket can help to make dealing with paperwork a high priority activity. Keeping paperwork consolidated in one spot makes it easier to find and work with. When paper is all over the office or house it becomes visual clutter, causing anxiety, the release of cortisol and you feel stress. Cut the visual clutter, collect the paper in one spot, and complete the tasks.
4. Avoid the L word – later
Piles of paper will continue to build up if you leave them for later. Later will never come. Schedule time to deal with paperwork: schedule time to read, file, and reply to paperwork that generates more work. Schedule these activities according to your level of energy at different times of the day. Scheduling reading after lunch at a low energy time of the day may not be productive but scheduling filing after lunch may be perfect because it gets you up and active. Scheduling time at the beginning of each day to concentrate on work generated by email, letters, and documents might work well when you are able to focus on single tasks. Remember not to multitask.
Schedule time for paperwork
If you’re interested in learning how colour can affect your productivity, this guide is free and you can find it here.
What tricks do you use to help you complete paperwork?
Related articles The truth about multitasking
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
