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2 Kinds of Clutter

Posted by gitcalgary on

Monday, April 29th, 2013

in Family Organizing, Organizing, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing

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When Peter Walsh was talking to the audience, he suggested there are 2 types of clutter:

Memory Clutter
‘I might need that someday’ clutter

Let’s take a look at each and see how we can re-think the way we look at those items.

Memory Clutter

Memory clutter is anything that you keep to remind yourself of a person, a time, a past event, etc. Things like:

kids art work
old love letters
ticket stubs from concerts
cards (birthday, anniversary, etc.)
clothing from holidays, concerts, etc
sentimental items - items passed down from generation (to generation)

Bt9QNlEGkKGrHqEOKiUEvMlcVuPKBL TqbbMzg 35 2 Kinds of Clutter Why do people tend to hold on to these type of articles? Peter Walsh suggests that by letting go of the items, people may feel that they will loose the memory. Just stop and think about that for a minute. If you got rid of that old t-shirt that you bought when you saw Duran Duran (and yes – this is now aging me), would you loose the memory of that concert? Most likely not. My mom, not too long ago, finally was able to get rid of my dad’s Maui 86 t-shirt (and yes – that was 1986!).

When thinking of kids artwork, Peter Walsh asked this question to the audience: “The best memories of your children: are they behind you or in front of you?”

It’s not to say that you can’t keep anything. It just means there are ways to keep items that really hold memories for you. For your kids art work, Peter suggests you take pictures of their artwork. You can create a scrap book, a digital photo book, etc.

Sentimental Items

Sentimental items tend to be tricky for people to deal with. We’re talking about items that are passed down to you, family heirlooms, etc. Peter suggests the following,

“Separate the memory from the object.” ~Peter Walsh

This is an area where it really is important to re-frame the way you look at the items you have.

”No one who loves you, or has loved you, wants their stuff to strangle you.” ~ Peter Walsh

If there are love letters you wish to keep, instead of keeping them in a box (tucked under the stairs or in the attic), take a few and frame them. Have them out where you can enjoy them every day. In a previous post, I talked about when my dear grandmother passed away and what I ended up keeping. Her mixing bowl set (which meant I gave away the one I had been using) as well as her Mix Master. Those are items I use and every time I use them, I think about her.

I Might Need It One Day Clutter

The first thing I think about in this category are what I call “wish clothes.”

I wish I could fit into those Size 2 jeans again
I wish my butt would look great in those pants
I wish that dress would come back in style one day
I wish…

You get the point? As Peter suggested, you wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time. Stop and think about this one for a minute. Is that true for you? If you’re not sure, start to pay attention when you’re doing laundry and when you’re getting dressed. If you are truly not sure, then you can do a test on your closet:

Turn all of your hangers around so they are facing backwards.
When you take something out to wear, flip that hanger to face the other way.
After 6 months, any clothes that are still on a hanger facing backwards are clothes you don’t wear. It’s time to get rid of those clothes.

The key to this trick is to be honest. Don’t let your clothes mock you. Having sizes in your closet that range from a size 6 – 16 are not doing you any good.

The second thing I think about in ‘I might need this one day clutter’ are items that have been purchased because it was on sale. If you bought something because it was on sale, that is not a good enough reason to keep it. Plain and simple! Many people hold on to these items because they have already spent money on it and consider it a waste of money to get rid of it. The following quote was my absolute favourite from the evening,

“Just because you are holding on to an item doesn’t mean you haven’t already wasted money on it.“

~ Peter Walsh

If you are not using an item, then get rid of it. Bought on sale or not – it’s time to let it go!

Throughout this entire process, continue to revisit the on-going theme:

What is the vision you wish to create for you space?

Keep going back to that question and be honest and truthful with yourself. Remember, it’s your space!

Coming Soon – Are We On The Same Page?

How Does The Stuff You Own Let You Lead The Life You Want?

Posted by gitcalgary on

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

in Family Organizing, Organizing, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing

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THAT is the question Peter Walsh asked the audience when I recently saw him live at an event. A fairly simple, yet loaded question. If you are not sure how to answer that question, you can start by seeing if you tend to use the following words to describe a space:

suffocating
buried
can’t breathe
the walls are closing in
drowning
stressed out

Do any of those words or phrases sound familiar to you when thinking of a space(s)?

According to Peter, the mistake that people make when trying to get organized is thinking they just need the right ‘thing’ to help them. Peter talked about how we get ‘sucked in’ (my words – not his) into the promise of ‘stuff’.


This jewellery organizer will organize all my jewellery	This shoe organizer will organize all my shoes	This closet organizer will organize all my clothes

You get the point? The thinking of, “If we just acquire the right things, we’ll have the life we want,” couldn’t be further from the truth! Peter says, “If you just focus on the stuff, becoming organized is not going to happen.”

So HOW do you start to address clutter? Peter responds to virtually every situation with the following:

What is the vision for your space?
What is the function for your space?
Does your space require zones?
Do you know the limit(s) of your zones and space?

By thinking of the vision and function of your space, you are re-framing your thoughts for your space(s). Instead of asking, “what storage container do I need here to help with this mess,” you ask yourself, “what is the vision I have for this space?” By having a vision for your space, you are more likely to honor and respect that space. Here is an example:

Master Bedroom

When you check into a beautiful hotel room, you might find yourself opening the door, walking in, and letting out a huge, “Ahhhhhh.”

luxury hotel rooms pamilla cape town How Does The Stuff You Own Let You Lead The Life You Want?

Do you get that same feeling when you walk into your master bedroom? Do you find yourself saying, “ughhh!”

Summer 533 thumb How Does The Stuff You Own Let You Lead The Life You Want?

Peter shared that for every consultation he does, he starts with seeing the Master Bedroom. Why? He believes it is the most important room in the house! The master bedroom sets the tone for the entire home as well as setting the tone for your kids (if you have kids). So ask yourself,

1. What is the vision I have for my master bedroom? Is it for your room to be more:

romantic?
peaceful?
serene?
calming?

2. What is the function for your master bedroom?

to sleep?
to have a loving relationship with your spouse or partner?
to relax?

3. Does your space require zones?

do you need a zone for books for reading before bed?
do you need a zone for a clock radio?
do you need a zone for clothes?
do you need a zone to keep ________?

4. Do you know your limits?

there is only so much space in each zone. Is your closet bursting at the seams? If so, you will need to purge.
how many books are reasonable to be on a night stand? 20 books is probably not reasonable however, 3 may be.
is the floor the right space for clean (and/or dirty) clothes? I’m thinking not.

Keep going back to your vision and let that be the driving force for decisions you make. If you want a romantic master bedroom, clean and/or dirty clothes on the floor is NOT creating romance. Having to step over kids toys to get to the bed is NOT creating romance.

It’s time to create the home you want because nobody else will. It’s your home, your investment, and your life. So, what is your vision for your space?

Part II – 2 Kinds of Clutter

**Quotes were taken from Peter Walsh’s live event on April 20, 2013

3 Good Habits To Create For Yourself

Posted by gitcalgary on

Friday, June 1st, 2012

in Family Organizing, Organizing, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing, Student Organizing

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Have you ever wondered how some people seem organized all the time? Why they always seem to have it all together? It isn’t because they are perfect because we all know that no one is perfect! While I can’t speak for every organized person, I having a feeling they possess habits that they use in their everyday and work life. I’ve listed 3 habits below that I know I often draw upon:

Stick With What Works For You! Have you ever thought that you could have a newer, better cell phone? Perhaps your car isn’t the newest one on the road? Maybe you feel ‘out to lunch’ because you take notes in meetings with an old-fashion pen and paper? Don’t waste time, energy and money on the latest and newest ‘just because‘. It is exhausting and can quickly have you feeling overwhelmed by what is out there! Individuals who are extremely organized find ways to get the job done and typically stick with works for them. For example, in the iPhone App Store today, there are 2524 apps just for productivity! Would I use them all? Oh my….no way! Have I tried a lot out to see how they work? Absolutely! I have my favorite productivity apps that I use daily that work for me. I’m sticking with it until it no longer serves a purpose instead of trying to find the next greatest one out there.
Separate Your Emotions From Your Possessions. Do you have things that once belonged to your great-grandmother? Is there something special that was given to you that reminds you of something? Those are great examples of items to keep. For example, my mom and dad have a great mirror that once belonged to my grandma that hangs in their home. Every time I look at the mirror I’m reminded of her and where it used to hang in her house. On the other hand, I have not kept the ticket stubs to a John Cougar Mellencamp concert (that I went to twice!). Many people struggle with this one. Here is what I typically say: “If something is important to you, then you need to have it out and have access to enjoy it. If you put something in a box and tuck it under the stairs and don’t see it again until you move (in 5 years, 7 years, 15 years, etc.), is it truly valuable to you or just a forgotten item?
Think Ahead! Highly organized people are always thinking and thinking ahead. They look at their calendars and plan accordingly. They listen to the traffic reports to see if they need to make adjustments to their travel plans. They listen to the weather to ensure they are wearing the correct jacket and shoes. They plan out their route if they have to make multiple stops to ensure they are utilizing their time effectively. They set timers and/or make deadlines for things to get done. For some people, this comes naturally. For others, not so much. If you are someone who knows you could benefit from this habit, there are ways to help yourself think ahead. You can create a list of what to do first, second, etc. that you may find helpful. Once you have completed the first step, cross it off and move to the second. If you are someone who needs a list, this should be done every evening or every morning to help you focus on your day. Some backwards planning will also help. Use your end time and work backwards. For example, if I need to be at the north end of town by 2:00, then I’ll need to leave here by at least 1:00.

Although I have only talked about 3 habits, there are many more habits that organized individuals rely on. My personal favorite is: no drawer is called the Miscellaneous drawer. A place for everything and everything in it’s place!

Have a great day everyone!

HELP! I Don’t Even Know Where To Start!

Posted by gitcalgary on

Monday, April 30th, 2012

in Family Organizing, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing

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Does this look familiar?

If this sounds like you, you are not alone! What happens when we fall into a cycle like the one above is that we get a feeling of being overwhelmed. What you may even find is that what started out as one space has grown to more spaces or areas. So how do you get out of this never-ending cycle? You break each area down as far as you can. Here’s an example:

Scenario: Home Office

Observation:

Unable to see the desk (flat surface)
Papers on the desk, on the floor, on the filing cabinet
Book shelf filled with ‘stuff’ (not necessarily books)
Electronic cords in some drawers, some on the floor, some on the book shelf
No garbage can, no recycling, no shredder
Similar items scattered around the room
Filing cabinet half empty

Getting a picture of this home office?

To rid yourself of that ‘overwhelmed’ feeling, take one area and focus on that. Each area may take one day (or part of a day) but that’s o.k. My little rule of thumb is: Do the job right the first time. Take your time on each job and just get it done. THEN, move on to the next.

Here’s an example of dealing with just the PAPER issue:

Collect all the loose paper.
Take the paper to another room and sort.
Sort into categories – the more categories the better: filing, action items (things that need to get done or have a deadline/due date), shredding, recycling, etc.
Take your recycling pile and recycle it right away. Check – this job is now done!
Take your shredding pile and shred it (yes – do it now). Check – this job is now done!
Action items – take this pile and record any due dates/deadlines in your calendar. Place these items (for now) in a pile once your have documented the dates. These papers will be going back to the home office.
Filing – if need be, purchase file folders and use the filing cabinet for what it is meant for. Take the time to file right now. Check – this job is now done.
Back to Action Items: the dates/deadlines are recorded however you still may need access to these papers. There are many organizational options to choose from. Whatever organizational system you choose, make sure it works for you!
When you have placed your ‘action items’ in a spot that works for you (back in the home office), the paper issue should now be completed.

When the paper issue has been fully and completely addressed, then the next area can be started on. A common mistake for individuals is to start on one area and then get distracted and start working on another area. Catch yourself before that happens! It is extremely important to focus on one area, get that area addressed before you move on to the next! Stop the cycle of “I don’t know where to start.” It may take some discipline on your part, but it can be done. By doing so, you will start to see results and get a handle on your space!

Happy organizing everyone!

Nike has it right!

Posted by gitcalgary on

Friday, January 20th, 2012

in GIT, Organizing, Personal Organizing

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When it comes to organizing – whether it’s your office, your home, your personal life, procrastination seems to easily creep in on people. Before one knows it, a pile of paper has grown, clothes have taken on a life of their own, and many jobs are not getting done.

One key area that I ask clients to address is their schedule. Quite often, people procrastinate because they don’t enjoy the task or they don’t have time to do it. By taking a hard look at your own schedule – what each day looks like (both personal and work life), it can be a great way to figure out why procrastination hits. You may find:

- you have unfinished projects
- a list of ‘To-Do’s a mile long
- you are doing things you should not be doing
- you are committed to things that offer no value or are burdensome

Whatever the reason, it’s time to assess what is filling up your schedule. Get rid of the time-suckers, delegate tasks (remember: if it has to be done your way – you’ll be doing it), or ask for help. Once you have gone through that stage, it’s time to look at what is left. Many clients end up with a list of tasks or activities that are either ranked according to urgency or according to need. Here are a few examples:

Example #1 Time Sensitive: If there is a bill that is due February 1, then it needs to be paid by Feb. 1. Why pay late fees when you don’t have to? Schedule in time to to pay the bill and ‘Just Do It’.

Example #2 Routine Everyone has laundry. If the clothes hamper is full, don’t go out and buy more clothes, get washing the clothes you have. Schedule in time to get your clothes washed and ‘Just Do It’.

Example #3 Routine We are bombarded by mail everyday. When you get your mail, address it right away. Recycle the flyers and paper you don’t need. Address the bills that come in and schedule in when the bill is due to be paid, set a reminder for the bill payment and ‘Just Do It’.

When you actually sit back and really take a long, hard look at things, remembering Nike’s motto speaks the truth. Being an adult comes with having responsibility. So remember, ‘Just Do It’.

Focusing on Your Strengths

Posted by gitcalgary on

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

in GIT, Personal Organizing

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I recently met with a colleague of mine who is a Productivity Professional. Her name is Dawn and she owns a company called Work in Order. When Dawn and I met we talked about our past lives and what we did before we became Professional Organizers. If you didn’t already know, I had been an elementary school teacher for seventeen years when I decided I was going to leave the profession. I had always thought that I’d be a teacher until I retired. When I was in my mid thirties I started to think about life outside the classroom and all the possibilities. Although I love little kids and loved being in the classroom, I always felt there was something else waiting for me.

During our meeting Dawn and I talked about our strengths – what we love to do. As Dawn talked about her business and how she helps her clients, it was very evident that she loves what she does. She is passionate about her work and in helping her clients become more productive. When I was talking about my work and the variety of things my company does, the same excitement was felt by me. Whether it’s through organizing or helping clients with time management or getting things done for my clients – I love it all. I’m pretty sure there’s even a twinkle in my eyes when I talk about what I do! I know that if I was talking about teaching, the same excitement would not have been shown by me.

Through our conversation, Dawn mentioned a program called Strengths Finder. I had vaguely heard of it but was interested in knowing what it was all about. When I started to read the book and looked into the program, I knew this was something special. The short version of this program is simple: you take a little on-line test and it comes up with your five themes that would be your strengths. This program then lets you take your top five themes and guides you to helping you discover your strengths – both in your personal life and in your work life. I’d like to share three of my top five with you:

Achiever – “People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.” For those of you who know me personally, that couldn’t be more accurate! I was not surprised this was one of my five.
Discipline – “People who are especially talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine and structure. Their world is best described by the order they create.” Hello! “Order” and “Structure” – I’m sure those are my middle names!
Relator – “People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve goals.” Bingo! I consider all of my clients friends (if not family)!

Although none of my top five were surprising, for me it was more confirmation that I am now using my strengths and loving it! Too many times we find ourselves focusing on things we should be doing better when in fact, why not focus on what we are good at? According to Strength Finder, “…people who do have the opportunity to focus on their strengths ever day are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs and more than three times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general.” (Strengths Finder 2.0, Tom Rath, ©2007)

This year, as you make New Year’s Resolutions and set goals for yourself, whether it be personal or professional goals, try working with your strengths. For some of you, you’ll be able to work with your strengths on your own. For others, you may feel you need to have a friend help you or hire a professional to guide you in working with your strengths. Whatever path you choose, I encourage you to build on your strengths to find success.

I leave you with a final thought from Strengths Finder 2.0: “If you want to improve your life and the lives of those around you, you must take action. Align your job and goals with your natural talents.” (Strengths Finder 2.0, Tom Rath, ©2007).

Happy strength finding!

Sheri

Strength Finder 2.0 can be found here

Learning From the Past – Building on the Future

Posted by gitcalgary on

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

in Concierge, GIT, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing

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A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to meet another woman business owner. She too, had started her business a little over three years ago just as I had. We also both worked in government positions – I as a teacher and she as a nurse. When she asked me about what I did before I started my business, I was hesitant to tell her I was a teacher. Many times, teachers are not held with high regards. There are many people who believe that teachers have it easy – the whole summer off, 2 weeks off at Christmas, etc. Some believe that teachers work 9:00 – 3:00 and have the rest of the time to themselves. It’s not that I’m embarrassed to say that I was a teacher, I just never know what the reaction is going to be. When I quietly told her that I had been a teacher for 17 years she did not shy away. We actually ended up talking for quite some time. Coinstar agent I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation; especially our topic of work ethic. It’s taken me a little over 3 years to realize and appreciate my time as a teacher. I believe ‘once a teacher – always a teacher. ‘ When I look at my business, I appreciate the things I learned as a teacher that have enabled me to be a business owner. Here are some things I have come to realize:

1. It’s extremely important to continue to plan and learn. For the most part, when talking about teachers, you will not find harder working people. Their work ethic is second to none. For teachers, teaching just doesn’t involve standing up in front of kids. It involves planning ahead (for the class and group of students you have that particular year), and involves continually learning best teaching practices. Let’s not forget about the assessing that takes place. In my business, the same holds true. We plan for a new organized space, we plan how we can help someone with time management, we plan on the most efficient way to complete errands, and we plan an entire relocation/move! When there’s a plan in place, everything runs smoothly!

2. Take each client from where they are guide them to where they want to go. In the fall, teachers are given a class of students. Within that class, there may be 20 different levels of learning. As a teacher, the goal was to take each student (no matter where they were in their learning) and bring them along – with no judgement. The same holds true in my business. Whether it’s teaching someone organizing strategies, time management strategies, or helping someone move. Wherever they are in their life, at that moment, is where we start. No judging!

3. Surround yourself with individuals who have the same values as you have. Recently, I’ve found myself in a position where I needed to hire on some staff. As a business owner, it’s exciting to know that you have a growing business. The stressful part was finding the right people. I knew that whoever I needed to hire was going to represent my name and my business. Knowing exactly what I was looking for made this a bit easier, but I was pretty fussy. I thought, “Do I want to hire someone to just ‘do the job’ or do I want to hire someone to make connections with my clients and represent my company?” I knew right away what my answer was. I want to surround myself with like-minded individuals who hold similar values and who will proudly represent my name as well as my company’s. In turn, I want someone who will be proud to work with us!

To be honest, I left teaching on a pretty frustrating note. Educational cutbacks, larger class sizes, less help/assistance are just a few of the frustrations I felt. However, as I look back, I owe all that I am as a business owner to my teaching career. I know that I have learned from the past that will enable me to build on my future!

Have a great day!

Sheri

The image used in this blog post is courtesy of zirconicusso

What Works For Me May Not Work For You

Posted by gitcalgary on

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

in Family Organizing, GIT, Organizing Tips, Personal Organizing

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When I start working with a client,it’s very important for me to get to know what kind of learner they are. Why? Knowing if someone is a more dominant left-brain thinker vs a right-brain thinker is extremely important when it comes to organizing. Not sure if you’re left-brain or right-brain dominant? There are a ton of different quick ‘test’ you can take on-line. Here are 2 sites that you may wish to explore:

1. http://www.blogthings.com/areyourightorleftbrainedquiz/ 20 question quiz that will ‘spit out’ what you are.

2. http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm 54 questions that will give you your results.

There are many more sites available but I just happened to choose these two. Just for reference, here are my own personal scores:

55% left-brain and 45% right-brain

53% left-brain and 47% right-brain

How does this relate to organizing? Here are some tips that I hope you find helpful:

Left-Brain

Create an ordered workspace
Place items behind closed doors except for current tasks
Create logical ‘homes’ for things (pens, paper, etc.)
Purchase tools like desk drawer trays, labelers, etc.

Right-Brain

Use color (file folders, magazine holders, etc).
Have options for current projects/tasks in the open
Use visual cues (colored post-it notes) as reminders
Purchase attractive organizers that you like to look at

Looking at myself, I’m almost 50-50 so what does that mean for me? I actually tend to use a combination of left-brain and right-brain strategies.

What is important to remember is: what works for me may not work for you. If you are more right-brain dominant your organization will look different than someone who may be more left-brain dominant.

So, before you begin your journey of becoming organized or more organized, do a little self-evaluation to figure out what will work best for you!

Have a great day!

Archive for Personal Organizing

Memory Clutter

Sentimental Items

I Might Need It One Day Clutter

What is the vision you wish to create for you space?

Sheri

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