Great Garage

Top Ten Garage Tips

Wouldn't you love to have a beautiful, organized, clutter-free, envy-of -the-neighbors garage?   Maybe even park a car or two in there??  The Department of Transportation says that less than 50% of Americans park as many vehicles in their garage as it was built to house.

 The last thing you see when you leave and the first view of your home when you return is the garage, and that impacts how you feel all day.

This is the very best time of year to jump into that garage project - not too hot or too cold.   Get ready now for the upcoming sports/hobbies/gardening/fun season!  If you need advice and some extra hands call us at 501-620-0546 for expert help.

Whether your budget is low, middle, or yippee, here's the path to your great garage, carport, or storage building using my Top Ten Time-tested Tips.

   1.  First step always is to pull out the stuff (do small areas at a time to avoid overwhelm) and review its usefulness.  Edit ruthlessly!  Recycle, donate, sell, share with the neighbors, or trash it – the key is to put it back into the Universe.  Now you have less stuff and more space to work with.

  2.  Plan your garage system in zones - keep all the tools/equipment for a particular activity together in one area.  Sports, toys, gardening, wood-working, car maintenance, holiday, etc. 

  3.   Keep in mind that your goal is quick and easy access to the items you use most in any particular season.   Make things easy to find and simple to put away.  This takes some thought and planning before you begin and an honest appraisal of how much you really use things

  4.  Always go up - use all the space allowed with high shelves for less used items (holiday decor, off season sporting goods).  Get as close to the ceiling as possible to maximize the space and get stuff off the floor. A cleared floor is safer, cleaner, and just looks more appealing.  If your room height and budget permit there are great options to actually hang items from the ceiling.

   5.  Use a system of wall mounted hooks and clamps for as many of your larger tools and sports items as possible.  Several companies offer these at varying price points, or build your own if you’re handy.  Again - use the walls for easy access and to get it off the ground.

   6.  Include both open and closed storage if budget permits.  Closed cabinets are great for messy looking items and security.  Keep sharp tools, toxic chemicals and paints away from kids and pets.  

   7.  Open shelves can be inexpensive if you shop the big box stores.  I often use a heavy-duty 5-shelf plastic unit for lower-cost projects.  They can hold a lot and no worries about possible water or other environmental damage.  Get the tallest one available to hold your stuff and leave some empty space for growth.

   8.  Shallow drawers (best is a large tool chest or workbench) are great if you have a lot of hand tools.  Interior storage keeps them clean, safe, and organized by function for quick access.  A pegboard with hooks and small bins for constantly used small tools and supplies is terrific for the serious DIY-er.

   9.  Use a large basket (hanging or free standing) or tub for balls.  They must be corralled so you won't be constantly chasing them around!

   10.  Keep in mind the age and size of family members as you plan storage that is easy to reach for even the smallest ones.  Increases the chances that stuff might be put away after use!

Now - go fling open that garage door and show your work to the world!

Holiday Help

12 Tips of Christmas

Here are a dozen ideas to help you minimize the work and maximize the pleasure of the season. Thoughtfully choose the activities that will be meaningful for you and your loved ones this year, and streamline or discard the rest.

1.  GET IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD
 If you need to set the holiday mood to start wrapping gifts and writing out cards, take out the seasonal MUSIC or MOVIES and pop one in. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’re ready to tackle the holidays!
  
2.  CLEAR OUT
Clean out the old to make room for the new! Get rid of toys that your children have outgrown, are broken or no longer of interest to them. The same goes for the clothing closets. If you haven't worn it in the last 2 years, sell it or donate it. Take advantage of the year-end tax DEDUCTIONS.

3.  SIMPLIFY
Carry a small NOTEBOOK in your purse. Write down your thoughts immediately: things to buy, things to do, etc. This will free you from those nagging doubts and fear of forgetting something vital. Refer to it often.

4.  GIFTS
Once you come across an idea in CATALOGS, sales flyers, or elsewhere tear the page out and place the idea in a folder titled "gift ideas. If online make a note of the URL, or print the page and add to the file. Keep the ordering information and clip or staple them together with the name of the potential recipient. This could be a year round project making holidays that much easier.See below for my ideas for Clutter-Free Giving.

 5.  RECEIPTS
Get a large white envelope and label it Shopping Central. Put your shopping list there and keep ALL receipts in this envelope. This will make shopping and any returns a breeze.

 6.  HOSTESS GIFTS
Keep a supply of candles, boxed candy, wine or other small gifts on hand to use as GENERIC hostess gifts, teacher gifts, mailman gifts, etc. Or buy lots of poinsettias as soon as they appear in the stores, then use them to decorate your house and give them away as needed.


 7.  WRAP IT UP
 If you must wrap, remember the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce waste by wrapping gifts within gifts. Reuse paper, bags, or other containers. Recycle by choosing wrapping materials that won’t end up in a landfill.

8.  DECORATE
 Take SNAPSHOTS of your decorating arrangements to save time and decision making next year. Order double prints. Keep one set with your Christmas decorations to serve as instructions. Put the other set in your safety deposit box with your household inventory for insurance purposes. 

9.  STORE
 Consider giving decorations you haven’t displayed in years to new homes. Make a list of supplies you’ll NEED for next year, such as wrapping materials, cards, extension cords, and replacement light bulbs. Determine how many and what size containers you’ll need for storage. With this list, take advantage of after-Christmas SALES. Stick to your list, being careful not to collect more clutter just because it’s on sale. 

10.  MORE STORE 
Put away sorted decorations according to GROUPINGS. For example, keep all your tree trimmings together rather than scattering them throughout your storage boxes. Be sure to label each container according to its contents. Consider numbering your boxes according to decorating priority. “Box 1” would contain those items that you consider essential and would want to unpack first, such as decorating photos (see #9), holiday music, and special recipes. Take this opportunity to store other items that you ONLY use during the holidays, particularly those that take up valuable kitchen cupboard space like serving platters.

11.  GUESTS
If you expect overnight house guests try out the room by spending a night there first. Pretend you are a hotel guest and look at it with outsider’s eyes. Is the bed and room comfortable? What items would you want – clock, nice hangers, tissues, extra blanket? Does the room need to be CLEANED? This is a great time to get the room de-cluttered - throw out and donate some of the items that have inevitably found their way in.
  
12.  NEXT YEAR
The day AFTER Christmas, make next year's "to do" list so that you won't have to work so    hard again! Shop year round for gifts, decorations, and cards for those you love. Keep a running list of things you enjoyed, recipes that were a hit, activities to skip, and tips for making things easier on you and your household.

Goal Tending

New Year Resolutions - 7 Tips

The end of the old and coming of the new is upon us once again.  Call them Resolutions, Goals, Commitments, whatever you choose, we all know that making them is the easy part.  Keeping them past January 31st - now that's tough!

The article "How to Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick"  by author, Coach, and fellow Professional Organizer Helen Buttigieg offers 7 tips to help turn your good intentions into genuine life changes.  Her steps were so much like the Key Concepts for organizing that they really resonated with me. 

Here is a brief summary, but read the whole article if you're searching for the Key to Change for 2010!

1.  Concentrate on just 1 or 2 goals now so you stay focused.  You can do it all, just not all at once!

2.  Tie your goals to most important values, and determine your most powerful reason for attaining the goal.  When inspiration comes from within you don't have to rely on sheer willpower alone.

3.  Put your goals in writing and post them so you see them several times a day.  Repetition causes the unconscious mind to work on the goal and create a new habit.

4.  Break down the task of change into small steps and take at least 1 small action each day in that direction.

5.  Recognize that set-backs are just that, not a failure.  Be kind to yourself  and get re-inspired by reviewing those powerful reasons for reaching your goals.

6.  Reflect upon the small successes you make along the way and celebrate them.

7.  Keeping commitments requires accountability, so find a goal-buddy, hire a coach, or make an appointment with a professional organizer.  Tell your friends and family your intentions, and make this your year to bring lasting, positive change into your life.

Hope this helps you and me this year!   Let me know how your resolutions are going and call (501-620-0546) if you need ideas, resources, coaching, or an accountability partner to achieve your dreams.

New Card and Coupon Cubbies

Just got a new order of Card Cubbies including more colors, some upscale Wristee Cubbies, and announcing....drumroll please....Coupon Cubbies.   Now you Serious Couponers can have the benefits of a file cabinet in a purse too.  Special dividers made for shopping categories, and they're bigger, wider, and include a shoulder strap.  

See my new Wristee Cubbies too with a more elegant closure and wrist strap.  Toss in your keys some cash and go.

Call 501-620-0546 to learn more or to place your order now.  Holidays are coming so I have extra red Cubbies!!   Or email becca@convenientlyorganized.com.

Regular Cubs are still just $20 (shipping may apply if I don't see you to deliver)
Wristees and Coupon Cubs are $25.

Enjoy my oh-so-amateur movie making skills and meet Bob the Porch Cat too!   :)

Card Cubbies from Becca

New Service from Creative Convenience

                                          The Clutter Crash

I hear from some people that they know how to organize, but one (or a few) areas in their homes have been over-taken by the clutter monster and overwhelm has set in.  So I've created a new service:  The Clutter Crash.   Like the TV shows where they "crash" a yard, room, or home, we come in and make massive quick changes to your space.

One assistant and I will lead and help you plow through the piles, making lightening-fast decisions, editing rigorously, and sorting into the Toss and Keep sections with joy and ease for four exhilarating hours.

This is NOT designing storage, setting up systems or paper files, working through your style, negotiating family compromises, or transferring skills and motivation - the usual critical elements of organizing.  It's a jump start method and four extra hands to get you on your way to a cleared out space.  And that will lead to a happier, simpler life.

So, you are surely asking:  What does this amazing life changing service from  two seasoned and fast-moving professionals cost?  It is only $300 for the whole deal (Minimal travel charges may apply depending upon your location).  What is a room worth?  A super bargain!!   

Here are glowing client testimonials from recent Clutter Crashes:

    "I had been stressing over my cluttered bedroom and closet for many, many months. Finally one day I just about had a panic attack thinking about what a big job getting organized was going to be and decided I needed professional help. I found Becca's website, she and her assistant came over, and within four hours, my bedroom and closet were perfectly organized. They were both really nice and the process was not stressful for me. She is worth every penny plus some!"  -  Pam Cameron of Little Rock

    "I've lived amidst clutter and half unpacked boxes for a year. We focused our four hour session on the bedroom, and I marveled how floor became visible, closet took shape. With the help of Becca and her assistant I felt energized and empowered to clean and make decisions about getting rid of what I didn't need. I was definitely exhausted by the end, but it was so worth it. When I look around at my beautifully clean room, I feel like I have my life back." - J.J. of Little Rock 

Call Becca at 501-620-0546 to book your Crash now!

School's Out!

A colleague from NAPO (National Assn. of Professional Organizers) Jodi Granok just wrote this super helpful article dealing with end of the year school stuff for children.   She works a lot with families in the St. Louis area, and this was so good I asked her if I could share in its entirety.  She graciously agreed, so here are tips to help face the mounds of paper and artwork flooding into your home now!  

Happy June!

Becca

If you are like most parents, you are currently drowning in a mound of educational clutter that signifies the end of another school year.  It's hard enough to motivate your children to get ready for school in the fall, much less encourage them to weed through those paper piles!  Here's how to do it:

1) Schedule a time with your child - Pick a day that is close to the end of the school year, before your student disappears into the hazy days of summer.  The key is that you work together with your child (instead of doing it for him or her!) so that organizational skills are learned. Offer a reward for completing the project, such as a special lunch or movie outing. 

2) Sort papers into piles by subject - Have your child gather up all paperwork from his or her binders, folders, bedroom, backpack, etc. and designate a spot for each subject.  Work at a table, or on the floor, whatever is more conducive.  Designate a "recycling" pile for papers that are no longer needed.

3) Look for the "Diamonds in the rough" - Most homework assignments and notes are disposable after the school year is over.  Your child should look for the treasured moments from the school year, such as:

• A good grade on a test that the subject matter was particularly challenging to master
• Program from the school play that your child starred in
• A favorite essay from English class, with complimentary notes from the teacher written in the margins

4) Keep the best and recycle the rest - Choose the top memories and place them in a clear poly envelope, acid-free files, or acid-free folders (to preserve the papers properly).  Make sure to remove tape, paperclips, and rubber bands before storing materials away in a dark area for protection.  Avoid placing paper memorabilia in an area with wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity - attics, basements, and garages are no-nos!

5) A picture captures the memory while saving space - For large school items (artwork, dioramas, science fair projects, etc), take a photograph of the project while it is still in pristine condition, and store the photos with the other school treasures from the year.

6) Create a memory box - Beginning in kindergarten, give each child one banker's box for all school memories.  At the end of each school year, your child places favorite schoolwork and other memorabilia into the box. The box has to last through senior year, so if it fills too quickly, review the contents and do a bit more weeding.

7) Review and renew supplies - Put away school supplies, such as scissors, pencils, and markers.  Start a school supply shopping list for the fall by recording any items that have been depleted or destroyed. Post the list on the refrigerator and add to it as needed throughout the summer.

 About the Author: Jodi Granok is a professional organizer, speaker, and owner of Organizing Magic, LLC, a professional organizing company in St. Louis, Missouri.  Visit www.organizingmagic.com to subscribe to her free bi-weekly newsletter.

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Start Now

Modern Definition of Procrastination:

"To voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay".

Here's another updated blog post for watchers of THV-11 Morning News Show on May 23rd.  I'm especially focusing on mothers (it's still your month!) who take on too much and sometimes get stuck .We all have goals, and young moms in particular have so many pressures coming from every direction.  In my work I see lots of folks (myself included) get sidetracked by that universal nemesis Procrastination.

For example clutter is very often due to NOT making a choice. Peter Walsh - that Most Famous Professional Organizer and Friend of Oprah - said: "each pile of clutter is a monument to a series of small procrastinations".

When you don't have a place for something and can't decide what to do with it, chances are it lands on a nearby surface. As soon as 3, or 5, or 12 of these things group together they become a clutter pile. I'm pretty sure - although this is not scientifically proven - that these piles then take on magnetic properties and draw more stuff into them while we sleep. Just a theory....

Below are my top 3 strategies to overcome the roadblocks and get on with your terrific life!

1. Set priorities and look at the ROI. Review your list of things to do and determine the return on investment for your life. If it's truly vital, then do it. If not, then just say "NO"!
The #1 cause of disorganization is chronic over committment. Every time you consider a new hobby, or sport, or group to join, or taking on that leadership role, step back a moment and ask yourself: Does this move me nearer my vision of my perfect life? If not, then vow to focus instead on the more important stuff.

2. Avoid the Perfectionist trap. Understand that for most areas of our lives perfection is neither expected nor necessary. An inspiring quote from actor Michael J. Fox: "I'm careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business."

The endless amount of information available to us makes every project loom large - especially if we feel if must be flawless. Once anything becomes overwhelming in our minds we tend to put it off - finding any other activity preferable. (Full disclosure: I did 2 loads of laundry while trying to finish this article!)

Do your best, and wrap it up. Studies show that 50% of the effort used in any project is required to achieve only the final 10% of quality. You don't have to make 100 to get an A.

3. Break it down. Rather than pondering the entire project (studies again show that we mentally overestimate the time needed to complete something), bite-size it!
Decide to do a small portion now - write the outline, clear out a drawer in the kitchen, walk one block and back, etc.. Then do another and another using a timer if needed for short bursts of activity. I find I can do almost anything for 15 minutes. Completion and success then motivates you onward to the next step, and so on, and so on...

Kid's Rooms

 Organizing Tween Room

Here's an update to a prior post for my appearance on THV-11 Morning News Show on May 23rd.  Hope this helps some overworked and under-appreciated moms!

I'm now posting some of the questions that I get about organizing along with my answers. Here is one about a messy 10 year old's room - never a simple solution since "wait till they move out" does not seem to satisfy most parents. :)

I'm changing the name to protect the innocent (or otherwise), so don't worry if I post yours here sometime in the future!

Question:

My daughter, "Jane", age 10, needs some major help in her room. Her tiny space so messy and unorganized. If we get her room in decent shape, it doesn't take her long to wreck it. What's the best way to begin?

Answer: 

Dear "Frustrated Mom",

The biggest problem I see with most children's rooms is that they are just too full of stuff. You can put away once, but if everything is full and it's hard for THEM to put it away (cramming into drawers, moving things around to get to the proper storage area, etc.), the chances that they'll keep it up go way way down.

Also, parents sometimes set up a system that makes sense to them, but it may not to the child, so they must memorize where everything should go. Include her in the organizing process so she both understands it and takes some ownership.

The key is to make it super easy to put stuff away. Store like things with like (based upon their version of similar categories), with plenty of empty space. Think of resource vs. archive, and move out anything that is simply being stored there long-term. Box up the sentimental outgrown things and store them elsewhere if she can't yet put them "back into the Universe". Only the most used items should occupy "prime real estate" in her room.

Finally, understand that it takes discipline and leadership by example to keep it neat, and most tweens and teens struggle a lot with this. Keep expectations realistic, try for a few minutes a day of maintenance, and congratulate even very small victories!!

That's a quick synopsis of what I do for a client. Hope it helps some!

Becca

Daily Action File Update

Conquer the Paper Piles!

This is an update from a post I wrote a few years ago. My clients continue to find success and satisfaction using this super-simple system for dealing with the paperwork of daily life. Maybe it will help you too!
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I have a confession - I'm a "partial piler"! Yes, even Professional Organizers have their challenges and none has been bigger for me than this: what to do with all the "to do's"??? You know, the snail and email stuff that needs attention, but not right now.

Every paper item that comes into your home or office should fall into 3 categories: File, Act, or Toss (FAT). File and Toss are easy, but Act - that's tough. Most people (including me) tend to spread the papers out so they don't forget something. Then they run out of room, pile something else on top, and next thing you know the water is being disconnected. :(

So here's what I've come up with - an interim filing system that you can use everyday for things that need action within the month (or longer). I'm looking for a catchy name, but for now it's generically The Action Filing System. It has cleared up the little piles on my desk and kitchen cabinet, and I no longer worry that I've forgotten to deal with something important. Better space, better sleep, better life - now that's a solution! (Update: officially named the Daily Action File!).


How it Works:
1) get a letter size file box that is fairly small and easy to move around. See the photo of mine at left - from The Container Store.
2) Add a few hanging file folders (I use 4)
3) here's the cool part - put in file dividers labeled 1 thru 31 (see below). From Office Depot these are a hard plastic and made by Avery. They cost more a bit more and you have to label 1-31 with a Sharpie, but they are super sturdy and stand up nicely in the hanging file.

Every time you get mail, or bring home a to-do, or print something from the computer that needs action you just decide when you'll take care of it, then file the bill, paper, folder, whatever, into that date.

The hard part: you have to check it every day and review the stuff in that date - some discipline is required here. Then you can take action or defer it back to a later date. After a few deferments you need to admit you aren't going to do it and Toss.

It's worked really well for me and another client is testing it now. (Update: many have used and continue to use it). It's light and portable - fits under my desk. Let me know if you have questions or share your results. Happy Un-piling!!!

Becca

Seasons of Stuff

Following a 2 hour early Spring hike (OK, stroll) through the glorious Garvan Woodland Gardens near my hometown today, I started thinking about seasons. Seasons of the Earth, Seasons of Life, and yes – based upon my passion and profession – Seasons of Stuff.

We humans have a natural ebb and flow to our lives – the ups and downs, new and old, exciting and tedious – all brought on by our years, circumstances, and perceptions. This is way beyond my level of philosophy/literature/spirituality/psychology knowledge to address, but my experience has uncovered another surprising Season – the Seasons of Stuff. Of course I’m generalizing wildly here (my blog, my prerogative), but it seems that most people react to and deal with their possessions in a somewhat orderly way through the progression of their lives.

Tiny children begin their acquiring early – saying “mine” and requiring strong incentives to share their toys. Parents, teachers, civilization and bigger kids teach the sharing thing along the way, but we never give up our desire for the new and shiny. I’ve observed that kids between about 3 and 8 are natural collectors and organizers. Ever notice how young boys in particular like to line up and organize their rocks/army men/leggos? Encourage this whenever you see it – trust me, it usually doesn’t last.

Suddenly OMG (see, I get the language) it all changes. Teens require the necessary stuff (clothes, electronics) to fit in, but also move into the fiercely interpersonal stage of life. They care much less about the appearance of their room at home and the precious souvenirs Mom has carefully saved for them – now it’s all about their friends. Generally, parents will have a happier life if they’ve given their offspring a base of understanding about organizing, prioritizing, setting boundaries, etc. early on. Just shut their bedroom door from age 10 till they leave home. Seriously, even as a professional organizer I have no sure-fire methods for getting a teenager to clean up their room….at least none that are free of constant negotiation/nagging. Decide if it’s worth it – just keep the health department at bay and try to focus on their good points for a few long years.

Then they have their own place and serious Nesting sets in – especially the young women. Again, I see this as a natural Season. Whatever their plans for marriage, family, career, they pretty much want more and more stuff to build and declare their own place and life. I mentioned ebb and flow, and this is a point where I get many clients– the young families who are having trouble managing that nest with all the pretty and necessary stuff. As primary targets for advertisers and peer pressures, they can end up with so many things that they run out of space and time (and sometimes money) to live their actual lives.

At some point this all comes to halt for most people– maybe when the last child leaves home, or when retirement starts to beckon and downsizing is suddenly an alluring goal. Now the desire is freedom and simplicity. Not a Spartan life by any means, but one that requires less time and maintenance. Dusting and storing and insuring masses of things is less interesting than travel or golf or grandchildren.

Finally I see seniors who are very attached to those souvenirs and photos – the memories of their Seasons of life. When they have space and a plan for disposition of their things that aligns with friends and family it’s perfect. And natural - and Seasonal.

No big lesson here, but maybe just knowing what to expect will help you on your path to your best life.