Key Blog-O

Organize for Summer Safety

2010-07-06T05:44:00.000-05:00

More household accidents happen in the summertime than any other time of the year. What a bummer! Just when the weather beckons us for outdoor fun, millions of us spoil it by getting hurt. We get scrapes, burns, bruises and broken bones. Water related accidents are sometime more serious and lead to death.

Take a little time now to organize a few things to minimize hazards and to prepare a method for quick response should an accident happen.

Update your list of emergency response numbers, and put the list where everyone in the family can access it. If you have small children, program 911 into your phone at number 1, and teach the children to push it if certain emergencies occur.

Check for items on the stairs, deck, patio and lawn that could lead to stumbles and falls, and remove them. Garden hoses can be stored on a simple hook, a tire rim, or one of the many decorative holders and hooks carried by hardware store. Wonderful racks for garden tools can also be purchased at most hardware and department stores. Provide a tub or easily opened outdoor chest on the deck or patio for kids’ toys. The same kind of storage can be used for grilling equipment and outdoors games.

Create a “designated parking area” for riding toys. You can buy signs at novelty stores and catalogues, or make your own.

Invest in a fire extinguisher to keep by the grill. A portable one is available at local stores for as little as fifteen dollars.

If you are lucky enough to have a pool, provide poolside storage for toys and towels. Include a big bottle of waterproof suntan lotion in the poolside supplies.

Put together or purchase a basic first aid kit. The Red Cross has a list of suggested contents at www.redcross.org.

Sometimes accidents happen no matter how careful and vigilant we are. With your kit to handle bumps and bruises, and your list of emergency numbers handy, you are ready when your best efforts don’t prevent accidents. A quick response will allow folks to get on with their fun activities, or, perhaps, save a life.

Beverly and Kristen
http://www.keytransitions.net/

Help Students Organize by Prioritizing

2010-06-16T05:54:00.000-05:00

Clients and friends have approached me this week about their concerns for children leaving for college. They are understandably proud of their children’s achievements but worry that they won’t be able to handle the demands of college life.

“How do you tell them what they need to do, when they won’t listen?” one father asked.

I think the answer is you don’t tell them. You show them, and you give them the tools to handle stuff as it comes up. The basics of deciding what is most important and managing time are two of the most useful skills for college students-as a matter of fact, for anyone at anytime of life. Skill building can start as early as two-years-old, with parents offering choices and praising good decisions. The longer you have to practice the skill, the easier and more intuitive it becomes

Older folks can exercise some discipline and implement a few tricks to keep them on track. One of my favorites to impart to students (and clients) can be remembered by saying, “Let problems arise; I’m ready.” The first letter of each word reminds the student of the steps to take when trying to balance a lot of priorities or even when needing to complete a project.

The letter “L” stands for list. List everything you need to do.

The letter “P” stands for prioritize. Priorities are a very personal thing and reflect what is most important to the individual. They change with circumstances. New college students want to get settled in their living space, learn their way around campus, meet new friends, line up classes, get books and learning tools, before settling down to getting good grades and finding where they fit in. One of the most challenging things is finding the time to get things done while meeting schedules and deadlines. This step requires some deep thinking, so each person can set up a system that really reflects what he/she wants to accomplish. Most priority setting involves striking a balance between what I have to do and what I want to do.

The letter “A” stands for assign a priority number. Give each item on the list a number for importance. If dealing with a timeline, 1 might be “needs to get done this week.” 2 might be “needs to be done this month”, and 3 might be “needs to get done when I have time.” Priorities do not have to be time related, but this is one of the biggest challenges for students.

The letter “I” stands for integrate new tasks. It would be nice if nothing else came up from the time we set priorities until the time we accomplished them, but that is not the way it happens in the real world. New tasks get assigned, invitations are extended and neat opportunities arise. They should be added to the list and given a priority status.

The letter “R” stands for re-evaluate. This should be done at least weekly to make sure you are getting things done as you need to, and to see if your priorities have changed and need to be re-aligned.

Initial implementation of this system may take a couple of hours, but using it routinely takes only a few minutes a day. It fits nicely in a portable electronic device and it really does keep you on track. I haven’t been a student for a long time, but this worked for me through eighteen years of education and I still use it today to balance personal and business demands.

Maybe the entering college student could give the system a try as they get ready to leave home for the campus. That preparation is a great test for getting things done in a specific timeframe- and family is right there to help and support.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Update Emergency Supplies and Plan

2010-06-07T09:59:00.000-05:00

Every year about this time we start talking about organizing emergency supplies in time for hurricane season. Well, hurricane season is here. So, if you haven’t already reviewed your emergency kit and plan, now is a good time to do it.

Check the expiration date on all food, bottled water, medications (including over-the-counter products), and pharmaceuticals (like contact solution or lubricants), and replace expired products.

Review any prescription medications and make sure they are the correct type and dosage for your current use.

Inspect clothing and make sure they are the right size and in good repair.

Make sure batteries are fresh and flashlights and radio are in working order.

Evaluate your ability to handle your evacuation kit. Sometimes there are temporary or permanent mobility issues that have arisen since the last check that make handling the weight or bulk of the kit difficult. A small soft-sided thermal chest on wheels makes a portable kit that can be handled by people who have difficulty lifting heavier weights.

Take a careful look at your emergency plan to see if it accurately reflects information for the whereabouts of household members and emergency contact numbers.

When you have everything current, tuck the kit away in an easily accessible space, and hope you don’t have to use it.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize for International Travel

2010-05-06T07:26:00.000-05:00

The cruise ships are getting ready to depart from the Norfolk harbor and there are some good deals on air travel to foreign destinations. So, if you plan to vacation outside the United States, add these things to your checklist:

Passport and other identification documents

Travel schedule and monetary equivalent table

Entry documentation for your destination

Medication needed for your trip, in the original container

A list of contact numbers for medical and personal emergencies

Receipts or registration paperwork for new electronics (computers, cameras)

Valid drivers license

If you purchase art or jewelry on your trip, keep receipts handy.

Add clothes for the climate, personal necessities, and your favorite credit card and you are ready to take off.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Faux Organizing

2010-04-13T05:45:00.001-05:00

What do you do when you have just recovered from a bout of illness, clutter has gotten out of hand, AND you are expecting guests for dinner? How about some faux organizing accompanied by some light topical cleaning?

Faux organizing is the term we use for making a defined space look like it is not cluttered, even though there may be lots of chaos under the surface. The way to achieve it is to contain, cover and stow.

Contain those things that are scattered all over the place. For instance, mail my have accumulated on a counter and can be put in a basket on a shelf until after the party. Kids’ toys can be put in a plastic bin in the corner of the family room. Wayward plants can be grouped on a tray.

Cover by shutting all cabinet doors; place other loose items like cosmetics, jewelry, and other miscellaneous items in attractive stackable boxes.

Stow larger items in a closet or room that will not be seen by the guests. I have never met anyone who did not have a secret space they occasionally used for this purpose.

Then, do some basic cleaning. Make sure to dust surfaces and, if necessary, vacuum floors in the rooms that will be used for the gathering. Invest some time in thoroughly cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. Sanitize the sinks and toilet bowls.

This routine takes about an hour to complete in an average house. The real trick is to recognize it for what it is—an emergency measure. When the guests leave and your energy returns, take the time to do it right, and find the right system to manage the mail, the toys and whatever else you had to hide.

A space that stays really organized is always easier to put back in order after brief lapses.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Gardening Supplies

2010-03-23T13:51:00.001-05:00

The daffodils are lining our yards and there is no snow on the ground. It must be springtime-time to spruce up the outside of the house (if you can find the tools to do it). The shovel may be handy from clearing the walkway from the snow we had until about a month ago. But what about the rest of the tools you need?

Make it easy on your self and organize the lawn and garden equipment. There are a host of products for organizing the smallest hand tools to the largest energy powered models. There are also many hooks and holders not designed specifically for garden tools that work well for both stationary and portable storage.

For stationary storage, mount a section of pegboard and select the hooks that fit your tool collection. Alligator Board has a section of metal pegboard on wheels that would serve very well as a garden tool storage center. Hooks designed to hold mops and brooms work well for light tools. For heavier tools like shovels take a look at the host of storage solutions at www.gemplers.com. They range from straight bar storage to specialty storage systems for weed trimmers and leaf blowers. There is also a hanging tool organizer at www.gardeningwithkids.org that measures five feet by five feet and has pockets for both long-handled and short-handled tools. This site, sponsored by the National gardening Association, also has a nice variety of accessories for potting and displaying plants.

Portable storage for smaller items that you tote out to the garden should either be light enough for you to carry without strain or be on wheels. A simple solution is a five-gallon bucket with a bucket cover to hold the tools. You can find these at the local hardware store. You can even make the cover yourself with a pattern available at www.bucketsgonewild.com. You can find a garden seat on wheels with storage for supplies underneath it at www.solutions.com. John Deere makes a portable garden cart on wheels that is available at most garden centers and a variety of garden tool totes are available at hardware and department stores.

When you have selected a storage system for your gardening tools, organize them by frequency of use. Place the ones you use everyday at the easiest place to reach, or store in a portable organizer for the duration of the gardening season.

For inspiration on more storage solutions check out the following websites:
www.gardeners.com
www.target.com
www.cedarcreek.com
www.carolwrightgifts.com
www.shopgetorganized.com
www.gemplers.com
www.gardeningwithkids.com
www.solutions.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Manage Time

2010-02-28T13:01:00.001-05:00

February is Time Management Month. Good grief! Where did the time go? I think it is fitting that time management is celebrated during the shortest month of the year. It is hard enough to get the bills paid and fit in everything that has to be done by the first of the next month when we have a full thirty-one days to do it. But February challenges us to get it done with fewer days--- and we usually squeak by.

Most of us do it by using time management tools. We use these things without even thinking about it. They have become ingrained in our everyday lives to such an extent that we do not even think of them as time management devices. Here are the most helpful time management tools as identified by 200 people in a national survey.

A monthly calendar. Most successful people use a manual or digital calendar that lists appointments and important things to accomplish.

A to-do list. Keeping a list of what is to be accomplished is a good way to keep things from slipping through the cracks. Highly successful people list a date to accomplish the task and often allocate time on their calendar.

Prioritizing. Life becomes overwhelming unless the most important tasks get handled first. Many people have trouble prioritizing. If you are one of them, try this 1-2-3 method. Ask yourself which of the items will result in a bad consequence if it is not handled today. Put a 1 next to those items. Which items will result in a bad consequence if it is not done in the next three days? Put a 2 next to those items. What items will result in a problem if not done in the next week? Put a 3 next to those items. Now tackle the items marked 1 first, 2 second and so on.

Most folks find using just these simple tools allows them to adequately manage time.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitons.net

Organize Medications

2010-02-16T14:36:00.001-05:00

There they stand like little soldiers---bottles of pills to take care of aches and pains and chronic conditions. Or maybe they are strewn around the house, some in the kitchen, some in the bathroom, and some on the bedside table, placed there to remind us to take them when we eat a meal, or get ready for bed. The important things to remember about medications are to keep them in a cool, dark, dry place so they do not lose their potency or degrade, and to take them as instructed.

Once you have selected a spot to store medicines, separate the prescription drugs from the -counter (OTC) medicines. Store the OTC medicines by category: all the pain relievers together, all the cold medicine together, all the anti-acids together. Think of how they are arranged on your pharmacy shelf so you can find them.

Group the prescription drugs according to whom they are prescribed for. Then decide if you need some help remembering when to take prescribed pills. If you do, there are a number of different medication organizers that allow pills to be placed in compartments. Some hold pills for one day, others for one week or one month. One of our clients especially likes a little round Medication Minder available at Wal-Mart because the compartments are large enough to hold several pills and it fits in her purse when she travels.

One of the ways to make sure you take prescribed medication as directed is to set up visual or auditory clues. Visual clues can be as simple as keeping a medication that needs to be taken with meals on the kitchen table. A couple I know have to take pills with every meal for chronic conditions. Their solution is to have a small three-compartment basket in the middle of their table that has the medications labeled for each of them. The compartments are labeled breakfast, lunch and dinner. This has worked for them for many years and they credit it with helping them maintain their medication regimen. Other folks use a schedule posted on the refrigerator or medicine cabinet as a reminder. People who live busy lives or tend to forget can look into an auditory alarm. Some medication organizers have built-in alarms and alarms that look like watches or beepers are available.

Medication organizers and alarm reminders are available in most pharmacies and department stores. Check out the following web sites to get an idea of the variety available:
www.TechforTLC.com
www.epill.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

2010-02-07T21:58:00.001-05:00

Storing Exercise Equipment

As we strive to stay healthy, we accumulate exercise equipment that takes up space and is hard to keep organized. Treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes and other large pieces of equipment require a space of their own. They are best kept in sight and where the user can readily access them. The old joke about the treadmill turning into a clothes rack is too often true, especially when the treadmill is kept in a remote corner of the basement. If my treadmill did not come into view every morning when I climb out of bed, I doubt I would ever use it. Its presence so early in the morning is a signal to drag my body in there and do a little walking. Having the visual cue is helpful. Even when I ignore it, it stands there in silent reproof until my guilt gets the best of me. Placement of large equipment is key. Put the things you use while exercising close to the equipment. If you listen to music, or wear special footwear when you exercise, keep them close to the spot. A small table, basket, or gym bag can keep them contained.

Stability balls and free weights take up little space, but pose their own set of problems. Small weights can be housed in a drawer, a sturdy container, or even a decorative footlocker that can hold other gear and related items like an exercise mat and resistance bands. There are some specialized storage systems that keep weights handy and off the floor where they can be a tripping hazard. Take a look at the free weights holders at www.idealproducts.com and www.fitnessdestination.com. Both sites also have storage solutions for cuff weights, bands and pulleys. One of my favorite items is the Weight Cart that holds weights, has shelf space for other items and is on casters so it can be rolled into a corner when not in use. Another neat and compact product that can be found at www.yukonfitness.com is the Body Mirage Fitness Kit. A small duffel pack holds a set of 2 lb. dumbbells, jump rope, chest expander, pull band and push-up bar. That is a lot of equipment in a little space and it sells for under $50.

There are also several solutions for organizing stability balls. The Loop hangs on the wall and holds several sizes. It can be found at www.performbetter.com. The Ball Holder is a hard plastic disc that holds the ball in place by suction and keeps it from rolling around the floor and Ball Stackers, available at www.amazon.com fit between balls to allow them to be stacked one on top of the other. Both wall-mounted and freestanding ball storage racks, as well as carts with casters can be found at www.Theratek.com.

Whatever equipment you have to organize and store, the following principles are helpful to keep in mind:
Keep equipment in an accessible spot to facilitate its use.
Keep accessories close to the equipment you use them with.
Use storage and organization systems to keep equipment from cluttering your living space.

Exercise is not fun for me, so I use these hints to make it a little more bearable.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

You Can’t Organize Mud

2010-02-01T05:45:00.000-05:00

The homeowner showed the professional organizer around the house, pointing out the spots of clutter that she wanted to organize. She wasn’t exactly sure why these things bothered her and she wasn’t sure what she needed to do to make her space comfortable for her and her family. She was just overwhelmed with disorder and wanted it fixed. She was ready to get going---NOW.

So let’s get going, right? I don’t think so. I think it is time to take a minute and get a little clarity. I say, “You can’t organize mud.” And that is what we have here-a clouded, amorphous, muddy notion that things could be better if we just DO SOMETHING.

It is possible to get things picked up and put away and have a clear space for a little while. That is called cleaning. But if the goal is to organize space so it makes a real impact on keeping clutter down, then it takes some thought and planning.

The first step is clarity. Clarity about how you want to use the space and clarity about your own habits and lifestyle that impact your long-term success in using a system of organization. It is done by asking your self a few questions and answering them honestly. It doesn’t take a long time, but it makes a big difference in a successful outcome.

How do I want to use this space? Is it just for me or are others going to use it? What activities are going to happen here? How often will the space be used and which activities are repetitive and which are occasional?

How do I want this space to look? Do I want it to be beautiful or just functional?

How much money do I have to spend on achieving this goal?

How much time do I have to devote to getting the space organized and then keeping it that way?

After you have thoughtful, honest answers to these questions, you can get focused on executing a plan to meet your goal. You can better use what you have on hand and buy only what you need. You can devise a system that gets you organized and keeps you organized for the long term.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

An Organizing Insight

2010-01-26T08:12:00.001-05:00

Staying organized is not always easy. Even organizers have trouble spots. For me that is clothes. I think as soon as I give that orange blouse away, I will find the perfect suit to go with it. So things hang around longer than they should. One day I was going through the painful task of culling clothes from my crowded closet, when I pulled down a skirt set I loved but had not worn in a while. I discovered that the elastic in the waste band had hardened and stretched. I had to toss it or repair it. Then it hit me! I needed to do what I tell everybody else to do--only keep those things I use and enjoy. Bags of clothes went to charity that day.

The insight I took away from that experience is that not being organized is a real drain on my energy and a waste of good stuff. Everything I keep requires time and energy to take care of it or time and energy to clean it up and haul it away. Clearing clutter and staying organized conserves my time and energy. I am amazed it took me decades for that to hit home.

If you have questions about organizing or want to expose yourself to some insights about the things that keep clutter in your life, take a trip to the Meyera Obendorf Memorial Library in Virginia Beach on the morning of Saturday, January 30th. A panel of professional organizers will be there from 10:30 to 12:00 to answer any questions about organizing. The organizers are members of Hampton Roads Professional Organizers and are offering this service as part of National Get Organized Month activities. I hope to see you there.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Making a Little More Time

2010-01-19T15:10:00.002-05:00

Have you noticed that most of the New Year’s Resolutions we make require us to find a little extra time to carry them out? Exercising means finding the time to work out. Eating healthier means shopping for groceries and fixing meals, getting organized means finding the time to get the job done.

Investing the time to do the things that make life better takes effort and a firm resolve. There is one activity, however, that yields quick results in lightening our load and gives us more time in the long run. That is taking measures to stop unwanted solicitation by mail and telephone, including wireless.

A few minutes on the telephone or Internet can stop of lot of mail from hitting the mailbox and a keep a lot of solicitors off the phone lines.

Stop prescreened credit card and insurance offers from lists supplied by Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Transunion by contacting www.optoutprescreen.com or calling
1-888-567-8688

Direct Marketing Association (DMA) charges a nominal fee for stopping mail advertisement from companies using lists from or affiliated with DMA. Contact them at www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.hmtl.

Stop unwanted telephone solicitation by contacting the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222. This service excludes calls from charities, political organizations and surveyors, but stops the rest.

Less junk mail to sort and less unwanted telephone calls interrupting the day frees up a little time to do more important things. Who couldn’t use a little more time?

Beverly & Kristen
www.keytransitions.net

An Easy-to-Keep Resolution for Better Health

2010-01-11T10:56:00.001-05:00

Researchers tell us that some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions deal with living a healthier lifestyle. Many of us resolve to quit smoking, lose weight, eat a healthier diet, or exercise more. I have made all of those resolutions and kept at least one of them. They are hard to keep on a long-term basis.

There is one health-related resolution that is a little easier and can be just as important in helping achieve better health. It is to put together a personal health record that includes all the medication you take, all the doctors you see and all the tests you have had. This important document can help you get better treatment when you seek health care in routine and emergency situations.

While you are going through last year’s receipts for preparing your tax documents, make copies of medical information for a folder that can serve as the basis of your personal health record. A good resource for determining what documents and information to include in you record is www.MyPHR.com. Be sure to check out my guest blog when you are there.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Real World Resolve

2010-01-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

Many of us have made our New Year’s Resolutions. And many of us have already fallen a little short of keeping them. Whether the goal is to eat a healthier diet (that surely excludes leftovers and lattes) or go to church every Sunday (that surely did not include Sundays when the temperature is below freezing), us mortals have to feel the benefit to stay on track.

Psychologists tell us that to change habits we have to be able to identify the benefit to ourselves and change our behavior for at least thirty days. So here are a few things for folks who resolved to be more organized this year to think about.

Some benefits of being organized are:
You have more money in your pocket. You do not have to pay late fees for bills that got lost in the bottom of a pile of mail. You do not buy duplicate products because you cannot locate beauty supplies or toiletries. You do not waste food by letting expiration dates expire. You take better cares of coats and clothes and can locate them when you need to wear them instead of buying something new.

You are not ashamed to have someone in your home. That means less expensive entertainment, richer friendships, better relationships within your family, and a better feeling about yourself.

You have peace of mind because you know where important documents are located and have a plan for emergency preparedness.

You can enjoy the things you have more fully--no small thing in difficult times.

Once you have identified the benefit to yourself, write it down and post it in a spot where you will see it everyday. Then do something to achieve that goal every day for thirty days. It can be hanging up you coat when you come in the door, then putting your clothes away or in the laundry when you undress, then putting laundry away the same day it is done. It might be getting a basket to hold all the mail, then going through the mail nightly, then paying bills every week. The important thing is to do something to reach the goal every day. If you miss a day, don’t give up. Start over the next day, until you have thirty consecutive days and can see the results.

Help reinforce your resolve by telling a friend or calling a professional organizer for support. A little bit of organization can make life a lot easier. That is a good goal for 2010.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Time to Wrap up

2009-12-27T09:15:00.002-05:00

My presents are all wrapped and stacked in “giving piles” or already given.

Now it is time to put away the gift wrap and bows until next year. This year, try packing your holiday wraps and trims in a special storage box so that next year you are ready to go. Here are a few containers that work well for our clients:

The Jokari hanging gift-wrap organizer hangs in the closet and has storage on both sides.
The Spacesaver hanging storage organizer folds to standing position for easy access.
The Rubbermaid 48” low profile gift-wrapping organizer can fit under a bed for storage.
The Sterlite storage tube is an inexpensive choice for a limited amount of paper and trim.

You can find these items at the following sites:
www.target.com
www.walmart.com
www.thecontainerstore.com
www.amazon.com

That’s a wrap! Have a great holiday!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Tips for Managing Holiday Gatherings

2009-12-20T11:17:00.001-05:00

Getting together with friends and family is one of the joys of the season. It can also be a trial when personalities clash or the event arrives before you are ready. Whether you are hosting the gathering or attending it, here are a few tips to lessen the stress.

Deciding what to wear is one of the great stressors for gals who often plan the wardrobe for the whole family. Make that decision long before the day of the event and hang the entire cleaned and pressed outfit, including underwear and accessories, on one hanger. When it is time to dress, there is no second-guessing, the right underwear is not in the dirty clothes hamper, and you do not have to scramble to find the missing snowflake earring.

When giving a party, be ready a half an hour early. I have never hosted a party when someone did not arrive before the stated start time. If it is a dinner party, have a few help-yourself appetizers set out for the early arrivals to nosh on while you put the finishing touches on the meal and table setting.

Be prepared for an unexpected guest by having a place setting in reserve and a plan in your head for where you will seat the extra guest. Under the best circumstances, no unexpected visitor will show up, but if one does you are prepared and cool as a cucumber as you squeeze him in next to Grandpa.

A hostess gift is a nice gesture, but do not expect the hostess to set out your home baked goods or wine. It is her choice whether to share your gift or save it to enjoy later. I saw a party brought to a standstill last year because a guest insisted that everyone taste his homemade snickerdoodles and peppermint Schnapps, even though the party had a carefully planned Felice Navidad theme. As a guest, follow the host’s lead and let it go his way. As a host, just say “ Thank you for the lovely gift. I am going to certainly enjoy this later.”

Steer clear of confrontation by having a few stock phrases for irritating and disagreeable encounters. Some of them are: “ I can’t say I agree, but what an interesting idea.” or “ Let’s talk about this another time” or “Look, there is Leo. I have been looking for him. Excuse me.” Then go somewhere else quickly.

Planning and preparation are the first to steps to organizing and they are good ways to take stress out of holiday gatherings.

Have a terrific holiday and may all your gatherings be happy ones.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

Ghosts of Christmas Past

2009-12-14T05:50:00.000-05:00

Many of us shook off the turkey-induced lethargy and began decorating for the holidays. That was when we ran into those ghosts of Christmas past: the tangled lights, the broken nativity figure, the hastily packed boxes of decorations and the boxes of decorations that have not seen the light of day in years.

Those decorations that have not been used in a long time fall into several categories. Only a few of them are in the “oh, my gosh, I forgot I had this beautiful object!” category. Most of them fall into the “what was I thinking when I bought this?” or the “this gift is sooo not my taste!” categories. Give yourself a head start on organizing your decorating for next year by donating those unwanted things to a charity and you won’t have to keep rejecting and re-packing them.

The other possibility for unused decorations is that you have downsized your space, your decorating activity, the size of your tree, or all three. Why not share treasured items you no longer use with others who will enjoy them? There is a television commercial running now where a young mother shares with her family a box of decorations from her youth. How thoughtful her parent was to give her such a gift. Just box up those memories and put them under the tree for those you love. It is the very best kind of re-gifting.

As for the things you do use as decorations, consider putting them away in boxes grouped by the room in which they are displayed. Next year, you can just plunk the boxes down in the room and decorate at your leisure. While you are putting things away this year, also take time to make small repairs and discard broken items. That will make for merry decorating next holiday season.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Mounds of Magazines and Collections of Catalogues

2009-12-07T06:59:00.000-05:00

Magazines and catalogues are good things. They give me hours of pleasure. We actually use them in our work to show clients products that will help with organization. The challenge is to keep them from taking over the house.

Here are a few tip to help you keep magazines, catalogues and, (for you crafters) pattern books organized.

Keep them close to where you use them. If you peruse catalogues while you watch television, keep them close to your viewing perch. If you use them in your work, store them on a shelf near your workstation. If you like to read them in the bathroom, spring for a bathroom magazine rack. This will minimize the opportunity to mislay them somewhere in route from where they are kept to where they are used.

Keep them contained. You can choose a lot of different magazine racks, boxes and other containers. Some of our favorites are the ultra-clear magazine boxes at www.containerstore.com and the desk magazine files at www.ikea-usa.com. Ikea also has baskets that hook on underneath a shelf that are great for pattern books when you are working on a project. To get an idea of the variety of magazine holders available, log on to www.magazineracks.com. They have great ideas for wall-hanging, free standing and traditional varieties. One of the ways we organize the catalogues we use in our work is to gather them in large three-ring binders using 3 ring catalogue/magazine organizers. These handy tools snap into the binder and allow you to slide the magazines over them for easy access. Also consider using other containers like flat baskets, copper ham boilers or pretty wooden boxes you may have around the house.

Keep them accessible. If you store your pretty box on a closet shelf, the catalogues and magazines will get old and probably unread. Keep them out, but keep them neat.

Keep them current. When you get a new catalogue, throw out the old one. Magazines are a little harder to get rid of when they have a great article, suggestion or recipe you want to hold on to. Clip out the article and save it in a file or notebook and discard the magazine. If it is hard for you to get rid of perfectly good reading material, donate current magazines to nursing homes, clinics or prisons.

Happy reading in an uncluttered house and office.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Keys to a Happy Holiday

2009-11-30T18:43:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving Day has come and Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza are not far behind.

Here are our suggestions for Keys to a happy holiday:

Keep it simple. There is enough stress without complicating matters. Simple plans are best.
Enjoy special moments. Don’t get so caught up in preparation that you neglect to enjoy the present and the presence of those you love.
Yield to the inevitable. Stuff happens. If you can’t change it, just deal with it and move on.
Save some time for yourself. Give yourself a break and do something just for you. You will feel less harried and overwhelmed.

Have a happy holiday!

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Changes and Choices

2009-11-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

While still trying to cope with the change to Daylight Savings Time, Virginians elected a new governor. Maybe the poor voter turn out was due to the time change. Maybe it was apathy. Maybe it was a feeling that a single vote would not make a difference. Whatever the reason, individual choices about whether or not to go to the polls affected the choice of governor.

What does that have to do with organizing? Just like election results, slipping into a disorganized lifestyle is the results of a lot of little choices. Choices like:
I won’t go through the mail because I’m too tired.
I will leave the shoes in the middle of the hallway because I don’t want to go upstairs right now.
I will buy this blouse on sale even though it goes with nothing I have and won’t fit in my closet.
Enough of these choices and you have a cluttered space.

Getting organized is also a series of choices. Choices like:
I will set one day a week to go through my mail and stick to it.
I will put a shoe storage bench in the hallway so I don’t have to go upstairs every time I remove my shoes.
I will not buy an item of clothing unless I know what it goes with and when I am going to wear it.
Enough of these choices and you stop the cluttering behavior.

You still have to clean up the messes you made and put systems in place to keep things straight. But making that choice will bring about a change that will give you more time and a better outlook. Get help, if you need it, to get started. Call an organized friend or a professional organizer. That’s a choice that will bring change for a better life.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Hints for Maintaining an Organized Home Office

2009-10-26T08:57:00.003-05:00

Whether your home office is your primary work site or an adjunct to your main office, here are a few tricks that will help you stay organized.

Define a space for your home and personal documents and a separate space for your work documents. It can be as simple as two separate drawers or ends of a shelf with a divider.

Create a filing system with titles that make sense to you and use colored folders for quick identification. For instance all your folders dealing with finance could be green; all folders dealing with warrantees could be purple, etc.

Create a folder for immediate response and handle it before the end of the day. Finish up by filing the documents in appropriate folders.

Keep a planning calendar handy either on your computer or PDA or in hardcopy close to your telephone and computer so it can be updated as your schedule changes.

Use ergonomics (the science of designing the job, equipment and workplace to fit the worker) to make sure your workstation is comfortable and allows you to do the job efficiently. The computer monitor should be directly in front of your face to put your body in a neutral position. The keyboard should be placed so the forearms are parallel to the thighs when your feet are flat on the floor. The chair should be adjusted to maintain appropriate alignment with the monitor and keyboard with feet flat on the floor. The mouse should be located on right side if you are right handed and on the left side if you are left handed. If you use a document holder, place it on the opposite side of the computer from the mouse.

Put items you use the most frequently near the workstation. These may include telephone, fax machine, printer, scanner, stapler, resource books, or editing tools.

If your equipment is placed to minimize physical strain and optimize convenient access to the things you use most often, you will be less likely to rearrange items and pull work to other areas of the house. Comfort and convenience will help you maintain an organized space.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Personal Medical Information

2009-10-18T05:58:00.001-05:00

October is “Organize Your Medical Information Month”. This is the month folks are encouraged to gather their medical histories and pertinent medical information into one comprehensive record that provides a basis for decision making for themselves, their family and the medical professionals who deliver care to them.

Years ago, the family doctor knew your medical history and the medicine you were taking because he (or she) had often treated your family members and certainly was aware of your care through his own practice or his careful coordination with specialists to whom he referred his patients.

Things have changed. A variety of medications are available over the counter, many people take dietary supplements and access specialty and preventive care without referral. Screenings offered in the community, flu shots offered at pharmacies and grocery stores sometimes do not make it to central medical files. Care gets further fragmented if hospital care or rehabilitation is required.

So, in October, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) suggests you pull all that information together. This non-profit group has a website at http://www.myphr.com/ that has a listing of common information and reports contained in a health record and step-by-step instructions for organizing your health information.

Having your information organized allows you to make better decisions about your continuing healthcare, avoid duplicate tests and get faster, more effective care in an emergency.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE VIDEO GAME HARDWARE

2009-10-05T10:53:00.002-05:00

Video game playing takes up a lot of space. The console, peripherals and accessories pose storage problems for most systems, but when you get into large accessories like band instruments and sports equipment; it gets even more problematic. An additional consideration is adequate ventilation if the console is going to stay in the storage unit while the players are engaged in the game. If not well ventilated, the heat generated can shorten the life of the system.

I recently saw a colorful, easy-to-access system that can sit on a table or can hang on the wall and store the console and peripherals as well as a limited number of games. It is called the GameOn Video Gaming Storage System and Stash Box. It comes in black and bright colors and holds up to 50 pounds. The vertical footprint makes it handy for smaller spaces. It is available at www.amazon.com

There are some other alternatives that fill the bill if you have more space available. On the higher-priced end of the scale is the Media Gaming Console at Pottery Barn Teens (www.pbw.com). It has shelves to accommodate consoles of most types, a sliding tray, cord cutouts and pocket doors. It is a nice piece of furniture and costs about a thousand dollars. Less expensive are the Quest TV and Video Game Table at Target for around $320 and the Kangaroom Game Console Unit and Stash Box at www.organize.com for about $120. At www.allmultimediastorage you can find the Gaming Center on Wheels for $90 and the five tier Wire Gaming Tower for $50.

All of these storage alternatives provide a way to keep the all the game stuff together in one place and protect the accessories from accidental damage.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Sports Balls

2009-09-29T15:00:00.001-05:00

Baseballs, soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs and just plain bouncy balls give hours of pleasure to children of all ages. They can also be a problem to store where they are easily accessible and do not pose a safety hazard to folks trying to walk through the garage, the playroom or wherever they are kept. Large plastic storage tubs and colorful trash cans will serve to corral the balls, but a more organized approach is to store the balls with other equipment necessary to play the game. Here are a few alternatives that may offer some inspiration for getting your sport balls in order.

The Rubbermaid Sportsgear Organizer measures 36”x38”x18” and can hold a variety of balls, mitts, gloves and shoes. The International Sports Organizer with Bench is 36” long, has a sturdy wire bottom that allows ventilation and a cushioned bench on top that allows the athlete to sit and adjust equipment. It is made just like a toy chest, so it accommodates a lot of items and works for kids who just throw everything into a pile.

One of my favorite products is the Ball Claw, available at Target’s. It is an adjustable plastic claw that will hold footballs, basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls. It comes in a wall-mountable style or with a strap so that it can be attached to a hook system or sport tote. This works well if you use a duffel bag to hold equipment for each sport your family members play. A particularly good organizing bag for baseball and bats is the Mizano Organizing bag with wheels. Specialty storage items for most sports can be found at http://www.ssw.com/.

If you would like to try your hand at building a sports ball and equipment storage center yourself, an excellent example can be found at http://www.diynetwork.com/.

Even if all your ball games do not end in victory, may you have fun playing them.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Medicine Cabinet

2009-09-21T16:02:00.000-05:00

Bathroom medicine cabinets hold a lot more than medicine. If fact, it may not be the best place to keep bottles of vitamins, minerals and prescription drugs. The heat and humidity in a bathroom that is not well ventilated can interfere with the potency of those medicines. It may be better to find a safe place outside the bathroom for those items. Wherever you store medications make sure they are safely out of the reach of children.

Begin organizing by clearing everything out of the medicine cabinet. Discard expired medicines and cosmetics as well as any gunky, dried out, or damaged items. Thoroughly clean the inside of the cabinet

Next, think about how you use the items and reserve that space for things that you need access to in the bathroom near the sink. Toothbrush and toothpaste, razors and shaving cream, make-up and applicators may be the things you want to reserve space for. First aid supplies should be readily available and, space permitting, the medicine cabinet is a good spot that allows all persons in the household to know where to retrieve bandages, tweezers and antibacterial ointment. Keep these items together in a first aid kit.

Once you have decided what items will go in your medicine cabinet, take a critical look at the height of the shelves. Many cabinets have adjustable shelves, and now, when you have everything removed, is the time to adjust the shelves to fit the products you are going to place in the cabinet.

While the height of some items may dictate where they are stored, the general rule is to put like things together and the most used items on the lowest shelves. Use small trays and baskets to group items and make it easier to pull them from shelves for use.

If you have a metal cabinet consider using magna-pods to increase storage space and keep frequently used items close at hand. These handy little magnetized containers come in various sizes and attach by magnets to the inside of the cabinet door, Check them out at www.magnapods.com.

Now that your cabinet is organized, keep it that way by checking expiration dates as you use items and discarding out of date products. Clean up spills when they happen and discard items that are becoming grimy, rusty or dirty. Keep like items together and don’t over stuff the cabinet with duplicate items. Keep the extras stored elsewhere until you need a replacement.

Your medicine cabinet is now ready for you to access what you need and for any guest to admire.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize a Car Trunk

2009-09-14T05:58:00.001-05:00

I have not driven a car with a trunk for eighteen years. So last week, when I was forced to drive a loaner while I waited for my wheels, I again became acquainted with the challenges of transporting things in a car trunk. I had forgotten how limited the space is and how the interior is so rigidly defined. There is no way to stack a little higher or move a seat further up to accommodate items that need just a silly millimeter more room. That started me thinking about when I did have a car with a trunk, two children with lots of school activities and a full time job that required having information with me while I traveled to various locations. That is not to mention beach chairs, sports equipment and my husband’s photography equipment and various scouting projects. I recall a few tricks that helped me find what I needed and keep all the members of the family on speaking terms as we shared trunk space.

First make room for things that keep you safe. A good spare tire or driving ring and a roadside emergency kit are essentials. Many cars have special compartments for these items. No matter how tempted you are to put something else in these spaces, don’t. An acquaintance, who had a band, emptied everything out of his trunk to carry his music equipment and was a bit miffed when he broke down on his way to a gig and had no way to change a tire and no tire to change. Better to arrive safe and late than not at all.

When deciding what to keep in the trunk, categorize and separate. Use large zip-lock bags, cloth bags or plastic containers to hold like things and label them so they are easily identifiable.

Keep sports equipment and gym clothes in separate containers with odor eater charcoal bags.

Keep a couple of collapsible totes for special transport of things like groceries and school projects.

When carting beach chairs or beach toys, wrap them in a large sheet or blanket. Remove the whole packet from the car when you return home and shake out the covering. This will keep sand out of the trunk.

Fitting things in a trunk is often like putting a puzzle together. The pieces only fit one way, so put things back where they came from. Easier said than done, but something to which we can aspire.

I am no longer struggling with fitting things in a trunk, but with the trend leaning to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, I might have that challenge in my future. I remember what works and I think I’m ready…. Although hauling furniture from estate sales will still be a problem.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize an Emergency Pack

2009-09-07T14:04:00.001-05:00

September 2009 is the sixth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) sponsored by the Ready Campaign. It is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies of all kinds. The campaign encourages folks to get a kit, make a plan and stay informed.

National agencies like the Red Cross and the Center for Disease Control, big companies like Wal-Mart and Target, and small businesses like Key Transitions join a coalition to promote national readiness in case of emergency. As coalition members we commit to establish preparedness in our own companies and to reach out to the community. Information about the coalition and detailed information about what you need to do in case of emergency can be found at www.ready.gov.

Last year our company worked with small businesses to get ready for emergencies. This year, we are working with senior adults in independent living situations. One of the concerns of this population is how to put together a “to go” emergency pack that meets their needs and is light enough for them to manage.

Here are a few things for everyone, especially older adults, to consider as they stock their “to go” emergency pack.

Choose a container for your kit that is lightweight and that you can manage. One of our favorites is a fabric insulated cooler on wheels with external pockets that we picked up in the sports section of Wal-Mart. It has a telescopic handle and rolls easily. Another alternative is to buy the ready-made backpack kit from www.redcross.org. It costs about $75 with shipping and weighs about 12 pounds.

Carry adequate water. Try creating water packs by putting water in a one-gallon bag and double sealing by putting it upside down in another plastic bag. Supplement the packs with individual serving bottles of water. Juice and other liquids also aid hydration.

Choose foods that are individually packed and are in lightweight containers. Peanut butter in individual plastic containers and tuna in foil pouches rather than cans are some examples. Remember to pay attention to dietary restrictions when selecting foods and choose products with extended expiration dates.

Pack tools to assist you in opening the containers you pack. If you cannot grip and operate a manual can opener consider packing a one-step battery operated model. Don’t forget to pack extra batteries. If necessary, include scissors for opening zip lock bags that won’t cooperate and include a marker to date the items when you open them.

Keep a list of important contacts in the pack. Include family and friends you want to notify as well as important providers like oxygen companies or transportation vendors.

Keep important documents ready to go. A list of important documents to consider can be found at www.ready.gov. If you scan documents to disc for easy transportation, remember to label it in ways that obscure its true content.

Remember your medications and dosing tools like syringes, medicine droppers and applicators. Also include things you need to keep your necessary medical supplies functioning-like batteries for hearing aids and repair kits for dentures and glasses.

The Red Cross (www.redcross.org ) and other coalition sites have lists for emergency pack contents, outlines for communication plans and suggestions for staying informed. Have a look and make it a priority to “Get Ready Now”.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Car Interior

2009-08-31T16:00:00.002-05:00

According to the Associated Press, 700,000 of us have new cars thanks to the “Cash for Clunkers” stimulus program. That’s really a small percentage of the sixty-two million registered cars in the United States. I wonder how neat the old cars are and how long the new models will remain in their pristine, uncluttered condition. It only takes a few hours of driving to trash the interior of a car, especially with a little help from family and friends.

If you have a new or uncluttered car, keep it that way by having a place for the things you use most frequently and a convenient place to dispose of trash.

If you have a car that could use a little cleaning up, here are some hints for organizing the interior.

Sort: Remove all the clutter from the car. Throw away the trash and then separate the contents into four piles: things I use all the time, things I use occasionally, things I use in an emergency, and things that do not belong in my car.

Identify a home for each category: Things you use all the time should be where you can easily reach them. If they are items that are frequently used by passengers, (like older children in the backseat) they should be where the passenger can access them easily without you being distracted from driving. Things that are used occasionally can be stored in the trunk or under the seat. Emergency gear requires some thought for placement. A multi-tool for slashing seatbelts and breaking glass needs to be readily accessible. Road flares and tire changing tools can reside in the trunk

Contain the items: Everything cannot fit in the glove compartment and the door pockets. Save those spaces for your maps, car information, registration and insurance documents. If you need some solutions for storing sun classes, work essentials and other items, look for containment aids at sites like www.solutions.com, www.ebags.com and www.drivingcomfort.com.

Keep non-essentials out of the car: That includes trash, so keep a receptacle for trash disposal in the front and back seat. Also keep a collapsible container or trash bag to routinely haul out those items that do not belong in the car. Once a week tidy up, empty the trash, and make sure you items are where you want them to be.

Follow these steps and your new car will stay uncluttered and your old car will look more like new.

Beverly & Kristen
www.keytransitions.net

Organize a Picnic

2009-08-24T20:32:00.000-05:00

I love picnics—not the kind that you plan for weeks for a hundred people, but the intimate impromptu kind. When my children were small, I kept an insulated bag with plates, napkins, utensils and wet wipes on a shelf. When the weather was good and the kids were antsy, I just had to whip up some food and find some drinks. A ride to a nearby park gave us all a break from the routine. If the weather turned suddenly bad, we would spread a blanket on the floor and picnic in the house.

My favorite adult picnic is crusty bread, cheese, wine and fruit, an easy combo to pull together. I sometimes do this one by myself sitting in a scenic spot and enjoying the fresh air. My grandmother’s picnic lunch was a different story. There was always fried chicken and sometimes ham biscuits, accompanied by potato salad, a green salad and homemade chocolate cake. I think my husband’s early interest in me was sustained by Grandma’s picnic baskets that accompanied us on excursions to the beach.

Whatever you choose for culinary fare, here are some hints for quickly organizing a picnic.

Have a picnic spot in mind before you pack the food and supplies. Determine if you will have to bring along something to sit on or if picnic benches are provided.

A picnic is not a barbecue. Choose finger foods that do not have to be cooked. According to WikiPedia the favorite picnic foods are peanut butter and jelly and ham and cheese sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, chips and soda. Healthy alternatives include vegetable sticks, string cheese and juice. Include plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Remember non-food supplies. You can count on needing napkins and/or wipes to clean up. Plates and utensils are nice and plastic bags are good for storing items to bring home. You may also need a bottle opener and knife to slice fruit or bread. A trash bag is convenient for quick clean up and disposal.

Protect yourself from nature. Include bug repellant, sunscreen and a lined cloth if you are eating on the ground. Make sure foods stay fresh and do not form bacteria by keeping them cold. Purchase a small cooler on wheels to make the hike to your favorite spot easier.

Treat yourself and those you love to a picnic before the summer ends. A picnic doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Plastic Food Storage Containers

2009-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Even Vanna White has trouble keeping her Tupperware organized. In her wrap-up conversation with Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, she lamented having to clean out kitchen cabinets to find a container top. She also smiled brightly as she expounded on how great it felt to have all her containers organized.

It certainly would have inspired me to tackle disorganized containers if I had any. A few years ago I came up with a solution that works for me. I store my containers with the lids on them in a ten-gallon plastic container on a shelf in my mudroom. Just off the kitchen, it is a convenient spot for these items and allows efficient use of my limited kitchen cabinet space. The one thing I have to do is make sure the containers are thoroughly dry before popping the lid on and storing. Otherwise the container will smell bad. There are a few other solutions that our clients have found helpful.

Store with the lids on, stacked in kitchen cabinets. This works for folks who have ample cabinet space or limited containers.

Separate round containers and lids from square containers and lids. Then stack the containers inside each other. Corral the round container lids in one large plastic bag or basket and the square lids in another.

If you want a more orderly arrangement you can find two kinds of plastic lid holders at www.stacksandstacks.com. One attaches to the cabinet door and one is freestanding.

In spaces where storage is on exposed shelves, a decorative rack for dishes or pot lids can hold the container lids. They can then be arranged by size for easy retrieval. Some examples can be found at www.taylorgifts.com and www.ballarddesigns.com. Ballard’s also has a seventeen-inch wide wooden caddy that could hold lids.

Whatever way you chose to store your plastic food storage containers, occasionally take time to discard cracked, abraded and discolored items that may leak or harbor bacteria.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Manage Your E-Mail

2009-08-11T06:02:00.002-05:00

After a couple of days away from the computer, I return and find I have four hundred e-mails waiting for response. Fortunately, this is an infrequent occurrence and I have a system for managing my e-mail that will allow me to deal with this backlog in about an hour, two at the most. This was not always the case. When I was first introduced to e-mail in the work environment, I would often get several hundred e-mails a day. About half of them would go unread until I missed an important event or blundered into a meeting unaware of a breaking development. I had to find a way to cut through the pile of messages while I was still employed.

Folks still struggle with managing e-mail. Seventy per-cent of employees in Fortune Five Hundred Companies admit to having more e-mail than they can effectively handle. Another study states that the average computer user spends about an hour a day searching for stored documents and e-mail messages.

Here are a few tips that work for me:
Check e-mail once or twice a day. Setting up an alert and answering it every time a message pops up is inefficient use of time. Waiting more than twenty-four hours to review your inbox may result in a backlog and in your missing time-sensitive information.

When reviewing e-mail, start with the most recent messages first. This will eliminate answering serial e-mails about the same subject.

Spend no more than two minutes with each message. Make a decision about response to the message at the time you read it. Productivity expert Sally MaGhee suggests the Four D Method. When you read the e-mail make a decision to delete it, do it, delegate it or defer it. When delegating something, turn it into an action item for follow up. When deferring something, turn it into an action item or an appointment so you won’t forget about it. Microsoft Outlook provides tools for doing this quickly and provides good instructions at www.microsoft.com.

Create an effective reference system for items you need to save. (of course you save only the information that is relevant is not stored anywhere else and will be used in the next six months). Create files and search rules that are meaningful for you and the way you work. Purge the file when you no longer need the information.

These simple steps made a big difference for me and now I can afford to spend a day away from the computer when necessary.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Innovative Products for Organizing the Dorm Room

2009-08-03T06:29:00.001-05:00

Starting College is an exciting time filled with first-time experiences and challenges. One of the first challenges freshmen face is how to turn a tiny dorm room into a comfortable haven for recreating, studying, sleeping and general living purposes.

Many colleges make creative use of space even more challenging by prohibiting fastening anything to the walls, doors, or furniture with hardware. Fortunately there are products out there that fasten in ways that provide additional organizing capability and do not break the campus rules.

Add some storage space around the sleeping area with the Sidekick SaddleBag Organizer or the Bedside Storage Caddy. Both of these products fit under the mattress and provide storage compartments for music player, remote, keys, glasses and more. They work well on loft beds and bunk beds. The Mini-mantle mounts on the bedpost and provides another solution for suspending a flat surface to hold small objects.

If there is a corner of the room that could hold shelving, try the Corner Smart Shelving that stays up with friction, no adhesive or hardware required. Perfect for an alarm clock or reading light for a top bunk. These items can be found at www.dormbuys.com.

Create additional space on the desk with the Furio Home Mission hutch from Target. It has adjustable shelving and enough middle space to accommodate a computer and other items. Another alternative is Clear Stacking Bins from The Container Store. They come in various sizes and provide visibility of what is stored inside. Even the desk chair can provide additional storage space with the use of the Dorm Chair Organizer available at www.dormbuys.com.

Use doors to create additional storage space. There are over-the-door full length mirrors and organizers for shoes, DVDs, and purses as well as hooks and hangers. The Hinge It Hanger, available at www.solutions.com, slips over the door hinges to create hanging space for towels or drying clothes. Four arms swivel independently for flexible use.

Bed risers are a good idea to provide additional underbed storage. The Rack Raiser at www.dormbuys.com raises the bed 20 or 25 inches providing more height than most of these products. A good vertical storage solution is the Mainstays Utility Stand that is 66 inches high and only 17 inches deep. It has room for a dorm fridge underneath three versatile shelve and can be found at Wal-Mart.

Two other products are worth consideration. Dry Erase Removable Wallpaper provides a disposable dry erase board that can be peeled off after use. It comes in two sizes: 24”x 36” and 36” x 48 inches. The other product is a set of Powerstrip Liberators. These handy extenders free up outlets normally blocked by bulky AC adapters, allowing better organization of technology.

Using these innovative products leaves a little more space to stretch out and enjoy the academic adventure.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR COSMETICS

2009-07-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Cosmetics have a way of accumulating. You buy a waterproof lipstick to match your new swimsuit and discover that there is no room to squeeze it in the cosmetic drawer. Worse, you reach for your special mocha lipliner and it is no where to be found. You know you will look good but you won’t look your best.

These aggravations are only the top of the iceberg for those of us who rely on a little cosmetic enhancement to make us feel pretty. We know that we will be less harried and have the look we want if we keep cosmetic products neat. But when we’re racing to get to work, to a date, to the gym, to a class, we do not do such a good job of putting things back where they belong.

The keys to keeping cosmetics organized are:

Keep it simple. You really do not need forty shades of eye shadow and twenty-five lipsticks. Choose the three or four that you use routinely and keep them close at hand.

Group items by application zones. Create a skin kit with moisturizer, concealer, foundation and powder, an eye kit with mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow, a finisher kit with lipstick, lipliner and blush.

Choose cosmetic containers that work for you. Clear plastic drawer dividers, acrylic shoe boxes and tackle boxes work as well as designated cosmetic organizers. Magna Pods have magnetized backing that allows them to adhere to metal cabinets and vintage train cases work well for gals on the go.

Keep it fresh. Cosmetics expire just like milk does and can cause skin reactions and infections if used after the expiration date. Make a date to review cosmetics and discard expired items.

It takes a little effort to keep cosmetics in order but the gains are worth it. Just think of saving time and money and looking beautiful. What more could a girl want?

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Underwear

2009-07-23T05:44:00.001-05:00

I recently had a conversation with a group of professional organizers about organizing underwear. We all agreed that it was a common problem for most of the folks we work with but we could not agree on the best way to get the disorganized underwear drawer under control. Personal items require personalized solutions. Here is one solution that works for many people.

Start by separating the bras from the panties and then sort each category into types. Most women have everyday bras, sports bras and specialty bras like strapless, push up and super-sexy. Panties most often are everyday, control and sexy. They may also be divided into high-rise, bikinis, and thongs. Once the underwear is sorted by type sort it by color.

Use separate shallow drawers if you have a lingerie chest or dresser that is outfitted with underwear drawers. If you are trying to fit your underwear into a standard drawer, use drawer dividers or boxes to separate the various types of underwear. Organize.com offers a flexible diamond drawer separator that allows for one piece of underwear to be stored in each cubicle. They also offer spring loaded drawer dividers that work well to create various sized spaces for underwear. If you want something specifically designed for your undies they also carry drawer dividers labeled “bra box”, “panty box” and “boxer box”.

When placing items in the dividers, put bras on their sides with cups fitting into each other; roll panties and store them one layer deep. This method allows you to identify the item you are looking for without rifling through a pile of stuff. It also allows the insertion of items in the space you want them without having to rearrange anything.

If you are having trouble finding the underwear you need when you need it, give this system a try.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Lapses in Organizing

2009-07-15T07:07:00.000-05:00

Lessons in organizing come from lots of different places in the real world. The lesson I need to focus on this week is what to do when organizing habits are abandoned and the clutter begins to pile up. (Yes, even professional organizers sometimes struggle to keep it straight.)

The example that comes to mind is a religious one. I have an ecumenical family and group of friends. In my experience, the preachers call it backsliding; the priests call it lapsing and the rabbis call it leaving the righteous path. Whatever you call it, it means you were doing what you should be doing and now you’re not.

The formula for improvement is pretty simple. Stop doing the bad stuff, get help if you need it and get back into your good habits. That is sometimes easier said than done.

For me, the hard part is getting started, so I know that I have to commit to an initial effort and hold myself accountable for it. If I think I will hedge about starting, I announce my intention to anyone who will listen. That way, I will be embarrassed if they ask how it’s going and I haven’t even started yet.

So this week I am telling you that I will finish unpacking my suitcase, putting away the clean clothes and tidying up my desk. A few days away at a conference is not going to get me to abandon my organizing goals.

If you find that the projects you were initially so proud of are beginning to look less organized than you like, make a commitment to get them back in shape. If you doubt your ability to do it alone, get help. Set up incentives to get it done. That might be a treat for yourself or avoiding an opportunity for your frenemies to gloat about your failure-whatever works to get you going and sticking to the goal of an organized household.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

ORGANIZING FUN WITH PHOTOGRAPHS

2009-07-09T20:35:00.001-05:00

Do you have a bunch of old photographs stored in shoe boxes, stuffed in drawers or aging in the pages of albums you never quite got around to completing? Maybe you have the sad task of rifling through photographs of a deceased relative and cannot decide who would like the picture of Great Aunt Maude with her prize-winning hog. This might be a good time to have a picture party.

If you have time, begin by sorting your photographs by decades. In a recent project we have boxes labeled by decade going back to 1920 and a box for all photographs prior to that year. It is difficult to do, but don’t take time to reminisce over the photos as you separate them. If you are stumped by the year, make the best guess you can. If you have duplicate photos or photos that can be identified as a particular event, put them together in an envelop.

Then comes the fun part. Set a time for the family to get together and look at the pictures. You may want to have more than one gathering if you have a lot of pictures and go through a few decades each time. Identify the folks in the picture and take time to share stories about the vacation, celebration or event. This is also a good time to catalogue the photographs in acid free containers, share duplicates, and identify ones that need to be scanned or copied for sharing.

Take a snapshot of your gathering and send one to all the participants to remind them of the fun you had together.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Recipes

2009-06-30T05:53:00.001-05:00

I love to share a good recipe. For me that is one with a limited number of ingredients, quick to fix and good to taste. If it is low calorie, that is a bonus. One of my good friends doesn’t care how long it takes to cook a recipe. She enjoys the process of combining the ingredients and putting the meal together. Another friend says, if you can't grill it, then isn’t interested. We are also different in the ways we chose to organize our recipes and cookbooks,

There are several methods that work, so pick the one that best suits your style:

Digital Program
There are several programs for organizing recipes on your computer. They offer a selection of categories and search functions for easy access. Some programs allow you to publish your own cookbook. Check out www.cookbookpeople.com and www.cookbooksoftware.com. Some online websites, such as www.recipezaar.com, allow you to enter your own recipes, access other recipes and keep them all together in your account.

Three-Ring Binder
Use magnetic photo sheets or plastic sleeves to protect and store recipes. This works for clipped recipes of various sizes and protects the recipes while being used in the kitchen. Use page dividers with labels to separate the recipes into categories. Some suggestions are appetizers (further divide into meat, fish, vegetable, cheese, other), main dish (further divide into beef, pork, poultry, vegetarian), desserts (further divide into pies, cakes, candy, cookies and bars, miscellaneous). The binder(s) can also be stored on a shelf with your cookbooks.

Recipe Box
Recipe boxes are never big enough for me, but if you have less than thirty recipes that you use routinely, this is a good solution. For more recipes, use a long index cord file box from the hardware or stationery store. Consider laminating the recipe cards to protect them form food stains and moisture. Use index file dividers to separate them into the categories suggested above.

Accordion Folders
Use an accordion pocket folder for each major category of recipe (appetizer, main dish, desert, beverages, etc) and separate into categories within the folder. Label each folder and store them in a convenient spot.

Whatever method you use to store recipes, keep a file folder handy to tuck away new recipes you want to try. After you have tried the recipe, you can decide if it is worth keeping in your recipe filing system.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize a First Aid Kit for Summer

2009-06-23T07:17:00.001-05:00

It is officially summertime.

That means most of us will be spending more time in the great outdoors. In spite of our best efforts, it sometimes becomes the great Ouch!doors. Bumps, bruises, stings and scrapes happen.

Now is good time to review first aid supplies and update the first aid kit. Suggestions for a basic first aid kit can be found at www.redcross.org. Add an extra chemical ice bag, an insect bite remedy, and a soothing lotion for sunburn. Review the contents of the kit to make sure that the expiration dates on the products have not expired. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit in the house and in the car. That way supplies are close at hand when they are needed. When accidents happen it is comforting to know you are ready to handle them quickly.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organizing the Man Cave

2009-06-15T06:14:00.001-05:00

Three guys showed me their man caves this week. One was in a finished room over the garage, one was in the garage and one was in the corner of an airplane hanger. These were three really different spaces that served very different purposes and each reflected the personality of its owner.

Two of the guys actually wanted some advice on how to better utilize the space and make room for their favorite past times. Even a man cave needs a sense of order and the tools to support having fun however the man cave dweller defines it.

One of my friends shared with me his belief that every man cave should start with used furniture and state of the art equipment. He does not want to be worried about putting his feet up on the coffee table or getting stains on the furniture. He does want cold drinks and snacks nearby as he watches sports with his friends on a wide screen television. His wife likes the idea that his friends are not cluttering up the family living space but she deplores the shabby and slovenly appearance of the room. Here is how we solved their differences and came up with a space that both of them love.

First, we took a good hard look at the dimensions of the room measuring twelve feet by fourteen feet with a garage door opening. Next we wrote down the activities the dweller planned for the room. Then we divided the space into zones that included media center, workbench and tools, cards and games, food and drink preparation and miscellaneous storage.

As we placed the contents of the room into these areas, we created storage space on the walls with the use of hangers and shelves. They bought inexpensive storage boxes and ottomans that double as extra seating and covered the mismatched furniture with stain-resistant coordinating slipcovers in masculine colors. Trashcans were placed in the food preparation area, the media area and the game area, and the workbench area. A plastic tub was included in the food prep area to place used dishes that need to be hauled to the kitchen. They even put a patio rug on the floor. The cave dweller promised to take it outside and hose it down occasionally.

The room looked so good the cave dweller warned his mate not to try to hold her book club in his space.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

A Technique for Organizing Thoughts

2009-06-10T06:28:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have trouble pulling your thoughts together? It happens to me every now and then when I am stressed, in a chaotic environment or under a tight deadline. Sometimes all three of those things happen at once and I am really in trouble. Either I cannot recall the information I need or I have a lot of other unrelated information intruding into my thoughts making it impossible for me to put together anything coherent.

When that happens I have a tried and true method that helps me organize my thoughts so I can complete an article, formulate an argument or make a major decision. Maybe it will work for you too.

I get a large pack of 3”x5” index cards and a pen. I sit quietly for a few minutes and think bout the subject that I want to organize. I don’t try to do that in any logical way, but just think of the subject in general. If I were deciding on buying a computer, I would just think about computers for a minute. Then I would begin writing on the index cards, one idea or feature on each card. They might read “laptop”, “memory”, “cost”, “software”, “Vista”, “Apple”, “networking”, and anything else that came to mind. If, in the middle of this exercise, I think, “I forgot to pick up the dry cleaning.” or “I can’t be late for my six-thirty meeting tomorrow.” I write “dry cleaning” on one card and “six-thirty meeting” on another. I keep writing the cards until I am out of ideas and thoughts about computers.

I separate the cards that deal with computers from the cards that have other thoughts. Then I put the computer cards into categories that make sense to me. Some examples of categories might be auxiliary equipment, software, operating systems, and features. Using the categories, I decide what is the most important thing about computers and prioritize the categories. Now I am ready to look at the order I have created from my random thoughts. When I do this I always see a pattern that allows me to determine if I have enough information to continue with the project or if I need to do further research. When I obtain further information, I jot it on a category card and add it to the pile. The finished cards give me an outline to organize my thoughts and make my decision.

The remaining cards with extraneous thoughts can be used to make a to-do list, give yourself a good laugh, or they can simply be recycled.

The next time you need a little extra help organizing your thoughts give this technique a try.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Emergency Pet Supplies

2009-06-03T10:55:00.001-05:00

June first marks the beginning of hurricane season. Virginia granted a tax-free holiday for selected supplies and many of us stocked up on the things we need in case of a weather emergency. It is time to look around at the furry, feathered and scaly creatures we call our pets and make sure we have an emergency plan for their care as well. We need to be ready to take care of their needs if we have to shelter in place without water and electricity or if we have to evacuate in the path or aftermath of bad weather.

Many shelters do not allow pets so it becomes even more important to make sure the plan includes adequate food and water and a safe shelter. Put together a kit that includes:
Food and water for five days
Manual can opener if needed and a containers for food and water
Bedding and favorite toys
Kitty litter, scoop, paper, deodorizer bags and other materials for elimination disposal
Medications and medical records, shots and vaccinations in waterproof container
Pet carrier, heavy duty leash and harness for each pet

Place the materials in a container that is easily portable and keep it with other emergency supplies. When weather emergencies occur you will be prepared to take care of your pets as well as yourself and your family.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Essential Documents

2009-05-25T05:49:00.002-05:00

The National Association of Professional Organizers reports that most people identify paper as their biggest organizing problem. The most daunting task is knowing where to start.

Consider dividing your paper problem into categories. Some suggested topics are current mail, bills, correspondence, essential documents. Then decide how you will separate each major category into smaller segments that will allow you to file the documents as they come in, act on them in a timely manner, then archive them for an appropriate amount of time.

Give special consideration to essential documents-those records that you might need for emergency, legal or financial consideration. These documents need to be safeguarded in a waterproof, fireproof safe that can be removed from the home if there is some type of emergency that requires evacuation. Some folks keep these documents in safety deposit boxes in banks. If that is your choice, you should consider keeping copies safeguarded at home so you can easily access them if, for some reason, the bank is not open to you. That scenario happened recently in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. With copies you can at least transact business and obtain substitute originals from the source if necessary.

Here are a few essential documents to include in your emergency file:

Documents that deal with identification like birth certificates, Social Security cards, adoption orders, citizenship papers, marriage certificates and divorce/separation papers.

Documents that deal with insurance like life and health insurance policies including dental and disability, home owners or renters insurance policies, automobile and boat insurance policies and umbrella insurance policies.

Documents that deal with personal and business finance including checking and savings account information, investment accounts, titles and deeds to real estate and other personal property such as cars and boats, stock and bond certificates, and loan agreements.

Estate planning documents including will and trust documents and durable power of attorney for health and finance.

Pulling these important documents together and filing them in a safe place is a good start to organizing paper.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Funeral Organization

2009-05-13T09:30:00.002-05:00

I attended too many funerals last week. Come to think of it, I have attended too many funerals –period. It is always sad when someone passes and leaves those who love her or him to move on through this world without the comfort of their loved one. But funerals are inevitable and can be a true celebration of the life of the deceased.

A lot depends on how the funeral ceremony is organized. Some people receive a true gift from the deceased when they are left with clear instructions about what their loved one wished to have happen. In that circumstance, it is much easier to communicate those wishes to the funeral director and make necessary arrangements. Too often, however, no communication has taken place and the surviving family is left with the task of making decisions at a time when grief makes it more difficult.

Good funeral directors do a tremendous job in handling the details of the funeral, but there are still a lot of decisions that have to be made by the family. Here is a short list to think about. It is by no means inclusive of all the tasks that must be done:

Will there be a burial or cremation?
If burial, the coffin must be selected, the clothes for the deceased selected, the place of burial selected and arrangements made with management at the location.
If cremation, a repository for the ashes must be selected and a decision made about whether ashes will be scattered, interred or kept with the family.

Will there be a memorial service?
Will it be located at a church, a funeral home chapel, or at the graveside?
If at the church or funeral home, will you use pallbearers and who will they be?
What kind of flowers, if any, do you want for the coffin or receptacle?
Would you prefer for friends to send flowers or donate to a favorite charity?
Will there be music? What selections and how will they be performed?
How will family members be transported to the service and returned home?
Will the family receive visitors before or after the service and where is the reception?

How will you announce the death?
Newspaper obituary column is the traditional means of making the announcement. There may be select people that require a personal call. In these technological times, some people are selecting mass e-mail as a way to make friends and colleagues aware of funeral arrangements, sometimes providing a link to the newspaper obituary or funeral home web site.

Who will participate in delivering a message and or a eulogy?
These individuals need to be notified in time to schedule time to be there and to prepare their messages. They also need to know any favorite scriptures, verses or songs of the deceased or the family.

This is just the beginning of the many little decisions that have to be made at the time a funeral is being planned. Consider discussing your preferences with those you love and asking about theirs? It really is an act of love.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Time Organization for the Busy Family

2009-05-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few hints for managing time with a busy family:

Post a family schedule where everyone can access it.

Plan meals weekly and shop once. Consider doing some of your grocery shopping on line. Amazon.com is a good way to shop for staples and have them delivered to your door. Locally, you can order your groceries from Farm Fresh Internet Express (www.Farmfreshsupermarkets.com) and for a small processing fee; they will do your shopping and have it ready for you to pick up. You can even use their Internet Express feature to create your shopping list. It will print up with the items listed by aisle.

Use a calendar with pockets for birthday cards, appointment reminder cards, etc. Avalanche Publishing (www.Avalanchepub.com) makes many versions that are available direct from the publisher or at Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s and Sam’s Club.

Just a few simple timesavers can give you the time you need to get things done.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organizing Tips for Around the House

2009-04-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few organizing tips for around the house:

Entry Way

Create a landing space near the door you come in. Keep keys, cell phone, purse and other items you need when you walk out the door together in the landing space.
Individual baskets for each family member at entry. Decorative and useful baskets can be found at many places, included Michael’s and World Market.
Kid level spaces for storage and retrieval of coats and book bags

Mail

Create a spot for sorting mail and paying bills. Use a basket, decorative box or organizer to store pen, checkbook and stamps so material is handy

Kitchen

Make sure the tools you need for each task are near their designated area (pots and pans near stove/oven; dish detergent, and cleaning agents near or under sink; dishes and utensils near table/breakfast bar).

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Bring Organization to Your Bedroom

2009-04-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few hints to bring a little organization to your bedroom:

List the things you do in the bedroom. Then determine the best place to accomplish that task, given the space available. Think of the bedroom in zones (Sleeping Zone, Dressing Zone, Play Zone, Study Zone, Relaxing/Socializing Zone)

Group the items that are needed for that activity together in that space as much as possible.

Create a reading station near the bed that includes adequate lighting, book mark, and a place for book and glasses. Great reading lamps and organizers can be found at Office Max.
Store children’s must have bed items in a bedside table or an under-bed rolling storage box that is easy for them to access. Underbed storage containers are available at Home Depot, Ikea, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart.

Use decorative pegboard with various size hooks to keep belts, scarves, small purses, and even, jewelry displayed for easy access. Local hardware stores will custom cut to your specifications or you can buy it in pre-cut sized. Pegboard and peg board accessories can be found at local hardware stores and Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Wal-Mart.

Simple, stacking, jewelry trays from places like Bed Bath & Beyond, Homestoragewarehouse.com and Lillian Vernon will fit in most dresser drawers.

Egg crates and ice cube trays also make good containers for small items (earrings, tie tacks), that allow the items to be easily seen and can be stacked in a dresser drawer.

Increase space in your closet by using thin, flocked hangers available at Bed Bath & Beyond, HSN.com, Target and Wal-Mart.

Store everyday and athletic shoes in rolling bins available at Lowe’s and Wal-Mart

Keep shoes accessible and easy to locate by storing in clear plastic boxes that are labeled or even have a photo of the contents attached. Clear shoe boxes are available at Bed Bath & Beyond and Dollar Tree. A clear shoe organizing system is available at Neatboxes.com.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

PREPARE FOR ROAD TRIP WITH A TODDLER

2009-04-13T14:39:00.001-05:00

We are getting ready to take a thirteen-hour trip-with a three-year-old. So my thoughts have turned to preparation for traveling with a toddler. This actually takes more preparation and organization than traveling with a baby or older child.

First there is the comfort factor. Is the car seat a good fit and is the cover pliable enough to not chafe or rub? Is the stroller portable enough to take up minimum space and will it allow the child to sit comfortably. Our little linebacker’s wide shoulders made this a challenge. Part of comfort is keeping the little darling well hydrated and supplied with healthy snacks. So pack water, juice and snack favorites in an accessible container. After eating and drinking thoughts turn to keeping him clean and dry, so a supply of diapers, pull-ups or underpants also need to be nearby. A changing pad, portable potty or child’s folding commode seat make comfort stops easier for everybody in the traveling party. It is a good idea to stop every hour or two to stretch legs and check on bathroom needs.
A supply of tissues, wipes and paper towels to mop up any messes round out the comfort items.

Next comes the safety factor. Car seats should be safely installed and fastened according to directions. The child should remain safely buckled in the car seat while the vehicle is moving. When it is time to get out of the car, a tether that fits loosely around the child’s arm and a caregiver’s arm provides freedom and puts limits on how far a child can roam. Nothing substitutes for carefully watching the little one at all times. Even with vigilance, it is hard to keep up with the energy level of a toddler, so bring a few childproofing items for your room. A child safety doorknob cover and a latch lock a couple of items that will come in handy. A night-light may give the child a level of comfort in a strange place and allow him to sleep more comfortably. If the place you are staying does not have a suitable bed, you may want to take an air mattress or sleeping bag. Some manufacturers make toddler size air mattresses with inflatable rails for restless sleepers. A first aid kit should be in the car to handle any minor mishaps.

Do not underestimate the need for entertainment. With short attention spans, toddlers need a variety of toys and games to keep them occupied during a trip. Some good travel toys are Colorform sets, water coloring pens and paper, and talking books. A DVD player can entertain with favorite videos and a supply of sing-along favorite songs will provide some interactive time with the traveling party. Interactive games like Seek and Find (find a cow, find a school bus, find a flag) keep a child entertained during long driving periods. Consider wrapping a few “surprises” to pull out when the going gets rough or to reward for good behavior. A ball for tossing during rest stops can help burn off some energy before returning to the car.

Then there is the usual. Enough clothes appropriate to the climate, medicines, and a favorite comfort toy or item. While you are at it, pack a good sense of humor and the knowledge that if you forgot it, you can probably find it to purchase.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organizing Alone

2009-04-06T18:38:00.001-05:00

What if you want to get organized but other people who live in your home do not? Many folks who long for a little order in these circumstances just give up and live with the mess. It is not an easy task to be neat when all around you is chaos. Clutter begets clutter.

If you are one of those people who want to be neater but cannot gain cooperation from housemates, there are a few steps you can take to bring a little order to your life

Talk to others in your home to see if there can be agreement on keeping certain spaces clutter free. Perhaps the living room and entryway are a good start. You may even find you have an ally or two who also want a neater space. You may want to agree on a pick-up day when everyone picks up items that are where they don’t belong.

See if introducing some new tools into the environment will help decrease the clutter. Some ideas are a big brass tub or basket for books and magazines, a trunk or wagon bench for toys, a trash can in the family room where people eat snacks or near the microwave where containers are discarded, clothes hampers in the bedrooms to keep dirty clothes off the floor.

Organize what you can control. Straighten your side of the closet, organize your study or work area, and purge your old books and papers. Your example of being able to find your stuff when you need it may prompt others to stop wasting their time digging through clutter to find what they are looking for.

The most important thing is that you will have taken control of what you can directly affect and will have made your desires known to those with whom you share space.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Make Room for Love

2009-03-30T08:06:00.002-05:00

“I moved out of my parent’s house so I could meet people and find a guy, but I am ashamed to bring anybody into this mess,” the young professional woman lamented as her eyes swept around her cluttered living room. After six months in her condominium, it was littered with a load of work papers, magazines and an assortment of shoes. Mail was stacked up on the table in the entryway and the view of the kitchen revealed dishes stacked in the sink and cartons on the counter. A tour of the bathroom and bedroom revealed they were in similar disarray. The spare bedroom had turned into storage space for everything that had not yet been put away. There were still unpacked boxes from her move-in.

“ I work hard and when I get home, I just crash,” she told me.

The first step for this client was finding a balance between work and personal life-a hard thing to do when she is trying to impress her boss and hang on to her job. She was able to identify four hours a week she could devote to gaining control of her environment without affecting work performance. She also identified four hours a week to devote to herself and fun things. Now she was ready to tackle the task of getting her home in shape.

The first step was to determine what was really important to her. She decided that she wanted to be able to invite some friends over for an informal gathering. She set a goal for two months to have her space in shape in order to send the invitations. That meant she had to organize the entryway, the living room and the bathroom. She also had to clean up the kitchen which could be viewed from the living area.

For the entryway we set up a mail station using attractive baskets with lids that allowed for the sorting of mail on the spot. One basket was for bills and other mail that needed immediate attention. The other was for mail that could be handled at her leisure. If that basket got full, it needed to be dealt with immediately to make room for the next bunch of mail. This system allowed bills to get paid on time and put a physical limit on how much mail could pile up.

The clutter culprits in the living room were paper, magazines and shoes. She confessed to taking off her shoes at the door and neglecting to tote them upstairs to the bedroom for several days, or weeks. To deal with the shoe problem she bought a hall bench that contained a hidden shoe rack in the base. She put her favorite shoes here so she could pick them up and put them away on her way in and out of the house. She also purchased a step basket that fit on the stairs and allowed her to drop off things that she wanted to carry upstairs on her next trip.

She already had a magazine rack that she didn’t use. It was too small and was not near the sofa where she usually did her reading. A large flat basket on the bottom shelf of the coffee table helped corral the periodicals and gave the appearance of order.

She did her paperwork all over the house, an apt metaphor for work taking over her life. We identified a corner of the room for work purposes and organized all work materials in an attractive trunk that had been in the storage room since her move. She could still review projects sitting on her couch or at the dining table, but they went in her briefcase or in the trunk after review.

The kitchen was a matter of cleanup and adopting new habits of washing dishes at least once a day, since she had no dishwasher. Moving utensil and dish storage nearer to the sink made the job a little easier. A larger trash can with a lid helped minimize used containers on the counter and kept garbage out of sight.

The bathroom suffered from a lack of storage space for toiletries and makeup so these items ended up on the limited counter space. Under sink storage shelves and shower shelves helped provide additional space for toiletries. Makeup was sorted and outdated and unused items were discarded. What was left was stored in the medicine cabinet using plastic and magnetic containers.

She had a successful gathering for her friends and has now started working on upstairs space. Her goal is to have that done in two more months. It seems there is a special guy in the picture and she needs to make room for love.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Taking Care of Little Things

2009-03-23T15:36:00.001-05:00

Even after we organize our desk, our sewing box, our craft area, our toolbox, it is the little things that cause problems with maintaining our neat space. Paper clips, straight pins, little beads and tiny nails find their way to the bottom of our stuff.

Here are a few low-cost suggestions for corralling those pesky items and keeping things in order.

Items with blunt edges do well in small zip-lock plastic bags. Beads can be separated by colors and then placed together in a larger container.

Egg cartons provide a handy way to sort items like nuts and bolts. Glue a small magnet in each section to keep them in place. Be sure to store on top of heavy tools or the container will get crushed.

Slip a plastic ice cube tray in your desk drawer to hold various size paper clips, staples and other small items.

Baby food jars and spice jars can be re-purposed to hold small items. Spice jars in a discarded spice rack can keep sewing items like snaps and pins handy for the seamstress.

Organizing doesn’t have to be fancy; it just has to work.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

WHEN AM I ORGANIZED ENOUGH?

2009-03-15T19:45:00.003-05:00

I love to watch the home makeover and organizing programs when I can. Sometimes I am inspired, sometimes I get good ideas for difficult problems, and sometimes I just laugh. One of the recent programs that tickled my funny bone was a redesign and organization for a busy single mother of four with a demanding job. As they toured her through the pristine and orderly residence her house had become, I found myself inventing internal dialogue for the poor woman.

“What a nice foyer, (but will my children really walk to the end of the hall and open a door to dump their backpacks?”)

“Oh, yes, that is a lovely laundry room (until I feed the dog and try to do a week’s worth of laundry on Saturday.”)

“The bathroom is so neat (but what will it look like when my teenager litters it with hair products and make-up?”)

“I can find everything in this pantry (until I drag in my first batch of groceries and put them wherever they fit.”)

The organized space looked beautiful, but it was not very practical for this family. Finding the balance between pretty and practical, form and function is often overlooked when folks organize spaces that have to work for them everyday. When we invest time and effort, we expect things to improve. Looking good is an improvement if the organization is maintained with the same or less amount of work.

Often we have a limited amount of time and money to spend on organization projects. How can we decide where to put our resources for the biggest improvement? How do we decide when we are organized enough?

In the real world, where people with limited resources lead busy lives, I believe you are organized enough when:

Spaces are safe and you can walk across rooms without stumbling on items
You can find what you are looking for in five minutes.
You can pick up the public spaces for an unexpected guest to visit in 15 minutes.
You can get ready for a critical relative or friend to visit in one day.
There are no (or few) outdated products in your refrigerator, freezer, pantry.
You and your family can access clothes and other items when you need them
Bills, projects, homework, permission slips are not past due because you have misplaced the papers.
You can get into bed and have dinner at your table without clearing it first.
You are happy and comfortable living in your home.

If you are not there yet, keep trying. You may want to take a look at some programs about organizing. Even if you don’t learn anything, you could have a good laugh.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

The Secrets to Staying Organized

2009-03-08T14:31:00.001-05:00

So you have finally gotten your closet organized. Your family room is no longer cluttered and you are feeling pretty pleased with yourself. Then a few weeks pass and you look around and things are not as organized as they used to be. What happened? You were so committed to living in organized surroundings and now you are slipping back to clutter central.

Something isn’t working. Is it you or is it the system?

Sad to say, there are no magic secrets to staying organized, but there are a few guidelines that help.

Assess what is not working for you. Is it the system that is taking too much time and effort? Is it a lack of unity among family members in maintaining the system? Is it failure to take time to maintain the system? Once you have an idea of the obstacle, you can take measures to correct it.

Pick a system that fits your lifestyle. If you are better at dumping than you are at filing, use containers that conceal the jumble that you dump. If you are not going to keep books in alphabetical order by author, place them according to height, an easier and less time-consuming alternative. If it is important for you to have to-do items where you can see them, seek alternatives that allow them to be in view but contained in an attractive way.

Have a designated place for all your possessions. Even if the towels are not always neatly stacked, you will know they are on the third shelf of the linen closet. That is not beautiful organization, but you can still put your hands on a towel when you need one. Additionally, other family members do not have to rummage to find what they are looking for, creating more disorder in the process. Once you have decided on a home for the objects, enforce it with yourself and others.

Schedule time to keep things organized. Some things our clients have shared that work for them are:

Everyone picks up things that are out of place before they go to bed each night.
A reward is given each Sunday to the family member who has the fewest things out of place. Schedule fifteen minutes everyday to tackle an area that is sliding back to chaos. If there is no area to rescue, do something you enjoy.

Realize that sometimes life happens and things get a little out of control. In that case, just start again. One of our clients was looking forward to creating beautiful things in her newly organized office and craft space. Then her sister got sick and required help with her recovery, her father died and she brought many things from her childhood into the space. Then a flood filled the basement and she saved some possessions by moving them to any space available. Is it any wonder that her space became disorganized? The good news was that it took much less time to get it back in order because we already had a blueprint for how she wanted to use the space and where things were stored. It was then a matter of finding designated space for the excess items in the room. So when you have to start again, you never start from zero because you learn something from your first effort.

So the “secrets” to staying organized are: pick a system that fits your lifestyle, schedule time to maintain it and, if clutter happens, learn from your first attempt and try again.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Crafts

2009-03-03T14:50:00.000-05:00

March is National Craft Month. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines craft as skill in planning, making and executing or the product derived from that activity. So you would think that all crafters were organized folks. In our experience, the crafters are organized but their space isn’t. Their creative minds see all kinds of possibilities for scraps of and discarded containers. And then there are the tools for accomplishing the craft. Whether the passion is scrapbooking, or sewing, woodworking or needlework, beading or collage, the challenge is where to keep all the stuff you need to get the job done?

Here are a few suggestions for organizing the crafting space:

Define a room, a closet, or a corner of a room as the crafting area. The whole house is not the craft workshop. (or so many spouses have told us)

Put like objects with like objects: tools together, ribbon together, pattern books together.

Work on one project at a time and put it away before you pull out another. If you switch up frequently ( for instance while glue is setting or paint is drying) have the drying station and work station side by side so tools and resources do not get scattered.

Create storage space in the craft area. This can be a cabinet, shelves or stackable boxes. Use discarded egg cartons or ice trays to organize beads, plastic margarine containers to store ribbon, a multi-tiered magazine rack for pattern books and scapbook paper. Clear plastic containers of varying sizes are available to store most items and they stack easily.

Take a look at innovative storage solutions. If you decide not to buy them, you can mimic their creative ideas through the use of materials you may have on hand. Two sites worth visiting are www.theoriginalscrapbox.com and www.twopweasinabasket.com

We hope you enjoy a month of organized crafting pleasure.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

MANAGING TIME AND TECHNOLOGY

2009-02-24T21:21:00.003-05:00

Do you e-mail, instant message and text? Are you the type who embraces new technology and finds infinite ways to use it in your work and home life?

Or do you yearn for the days when Blackberry was a fruit and Twitter was the sound made by birds? Do you wonder where all the time went that you were supposed to save through the use of technology?

Technology is only a tool. It can make time management an easier process or it can clog your system for getting things done. You are the key to how well technology supports your management of daily activities.

The truth is nobody really manages time. Time just keeps on ticking away. What we manage are our activities along the time continuum. So we engage in activities that either meet our goals in the time frame we envision, or we engage in activities that use time in ways that do not produce the results we aim for. We are really managing ourselves and what we choose to do. There are a lot of ways to do that and technology can support our efforts.

It is great to be able to find what we need by Internet search rather than driving all over town or even letting our fingers do the walking through the yellow pages. It is great to find our destination through automated directions rather than wandering around strange streets in search of our next stop.

It is not so great to be continuously interrupted by messages on our cell phones or to wade through a mass of e-mail several times a day.

In order to be organized, you have to know the tools you are using, have a plan for their use and remain focused on achieving your goals. If the tools are not working for you, it may be that you do not know how to use the technology, it is not the right technology for the job, or it is just not right for your style of organization. Once you know what the problem is, you can take steps to correct it.

Here are a few hints for handling the most common technology management problems:

Don’t be a slave to e-mail. Schedule time to review your e-mail twice a day. Turn of the “ping” that tempts you to have a look when new messages arrive. Understand the auto-controls available on your toolbar and use them to manage the mail. When tackling a long list of e-mails after an absence, start with most recent ones first. That will save you time responding to earlier messages about the same subject.

Put yourself in control of your cell phone. You do not have to respond to every call when it comes in. Caller ID and voice mail allow you to judiciously screen callers so you can respond to those you choose. Assign a recognizable unique ring-tone to individuals who need an immediate response. That might be your child, your spouse, your boss or an emergency call service. In some phones, unique alerts can be applied to text sources as well.

Keep your PDA current. You cannot be where you need to be on time if the appointment is not listed. You cannot easily call when you are going to be late if the phone number hasn’t been entered. Schedule a designated time for a periodic review of PDA content and/ or uplink to your computer. Schedules may require more frequent review than resource lists. Enter the time for update in your PDA as a regular appointment and take that time to update the information. It is comparable to a carpenter making sure his saw blades are sharpened. Tools don’t work unless you maintain them.

If technology takes more time to use than you save using it, decide if you are willing to gain proficiency. If that is not something you are willing to do, find a low-tech system that works for you. This can be a problem if you are working with a group of techies or living in a high-tech household. When that happens, it is wise to invest time in a little communication and cooperation to reach solutions that work for the group.

Time and technology continue to advance. It takes an organized approach to use them both wisely.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize a Bedroom

2009-02-16T15:28:00.002-05:00

Is Your Bedroom a Sanctuary?

We just celebrated Valentine’s Day. That led me to think about intimacy and, for some reason, I started thinking about bedrooms.

We often work with clients who want their bedroom to be a sanctuary, but the habits of their mate or the dictates of their living space present challenges to fulfilling their goal.

It is hard to feel tranquil with dirty socks on the floor and a pile of laundry at the foot of the bed. Sometimes the space must house a home office or a crafting station or fitness equipment. The reality is that the bedroom is often used for more than sleeping and intimate moments. Many folks find it the only place they can grab the solitary time to pay the bills, read a book, watch a favorite program, ready a project for deadline.or sweat to the oldies.

Here are a few suggestions for making the space more orderly and serene even when you have to deal with the realities of life.

Make the bed a no-drop zone. It will keep your bedding clean and you can rest without clearing a spot.

Create defined spaces for activities that must occur in the space. If you have to have an office in your bedroom, designate a small desk or table for the task and gather the materials you need close to that space. If you must house exercise equipment, put it in a corner farthest from the bed and use a folding screen to keep it out of sight when not in use. Put your ipod and earphones, shoes and other ancillary items in tote bags that can hang from the equipment and keep them handy. Use a small bookcase or decorative basket to hold books, music and DVDs close to the spot you use them.

Keep clothes off the floor and furniture by placing an attractive hamper in the room. A clothes valet or industrial three arm clothing rack can hold outfits for the next day or clothes waiting to be put away.

If the laundry is inevitably going to land in the bedroom prior to storing, use a pretty hamper and designate a bench at the foot of the bed or under a window as its temporary home. It might not look beautiful, but it will look neat and not detract too much from the room’s order.

Real life bedrooms often do not meet the expectation for “sanctuary” promoted by Extreme Makeover and HGTV, but, with a little thought and organization, they can be orderly, tranquil places to escape for personal pleasure.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organizing for Senior Independence

2009-02-08T19:35:00.002-05:00

The First Families are following a growing national trend. Both President Obama and Vice President Biden will be living with a parent in their homes. The aging of Baby Boomers and the demands of the current economic environment have driven an increase in multi-generational residences.

Another trend is for senior citizens to live independently in their own homes well into their eighties and nineties.

Whether living alone or with extended family, older adults may have specific needs and limitations that challenge them to evaluate how things are organized. Appropriately arranged space and access-friendly systems can greatly enhance independence for senior citizens whether they live alone or with others.

February is National Senior Independence Month. So it is a good time for seniors and those who love and care for them to take a look at their living quarters and determine if they are organized to promote independence. Here are a few things to look for.

Are open spaces wide enough to walk through and free of obstructions? Have clear wide walk-through spaces between frequently traveled areas like the kitchen and the family room, the bathroom and the bedroom. Remove any items that might be tripped over. Tuck ottomans against chairs and fit fireplace utensils well back against the hearth. Make sure there is enough room to maneuver a cane, walker or wheel chair if necessary. Remember it takes a full sixty inches for a standard wheel chair to turn fully around in a circle.

Can medicines and necessary daily supplies be accessed without help? This can be tricky if there are young children in the house to whom these supplies may pose a danger. Check web sites like www.childsafetystore.com and www.safe-tots.com for products like the Medicine Safe that safely hold medicines but cannot be opened by toddlers. Of course, potentially hazardous items can be placed on a higher shelf if the senior resident is able to reach it without climbing. One of the keys to safe access is no climbing for frequently used supplies. If there is not enough low storage space, try one of the reach extending tools that allows individuals to grasp items about four feet higher than their reach. These can be found at hardware stores and online at sites like www.lillianvernon.com.

Can doors and faucets be easily operated? Round doorknobs require more strength and agility to operate than lever doorknobs. Faucets with separate regulators for hot and cold water require more agility than faucets with a single central regulator that goes from hot to cold.

Older adults may face barriers to opening cans, putting on clothing, carrying items from one place to another. Products that promote independence for folks with limitations of movement or sight may be found at www.goldenviolin.com, www.asweage.com, and www.lighthouse.com. Incorporating these aids in the daily routine of seniors may assist them in continuing to lead independent lives in the setting of their choice.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

The Clutter Whisperer

2009-02-02T04:25:00.000-05:00

I’ve got clutter and I must clean up!

It started when I got a virus on New Years Eve that lingered for three weeks. When I recovered, I was washed out and easily tired. There was no time to take care of the little things as I caught up with clients, did speaking engagements and checked on a sick mother. The mail went unsorted, dirty clothes piled up and the detritus of living went unattended. In other words, clutter happened. It happened in the way clutter usually happens. Some life event prevented me from performing usual routines that keep me organized.

While I was sick, the only thing that did not hurt was my eyeballs, so I watched television programs I seldom see. On one of them, I became acquainted with Cesar Milan, known as The Dog Whisperer. The psychology he uses to rehabilitate aggressive, scared, lazy, or compulsive dogs struck me as relevant to organizing. During one feverish period I even fancied myself as a “ clutter whisperer” taming piles of unruly items into organized spaces that stayed that way.

The reality is that much of the psychology Milan applies to rehabilitating dogs can be applied to getting organized. In fact, he says he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. That is a true statement for organizers. We rehabilitate spaces but educate and train clients in organizing techniques. There are some other parallels I found interesting. Milan advocates a three-step process of exercise, discipline and affection. My philosophy for organizing is get started, stay focused, and celebrate the successes. Sounds similar to me.

Milan also advocates setting rules, maintaining boundaries and recognizing limitations. All are important concepts in organizing, especially when organizing for groups like families or office staff.

The more I think about it, “clutter whisperer” is a good title. Although clutter is inanimate, it often takes on a life of its own. It causes us no end of trouble and we invest it with a whole host of emotions.

So try a little “Whisper” psychology and see if it tames your mess. Mine is almost back in order. One more day of focused discipline should do it. Then it will be time to celebrate with a little treat for myself. Maybe I will watch the Dog Whisperer.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR DOCUMENTS FOR TAX PREPARATION

2009-01-25T15:21:00.001-05:00

Tax documents have begun t o arrive in the mail and soon that April fifteenth deadline for filing will be here. Do you have all your documents organized and ready to fill out your forms? Don’t despair if the answer is “no”. You can start right now to set up a simple system that will allow you to do your taxes quickly.

If you do not itemize, you will need one folder in which to put all your forms and documents as they arrive. After you have used the information to fill out your forms, make a copy of your tax documents and all attachments to retain for your personal files. Even if you file electronically, it is good practice to retain a hard copy of your final tax form and attachments. Put those documents in a folder marked with the year for which the taxes are filed and the date of filing. Keep the files in reverse chronological order in a file box that you can access if needed.

If you itemize your tax deductions, you can use a section of a standing file, a portable file or an accordion file with enough sections for the various categories of documents you need to save throughout the year. Some categories you might consider are income, alimony, child support, medical expense, childcare expense, and charitable deductions. Use an additional folder marked “other deductions” to get started. As you separate you receipts you will become aware of other categories you need to create.

After you (or a tax preparer) complete your tax return make sure you retain a copy of the forms and all attachments. I like to keep the finished documents in an accordion file separated into categories that coincide with the tax form deduction lines. That way, if I am ever audited, I have back up for each income and deduction entry. It is sufficient just to keep the hard copies in a folder marked with the year for which the taxes are filed and the date of filing. File the accordion files or final folders in reverse chronological order in a place that is easily accessible in case you need the information. Use the folders you prepared to sort your documents and receipts to collect and file pertinent information throughout the year.

Next year everything will be ready to prepare and file as soon as your last document arrives in the mail.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

RESOLVE TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY

2009-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

The National Association of Professional Organizers designates January as Get Organized Month. Getting organized is the third most common type of New Year’s resolution, ranking right behind resolutions that deal with better health and better finances.

In our experience, people who successfully get organized and stay organized do it for themselves. Many times we hear: “ I would really be happy if I could have somebody over and not be embarrassed”, “I would really be happy if I could walk in my closet and have a clue what is in there”, “I would really be happy if I could manage my mail and get my bills paid on time.”

These folks know that the clutter in their lives is a problem and they would be happier without it.

That is a good start. Once they decided what would make them happy, they set about to achieve the improvement. They called us to help them plan and execute a strategy to make it happen.

Everyone does not need a professional organizer to get organized. Everyone does need a personal goal and a plan to reach it. It is easier to keep your goal to get organized if it meets your personal need and is not done to please someone else. It is easier to stay organized if your system is personalized for your style and needs. It does not have to be complicated. It doesn’t even have to be pretty, if that is not important to you. It just has to work for you.

So when you make your resolution to get organized, make a “happiness statement”. For instance, “It would really make me happy to have all the pet stuff organized so I can quickly take care of the dogs when I get home from work”. Then execute your plan for organizing the pet supplies and celebrate your accomplishment. Keep it organized for a month and it will most likely stay that way.

Then you can make yourself happy with another goal.

This gives a whole new meaning to “Have a happy New Year!”

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Christmas Clean-up

2008-12-31T09:36:00.001-05:00

This is the week most folks pack away their Christmas decorations and find a place for the Christmas gifts. In with the new crockpot; out with the old.

Here are a few suggestions to help you start the New Year with a little less clutter.

Throw away damaged ornaments, burned out bulbs and wreaths that looked bad this Christmas and will look worse next year. You will waste energy packing them and take up space you could use for other things. Don’t listen to that little voice that lists all the crafty things you will be able to do with the rejects unless you ACTUALLY do those crafty things and do not have other boxes of damaged goods waiting for your creative talents to flourish.

If you received a gift that doesn’t fit your body or your style, decide what to do with it now. Don’t stick in the closet or stuff it in a drawer just to get it out of the way. Return it, sell it, donate it or start a re-gifting box, if you are so inclined. Make the decision and act on it.

If you receive something new to replace older or outgrown possessions, find a home for the older items. Charitable organizations are grateful for winter apparel, used pots and pans, and even crockpots. Mine will be going to a local church that runs a soup kitchen.

If you discover that your closet is getting too full or your jewelry box can't hold one more pair of earrings, consider getting rid of your least favorite thing. A crowded closet or drawer is much harder to maintain than one where everything fits comfortably.

The key is to do it now. Make a decision while you are dealing with the item and carry out your decision. It is a very effective way to stem the accumulation of clutter and to maintain an organized space. What a great way to end the year!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2008-12-22T16:12:00.000-05:00

Ready or not, here they come! The Holidays are here. Chanukah has begun, Christmas arrives in a few days and the New Year will be here right after that. If you are one of the lucky ones who have everything done and you are just hanging around waiting to welcome guests and attend the gatherings, good for you! If you are like most of the rest of us, and still have a few things left to do, take a deep breath and decide what is important.

Priority setting is a fundamental tool for getting organized and staying organized. Knowing what is essential to accomplish keeps us focused and on task. To use this tool to maintain calm during the holidays, get a piece of paper or index card and write down the five most important things for you to accomplish. It might be prepare dinner, pick up Aunt Tilly at the airport, help Santa build a toy. At the top of that list put “Enjoy the festivities.” Once you have established these priorities avoid the traps that will keep you from accomplishing them.

Don’t get distracted by other urgent tasks. They might be important, but they are not the MOST important. Take care of the priorities first.

Don’t let others change your priorities to meet their own goals. You want to be helpful, but not at the risk of not getting done what you need to get done.

Don’t be afraid to change your priorities as you evaluate new things that develop. The difference is that YOU are the one deciding what is important to you.

Don’t pick up the slack for other’s responsibilities. It is a sure way to end up harried and resentful that you shortchanged your own priorities.

Refer back often to priority number one, “Enjoy the festivities.” Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. The ultimate goal is to experience the love and joy that the season brings.

Happy holidays!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Neat Gift Ideas

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you are still looking for stocking stuffers and last minute gifts, here are a few items that will please the most fastidious gift recipient and help your disorganized friends bring a little order into their lives.

For the sleeping beauty who enjoys watching television in bed, there is the Remote Control Pillow. The cotton twill pillow measures 7” by 12” and has three pockets to store remote controls on the back. (about $18)

The do-it –yourself guy or gal will appreciate the Magnetic Wristband. The adjustable band secures a small magnetic tray that holds screws nails, pins, needles or any metal object. They can say good-bye to tiny sharp objects littering the floor. (about $19)

Help the pessimist in your life prepare for the worst with the Collision Preparedness Kit. The kit contains a disposable camera for documenting damage, a checklist of information to collect from the other driver and witnesses, an envelope for insurance and registration and a pen. It is all packed nicely in a zippered binder that fits in the glove compartment. (about $15)

Your forgetful buddies will be able to find their car in the parking lot with the Key Chain Pocket Recorder. The 1” by 3” key chain has a voice recorder that will allow them to note what they came to buy and the location of their car with one touch. The built-in flashlight will even help them find it in the dark. (about $12)

For the student in cramped quarters who needs his cell phone charged and ready, try the Cell Phone Shelf. It takes up no counter space. Simply plug in the charger and rest the phone on the shelf, which is available in red or chrome. (about $8)

The coupon clipper in your life will love the coupon holder that accommodates up to 150 coupons in 12 divided compartments. Its Velcro closure attaches to the shopping cart handle to make coupons more accessible when shopping. (about $5)

When those creative friends wake up in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea, they will thank you for their Nite Note. This hand-contoured pad has a soft, focused light that turns on when the pen is removed. The “space pen” that accompanies it writes at any angle, even upside down. The package includes 72 note cards and 2 AA batteries. (about $30)

These items are available at many local novelty and department stores and at www.goldviolin.com

Happy holiday gift giving!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Plan for Easy Holiday Decorating

2008-12-01T14:43:00.001-05:00

I just finished going through the weekend sales fliers, trying to decide if there was a bargain or two I needed to pursue. While none of the sales tempted me, I did notice that several department stores featured storage boxes for Christmas decorations.

It really is a smart idea to let consumers know that these convenient storage tools are available at the time that many of us are hauling out our decorations and finding that we did not do such a good job of putting them away last year. Lights are tangled, pretty tree ornaments are damaged and there is a piece missing from the nativity set (guess we will have to settle for we two kings of orient are)

In a few weeks, when it is time to put those ornaments away again, give yourself a break for next year. Try these simple hints:

Store decorations in see through boxes of uniform size or clearly labeled opaque boxes. Buy those custom decoration storage boxes while they are on sale and throw away the ratty cardboard boxes as you unpack

Roll strings of lights around coffees cans or similar sized cans with lids. Store the extra lights in the can with some paper towels or other batting to keep them from rolling around and breaking.

Store decorations according to the room in which they will be displayed. Next year you can choose to do one room at a time without lugging out all the decorations.

When you put the decorations in the storage place, go by the last in, first out rule. If you put the Christmas tree up first, put that closest to the entrance so you can remove it and get it set up as your first decorating step.

Next year decorating will be a snap!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Cleaning Products

2008-11-18T21:09:00.001-05:00

A client recently confessed that she put off cleaning because it took her so much time to round up her supplies that she was tired before she got started. She needs to consider organizing her cleaning supplies. Supplies should be kept close to the point of use. If supplies have to travel around the house, give them a storage spot that you can move around with you. A sturdy bucket or utility cart serves this purpose well.

There are three kinds of cleaning:
Emergency cleaning (spilled drinks, dropped food, broken vases)
Regular cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, mopping)
Deep cleaning (washing windows, cleaning the hearth, scrubbing the carpet)

Store deep cleaning supplies together in a safe spot out of the reach of children and pets. Group like products together and make sure the dates on the products have not expired. You can also label the boxes or shelves for easy reference. When you are ready for the bi-annual deep cleaning, you will know where you can get the products you need

Utilize a tote or cart to hold your regular cleaning supplies. Use multi-purpose products when you can. Include products for cleaning wood, glass, and floor surfaces. In the cart or in a near-by rack, store brooms, dust pans, mops and scrub brushes with work surfaces off the floor to preserve the bristles and rubber or cloth work surfaces. In the cart or tote, place a smaller container that has a super-absorbent rag, spot cleaner and disinfectant wipes for cleaning up spills and stains.

Keep bathroom cleaning supplies in a separate place in the bathroom. Again, make sure the products are not accessible to children and pets.

When you are ready to clean, the products are together and ready for use.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Refrigerator

2008-11-04T13:48:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving will be here in a few weeks. Will you be able to fit the leftovers in your refrigerator? If you are able to cram them on the shelves, can you actually find what you are looking for when you want to make a sandwich or reheat that great squash casserole? Will that last little bit of cranberry sauce look like a science experiment before you find it again? Take steps now to organize your refrigerator and be ready for whatever the aftermath of the holiday brings.

An organized refrigerator not only saves time and money, it helps maintain health by giving you a system to make sure the storage space is clean and the food stored there stays fresh and edible.

Start by taking everything out of your refrigerator and clean it thoroughly. That means taking out the crisper drawers and washing underneath as well as cleaning the undersides of shelves and the crevices of the butter and egg holders.

Examine the refrigerator contents before you place them back into the refrigerator. Discard expired products and food items that have spoiled. Place the most perishable items on the lowest shelves. Arrange the items so you can see what is there. Put smaller items toward the front and taller items toward the back. Place condiments and hardy items in the door shelves. This section has the highest temperature and more perishable items will spoil quicker here. Keep your eggs in the carton in the cooler part of the refrigerator. Do not put milk or dairy products in the door area, as they will spoil faster.

Use stackable see-through containers to organize your leftovers. Larger containers are great for making a sandwich supply box or salad contents box. Just fill with sealed bags of the salad or sandwich makings. These are also great for kid’s snack items.
Label the containers and make sure the whole family knows the system. You may also want to label the shelves and bins as a reminder.

Consider designating an “ingredients for meals” area that is off-limits for poaching. This suggestion comes from a personal experience when my children and their friends ate six capons I had reserved for a dinner party as an afternoon snack. They really liked the “little chickens”.

Once your refrigerator is arranged to your satisfaction, keep it organized by reviewing the contents once a week. Consider doing it the day before trash collection in your neighborhood. Discard all the spoiled or outdated products and haul them out with the trash. Wipe up any spills you see and rearrange as necessary.

You will be surprised at how good you feel as you systematically store your Thanksgiving leftovers in a clean organized space.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Plan Some Winter Cost Savings

2008-10-27T19:15:00.001-05:00

Older homes have their charms and a few challenges. One of the challenges is conserving heat in the colder months. With a little planning you can cut down on heating costs without wearing your long johns to cook breakfast.

You can of course insulate, caulk, and install double pane windows, but there are a few things that folks without handyman skills and with limited budgets can do short of major renovations.

The first consideration is the placement of furniture. Keep furniture from blocking heating ducts, radiators and baseboards as much as possible. When it is just not feasible to leave these heating elements unobstructed there is a product that fits over the heating register and redirects air into the open space. It is made of clear PVC and at one and a half inches tall fist under most furniture and is almost invisible.

There are also products that boost the airflow of exposed registers. The Airflow Breeze replaces the register cover and the Equalizer Register Booster pulls air into the room. Both products use electricity and claim to be energy-efficient. The equalizer costs less than a 40-watt bulb to operate. Another adaptation for registers is Cover Up Magnetic Sheets which allows you to cover up registers without dampers in unoccupied rooms.

Another important consideration is to stop drafts. The Twin Draft Guard fits on both sides of the door and moves with the door when it is opened and closed so it does not need to be repositioned every time. Window Stoppers lay on along the windowsill and come in two lengths. You can also opt for a Plastic Window Insulation Kit that comes with channels and vinyl sheeting that is almost invisible. Insulated curtains also help retain heat and can be custom-made or purchased in ready-made sizes.

Check out these websites for these and similar products:
www.solutions.com
www.improvements.com
www.harrietcarter.com

With a little planning and a few products, you can stay cozy in your charming older home.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Attic

2008-10-21T18:58:00.001-05:00

Autumn is a good time to think about organizing the attic. Cooler days help to keep the space at comfortable temperature. During the summer, the unventilated attic can reach temperatures up to forty degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the rest of the house. That is why it is not advisable to store, videos, photographs or combustible items in that space. If you have those items in the attic, think of another storage space for them to live

Before you even climb the attic stairs think about how you will ideally use the space. Is it for long term storage only or does it serve short-term storage needs for overflow. Does it hold only your treasures or are you holding items for grown children until they have the space to claim them? Do you store seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, or hobby supplies?

Many articles advise to clear out the attic and start from scratch. In our experience, this is a pretty big job and most folks do not have the time, energy and resources to tackle it in that manner. What we recommend is a project approach that tackles one phase of organization at a time.

You have already considered how you are going to use your attic space. This initial consideration is influenced by the space you have in the attic, whether it has stable flooring, the supports weight-bearing capacity and how easily you can access the space.
Sketch out a rough plan detailing what items will go where-long term storage in the least accessible spaces, short term or frequently used items in more accessible spaces

Clear out the trash. Remember that cardboard boxes and paper attract rodents and bugs, so retain only what you need and put the items in sealed plastic containers.

While you are clearing the trash, remove items from around the entrance and the center of the floor space and group them around the perimeter of the attic

Arrange remaining items in the categories you have decided on. They might be :

Holiday decorations
Seasonal clothing
Furniture and floor covering
China and other heirlooms
Craft supplies

Now that the items are sorted into groups of like items, tackle one category at a time. Decide what to keep, what to sell, what to give away and what to discard. Take the sell, give away and discard items out of the attic as soon as you have finished the category and dispose of them.

Make a list of supplies to purchase to appropriately store the items remaining. Hold off making the purchase until you have finished going through all the categories and have an opportunity to review the list in its entirety. Sometimes you will have to consider alternate plans because you have more or less items to store or you come across some forgotten surprises that require an alteration in your initial plan.

You should now have:
A trash free attic
The items you are going to keep sorted in like categories
A list of proposed purchases
A plan for where each group of items will be placed in the attic.

Review your plan and make any changes for placement of stored items. Consider using stationary or moveable shelving, clothing bags, ceiling hooks and rafter rods to maximize your storage space.

Review your purchase list. Keep these things in mind as you decide on storage options.
Clear storage boxes of uniform size allow a neat storage system and make contents visible.

Label all boxes with clear list of contents

Avoid placing fabrics in unsealed cedar or paper containers and wrap precious fabrics in acid free paper before storing

Store musical instruments in their cases with silicon gel packs and remove reeds and mouthpieces from the instruments.

When you have your storage equipment, remove all items from one corner of the attic and clean the space thoroughly. Place the items you intend to store in the space in their containers and put them in the clean space, beginning with ceiling and rafter storage and working you way down to the floor. Continue methodically around the room until all categories of items have been placed in their designated spots.

Stand back and survey your organized attic and make any adjustments that you decide will make it easier to access your storage.

Place your master plan at the attic entrance as a visual cue to where things are located.

Using this method you can take a day, a weekend or a month to get attic clutter organized. Just make your plan, give yourself a reasonable time frame to accomplish the task and stick to it. Ask for help from friends or consider using a professional organizer to help you with planning and keep you on track.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Treat Yourself to an Organized Happy Holiday

2008-10-14T12:57:00.001-05:00

In our book, Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season. Before the carved pumpkin begins to sag, it is time to make plans for Thanksgiving, then Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza arrive followed by New Year’s celebrations which present another chance to resolve to do better next year- to get a handle on the celebrations before the celebrations handle us.

Don’t wait to make that New Year’s resolution. Here are a few tricks that will let you treat yourself to a happier holiday season. Take a few simple steps now that will help you save time, money and your sanity.

Label sections of an expanding folder for each holiday. At the front of the folder place a calendar with October, November and December.
List the activities you expect to do for each holiday. (make costumes, clean guest room, make cupcakes, plan church pageant, purchase synagogue tickets, buy gifts) and give each activity a completion date.
Review your lists and make sure you have not overscheduled your time. Get help if you need it and eliminate some activities if you need to.
Review your calendar daily to evaluate your progress and determine if you need to adjust your expectations or your activities.
As you complete an activity check it off the list. Also retain receipts, coupons for items you want to buy or ideas, patterns and recipes in the appropriate section. This saves time searching for that perfect decorating idea you know you saw in some magazine (or was it the newspaper?) last month.

You will probably be surprised at the extensive list you end up with, especially if you have school activities, work activities and worship activities along with family and social obligations. Knowing what you have to accomplish is the key to getting it done. It allows you to allocate time and resources that are necessary to accomplish the task without getting overwhelmed. It also allows you to take advantage of downtime to accomplish tasks that do not have to be done at the last minute, and to save money by purchasing things you know you need when they are on sale.

An organized approach makes holidays more happy than harried.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

Create Routines to Stay Organized

2008-10-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

One way to stay organized is to work organizing routines into your usual activities. This is the time of year that many of us are tucking light-weight clothes into less accessible spaces and putting our winter clothes where we can more easily get to them. Save time next Spring by culling out the obsolete items in your Spring/Summer wardrobe while you are shifting them to another space. Discard worn out clothing and collect the items in good condition that you have not worn this season to give to charity. Many churches and charitable organizations are happy to accept lightweight clothing anytime of year for donation in tropical climates.

As you are gathering clothing to store, think about how you will need it next year. The slightly heavier pants tops and other clothing may come out in April while the skimpiest things in your wardrobe may not see light of day until June. Group the clothing according to when you expect to be using it again and you can bring it out for use a little at a time if you are dealing with a busy schedule. Also consider packing together items of like colors so that when you bring them out next Spring you can easily group them in your closet. Next year when you are looking for just the right white blouse, you can quickly review what your choices are and save time making the selection.

If you are lucky enough to anticipate travel to warmer climes in the middle of winter, put the items you expect to take with you in a suitcase as you go through your wardrobe. You will have a head start on vacation packing and will have an idea what you need to supplement your travel supplies so you can take advantage of special shopping finds.

Even if your closet space is large enough to accommodate all of your clothing and accessories, you will save time having seasonal clothing grouped together. The more clothes you have to look through to make a choice, the more time it takes. By limiting the items you need to consider before making a selection, you save yourself time.

If you follow this process every season as you rearrange your closets, you will establish a routine way of keeping your closets organized - and saving yourself time every time you chose an outfit to wear. Then you can use that time to organize the remaining clutter in your life, or to just enjoy the things you love.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize to Shelter in Place

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

“Mom, what neat things do we have in our emergency kit?” the commercial begins. It is a reminder to families to gather supplies in case of emergency. September is Emergency preparedness month, so it is a good time to organize those items that will help us endure emergency situations.

An unexpected event may require your family to shelter in place. Be prepared to make it on your own for three days without external sources of food water or electricity. While you can include extra amenities to make you and your family comfortable, the main considerations are fresh water, food, and clean air. Remember to include and keep current daily medications such as insulin or heart medication. Consider making two kits. One to use if you stay where you are and a smaller portable version if you need to get away.

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day. Include nonperishable foods that your family enjoys along with a manual can opener and eating utensils.

Stock heavy-weight garbage bags, plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors in your kit. Also include a flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, feminine hygeine products, soap and premoistened towelettes, and supplies for children and pets as needed. A whistle should be included to signal for help and a dust mask or tee shirt to help filter air.

Keep you cell phone charged and cash and identification readily available.

Plan what to do in advance of unexpected events. Develop a communication plan, organize an emergency kit and be ready to evacuate or shelter in place. For more information go to www.ready.gov

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize to Evacuate in an Emergency

2008-09-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. We have been vividly reminded in the last week of the importance of having our stuff ready to evacuate in case of emergency. Every news program has featured the devastation Hurricane Ike wreaked on Galveston and other cities in along the Gulf of Mexico. Stunned residents who decided to ride out the storm in their homes tell of rescues and fearful experience that make them vow to evacuate the next time a warning of this type occurs. Folks who did evacuate tell of being in situations where they were concerned about adequate food and shelter. The underlying message behind all of these sad events is be prepared to evacuate in case of emergency.The American Red Cross has a very good website at redcross.com/services that lists the various supplies that should be gathered for evacuation and disaster.

For evacuation they suggest:
Medicines and medical supplies
Bedding and clothing to include sleeping bags and pillows
Bottles of water
Battery Operated Radio and extra batteries
First Aide kit
FlashlightCar keys and maps
Documents including driver’s license, social security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates and tax records.

If you are driving, we also suggest a car emergency kit that includes emergency tire propellant and flares with the usual equipment to change tires and perform minor repairs. It is also a good idea to include rain gear in the clothing that you take along and some insect repellent.

When I read this list I had two thoughts. The first was “Can everyone put their hand on the documents suggested?” The second was, “When you put all this stuff in the car or other transport, will there be room for the folks you are trying to evacuate?” The answers to those questions are “probably not” and “there is room if you organize.”

The first step to getting ready is to gather all the important documents into one place. We suggest a watertight portable safe. If that is not a plausible solution, place the documents in leak proof plastic bags and put them in a sealed plastic container or tote box. A small tool box or cooler chest may serve the purpose. If there are just a few documents to transport, a document portfolio will work.

The second step is to organize the other supplies so that they can be easily carried. You could of course pack a suitcase, back pack or duffle bag for each family member and put it away until emergency travel was imminent. A more practical solution is to store the necessary supplies in the giant zipped seal bag available at discount stores and super markets. When time comes to take a trip just grab the bag for each family member. It has the added benefit of protecting the items from dampness. Bulky items like linens and sleeping gear can be stored in the plastic pouches that allow you to expel the air and compress the contents. That will save a lot of packing space. Also remember to place medicines and medical supplies in protective bags to prevent spillage and wetness.

Packing flashlights, radio, batteries and water in a small insulated cooler will allow you to keep cold and hot items that may be available at the evacuation sites. Taking these steps now will help you to be prepared if evacuation becomes necessary.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize a Family Communication Plan

2008-09-15T11:24:00.001-05:00

September is Emergency Preparedness Month. Are you and your family ready to deal with emergencies that might arise? Have you talked about how you will handle the need to evacuate or shelter in place? Do you have a communication plan in case you are not together when an emergency occurs?

If you live alone, consider whom you need to contact at the time of an emergency to make them aware of your whereabouts and your condition. An out of town contact who will most likely not be affected by the same emergency is a good choice. Make sure your contact has a list of local emergency responders in case he needs to make a contact for you. Be aware of the emergency policies at your place of work or on your campus and stay informed by listening to the media at the time of an emergency.

Families should also have a plan for communicating during an emergency. Since all family members might not be together at the time of emergency the plan should have a method of contact and a meeting site that everyone knows. Select an out of town contact for all family members to e-mail or call at the time of emergency. Local landlines and wireless connections might not be accessible during emergencies and other lines may be jammed, so caution everyone to be patient and continue to attempt contact. Make sure everyone has coins or a prepaid phone card for emergency use and a copy of the designated contact number in case memory fails. Identify a meeting place where you will gather if possible. Review what you will do in various situations and talk with each other about any concerns you have regarding emergencies.

Even children can understand emergency preparedness. The web site www.ready.gov has step-by-step instructions on what families can do to be better prepared and the role kids can play. Just click on Ready Kids for age appropriate information.

A communication plan is an important part of being ready should disaster strike.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Staying Organized with ADD

2008-09-08T05:47:00.002-05:00

There are a few folks blessed with a gift for staying organized. It comes naturally for them to have a place for everything and everything in its place. Then there is most of the rest of us. Organizing does not come naturally to us, but with effort and concentration and a little work we can keep things organized. A subset of that population is the adults who have Attention Deficit Disorder. While these folks have an abundance of creativity and energy, their brain activity makes it difficult to prioritize and stay on task. It is important for people with ADD to work with their strengths when developing organizing systems. Some things that work are:

Keep a day planner that lists everyday tasks, appointments and scheduled events. Check it at least twice a day.
Create visual cues to get tasks done. Set up a mail center close to the entryway that allows the sorting of mail including tossing junk mail and shredding identifying information. Have a landing strip for coats, shoes, and briefcase in the entryway. Post a grocery list on the refrigerator that can be updated as needed.
Keep work surfaces uncluttered and only current activity in view.
Store items in one layer if possible and keep items visible in plastic containers.
Develop task lists with time frame and revise the time as you better learn how long tasks take. This allows better estimation of time available and avoids stress.
Use reminder systems to keep on time for appointments. Alarm watches and cell phone alarms are a couple of devices that can serve the purpose.
When undertaking a multifaceted project enlist a buddy to keep you on task.
Use your natural energy and enthusiasm to ride a wave of excitement to task completion.

We know many folks with ADD who have order in their lives. It is a matter of finding systems that work with your strengths.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

GET ORGANIZED FOR EMERGENCIES

2008-09-01T17:41:00.001-05:00

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. The purpose is to increase awareness of the need to prepare for emergencies of all kinds and to encourage preparation by individuals and businesses. More than 1200 national, regional, and local organizations and businesses have joined a coalition to promote emergency preparedness. Key Transitions, a company devoted to providing innovative organizing solutions to individuals and businesses, is part of the national coalition. Key Transition owners Kristen Hartman and Beverly Outlaw are available to supply materials and to speak to local groups about emergency preparedness. They can be reached at keytransitions@cox.net.

Here are the recommended items for a basic emergency supply kit:
Water, one gallon per person per day for at least three days
Food, at least three days supply of non-perishable food
Battery powered or hand-cranked radio and NOAA Weather radio with enough batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener
Local maps
Unique family needs such as medication, infant formula and diapers, important documents

For more information go to www.ready.gov

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Organize Your Refrigerator

2008-08-25T05:43:00.002-05:00

A refrigerator is a terrible thing to waste. This remarkable appliance keeps perishable items fresh for long periods of time and allows us to have a cold drink any time we wish - that is if we can find the cold drink. If you have occasionally rummaged behind the orange juice and the giant jar of mayonnaise to find that the piece of lemon pie you have been craving is shriveled and moldy, it is time to bring a little organization to the refrigerator.

The first step is to clean out the refrigerator. Start with the top shelf and remove all products. Toss out anything that is outdated or is past its prime. If you have any doubt, throw it out. Repeat this process for the bins and the shelves in the door.

Beginning at the top again, thoroughly clean all surfaces. Then replace the items, keeping like items together. Store vegetables and fruits in the crispers, meat in the meat tray. Put the most perishable items on the bottom shelves because these remain at a cooler temperature than upper shelves. Store larger items in the back and shorter items in the front so you can see at a glance what you have on hand. Bottles and jars usually fit neatly in the door shelves. Keep eggs in their original container because they stay fresh longer.

Consider buying clear containers with lids to contain items like cheeses and individually packaged snacks. These stack nicely to maximize space and can be placed up front for easy access. That makes it less likely for family members to create a mess by rummaging to find what they are looking for.

Once you have the refrigerator organized, have a plan for keeping it that way. One suggestion is to do a quick clean every week on the day before garbage pickup. That will quickly get all discarded items out of the house and avoid smelly garbage hanging around. Another suggestion is to do an assessment and cleaning prior to grocery shopping so you will know exactly what you need. Better yet, clean the refrigerator the day prior to garbage collection and then go shopping.

Organizing your refrigerator will pay dividends in lowered food costs and saved time.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE A FAMILY COMMUNICATION CENTER

2008-08-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

It’s baaack. That’s right, another school year is about to begin. Are you prepared to deal with schedules that accommodate scholastic happenings, sports and other extracurricular activities as well as scheduled health appointments and the fun stuff that goes with living with a family?

If you are one of those folks who never miss sending in a permission slip and who never spend a late night prompting a child to finish an assignment that is due the next day, then you have mastered the art of communicating and scheduling family activities. If, like most of us, you sometimes struggle with getting children to tell you what is coming up in their schedule or coordinating a host of family commitments, here a few hints to improve family communication.

You need to know what is happening. Make it easy for the family to leave papers to be signed, notes about activities and messages from teachers by creating a family mail station. Folder holders, cubbies or even large manila envelopes labeled with family member’s names can be placed at a spot where the family enters the house. Make it a rule to empty backpacks and place the communication in the appropriate “mail slot”. Permission slips and notifications go to Mom or Dad and reminders about dental appointments can go to Jimmy or Jenny. The other rule that needs to be enforced is for each family member to check his mail daily. It only takes a minute and once incorporated into the routine, becomes almost automatic.

Create a master schedule where everyone can see it. Make sure it is down low enough for the youngest family member to see. If children are pre-reading age, you might choose to use symbols to represent school, work, music practice etc. Your family can decide if one person will be responsible for maintaining the master schedule or if each person will enter his own activities. If each person enters his own information, consider making a rule that as soon as someone notices a conflict, he brings it to an adult family member.

Provide a spot to leave messages. You may choose a dry erase board, a magnetic board., black board tiles or a bulletin board. The important thing is that anyone can leave a quick note. “Please turn the oven on at 5:00” or “Tommy is coming over to work on project” or “What a great job picking up the family room!” or “Reminder: pick up milk”

Grouping the mail area, master schedule and a bulletin/dry erase board in an accessible area creates a family communication center that will aid in keeping chaos at bay.

Check out these websites for supplies for you family communication center.

www.bedbathandbeyond.com
www.harriettecarter.com
www.ikea.com
www.potterybard.com
www.officedepot.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE CORDS AND CABLES

2008-08-11T04:51:00.002-05:00

Not all technology is wireless. That is evident when we spy the tangled web of cords leading from computers, entertainment systems and other clusters of electronic devices.
Whether you are dealing with extension cords or coaxial cables, there are devices that help to keep them orderly and protect the humans in our lives from getting tangled in the mess.

The least expensive (and least esthetically pleasing) solution is too use split PVC tubing to protect and bundle, or twist ties and stick on hooks to keep the tied cords tight against consoles and walls. Either of these solutions works well for thinner cords and cables. A cheap option for storing thinner cable is to thread them through paper towel or toilet tissue tubes. We do not, however, recommend using these paper tubes for cables and cords that are in use.

If you yearn for a simple, attractive way to organize the cords and cables that litter your floors, there are several commercially available options for taming the mess. The Wiremate Cable Organizer at www.wiremate.com conceals a crowd of cables and comes in three colors to coordinate with your décor. At www.officedepot.com , the 3M Cord Organizer Kit comes with cord bundlers and tags, and www.organize.com carries a host of products for shortening excess cable cord and bundling cable of all sizes. At www.ImprovementsCatologue.com you can find a Cord Cover Kit that includes adhesive-backed channels and corner pieces that snap together for a neat tailored look. The material can be painted to match the décor and fits any flat surface. This is a great alternative for protecting wires from little hands.

A cordwrap outlet faceplate for outlets is an ingenious design that allows the user to wrap excess cord at the plug-in source. Unfortunately the website www.keepitcartesian is temporarily out of the product. They urge you to check back as they will have the design in stock soon. A few other devices that allow better organization of cords at plug in sites are the Hub-man four port hub available at www.solutions.com, and the five outlet corner plug surge protector that fits neatly in a corner available at www.shophometrends.com.

Keeping cords bundled, encased and organized protects the cords from damage and keeps them from causing harm to folks with inquisitive hands or clumsy feet.

Beverly and Kristen
www.keytransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR BOOKS

2008-08-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

We love books. They are the hardest things for us to get rid of. The main motivator for ridding ourselves of our beloved books is so that we can buy more. So we understand that maintaining orderly bookshelves can be a challenge. We just have to keep telling ourselves that we can have no more books than we have space to store them. That means sharing some of our treasures with others before we add new ones to our shelves.

Here are some hints to help you get your books organized.

Clear out all the books and put them in one large space. The floor works fine. As you take them from the shelves remove any papers and bookmarks. Separate the books into five piles: keep, recycle (some paperbacks and pamphlets), throw away, give away, and sell. Immediately take all the books you are not going to keep to their final resting-places. Another alternative is to plan a book swapping party with friends. If you do this remember to dispose of enough books, so that you have space on your shelves for those you will claim for yourself.

Group the “keep” books into categories that are meaningful for you. We like fiction, nonfiction, do it yourself, cooking, children’s, and resource books (like dictionary) as main divisions. We like to sort the books alphabetically within these groups. You may decide to just group alphabetically by title or by author. You could even use the Dewey Decimal system like the libraries do. The Dewey Decimal Numbers are usually listed in the front of the book with the publication information. If you want to digitally catalogue your books by tags, Dewey Decimal Numbers or Library of Congress Categories, take a look at the website Library Thing which allows you to enter 200 titles free of charge. You might also opt to keep books in spaces close to where they are used - repair instructions with the tools, craft books in the craft basket, cookbooks in the kitchen.

Once you have the books off the shelves and grouped as you like them, clean the shelves thoroughly. Replace the books in the categories you have selected, dusting them as you go. You may have to be flexible and place oversized or heavy books on a bottom shelf regardless of category. Nothing can ruin a reading session like a bump on the head from a heavy book on a high shelf.

If the shelves are long, break up the book display with decorative items or use bookends to stabilize groups of books. If books still will not stay upright, take a look at the Shelf Shark Organizer available at Home Depot or http://www.shelfshark.com/. These handy little devices keep books standing straight.

Once you have your shelves filled with the books you love, remember to dispose of a book every time you bring a new one home. If that is more than you can bear, get a library card. It is good for your pocketbook and good for the planet.

Have fun and stay organized.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

WHEN IS A DOOR NOT A DOOR?

2008-07-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Question: When is a door not a door?
Answer: When it is a storage center.

It seems that, no matter how large the spaces we live in, there is never enough room to store everything we need to store. Someone must have been struggling with where to store their shoes one night and, while looking around every corner of the closet, noticed there was perfectly good unused space on the back of the door. Voila! The over-the-door shoe rack was born.

Now there are a variety of over-the door storage systems for myriad uses. Here are a few of our favorites that help maximize your space while keeping things tidy.

Check out http://www.whateverworks.com/ to find an over-the-door rack with a little fashion flair. It has four hooks topped with river pebbles. There is also a nice looking over-the-door shelf at this site.

At http://www.shopgetorganized.com/ you can find an over-the-door backpack rack that will hold up to four backpacks weighing three hundred pounds. If you want a place to organize your jewelry, an over-the-door armoire will give you a place to do that. You can even check how you look in the mirrored door on the armoire front. If you need the mirror but not the jewelry storage, an over-the-door tri-fold mirror is available. An over-the-door shoe rack at this site can be purchased in two sizes to hold twenty-four or thirty-six pairs of shoes.

Another style over-the-door shoe rack is available at http://www.harriettecarter.com/. This site also has a great over-the- door rack that has room to hang six coats or hats and a sturdy over-the-door shelf that could hold towels in a bathroom. Although it does not hang over the door, the back-of-the-door storage cage mounts on the door and has eight adjustable shelves that accommodate a variety of items.

There are also over-the-door systems for purses, ties, belts and scarves. So, when you are stumped for a place to organize your stuff, take a look at the doors. If they are going to hang around the house, they might as well do a little work.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

GET ORGANIZED; SAVE MONEY

2008-07-17T13:10:00.001-05:00

Did you know that getting organized could put more money in your pocket? Our clients are always surprised when we find ways to generate cash, prevent waste and gain better value for the dollars they spend. Here are just a few ways that getting organized can help your wallet stay fatter.

Generate Cash
There are a few amazing stories about finding antique treasures and stored cash, but the most common circumstance is selling things you no longer need. Unused exercise equipment, no-longer-cherished collections and clothing that hasn’t fit in a while can find a new home through yard sales, on-line, auctions and consignment shops. The important thing in recycling these items for cash is to set a time limit to get rid of them and then donate or give away anything that has not sold.

Prevent Waste
One of the saddest things about purging clutter is finding spoiled or expired products that could have been put to good use. They just got lost and most often the client has bought new products to replace them. We have found hundreds of light bulbs, dozens of unopened shampoo bottles and many expired food products that had to be tossed in the trash. Having an organized space allows the client to assess what is on hand and what needs to be replaced. Living an organized lifestyle establishes systems that support orderly review of household needs and methods of restocking.

The other pitfall for disorganized individuals is misplacing bills and incurring late charges. An organized method of dealing with incoming mail and paying bills puts that money in the consumer’s pocket rather than in the credit card company’s account.

Gain Better Value
Better utilization of space allows room for buying in quantity when you can achieve cost savings. It also allows you to stock up on non-perishables when there are price breaks. Having a meal-planning program allows the purchase of produce in season and the use of that produce without waste.

More Savings Than Clipping Coupons
Getting organized and putting systems in place to stay organized is an effective cost saving measure in troubling times. Rising gasoline prices and higher food costs are making all of us take a closer look at the way we spend the money we have. AARP Bulletin reports that consumers above age forty-five have increased behaviors like clipping coupons, eating out less and buying less expensive generic products. While these are good choices, getting organized can stretch you dollar even more.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

DON’T FORGET THESE KITS WHEN YOU MOVE INTO THE DORM

2008-07-07T05:41:00.002-05:00

Recent high school grads who are college bound will soon celebrate their second Independence Day this year. They will move into college dorms and wave good-by to parents with a mixture of tears, anticipation and relief. Those who have planned well will be able to enjoy that first night of freedom and relax in their new digs.

Good planning means you have the things you need to be comfortable in your room and store everything you need to go to class, study, and socialize with your new friends. That is a tall order given some of the small spaces that pass for college living quarters.

Most colleges send good lists that help students gather the essentials for dorm living and advice from friends and family usually fills in the gaps. Experience has taught us that, even with all this guidance, there are a couple of things people forget to bring to the dorms. They are tools for simple repairs and a first aid kit. The girl or boy who has one of each available on move-in day will be the first to meet many new classmates and their panicked parents. Having moved into four colleges between us, we have personal knowledge of this.

Assemble a tool kit that includes:
Retractable 25 foot measuring tape
Large scissors
Combination drill/screwdriver with multiple tips
Pair of pliers
Hammer
Pocket knife
Nails and screws
Picture hanging kit
Cord ties
Duct tape
Poster Putty
Small flashlight and batteries
Adjustable wrench

These items should allow you to put together assembly-required furnishings and make adjustments necessary for a livable space. Place all the tools in the smallest container that will hold them.

Then put together your first aid kit. Include:
Band-Aids in various sizes
Gauze
Antibacterial ointment
Alcohol swabs
Antihistamine tablets
Acetaminophen tablets
Diarrhea medicine
Cortisone cream
Artificial tears
Hot/cold pack

Now you are ready to take care of any bumps, bruises, stings or other sundry mishaps that might take place as you are getting the room in order. These are no substitute for medical attention when required, but will help you keep the blood off the furniture until you can see the doctor or school nurse.

Going to college is a great adventure. Even Indiana Jones needs a few tools to meet the challenge. Don’t forget yours.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR COMPACT DISCS

2008-06-30T06:09:00.001-05:00

We hear that compact discs are becoming obsolete. With the emergence of Bluetooth technology and the popularity of downloading only the singles you favor to your ipod, futurists predict that compact discs are going the way of the dinosaur. Some of us technophobes, however, still have vinyl long playing records stashed out of sight of our derisive younger family and friends. We will do the same with our CDs so we can anticipate the songs we love and criticize the ones we hate while admiring the cohesiveness of the theme that holds them all together as a collection. A CD collection needs to be stored somewhere and we have friends who argue the merits of organizing alphabetically by artist, or by year of release, or by genre (jazz v/s rock v/s classical). We think the simplest is by artist except for opera and classical. Those we like organized by title of the opera and the name of the composer. Whatever system you decide on should make sense to you. You are the one who most often has to lay your hands on a desired selection.

Once you decide how you will organize the collection, you need to find something to put them in. There are cd holders that look like modern sculptures, or good furniture, or just plain CD storage. You can store CDs in albums with protective sleeves and place the albums on bookshelves or in cabinets. Some Websites that can give you an idea of storage systems available are:
www.racksandstands.com
www.storeyourmedia.com
www.disk-store.com

Handy dividers that allow you to mark the beginning of each new letter in your alphabetized collection can be found at www.solutions.com. If you use binders, you can use paper or plastic dividers to mark the sections of your binder.

Now that you can find your favorite CD you can sit back and enjoy a few tunes.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Cluttered Linen Closets

2008-06-23T14:57:00.002-05:00

Some of us are lucky enough to have linen closets that allow us to keep our stored linens in piles and still have room for toiletries and other items we like to keep handy. Most of us don’t have that luxury and have to devise ways to keep our linen storage neat. The challenge is even greater if we have family members helping themselves to sheets and towels or putting way the clean laundry.

We have a few strategies that work for most families and really work well for individuals.
The first step in deciding what to keep where is to consider where your linen closet is located. If it is in the upstairs hallway near the shared bath, where will you keep table linens and things you use in the downstairs bath? Is there room in the linen closet for things you use in the master suite, or would it be better to store those items closer to where they are used?

Once you have decided exactly what you are going to keep in the linen closet, take a look at the volume of stuff you have to store there. Remember you do not have to have every piece of linen that fits that category available for use. If you have twenty sets of sheets for the queen size bed, one set on the bed and one or two sets in the closet are enough to have on hand. Other sheets and pillowcases can be stored in less accessible spaces until they are needed for use. That goes for anything you have more than a few of. (Just don’t forget you have it and buy some more). That also goes for seasonal items that can be packed in plastic bags with the seasonal decorations.

When you are ready to stack things in the closet, consider using bins for toiletries and, if you do not need to consider safety of small children, place them on low shelves to minimize damage from spillage. If you need to consider child safety, place them out of children’s reach in containers with solid plastic sides and bottom. Place folded sheets and pillowcases inside one of the matching pillowcases and fold the pillowcase sided to fit the contents. Store on shelves with the unopened pillowcase seam facing out. Use the same principle with towels. Fold the washcloth and face towel inside the bath towel and store with the smooth side out. You may also consider rolling the towels, especially if you have deep shelves. If children need to access the linens, place them within easy reach so they do not have to climb to get them in our out of the closet.

If you store infrequently used items in the linen closet, fold them inside-out in order to prevent dust from accumulating on the used side. It is good practice to store tablecloths this way. Tablecloths may also be hung on towel racks mounted on closet or panty doors.

To keep the linen closet looking organized, tidy up the items in disarray when you put away clean linens or when you remove an item for use. Those two minutes will go a long way to keep the space in order.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

You Don’t Have to Be a Natural Born Organizer to Get Organized

2008-06-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

Are you a natural born organizer? I am not one of those. I could always manage my time, plan strategically and organize events and projects. But when it came to organizing things and space it was another story.

I was the kid whose mother was always telling her to pick up her toys. I was the teenager who was grounded until her room was straight. I was the employee who was asked to clean up her desk when the big shots were taking a tour. I was the mother who frantically tried to get my home ready for company.

Then one day it hit me. I had learned how to organize my time and put together projects and events from my mother. She was really good at that. She was not so good at organizing spaces, so it is not a skill I absorbed through exposure. Maybe, I thought, it was not too late to gain that skill set.

I was lucky that I married a man who was awful at managing his time but very good at organizing his things. He taught me a lot. My daughter, who inherited her father’s propensity for order, taught me even more. Then I actually took classes and read some books. Amazing! I tried my hand at applying what I learned- and it worked!

It is comforting to know that organization is a thing that can be learned-that we can all attain order in our life if we are willing to adhere to a few easy rules:

Identify a place to store things near where they are used and put them back after you use them
Be creative in using space. Utilize wall space and space under furniture.
Break every project down into manageable steps that lead to your goal.
If you cannot cram everything into the space available, it is time to get rid of some stuff.
If you cannot keep it looking tidy, hide in a drawer or behind doors. You will at least create the illusion of order.
Organization means to arrange to suit one’s self. Adapt your system to who you are. If it works for you, that is all that matters.

If you need a little boost to get started, consider hiring a professional organizer. One of the most important things that a good professional organizer does is transfer knowledge about how to organize. We teach through instruction and example and gentle coaching. Many folks have not had the opportunity to gain the skills to organize various aspects of their lives and the opportunity to work with and observe someone who has the knowledge is all that is needed to get going and get organized for good.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR GARDEN TOOLS

2008-06-09T05:00:00.002-05:00

Gardening is a pleasure for many people. Whether you enjoy the beauty of a flower garden or the practicality of a vegetable garden, the right tools ease the effort of growing your crop. Organizing those tools so they are ready when you need them is well worthwhile. There are a host of products for organizing the smallest hand tools to the largest energy powered models. There are also many hooks and holders not designed specifically for garden tools that work well for both stationary and portable storage.

For stationary storage, mount a section of pegboard and select the hooks that fit your tool collection. Alligator Board has just come out with a section of metal pegboard on wheels that would serve very well as a garden tool storage center. Hooks designed to hold mops and brooms work well for light tools. For heavier tools like shovels take a look at the host of storage solutions at www.gemplers.com. They range from straight bar storage to specialty storage systems for weed trimmers and leaf blowers.

Portable storage for smaller items that you tote out to the garden should either be light enough for you to carry without strain or be on wheels. A simple solution is a five gallon bucket with a bucket cover to hold the tools. You can even make the cover yourself with a pattern available at www.bucketsgonewild.com. John Deere makes a portable garden cart on wheels that is available at most garden centers and a variety of garden tool totes are available at hardware and department stores.

When you have selected a storage system for your gardening tools, organize them by frequency of use. Place the ones you use everyday at the easiest place to reach, or store in a portable organizer for the duration of the gardening season.

For inspiration on more storage solutions check out the following websites:
www.gardeners.com
www.target.com
www.cedarcreek.com
www.carolwrightgifts.com
www.shopgetorganized.com
www.gemplers.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZING A STAYCATION

2008-06-02T13:23:00.000-05:00

The term “Staycation” has been coined by the media to describe how many families are spending their vacation time this summer. Steep gas prices and the rising cost of consumer products are making folks look carefully at how they spend dollars to have fun. More and more families are deciding to stay at home rather than travel any distance for a family holiday
.
We have all taken time off to finish projects or laze around the house for a few days to recuperate from a grueling schedule. With a little thought and planning, staying at home for your vacation can be more exciting than that.

What is your budget?
The point of a staycation is to have fun you can afford, so know what your budget is and plan accordingly. You may opt for one big splurge day or a low cost event everyday. Figure travel expense for the activities and know the cost of admission to the activities you plan. Figure in the cost of food. You have your accommodations at your own sweet home, so you have already economized.

What is fun for your family?
Is it theme parks, nature or learning about art and history? Many families have a wide range of interests. Dad may be interested in history, Mom may love theater, the kids may love animals, or video games, or the beach. Decide what you would like to do during the time you have available. One idea is to let each family member plan a “my perfect day”. If that day is staying home, being king of the remote and not having to do a single chore, so be it. It is only one day and somebody is very happy. You can go places and do things the other vacation days.

What is your plan?
Get information from the tourist bureaus in nearby cities or peruse their web sites. You may be surprised at the places there are to visit within a ten or twenty mile drive. Tourists flock to your area because there are worthwhile things to see. In this area you can swim, fish, surf, observe dolphins and whales. You can visit museums dedicated to children’s interests, marine science, visual arts and military history. You can take tours that visit historic neighborhoods, naval shipyards, a television station, botanical gardens, a farm and the dismal swamp. You can shop in quaint little shops and outlets. You can go to waterparks, amusement parks, an archeological dig and the zoo. There are concerts and theaters and festivals to attend. That could fill a week or two and offer something for everyone in the family.

You can even choose to plan time without driving. Bicycle somewhere or walk the neighborhood and conduct a paper scavenger hunt by listing the items as you find them on your way. This is a great way to learn the names of flowers, and identify nearby street names. (Scavenger clue: a president = Find: a street named Polk)

If the budget is very small, plan picnics and eat at home options to defray costs. Look for free activities on line and in local papers and call the department of parks and recreation, museums and cultural centers to explore free and low cost offerings. Look at having at-home activities like a ball game, horse shoes, croquet, a bean bag toss tournament or a sculpting contest.

Are you ready to have fun?
If you get ready for a staycation just as you would for a vacation you will enjoy it more. Know what you plan to do every day and be prepared for it. Have equipment ready if you are playing at home. Have the suntan lotion handy and the beach towels washed if you are going to the beach and find the binoculars if you are going to the ball game. Wash the clothes and get in the groceries so you will not have to shop or do unnecessary chores.

The most important thing about vacation is that it gives us a break in our routine. It is an opportunity to refresh and renew ourselves and spend extra time with those we love. You don’t have to travel a lot of miles to do that.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

ORGANIZE YOUR YARD SALE DISPLAY

2008-05-26T07:45:00.003-05:00

We visited a few yard sales this week and we just could not turn off the organizer within us. We kept noticing that some folks did not make the best use of their space. Maybe they just wanted a little fresh air and sunshine and selling the unwanted items didn’t matter much. That is the impression they projected with the jumble of items that littered their lawns.

We are serious about yard sales we organize for ourselves and for our clients. We want to make money, maintain safety, use our time well and have fun, so we have a few guiding principles that we abide by when it comes to space utilization and display.

Provide prices for everything. It is not necessary to put a price on every item if you are willing to accept a single price for a category. Examples are:
Men’s T-shirts $2.00
Paperback books $0.25
For items priced by category, keep a list next to the cashier space.
If time is running short or you have a bunch of miscellany that defies description, allow customers to fill a bag you provide for a set price that is posted on the bin of items

Be clear about what is included in the price. Keep multi-piece sets together with pins, rubber bands or plastic zip bags. Make special note on price tag about features or pieces missing.

Maintain safety. Allow adequate space between display sites for two people to walk side-by-side. This allows for two-way traffic, parents with children, and handicap access.

Make sure that sharp objects do not protrude into walk space and that heavy objects are not precariously balanced on shelves. Also remove any broken pieces or loose small pieces from open access and put in plastic bags and tape to the item if they are part of the sale. Do not place green tarps on green grass. Some shoppers may have difficulty seeing where the boundary is and stumble over the items on the tarp. Make sure display tables and other devices are sturdy and able to support the weight of items displayed on them.

Put like things together. Some categories to consider are toys, children’s clothing, tools, small appliances, exercise equipment, jewelry, home decor. Books are a tricky item and some advice columns say they do not sell well. That has not been our experience. Think about putting some of your books with categories that are directed to customer segments: children’s books with toys, how-to books with tools, recipe books with kitchen items. It just might tempt your customers to peruse the book stacks for others that might interest them. Put things next to each other that appeal to market segments: toys next to children’s clothing, garden equipment next to tools, jewelry next to women’s clothing.

Capture passers-by with visible merchandise. Set tempting items close to the curb. If possible, include items that will draw in various population segments. A piece of furniture, a toy, a fertilizer spreader and a piece of exercise equipment will attract very different buyers and more buyers equal more sales.

Have fun. Yard sales are a way to rid yourself of unwanted items, meet new people and make a little cash. While doing that you get to enjoy fresh air and sunshine and your choice of refreshing beverage. We call that a good day!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOID HOME OFFICE CLUTTER

2008-05-19T05:43:00.002-05:00

A home office has become standard for most residences. In addition to the usual bookkeeping and filing tasks that come with running a home, many workers now do almost as many work related tasks at home as they do during their regular work day. The latest statistics available from the Bureau of Labor indicated that 20.7 million workers bring work home on a regular basis. With home and work related projects crowding the limited space, it is no wonder we sometimes end up with a less than orderly office.

Here are a few tips for avoiding clutter and making it easier to get the work done.

Create separate filing systems and storage areas for home and work files. If you do not have two filing drawers available use a portable box or rolling file that can be kept in a space way from children and pets.

Place only frequently used items on the desk. Store everything else on shelves, in drawers or in stackable filing bins.

Place the things you use most often on your “handed” side of the desk. If you are right handed they go on the right side. For left handed folks they go on the left.

Put the most urgent projects where you cannot forget them. Desk trays and desktop filing systems are some tools that can neatly keep these items in sight.

File frequently used resources on nearby shelves in coordinated binders to create a neat appearance

Use magazine folders to corral professional journals and resource articles

Hang a bulletin board or magnetic board within easy reach for posting notes and reminders

You can find inspiration for organizing your home office at the following web sites:
www.officemax.com
www.target.com
www.potterybarn.com
www.getorganized.com
www.levemgers.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Uncluttered With Children

2008-05-12T05:35:00.000-05:00

“There is no way to have an uncluttered house with two little ones underfoot!” our young friend lamented. She was trying to get ready to have a meeting at her house and just could not imagine how she could get things picked up before the guests arrived. She was right. Without help, she could not get the family room organized in time for the meeting. So, together with another recruit, we succeeded in having the space presentable and the guests never suspected that we were hauling blocks up the back stairs as she was greeting them at the front door.

My friend has since adopted organization systems that are better suited to young families. Now, she can have the family room presentable for guests in 30 minutes or less. The secret is to:
use storage systems that are accessible to the children who use them,
establish rules for playing and returning items to their place,
limit the number of play items, and
select storage that hides content from view.

Storage systems that hide content from view include toy boxes, shelves with doors and baskets that fit in cubbies or tables. Even open baskets that group like items help give a more orderly appearance to a room. The most important thing is that the storage system is appropriate for the age of the child. A two-year-old cannot be expected to line books neatly on a shelf, but he can randomly place them in a basket. Children can also “help” pick up toys and put them in a box. Toy boxes can be wagon seats, covered ottomans or an oversized basket that fits under a table.

Children can begin from an early age to learn to pick things up before going outside, or going to bed. They can also understand picking up some toys to "make room” to play with blocks or use a riding toy. These simple rules set the groundwork for more extensive requirements as the child grows and takes responsibility for picking up his toys.

Some children have so many toys that even adults are overwhelmed at the array of choices. By storing some toys and rotating them in the play space, young children have a better opportunity to play with what is available without distraction. When interest in a toy wanes, retire that one for a while and bring out something new to delight the child. Older children can participate in the selection. For instance, you can agree to have only ten stuffed animals on the bed at a time. The rest can go to the “animal reserve” for a while. The “reserve” can be a display shelf, a box under the bed or one of a number of clever storage systems to house a stuffed animal collection that are available on-line.

Keep the systems accessible to the children who use them. Hooks should be placed no higher than the child’s shoulder level. Shelves should be low enough to reach without climbing and doors and lids should open easily and safely. The storage should be placed in the area where the child does the activity so he can easily get his things out and put them away.

Our friend adopted these suggestions and the next time she was called on to host a meeting, she gathered the family room clutter (mostly toys) with the help of her children and was ready in no time.

Living with children is a wonderful experience--made better by organization that makes life easier.

Take a look at these sites to find child-friendly storage systems:
www.potterybarn.com
www.kettler.com
www.target.com
www.constructiveplaythings,com
www.ikea.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOID GARAGE CLUTTER

2008-05-05T16:06:00.001-05:00

Do you keep your car in your garage? The U. S. Department of Energy reports that 25% of people with two car garages don’t park any cars in there and that 32% parked only one car, although they had at least two cars in the household. The National Association of Professional Organizers reports that 50% of homeowners rate the garage as the most disorganized space in the house. The report also states that the garage is a place the whole family uses regularly, a fact that adds to the challenge of keeping the space free of clutter.

The garage becomes the storage place for all the stuff that won’t fit in the house and all the stuff that is designated for outside use. It is a convenient place to drop off items that you need to haul elsewhere sometime in the future and messy projects that would create cleaning problems in the main living space. It is the place the kids drop of skateboards and bicycles and surfboards. So what can you do to reclaim the space for your car or at least bring some order to what you really use the garage for.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping garage clutter at bay.

1. Sort the garage contents into categories. Some examples are: sports equipment, wood working, yard maintenance, holiday storage. While sorting, discard any equipment that is broken or obsolete.

2. Create a zone for items in each category. Estimate the space you need for storage of each category and plan how to accommodate it in the space available. Consider systems that hang equipment on walls and overhead storage platforms. Shelves and cubbies can store cleaning products and instruction manuals as well as miscellaneous items. Also consider storage sheds and all-weather storage bins for storage of some items outside the garage.

3. When storing items used by children, make sure they are within reach of the users. Also review with the children and other family members the expectation that things are put back in designated spaces.

4. Create a drop off center at the point of entry to the garage from the house. Do not allow the number of items in that space to overflow before you deal with them.

5. Do a “garage check” once a month to make sure things are where they belong. Make it part of the regular housekeeping schedule.

6. Make sure the members of the household know the rules for maintaining the space and participate in the clean-ups when the clutter begins to pile up.

With a little planning and upkeep you will be able to open the garage bay without embarrassment when the neighbors are looking and maybe even park your car in there.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Keys to Successful Organizing

2008-04-28T05:40:00.003-05:00

Have you tried to organize and just couldn’t complete the job? Or have you organized a space only to have it return to the same muddle it was in originally? That has happened to most of us. And when it happens we blame it on lack of time, lack of energy, lack of discipline. It is definitely true that staying organized takes a little time, a little energy and a little discipline, but most often the reason for failure is the wrong motivation and/or the wrong system.

The best reason to get organized is that doing it gives us something we want.

Each of us is different and we want different things from the life. We may want time to achieve business goals or time to spend with family, or, in the case of young parents, time to sleep and bathe. It helps to frame our goal for organization in terms of what we want to achieve. It might be:

“I will organize my paperwork so that I can have information at my fingertips to impress my clients,” or
“ I will organize my kitchen so we can have family meals together in a pleasant environment,” or
“I will organize the bathroom so I can take a shower and get dressed in less than ten minutes”, or
“I will organize my garage so I can park my car there and avoid going outside in bad weather”

If we consciously formulate the goal with what we want to achieve for ourselves, it is easier to stick with it. We get a return on our investment of time and energy.

Once the goal is formulated, it is time to pick the system for achieving it. The system needs to suit how we intuitively deal with storing and sorting. Those of us who find joy in color-coded, uniform rows should chose a different system from those of us who consider it organized if clutter is out of sight and we can find what we are looking for in less than five minutes. The point is to find something that works for you and achieves your goal. Getting organized should help you save energy and find time. If your system requires more time than you can manage, it is time to find a new system.

I have two friends (actually I have more than two, but I only need a pair for this illustration.) Both of them manage to pay their bills on time and deal with appointments and invitations, but they have very different methods for handling mail. One of them sorts her mail everyday and puts it in a mail organizer according to the date she needs to respond with an action. The other dumps his mail in a basket and sorts it twice a week and handles responses. They both feel good about their ability to manage their mail. It doesn’t pile up and what needs to happen happens. They each have an organization system that works for them.

So when you organize, do it to benefit yourself and do it in a way that suits your personal style.

Good luck organizing your world!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Paper Clutter

2008-04-20T18:15:00.004-05:00

Avoid Paper Clutter

According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, paper is the number one clutter problem in American households. When you really think about it, that covers a lot of territory. There is mail, receipts, documents that record marriages, births, deaths, legal transactions and agreements. There are newspapers and periodicals and even reminder lists and post-it notes. We haven’t even considered the mounds of paper generated doing homework, creating white papers and documenting our thoughts for current readers and future generations. There are warrantees and receipts to keep track of. There are insurance policies and tax records to maintain. There is not one system that works for every one but here are a few hints to help keep things under control.

Minimize the paper you receive by contacting the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry to opt out of receiving pre-screened credit card and insurance offers from lists provided by Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Transunion (http://www.optoutprescreen.com)/. You can also contact Direct Marketing Association (http://www.dmaconsumers.org/) to discontinue receiving direct advertising from companies affiliated with DMA.
Sort mail as you receive it and retain only the documents you need to maintain your records.
Do not save newspapers and periodicals for an article you need for future use. Clip the needed material only and recycle the rest of the paper.
Keep warranty information clipped to appliance instructions and the purchase receipt in a file or three ring binder for handy reference.
Find a home for the paper you keep and them keep the volume under control by setting limits that meet your personal needs. Examples include:

No more magazines than the magazine rack can hold
No receipts over a year old other than those for tax and warranty purposes.
Only insurance policies that remain in force

If you are currently overwhelmed by the paper in your life, start with one area and work on it until you get it organized. It may be culling the magazines or managing the mail. Just pick a place and start. Then keep your solutions simple and make sure they fit the way YOU live.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOID LAUNDRY ROOM CLUTTER

2008-04-14T17:44:00.002-05:00

Whether you have a laundry room or a laundry closet, there is lots of opportunity to create clutter in that space. The tinier it is, the more likely that you are challenged to keep it neat. Throw in a little “help” from tiny hands that are interested in how the dryer works and you have a pretty good chance for a mess to accumulate. Here are a few tips for keeping on top of washing, drying and folding clothes.

Sort clothes and place in a container to transport to the washing machine. Stacks on the floor can shift and you can end up with unwanted pink underwear when a red garment finds its way into the white clothes pile. There are divided compartment laundry sorters that can be stored in larger laundry rooms. For smaller spaces try collapsible bins that can be stored flat on a shelf or on edge in little space until needed for sorting.
Keep laundry products together on a shelf or cart near the washer and dryer. Even in the smallest space you can use shelves that fit on the top of washer and dryer. Also consider use of space above the appliances for a cabinet or shelves to keep these products handy. Never store on the floor if it can be avoided. Floor storage collects dust and promotes spills.
Save time by hanging clothes as you remove them from the dryer. A portable hanging rack will work in larger laundry rooms and many hanging alternatives for small spaces are available in catalogues and on-line shopping sites.
If possible, fold clothes as you take them from the dryer. Heaping them in a pile will cause wrinkles and you will expend extra time and energy ironing. Also match socks as you go. This is a good job for older toddlers and children who are eager to help.
If you need to keep an eye on little ones as you tackle these chores, create a special play zone in the space. Some suggestions for activities include a play iron and ironing board (where your helper could iron tea towels or other items) and a basket filled with too-small clothes that a toddler could fold to her heart’s content. Any favorite toy that does not offer a chance for dirty hands or coloring utensils to stain clothing can be added to the play station.
Commit to put the clothes away at the first opportunity. Hectic schedules sometimes make it impossible to put everything away as it comes out of the dryer. One technique is to promise yourself to get the laundry stashed in its designated home before your head hits the pillow that night. You can take advantage of little fragments of time to get it done

Using these ideas, you should be able to keep your laundry area clutter free.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOIDING FAMILY ROOM CLUTTER TRAPS

2008-04-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

The greatest challenge in managing clutter in the family room is_____?

You guessed it-the family!

The family room is a wonderful concept- a place the family members can gather for entertainment, conversation and enjoying each other. The reality can be something a little short of the ideal. It is hard to watch TV or play games if all available seating is covered with clutter. Empty food wrappers, discarded clothing and piles of toys detract from the ambience of any space. Many friends tell me they clean the family room every week just to find it in the same deplorable condition the following week- or maybe the following day. It can be so frustrating that it becomes accepted as a room that looks bad all the time.

Is there a remedy? Yes there is, but it is not easy because it involves group effort. If you want a permanent solution to a cluttered family room we recommend the following:

The next time you clean the room record what you pick up on a piece of paper or a voice recorder.

Take a look at the list for patterns. Does Dad leave his shoes under the couch? Does Suzy leave Pepsi cans on the coffee table? Does Junior scatter Legos all over the floor? Does Mom throw magazines on the floor next to her chair?

Think about reasonable suggestions for managing the clutter. Would Dad put his shoes in a shoe storage bench next to the couch? Would Suzy discard cans in a handy receptacle? Does Junior have a storage space for his Legos that he can reach and manage? Would Mom lay her magazines in a conveniently placed rack?

Hold a family meeting and talk about the things you pick up every time you clean the room. Be open to other family members input. Tell them some of the suggestions you have for making it easier to put things away and let them suggest other solutions that appeal to them.

Set the rules. Assign tasks according to age and ability. Purchase or make the suggested systems to keep things organized and the next time you clean the room discard or give away any item that is not in its designated space. If trash is the problem, the clutterer has a penalty of the family’s choosing.

Stick to the rules and hold another family meeting to see how the system is working. Revise what you need to make the system work for everyone, but do not let any family member abdicate his responsibility for keeping the room organized

Hold a special celebration after one month of successful clutter management.

These steps work for families of all ages and all sizes. If you cannot figure out how to get started on the organizing project, a professional organizer can be a great help in developing and implementing a plan.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

AVOID ENTRYWAY CLUTTER TRAPS

2008-03-30T17:52:00.003-05:00

Whether your family enters your home through the front door, the back door or the garage door, the first thing you do is take off, drop off or discard something. It might be your coat, your brief case, the mail, your shoes, the change in your pockets or the skate board you picked up to avoid tripping over it. These items land where you enter and stay there until they are needed again. If they are not used soon after their landing, the discards become clutter. Eventually the entryway looks like a storage room.

There are four steps to dealing with a cluttered entry space:

Assess what kinds of things are being left in the space. Are they being left there for convenience or necessity? Is your child leaving his backpack there on his way to grab a snack after school? Is your husband dropping of mail as he comes in the door and heads upstairs to change? Is your wife leaving a briefcase that she will pick up on her way out tomorrow morning? Are all of you taking off shoes to keep from tracking dirt on the new carpet? Is the leash being thrown in the corner so you can retrieve it quickly when you walk the dog?
Determine the best way to deal with each item. Would the space accommodate a set of hooks, a hall tree, a storage bench with baskets or shoe storage? Do the hooks need to be lower for children to access for hanging coats and backpacks? Would an attractive basket or decorative box be useful for depositing mail? Would a large attractive container serve as a drop-off spot for items that go to their designated home before you retire for the night?
Bring order to the space by obtaining and installing the systems that you need. You can create an organized look by collecting like things together (coats on a hall tree, mail in a basket, change in a piggy bank), by concealing the items (shoes in a storage bench, dog leash in drawer, brief case in hall table storage compartment; car keys in a decorative box).
Make sure that everyone living in the house understands the system. For instance, if you pick up mail and put it in the designated basket, who will retrieve the mail, discard the unwanted items and make sure the bills are paid? Putting the storage item in place, establishing the process for its use and assigning responsibility creates an organizational system that should keep on working.

Now you are ready to let anyone in without being embarrassed by the pile of stuff just inside the door.

If you need inspiration for systems that help organize the entryway, take a look at the following web sites:
www.canopyliving.com
www.improvements.com
www.touchofclass.com
www.potterybarn.com

Beverly & Kristen

www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Closet Clutter Traps

2008-03-17T05:54:00.001-05:00

The closet is full of clutter traps-on the floor, on the shelves, on the hanging rods. Here are a few hints to help your closet stay organized.

Avoid creating systems that look good but do not work for you. Shoe racks and shoe shelves can be a big help in organizing footwear, but if you can’t find the time to put the shoes in the rack or stack them on the shelves, you still end up with shoes scattered on the floor. Try using cubbies for shoes; it is just as easy to stick a pair of shoes in an open cubby as it is to drop them on the floor. Also try rolling bins for clunky everyday shoes like sneakers and Crocs. They can fit under a high hanging rack and conceal the jumble of shoes.

Do not overstuff hanging racks. Make more room by using double hang racks (upper and lower) when possible. Also use flat flocked hangers that take up less space than wooden hangers and are kind to most fabrics.

Use dividers on shelves to separate folded clothes and purses. If you have surplus hanging space, use hanging dividers. They come in many configurations and meet most clothing and accessory storage needs. An over the door purse holder will free up limited shelf space.

Keep a basket or bin in or near the closet for clothes that you find need repair. Check it one a week to replace buttons, tack hems and make other repairs.

Keep a small wastepaper basket in or near the closet for tags and fasteners you remove from new clothing and laundry bags.

Use hooks on pegboard or vacant wall space to hang belts and scarves.

Look at these web sites for inspirational closet system and accessories that work with you to maintain organization.

www.ikea.com
www.stacksandstacks.com
www.shopgetorganized.com
www.thecontainerstore.com
www.bedbathandbeyond.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

AVOIDING BEDROOM CLUTTER TRAPS

2008-03-09T17:47:00.003-05:00

We have bad news. The only way to avoid clutter in the bedroom is to put it away when you take it off or bring it into the room. The key to avoiding the “I’m too tired” and “I don’t have the time” piles of miscellany is to make it as easy as possible to tuck things away. That includes the bed linens.

Many of our beds look beautiful when made with matching coverlet and shams. The coordinating occasional pillows and cushions are scattered artfully and there is not a crease to be found. Much of the time, unfortunately, the bed is not made and the coordinating coverlet, sham encased pillows, and decorative pillows are scattered on the floor.

Consider an “everyday” bed look and a “company” look. For the “everyday” look use good quality coordinating sheets and pillowcases with a harmonizing blanket or quilt that can be folded at the foot of the bed or pulled up to the pillow line. It takes less than two minutes to tidy the bed when you rise and it is ready to jump in when you are ready to rest. Stack the beautiful coverlet shams and decorative pillows neatly on a quilt rack or in a nearby chest or decorative container. They will be ready to decorate the space when company comes or you have time for a more elaborate bed-making. Another alternative is to keep these items in an underbed storage chest that you can pull out when needed.

Furniture surfaces in a bedroom also become cluttered with jewelry, change, reading materials, bottles of medicine, and grooming products. The best way to keep clutter down in these areas is to use decorative containers and systems close to the point of use so that you can put things away as you use them. A valet or box for items you use everyday like your watch and keys should be placed wherever you dress and undress so you can easily retrieve them when you get ready to go out.

Clothes on the floor is another clutter trap. Sometimes we just don’t have the energy to walk a step further when we finally get home. Try putting two hampers in the bedroom where you undress-one for laundry and one for dry cleaning. You can easily throw your clothes there instead of on the floor. As a last alternative designate a “clothes chair” and put all items there. Clear out the chair at least twice a week. It will not keep clutter away but it will keep it at bay and manageable.

For those of us who like to read in bed, a bedside reading station can be created by putting a basket that coordinates with the bedroom next to the bed. If there is no room on the bedside table, it can be placed under or beside the table, on the floor. It will contain the reading light, book and bookmark that used to land on the floor.

These web sites might give you inspiration to better manage clutter traps in your bedroom.

www.lillianvernon.com
www.levenger.com
www.shopgetorganized.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Kitchen Clutter Traps

2008-03-03T06:20:00.002-05:00

A survey conducted by the National Association of Professional Organizers found that the kitchen is identified as the most disorganized room in the house. What a shame that the room that is often considered the heart of the home causes the most distress when it comes to staying organized.

Here are a few hints for avoiding a disorderly kitchen:

Organize drawers by using drawer dividers to separate utensils and flatware
Put small parts or tiny like objects in plastic containers or zip lock bags. (ex: pastry horns and tips)
Store plastic containers by size and place tops in divider rack according to size for easy match-up
Make cleanup easy by storing dishcloth, dishtowel and paper towels close to sink and dishwasher
Put most frequently used items on lowest shelves
Minimize the number of small appliances on countertops to the three most frequently used
Create stations for daily use (ex: coffee station near coffeepot, snack station for after school munchies, prep station for meal preparation)
Take a close look at how you use your kitchen and store everything according to your workflow
Donate or discard items you have not used in a year and create space for things you need.
Clean up messes and spills as they occur.

De-cluttering the kitchen will save time in the long run and make meal times less stressful.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Bathroom Clutter Traps

2008-02-24T19:24:00.002-05:00

Throughout the house there are certain areas that just seem to accumulate clutter. One of those areas is the bathroom. It is a limited space in which we accomplish varied tasks and need to store a variety of items. The things we store in the bathroom fall into four categories: medicines and pharmaceuticals, toiletries and make-up, supplies, and appliances. The key to orderly storage and easy access is to group by function and not by type. For instance, you may use a hot lather machine, disposable razors an aftershave and occasionally, a styptic pencil to shave in the morning. You may also have an electric razor that you use routinely or occasionally. If you create a shaving kit and store these items together, you can more efficiently pull them out when you are ready to use them -and put them away when you are finished. Otherwise you may be tempted to leave an item or two on the counter space. Grouping the items according to function saves time and energy. Try grouping them in a clear shoebox and storing on an enclosed shelf or deep drawer.

Apply this same principle to fashion a first aid kit that includes Band-Aids, antiseptics, bandages and an analgesic. Gather and store supplies for dental hygiene. You can also put together a makeup kit with the cosmetics you use on a daily basis, so you can apply and fly to your next appointment.

There are many storage items that are available to organize your bathroom accoutrements. Also look outside the traditional bathroom storage systems to coral functional items. If you take a lot of pills or dietary supplements the four-drawer spice rack with slide-out and flip-down drawers provides a handy way to organize the bottles. Look at cabinet plate organizers or over the cabinet mail racks to separate and store flat bubble packs. Also investigate slide-out wire racks in various dimensions to store supplies in narrow spaces and under the sink.

If you need a place to sit, a place to store and a flat surface to keep a few things handy, take a look at the telephone bench/storage cabinet at www.Solutions.com. It has a cushioned seat, a flat table surface and two hidden storage compartments.

Whatever innovative solutions you design, remember to keep items together to perform a task and keep the kits you create close to the point of activity. That will make it easier to avoid clutter.

Check out the products mentioned at the following web sites:
www.Solutions.com
www.Grandinroad.com
www.taylorgifts.com

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net

Resolutions Are About Change

2008-02-18T06:15:00.003-05:00

You resolved to get organized in 2008. It was New Year’s Eve and everything seemed possible. You have looked at every program on organizing that cable television offers. You have surfed the Internet for expert advice and you have bought books on organizing. Now it is weeks later and you haven’t gotten started. What’s the problem? You have the knowledge, so it is money, time, motivation or vision.

Money is really no excuse, so let’s just get that out of the way. There are creative, inexpensive ways to get organized that cost little or nothing. Some of our favorite organizing tools cost a dollar. There are also many items that already sit in closets and drawers that can be used to create an organized system. Boxes, baskets, crates, paper and plastic bags can be used to compartmentalize items for better access. Just organize within your financial means. Fancy can come later.

The problem of not enough time is a little harder to overcome. Time is limited so you have to eliminate some activity to make time to organize, or you have to become more efficient in using the time you have. Eureka! Isn’t that why you resolved to get organized? So you could be more productive and have more time? No more searching for hours for that important paper that you need. No more missing deadlines for project submissions or paying bills. No more desperate mornings trying to find something to wear and settling for whatever doesn’t need ironing. So setting aside time to organize is an investment that collects dividends of more time. You just have to get motivated to do it.

Lack of motivation is one of the hardest problems to overcome. You may be comfortable with your mess. If you are successful and happy, you may be wary of a change. You may not look forward to having to deal with family members and housemates to maintain a new system. You may suspect that you will fail. There are many theories of change and how to overcome resistance to it. There are too many to go into here, but you may enjoy looking at writings by Kurt Lewin, Tannenbaum and Hanna. or Beckhard and Gleicher

One of our favorite models for personal change is the ADKAR model by Prosci, which outlines the building blocks that individuals must have to be motivated to change
1. Awareness – of why the change is needed
2. Desire – to support and participate in the change
3. Knowledge – of how to change
4. Ability – to implement new skills and behaviors
5. Reinforcement – to sustain the change

You are aware you need to get organized and you want to do it; you made a resolution. You have obtained knowledge about how to change. So the question is do you have the ability to make the change.

We find that many of our clients do not have the ability to envision a system that will work for them and will fit within the time and financial resources that they can devote to getting organized. This is what most frequently keeps them from getting started. If this is the problem, try thinking small. Instead of asking “How do I organize may closet?” ask “How can I get my belts off the closet floor and make them easily accessible?” Small steps that result is small successes are powerful reinforcers for continued movement toward the larger goal.

Sometimes you just have to ask for help. Talk it over with a friend who is successful at organizing or call a professional who will work with you to develop a vision and a plan for achieving it

You may also have physical limitations that interfere with getting the job done, or time commitments that cannot be altered. These are other circumstances in which help from friends or a professional organizer is a good way to achieve your goal.

Resolutions are good things. They help us target personal goals to improve our lives. Keeping the resolution is a matter of finding ways that work for us to implement the change and make it part of our daily lives. Good luck!

As the Cableguy says “get’er done”

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net