“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.”
– Oprah Winfrey
Confessions of a Clutterholic - Lois Morton
A hilarious song about clutter we can all relate to. (You may need to lower the volume on your computer speakers).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5kbjYkFR58
Have you resolved to finally get organized in 2012?
When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions we all get stuck, rebel, and often throw in the towel. While the top three resolutions are about eating healthy, exercise and not smoking, getting organized is a close fourth.
Small steps
• Get in touch with the “why,” and the “how” will work itself out. Why do you want to be organized? The stronger your reasons, the more motivation you’ll have. Is it so you can walk easily throughout your home? Is it about being more productive so you can increase your income? Or so you can finally quit losing things in your own home? Or stop paying late fees on bills, etc. Being disorganized is stressful.
• Make a commitment. Organization is a process, not an event. It requires daily maintenance. You don’t brush your teeth once and say “there, now they are clean.”
• Small steps lead to big results. You’ve heard me say it. It’s the Japanese principle of Kaizen, a way of life in which every aspect of our life deserves to be continuously improved through gradual changes. Small and gentle improvements are the way to go.
• Keep your eye on the prize. If you want a Zen room, work on it bit by bit. Every improvement, however small, sparks a pleasurable response in your brain-ways, and reinforces your new decluttering habit.
Creative process
• Develop routines to keep you organized without thinking. Morning routine: stretch, make the bed, tidy the house, make breakfast, wash the dishes, etc. Your routine will start your day off right. Some prefer to tidy the house before bed. Find what works for you.
• New habits take time to set in. It’s never a straight path. It’s a journey with twists and turns along the way. Some backsliding is inevitable. The important thing is if you fall off the horse, get right back on.
• Believe in change as a creative process. Reset your brain toward embracing change rather than resisting it and, as the Chinese fortune cookie promises, you’ll experience many rewards.
To get it done, just start ...
If you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, work with a professional. It’s hard going it alone and much more fun with a guide. To finally make your way though the clutter, call on me. Let’s make all your resolutions happen.
Friday
In Plain English for the Technophobe
I love the "In Plain English" series on YouTube. They explain technology platforms so elegantly in animation cartoons. Brilliant, captivating and educational. Perfect for you and grandma too! Check this link for several pages in Google.
http://tinyurl.com/5tevyuh
http://tinyurl.com/5tevyuh
Success According to Steve Jobs
I admired Steve Jobs and I'm deeply saddened by his untimely death. Besides being the Thomas Edison of our time (I read that somewhere and it really stuck in my mind), the simple shining wisdom came through when he spoke. He was a marketing genius. He knew what was important. He didn't major in minor things. Here's an interesting article on his "Seven Rules of Success." They bear repeating.
1. Do what you love.
2. Put a dent in the universe.
3. Make connections.
4. Say no to a thousand things.
5. Create insanely different experiences.
6. Master the message.
7. Sell dreams, not products.
To read more:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220515
1. Do what you love.
2. Put a dent in the universe.
3. Make connections.
4. Say no to a thousand things.
5. Create insanely different experiences.
6. Master the message.
7. Sell dreams, not products.
To read more:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220515
Thursday
Less stuff = more happiness
Check out this video talk by Graham Hill. In under 6 minutes, Hill eloquently shares his extraordinary philosophy of life which we all need to take to heart. More people are opting to live a simpler life. Find out why. Watch it now!
http://tinyurl.com/65897nd
http://tinyurl.com/65897nd
Time Management for Creative Entrepreneurs
Once again I’m excited to be teaching a seminar course in Time Management at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) on four Saturday afternoons.
By the way, you needn’t be in fashion. We’ve had students who’d like to start a business as well as artists, jewelry makers, technology entrepreneurs, etc. Feel free to forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.
The class is geared to creative entrepreneurs who’d like to improve how they manage their time to boost their productivity. Besides being filled with of readings, videos, information and exercises, personal attention is given to each attendee.
It starts this Saturday but there is still time to register. FIT is easy to get to at 25th Street and 7th Avenue.
CEO 034 Time Management
1.2 CEU
In this highly interactive course, you will evaluate your current time management skills and get busy creating a more time-effective approach to professional and personal goal achievement. Explore your commitment to accomplishing each of your goals and prioritize accordingly.
Sep 10, 17, 24, Oct 1 2 PM-5 PM $145.
To register
The course number is CEO 034. Here is the link. Scroll down to find it:
http://www.fitnyc.edu/3064.asp
By the way, you needn’t be in fashion. We’ve had students who’d like to start a business as well as artists, jewelry makers, technology entrepreneurs, etc. Feel free to forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.
The class is geared to creative entrepreneurs who’d like to improve how they manage their time to boost their productivity. Besides being filled with of readings, videos, information and exercises, personal attention is given to each attendee.
It starts this Saturday but there is still time to register. FIT is easy to get to at 25th Street and 7th Avenue.
CEO 034 Time Management
1.2 CEU
In this highly interactive course, you will evaluate your current time management skills and get busy creating a more time-effective approach to professional and personal goal achievement. Explore your commitment to accomplishing each of your goals and prioritize accordingly.
Sep 10, 17, 24, Oct 1 2 PM-5 PM $145.
To register
The course number is CEO 034. Here is the link. Scroll down to find it:
http://www.fitnyc.edu/3064.asp
Saturday
February: Stay-at-Home Projects
“...This year, deep cleaning carries a deeper meaning for many consumers. The troubled economy has prompted a need for empowerment, and they’re finding that the acts of cleaning, organizing and decluttering the home can provide that much needed sense of control. In a survey of our IconoCommunities SM panel, 25% of respondents acknowledge that they’ve been more active and interested in cleaning their homes since the start of the recession.” – blog.iconoculture.com
It’s almost Spring... Well not quite! It’s still frigid but the sun’s out. Not time for Spring cleaning, however the Winter is a great time to declutter because we spend more time at home. Spring Cleaning will be a whole lot easier too. Here are a few ideas:
Bookshelf clutter
• Load music onto the IPod and sell the CDs. Clear your shelves and make some cash too. Or, place the CDs into a CD binder and recycle the cases.
• Books: Keep the best, clear out the rest. Discard novels that aren’t keepers and outgrown interests. Donate them or sell online, which requires delivery to the post office one by one, as they sell.
• Records fetch money from dealers too. If you aren’t listening to them, they’re collecting dust. Do you even own a working turntable? Check online for prices on collectable items like The Beatles, in pristine condition. Watch DVDs and let them go.
Desk disarray
• Recycle plastic trays from berries and tomatoes or use an old cutlery divider tray to divide the desk drawer. Small supplies will be easy to find.
• Use any additional drawers to keep printer paper, pads and envelopes neat and clean. Stackable translucent drawers are an inexpensive, functional solution that provides a minimalist look.
• Write all your web addresses in an address book or a web address book. Store it in a secure place near the computer.
• Empty your wallet weekly and store receipts in an accordion file or a handsome box. If you need to return an item or check a statement, there they are – simple!
• Gather all pens in a pretty metal cup, ceramic mug or a jar on your desk. Recycle a tin can for an industrial chic look once the label is removed. Use several and store stray scissors, markers and pencils also.
Messy medicine cabinet
• Check for expired medications. Toss the pills into the yuckiest garbage. Use a black marker to obscure personal information on the prescription bottle before discarding.
• Toss old makeup and hard nail polish. Mascara, creams and cosmetics go bad quickly. Juice glasses fit into the cabinet to store makeup brushes, emery boards, eye pencils, tweezers, and other small items.
• Find a pretty cup for toothbrush and toothpaste. Nicer than laying it on the sink and more sanitary. Add a pretty dish for the soap bar.
Small projects, easily done, saving money and time. Sort like-with-like and a create a home for everything. I’m here if you need help, as always.
It’s almost Spring... Well not quite! It’s still frigid but the sun’s out. Not time for Spring cleaning, however the Winter is a great time to declutter because we spend more time at home. Spring Cleaning will be a whole lot easier too. Here are a few ideas:
Bookshelf clutter
• Load music onto the IPod and sell the CDs. Clear your shelves and make some cash too. Or, place the CDs into a CD binder and recycle the cases.
• Books: Keep the best, clear out the rest. Discard novels that aren’t keepers and outgrown interests. Donate them or sell online, which requires delivery to the post office one by one, as they sell.
• Records fetch money from dealers too. If you aren’t listening to them, they’re collecting dust. Do you even own a working turntable? Check online for prices on collectable items like The Beatles, in pristine condition. Watch DVDs and let them go.
Desk disarray
• Recycle plastic trays from berries and tomatoes or use an old cutlery divider tray to divide the desk drawer. Small supplies will be easy to find.
• Use any additional drawers to keep printer paper, pads and envelopes neat and clean. Stackable translucent drawers are an inexpensive, functional solution that provides a minimalist look.
• Write all your web addresses in an address book or a web address book. Store it in a secure place near the computer.
• Empty your wallet weekly and store receipts in an accordion file or a handsome box. If you need to return an item or check a statement, there they are – simple!
• Gather all pens in a pretty metal cup, ceramic mug or a jar on your desk. Recycle a tin can for an industrial chic look once the label is removed. Use several and store stray scissors, markers and pencils also.
Messy medicine cabinet
• Check for expired medications. Toss the pills into the yuckiest garbage. Use a black marker to obscure personal information on the prescription bottle before discarding.
• Toss old makeup and hard nail polish. Mascara, creams and cosmetics go bad quickly. Juice glasses fit into the cabinet to store makeup brushes, emery boards, eye pencils, tweezers, and other small items.
• Find a pretty cup for toothbrush and toothpaste. Nicer than laying it on the sink and more sanitary. Add a pretty dish for the soap bar.
Small projects, easily done, saving money and time. Sort like-with-like and a create a home for everything. I’m here if you need help, as always.
Hear Anna Speak on Time Management
Hear Anna Speak on Time Management
NAPO-NY Organize with Style Conference
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 10am - 1 pm
The NY Helmsley Hotel
By Feb 15 $75. After Feb 15 $90.
For more Information:
YouTube
http://tinyurl.com/5vhyj2d
NAPO-NY
http://tinyurl.com/4hmcswt
NAPO-NY Organize with Style Conference
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 10am - 1 pm
The NY Helmsley Hotel
By Feb 15 $75. After Feb 15 $90.
For more Information:
YouTube
http://tinyurl.com/5vhyj2d
NAPO-NY
http://tinyurl.com/4hmcswt
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