The biggest problem I face as a Professional Organiser is helping to adjust my client's belief, or rather their disbelief that they can get organised.
We (you & I) tend to keep doing the same things over and over again hoping that one day we will get a different outcome! Well, it's not going to happen. You need a new approach to get a different outcome. The thing that changed my life from chaos to order was having a plan. Plan your room, I know it sounds simple but it works. Take your dining room for example, what do you use it for? Eating? Well, that's what it was designed for but there are other things people use this space for, for example...
1. Entertaining
2. Storing table linen
3. Family games nights
4. Homework
5. Sewing!
Many of my clients use this space for storing unsorted papers, shopping that hasn't been attended to or as an extension of the laundry. NO! I rarely see these things on my clients 'perfect world' list!
The dining room table is a great spot for homework to be done. Mum can see sweet little Johnny happily doing his times tables (well, alright, through my rose coloured glasses that's what he's doing...) The table is also a perfect height and size to cut out patterns etc.
Once you know what the space you want organised is REALLY used for then, and only then, you can start sorting and know what to keep. The rest is simple, if there is anything that does not have a reason (or permission) to be there, remove it.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Oh man... It's Christmas in 16 days!
Alrighty, just 16 kid free days before the school holidays start here in Oz. Are you ready? I know, it's shocking, but we have to be on top of it before it knocks us sideways!
We really need to remember the reason for the season..... Jesus, peace, goodwill (eating twice our own body weight in high fat, high sugar foods - or is that just me?) So whatever you do keep the reason clearly in mind and do everything out of love for others!
How often do we get so wrapped up (scuse the pun) in being busy that we forget to stop & enjoy. Why? Mostly because we haven't spent time making plans so it's easy to be sidetracked.
Here are a few quick tips to get you on track:
1. Clear the Clutter.
If you have visitors staying with you, start organising the space that they will be sleeping in. If you need to declutter start now!
2. Write your lists.
Make a list of who is coming, who you need to buy presents for and what they like to eat.
3. Be prepared.
Go shopping before the end of November using the list from point 2. Of course only buy non perishable food at this point and be sure to hide it 'good & proper' away from grubby little (& big) fingers!
4. Family Time.
Think about how you will spend your time during the holidays and what you would like to remember in years to come! What will you do on the day? Do you have kids to keep occupied? Are there old folk who need their hands held? Make some notes while you think about it, it will give you more time on the day.
5. Delegate.
Instead of getting hot & bothered with all YOU have to do, delegate. Turn chores into fun (or family traditions)! One of the favourite bits of Christmas for our daughter is when all the ladies in our family get together the night before and peel veggies! Of course we start out being efficient and organised but it soon disintegrates into story telling and peels (scuse the second pun) of laughter.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Clutter, you're NOT the worst!
When prospective clients call I often hear 'but you haven't seen anything like this, I bet mine's the worst'. As an experienced organiser I can honestly say that I don't know if yours IS the worst but I can pretty much guarantee that there'll be 3 things I will find with the 'seasoned' clutterer.
1. The clutter. This is the stuff that's causing the disorganisation and usually consist of all kinds of paper; little & big pieces,X-rays and silly shaped sticky notes, important pieces such as passports, notes written envelopes and (I quote) 'things I am going to read but haven't had time to'. Please don't think I am writing with judgement as, so far, I haven't met anyone who was more disorganised than I used to be! Clutter isn't just about paper piles, it can be about piles of toys, crockery, or linen.
2. The Containers. The stuff that will help with the clutter, it consists of all types of things that are 'guaranteed' to get you organised. Containers from very reputable home organising shops, bought in good faith but now blocking hallways, garages, bedrooms and offices! These include, my favourite, paper trays that you can label and stack one on top of the other. The trouble is you still need to learn how to use them if the task of organising does not come naturally to you. All types of containers but none of them are being utilised because my client has no idea where to start and the task is now bigger and more overwhelming because of the backlog of c o n t a i n e r s!
3. The Self Help Books. These will help teach you how to use the stuff that will help with the clutter that you had originally! There are some brilliant books on how to get organised and I ALWAYS recommend 'Organsing from the Inside Out' by Julie Morgenstern. Her book comes second only to the Bible in my opinion. These piles of self help book piles are the ones that give me the giggles. Once I get the giggles my clients will usually join in either out of sheer relief that they have actually shown someone their deepest well kept secret or they actually start to see the funny side. Why do we laugh? Well the books end up in piles, in front of or on top of the containers that were placed beside the piles of the original clutter!
Now, it's not that I'm saying you're predictable, but...
1. The clutter. This is the stuff that's causing the disorganisation and usually consist of all kinds of paper; little & big pieces,X-rays and silly shaped sticky notes, important pieces such as passports, notes written envelopes and (I quote) 'things I am going to read but haven't had time to'. Please don't think I am writing with judgement as, so far, I haven't met anyone who was more disorganised than I used to be! Clutter isn't just about paper piles, it can be about piles of toys, crockery, or linen.
2. The Containers. The stuff that will help with the clutter, it consists of all types of things that are 'guaranteed' to get you organised. Containers from very reputable home organising shops, bought in good faith but now blocking hallways, garages, bedrooms and offices! These include, my favourite, paper trays that you can label and stack one on top of the other. The trouble is you still need to learn how to use them if the task of organising does not come naturally to you. All types of containers but none of them are being utilised because my client has no idea where to start and the task is now bigger and more overwhelming because of the backlog of c o n t a i n e r s!
3. The Self Help Books. These will help teach you how to use the stuff that will help with the clutter that you had originally! There are some brilliant books on how to get organised and I ALWAYS recommend 'Organsing from the Inside Out' by Julie Morgenstern. Her book comes second only to the Bible in my opinion. These piles of self help book piles are the ones that give me the giggles. Once I get the giggles my clients will usually join in either out of sheer relief that they have actually shown someone their deepest well kept secret or they actually start to see the funny side. Why do we laugh? Well the books end up in piles, in front of or on top of the containers that were placed beside the piles of the original clutter!
Now, it's not that I'm saying you're predictable, but...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Hoarding, you're not alone
Most hoarders fear that they are alone in their tendency to hold onto things and can feel quite isolated. You may be surprised to know that there are an estimated 150,000 people, living in Australia who are Compulsive Hoarders. This estimate does not include people who are Chronically Disorganised and therefore may be prone to holding onto things for fear of not knowing where anything is!
So why is it that for some of us letting go of things is so very difficult? Take the person who has lost someone close and much loved. To some, if they were to remove the objects that were no longer being worn or used, this could equate to removing that person from their lives altogether. Of course just by decluttering we cannot remove the memory of someone dearly loved and missed, but sometimes in grief we can lose perspective.
On a lighter note, think of the 35 year old woman, who used to need a corporate wardrobe. Her life has changed lately as she has 3 children under 5 and is finding it hard to let go of the old lifestyle, income, wardrobe etc. Donating the 'uniform' is saying goodbye to the way things once were. She doesn't ever want to go back to that way of life as the children are the best thing that has ever happened (especially when they're all asleep and the kitchen is clean). But really, is doing the washing up or vacuuming in fine wool and heels really appropriate for her now?
'The Secret Weapon' (my most excellent assistant) can de-clutter a wardrobe in less than 4 hours, this includes putting outfits together, removing all signs of the 80's & 90's but does NOT include, I'm afraid, any shred of tact whatsoever! This is why 'The Secret Weapon' knows she is not allowed to talk to our dear clients on day 1. And a big NO by the way, you will NEVER know her name, she's mine and I want to keep her :)
So why is it that for some of us letting go of things is so very difficult? Take the person who has lost someone close and much loved. To some, if they were to remove the objects that were no longer being worn or used, this could equate to removing that person from their lives altogether. Of course just by decluttering we cannot remove the memory of someone dearly loved and missed, but sometimes in grief we can lose perspective.
On a lighter note, think of the 35 year old woman, who used to need a corporate wardrobe. Her life has changed lately as she has 3 children under 5 and is finding it hard to let go of the old lifestyle, income, wardrobe etc. Donating the 'uniform' is saying goodbye to the way things once were. She doesn't ever want to go back to that way of life as the children are the best thing that has ever happened (especially when they're all asleep and the kitchen is clean). But really, is doing the washing up or vacuuming in fine wool and heels really appropriate for her now?
'The Secret Weapon' (my most excellent assistant) can de-clutter a wardrobe in less than 4 hours, this includes putting outfits together, removing all signs of the 80's & 90's but does NOT include, I'm afraid, any shred of tact whatsoever! This is why 'The Secret Weapon' knows she is not allowed to talk to our dear clients on day 1. And a big NO by the way, you will NEVER know her name, she's mine and I want to keep her :)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
De-Cluttering Homer
Is it possible, being a Professional Organiser, to de-clutter Homer (the husband)? Well I have just taken a step closer to helping him achieve this today. We cleared around the side of the garage about 4 months ago and put all the stuff to sell in the driveway. Yes, needless to say, it has been sitting there ever since. So today, being a public holiday, I spoke oh so sweetly to him and pointed out the benefits of selling these items and the first step would be to take a photo. He took the photo's, not because I spoke oh so sweetly to him but because Double Degree Daughter pointed out that it would be better to get off the couch and take the photo's than listen to me all afternoon. Hmmmm, not sure how I feel about that, either professionally or personally.
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