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"Picture Yourself Organized!"
Details By Shelly Fletcher - Organizing e-News
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 Issue: #22 |
November 2009 |
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| Buon Giorno ,
Nothing is better than sipping on a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe in Venice (note the shopping bags!). My husband and I spent two weeks in Italy contemplating the ancient wonders of this amazing country.
I tried; I really did, to find some aspect of this trip that had to do with organizing. However, my mind was too preoccupied with the antiquities and beauty of this county. Maybe the Romans had the right idea by creating "cubby holes" at the Colosseum? I know that's a stretch on organizing, but it's the best I could do.
Arrivederci,
Shelly
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PERSONAL CHALLENGE - Get Organized in 2009 |
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NEW - ORGANIZING CALENDAR FOR 2009
Each month I will share three things to do that will help you get organized in 2009. You can choose to do one or more of my suggestions, or come up with your own.
NOVEMBER- Gearing up for the Holidays
1. Evaluate entertaining supplies, china and linen
 The entertaining season is coming up and preparing ahead of time is the best thing you can do to make your event go smoothly. Now is the time to take inventory of your supplies: dishes, glasses, linens, serving pieces and utensils, extra chairs & tables, etc. Clean them now and make them "table ready" if you are planning any special parties.
- Even if you do not celebrate the holidays or are not planning the "big event", this is a good time to take stock of your entertaining supplies.
- After you use your items, be sure to clean them and store them in protective containers. Clearly label the contents for easy access at the next occasion.
2. Get ready for parties
- Party planning is the ultimate list generator. Like preparing for travel, create a list of tasks you do repeatedly for each party. Keep this list on your computer and print out a copy when you start your planning.
- Parties are best planned when you think in reverse. Start with the day of the party, then work backward making note of deadlines for party events such as invitations, music or flowers, catering, etc. Give yourself as much time as possible prior to the deadline to see that things get taken care of.
- Keep a separate calendar for big party events. This will help you stay focused on the deadlines.
3. Make a "to do" list and check it twice
- Christmas is just around the corner and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or nothing at all, you will be impacted by the frenzy of activity that surrounds you. Make a "to do" list to stay on track. Check it all the time.
- Think of the To Do List as a brain dump. As things get crazy and you realize you might forget to do something, jot it down. Day or night, jot it down. Keep just one tablet for your to do's and cross off the tasks as you complete them (a steno pad works great for this). Don't try to get too complicated, just dump your brain to allow room for other thoughts to enter.
- After most of the items on your page are crossed off, rewrite any left over tasks onto the next page. The more times you can tear off a page, the more accomplishment you feel.
- At the end of the holiday season reassess what's on the list. If the tasks don't support your new year goals, let them go.
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GOOD TIPS, READS & LEADS |
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Gift Giving - Many gifts include extensive packaging that is thrown away. Use your skills to create gifts or inventive packaging that has dual purpose (like using a tablecloth as a wrapping or reusing paper bags).
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Make room for new gifts - Donate old or unwanted items before the holidays (instead of throwing them away). Look at these recycle organizations: Habitat for Humanity ReStore - collecting used building materials; and ReCREATE - collecting waste for artistic and educational activities. -
Give no-waste gifts like gift cards, baked goods placed in a reusable plate, donations in honor of the recipient.
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Include rechargeable batteries with electronic gifts.
Where does it all go?
Every piece of excess waste you produce has to go somewhere, right? By thinking first before making unnecessary purchases, you can help reduce waste in your personal and community environment. Check out the website www.OneBigBin.com for easy waste reduction and reuse tips in Placer County. Don't live in Placer County? Check with your local waste management company to see how you can reduce your garbage clutter.
Special Deals through the "Organize It" store in Citrus Heights
The only store dedicated strictly to organizing products is located at 5440 Sunrise Boulevard, next to Capitol Nursery by Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights. Organize It has partnered with my NAPO-Sacramento Chapter to provide discounts to our friends and clients. If you are in need of any type of organizing product from this store you might find it on-line at www.organizeit-online.com , then contact me about a discount. If you need my help in deciding which product to purchase, contact me by email or by phone at (530) 613-2968.
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LEARN TO GET ORGANIZED |
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Boy, did I learn a thing or two about getting organized for my trip to Italy. Here's some of what I learned:
- Don't over plan! I started planning, gathering, and researching for this trip in February. By the time October came around, I felt like I had already been there!
- Make just one list of things you will need. Jot everything down as you think of it in a notebook. That way your notes are all in one place. I designated a separate file box for all the "Italy" stuff.
- Pack two days before leaving; evaluate everything again by asking yourself: will I really use/wear this? Can I buy it there if I need it? Am I comfortable in this?
- Pack items that can be disposed of along the way. Better to toss than pay the excess weight fees or ship things home. I ended up buying a beautiful leather tote as a carryon for my gifts. We tossed t-shirts, sox, papers, etc. before flying home to make room for new purchases.
2 Bags & 2 Suitcases for 2 weeks
- We were on a group tour which meant packing bags early each day for transport. I ended up putting all the non-essential items and gifts in one suitcase; the clean clothes, toiletries and next-day essentials in another suitcase. That way I usually only had to open one bag a night. The dirty clothes went in a separate tote (which became very heavy!!).
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ORGANIZING EVENTS |
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Auburn Daybreak Rotary - November 4
I will be speaking to this early-bird Rotary group on November 4th, 7:00 a.m., Marie Calendars Restaurant next to the Holiday Inn in Auburn.
RE/MAX Gold Auburn Realtors - November 11
I will be speaking to the agents at RE/MAX Gold Auburn office at 10:00 am on November 11th; 13555 Bowman Road Suite 600, Auburn.
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NEED A SPEAKER - for your group or conference?
Speaking at the NOON Program - Auburn Main Library
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If you are ready to start on an organizing project, give me a call to discuss a plan that might work for you.
Call me at (530) 613-2968, or you can email me at detailsbyshelly@yahoo.com
Sharing ideas and creating solutions for you,
Shelly Fletcher
Details by Shelly Fletcher
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