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The Recycling Corner:
Tissue Boxes
I use the little square tissue boxes throughout my house and car - the size is convenient and doesn't take up much room.
When I'm done with them, the boxes become handy trash cans for small spaces. One fits into my desk drawer and I use another in my car. The tops are open enough to fit things through, but small enough (and with the small window of plastic that holds the tissues in) that trash stays neatly out of the way, even if the box gets knocked over in the car. Since they're free, it's easy to throw them away when they're filled with trash. They don't hold huge amounts of trash, but just enough to keep the car and my desk area picked up from gum wrappers, used tissues, tea bags, and broken pens. Try one next time your tissue box is empty. It's a little thing but another way to reuse and recycle. |
Time Management Presentation
Come join me on Friday, Feb. 25 in Warwick, RI, where I'll be speaking on "Time Management During the Job Search" for the group RINOD to Jobs (Rhode Islanders Networking to Open Doors to Jobs) at the Norwood Baptist Church, 49 Budlong Ave., Warwick from 11 am to noon. For more info contact Irene Sinteff at 508 230-0367 or RINODtoJobs@yahoo.com. |
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Looking for a speaker or trainer for your group?
Please visit my website for more information on my speech topics and workshops. To schedule me to speak to your group, or for more information, please email me at mmdwk@peoplepc.com, or call 508 292-6706. |
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Questions? Suggestions?
As always, your feedback is important to me. Please let me know what topics you are interested in so that I can address your questions and comments in future editions. |
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Dear ,
Today is my father's 100th birthday! Why do I tell you this in a newsletter about being organized and managing your time? Well, of course it's partly that I'm proud of my Dad and grateful that he's made it to this grand old age. He's an inspiration to all who know him, still learning new things, going to meetings of 3 different organizations, living on his own (!), and spending time every day with friends and family. But I think there are lessons here about time and organization as well. When asked the secret of his long life my father says "Just keep breathing!" I'm not sure it's quite as simple as that, but he certainly has a point. A lot of success at anything is about just continuing to do the things you need to do, without a lot of fuss and bother, without worrying about or even thinking about it too much. I led a discussion last night at my NAPO chapter (professional organizers) about helping our clients maintain the lessons we try to teach as organizers. We all agreed that maintaining organization, not just getting organized in the first place, is the key to long-term success. It's the day-to-day putting things back in their places, picking up what gets out of place, and taking something out every time you bring something new in, that keeps a home or workplace organized. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be hard, it just has to be consistent. "Just keep breathing", taking it one day at a time, and letting organization become a regular habit, is what will help you succeed, and maybe even make it to 100!
- Maryann Murphy
Your Personal Organizing Expert
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 Cash for your Clutter!
A lot of clutter consists of things we bought that didn't fit, didn't work the way we thought they would, or that we realized we didn't need or want after we got it home. But returning things to the store can be a hassle, so we hang on to things that we'll never need or use. Do any of these reasons/excuses sound familiar?
- It's brand new - I can't just throw it away
- I paid good money for it - I don't want to give it away to just anybody
- Maybe I'll use it later
- Maybe I'll fit into it after I finish my diet
- I can't find the receipt
- The store's out of the way - it's not worth making the trip to return it.
If you aren't using your purchases when you first buy them (and they're in the best shape they're ever going to be), chances are you'll never use them. So either donate them, recycle them, OR take them back and get your money back!
To make it easier to return things, 3 new habits may be helpful:
- Stash your receipts in a consistent place whenever you finish shopping. It can be a shoebox, a file folder, or (my favorite) an accordion folder pre-lettered from A-Z, where you drop receipts in according to the name of the store. That way, if you do want to return something, it's easy to find the receipt.
- Create a "return station" in your car. Place a carton or tote bag in the trunk, and fill it with all the items you want to return, each in its own bag by store, and each with the receipts, if you have them. That way, when you happen to be at that store again, you'll just have to look in the trunk to find the return you want. What a nice bonus to have the "return money" to use toward your next shopping trip!
- Pay attention to store return policies. If you tend to buy a lot of things that you realize you don't need, shop at a store like Kohl's which has a liberal return policy and doesn't require receipts. For other stores, watch for return deadlines and make the return before the expiration time.
Most of all, make those returns quickly! Things you don't want or need cause clutter. If you're like most of us, you could use the money back AND you could use the space! |
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 Please call me at 508 292-6706 if you need additional help organizing your home, your office, or your schedule. I can come to your home or office and help you there, or do coaching by phone.
My business relies on referrals, so please forward this to anyone you think might benefit from it. Thanks, and I hope to talk with you soon! |
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Sincerely,
Maryann Murphy, MSW
Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer
(508) 292-6706
Chronic Disorganization Specialist, ICD Member, National Speakers Association (NSA)
Director of Professional Development, NAPO-NE
Division F Governor, Toastmasters International District 31
Please join my network on LinkedIn  or follow me on Twitter @MMurphyMSW  |
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