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The Recycling Corner: Shoes
One of the biggest sources of clutter I see in people's closets is their collection of shoes.
When you buy a new pair of sneakers because the old ones are getting beat-up, do you save the old ones "just in case"? Or "for gardening"? How many pairs of gardening sneakers do you really need?
At last spring's NAPO conference I heard about a charity called Soles 4 Souls, whose mission is to provide relief for victims of abject suffering and to collect used shoes to support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty.
They receive donations from footwear companies, retailers, civic groups and churches, but they also need donations from individuals. Go to their website at www.soles4souls.org to find out more about how to send in your used shoes or drop them off at local locations including Plymouth, Providence, Boston, Vineyard Haven, Natick, Newton, and more!
They've donated over 14 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries (including the U.S.) since 2005. Donate your extras to clear up some closet space and help those hurting from tsunamis, hurricanes, and poverty.
For more information, or to donate your shoes, click here.
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Upcoming Classes
Time Management for Very Busy People
Friday,
October 21
8:30 - 10:30 am
You can't actually attend this one unless you work at Cape Cod Child Development on Cape Cod, but you can bring this program to your business or organization.
Go to my website at www.maryannmurphy.com for more info on speeches and training sessions I offer.
Coming up in November:
Overcoming Procrastination
at The Professional Development Collaborative
1 Blue Hill River Rd.
Canton, MA.
Tuesday, November 29
1:30 - 4:00 pm
This one is open to all! |
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Dear , 
The Holidays are Coming!
Quick - what's your reaction?
Panic? Irritation? Joy?
The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, full of friends, family, guests, and celebration, but for many people, they become a time of anxiety, with too much to do, too many outside pressures, and not enough time to create those visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads!
Two words of suggestion:
Start Early!
Getting your house organized well BEFORE Thanksgiving week will make turkey day a lot more fun at your house. Making a plan and a schedule for the December holidays will make it easier to enjoy the true spirit of the season. I know it feels early to start - I was at the beach last weekend! - but Halloween's in a week in a half, Thanksgiving in 5 weeks, and Christmas in 9.
Try some of the strategies below to make this your best, most stress-free holiday season ever! And by the way, in the spirit of inclusiveness - Happy National Spinach, Caramel, Liver Awareness and Roller Skating Month!
- Maryann Murphy Your Personal Organizing Expert
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No matter how well organized we are, it's easy for things to slip out of place and gradually grow back into a disorganized state. I'm pretty organized, and I put things away fairly consistently, but in order to maintain really good organization, we all need to go back periodically to review what has accumulated and re-establish order.
Your review should include:
- Identifying the purpose for this space (this may change over time, so it's good to review). Is it for long-term storage or daily use? Is it for household business or for hobby item storage? If you had to label this drawer, shelf, or whatever, what would you call it?
- Removing whatever doesn't fit with that purpose, bringing those items to their appropriate storage area, recycling, donating or sending them to trash.
- Making sure that any containers are appropriate to the size of the items they're holding. If not, measure the items and "shop" for appropriate replacements first in your own house or elsewhere, if needed.
- Label as much as you can to keep your items organized. Just the process of labeling helps you think about what you're storing, and having labels helps everyone in your household put away and find things twice as fast!
Good luck keeping things in order, and call me if you need any help! |
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Make Your Holiday Plans
Step #1 in any organizing project is always to identify your goals and your vision. Now is the time to think about what you want from this year's holiday season:
- Lots of company and a house full of family and friends or a more quiet, reflective time?
- Travel or staying home?
- Doing it all yourself or sharing the load with others?
- The old traditions or something entirely new this year?
Take some time to write down the answers to these questions, talk about your hopes for the holidays with your significant others, and come up with an overall plan that feels right for you.
 Now make a list of the tasks it will take to reach these goals, and revise your plans if it seems like too much work. Get out the calendar, and start entering all the target dates - when the parties, concerts and visits will be happening, when you need to get invitations, greeting cards and gifts in the mail, etc.
Next, be sure to include the help you'd like to have, and ask for it now! Be specific about what you will need and when. If you make it easier for family and friends to plan, they can be more available to you.
Finally, start the tasks you can do ahead now! Update your greeting card list, start writing out envelopes, start making gift lists, and start researching travel reservations. Make this another wonderful time of the year by planning in advance! |
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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! |
Sincerely,
Maryann Murphy, MSW Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer
(508) 292-6706
- Member, National Speakers Association (NSA) & NSA-NE
- Chronic Disorganization Specialist, Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
- Member, Mashpee Hoarding Task Force
- Past Director of Professional Development, National Association of Professional Organizers New England chapter (NAPO-NE)
- President, Marion Toastmasters Club
Please join my network on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @MMurphyMSW
Like me on Facebook!
Check me out on my website:
www.maryannmurphymsw.com |
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