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Greetings!
Whenever I've joined a group, I've tried to get in the middle, really be a participant. Five years ago, when I started Gently Organized, I joined the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the local Chapter, NAPO-WDC. This year I was elected President of the Chapter for a one-year term starting in May, 2009.
We have an outstanding Board of Directors and this looks like it's going to be a fun and productive year. We are planning to have some public events that you may be interested in so I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, check out the NAPO-WDC website and the National NAPO website for interesting organizing information. |
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Whatever you are organizing - books, art, or time - be gentle with youself. You'll get a lot more done and will feel better doing it!
Happy Organizing,
Judy
Judy Parkins
Gently Organized |
Books
Let's talk about books. Keep only those books you love or that have some special keepsake value. Perhaps you have a book that was given to you by a grandparent when you were a child; or a favorite author of yours personally autographed a book to you. These are worth keeping and displaying. But if you have stacks of books that you don't have shelf space for it's time to pass some of them along.
While working with clients we sometimes open boxes of books that have been ruined by moisture. If your books are special enough to keep, treat them with respect. Keep your books on shelves where you can easily access, dust and use them. For Mother's Day, I received a Kindle. I still have a few unread hard cover books that I'll read and pass along but from now on, I will primarily use electronic books - reduces clutter and is good for the environment!
It's important to ask yourself why you are keeping certain books, especially those you've already read. Sometimes we think we might read the book again. That sort of reminds me of keeping clothes that don't fit. We hang on to them hoping we will lose weight. The truth is that when we lose weight we're so happy with the results that we want new clothes. Besides, how many people even know where the clothes are that no longer fit? Were they stored by size in dust free, moisture free containers with pest protection like cedar blocks? Or are they in plastic bags, shoved in the attic or back of the closet only to be thrown out at some later date? But I digress.
Erin Doland, a favorite blogger of mine, says it's OK to get rid of any book you've read, don't plan on reading or referencing again, because it is in the public domain, and can be found in its entirety online. If you live near a public library or a used bookstore, try to think of these places as an extension of your personal collection. Also, now that so many libraries have free audio books to download, using the library is in some ways more convenient than a personal collection.
I personally like to donate books to the public library. If a book is in good condition and they can use it in their inventory, they will. Otherwise, they will sell it to raise funds for the books they do need. Call first to make sure they are accepting donations. |
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GO Organizing Tip:
Children's Art 
Do you have precious artwork created by your children or grandchildren that you want to save? Repurpose a piece of hard-sided luggage (you know, the kind without wheels that we used to lug around). Line it with acid free paper and keep a few sheets handy to place inbetween those masterpieces.
One caveat, don't save the art pieces made with bits of macaroni or other food. Display and enjoy them now and discard as soon as the first piece of macaroni drops to the floor! If it's really precious and you want to remember it, take a photo or a short video with the child holding their art. |
Do you struggle with time management? Ever looked at the clock and wondered what happened to my day? If so, check out The Time Timer. This was one of the new products featured at the NAPO Conference in Orlando this year and one of my favorites.
Elapsed time is an abstract concept that is difficult to understand and even harder to manage. Yet, managing time is a first step toward being able to get things done.
The Time Timer is a simple, visual depiction of elapsed time that helps solve time perception problems. These products are so easy to use that even young children and those with learning disabilities can monitor their own timed activities.
This innovative tool reinforces the sense of elapsed time in order to promote better time management. You see and "feel" time elapse as the Time Timer's dial graphically shows you how much time is left.
You can use the Time Timer to:
- Promote efficient use of time
- Master the concept of time
- Encourage autonomy and independence
- Achieve better time management
- See elapsed time in a sound-sensitive environment
- Time repetitive patterns or actions
- Time exercises, teaching sessions, meetings, homework and any other timed activity
Let us know if you've used The Time Timer or your favorite tip for managing time. | |
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| Act Fast to Save 25% |
The Container Store
Offered through Oprah's Clean Up Your Messy House Tour! Click on the link to save in-store, online or by phone. |
| Offer Expires: Sunday, July 12, 2009 |
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