News from Gently Organized

Gently Organized News

In This Issue

Eliminate Unwanted Mail

Gently Organized Tip

New Phone Number!

(571) 482-8133

Put it in your phone, add it to your phone list, save it on your computer!

Greetings!

Whenever the phone rings, I'm always prepared to hear from a new or former client asking for organizing assistance. Too often, this is what I experience:

Me: Gently Organized, this is Judy, how may I help you?

Caller: Is this the front desk?

Me: I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.

Caller: Isn't this Goodwin House?

Me: No, I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.

Five minutes later . . .

Me: Gently Organized, this is Judy how may I help you?

Caller: Is Rodney there?

Me: No, I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.

Caller: Is this Credit Recovery?

Me: No, this used to be their number.

Caller: Do you have their new number.

Me: No, I'm sorry I don't

So, I doing what I suggest for others. When something isn't working, try something different! So, my something different is a new phone number -- 571-482-8133.

When AT&T gave me 703-548-1000 I should have known it was too good to be true. Every day I receive so many wrong number call that I've decided to change numbers. Yes, this means a lot of work on my part - changing my business cards, letterhead, website, and notifying all my clients and vendors of the change. For you, it means updating your phone number book or just remember Gently Organized and you can always find me on the web.

571-482-8133 is a Google Voice number so when you call it an automated operator will ask you to hold while I'm located. Your call will be routed directly to my cell phone. In the event that I'm with a client and not taking calls, I will get both a message and an email and will, as always, return your call shortly.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Sometimes organizer's suffer from it too! I've been waiting for some unknown statute of limitations to run out on people calling 'credit recovery' or hoping Goodwin House might change their number (yes, you can laugh).

What have you been waiting for to magically happen? Hoping your stacks of papers will disappear? Wishing all the things you moved to the basement for "some day" would organize by themselves? Dreaming that all the clothes in your closet fit and all those that didn't were donated? It's not too early to start thinking about your New Year's Resolutions - or better yet, decide today and take action! Give my new number a call and let's get your unfinished project organized.

Eliminate Unwanted Mail

Next on my list is getting rid of unwanted mail thats been appearing more frequently. A good website for unsolicited mail, telemarketing and email, is from the
US Federal Trade Commission.

I love to shop by mail for the time it saves me and the convenience it offers. I know that every time I shop by mail or internet, my name is added to a list and marketed to other companies that do business that way.

So I have a small recycling bin right by my front door where the mail comes in. Most of the mail from my first scan goes directly in the recycle bin. Advertisers are clever though and often send pieces that look official or interesting enough to open. I waste a little bit of time opening these but it's usually no more than a few seconds and they get recycled too. Every five years we should renew our request to keep our name and address from being forwarded. I think my five years are up!

One thing you can always be absolutely sure of - Gently Organized will never share ANY of your information. We are supportive, cheerful, non-judgmental and we have total respect for your confidentiality.

Gently Organized Tip:

Your Closet

Have you ever tried to "Go shopping in your Closet?" It can be rewarding and productive! You already know what you love and wear most often - those you want to keep. But what about all the rest? Try on your clothes in front of a full-length mirror, just like you were shopping! Would you buy it again? If so keep it and if not, donate if it's in good condition or toss it if it isn't.

Get rid of clothes that are out-of-style, those needing repair (even a hem if it's been more than a year!), and "gift" clothes that you've felt too guilty to get rid of.
Want to keep something that holds fond memories? If you have room, fine; if not, take a photo or little video clip of the outfit with a description of where and when you wore it.
Feel like you should keep a piece of clothing because it has a designer label or you paid a lot? Don't - it's not worth the guilt. Let it go so someone else can enjoy it!

If you're not sure you can let your clothes go, just box them up and postdate them for 6 months from now. If you aren't tempted to open the box and remove something, you'll know you don't need them. The clothes are already packed so just drop them off at your neighborhood thrift store!

Whatever you are doing - eliminating unwanted mail or shopping in your closet - be gentle with youself. You'll get a lot more done and will feel better doing it!

Happy Organizing,

Judy

Judy Parkins
Gently Organized