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"Laura, your way of organizing files specifically has changed my life. Filing for my home and business is easy and taxes were a breeze. Even my accountant was impressed with the files I handed over! "
-- R.B., Business owner and Mom of 3
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July 2015
Greetings!
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Pre-conference fun at Warner Brothers Studios. Recognize
this TV set?
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Believe it or not, there is an annual educational conference for professional organizers and I love going to it! It makes me a better organizer and productivity consultant and it's fun! This year it was in Los Angeles.
I attended for the fourth time and was happy to represent the National Association of Professional Organizers - Georgia Chapter as its president for a second time.
About 500 of us, mostly women, took classes, worked our way through an exhibit hall of new products, and networked with each other. There were also delegations of organizers from Japan, the Netherlands, Australia and Mexico.
I've written below about hearing The Minimalists and about learning from a psychologist about compulsive buying. Both sessions were fantastic!
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Fridge/Freezer Revamp:
Helping make mealtimes simple
The Situation
These business owners have a full plate running two successful businesses, while raising three active children and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Providing healthy, organic homemade meals for the family was important to both parents, but the lack of organization in the two refrigerators and three freezers made finding the food difficult. They also did not know what food inventory they had at times, and bought too much.
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Entree Freezer - Before Laura Ray Organizing
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The SolutionWe removed the frozen food from the three freezers and separated the categories into bins. We also labeled the outside of the freezer with which category of food was stored inside. |
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Entree Freezer - After Laura Ray Organizing
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For the two refrigerators, it was decided what type of food goes in each. Then contents were sorted in drawers or clean fridge bins and labeled. Labeling helps all family members to locate and put items back in the right spot. |
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Fridge - After Laura Ray Organizing
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The Minimalists
 The fantastic opening keynote speech at the NAPO Conference was given by The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who write a hugely successful blog about living a meaningful life with less stuff that goes out to 4 million readers. One of their interesting posts is about "Permission to let go". It really makes you think about keeping stuff as they say: Just. In. Case.
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Help for Compulsive Buying
 If you or someone you know needs help breaking free from compulsive buying, I recently heard a wonderful speaker who offered tips and help. April Benson, Ph.D., is a nationally known psychologist specializing in the study and treatment of compulsive buying disorder. She says of addictive behaviors: "You can never get enough of what you don't really need."
Dr. Benson explained that compulsive buying is addictive in part because it lights up two parts of the brain: 1) when you are anticipating a purchase, and 2) when you have to pay for it. Her strategies to combat this disorder are to improve the practice of mindfulness as well as enlisting the body, heart, mind and soul in fighting addiction. She also recommended having a shopping support buddy.
A useful resource for more information is her book called "To buy or not to buy: Why we overshop and how to stop".
Other sources she recommended included:
- "My Year Without Clothes Shopping" ; a website and blog by Jill Chivers of Australia
- The book "UnShopping: Recovery Solutions from an Ex-Shopaholic" by Debbie Ruse of California
To see if you or a loved one needs help with a shopping or spending issue, her website has great articles and a download for free self-assessment. Visit shopaholicnomore.com.
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Laura in the News: Laura Ray named President of the NAPO-Georgia chapter for second term
Laura Ray has been named President of the National Association of Professional Organizers - Georgia Chapter, for a second term beginning in May 2015. Laura began her role as President in December 2013 and is in her fifth year on the Chapter's Board of Directors.
The Georgia Chapter has approximately 85 members, mostly in the Atlanta area. Membership includes residential and business organizers, as well as partners who provide services to the organizing industry.
The Organizing Authority �, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), is the premier association dedicated to the field of organizing and productivity. Since forming in 1985, NAPO has been dedicated to serving its members through education, networking, industry resources, and promoting the profession to the public.
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NAPO Georgia President Laura Ray (L) enjoyed a visit from the new NAPO National President Ellen Faye in June 2015.
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Laura's Organizing Favorites:
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A custom closet designed by Artisan Custom Closets
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D reaming of a new, organized closet, pantry, or mudroom? Then give Teresa Safranek of Artisan Custom Closets a call (770-318-9613) and let her know Laura Ray referred you. Teresa's my go-to pro for custom storage space sales and design.
If you are not sure what your storage needs are, or what kind of system makes sense, call me to schedule a consultation. I can also set-up and organize your new space after it's installed.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this month's issue of Organize Atlanta. I hope you've found some tips and ideas that will help you save time, reduce clutter and simplify your life.
Sincerely,
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Laura Ray
Laura Ray Organizing, LLC
404.630.7212
Helping busy people organize their homes and offices
President, National Association of Professional Organizers -
Georgia Chapter
�2015 Laura Ray Organizing, LLC
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