I'm such an organizing fanatic. I noticed something extremely strange while putting away my groceries. All my canned goods are in one place and anything that is boxed is in another All the baking goods and breakfast items are together. But here's where it gets weird. My refrigerator is in an organized state as well. I have all my cheeses and refrigerated meats in one place. The vegetables are in one tray and the fruits are in the other. The Milk, juices and beverages are pushed together in the corner and my sticks of butter go in the butter tray. *hehe* How funny is that.
I think by doing this I keep in my mind where everything is. Lastly, I know what I have and what I don't have. If I ran to the grocery store in the middle of the week to buy something for dinner on a whim, I would know exactly what I need. This is also because I cook just about every night.
Do kitchens HAVE to be organized? Of course not! However if you are like me with a busy schedule, family, children and you like to cook you want to make your kitchen stays as short as possible. By knowing what I have and where it is I can figure out how long it's going to take me to cook something, when I need to start it all while saving time and frustration.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Where did you put it?
Lately I've been extremely conscious about where I put my important things. It absolutely troubles me when I have to look for items such as my bank card, drivers license, birth certificates and items similar to these.
If I am standing in line and I have to use a bank card or my ID, I will hold up the line for a minute or two to put these items back in the spot where from I got it. It may sound silly but I do not like having to dig for this stuff when I need it quickly or having to look for it because I threw it in an unfamiliar part of my purse; just to "hurry up" and not hold others up.
It really makes a difference and makes my life more run more efficiently during the day especially with these items I have to constantly use/put away/use and put away.
This is also the same for items in the home, toothbrush, hair products, certain pieces of jewelry etc. If you have a place and take the extra couple of seconds to put it back where you know you can go when you need to get it. It saves alot of time and energy. I read somewhere that we spend up to a 1 or 2 hours everyday looking for things that we have misplaced. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would rather use that time for something else. Now I HATE having to look for stuff. It's becoming a pet peeve of mine. I guess because I stay busy and am always working on a project or something; that it truly slows me down when I have search and find.
So today I ask if you are the type of person who has to look for items in particular; the morning or when you are getting your day going, take a minute or two and place things in an area where you know you will go to get it when you need it. Work in small steps. Don't do everything at once. Try it with jewelry or shoes. How about organizing your purse or wallet. You can even do something as simple as laying your hair accessories out the night before. It's the small things that add up in a huge way. If you have trouble remembering, keep a list or a note next to the place where you want to start working on these habits. You can leave a note by your bathroom mirror of your daily routine and of course when you're making your list you will forget a few things. You may not even remember something until you get ready to do it, and when this occurs you can simply write it down now because it wasn't on your list.
If I am standing in line and I have to use a bank card or my ID, I will hold up the line for a minute or two to put these items back in the spot where from I got it. It may sound silly but I do not like having to dig for this stuff when I need it quickly or having to look for it because I threw it in an unfamiliar part of my purse; just to "hurry up" and not hold others up.
It really makes a difference and makes my life more run more efficiently during the day especially with these items I have to constantly use/put away/use and put away.
This is also the same for items in the home, toothbrush, hair products, certain pieces of jewelry etc. If you have a place and take the extra couple of seconds to put it back where you know you can go when you need to get it. It saves alot of time and energy. I read somewhere that we spend up to a 1 or 2 hours everyday looking for things that we have misplaced. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would rather use that time for something else. Now I HATE having to look for stuff. It's becoming a pet peeve of mine. I guess because I stay busy and am always working on a project or something; that it truly slows me down when I have search and find.
So today I ask if you are the type of person who has to look for items in particular; the morning or when you are getting your day going, take a minute or two and place things in an area where you know you will go to get it when you need it. Work in small steps. Don't do everything at once. Try it with jewelry or shoes. How about organizing your purse or wallet. You can even do something as simple as laying your hair accessories out the night before. It's the small things that add up in a huge way. If you have trouble remembering, keep a list or a note next to the place where you want to start working on these habits. You can leave a note by your bathroom mirror of your daily routine and of course when you're making your list you will forget a few things. You may not even remember something until you get ready to do it, and when this occurs you can simply write it down now because it wasn't on your list.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Plan Ahead: Family Reunion Organizing.
I volunteered myself to help orchestrate my familys' reunion for next summer. It is typically held the last Sunday in July. I volunteered for a few specific reasons. One being that I like to organize events and spaces, engaged with goals and deadlines. The second reason is I want a chance to really bring all of our family pieces and people together to enjoy a special time.
I have a good idea of how I want to set things up. I didn't want to wait until the very end to relay reunion information. By starting now I give my family members ample time to make arrangements.
I plan to keep the lines of communication open with as many members as possible between now and July 2012. This shows my respect for their time. I was told once, if you make people wait on you and/or are late for your engagements you are telling them their time is not valuable.
Currently I am working on a family newsletter of fun facts and history. I plan to send this out via internet and written publication by the second week in October.
This is a slow start but July 2012 will come around sooner than everyone realizes. I will periodically add tips and suggestions along with my updates.
I have a good idea of how I want to set things up. I didn't want to wait until the very end to relay reunion information. By starting now I give my family members ample time to make arrangements.
I plan to keep the lines of communication open with as many members as possible between now and July 2012. This shows my respect for their time. I was told once, if you make people wait on you and/or are late for your engagements you are telling them their time is not valuable.
Currently I am working on a family newsletter of fun facts and history. I plan to send this out via internet and written publication by the second week in October.
This is a slow start but July 2012 will come around sooner than everyone realizes. I will periodically add tips and suggestions along with my updates.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tips to Avoid the Rush
Grocery Shopping
Typically grocery stores have the least amount of customers early in the morning and late at night. You can also expect a faster shopping time by going during the week. Whether you don't want to wait in long lines or you simply do not like big crowds, these are the best times to "get in and get out." Having your coupons ready and a list will also make for efficient shopping.
The Post Office
The Post Office is another place that will frequently have long lines and big crowds. You can speed up your Post Office trip by having your package written on and ready to go. The busiest time for the Post Office is druing the lunch hour and towards the end of the business day. Post Office customers will go straight from work to take care of their mailing needs. By buying extra postage and envelopes you will also save yourself time. Utilize the Post Office drop boxes which are located in various locations throughout the city. These drop boxes have different pick up times which allows you go at your convenience. The Post Office and package centers may have pick up services directly from your home.
Dr. and Dentist Appointments
I would like to tell you there is an easy way to avoid the wait time in medical offices, the truth is this is a hit and miss category. However there are a few things you can do to make your visit run a little smoother.
Many facilities are offering pre-registration forms online to bring to your appointment. This mainly applies to new patients but there may be other paperwork you can fill out before you arrive to your appointment. Arrive early! If your appointment is for 11:00 AM, I would arive at least 10 to 20 minutes early. It might seem longer to you, but sometimes you will be seen earlier especially if there aren't alot of patients waiting. Be careful about squeezing your schedule in. Appointment schedulers try to prevent from overbooking patients for the medical staff. Unfortunately some patients can be persistent and possess a sense of urgency to get their appointment in. By setting your appointments a little further out and as early in the morning as possible can skip the appointment scheduling chaos. Even if you arrive at the scheduled time, that is still enough to get the patient rotation out of order. If you are late there is a possibility you will not be seen and have to re-schedule or you will wait a long time to be called.
Leisure Shopping
Who can resist the fun of leisure shopping for things such as clothes, jewelry, furniture and household items. The least busiest time to graze the department stores are during the week and early in the morning. Weekends are byfar the busiest time for stores, especially around the holiday season. If you know there is a specific item you are looking for, don't be afraid to call ahead to see if the product is available. Online shopping is another great way to save time and travel.
Rush Hour
I remember when I worked over 20 miles from my home and knew if I left after 4:10 PM I would spend up to an hour and a half trying to get home. If I left anytime between 3 and 4 it would take me no longer than 30 minutes. The least amount of stops you make before your destination, the faster you will get there.
Typically grocery stores have the least amount of customers early in the morning and late at night. You can also expect a faster shopping time by going during the week. Whether you don't want to wait in long lines or you simply do not like big crowds, these are the best times to "get in and get out." Having your coupons ready and a list will also make for efficient shopping.
The Post Office
The Post Office is another place that will frequently have long lines and big crowds. You can speed up your Post Office trip by having your package written on and ready to go. The busiest time for the Post Office is druing the lunch hour and towards the end of the business day. Post Office customers will go straight from work to take care of their mailing needs. By buying extra postage and envelopes you will also save yourself time. Utilize the Post Office drop boxes which are located in various locations throughout the city. These drop boxes have different pick up times which allows you go at your convenience. The Post Office and package centers may have pick up services directly from your home.
Dr. and Dentist Appointments
I would like to tell you there is an easy way to avoid the wait time in medical offices, the truth is this is a hit and miss category. However there are a few things you can do to make your visit run a little smoother.
Many facilities are offering pre-registration forms online to bring to your appointment. This mainly applies to new patients but there may be other paperwork you can fill out before you arrive to your appointment. Arrive early! If your appointment is for 11:00 AM, I would arive at least 10 to 20 minutes early. It might seem longer to you, but sometimes you will be seen earlier especially if there aren't alot of patients waiting. Be careful about squeezing your schedule in. Appointment schedulers try to prevent from overbooking patients for the medical staff. Unfortunately some patients can be persistent and possess a sense of urgency to get their appointment in. By setting your appointments a little further out and as early in the morning as possible can skip the appointment scheduling chaos. Even if you arrive at the scheduled time, that is still enough to get the patient rotation out of order. If you are late there is a possibility you will not be seen and have to re-schedule or you will wait a long time to be called.
Leisure Shopping
Who can resist the fun of leisure shopping for things such as clothes, jewelry, furniture and household items. The least busiest time to graze the department stores are during the week and early in the morning. Weekends are byfar the busiest time for stores, especially around the holiday season. If you know there is a specific item you are looking for, don't be afraid to call ahead to see if the product is available. Online shopping is another great way to save time and travel.
Rush Hour
I remember when I worked over 20 miles from my home and knew if I left after 4:10 PM I would spend up to an hour and a half trying to get home. If I left anytime between 3 and 4 it would take me no longer than 30 minutes. The least amount of stops you make before your destination, the faster you will get there.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Taking Shortcuts Might be the Longest Trip You Make
If you are part of the "I want it now club" then you are not alone. We are moving into the 3rd or 4th generation of people who want instant graification. People want to get MA degrees in less than 3 years, lose 100 lbs in 2 months and become a millionaire overnight. These aspects of instantly obtaining success may be far fetched but are most certainly what's moving people.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to get things done quickly, however you have to consider shortcuts are just what it states, a short-cut. If it takes on average 6-8 years to get a Masters Degree you have to wonder what's missing for you to do it in 3 years. "If something sounds too good to be true then it probably is."
Taking the short cut will ultimately leave you in a position where you are missing something or worse a failed mission.
This doesn't mean to take the long route all the time. It is simply cautioning being persuaded by being in a hurry. It wouldn't hurt to even use extreme cautioning. If you are feeling a sense of being rushed, chances are you have not looked at things through from all angles and you may be thinking irrationally.
Be cautious about being moved by how fast you can get it done, rather how is it going to add Substance to your life. This will ultimately benefit you the most. Don't let quickness be the deal breaker.
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."
Proverbs 15:4
There's nothing wrong with wanting to get things done quickly, however you have to consider shortcuts are just what it states, a short-cut. If it takes on average 6-8 years to get a Masters Degree you have to wonder what's missing for you to do it in 3 years. "If something sounds too good to be true then it probably is."
Taking the short cut will ultimately leave you in a position where you are missing something or worse a failed mission.
This doesn't mean to take the long route all the time. It is simply cautioning being persuaded by being in a hurry. It wouldn't hurt to even use extreme cautioning. If you are feeling a sense of being rushed, chances are you have not looked at things through from all angles and you may be thinking irrationally.
Be cautious about being moved by how fast you can get it done, rather how is it going to add Substance to your life. This will ultimately benefit you the most. Don't let quickness be the deal breaker.
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."
Proverbs 15:4
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Intro
What better person than mwah to talk about time management and organizing. I have not taken courses, seminars, templates and lectures to share my concepts of organizing; yet I have been the subject of hard life lessons and experience. I have chosen to take a difficult path to making my days run more efficiently. We as mothers, caregivers, career-oriented people, students, business owners, family members and the like will always be faced with life's trials and tribulations. With my testimonials hopefully I can help others put and keep things in order.
Do you struggle with juggling family and work?
Do you find it hard to find time for exercising and hobbies?
Are you overwhelmed with seeing after your family and children?
Do you wait until the last minute to do something?
These are few of many aspects I'll addressing throughout my series of blogs, ebooks and projects. I would love for my reading audience to get the most of my work. From time to time I will be featuring other avid writers on various subjects.
Question: What made me do this?
Answer : I love physical organizing. I can take a cluttered space and utilize it in a way others cannot normally see. I used to be an artist, so it may be my "artistic eyes" that see things in a way others do not. Similar to my drawings I can see details such as depth, shading, lighting and perception that others may not be able to. I have been able transform physical decluttering into areas such mental decluttering, time management and daily living organizing.
12. "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God."
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
Do you struggle with juggling family and work?
Do you find it hard to find time for exercising and hobbies?
Are you overwhelmed with seeing after your family and children?
Do you wait until the last minute to do something?
These are few of many aspects I'll addressing throughout my series of blogs, ebooks and projects. I would love for my reading audience to get the most of my work. From time to time I will be featuring other avid writers on various subjects.
Question: What made me do this?
Answer : I love physical organizing. I can take a cluttered space and utilize it in a way others cannot normally see. I used to be an artist, so it may be my "artistic eyes" that see things in a way others do not. Similar to my drawings I can see details such as depth, shading, lighting and perception that others may not be able to. I have been able transform physical decluttering into areas such mental decluttering, time management and daily living organizing.
12. "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God."
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
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