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Twenty years ago, November 2000, I founded An Organized Approach. In tech terms, that’s like the Stone Age! Most people I knew didn’t have home computers. Social media popularity was still a few years away. As November 2020 ends, I…
We’re living in an unprecedented time due to Covid-19. We’re nearing the end of a contentious presidential election. We’ve lost control over parts of our lives. Things keep changing. Working from home. Kids being home schooled. Tempers may be shorter…
Why is doing laundry such a third-rail issue, especially for busy moms? Some people hate doing laundry so much that dirty (or clean) clothes are scattered on floors. Yes, they get walked on. This is just a symptom of a…
COVID-19. Coronavirus. Pandemic. Scary Words. A very scary time. But there’s an upside. Keep reading for tips to help you stay positive during COVID-19. We’re hunkered down at home. We’re worried about catching a deadly disease at the grocery store.…
I wondered how to be helpful while we’re sheltering in place due to Coronavirus. With only life-threatening businesses open in many areas, many of us aren’t working – which means no income. Grocery stores are out of some foods and…
Happy New Year! Wow, 2020. Are you excited about beginning a new year? A new decade? According to the American Psychological Association, 93% of people make New Year’s resolutions. Getting organized is really popular. Learn my secrets to get and…
Happy New Year! Organizing has come a long, long way since 2000 when I started An Organized Approach – most people didn’t even have home computers! According to MarketWatch.com (12.27.18): Wanting to get organized is the second of the top…
Junk drawer—love it or hate it The holiday season is here. Lots to do. Too little time. You’re wrapping gifts and preparing goodie bags with name tags. But you can’t find scissors, tape or stapler in your junk drawer. Next…
“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Ryan Blair Entering my 19th year as an organizing consultant, I’ve heard many excuses for not getting organized. Some are legitimate reasons.…
Michael was overwhelmed when he contacted me for help to organize his office. He wasn’t satisfied with his productivity and couldn’t figure out what to do. I heard the frustration in his voice as we spoke. Having helped many people…
Clients have often asked me about the OHIO (Only Handle it Once) rule while organizing their papers during my 18 years as a professional organizer. When they handle papers more than once, they believe they’re doing something wrong. Thinking OHIO…
Springtime brings the vibrant colors and fragrant aromas of blooming flowers. So, I bet your very next thought of Springtime is your garage. What, it's not? OK, the garage is not sexy. But it surely ranks high in importance when…
April is Stress Awareness Month. Do we really need to select a month to make us aware that we’re stressed? Of course not. But calling attention to stress may prompt us to make some positive changes. What is one cause…
If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a tightrope walker, you’re not alone. When we have many demands on our time and energy, life balance can get out of control. Quickly! Take this quiz to…
January is a time of beginnings – new year, new resolutions, new choices. Make 2018 YOUR year to conquer clutter chaos and gain control of your house! I define clutter as anything that takes up space without serving any real…
Is rotating seasonal clothes on your to-do list? The change of seasons is a perfect time to get rid of everything that is outdated, stained, doesn’t fit or you just don’t wear. A trend called capsule wardrobe considerably decreases the…
I had a life-changing epiphany. It was on May 27, 1978 in the wee hours following opening day of Atlantic City’s first casino, Resorts. My then-boyfriend and I were there until the casino closed (pre-24-hour operation). We drove around Atlantic…
Is the morning of the first day of school a frenetic, crazy time at your house? How about the next few days? Whether your child is elementary- or high-school bound, it’s hard to get her up and moving in the…
Guest post by Lisa S. Griffith, CPO [Here are] some hard-learned lessons from parents who have moved our millennial kids from dorms to apartments multiple times (to date: 2 kids/7 apartments over the past 6 years). And yes, when I…
When I was a new professional organizer in 2000 in a new industry (National Association of Professional Organizers started in 1985; a name change is about to become public), there were challenges. Lots of them. The main one? No one…
Of course not, but... You’re driving to the grocery store, a trip you’ve made a thousand times. Out of nowhere comes a car running the red light at the intersection you’re crossing – heading straight toward you! Crash!! You’re hurt,…
Spring started March 20. Ahhh, the glorious colors and delightful smells of spring flowers. This time of year, thoughts turn to warm-weather activities, which then may turn to extra pounds gained over the winter. Maybe it’s because we’re indoors without…
“I feel happier, lighter, less stressed and more in control,” my clients exclaim after we organize a space. They have a sense of accomplishing something important. I literally see relief in their faces as we make progress. Spring starts on…
Brrrr...usually it’s cold in most of the country so we spend most of our time indoors. What’s your favorite indoor activity? I bet “reading” immediately sprang to mind. Is your book collection organized so you can find just the right…
Being disorganized is a HUGE time and money waster. It’s also stressful and exhausting. Aren’t you tired of not being able to find what you need when you need it? Being late? Forgetting things? Last-minute errands? Piles of papers, books,…
Is Thanksgiving one of your favorite holidays? It’s definitely one of mine. When else is it OK to pile food on our plates and stuff ourselves until we can’t move? Thanksgiving is one week from today. To simplify entertaining, here…
The first day of Fall is September 22. Work and school are back in full swing. Managing your to-dos effectively is essential to maximizing your productivity at home and work. A while back I gave a presentation called "Stop Mumbling,…
I’m a little sad. I always feel this way as summer winds down. Even though we had some scorching hot days this month, I’ll take them every time over the coldest winter days. When it’s hot, you can go out…
My aunt’s friend Lee was driving home after having dinner with The Girls. All of a sudden she realized she didn’t have her handbag! She frantically tried to remember what was in it, especially in her wallet, but her mind went blank. Panicked,…
It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. ~Ann Landers When I work with parents to get organized, I notice that some…
Today, May 17, is Pack Rat Day. To properly honor this day, you should not discard anything because it may be valuable, justify to yourself why you keep everything and go to some garage sales to get even more stuff!…
How many times have you said that? Has it ever worked? As a professional organizer, people often tell me they don’t need professional help – they’ll clear their clutter or organize their paperwork on their own in their spare time.…
Sunday is Valentine’s Day. Even if it is a Hallmark-created holiday, what’s the harm if it brings together people to celebrate romance? Whether or not you celebrate, Valentine’s Day tends to evoke sentimental memories—some joyful, some painful. Taking a broader…
Can you believe that Christmas is just one week from today? As the saying goes, it’s a wonderful time of the year. Those who are organized and on track with their preparations can relax and enjoy the holiday. Is that…
(Back by popular demand) It’s easy! Really. Thanksgiving is one week from today. There is enough time to get everything done. How? By using some simple organizing skills like planning and making lists, you'll know what needs to be done…
Why can some people accomplish so much every day while others struggle to get anything done? In our I-need-everything-right-now world, we struggle with too much to do and too many demands on our time. People without effective time management skills…
Possessions curated over a lifetime are displayed with pride around baby boomers’ homes. With their parents’ Great Depression values instilled in them, boomers are a generation of savers. Things in basements, garages, attics, closets and cabinets overflow into living spaces.…
Transitioning from the less structured days of summer to a school routine can be challenging. But there are many ways to ease into the first days of school. Getting off to a positive start can influence confidence, attitude and aptitude. Here…
Here in the northeast the forecast is for a beautiful few days leading into the Memorial Day weekend. Yay! We earned it after suffering through the polar vortex last winter! Here are 10 top spring organizing tips, some or all…
It's the first day of spring! Yet as I type this post on my laptop, in the reflection of the glass-framed picture on the wall in front of me I see a blur of falling, quickly accumulating snow. It doesn't…
As I noticed the many networking events scheduled in my calendar this winter, I started thinking about business cards I receive. As a business owner, there is a trend I’ve been noticing for the last few years that concerns me…
February is American Heart Month. That got me thinking about health in general, then about medical records. How accurate are they? Shockingly, not enough! Years ago I needed the baseline x-ray of my lumbar spine from my hospital’s radiology department.…
According to the Wall Street Journal (wsj.com, Jan. 19, 2015), data show that the resolve to exercise starts to waver the third week of January. That’s probably true for any resolution. So how do you keep resolutions on track? In…
2015! A new year. A fresh start. An opportunity to commit to doing something better or begin something you've never done before. Some people like to start their goals at a set time, like the beginning of a new year,…
You're late—again. You should have been at the doctor's office 20 minutes ago but you were delayed by rush-hour traffic picking up your son at school. That means you'll be late getting him to the babysitter's house and meeting your…
It's totally doable (family drama aside)! How? Organization and planning! Thanksgiving is five weeks from today. Hanukkah starts two-and-a-half weeks after Thanksgiving. Christmas is four weeks after Thanksgiving. New Years' Eve is one week after Christmas. OK, I get that…
Did you know that July 25 is Culinarians Day? It’s a day dedicated to chefs – or anyone who cooks. Speaking of food, I’m proud to share with you that a previous blog post (July 18, 2013) on food clutter…
Paper Sorters In response to last month's post, a reader asked: "Have you seen any monthly sorters for papers?" Of course! Following are some product suggestions. This colorful, expanding desktop file sorter by Pendaflex has a slot for each day…
Happy new year! All my best for a happy, healthy and organized 2014! I'm celebrating the new year with a new Web site, logo and tagline. Also, my Timely Tips™ e-newsletter has morphed into a Timely Tips™ blog. I hope…