Setting Goals and New Year’s Resolutions

There’s always something awesome about kicking off into a New Year. It’s a powerful feeling to know you have a brand spanking new year ahead of you and the opportunities for success are endless. The word resolution comes from 'resolve' and means to make up one's mind or decide firmly. Take the time and reflect on where you want to go or do next.

Organizing for a Stress-Free Holiday

A little organization can make all the difference between having a stress-full or a stress-free holiday.
The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) wants to share three ways to simplify the holidays:

Creative Clutter-Free Gift Giving

As we get closer to the holidays it is natural to feel a little pressure to get that "perfect gift" for a family member or friend. Rather than rush out to the mall or the nearest big box store, the National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) would like you to consider gifts that are both useful and clutter free.

Buy Nothing Day!

Many people could benefit from a “National Buy Nothing Day”. In this day of EXCESS EVERYTHING, most of us could go through our cabinets and find many unused food items, clothing and cleaning supplies. In fact, many might get a chance to revisit old stored-away items just waiting to be discovered in the back of the cupboard!

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) wants to share some comments and questions they hear while helping clients get organized:

Professional Organizers Can Help With the Urge to Splurge!

Our organizers are often called into homes of clients who are suffering from the fallout of compulsive shopping. This habit is evident in the piles of shopping bags stuffed into every corner, and closets full of clothes with the tags still attached.

A recent study, published in the December, 2008 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that the number of compulsive shoppers/spenders is about 8.9% of the population, more than 25 million Americans.

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) would like to share some questions you can ask yourself if you think you may have a shopping problem.

ABCs of Business Insurance for Organizers

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) will host a program about business insurance on Thursday, November 18th, 2010 to help professional organizers determine the correct type of insurance coverage. This program will feature Sheri Keljo, an insurance agent with Total Insurance Services of Clarkston, MI.

Freshen the Fridge during Clean Out your Fridge Month!

Clean Out your Fridge Month is an exercise that perhaps should take place every month. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share some easy and effective steps you can take to maintain a healthy fridge, monitor and expel expired foods and keep an organized and sanitary home for your refrigerated food items.

1. Start by going through each shelf and storage area in your fridge and freezer. Throw out any item that has an expired date on it. Even unopened items that are expired should be eliminated. Make a list of the staple items that you will need to replace.

Is Your Hardwiring Costing You Business?

Is the way you relate to potential clients sabotaging your efforts to communicate effectively with them? In business, as in marriage, one needs to identify what the other party is really hearing. Lisa Mininni, President of Excellerate Associates, a business coaching firm in Canton, MI, spoke to the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) on that topic at their October 21 meeting. Known nationally as a change expert, Mininni specializes in helping clients who want to find more customers and more revenue in less time.

Holiday Planning – Week by Week

Every year you vow to get your holiday cards and shopping done early, yet inevitably end up standing in long lines on December 24th again! Make this season more joyous by simplifying and putting an end to last minute madness! The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share a Weekly Check List to help you complete your holiday planning before December 20th.

Is Your Hardwiring Costing You Business?

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) will host a program about “Is Your Hardwiring Costing You Business?” on Thursday, October 21, 2010 to help home-based business owners spot what his/her clients are really telling them. This program will feature Lisa Mininni, business coach and best-selling author of “Me, Myself and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change”.

Statewide Organize & Recycle Presentation Series

The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) and the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) have created a statewide presentation series to increase awareness on the basics of getting organized and recycling at home. The goal of the series is to introduce a new presentation topic each quarter to educate Michigan residents and provide useful information, simple solutions, and guidance on how Michiganders can improve their quality of life while helping the environment.

NAPO-MI Announces a new Associate Member

The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) is proud to announce and welcome Ben Handelsman of 1-800-Mini-Storage as its newest Associate Member.

Digital Age Estate Organizing Tips

We hear so much about the importance of creating a will or a trust, and financial and medical powers of attorney, but it is just as crucial that we inform our trusted designee where our important records can be found in case of our incapacity or passing. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share some tips to help you to manage your important papers and information in this information age.

Planning Can Turn Dreams Into Reality

Planning is a key ingredient to making things happen. It can also help one become more prepared for life’s challenges, alleviate stress and make better use of one’s time. Can you recall the last time you were prepared for something? How did you feel? Was the expected outcome achieved? The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share a simple process for turning your dreams into reality.

1. Identify the goal or activity that you wish to accomplish, write it down and establish a timeframe for completing it.

Systems Make Performing Routine Activities A Snap!

Do you struggle with getting things done? Do routine tasks seem cumbersome to complete? Creating “systems or processes” can turn repetitive or routine tasks into automatic, efficient operations. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share some techniques for creating smooth running systems.


1. Identify a routine or repetitive activity that is cumbersome or not functioning as efficiently as it should be. Household activities such as cleaning the house or doing laundry are prime activities that lend themselves to established systems or processes.

Mom, do we have a game tonight?

The start of a new school year is a busy time for everyone. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-SE-MI) wants to share a few tips to help you ease into your new routines this year.

1. A lot happens the first week of school, so try not to overbook yourself or your children that first week.

Mom, where’s my homework?

It’s time for your kids to head back to school. Do you have a system to organize all their school papers? The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-SE-MI) wants to share a few tips to help you organize school papers for the upcoming year.

1. Sort, weed out, and file last year’s school papers.

Mom, where’s my backpack?

School is around the corner and every store you walk into these days has put together their aisles of school supplies. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-SE-MI) wants to share a few tips to help you prepare and get organized for the upcoming school year.

1. Locate leftover school supplies that came home in June. Are there items that you can reuse?

Basement Organizing Tips

Escape the hot summer days and organize your basement this summer!  The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share some tips to help you get organized in your basement.

1. Store items you rarely use in your basement, but think twice before you take it down there! Often it is a delayed decision which becomes clutter.

2. Create zones in your basement and use room dividers to establish different zones. Bookshelves make a great room divider!

Independence from Clutter

On the Fourth of July, we observe our nation’s freedom. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) urges you to consider carrying this concept one step further and take action to gain your independence from clutter. It may sound like a stretch, but when you think about it, your excess “stuff” may have been enslaving you for years, even decades. Old canceled checks, school papers, brochures from trips taken years ago, clothing that never really fit well. You hold onto all of this without realizing the control it can exert over you. So why not enjoy the liberating experience that organization can bring?

Take the First Step to Organizing Your Photos

Where are your photos right now? Stuck in a drawer or stashed away in a box? Still on your camera? The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) wants to share their insight on organizing your photos.

“The number one issue I see is that most people seem to have too many photos,” says Ann Marie Moore, Director of Marketing for NAPO-MI. “People have a tendency to keep every picture they have taken, even if the photo is poor quality.”

Home-based business owners learn to Tame Technology in the Office

Novi, MI.  June 17, 2010 – Finding the right technology to fit your business and personal needs can be challenging. Kathleen Alessandro, President of Energized Solutions LLC, shared her passion for time-saving technology at a recent meeting of the National Association of Professional Organizers Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI).

NAPO-MI Announces its Board of Directors

Novi, MI.  May 20, 2010 - In May, The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) hosted an annual luncheon for its members to recap past accomplishments and announce the new board of directors.