Organizing Tip of the Day #23

"Gather all of your membership/reward cards, ie. grocery and drug store, and punch a hole in the upper left corner of each. Then, attach them with a ring (like a key ring).  Keep them in your purse or vehicle so they are available for quick use every time you need them.  No more hunting in the bottom of your purse!"

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Membership, Kathy Tucker.

Organizing Tip of the Day #22

"Give yourself a break and don't worry about what happened in the past. Right now you can give yourself credit for getting organized, handling the clean up and having the courage to ask for help. So give yourself a break and let's move on. We can handle this."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Michael Ann Rose.

Organizing Tip of the Day #21

"Always keep a bag or box in the bottom of your closet for donations."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Carolyn Anderson-Fermann.

Organizing Tip of the Day #20

"Think 'vertical,' always looking for ways to use the space along the wall for an appropriate type of storage unit, such as a shelf."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Rita Wilhelm.

Organizing Tip of the Day #19

When you are surrounded by too much stuff, you just can't see all the good stuff you really have.



Look around your work area. I bet there are at least five things you could pick up and put them away where they belong or just toss them. Look for dusty stuff if you're struggling...
 

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter President Angie Weid.

Organizing Tip of the Day #18

"When you consistently put items away each time you're finished using them, you will spend less time searching for those same items later!"

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Marketing, Ann Marie Moore.

Organizing Tip of the Day #17

Line something up today.  Whether papers, forks, or shoes, the act of creating a straight line with the objects around you will make your space feel more organized.

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Vice-President, Trish Krebs.

Organizing Tip of the Day #16

"Keep a tote bag by the door.   Articles to read, phone calls to make, notes to write, etc. all goes into that bag.  Whenever you have to wait  -- at your children's soccer game, a doctor appointment, or commuting to work -- you'll be able to make the best use of your time!"

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Professional Development, Marti Murdock.

Organizing Tip of the Day #15

"Keep unwanted catalogs out of your mailbox and recycle bin by using www.catalogchoice.org. This is a free site which tells each company to stop sending catalogs to you. Works great!"



Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Ann Anderson.

Organizing Tip of the Day #14

"If you are finding it hard to stay focused on a project, write out the specific task you want to be working on and post it."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Susan Hunsberger.

Organizing Tip of the Day #13

"The evening before garbage pick-up is a great motivator to clear-out clutter around your home.  Focus on old papers, broken items or food that is no longer fresh.  This is a simple routine to prevent clutter from piling up."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Secretary Susan Carmody.

Organizing Tip of the Day #12

"Keep a donation box for every family member in their closet. When they come across an item that no longer fits, it goes right into the box. Everything is ready when you get the call that the donation truck will be in the neighborhood."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter member Karen DeClark.

Organizing Tip of the Day #11

"Winter is a great time to do an annual purge of your files. As you watch TV, pull out a handful of files from your drawer and weed through the contents of each folder. Remove all of last year’s bills (archive if necessary) and whatever else is no longer current. Place a binder clip on the file you end with each night so you can quickly pick up where you left off. Stick with it and you might find some things you’ve been looking for – like potential tax deductions!"


Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Administration, Cynthia Gentit.

Organizing Tip of the Day #10

"Zip lock type bags are one of the greatest organizing tools ever invented. From the smallest to the largest sizes for containment, visibility, mobility and cost effectiveness. And they can be re-used too!"

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Michael Ann Rose.

Organizing Tip of the Day #9

"Prioritize your organizing goal and break it down, one organizing project per month.  For example you may want to organize your closet in May when you are switching your winter/fall wardrobe to spring/summer."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Immediate Past President, Betty Huotari.

Organizing Tip of the Day #8

"Keep items in the room you will use them.  For example, keep:

• clean sheets for the bed in the bedroom where they will needed. 
• spare garbage bags in the garbage container.

This saves time and they’re always handy exactly where and when you need them."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Cindy Greenleaf.

Organizing Tip of the Day #7

"Every Sunday, take 10 to 15 minutes to review your calendar and prepare for the week ahead."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Carolyn Anderson-Fermann.

Organizing Tip of the Day #6

"Have family members do a 10 minute pick-up before they go to bed each night. This keeps the clutter from piling up and makes for a less stress-full morning."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Karen DeClark.

Organizing Tip of the Day #5

"Open the mail next to the trash/recycling bin/shredder.  This allows you to quickly process your mail, most of which will be junk, on a daily basis."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Rita Wilhelm.

Organizing Tip of the Day #4

"Clear out your magazines! Who knew these innocent little reads could cause such headaches as they pile up around you!"

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter President, Angie Weid.

Organizing Tip of the Day #3

"Think of your counters as 'temporary storage areas'; use the space, but make it a habit to clear the space when you're finished using it."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Marketing, Ann Marie Moore.

January Meeting: Organic Marketing Ideas for Organizers

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan will host a program about Organic Marketing on Thursday, January 20, 2011 to to promote three-dimensional marketing practices and winning strategies for professional organizers.  This program will feature Sandi Maki of InSights Group in Brighton, MI.

“Sandi’s tic-tac-toe marketing method gets win-win results,” said Marti Murdock, Director of Professional Development for the Chapter.  “And, she’s committed to helping solo-preneurs create their own brand presence.” 

Organizing Tip of the Day #2

"Files, not piles."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member Theresa Brune.

Organizing Tip of the Day #1

"When taking down your holiday decorations, toss or recycle the burnt out light cords. Do the same with the items which were not used for your decorations this year and donate them to a charity."

Organizing Tip Submitted by Chapter Member and Director of Membership, Kathy Tucker.

January 2011 is the 7th annual Get Organized (GO) Month!

“Getting more organized” is consistently one of the Top 10 New Year’s resolutions made by Americans year after year.  That’s why seven years ago the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) declared January as Get Organized Month^SM. 


Make 2011 the year you stick to your New Year’s resolution and finally organize your home, office or life! To help you stay motivated throughout the month, the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers will post an organizing tip on our blog each weekday in January.