This is the fourth organizing misconception I need to "debunk". 

It has to do with the fact that many people believe that you need to toss everything in order to get organized. 

I once had someone say to me that "There is no way I could get organized because I could never bring myself to toss out everything I have".  I quickly asked where she ever got the idea that she had to.  She advised that "Everyone knows that's what getting organized means." 

I am not sure where she heard this but it is a myth.  You don't have to throw "everything" away; only the things that you don't like or never use.  I don't believe everything that you don't like or never use has to get "thrown away".  I encourage my clients to try to donate or, if there is some decent value to the piece, sell it.  Most times I find that my clients have a much easier time letting go when they know that something is not just being thrown away, but rather given away, either to a family member, friend or charity. 

You want to focus on keeping the things that you love and the things you do use.  There are creative ways to display or store such items.  Depending on the size of the space where things will be stored, you can utilize shelving units, hooks, overhead storage and so many other organizing options. There is no reason to toss the possessions that truly mean something special to you.

Working with a professional organizer will provide you with the opportunity to learn new ways to create functional and aesthetically pleasing options for organizing your possessions.  And don't worry...good professional organizers will never make you throw everything away!

Next time, we will discuss the fifth and final myth...simply writing things down will get them done!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

This is the third organizing misconception I would like to "debunk" which I am reminded of quite often.  It has to do with being inflexible.

People are creatures of habit.  They tend to continue to do things even if it isn't necessarily working for them just because it's the way they've always done it.  This doesn't mean it's the best way to do it.

I had a client once that described to me how she had set up several trays in her office so that staff members could add paperwork throughout the day that required her attention.

The problem was that the staff members did not feel confident that a high priority project was getting the attention it needed.  They were not sure that it would get handled prior to a lower priority project since everything was added to the tray - no matter what the level of importance. 

Even my client's boss was not at all happy with this system.  He agreed with the staff members that there were going to be some projects that were more important than others.  So, he made a change to the system. 

He decided that all high priority projects were going to be placed in red folders in each of the staff members' trays.  This way, if they had something of high priority, the staff members would be able to place the papers pertaining to that project in the red folder.  Good idea, right?

My client, however, said that initially she didn't want to change her system which she had been using for quite some time.  She was upset.  She couldn't understand why her system, which, in her mind, had been working just fine, had to be changed.  Now, the change was required and she did not have a choice.  She had to be flexible and she had to accept it.  She admitted to me that now that the new system is being utilized, she actually likes it!  She finds she is much more productive.

When it comes to getting organized, you need to be flexible.  Continuous improvement should always be the goal.  No matter what you are doing, there tends to be a better, faster, more efficient and more productive way to do it.

I find sometimes that certain ideas I introduce to my clients are not taken well at first.  I always ask them to live with it for a while and see how it feels.  They tend to find that they like the new way of doing things - they just needed time to get used to it.

Working with a professional organizer will provide you with various opportunities for change that you never thought of before.  It can open your eyes to new ways of accomplishing the same goal.  Give flexibility a try...you might be surprised!

Next time, we will discuss the myth that in order to get organized, you need to throw everything away!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

Continuing with the same theme as last time, I want to "debunk" another misconception that comes to mind.  Many believe that "multi-tasking" is necessary in order to be organized.  This is so untrue. 

While multi-tasking can definitely be useful in certain situations, sometimes it can actually cause you to lose your focus.  You are distracted by too many things at one time.

For instance, I had a client once that was a graphic designer, named Sue.  She told me about a time when she was working on a very important design project for a major client.  Since she felt she was an excellent multi-tasker, she was always fielding phone calls while she was working on this project.

When the time came to present her project to her customer, it was immediately brought to Sue's attention that there was a major omission in the marketing piece - their phone number!  Needless to say, Sue was very embarrassed.  She had to take additional time to edit the piece and resubmit it to her clients.  

Following this incident, Sue recognized that if she had let her voice mail field her phone calls for her while she was working on this project, she would have fully focused on the project at hand, checking it thoroughly without interruption and would have submitted the project correctly the first time.  She recognized how she originally thought multi-tasking would be productive, but instead learned how counter-productive it can sometimes be.

Whenever you are faced with a larger, more daunting task, you need to block out everything else around you so that you can pay complete attention to that task or project.  

This type of distraction can also be true when working on an organizing project.  I help many of my clients stay focused on the task at hand which enables them to complete the task more efficiently and completely.  When I work with them, we are setting aside a specific amount of time to accomplish a particular task.  I do not allow them to wander off to another room or begin another project until the one we are working on is completed.

You will find that working with a professional organizer will enable you to stay focused and get those long overdue projects behind you.  Keep it in mind...

The next time, we will discuss the art of "flexibility".

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

When speaking with people about organizing over the course of the last five years I've been in business, I have discovered that many people have certain general misconceptions about what it means to get organized.

For that reason, I have decided it would be a good time to "debunk" those misconceptions in a short series of blogs, starting today.

The first misconception that comes to mind is assuming that containers will organize you.  While it is true that containers can be wonderful tools for helping you get organized, containers alone will not help you.

For instance, I once spoke with a photographer, named Jack.  He called me because he was frustrated.  He had purchased 10 large plastic containers with the idea that they would help him organize all of his photography equipment. 

He told me he divided all of his equipment up among the containers, but when he was done, he found he still couldn't find what he was looking for when he needed it and he was frustrated.  He had been sure that this was a good solution, but it turned out not to be so.  Jack had mistakenly assumed that all he needed to do to get himself organized was a few containers.

What he found out after speaking with me was what he really needed was a bit of know-how about what kind of containers would best suit his needs, proper sorting techniques and appropriate storage.  He hired me to do just that. 

Instead of repeatedly spending time and money trying to solve his organizing dilema, he utilized my services to show him and teach him the best solutions for his situation.  Jack learned a valuable lesson that will last for years to come.

Before you go out and waste time and money purchasing the wrong containers or any other organizing storage product, it's important to first learn about how to get organized.  With that bit of knowledge and some planning, you will no longer waste your time and money trying to get organized.  With the assistance of a professional organizer, you will learn what the best organizing solutions are to meet your specific needs.

Something to think about...

Next time, I will discuss the art of "multi-tasking".

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

We are well into Spring and now is the time you will begin to see garage sales popping up in your neighborhood.

With the economy in its current condition, more and more people are finding ways to make a few extra dollars and one way is to have a garage sale.

However, do you know about Garage Sale Etiquette.  It does exist.  As a seller, you should follow these rules for good "garage sale etiquette".

1.  If your advertisement for your sale states it will begin at 8:00 a.m., be ready for people to arrive around 7:30 a.m. unless you include "no early birds" in your ad.  They tend to follow the adage "the early bird gets the worm".   If you do include the statement in your ad, don't sell to them until the time the sale is to begin. Tell them in a polite way that you will sell the item to them when the sales begins, no earlier.

2.  Make sure your pricing of your items is clear and consistent.  If you leave items unmarked or use a confusing pricing system, people will get frustrated and you will find that many leave without purchasing anything.

3.  Be honest about what you are selling.  If something is missing from a set or has been changed, tell your customers or post a sign with the item to explain it.  Don't knowingly sell useless junk.

4.  A garage sale is not the right venue for selling collectibles, antiques or other large ticket items.  People who shop garage or yard sales are looking for low prices on gently used items.  If you want to sell certain items for more money, sell them on E-bay, Craigs List or at a consignment shop or antique store.  Know the value of what you are selling and determine what venue it best fits.

5.  Make sure to tell your neighbors you will be having a garage sale in advance.  They may want to either join your sale and know to expect increased traffic on the street that day.  Be respectful of your neighbors' properties.  If someone arrives and parks in front of your neighbor's driveway, kindly ask them to move their vehicle to another location.

6.  Stage your yard.  Clean it up and don't leave out items that are not for sale, such as patio furniture, lawn equipment, etc.  I suggest moving them out of view, covering them wtih a tarp or blanket or posting a sign on them stating "Not For Sale". 

7.  If you are posting signs in the neighborhood, make sure the lettering is large enough and bold enough for drivers to read.  (I cannot tell you how many times I am riding past a sign advertising a garage sale and I can't read the date, the time or the location.   As a result, I don't give it another thought.  That's a lost potential customer!)  Once you post your signs, drive around and see how they appear to others.  Make sure they are legible to someone who is driving by at a decent rate of speed in their vehicle.  Make a note to yourself where the signs were posted.  (I will explain below.)

8.  After the garage sale ends, go back to the places you posted the signs and remove them.  (This is why you needed to note where you posted them!) 

9.  Make sure you have a cash box or apron with pockets so you can collect money and make change.  Stock up on $1 bills, $5 bills, quarters, dimes and nickels.  If buyers don't have exact change, you need to be prepared to make change for them.

10.  Lastly, be kind.  Smile, ask people if they need any help, engage in light conversation.  Not only will it help you financially to be warm and courteous but it will increase the likelihood of shoppers returning for any sales you may have in the future. 

Wishing you a successful garage sale!!

Until next time, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

Mother's Day is quickly approaching.  This is when we take some time to stop and appreciate all that our mothers do for us.

Busy moms have a tendency to care for others and forget to take care of themselves.  I have always believed that you cannot be good to others if you are not first good to yourself.

So in honor of Mother's Day, I want to provide a great way to help Mom do something good for herself.

MAKE A "MOM’S TO-DO BOX"

One thing you can do for yourself is to always include some "me-time" while scheduling the other obligations and chores that go along with being a mom.

Create a "Mom’s To-Do Box" that allows a flexible, adaptable method for staying on top of your schedule:

You’ll need:
• a small file box or a recipe box
• 8 dividers, one for each day of the week and one labeled DONE
• 30 3 x 5 index cards

On each card, write or label with a specific chore or obligation.
Some examples might be:
• Laundry
• Grocery Shopping
• Vacuuming
• Car Pool
• Pay Household Bills
• Etc

Be sure to include cards that allow for some "me-time".
Some examples:
• Work out
• Manicure
• Yoga Class
• Power Walk
• Massage
• Read Magazines
• Etc

Keep this box in an easy-to-access/easy-to-see area. As you plan out your week, slot each card into the day of the week you’d like to accomplish the task. Once the task is done, file the card into the DONE category so that you’re ready to plan ahead for the next week.

If you prioritize "me-time" as something that’s as important as all the other chores, you’ll be on your way to finding some balance in your home and life. By taking time for you, you’ll actually be taking better care of your family.

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday was Earth Day.  Did you participate in any way?  If not, perhaps you weren't sure what you could do to.  It's actually very easy to make a positive impact on the environment for yourself and future generations.

Here are a few Quick Tips For A Better Space that you can start today so you can GO GREEN too!

1.  Stop buying bottled water.  Did you know that some bottled water is actually bottled municipal tap water?  Few people can tell the difference, anyway.  Bottled water is more expensive than gasoline and 250 to 10,000 times more than tap water.   If you do buy some bottles, then be sure to recycle them or refill then at home for your next trip or outing.

2.  Check those faucets.  Office workers alone use enough water every day to fill 17,500 olympic-sized pools!  Much of it comes from leaky faucets.  Here's a statistic - a leaky faucet that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes will waste approximately 3,000 gallons of water a year!  While you're at it, check the outside faucets as well, especially since they were exposed over the winter months.

3.  Use cold water.  When doing your laundry, try to wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible.  Heating water is the #1 energy consumer in many homes.  And while you're at it, use an outdoor or even indoor clothesline to dry your clothes whenever possible.  I always use an indoor drying rack for my delicates and special fabrics.  You can dry them on the line and then just pop them into the dryer on a low setting for a few minutes just to get rid of wrinkles and make them softer.  This will keep the clothes from wearing out and fading so quickly as well, saving you money! 

4.  BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag.  Instead of using the plastic or paper grocery bags the next time you go shopping, bring canvas bags.  You can purchase them inexpensively at most grocery stores these days.  Remember, it takes one 15-20 year old tree to make enough paper for only 700 grocery bags!  And, although plastic is convenient, they are not biodegradable.  They can only be recycled so many times!

5.  Turn off your screen saver; unplug your tv.  The EPA has estimated that using a computer "sleep mode" reduces its energy consumption by 60% to 70%!  So, please turn off your monitor when you are not using it.  At the same time, consider unplugging your tv or using a power strip with a manual on/off switch.  Most tvs, dvd players, game systems and stereo receivers use electricity because they are placed in "standby" mode when you shut them off.  They are not really "off".  However, keep your vcr,dvr or cable box on the regular outlet so it will not lose its programming.

6.  Use a ceiling fan.  Some manufacturers have suggested that a ceiling fan can save up to 40% on summer cooling costs and up to 10% on winter heating costs.  Sometimes, all you need is a light breeze to cool the room in the Spring and Summer and by reversing the fans in the Fall and Winter, you are drawing the heat down to the floor, thereby saving energy. 

You should find these tips easy to implement.  Just by doing these simple things, you to can start to go green!

Until next time, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

Happy Earth Day!

Did you know that one of the ways to improve your memory is to organize your life?  That's right!  There are simple things you can do.

Keep items that you frequently need such as keys in the same place every time.  Don't strain your brain trying to remember where you put them all the time.  If they are always put in the same place, it will become automatic and you won't have to think about it.

Use a planner to keep track of appointments and due dates.  Don't rely on your memory to recall appointments and due dates.  Write it down in one place every time.  Keep that planner, whether it's a pocket calendar, your cell phone or your black berry with you at all times so that when you need to log in an appointment or a reminder for a due date, it is easily accessible.

Keep phone numbers in one address book, rolodex and cell phone.  Same is true for phone numbers.  If you keep all the pertinent information in one place, you will always know where to find it.

All of these tips will eliminate the stress of trying to remember to do things.  You will have a "go to" place to retrieve the information you need quickly and easily.

Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so you don't have to spend time concentrating on remembering those routine things.  You can focus instead on other things and thereby reduce your stress.

For more tips or assistance with getting organized, simply contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I can show you how to create those life-changing habits that will reduce your stress and help you focus on more important things.

I recently finished working on a clean-out involving a home owned by a "hoarder". 

What is a hoarder, you ask?

A hoarder is a person who suffers from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) a compulsive behavior wherein they are unable to control the amount of stuff they bring into their home and save.  They continue to save and save until the clutter starts to create problems in living.  It get's to the point where the possessions own them rather than the other way around.

Compulsive hoarding is thought to be present when the following criteria is met:

1.  You accumulate and then have great difficulty discarding objects that most other people would consider useless or of limited value.

2.  The clutter is so severe that it prevents or seriously limits the use of living spaces in the manner for which those spaces are intended.

3.  The clutter, acquiring or difficulty dicarding causes significant impairment or distress.

The good news is, however, that compulsive hoarding is recognized as a diagnosable (and treatable) behavioral syndrome.

This is a complex condition that requires the support of family, friends, psychologist and professional organizer.

My role in my recent project, as a professional organizer, was to coordinate a plan and implement it with a team of assistants to systematically work through the home to clear it of it's excess and return the home back to where it is again functional and enjoyable. 

Now that the "clean-out" has been completed, I will continue to work with my client to show her how to make choices and set limits as to what comes into the home.  My work will be supplemented with the help of a psychologist to work with the client to get to the route of the problem.  (In most cases, hoarding is triggered by a traumatic occurrence, i.e. death of a loved one, which brings on loneliness.  The loneliness is then substituted with this uncontrollable desire to go to a store or garage sales or even, in some cases, trash dumps to bring items into the home to fill that void.) 

The result of hoarding is that the person can no longer function in the home.  The piles of possessions continue to grow in every room of the home until they cannot open the front door, walk down a hallway without stepping on piles of "stuff", climb the stairs, eat or cook in the kitchen or even use the shower or bathtub because they are filled with "stuff".

If you think that you or someone you know has the symptoms of hoarding, there is help.  Contact A BETTER SPACE for more information.

I would like to urge everyone to go thru their elderly parent's refrigerators. As an organizer, I have worked with some elderly people and have looked in their fridge when organizing their kitchens. Among the items I have found were a bottle of salad dressing that expired in 2003, bags of chocolate candy that had an expiration date of 2007, numerous little packets of condiments (like you get at fast food places) of sour cream, butter, jelly--who knows how long they were in there. Just imagine if they had eaten any of this stuff.

At times I have gone through their medicine cabinets when working to organize a bathroom and have found medicines and over the counter medicines that were many years old. Old prescriptions and pills either don't work or will make you severely ill--get rid of them! To an elderly person this could be critical!

So please, I urge anyone who has elderly parents to look into their refrigerators and medicine cabinets. And check yours while your at it. What lurks in your refrigerator and medicine cabinet? Let me know what you find! 

If you need assistance getting your kitchen or bathroom organized because you are overwhelmed with the prospect of the task at hand, let me hear from you.  Simply contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I can help you create the organized kitchen and/or bathroom you have always wanted.

Have a great week!