Feng Shui Magic

Feng Shui and organizing are good partners because they both are about feeling better about your surroundings. Ann Bingley Gallops, a Feng Shui expert in fabulous New York City recently posted on her blog, The Joy of Chi, this fabulous exercise for kick starting the energy in your space. With her permission, here is Ann's Feng Shui trick:

The Magic of 27 Things
Do you occasionally feel absolutely stuck, like you don’t know what to do next or how to get out of your own way?

Feng Shui has a simple yet surprisingly effective method for getting you unstuck: just go around your space and move 27 things.

You can pick each thing up and put it down in place, or move things around, or best of all pick up 27 pieces of clutter and move them into the trash.

I just used this strategy to get myself going on a logy-feeling Monday.

I began by just picking things up and putting them back down, but before I knew it was on a roll, putting things away, throwing things out, and easily touching 27 items in no time flat.

It was fun to count to 27 (a powerful Yang number in Feng Shui) and when I was done I felt really refreshed — my Chi energy was moving.

Start picking up some items around your space and stir up some new found energy. Let us know how you felt when you reached item #27.

How's the energy in your space feeling?

Time To Organize Your Kitchen

With the holiday frenzy quickly approaching, now is an excellent time to organize and declutter your kitchen. Just like sorting through the clothing in your closet, your kitchen needs a good once over.

Your kitchen is THE most used room in your home and it is used by everyone. Even if you are not an Iron Chef (perhaps more like Dan Aykroyd's Julia Child), your kitchen will get overstuffed like a turkey with pots, pans and dishes if you do not take the time to purge.

Like all organizing projects, you want to break your kitchen organizing extravaganza down into small tasks. Work on completing one set of cabinets or drawers before moving on to the next set. If you are feeling tired, then stop and take a break. You do not want to get worn out and frustrated.

Remove everything out of the drawer or cabinet you are organizing. After removing all the little crumbs and such that seems to have moved into this space, begin placing those items that you are using, and love, back into their place. You will have some stuff that seems to have drifted into the wrong place, just place those items in the area they are suppose to be.

Left over on your counter top or table will be a collection of items that have worn out their welcome in your home. If they are damage or missing pieces, their fate is not good and do not belong in your home. Those items that are perfectly good, just have lost their purpose in your home, need to be boxed up and readied for donation.

Take your time.

If you feel organizing the whole kitchen in one day may be too much, break it into small sections that you can manage to accomplish. You will be so thankful in the end that you took the time to get your kitchen organized. It is remarkable how much better a space can feel by parting with a few items that are no longer needed.

With a brand spanking shiny clean cabinets, your kitchen will feel amazing. Perhaps now you will feel like becoming an Iron Chef with those holiday festivites approaching.


What did you find in your kitchen?

You Want To Be Organized. Well, Stop Trying.

One of the hardest steps to getting organized is starting.
The best way to start a project is make an appointment with yourself.

That's right.
Set some time for YOURSELF


Block off some time on your calendar and stick to it. Make it happen

On your organizing day, the next tough hurdle approaches: the first item to let go. The first piece of clothing, childhood memory or knick-knack from Aunt Betty is the toughest one to part with. After you get that first one "in the bag," the rest will be much easier.

Use your momentum to keep going.

Finish your appointment with yourself and schedule a follow-up to tackle the next area to be organized.

One of my favorite quotes:
"Do or do not ... there is no try"
-Yoda, Jedi Master


Reward yourself for completing your organizing projects as scheduled. Take a 2 minute longer shower, have a piece of cheesecake, buy a new shirt ... heck, have a beer in a martini glass.

Do something for YOURSELF that makes you feel
rockin' awesome!!

After all, you always wanted to be organized and look at the what you are doing now.

What are you trying to do?

Please Stop , You Might Be Missing Something

Life does not have to be more complicated than it was years ago. We make life more complicated by our demands and needs. Once the basics for life shelter, food and water are met, then you've got friends and family (and yeah, family can complicate things). It's all the other stuff that makes life zip past us in a flash.

I believe in enjoying the moment, and will stop in a heartbeat for a great laugh, appreciate an amazing sunset or climb a tree. When my boys recognize a beautiful flower or a dragon shaped cloud, I beam with pride because I do not want them lost in the world of headphones, cellphones, and looking at the ground as you walk around all day.

Here is a story I recently found:

Perception

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

Take time today and just stop.

What did you find today?

Cleverly Organize Your Drawers

It's early in the morning. Your fumbling through your underwear and socks trying to find the pair that you want. Hoping not to end up running out of your home with one blue sock and one black sock. (yeah, I've done that)

Next to getting up 15 minutes earlier and turning on the light so you can see clearly, these drawer organizers are the next best solution. Bonus: They are on special this month!!

These are one of my favorite items from Clever Container. The Drawer Designers are a fun tool to meet all your organizing needs. You'll feel like an organizing pro as you quickly find your favorite underwear, bra and socks in a flash. (oh yeah, we all have our favorite ones)

You can purchase this awesome combo set of organizers for only $20.00 when you purchase $35.00 or more in regularly priced Clever Container merchandise. Check out the Clever Container catalog and see all the other fun organizing options available!

Drawer Designers can be used in most drawers, but try them in your pantry, bathroom, playroom and even your refrigerator! Combo consists of 3 small (12x4x3), 2 medium (12x6x3) and 1 large (12x12x3) box!

Interested in a home organizing session with a group of friends?
Let me know and we'll get you on the schedule. This is a great way to learn some organizing tips & tricks while earning rewards toward your Clever Container products. You'll have a great time getting organized.

What drawer in your home needs to be organized?

Professional Organizer Q and A

A heartfilled thank you goes out to Rubbermaid for featuring your's truly in their Adventures in Organizing blog.

Timing could not have been more perfect, since I was having one of those "woe is me" single mom moments. If you've been a single mom, you know what I'm talking about.

Here are the questions:

1) How long have you been a professional organizer?
Wow! It was officially 5 years this past September, though my friends and family say I’ve been doing it my whole life.

2) What inspired you to become a professional organizer?
After my career as an engineer at a major auto company, I became a mom and love raising my boys. Life has a way creating twists and unexpectedly found myself divorced. Feeling I was spirally downward, I had a good old fashion pity party. Walking into the woods with a notepad and pen, I began to write all that I had accomplished, beginning with “I can walk.” After a bit of a chuckle, and three pages later, it was clear I love the fun of life. Thought if I was going to start anew, let’s do something fun and help people enjoy life. I shared my business idea with my friends and family who thought it was perfect for me.

3) What is the most common organizing project you’re hired to do?
There are two that stand out. The woman whose home has slowly become cluttered and needs help getting it back on track. We talk about how her home ideally should look and feel to come up with a plan to get it there and maintain it. The other project is helping families downsize their loved ones as a senior move manager. Maintaining the peace amongst family members during this transition can be tricky. Success is when the loved one turns to me and says, “Thank you for making my apartment feel like a home.”

4) What is the most common organizing challenge people have?
The one that pops into my head first is letting go of things that have lost purpose in their lives. At one time, we all have enjoyed every item we have ever owned. There does come a time when your favorite blouse is worn out, your daughter’s amazing first grade artwork is crumbling, family photos are fading and then there is that gift you received from your mom that you just never used. Helping people recognized that their items have served their purpose and it is time to let them go can be a challenge, though the smile on their faces when they sense it’s OK. Priceless.

5) If you had to pick ‘your’ biggest organizing challenge, what would it be?
I’m a single mom, raising two amazing boys, running a business, driving to soccer practice that constantly seems to hear, “Mom, I’m hungry.” My home is constantly drifting toward chaos. Maintaining some balance in my life can be a challenge. I recognize when we must take time and get our home back in shape. Being organized just doesn’t happen, it takes work. Even for this professional organizer.

6) What one tips would you give to people who are trying to get organized?
Set a date on your calendar. If the project is not written down, chances are it will not happen. Once you’ve got your date, do not make the project too big. Better to start with a drawer or shelf, enjoy success and move on to the next part. Getting organized does take time please be patient with yourself and you will be successful.

7) Are you really a rocket scientist?
With B.S. in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University … yeah, I really am a rocket scientist. Getting organized is not “rocket science” but it sure makes you feel better about your space.

8) How can potential clients get in touch with you?
-They can call me: 734-890-1276
-Send me an email: angie@iorganizeyou.com
-Check out my website: http://www.iorganizeyou.com/
-Read some blog posts: iorganizeyou.blogspot.com
-Become friends on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OrganizedSolutions
-Tweet with me: twitter.com/iorganizeyou

What question would you like me to answer?

Organizing With Egg Timers

Ever start working on a project, only to find yourself an hour or so later in a completely different room and frustrated that you didn't have the time to finished what you set out to do.
(whew! long, run-on sentence).

Well here's a little trick that will help keep you on task. The incredible, non-edible, egg timer. DING!

Say you decide you are going to sort out your closet and you begin to pullout all your clothes and lay them on your bed. You find your daughter's toy in there and take it to her room. While in her room, you see her clothes are scattered all over the floor. You pick them up and take them into the laundry room. We'll you mind as well start up a load. mmmm ... as you walk past the kitchen you have the munchies and have a little snack. Your phone rings and your best friend asks, "Whatcha up to?" (This reminds me of the book "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.")

Well you were organizing your closet about an hour ago, now you're pretty much fed up with the project because it just never seems to get finished. Try using a good old fashioned egg timer to keep yourself on track.

There are all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. The key is that your timer makes some sort of noise. Hey, there's even "an app for that" (for iPhone app click here).

Now with your egg timer set for say 15 minutes, begin your project. If the timer goes off an you are still working, EXCELLENT! Reset you timer and continue. If your timer goes off and you are in the kitchen having a munchie, time to get back on task.

What did you time yourself doing?