The Value of Baby Steps

On Easter Sunday I had quite a shock when I discovered that my accountant wanted my 2011 taxes submitted by the end of the week. I didn’t know how I would ever make the deadline. I was always planning to get to it. I don’t know how many time s I said, “I’m going to finish my taxes today”. But in my mind, I still had a couple of weeks, not a couple of days. Birthday parties and the holiday celebration were my top priorities. Taxes hadn’t made it on to my radar yet.

Monday morning, bright and early, I got to it. The bulk of my expense entries were already in place; I maintain my tax records throughout the year. But sometimes the day-to-day gets a bit overwhelming , and some important tasks, (in this case, tax entries), slip through the cracks. I had some homework to do. Miraculously, juggling work and family, I was able to finalize my tax package within two days and get it into my accountant with time to spare.

In the end, it all worked out because I had been taking small steps along the way to keep my taxes in order. We can’t underestimate the benefits of doing a little bit of something at a time, no
matter how tedious it may seem.

Ironically, I came across one last receipt this morning. As I vowed to never again mismanage my time with regard to recordkeeping, I wondered if that final charge would make it into my 2011 tax return, or if it would remain a reminder for the coming year.

Goal Setting

Last month's post looked at the importance of planning your (organizing) projects. The first thing to do was to set yourself a goal. Before a Professional Organizer begins working with you, they need to understand what you want. Unfortunately, the direct approach seldom works. Whenever I've asked a client "What's your goal for this space?", they look at me for a moment then reply, "I want it to be organized".

Understood, but let's dig a bit deeper. What does organized look like? Can you articulate your vision of organized? Remember: this is specific to you/your family, in the context of the room you want to organize.

In setting goals for your organizing project, we need to identify that which is specific, attainable and measurable. For example, do you want the kids to help themselves to snacks without the kitchen looking like a war zone? (This would be a specific goal). Then let's discuss ways for your kids to achieve some autonomy, while still being responsible for putting things back where they came from. If we can get the snacks in the right-sized container, and put that container in a place that's easy for the kids to access, we may have solved one organizing dilemma. (This is how we hope to attain the goal).

One of two things will now happen when the kids help themselves to snacks: they will leave the kitchen in an impeccable state, or they will still leave the kitchen in a shambles. (This is how we determine/measure whether we've attained the goal). If the kids don't immediately embrace the changes, don't worry. We haven't failed: we've learned something about the kids and how they function in the kitchen. This is our opportunity to teach new behaviours to the kids, or modify the solution -- or both.

The goal of a pristine kitchen is still attainable. We just need to determine how to achieve it. Remember that change takes time. It can be time to find the right solution, time to learn a new way of doing things. Regardless, with patience and a bit of Q & A, we can achieve our organizing goals.

The Importance of Planning

I love the rush that accompanies just about any accomplishment. Getting things done is incredibly satisfying. But in my haste to reach a goal, I, like many others, will start a project for which I have not fully prepared. Truth is, planning isn't fun. Planning requires much thought, and thought is considered inactivity. We want action!!! But planning also means that we will likely encounter fewer setbacks when we finally do get rolling.

Many people embarking on an organizing project say, "I'm ready! Let's get started! Can we get this done in a week?" Slow down friends. I greatly admire your enthusiasm and wish you success beyond your wildest dreams, nota bene, there are a few things to consider before diving in.

1. Set yourself a goal. It can be a goal for the first hour that you organize, a goal for the closet, a goal for an entire room. It can be a short-term goal, long-term goal, or combination of the two. Goal-setting is extremely important. If you don't have something to strive for, how will you know when you've got it? Reaching your goals and, more importantly, celebrating your accomplishments, will keep you motivated. And anyone who has tackled a big project knows that motivation is what keeps you moving forward.

2. Have realistic expectations. If you are trying to empty the third floor bedroom that no one has entered in 15 years, lugging boxes down the stairs will wipe you out. You will become tired, need to rest, drink more water and generally move slower than desired. Consider this before you start and you are less likely to be discouraged by your own limitations.

3. Measure. Whether buying new furniture, shelving, or containers, always measure before you shop. There are enough storage and organizing solutions out there to make your head spin. The reality is, you may fall in love with one that just doesn't fit down the stairs, or makes it impossible for you to close the cupboard door. Be familiar with the dimensions of your space, before you spend your cash. This will allow you to use your time effectively organizing your space, instead of standing in the Returns line.

These three tips will get you in the right head space and save you much frustration. Having a good foundation from which to start will aid you in making decisions and, dare I say it, overcoming challenges.

9 Common Myths about Clearing Clutter

Have you read The Happiness Project? This much-talked about book has finally captured my attention. I'm only just starting out, but was pleased to see that today's blog post was about one of my favourite topics: clutter!! Check out Gretchen's 9 Common Myths about Clearing Clutter; her words may help you to make peace with your own clutter.

Outdoor Play

Organizers frequently help their clients to establish a drop zone for each family member to put their stuff as they walk through the door. This provides a guideline as to the acceptable size and location of the piles that can appear at the front entrance.

But I’m finding that at this time of year, the focus shifts from the drop zone to a smooth exit. Not following? We travel light in the warmer months. No coat, hat, scarf, mitts. We have less to “drop” when we get home. But preparing to go out still poses some challenges – particularly if you’re getting young children out the door. How often have you been ready to walk out the door, then needed to run back upstairs to get sun block?

To save yourself some time and keep the family moving, why not store some of the things needed for outdoor fun and safety at the front door? The same basket used for your winter woollies can just as easily contain suntan lotion, a hat, sunglasses, sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Ask yourself what things you always have to run back in the house for, then try to find a way to store them within a few feet of your main entrance/exit. And just to be safe, throw in a box of Band-Aids.

Bringing the Inside Out

At this time of year even the busiest of us will take a moment to stop and smell the roses -- or the tulips, lilacs and whatever else blooms early in the season. Many will snip the blooms of their favourite spring flower and place them in a vase to be admired indoors.

But what about preparing our outdoor living space for the coming season? It's just as important to take some practical and often overlooked items from inside our homes, outside. A stash of old towels stacked in the shed or garage will come in handy when patio furniture needs to be hosed and wiped down. Even if they're needed only a few times throughout the season, they'll be close at hand.

And when you're arranging shovels, clippers and pruners, why not add a pair of kitchen scissors to your arsenal of gardening must-haves? When it comes time to top up the soil in your pots or beds, you could demonstrate your strength and endurance by wrestling with a bag of potting soil until you're blue in the face, or hack at it with another gardening tool. But wouldn't it be simpler to quickly cut it open with a pair of scissors?

So, the next time you peruse the interior of your home, contemplating the usefulness of the things you see, consider a donation to your outdoor living zone, before you cart anything away to a thrift store.

The One-In-One-Out Rule

If you've ever sought advice on how to control your clutter, you've likely heard about the one-in-one-out rule. The concept is simple: When you acquire something new, discard something old. This works well for clothes, shoes, books and much more. It's an especially useful rule to apply to toys.

If you have children, you know how quickly their play area can be overrun with toys. You also know how easily a toy falls from grace when replaced with something new. And come January 15, no matter how organized an individual you are, you may find yourself sifting through a mountain of toys, old and new, asking yourself, "Where did all this stuff come from?"

As a parent, you have a choice. You can gather up some neglected toys on the sly and remove them from your home. Fingers crossed, you won't be found out. I've tried this and gotten busted. So, I've adopted a different approach. I involve my son in the process. If, for whatever reason, we've acquired a few new toys, I wait a week or two, then have a chat with the little man. I pull out a couple of toys that haven't been touched for months, preferably those that are no longer age-appropriate, and gently suggest that since he's having so much fun with his new thing-a-ma-jigger, that it might be a good time to donate a long forgotten toy, so that another little girl or boy can enjoy it.

By involving my son, I hope to accomplish a few things.
1. Keep the task manageable, by donating only a few things at a time.
2. Teach him the simple behaviour of identifying things that matter.
3. Get him comfortable with the idea of keeping only those things that are still used and enjoyed.

If all goes well, by the time he's my age, he'll be a pro.