Clutter Conversions

Clear the Computer Clutter Now!

Now is the time to clear the computer clutter.  Take a look at your desktop.  Delete old files you have sitting there taking up space or move them to a file within your computer system.  Email.... you should not have any emails sitting in your inbox unless you have not read them yet or you use it as a storage place for emails that need action. Technically you should create a folder for emails that need an action but some people only have a few action oriented emails, so it is alright if you have less than 10.  At the end of the day you should have no more than 10 emails sitting in your inbox.

Clear out the "sent" box! That is a box we often forget about but its contents take up a lot of storage space on our computers.  If you sent an email to another person or client and it was important, copy the email and move it to a file within your filing system in your computer.

Do not forget to clear out the recycle bin occasionally also.

I use yahoo mail and can clear out my boxes by clicking on the "select all" tab and then "delete" and it only deletes those on that page, not my entire box.  Start from the oldest page and work towards the most recent.

While you are at it, take a look at all the items you have stored under "documents".  Are any of them duplicated or no longer needed?

Become friends with the "delete" button and don't forget to "backup" your files regularly!

Get Rid of the "I don't have time" mentality!

This is the time of year I hear so many people say, "I want to go on a trip or I want to get rid of of all the stuff in my spare room but I just do not have the time!"  If you do not plan time for it, it will most likely not happen.  No matter what it is you want to do.

Schedule time to do the things you want to do in your planner.  Some of my clients that use their cell phones for scheduling often leave out the little things and do not put it in their schedule.  If you want to do something, no matter how little or much time it takes, mark it in your schedule.  My clients do not think to put things like, running to the grocery store or some alone time in their schedule and then they are surprised when it does not happen.

We all only get 24 hours in a day!  Use it wisely!  Make a list of things you want to do (goals) in the next three months.  Under each item, list the things that need to be done to reach that goal.  Then go through your planner and start scheduling time to do each thing on your list that is going to get you to your goal.

Word of Caution!  Do not schedule more than 50% of your time in your schedule because you must leave unaccounted time for unexpected things to pop up.

 

 

Why do people dread the Holidays?

I find that many people dread the holiday season for many reasons but the most common one is due to having too much stuff to get done and the cost.

I am writing this now because now is the time that you should start preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Here are four quick tips but many, many more will be offered in my "Get Organized for the Holidays" class.

1) Create a Christmas shopping list in January. The list should contain the name of people you know you will want to buy things for at Christmas and an idea of what you may want to give them.  Start purchasing items in January and shop throughout the year.

2) Learn to say "NO".  You can not possible attend everything everyone invites you to and you can not do everything all by yourself.

3) Make time for your self!

4) Prepare this year for next year.

 

To register for this class log onto www.clutterconversions.com under classes and seminars.

Why is this task or project not getting done?

     Most of us have a task or project we want to do but keep putting it off.  If you are a business, it may be that you want to organize your desk, files or storage area.  If your project is at home, you may be putting off painting a room, cleaning out the garage or planting a garden. 
Below are a few reasons that may be stopping you from getting the task or project completed.

• Do not know where to start - generally start with the area that is closest to you on your right and work yourself around the space.

• Overwhelmed - break it down into smaller tasks. Use timers to help you work for short periods of time.
  

• ^{No Plan - answer these questions: what items are needed, who do I need to help me, how much money do I need, what tools is needed and how much time can I spend on it? Once you have answered these questions, mark it on your calendar to do it.}
  

• Do not know how to do the project - research the project or ask a professional for assistance or guidance.

• What to do with items no longer needed - before you begin, figure out how you are going to deal with the trash, where are you going to take donations or how are you going to get items back to the original owners?  Again, you can research local nonprofit organizations or ask a professional.

• Fear - I may not do it perfectly or I may fail to finish or meet someone's approval.  There is no such thing as perfection! If you follow the plan, you will finish. Finally, your approval is all that matters.  What matters most is that you are happy with the process and end results

     Once you have all these questions answered and a written plan, your stress will be decreased and beginning, implementing and completing your task or project will be a huge success!

Want to get organized but short on time?

     As a professional organizer I often hear people say, “I sure would like to get more organized but I just do not have the time.”  Contrary to what most people believe, getting organized does not have to take up a lot of your time!  There are many things that you can do when you only have a couple of minutes.

     Here are three things you can do that only takes five minutes and makes a huge difference in the appearance of your home, making it look organized and uncluttered.

1)      Make the Bed!  It is usually the largest item in the bedroom and if it is made, the room looks 75% organized and uncluttered.  You do not have to make sure the bed is perfect just pull the comforter back over the bed and put the pillows at the head of the bed.

2)      Clear off the Bathroom Countertops!  Put the toothbrushes in their holders and toothpaste away in the cabinet or drawer.  Slide make-up into the drawer, put combs and hair brushes in a drawer and pick up towels.

3)      Pick up Laundry!  Hang up clothes; put clothes in a hamper or drawer.  Do not leave them hanging on a chair, bedpost or thrown on the floor.  Place shoes inside the closet or under the bed.

 

These three things take less than five minutes to do daily and will make your house look more organized and uncluttered.  Just remember that anytime you have unexpected guests, they will most likely want to use your bathroom.  Now you will not have to worry what it looks like!

Project Go 2010 Was a Huge Success!

Valley Mission “Gets Organized”

 

On January 22^nd and 23^rd, Kathryn McMillan and Teresa Barr of Clutter Conversions, LLC in Staunton led a group of professionals in a volunteer project to re-organize and de-clutter four areas within the shelter.

 

"Having increased our capacity to 85-beds, and now regularly housing over 65 people, more than ever before, it is imperative that we make the best use of all available space to provide for the needs of the people we serve," said Wendy Shiflett, the Valley Mission's Public Relations Coordinator.

 

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) has designated the month of January as Get Organized Month.  "“Getting organized is one of the top New Year'’ resolutions people make, and with 4,300 NAPO members ready and available to assist, it is easier than most people think," ”said NAPO President Laura Leist.  “NAPO members have helped people put order to their lives during this month-long event by offering solutions for getting organized and hosting events nationwide.”

 

Kathryn McMillan and Teresa Barr teamed up with Jim Maust, owner of Venture Builders, Deb Mitchell, owner of the Design Group of Harrisonburg, and Home Depot’s Home Team Pros.  This team of professionals oversaw

the “GO Project” which utilized the skills of other professionals, volunteers, and shelter residents.

 

The enthusiasm of all involved made for two days filled with excitement and fellowship in a project that truly benefits Valley Mission.  We, at Clutter Conversions and the Valley Mission are so appreciative of the support we received from the community, and now that Valley Mission is better organized they can more accurately target our donation requests to further improve on the services we provide.  

Thank You To All Who Helped

 

We wanted to recognize all those businesses and volunteers that helped to make the “GO Project” such a success.

 

Venture Builders

The Design Group of Virginia

Home Depot – Home Depot Pros and products

Mill Cabinet Shop – for custom built cabinets

Community Bank

American Real Estate – Kendall & Betty Bennett

Staunton Wal-Mart

First Bank & Trust

Christ United Methodist Church Seekers

Amanda Whitehead

Bentley Commons in Staunton

Jerry Coffman

Global Puppet Ministries

Wanda Washington – Montague Miller Real Estate

Simple Elegance Catering – Brenda Vann

Brian Minninger

Augusta Free Press

Domino’s Pizza provided pizza for Saturday volunteers

 

Friday Volunteers                       

Kathryn McMillan, Teresa Barr, New Hope Church members,

Jim Maust, Deb Mitchell, T-Ann Johnson – (ActionCoach), Donna Stone, Tony McMillan and Valley Mission Residents     

 

Saturday Volunteers

Kathryn McMillan, Teresa Barr, Johnnie Barr (ActionCoach), Jim Maust (Venture Builders), Home Depot Pros (Jennifer Love, Kat Carr, Kali Carr, David Eustler), Cambridge Austin, Donna Stone, Tony McMillan, Dawn Hinde (Dawn’s Cleaning Service), Lee Ann Breeden, Paula Tyree and Oliver Patrick (Interim Health Care)                   

 

January is “GO” Month

“Getting organized is one of the top New Year’s resolutions people make, and with 4,300 NAPO members ready and available to assist, it is easier than most people think,” said NAPO President Laura Leist. “NAPO members have helped people put order to their lives during this month-long event by offering solutions for getting organized and hosting events nationwide.  This year it’s time to take action and Get Organized!”

During Get Organized Month, NAPO’s chapters and members will hold public events offering de-cluttering tips and filing methods throughout the country. Some events include reuse-and-recycle programs, organizing services, shred-a-thons, seminars, school outreaches and contests. Programming will take place in local libraries, bookstores and community centers nationwide.

According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of NAPO, respondents agree—getting organized is definitely a necessity. Of those polled, 71 percent said their quality of life would improve if they were better organized.

• 65 percent described their home as at least moderately disorganized.
• 27 percent said disorder keeps them from being effective at work.

I have teamed up with Jim Maust, owner of Venture Builders and Deb Mitchell, owner of  The Design Group of Harrisonburg to de-clutter and organize three areas for The Valley Mission located in Staunton, VA. The event will take place on Friday and Saturday, January 22^nd and 23^rd.

We are in need of monetary and product donations.  You can donate any amount of money you feel is comfortable or any of the following items:

***12 sheets of 3/4"plywood or OSB Board

***2 sheets of 1/2" plywood or OSB Board

***Clear plastic bins/tubs, shoe box to large 5 gallon size

***(4) Label maker tapes - Brother P-Touch 12mm 1/2" laminated white split back

***White wire shelving - 12 or 16' x 16" and brackets

The Valley Missions’ Public Relations Coordinator, Wendy Shiflett, states that “by building and installing shelving units and reorganizing donations, these storage rooms will become better organized, helping us to make better use of donations received, and more accurately target our donation requests.”

If you or your business would like to donate money or products to assist with this project please contact Wendy Shiflett at (540) 886-4673 or wendyshiflett@valleymission.net  or Kathryn McMillan at (540) 294-1523 or clutterconversions@yahoo.com.

New Years Resolutions

New Years Resolutions

Your very first New Years Resolution should be “I want to simplify my life so I can enjoy what is truly important to me.”  In order to simplify your life, you need to take a good, long, hard look at the things you have been doing in the past and decide if they represent your most important goals and values.  If they do not, then you need to stop doing them.  You have been wasting valuable time and energy!  Decide what you most important goals and values are (only 5-7), list them on a piece of paper and underneath each one, list the actions you need to take to achieve or reinforce your goals and values.  This list is what should fill your calendar.  These five to seven goals should be your New Years Resolutions!!

The first thing to do is create a plan!  Be specific when you describe your resolutions and make them measurable.  A New Years Resolution is just a starting point.  It should be a year-round project comprised of many small steps.  Break down large goals into smaller ones with time frames established.  Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan.  Remain flexible, things change constantly and you must be able to adapt to be successful. The second thing is to be realistic!!  Setting a New Years Resolution that is unrealistic will set you up for failure immediately.  Remember that "effective" time management will give you the time needed to achieve your goal.  You will feel proud and successful, as well as, be a healthier and happier person!  An important component to having a successful resolution is to make yourself accountable!  Tell anyone and everyone what your resolution is because most people do not want to look like failures.

Finally and most importantly, make New Years Resolutions that are truly important to you and NOT what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.

This is the weekend before Thanksgiving....What should I be doing??

You should already have your plans mapped out in your planner for the week. Cook your ham 24 hours early.
Roll dressing balls which can be refrigerated prior to cooking.
Prep potatoes and refrigerate them in a pan of salt water
Make desserts in advance. Many can be frozen up to a week. 
Check for items you can cook the evening before, refrigerate, and then warm up in the oven about an hour before you are ready to serve.
You may be able to set the table the night before or early in the morning.

Change of Season = Change of Clothes

     With the change of the season comes the changing of the wardrobe and if you are like most people you do one of two things. You leave all of your summer and winter clothes in the closet and drawers all year long or you switch out the clothes from storage based on the season.

     Here are some tips if you switch out clothes for the season. When storing away your summer clothes only pack up the ones you actually wore and donate the rest to Goodwill, Salvation Army or other charity, sell them in a yard sale or put them in a consignment shop and make yourself a little cash. Storing clothes that you have not worn for the season takes up valuable storage space.

     Use colored containers for storage and place an index card on three sides of the container and on the top listing its contents. Be cautious storing them in attics or basements due to humidity, dampness, bugs or rodents. Place wooden cedar pieces inside each container which are available at most home stores. If you do not have a lot of storage space but you do have a garage, you can purchase overhead ceiling hanging shelves for your garage. They are very durable and can hold up to 300lbs.

     Use the "hanger trick" to decide if you should pack up an item this spring. When you pull out your winter clothes and hang them in the closet, place the hangers on the rod with the opening of the hanger facing out towards you. Once you wear the article of clothing and go to hang it back in the closet, place the hanger on the rod the normal way. At the end of this winter season any clothes that are still on the hanger with the opening facing you, it is safe to assume you did not wear the item through the season and you should be able to donate it.