Clutter Conversions

Classes are coming to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County VA!

Clutter Conversions, LLC Classes and Seminars are coming to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County VA. I have been repeatedly asked, "Kathryn, when are you going to present classes and seminars in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg VA?"
Well, they are now available!
Click on "Upcoming Classes and Seminars" to find a class that suits you and see how to register.
I look forward to seeing you there!

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!

Boosting Sales and Productivity in a Down Economy

Hosted By

Kathryn McMillan, Clutter Conversions, LLC Owner

&

Jim Blair, President of Jim Blair and Associates

      Are you struggling to find new and inexpensive ways to market your business, to bring in new clients or get your your message out there?  Do you find yourself struggling to get more done with less resources and time?

     This is part one in a three part series designed to help you increase your business sales and productivity in this down economy.  The series will focus on the new marketing rules and why we need to follow them to be successful.
     It will also focus on topics that increase office efficiency in the areas of office layout, paper/filing issues and interruptions that can cost a business numerous amounts of wasted time thereby losing productivity and potential new clients.

March 25th - Part One

Topics:

• The Right Marketing Message Gets More Attention

• The Three Zones of Any Office - Learn what they are and how they can have a serious effect on your productivity

Click on the link below to register or RSVP.

(Register Now)

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!

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.

Holiday Organizing Tips

Gifts

Prepare a list: who you are buying for, what are you getting them and how much money do you plan to spend on them.  This will help you purchase items that are usable and wanted for someone and keep you within your budget.  Gift buying should be completed 2 weeks before the Christmas and wrapped one week before.

Decorations

Avoid stashing everyday household items in closets and cabinets, by storing them in the containers that your holiday decorations were stored in.  Think safety when decorating!  Do not set items in areas that people can trip over or knock off and break.

Entertaining

If you entertain during this time, make sure your walkway and entrance is well lighted.  Turn the heat down two hours before guests arrive.

Meal Preparation

Prepare your menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas now.  Make a list of items you need to prepare both meals and compare to what you already have.  Double batch anything you can and freeze if you are going to serve it for both meals.  Ask yourself what you can do before such as setting the table or cooking items the weekend before your meal.

Following these few tips can help you enjoy your family and friends more during the holiday season while decreasing stress and saving money.

Preschoolers and Toddlers - Preparing for the day

The two key components in getting the day started off well when dealing with preschoolers and toddlers is to establish morning routines and minimize distractions.

Preschoolers really benefit from a morning routine!  They are at the age where you can begin to mold them to be an organized individual and you can teach them about making decisions because they want to help with just about everything. Various morning routine charts can be found at www.suite101.com.

Kids learn by example and by making choices so leave enough time in the morning schedule for them to do as much as possible on their own.  Do not rush them.  Let them help pick out their clothes for the next day and sit them out so they can put them on themselves in the morning

Keep the items that distract your child out of sight.  They are easily distracted at this age by their toys and books and they do not have any understanding of time or schedules.