New Baby, New Routine

 

 

Bringing your new baby home is very exciting-especially if it’s your first child. The new addition also requires a lot more of your time and it is very helpful to establish a new routine and “Organize Your NEW World”. Do your best to plan a regular routine as soon as possible.

 

Here are a few tips to help you adjust:

 

• When offered help, don’t be shy, accept the help. Sharing chores with a family member or a good friend is always a great idea. It will give you time to unwind, take a relaxing bath or go for a walk.  

• There are many ways to comfort a crying baby other than rocking or swinging. A walk in the stroller, driving in a car or vacuuming while the baby is in your baby sling is other solutions.

• For quick, homemade meals try mashed potatoes or bananas.

• Pleasant, relaxing music in your baby’s room will help relax your child to sleep.

• Keep all baby items in one location. If all items are together, you will save time searching and avoid having to make an unnecessary trip to the store. Baskets or boxes will do the trick. You may not have to purchase a new basket, look around your home for something suitable. You may even find a suitable gift bag from your baby shower that is a perfect fit!

• Try to put the baby to sleep at a regular bedtime. During the day, try to nap when your baby naps 

 

Lurlene Anderson

 

www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

 

What's Your Sign?

There are several signs of procrastination:


• Unpaid bills and parking tickets

• Stacks of unused gift certificates

• Clutter

• Last minute shopping (and the stress that comes with it!)

• Piles, not files on a desk (and the wasted time searching)

Ever notice busy people get things done? They move at a quick pace but they are not running around in circles, moving or shuffling paper or things from one area to another. Ever wonder how they do it? They have a plan, they always know what they are going to do; they take the time to plan. They are prepared for those last minute monkey wrenches that suddenly appear at the worst possible time.

Why do you procrastinate?

I think procrastinators are rebels. Rebelling and delaying the obvious, making excuses. For example, do you ever hear yourself saying...? “Leave my things alone, if you clear my desk (or other appropriate location), I won’t be able to find anything!”

The truth is, it is there, you will find it, but how much time do you waste going through the piles of paper or stuff?

Most of us know that it is best to have the brakes of our vehicle checked and repaired before the damage becomes severe. If we wait, the cost to repair is a lot higher. If we ignore the problem, we pay for it. The same is true for clutter and your to-do list.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Give your tasks the attention!

• Set goals

• Set a realistic time frame

• Prioritize

• And finally, “Do it”! Or, better yet, hire someone to do it for you.

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer and Speaker

Practice What You Preach!

I practice what I preach, or so I thought. I am a firm believer in regular purging. I take pride in the fact that I control my clutter. I created a habit of clearing and purging my home on a regular basis. As I bring something new into my home, I take something out.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not a minimalist, but the clutter in my home is under control. As I write this sentence I am remembering that old phrase “things that make you go hmmm”.

My “awakening” occurred recently when a family member moved to her very first apartment. I remember how exciting it is to move to your new home but also how expensive and difficult it is to stock your new place with essential items. Wanting to help out I decided to pass on one or two items that I do not use. In the back of my mind, I thought it would be a difficult task as I am not a collector.

I started in the kitchen. I searched my kitchen drawers, cabinets and pantry. Here and there I discovered extra cups, glasses, serving utensils, extra oven mitts and even cans of food that are in the cupboard-just in case items. The small bag I had on hand soon had to be replaced with a larger, sturdier bag.

Wow! Did I just find all these extra things in MY kitchen? I felt good about passing these items on, but started to question myself and my own ability to purge.

Of course, I had to continue the process; so I found myself in my linen closet repeating the process. Two large (very large) bags later I completed my task.

I have to admit, I felt lighter. Something I visually witness with my clients when they are ready to purge. Just imagine the feeling of space and organization whenever you open your cupboard or storage area.

I enjoyed the learning experience. I was reminded just how easy it is to lose control over the “stuff” in your home. How quickly one or two items become many and the wonderful feeling that engulfs you have when you finally release your clutter.

Gift Certificates are for Giving

There are many commonalities when I work with my clients. Just to name a few: loose change, excess junk mail or an abundance of gift certificates. Today, I am compelled to discuss gift certificates.

Gift certificates are a great idea for the person who has everything. It can be extra special if it is for a favourite store.

When you receive gift certificates, I always recommend keeping them together in one location. Some ideas are a decorative basket, vase, dish or box, and within your sight. If they are kept together, you will save time (and money!) searching for misplaced valuable gift certificates.

If you accumulate too many, it is time to start using them. There are several ways to redeem the certificates.

1. Sale items

Check flyers for sales and save even more cash on your special purchase.

2. Treat yourself

What do you dream about constantly? What is your muse? Is there something you want but just don’t take the time to treat yourself? Recently I was given a coupon for one of my favourite stores, I was so excited by the thoughtfulness that it took me a few days to put the certificate to good use. It finally dawned on me that I should make the time to go out and buy the item I had been thinking about for the last 6 months or so. (Imagine that!) Every time I look at my new purchase it puts a smile on my face and I think fondly of my thoughtful friend who took the time to buy me the personalized gift certificate.

3. Pay it forward

There are many charities that could benefit from your gift certificate donation. Whether is used for much needed, essential items, it can also be used to raise funds. Not too long ago, I had the pleasure to serve on the Board for Girls Inc Durham. A non profit agency like Girls Inc can use the gift certificates to raise funds as an auction item.

However you decide to use your certificates, be sure to use them within 2 months. Don’t let them collect dust; enjoy and appreciate the gift of giving!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
Writer & Speaker
http://www.organizeyourworld.ca/
http://www.lurleneanderson.com/

Seven steps to a Clutter Free Christmas!

Christmas is a special time, a wonderful season and reason to spend time and catch up with family, friends and loved ones. It is also a time when you feel the most stress; too much to do in so little time. Here’s a few tips to help you clear the clutter in your home so you can look forward to entertaining.

You can clear your home with a check list of easy to do steps. Before you start, have bags and bins ready for sorting.

Step 1

Go through your home and put all the recycling in your recycle bin or bag.

Step 2

Gather all items you no longer use, love or damaged. Put all the usable items in a bag and donate to charity. A lot of Thrift Stores will pick up from your home; the pickup will help save you time for other priorities.

Step 3

Put all trash items together to be disposed.

Step 4

Put all the dishes in your dishwasher or sink to wash right away.

Step 4

Clear and wipe clean all table top and counter surfaces.

Step 5

Dust

Step 6

Wash the floors

Step 7

Clean the bathrooms. And remember to hang fresh, clean towels!

Organizing Just for YOU

Whenever I am asked what solutions I provide for my clients, I have to talk about the fact that there are several ways to organize based on personalized needs. I never provide the same solution for each and every client.


Everyone thinks and act differently, that is why getting organizing is such a personal process.

When you organize, you have to constantly keep in mind what will work best for you. After you sort and purge, you want to create a habit to maintain control of your clutter. Keep it as simple as possible; organize your things in a way that works for you.



There are 2 main activities that are the same for everyone- sort and purge.

Sort

Always have a clear space ready to sort. As you sort, pile like items with like (similar/same) items.

Purge

Purging is a very important and necessary process. I know it can be painful, but the benefits in the long run will be worth it. No pain, no gain.

Donate:

• Duplicates

• Anything you no longer use

• Anything you no longer love



Purge a second time and do not hold on to damaged or beyond repair items.



I also recommend that you purchase (if necessary) your organizing solutions (baskets, containers, pantry or similar items) after you have sorted and purged your items. You can then decide on products that are the correct size and avoid purchasing duplicates that you will have to return to the store (or forget to return!). In fact, you may not have to purchase something new-you may already have solutions in your home that will suffice. How wonderful would that be!



There are a plethora of products available to fit any budget. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on organizing products. Check flyers for sale items or compare prices before you buy.

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer,
Writer, Speaker
http://www.organizeyourworld.ca/
http://www.lurleneanderson.com/

Personalized Organization-Just For You!

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I really love the “Before” and “After” effect of organizing. When I work with a customer who is ready to roll up their sleeves to tackle their clutter, it inspires me. I love to be inspired by my clients.


Today I am inspired by a client with 2 young children who was anxious to get organized. I received a call from her two weeks ago, she was ready and willing to get started AND finish on her own but just didn’t know where to start. After visiting her home, I set up a personalized plan just for her, based on the space in her home and her needs. She was very motivated and I had complete confidence in her, I enjoyed being her cheerleader. She told me, that she would “make me proud”.

Keep in mind, with two children, one an infant with round the clock needs and a school age child to be dropped off in the morning and after school, it is difficult to find time in the day to focus on additional tasks. I am proud to say I received a call from my client today; she wanted me to see what she accomplished in 2 weeks. I give her a huge gold star and two thumbs up. She did an excellent job and is ready to entertain guests this weekend! I had a huge smile on my face as she showed me around her new space. I have to say, her smile was just as large as mine and yes, I am very proud of her!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
OrganizeYourWorld.CA

Need More Cupboard Space?

 A great solution for lack of storage is a pantry. In the past, a pantry was generally a separate room in the kitchen that was used to store food items-a storage area complete with shelving and a door. It is possible to purchase your own pantry and personalize it to suit your needs. There is a wide variety to choose from. Not to mention the array of colours and sizes; it is easy to find one that will fit perfectly into your space.


I am a firm believer in creative thinking and using items for different purposes. I just purchased a pantry for my kitchen and as I was putting it together, I began to think of the various uses for the one I purchased. It is a wood tone that would also be a great choice for a home office.

The benefit of a pantry is that it keeps items “out of sight” and therefore helps remove visual clutter from the room. Another great benefit is that the shelves are adjustable so you can control the height to store items by size.

Here are some ideas for “pantry” storage:

Kitchen

• Entertaining items such as serving trays, serviettes, paper plates & cutlery.

• Paper towels

• Recycle bin

• Bottles & cans

You can also store like items together in baskets. If you keep them together, you will see at a glance that you have enough and avoid duplicates and triplicate.

Home Office

• Paper

• Files

• Office Supplies

• Tax returns

• Manuals , notebooks & books

• Warranties

• Spare computer hardware, printer or parts

Laundry Room

• Detergent, fabric softener, bleach & spot remover

• Cleaning rags

Other uses

• Gift wrapping tools

• Sewing items

• Craft storage

• Christmas decorations

• Game storage

• Spare bedding & pillows


A final tip-Always store heavier items on the bottom shelf.



Lurlene Anderson

Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker

www.organizeyourworld.ca

www.LurleneAnderson.com

Organize and Clean in Minutes!

 

Years ago a group of friends rented a lovely cottage in a popular area. It was a great location, lots of space and great bedrooms for a large group of adults with children in tow. This particular group was very unique, we shared the “everything in its place” gene. We were quite upset that the rental was not up to our “white glove” status. We all keep our homes clean & clear, so at the beginning of our vacation we spent more time inside than outside. Why? We spent a lot of time putting things in order to our liking. You have to keep in mind, if you like having things in order; it is not a chore-it’s actually enjoyable. As our time there progressed, every time I walked into the cottage, it “sparkled” or “shined” a little more each time I walked through the door. The little things you do really make a difference.
What was the difference? We were all in synch; we all naturally and without a second thought, put things away as we used them and cleaned up after ourselves and our children. This sounds too simple but it really works!
Try these tips to make your rooms “shine”.

 

Remove any clutter from the room that has no purpose in the room

 

Dust all surfaces

 

Kitchen:

 

• Wipe down counter, fridge, stove and cupboard doors
•  Clear the sink. Wash or put dishes in the dishwasher
• Change the dish towel and dish cloth every third day or right after having guests 

 

Quick Tip:

Always keep the dishwasher locked after washing before putting dishes away. This helps avoid mixing clean with dirty. If the door is locked, everyone knows it’s time to put the dishes away, if it’s open, put dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher.


Bathroom:

• Clean all surfaces
• Change towels
•  Check to ensure you have extra toilet paper rolls

Last but not least...

Vacuum, sweep and mop floors.

 

Remember to:

• Put things away immediately
• Wipe down counters after putting dishes away
• If it doesn’t belong in the room, it shouldn’t be there!

Enjoy the shine!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
http://www.organizeyourworld.ca/
http://www.lurleneanderson.com/

Spring Painting

I paint on a regular basis, during the Spring or Fall season. With all the rain recently I decided to paint so I can enjoy the Sunshine when it comes. I KNOW it is coming!
I enjoy painting, it relaxes me and gardening does the same. It is best to know what you are doing before you paint-you want a professional look. Here are some tips to help you organize your painting session.

Do’s:

Before you decide on a colour, bring the chip sample home to test in your home with your regular lighting.

Start with dry clean walls, free of dirt, dust and mould. (If you have a few spots of mould, clean it completely with bleach and allow it to dry completely).

Purchase good quality paint and brushes. You will need a good brush designed for corners. I buy a straight line roller design for the area between the ceiling and the wall. I find them easier to use.

If you need to prime the walls, prime them, this is a step you definitely cannot skip.

Keep damp rags ready to use for minor spills or mistakes. You can wipe it clean if you use a damp rag right away.

Don’t:

Paint electrical and light switch plates

Forget to cover the floors and furniture before painting

Try to save money and buy cheap paint. It will be more difficult to use and you will not be happy with the final result.

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca
www.LurleneAnderson.Com

Spring Cleaning Tips

It’s springtime, or is it? With the temperatures fluctuating day to day, it’s hard to believe it is actually Spring. This is the time of year to roll up your sleeves and “Spring Clean”, or as I prefer to say “Spring Clear”. Everyone could use a few time saving tips to speed up the process, preferring to “get er done” during the rainy season to be able to enjoy the sunny weather.

Create your own to-do list with the following tips. If you choose to hire someone, be prepared with the list of things to do.

Main Closet

 Be prepared with bins to separate recycling, re purpose and donated items
 Move winter outerwear to an alternate closet, if available. If not, move winter items to the back.
 Donate items that are too small
 Do not keep damaged or mismatched items
 If necessary, install a shoe shelf. You will more than double the space for shoes

2. Refrigerator

 Wipe down shelves and walls with a solution of water & vinegar. For stains, try water & baking soda. Be sure to clean between the door
 Check expiry dates on all containers. Remove all expired and old food

3. Flooring

 Steam clean the carpets
 Clean baseboards

Walls

 Wipe down walls, start with a sponge and rinse with a cloth

Windows

 Clean the inside (Hey, it’s rainy season...) with water, vinegar, and squeegee. Dry with a cloth
 Wash curtains or clean blinds

When you’re done, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Speaker, Writer

http://www.organizeyourworld.ca/
http://www.lurleneanderson.com/

Organize Your Home

Are you afraid to invite anyone over due to clutter? Or apologize to unexpected guests for the mess?
It is very easy to become overwhelmed when clutter takes over. There is also a cure. You can achieve peace and harmony in your home if you make a commitment. It takes practice and if you are ready here’s a few tips:

1. Start small start in a small room or try in stages. Take it slow so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. You will begin to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” as you chip away bit by bit.

2. Create a habit to keep each room clear of items that do not belong in the room. Things that do not belong in the room should have a “home” in the appropriate room.

3. Put things away as soon as you return home. This will help keep your entrance clear and free of clutter.

For more ideas and solutions, visit www.LurleneAnderson.com

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.organizeyourworld.ca

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Is today the day that you are making a list of your resolutions for the New Year?

Are you thinking about a change? Has anyone asked you about your resolution today?

Every year, getting organized or spending more time with family and loved ones are one of the top ten.

Getting organized is actually a “habit” that you can develop with conscious effort and commitment. It takes 28 days to develop a habit, so why not commit to one change in your daily routine to create a new you for the month of January!

Start slow, here’s a list of small, baby steps to get you started:

• Make your bed each morning. (Even if you pull up the covers to your pillow, your bed will look better than an unmade bed)

• Put your keys in one location every time you walk in your door

• Clear your kitchen table each night

• Put your dishes directly in the dishwasher instead of the sink or wash your dishes right after dinner

• Designate one location for all your mail and put it in the same spot each day

• Recycle junk mail as soon as you receive it-put it in the recycling bin right away

• As you become more organized in your daily routine, you will find you have created more time to spend with family and loved ones. “Being organized can save you time”, according to the Fast Company magazine, Executives waste 6 weeks per year searching for misplaced documents!

This is my New Year’s gift to everyone-work on one resolution and you actually succeed in making two of your resolution wishes come true!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

Last Minute Christmas Tips

Do you feel time is running out? Don’t stress... Don’t panic...use these tips to help you enjoy the holidays!

Gifts

• Gift certificates are safe purchases but could appear “last minute” and not creative. To spice up the certificate, tape the certificate to a box of chocolates, or a practical item such as a candle, favourite bottle of shampoo or hand cream. Another option is to tape a gas certificate to a bottle of engine oil or windshield washer fluid
• Purchase a Christmas themed platter and Christmas cookies or dessert. Put the items on the tray and wrap in clear plastic wrap with ribbon.
• If you are giving a bottle of wine and do not have a wine bag, decorate the bottle with a ribbon or bow.

Wrapping

• Gift bags are always quick, easy & simple solution to wrapping gifts. They are great for re-use and the tissue paper can always be re-used as wrap for storing delicate Christmas ornaments.
• Clear plastic wrap is also great for last minute items. The wrap is usually sold in a three pack with a decorative tie-or you could use your own ribbon if you have some handy at home.
• As an alternative to ribbons, decorate gifts with candy canes, peppermints or small boxes of chocolates or cookies
• If you run out of Christmas paper, make your own with printer paper. Print a design or paint, draw or crayon your own design on the paper-personalize it!

Don’t forget to enjoy the holiday. This is a time to socialize and share the love with those near and dear to your heart-family, friends or both!

Entertaing Overnight Guests

Tis the season to be jolly! If you are hosting a Christmas celebration at your home, it is a good idea to be prepared for overnight guests. Sometimes you plan to have guests, other times it may be last minute due to weather conditions or excessive drinking. Whatever the reason-be prepared!

If you have a guest room, you are one step ahead of the game. If you don’t have a guest room, any spare couch will do. Inflatable mattresses are an easy economical choice for a quick spare bed.

The following items will help you be better prepared and create a comfortable environment for your guests:

• Books or magazines
• Bathroom amenities
• Spare towels
• Over the door hook for wet towels or clothing
• Extra pill or blanket
• Alarm clock
• Night light (very important for guests who may have to find the bathroom in the middle of the night)
• Water or other refreshments in room or on kitchen counter for easy access

It is also a good idea to be clear about boundaries and personal preferences. Not everyone wakes up at the same time-ensure breakfast or snack items are easy to find in the kitchen.

Enjoy your party!

Yesterday I cleaned my windows. I guess you could say I “cleared” my windows...

It always feels great after you clean your windows, the sun shines through a lot brighter and the air always smells and feels cleaner as the breeze blows through the windows. I had to remind myself of the benefits before I tackled clearing my windows yesterday.
Before I started, I assembled all my old towels and cleaning rags (damaged clothes that I cut into rags) and mismatched socks. I put old towels on the floor and placed the windows on them as I took the panes out of the windows. I always use many cleaning rags for cleaning the window because I like to clean the windows twice, once to remove the dirt and a second cleaning for the shine. Single socks are great for cleaning the hard to reach tracks of the window. Any difficult corners are cleaned with cotton swabs. I had my tunes on loud enough to hear as I moved from room to room. Some people sing in the shower, I sing when I work!
When I finished, I needed a hot bath, more good tunes but the choice this time is ballads, and the singing continues.
Today, the sun is not shining as brightly outside, but I am still enjoying the view and the air is perfect-almost as fresh as sitting outside. I am happy I motivated myself and enjoying my day off.
Next week I will get motivated for the next step in spring clearing. I know the benefits will be worth it!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

A Walk That Motivates!

One of my favourite times to walk is during the spring, especially on a sunny day with a cool, light breeze. Today was just one of those days. Everyone always appears to be in a good mood and will nod their head or give a quick smile and hello as they pass you by.
I just love to hear the different songs of birds in the trees and see plants in bloom. It is a wonderful season to witness new life and rejuvenation.
Today, I discovered I was smiling more than usual and really taking in the beauty of spring. It made me think of how I feel after I clear clutter. You know, those times when you clear space and you put everything in order. It always feels good to look at the renewed space and you keep sneaking a peak to enjoy it again and again.
The walk inspired me to tackle the pile of papers I need to shred and put in the recycling bin. I know when I finish I will have immense joy looking at the newly cleared space...

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

Organize Your Home with Spring Clearing

With warm weather just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to the opportunity to renew and refresh our homes with spring cleaning. I prefer to call this time period spring “clearing”, a chance to revitalize your space!
Spring cleaning is rooted deep in many cultures. Homes are cleaned thoroughly; everything in the household is cleaned and dusted. Windows, walls, furniture, bedding, rugs, floors, cupboards, closets, garage and basements are all included in the cleaning. It is a time to reinvigorate the home to help create a healthy lifestyle. In Chinese culture, homes are cleaned thoroughly to remove misfortune & bad luck. What a concept! I like to get rid of the old; it creates room for the new and exciting.
When I spring clear, I usually start with my bedroom closet. It is a time for me to look at my winter clothing and give away anything I haven’t worn that season and to throw away anything that is damaged. I usually add to my cleaning rag supply at this time. A lot of the fabric of my old clothing makes great dusting or cleaning rags. I use rags as much as possible instead of paper towels.
I alternate the clothes in my closet seasonally. I purchased an under the bed storage container for this purpose. A word or two of caution: measure the height of your bed before you purchase a container to ensure it is low enough to fit under your bed. There are also fabric storage containers if you prefer fabric to plastic.
Keep following for more tips!

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer, Writer, Speaker
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

Office Organization

A lot of my clients hire me because their business grew very quickly and they are overwhelmed with paperwork. Many of us would love to have the challenge of a successful business. A successful business requires effective procedures and systems. When adequate systems are not in place, the “blame game” or projection occurs. Frustration builds and you lose sight of the root cause of your current situation.

When assessing workflow, it should always be about the system, not about the person. If a company grows quickly without an adequate system in place, it becomes more difficult to “catch up” or to set up a system that should have been in place from the onset.

Here are a few signs that may indicate you are experiencing procedural issues within your business:

 Panic mode
 Offers of help not accepted
 Jumping to conclusions, quickly judging before looking at the facts
 Forgetting tasks
 Being in a reactive state instead of being pro-active
 Unable to take vacation

These are all indications of a challenge, it is best to uncover the source, and make the necessary adjustments.


Solutions:

 Make a list of what is working well and the challenges, and then correct it.
 Set up a system that you can maintain
 Keep it simple
 Always work your strengths and hire your weaknesses


Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca

What is a Professional Organizer?

When I am asked what I do I often hear "I need you to come to my house" or I am asked what is a Professional Organizer? What do you do?

It is not an easy question to answer. I offer many services. I help busy people who are overwhelmed or just don’t know where to start with their clutter and I help create a retreat in YOUR home or office.

Here's a short list of services:

o Home or office organization and setting up personalized systems to help maintain clutter. I organize based on my client’s needs, not my own.
o Personal assistant. I help busy entrepreneurs keep their office organized and appointments scheduled.
o Public Speaking to help deal with clutter or time management challenges.
o Published writer to provide tips to clear your clutter.
o Prepare homes for sale by painting, de-cluttering, staging and packing.

I love what I do and I am finding it difficult to choose my special niche. I’ll keep working on that...

Lurlene Anderson
Professional Organizer
www.OrganizeYourWorld.Ca