Organized and Stylish: Cute Counts with this versatile Kate Spade Zipper Pouch

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Disclosure: I am affiliate for many of the products and services that I recommend. When you click on the link on my site and purchase the product being offered I will receive a percentage of that purchase, at no extra cost to you. If you feel uncomfortable, please go directly to the site for purchase. 

 

Kate Spade Zipper Pouch

Staying organized on the go is easy with this versatile zipper pouch.  We are all busy with lots of travel, work away from the office, and other commitments.  The Kate Spade zipper pouch is functional and fun for a variety of purposes.

  • Keep organized on the go by filling your pouch with pens, pencils, scissors and tape for an anywhere office.
  • Travel with sample size toiletries in your overnight bag with this pouch.
  • Your zipper pouch can keep your cords and technology together between work sites.
  • The pouch is perfect for makeup in your purse.  Simply consolidate all your lipsticks, eye makeup and base to carry to and from work or play.

And what could be cuter!  I love the eyeglass theme because of its sophistication!  You are well prepared for any event with this.

being offered I will receive a percentage of that purchase, at no extra cost to you. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, please go directly to the site of the product. – See more at: https://professional-organizer.com/WordPress/2013/09/05/organized-and-stylish-cute-counts-with-this-file-tote-organizer-for-paper/#sthash.AJ8CIlvk.dpuf
Disclosure: I am an affiliate for many of the products and services that I recommend. When you click on the link on my site and purchase  the product or service being offered I will receive a percentage of that purchase, at no extra cost to you. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, please go directly to the site of the product. – See more at: https://professional-organizer.com/WordPress/2013/09/05/organized-and-stylish-cute-counts-with-this-file-tote-organizer-for-paper/#sthash.AJ8CIlvk.dpuf
Disclosure: I am an affiliate for many of the products and services that I recommend. When you click on the link on my site and purchase  the product or service being offered I will receive a percentage of that purchase, at no extra cost to you. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, please go directly to the site of the product. – See more at: https://professional-organizer.com/WordPress/2013/09/05/organized-and-stylish-cute-counts-with-this-file-tote-organizer-for-paper/#sthash.rwgkuqW0.dpuf

Share a Little (Organizing) Love

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organizing

 

The month of February is all about hearts, flowers, candy and love.  There’s a lot to love about organizing and productivity! Organizing is a gift you give yourself and a gift to others. In the book, The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman refers to as gifts of service and gifts of quality time. An “act of service” is doing something for another person as an expression of love.  A “gift of quality time” is spending time together.  A gift of organizing is a small act that makes a big emotional impact to us, to our colleagues and to our family.   Share a little (organizing) love this month. Here’s a small sampling of these ways to get organized and share some organizing love.

  • Family dinner time together is often a shared act of love. It’s a gift of service for those who prepare the meal and clean up and a gift of quality time together.  Start with an easy meal plan and use a list or grocery app.  Organize and label your pantry so everyone knows what’s available and it’s easy to make dinner. Partner with a family member to make dinner and clean up together.  I love the FamilyDinnerProject.org to find easy meals and table topics.
  • There are many acts of service as part of organizing. Here’s some gifts of love to do. Put away another family member’s laundry for them. Do one of your family chores for someone.  We all love it when we have one less thing to do and that someone has helped us do something hard to do. What small gift, like unloading the dishwasher or vacuuming the car, can you do that will make your family or friend feel loved?
  • Our blessing others with our goods is an act of love. In the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo encourages us to keep only what “sparks joy.”  Marie is sharing to keep only what we love. Take donations to a local charity with your family and see together the impact it can make.  Our community is blessed to have so many ways to help others.
  • Organizing can be quality time together and lead to better productivity. Work together with a family member or friend to declutter a space. Listen to their ideas and help them make decisions and know what to let go.  Or you can work alongside your friend or family member as a “body double.” My clients share stories that when they are organizing, just having another person in the space tethers them to the task, helps them think through ideas and helps them get organized. Set aside time each day during homework time with your kids. While they are doing their work, you can work on your paper work and administrative tasks.
  • Share your gift of service by working on a family project together. Work together on a service project for a local philanthropy. When you model acts of service, you are sharing important values and giving back to our community.

 

The true gift of organizing is the connection you create with your family and friends. Just as important as words of love, these acts of love make an impact every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. Your little (organizing) love lasts all year!

 

 

What kind of (organizing) love do you share?

Organizing Your Paper: Annual File Organizing and Decluttering

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annual file and paper organizing

The new year is the best time to organize your paper. It’s a fresh start and it’s time to review your existing system.  Lot of my clients ask me what to keep and for how long.  Clients are keeping papers in archive longer than before just because “life happens.”

 

At this time of year I like to do an annual archive session for files.  Not only does it open up space in your files, it keeps your files from being out of date and unused.  Your files are meant for reference and retrieval.  Your archive files are for long term storage.  Files are kept in file drawers, while archive files can be kept in plastic file totes (affiliate link Tax time) and stored in less accessible spots (such as the back of a closet or the attic.)  It’s easiest to archive by year, so January is a great time for this annual file organizing.

 

  • Start with a plastic file box with hanging files.
  • Remove papers from your files and clip together with a binder clip.
  • Categories of papers to remove include:  credit card statements, utilities, and medical explanations of benefits.
  • Place tax related papers in folder and label it TAXES 20XX.  Place it in an easy to access spot for later this month.
  • Label the exterior of the bin with that year.
  • If you find papers from previous years, create a box for each and label it with the previous year, one year per box. For tax purposes you want to go back 7 years. For other records, you can decide what works best for your needs.

 

Voila! Your files have space and you can start the new year ready to file!

 

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– See more at: https://professional-organizer.com/WordPress/#sthash.ykHaCYDf.dpuf

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– See more at: https://professional-organizer.com/WordPress/#sthash.ykHaCYDf.dpuf

Organizing your Papers: Tax Time Tips

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tax tips

It’s that time again!  It’s easy to procrastinate.  Incoming mail shouts out “Important Tax Papers Enclosed.”  There’s no avoiding it, it’s time to get organized for your taxes.  It’s better in baby steps with these tax time tips.

Create a master file for all tax related papers
Even before your 1099 papers arrive, start a master file using an expanding accordion file (affiliate link) or file folders.  Label the files with the important tax categories –W-2 information, interest and dividend income, capital gains and losses, charitable donations, medical and dental expenses, deductible business expenses, and miscellaneous deductions (educational expenses, safe deposit boxes, financial planning). Even before your papers arrive, this file will be their “home” and papers will not get lost! And to prepare for the current year, begin a master file for incoming documents for the current year, so you will not have to search for them at this time next year.  Not sure what papers you will need? Turbo Tax has a list for you!

Set aside time on your calendar to collect tax related information
At the beginning of February, mark your calendar for a 2 hour tax session with yourself! Go through your checkbook, bank statement and files to find important items to copy for accounting purposes. Three weeks later, mark another 2 hour tax session to wrap up those loose ends and file your documents in your master file. If you use an accountant, you are ready to send in your papers.  If you file yourself, break your filing sessions into manageable chunks like 2 hour sessions too!  You can always break these sessions into one hour segments too.  Most importantly marking these on your calendar commits you to work.

Use technology as your assistant
So much has changed about paper and the IRS.   You can use scanned documents as records for your tax deductions. According to the IRS, “The electronic storage system must also index, store, preserve, retrieve, and reproduce the electronically stored books and records.”  You can scan any kind of paper and receipts as back up documentation. If you choose to scan, be sure you back up your documents and create an online file system that you can easily use and access.

There are lots of other ways technology can help.

  • Can’t find your most important tax papers? Look online for your property tax payments and mortgage interest expense.  It’s easy to locate these records on your mortgage or banking websites.
  • Medical expenses are easy to track online at your medical provider’s website.
  • Need values for your donations?  Click online at TurboTax Its deductible Online Charity Tracker.  It’s a free, easy to use online tracker for your donations throughout the year.
  • File electronically with the IRS is the way to go.  Upon receipt, you will receive confirmation. Keep the confirmation with your tax papers, just in case.

Tax time and tax preparation is much easier by being organized.   After you are done, treat yourself to a little reward!

Need help with your tax preparation?  Let me assist you.

Enjoy a little time away from your taxes.  Check out my pinterest pages Warm Winter Fun!

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5 Tips and Tricks for Time Management

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time management

 

Are you at a loss at the end of a busy day and feel like you have accomplished nothing? Feel distracted by interruptions including co-workers and email?   Whether you work at home or work outside the  home, it’s time to be proactive about your time.  It’s the distractions and interruptions that take away a lot of our time, as well as the last minute requirements from those around us.  Here are 5 tips and tricks for time management to get you started on difficult tasks and project.

 

Time assessment

It can be hard to know how long a project will take.  Mapping out a plan can help.   Write out each step and the amount of time it will take to complete.  Assign completion dates, including the final completion date.  Get started on your project by breaking this into manageable pieces on your calendar.  Start early to give yourself a buffer.

Time blocking

Setting a specific time can help you start or complete a project. Just like an appointment with a doctor,  setting an appointment with yourself helps you work on a specific task.  Block out the time and keep it sacred to use for a task that requires lots of brain power.  Start with the first time slot of the day so you can be sure nothing interrupts you too.

Day of the Week

Our jobs require so many different activities and focus.  Set a day of the week to do a certain task or project all day.  It might be Money Monday or Financial Friday.  By having a priority for the day, you can put aside other details and distractions.  Or leave Monday or Friday open just to close the loops and projects.

Timers

A time timer or kitchen timer can help you start or finish a task.  Set it for 15 minutes and just do it.  Set the timer three times like this and you have worked 45 minutes total.  If you need more time,  start this process again the next day.

Power periods

My favorite tip for starting and completing projects is a power period. It is a one hour slot of uninterrupted time to work on difficult and thoughtful projects. It works for me because in an hour I feel I have accomplished a great deal. Then I can give any project time to percolate and some back refreshed with a new perspective on the work.  I use as many power periods as I need to reach completion.  I start very early on projects so I have time to add at the end, just in case.

What tips and tricks do you use for  productivity and time management?

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Time Management and Your Weekly Planner Printable

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weekly planner printable

 

Weekly_Planner

Try a new view of your life this year! The weekly planner printable page will help you create order in your life.

  • Set aside time before the week begins for your weekly planning time.
  • Write everything down.  It’s much easier to get tasks done when you are not trying to remember everything.
  • Prioritize what is most important this week to keep on track.
  • Lines for writing 6 To Do items each day. 
  • Jot down Phone Calls to make.
  • Schedule and record Meetings and Meeting times throughout the week.
  • Plan your dinner ideas, including main and side dishes.
  • Sections for daily exercise.
  • Track your cleaning schedule for the week.
  • Make note of items To Buy and bills To Pay.
  • Get ahead for next week with notes about upcoming events, tasks, and calls.

Enjoy your weekly planner printable! Let  me know how your week is shaping up and how things are going.

 

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Small and Big Changes for 2014

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change

One of the most powerful parts of social networking is the connections and collaborations we make! I asked my social media peeps to share their small and big changes this year.  I loved learning a little more about each of them and what the new year holds for them.

The one change I would like to make in 2014 is to change my way of thinking.  I’m generally a positive person, but as a woman, a wife and a mom, I see images of perfection everywhere. I want my change to be from within myself. I want to eliminate the negative self-talk that is so damaging. I want to practice more thankfulness and gratefulness and I want to be more present in my life and slow down to simply enjoy the little moments that make up each day.”

Joanie Zisk, Food/Travel Writer, Blogger at www.zagleft.com

Twitter: twitter.com/ZagLeft

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ziskjm/

Facebook: facebook.com/zagleft

 

 

My expectation for 2014 is to train myself to just “GO”… When it comes to projects/ideas/dreams, I am strong at “ready” and “set,” but often flail in the action. Fear and self-doubt are two big enemies. What am I afraid of? I plan to achieve both personal and professional growth this year taking “go” to the next level. I will stop second-guessing the outcome and just do it!

Vicki Powers

Journalist, Blogger

@HOUcheap, facebook (HoustonOnTheCheap), Pinterest.com/HoustonOnTheCheap 

 

 

One of my three words for 2014 is Nourish. For me, this covers a multitude of areas – health, fitness, stress management, life management and self-care. Instead of saying I’m working out so many days a week, I have opted for the overall theme of Nourish. As I make both small and big decisions in 2014, I ask myself: Does this Nourish me? As Jason Womack says, I’m giving myself the gift of my own attention.  

Janice Marie Simon, MA, CPO

Certified Professional Organizer

Twitter @janicesimon

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/janicesimon

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/janicesimon/

 

 

This year I have sent my mind to become better at 3 things:  golf, yoga and painting.

 Geralin Thomas

Organizing Consultant

Twitter:  @Metrozing,

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+GeralinThomas/pos

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Geralin/

 

2013 was a big year of change for me both personally and professionally which left me working all the time! One big change I am taking small steps to do is to not work as much. I only have a few years left before my kids head off to college (or whatever awaits them after high school) and I don’t want to look back and say “I wish I had spent more time with them”. So far it is going well… keep your fingers crossed.

Kathy Jenkins, Certified Professional Organizer and Certified Family Manager Coach

Professional Organizer and Student Organizing Expert

@ComeToOrderVA

Facebook.com/cometoorder

Pinterest.com/cometoorder 

 

What are you small and big changes for 2014?

14 Productivity Tips for 2014

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productivity tips to help you be more efficient and effective

A new year means a fresh start! Each year we want to be more efficient, effective and productive so we can be more balanced and be our best.  It’s the combination of many tools, tips and techniques that help us with our productivity.  Review this list of 14 productivity tips for 2014 and see the strategies you are already using  and those you would like to use to create a new habit.

1.  Commit to a calendar you love.  A calendar not only helps you keep track of meetings and tasks, it also helps you create a plan for your week, month and year.

2. Record recurring events on your calendar to remind you about important dates.  These can include credit card and bill paying dates, expense and health flex plan due dates, and birthdays.  Using your calendar as a tool for tracking doubles its value to you.

3. Lists make life easier. Write stuff down to be free up your mind and be ready to work.   Use a spiral notebook or Evernote for lists.  Move tasks from email, post-it notes, voice mail or texts to one list to keep track of all you need to accomplish.

4.  Create checklists for weekly and monthly activities at home and at work.  Checklists are a great way to not re-invent the wheel.  It keeps you on track for projects and tasks that occur regularly, as well as getting things done throughout the week.  Easy to use checklists include grocery lists, travel lists, bill paying ledgers, and end of the month work checklists.

5. Choose the top  three of your Most Important Tasks (MITs) each day to accomplish.  How do you know what’s most important? It is the priorities you set.  In business it is usually about finances. Personally it is about family and values.  Choosing just three MITs a day ensures your success.  Whatever is the first task of the day is the one task you can be sure will be accomplished.

6. Set up a Power Period each day, as least once a day, without distractions.   A power period helps you get tasks done, helps you be more creative, and helps you complete difficult tasks and projects.

7.  Triage email three times daily and add tasks from email to your action list.  It’s easy to spend too much time on email so keep to a schedule to use your time more effectively.

8. Create a command center for your papers.   Triage papers daily and set a one hour weekly admin time for paper at home.  Having a center where papers that require action are altogether makes it easy to find them and do what is required.  Spending a little time daily and one hour weekly helps make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

9. Establish weekly routines at home and work.  At home these include what days are grocery shopping and laundry.  At work these include weekly reports and staff meetings.  You can assign days like Money Monday, Wash it Wednesday or Financial Friday to keep it fun too! Write these on a checklist where you can see your assignments for you and your family.

10.  Leave a little white space in your calendar for relaxation and rejuvenation.  Many tasks do not go as planned.  Back to back activities wear us down.  Having a little time between tasks and activities lowers your stress.

11. Declutter your purse, satchel, backpack and your car weekly.  Declutter your purse at your command center.  Declutter your car while you are getting gas.  Help your kids declutter their backpacks into their binders.  It takes just a few minutes to do. Sometimes it is just trash that needs to be tossed, addresses and contacts to put in your smart phone, and cosmetics to put away.  Just five minutes makes all the difference.

12.  Host a weekly family meeting.  Family meetings are when everyone shares what is going on and what they need to accomplish.  It creates family cohesiveness and a team effort.

13. Post a family calendar in the kitchen for everyone to add their activities and remind everyone of upcoming events.  Your family calendar helps everyone work together and be on top of upcoming activities.

14.  Create partnerships at home and work.  We are all especially good at some things and not very good at other things.   When you are partnering, both you and your partners strengths come out, work gets accomplished more quickly and its more fun.  Partnerships at home include making dinner, doing the laundry and doing the dishes. Partnerships at work include all types of project management, weekly meetings or monthly or annual reviews.   The key is to communicate clearly and work together cohesively.

Nothing feels better than getting things done!

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3 Tips for a Productive Family Meeting

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3 tips for productive family meetings

 

 

School is in full swing.  Your kids have after school scouts and ballet.  Your work requires extra hours and your partner travels. How do you pull together your family for cohesiveness an collaboration? It’s time for your family meeting!   Follow these three tips for a productive family meeting.

What is a family meeting? It’s a time everyone gather together to share their upcoming activities, share family responsibilities, plan ahead as a family and have some family fun.  Set aside the eye rolling from either your kids or your partner as family meetings are an important way to stay on top of what is going on and prioritize your family unit.

 

Keep it short

No one wants to sit for hours in any meeting. Keep a quick agenda for your meeting. Start the meeting promptly and run through the calendars of each family member. Record this on a month at a glance calendar, either digital or paper.  This part of the meeting should be limited to 20 minutes max.Post it prominently where everyone sees the calendar regularly.   (Near food is good!)

 

Focus on positive communication

Next move on to family fun. Alternate who gets to choose the fun, including mom and dad.  Have a list of possible activities, in case there is dissension.  Whether it is a good old fashioned kick ball game, a walk, or a fabulous dessert, focus on positive communication and sharing.  There are no wrong answers to having fun! Acknowledging feelings and active listening create collaboration in families.  Promote a team attitude by working together and playing together.

 

Set a time that works

Family meetings can be any time of the week.  Setting aside a time to meet consistently is important.   It can be when your family is gearing up for the week, such as early Sunday evening.  It can also be when you are gearing down from the week, like Friday evening. Be sure it is a time everyone can attend and guard this time from other distractions.

 

My own kids recall our family meetings to this day! It has sparked their own versions in their homes, including High, Low and Dirt. This nightly conversation starter in my son’s  home has to do with what was good, bad and just plain interesting in their and their kids’ lives that day.

 

When can you start hosting a family meeting in your home?

Join me on my pinterest board with Command Center for Communication.

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