20WAYS - Getting Organized Magazine
Transcription
20WAYS - Getting Organized Magazine
GettingOrganized MAGAZINE www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com 20 TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME SANITY SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 WAYS TO SAY NO BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS 18 10-MINUTE TASKS ARE YOU A PERFECTIONIST? Chasing Perfection I n this issue we talk about perfectionism. I think I could have written that article myself! Each issue I read, re-read and edit items with the utmost of detail hoping to provide you with the very best issue possible. But as many of you many know from the last issue, I have recently began the adoption process for an adorable 4-year-old girl. And well, let’s just say a preschooler and perfectionism don’t really mix! I have learned to let “good” be good enough. I have learned that perfection takes quality time from your family. I have learned to set my priorities and do the very best I can with the time given. In this issue, we also discuss how to say “no,” which is also very important. I haven’t really had an issue with that myself, but now that I have my daughter to consider I do find myself saying no to work tasks I would have normally taken on. As our checklist states, it’s ok to say no sometimes and it’s OK to protect your personal time. This can be especially important during the summer. For some reason summer schedules are packed to the limit every year. Kids and parents are running from place to place, vacations to summer camps and never really getting a chance to enjoy their time off or their families. I encourage all of you to look at your calendar right now and say “no” to something you have scheduled. Take that time instead to just relax. Relaxing is ok, too! On page 25 we talk about paper planners. I am sure some of you will read this article and think we have lost our minds! Paper?! But as the article points out, there are a lot of benefits to writing things down rather than putting them in your electronic devices. I still have a paper planner and was just talking to a friend the other day about this very same issue. She is “trying” to convert to her iPhone, but is still a paper person at heart. I am not sure when this “digital peer pressure “ began, but I for one won’t stand for it! I am a paper person and proud to be. I believe you should use whatever method works best for you and yours. Getting Organized Magazine 15600 NE 8th St. Suite B1 #602 Bellevue, WA 98008 (360) 499-6260 www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com Publisher Stacey Anderson Board of Advisors Whitney Keyes Mayna Sgaramella McVey Editor Lisa Quinn Administrative Assistant Taylor Sheuerman Expert Contributors Margo Arrick robolady.blogspot.com Leo Babauta zenhabits.net Sarah Baker ispeakcanadian.com Jonda Beattie timespaceorg.com Celestine Chua personalexcellence.co Stacey Anderson is a Professional Organizer, speaker, author and publisher of Getting Organized Magazine. Our featured spaces this issue are bathrooms. As I am sure many of you can relate, the bathroom can be a pretty messy place. These tips and products should help you with ideas on how to maximize your space and create the serene bathroom you are longing for! Don’t forget to take our challenge (page 39). Each issue we challenge our readers to do one small task that will help them on their journey towards a more organized life. When you complete your challenge be sure to share it with us- we love to hear from our readers! As always we welcome your feedback, tips and photos. You can send them to info@gettingorganizedmagazine.com Ramona Creel ramonacreel.com Casey Finn and Bridget Matkovich thediyplaybook.com Maria Gonzales gracefulorder.com Craig Jarrow timemanagementninja.com Anne Jensen matrixkids.com Mary Johanson maryorganizes.com Aimee Page thecrazycraftlady.com Andrea Stirtan theinspiredhome.org Harold Taylor taylorintime.com Deanne Marie deannemarie.com Cover image courtesy of Casey Finn and Bridget Matkovich thediyplaybook.com At Getting Organized magazine, we don’t want to add clutter to your clutter. Our magazine is published 4 times a year and is a bit shorter than most magazines for a reason. We want you to actually have time to read the articles and implement the ideas that work for you! We publish a real life magazine for real life people and our goal is to give you simple, effective options to simplify your life. 2 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 Getting Organized Magazine, Spring 2015. Published four times a year, 15600 NE 8th St. Suite B1 #602, Bellevue, WA 98008. Copyright 2015 Getting Organized Magazine. All rights reserved. Subscriptions are $19.50 within the US, $29.50 outside the US, $13.50 for digital. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Getting Organized Magazine, 15600 NE 8th St. Suite B1 #602, Bellevue, WA 98008. gettingorganizedmagazine.com What’s Inside Bathroom Spaces page 18 Kids’ Rooms page 5 Are You a Perfectionist? page 14 10-minute Tips page 10 Meeting Planning page 23 gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 3 What’s Inside Paper Planners page 25 How to Say No page 27 Trash Tips page 31 Departments Books: Ask the Experts: Kitchens Quick Tips: Finding Places to Think Latest and Greatest: Bathroom Products 4 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 Find Happiness page 32 page 34 Comic and Challenge page 38 page 39 page 36 gettingorganizedmagazine.com Organizing ids’ Rooms K gettingorganizedmagazine.com By Anne Jensen matrixkids.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 5 N o matter how old your kids are or how many you have – it’s definitely a challenge to keep their space organized. But while it may involve some trial and error, having a good handle on organizing your child’s room and play spaces will save a lot of time and effort, and teach some valuable life lessons, too. For kids, there are a few tips to consider before you get started: • While having a good system and order is critical, leave space for imperfections. Kids need the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. • Kids’ needs change quickly. Think ahead a few months and anticipate how the space will need to adjust to their changing needs (New hobby? School starting? Sleepovers?) • Involve them in your plans and let them play an active part in creating an environment they want to keep organized. Their enthusiasm for sticking to the plan they helped create may make all the difference. • Keep it fun! Having a well-organized room can create extra space, but be sure to make it a fun space as well. 6 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 LET’S BEGIN WITH THE BASICS: TOY STORAGE! Beyond a well-stocked bookshelf, a neat closet and chest of drawers, kids rooms are often crowded with lots of toys – which get pulled out of their designated spots very frequently. While a parent will likely need to lend a helping hand with the clothes, kids as young as two are perfectly capable of putting their own toys away. Invest in a good quality toy chest or storage unit that sits low to the ground, so kids can easily reach it to make toy clean up quick and easy. Look for units that are modular and can be stacked, so you can add more storage as kids get older, or create different solutions as you re-organize the rooms in your home. Always ensure the appropriate safety features are included like a soft close hinge for the top, or if the unit is stacked, an anti-tip kit to help secure it to a wall. Photos courtesy of Matrix Kids gettingorganizedmagazine.com OFTEN THE KID’S ROOM IS AMONG THE SMALLEST IN THE HOUSE – BUT KIDS HAVE LOTS OF STUFF! A great way to optimize a small space is a loft bed. Kids love sleeping up high and the extra space can be used to add desks, gettingorganizedmagazine.com dressers or book-shelves. A popular solution for getting into a loft bed is the staircase. Not only is it a unique and fun way to get into your loft bed, some manufacturers offer extra storage by turning each step into a drawer. Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 7 BUNK BEDS can be space saving, too – you can sleep up to three kids “stacked” one on top of the other, or opt for more innovative designs that neatly fit into corners and use every inch of space. Kids love sleepovers, but young kids can lose their courage during a long night at a strange house. To avoid your little 8 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 guests getting homesick, make their quarters extra comfy and set them up for maximum fun. Consider adding a trundle bed under your child’s bed so stories and giggles are shared just by leaning over, and the sleeping surface is doubled simply by rolling out the trundle bed. What’s best – when the overnight guests have gone, the trundle rolls away neatly right under your child’s bed, freeing up floor space again instantly. gettingorganizedmagazine.com 2 Great Ways To Inspire You To Get ORGANIZED! Our hit TV show: Watch online at: organizationmotivation.com Our news segments: organizedin60seconds.com Deborah J. Cabral, CPO ® Certified Professional Organizer, Productivity & Efficiency Coach SUMMER IS TIME FOR FUN – BUT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL WILL HAPPEN FASTER THAN YOU KNOW! To get your child organized for school, designate a quiet, sunny spot for homework – where interruptions from siblings or noise are kept to a minimum. Select a desk with a large writing surface and drawers to help keep pencils and books organized. If space is a concern, you can opt for desks that roll out of the way – so that as soon as homework is done the space can be converted back to be all about play! For an older child, school gets more complex and organizing becomes more of a challenge – consider adding a hutch to your desk for additional storage space to help keep everything neat and tidy. Kids’ room will always be a bit of a challenge, but hopefully these tips will spark some ideas to help you not only organize the space, but make it a fun place for your child to enjoy being in! GO gettingorganizedmagazine.com A New York State (WBE), Nationally (WBENC) and Federally (WOSB) Certified WomanOwned Business Enterprise, established in 2010. Insta Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 9 10 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com 18 10-minute decluttering tips to start conquering your mess By Leo Babauta zenhabits.net W hen your home is filled with clutter, trying to tackle the mountain of stuff can be quite overwhelming. Here’s my advice: start with just ten minutes a day. Then try to do another ten tomorrow and the next day and the next. Before you know it you will have formed the habit of organizing and cleaning your house. Here are 18 tasks you can start with. 1. Designate a spot for incoming papers. Papers often account for the majority of our clutter. This is because we put them in different spots — on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, on top of our dresser, in our car. No wonder we can’t find anything! Designate an in-box tray or spot in your home and don’t put down papers anywhere but that spot. Got mail? Put it in the inbox. Got school papers? Put it in the inbox. Receipts, warranties, manuals, notices, flyers? In the inbox! This one little change can really transform your paperwork. 2. Start clearing a starting zone. What you want to do is clear one area. This is your no-clutter zone. It can be a counter, or your kitchen table, or the three-foot perimeter around your couch. Wherever you start, make a rule: nothing can be placed there that’s not actually in use. Everything else must be put away. Once you have that clutter-free zone, keep it that way! Now, each day, slowly expand your no-clutter zone. 3. Clear off a counter. You want to get your house so that all gettingorganizedmagazine.com flat spaces are clear of clutter. Maybe they have a toaster on them, maybe a decorative candle, but not a lot of clutter. So start with one counter. Clear off everything possible. Have a blender you haven’t used since jazzercise was all the rage? Put it in the cupboard! 4. Pick a shelf. Now that you’ve done a counter, try a shelf. It doesn’t matter which shelf. Could be a shelf in a closet, or in the garage. Don’t tackle the whole garage — just one shelf. Clear all non-essential things and leave it looking neat and clutter-free. 5. Schedule a de-cluttering weekend. Maybe you don’t feel like doing a huge de-cluttering session right now. But if you take the time to schedule it for later this month, you can clear your schedule, and if you have a family, get them involved, too. The more hands pitching in, the better. You might not get the entire house de-cluttered during the weekend, but you’ll likely make great progress. Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 11 6. Pick up five things and find homes for them. These should be things that you actually use, but that you just seem to put anywhere, because they don’t have permanent spot for them. If you don’t know exactly where things belong, you have to find a good spot. Take a minute to think it through — where would be a good spot? Then always put those things in their designated home when you’re done using them. 7. Spend a few minutes visualizing the room. When I’m de-cluttering, I like to take a moment and look round the room. I think about how I want it to look. What are the most essential pieces of furniture? What doesn’t belong in the room but has just gravitated there? What is on the floor (hint: only furniture and rugs belong there) and what is on the other flat surfaces? Once I’ve visualized how the room will look uncluttered, I get to work. 8. Create a “maybe” box. Sometimes when you’re going through a pile of stuff, you know exactly what to keep (the items you love and use) and what to trash or donate. But then there’s the stuff you don’t use, but think you might want or need someday. You can’t bear to get rid of that stuff. So create a “maybe” box. Store that box somewhere hidden, out of the way. Put a note on your calendar six months from now to look in the box. When you look inside, see if it’s anything you really needed. Usually, you can just toss the entire box because you didn’t need anything it contained. 9. Put a load in your car for charity. If you’ve de-cluttered a bunch of stuff, you might have a “to donate” pile that’s just taking up space in a corner of your room. Take a few minutes to box it up and put it in your trunk. Then tomorrow, drop it off. 10. Create a 30-day list. Over-shopping is one cause of excess clutter. Every time you think of something that you would like to purchase/have, put that item on the 30 day list and write the current date next to each item. Make a rule never to buy anything (except necessities) unless they’ve been on the list for 30 days. Often you’ll lose the urge to buy the stuff and you’ll save yourself a lot of money and clutter. 11. Teach your kids where things belong. If you teach your kids where things go, and start teaching them the habit of putting them there, you’ll go a long way to keeping your house 12 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 uncluttered. Of course, they won’t learn the habit overnight, so you’ll have to be very patient with them and just keep teaching them until they’ve got it. And better yet, set the example for them and get into the habit yourself. 12. Set up some simple folders. Sometimes our papers pile up high because we don’t have good places to put them. Create some simple folders with labels for your major bills and active paperwork. Put them in one spot (perhaps your inbox from task #1). Your system doesn’t have to be complicated. Having some sense of order will help create confidence to tackle the rest of your paperwork later. 13. Learn to file quickly. Once you’ve created your simple filing system, you just need to learn to use it regularly. Take a handful of papers from your inbox, and go through them one at a time, starting from the top paper and working down. Make quick gettingorganizedmagazine.com decisions: trash them, file them immediately, or make a note of the action required and put them in an “action” file. Don’t put anything back on the pile, and don’t put them anywhere but in a folder (and no cheating “to be filed” folders!) 14. Pull out some clothes you don’t wear. As you’re getting ready for work, and going through your closet for something to wear, spend a few minutes pulling out ones you haven’t worn in several months. Do this a little at a time until your closet (and then your drawers) only contains items you actually wear. 15. Clear out your medicine cabinet. If you don’t have one spot for medicines, create one now. Go through everything and look for the outdated medicines and the ones you’ll never use again. 16. Pull everything out of a drawer. Just take the drawer out and empty it on a table. Then sort the drawer into three piles: 1) items that belong in the drawer; 2) items that belong elsewhere; 3) items to get rid of. Clean the drawer, then put the stuff in the first pile back neatly and orderly. Deal with the other piles immediately! 17. Learn to love the uncluttered look. Once you’ve gotten an area de-cluttered, you should take the time to enjoy that look. It’s a lovely look. Make that your standard! 18. Have a conversation with your spouse/roommate. Sometimes the problem isn’t just with us, it’s with the person or people we live with. An uncluttered home is the result of a shared philosophy of simplicity. If you take a few minutes to explain to everyone that you want to have an uncluttered house, and that you could use their help, you can go a long way to getting to that point. Try to be persuasive and encouraging rather than nagging and negative. GO Lost Your Keys...Again? GRAB N’ GO ® “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” ® Keys, cell phone, glasses, or wallet LOST...AGAIN? GRAB N’ GO keeps your daily essentials organized. Find them every time! • Easy-to-use large labeled compartments • Spot missing items at a glance • Works by encouraging good habit formation • Padded feet ensure non-slip stability and non-mar protection of your surfaces • Available in white and smoke colors to coordinate well with any décor Order your GRAB N’ GO system now at finderenterprises.com ® gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 13 14 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com Are You a Perfectionist? Y By Celestine Chua personalexcellence.co ou can usually spot a perfectionist a mile away, simply because of the extremist behavior that is exhibited. Here are ten tell-tale signs you might be a perfectionist: 1. You are highly conscious and hyper-critical of mistakes. Hence, you have an extremely sharp eye toward details. 2. You aim to be the best in everything you do, even if it is something that you are not interested in. 3. You spend copious amount of time, right down to the last moment, to perfect something. You would rather sacrifice your well-being (such as sleeping, eating, etc.) than let something be less than it can be. 4. You set absolute ideals. There is only black and white, no grey. 5. You are the harshest critic of yourself. You beat yourself up over the smallest thing that go wrong. 6. You mull over outcomes if they did not turn out as envisioned. You wonder why it wasn’t a different outcome, and whether you could have done anything to prevent that. 7. You are defensive toward criticism and have a fear of failure because they suggest imperfection. 8. You only have the end goal in mind. If you don’t achieve the goal, it really does not matter what happens in the process. 9. You have an all-or-nothing approach. If the situation does not allow you to achieve the standard you have laid out, you will abandon the task because it does not make sense to spend time on something that you’re not going to conquer. 10. You are very conscious of any situation which might give others the perception you are not perfect. gettingorganizedmagazine.com MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH PERFECTIONISM I used to be quite a perfectionist when I was younger, because of my passion toward becoming the best that I can be. I fit every one of the 10 perfectionist traits. My motif in life was (and still is) ‘As long as you set your mind and heart to it, nothing is impossible in this world’. Whenever there was any flaw or mistake that came in my sight, such as grammatical or spelling errors, typos, etc., I would flinch. I was always the harshest critic of myself. When I started developing websites as a teenager, I would spend late nights, sleeping just 1-2 hours some days, tweaking my sites to perfection. My sites had to look perfect on all different browsers and devices. The works I produced had to be the best conceivable. It was an unbendable, personal standard I set for myself. When I was in university, I usually ended up taking over everything on a project because I wanted everything to match up to the idealized state I envisioned. I spent a lot of time perfecting tasks, right down to the nitty gritty. If it was a presentation, everything had to be synchronized to a common look and theme, including matching font types, font sizes, and colors. If it was a report, all the content, flow and formatting had to be seamless. There was hardly a time to stop doing work because it seemed that there could always be improvement. Whenever things did not go the way I wanted, I would overcompensate by targeting a higher bar the next time. Whenever I heard people making statements like “humans are not perfect” or “to err is human,” I would cringe. To me, that was just trying to find an excuse to make mistakes. My philosophy was that perfection was possible and as long as we put in all our effort and energy, we would achieve it. If we did not, it simply meant we did not try hard enough. Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 15 It was later on in life that I found that perfectionism was being a disabler, not an enabler, in my life. WHAT LEADS TO PERFECTIONISM? In general, there are three underlying motivations for perfectionism. Perfectionism may result due to any one or combination of any of the three reasons. If you are a perfectionist, you may be able to relate to one or more of the following. 1. Fierce desire for growth They expect perfection of themselves. Their perfectionism is the result of an insatiable thirst and desire for growth and to be the best that one can be. To come anything short would be not to live up to one’s true potential, which defeats the purpose in living. 2. Social expectations Their perfectionism comes about because it is socially expected of them. Family, teachers, coaches, managers and leaders styles induce perfectionism by drawing a high standard we need to reach. Failing is equated to being worthless. Schools and workplaces with a fierce culture of competition and strong emphasis on performance and achievement are common breeding grounds for perfectionism. Society and media perpetuate untainted, flawless, perfect end states which are often brought to life in the form of imagery, advertising and marketing. They create the aspiration toward unrealistic ideals and instill the belief that such ideals are in fact achievable. 3. Sense of insecurity For some people, perfectionism may arise out of insecurity of one’s own worth. People who have faced discrimination of sorts or sidelined since young may develop a sense of inadequacy or void in themselves. This abyss in turn manifests the desire or need to overtly prove themselves through their actions and accomplishments. They desire to make a statement about themselves, whether for themselves or other people around them. TIPS TO OVERCOME PERFECTIONISM: 1. Be aware of your motivations for perfection Why are you a perfectionist to begin with? To what end does your perfectionism serve? Chances are, you will find that your underlying motivations for perfectionism are likely tied to an aspiration to be a better person, to be the best you can be, and to do right by others. Knowing these motivations serve to remind yourself of why you strive for perfection to begin with, after which you can use them to cross-check with your behavior and see if your perfectionist tendencies actually serve you or pull you away from your vision of yourself. For example, say you are a perfectionist because you want to achieve your best results in everything you do. Say you are preparing a presentation and you can’t seem to finish it because you keep finding things to edit. More specifically, these things you keep mulling over are little, nitty-gritty things, which don’t make a difference to the overall output. It helps to review these questions: How does your obsession with trivial details help you to achieve your best results in life? Could you actually spend that time, elsewhere, in a more meaningful manner that enables you to achieve better results? 2. Recognize that ideals are directions, not absolutes Perfectionists tend to beat themselves up incessantly over little setbacks and thwarts to their plans. They tend to see them as “failures”; in their minds, they think: “If I don’t achieve my goal or vision, that means I’ve failed. There is no point in doing any of this anymore. I have no way to rectify this situation. It’s a lost cause.” As a perfectionist, you should recognize that your ideals are directions to work towards and 16 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com not absolutes which you need to achieve. It is not your ideals that are the problems here; it’s your attachment towards them which need correction. are not within your locus of control, such as the future or perceptions by others. Plan for contingencies but beyond that, do not waste your time harping over it. Ideals are very good. Whatever ideals you have, continue to hold them. Commit yourself to said ideals and goals. At the same time, don’t attach yourself to them. They are meant as to inspire, guide, and bring the best out of you, not to make you feel bad about yourself. If you ever feel bad about not achieving a certain ideal or goal, review your attachment with it, and let go of this attachment. 5. Delegate and let go Have faith in other people’s abilities and delegate tasks to them. If they do not seem to be doing a particular task right, teach and help them instead of taking over entirely. Teach a man how to fish so there is more fish for everyone, rather than doing all the fishing yourself and limiting the total output. 3. Respect and love yourself Are you beating yourself up over something that could have been better? Let go of all these negative thoughts in your mind. You did what you could within that particular context. Recognize you are an individual with your own rights and integrity versus subjecting yourself to all the self-abuse and self-depreciation. Treat yourself with the respect you deserve. 4. Focus on what can be done Forget about mistakes that were made in the past which you cannot do anything about. Learn from them and move on; obsessing over them does not change anything at all. Realize that the time you spend thinking about your mistakes actually takes you away from time which you can have spent on more productive things instead! Stop worrying about things that 6. Enjoy the entire process The process is the longest part of achievement – enjoy it! Find ways to lighten it up – learn to laugh at yourself, take things positively, rest/eat/sleep/play when it is time to, take part in enriching recreational activities, do not deprioritize your social gatherings or time off from work. 7. Celebrate the victories and progress made Give yourself a pat in the back for everything that you do, regardless of the outcome. Reward yourself or other people if a good job is done. Give credit where credit is due. Wholeheartedly celebrate your victories when they come along—you have rightfully earned them! By the way, I still think that humans are perfect – it is in the imperfections that I see perfection. GO Finally, the Key to Clear Space and Plenty of Time Professional Organizer or Coach? Join our Affiliate Program! sanespaces.com/prm/prosignup If you always feel disorganized, chaotic and short on time, it’s not your fault! You simply haven’t found your own unique way of making both space and time work for you. But with the Time & Space Style Inventory (TSSI™) you will quickly discover your individual Flow Formula so you can make better choices, be more productive and finally get organized in the way that supports your natural, unique style. Take the inventory today! Go to www.sanespaces.com/prm/gomag Get $10 off! Enter Promo Code: ACCELERATE at checkout! gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 17 BATHROOM SPACES L et’s face it — we spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Whether it’s getting ready in the morning or bathing kids in the evening, our bathrooms can get messy rather quickly. And often they are built in small spaces, so organizing can be even more of a challenge. We have rounded up some great examples to help you create that peaceful, organized bathroom you have been dreaming of. 18 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 This bathroom organizing tip is a great way to reduce and reuse if you have old mason jars. With just a few accessories (a piece of wood, hose clamps and picture hanging kit) you can have an organized and unique bathroom feature that looks like it took a lot more work to create than it actually did! Casey Finn and Bridget Matkovich thediyplaybook.com gettingorganizedmagazine.com Margo had quite the stash of picture frames and was looking for a unique way to create a towel rack after a bathroom remodel. She laid out a design on the floor first, and then traced them on to craft paper to preview on the wall for easy hanging. Because the frames are layered on top of each other, there is a space created that is perfect for hanging towels. This project could include just a few frames or an entire wall gallery to decorate your space. Margo Arrick robolady.blogspot.com On her blog, Aimee shares with her readers her dollar store bathroom organizing tips which include the idea of hanging two shower caddies in the shower. Aimee shares that she was not only tired of moving bottles around while cleaning the shower, but was pregnant with twins and finding it even more difficult to clean. Her solution was to use 3M Command gettingorganizedmagazine.com Hooks to hang the caddies high enough to reach everything that she needed. (Note: 3M/Command now makes hooks specifically made for the shower.) Aimee Page thecrazycraftlady.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 19 Small spaces in the bathroom, or anywhere else, can be a challenge. And almost any professional organizer will tell you that the best solution is to “look up” and use your vertical space. This is exactly what Maria did when she installed shelves next to her bathroom vanity. The end result allows her to store everything that she needs in a neat and tidy manner. Maria Gonzales gracefulorder.com 20 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com Sarah and her husband try to live simply and not have a lot of stuff. When looking to organize her bathroom she decided to tackle the medicine cabinet rather than just shoving thing in and shutting the door. She had extra plastic cups from their housewarming party and decided they would be the perfect solution- and indeed they were! Sarah Baker ispeakcanadian.com Kids’ bath time can be fun for sure, but often ends up in a huge mess in the bathtub. Andrea tried a few different solutions before deciding to try this one that she found on Pinterest. With just a tension rod, some dollar store baskets and shower hooks she created this easy to use solution to her bath time woes. Andrea Stirtan theinspiredhome.org gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 21 Often, people make organizing much more difficult than it really is. Simple is often better. Mary’s solution is just that. She has several shoe-box sized containers that are sorted into categories and labeled so that everyone knows what is inside. They are stackable and keep things organized, separated and contained. GO Mary Johanson maryorganizes.com For another great bathroom organizing example view our video Organizing Rule: Contain Your Items: See how to Organize Your Bathroom Countertops by visiting our YouTube channel or http://www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com/?p=4299 22 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com MEETING PLANNING CHECKLIST By Ramona Creel ramonacreel.com O ften times, people think that meetings are a complete waste of time. But they don’t have to be! The biggest issue with meetings tends to be the lack of results which frustrates the attendees who have busy schedules and other priorities. The next time you plan a meeting, use this checklist to improve your productivity, both during the meeting and afterwards. HOW TO KNOW IF YOU SHOULD MEET • Determine if the costs of the meeting are justified by the objective • Add up salary, overhead, travel time, expense and lost productivity • Multiply that by the number of attendees to determine the overall cost of the meeting • Then ask why you are meeting — what do you hope to accomplish? • Is your goal to disseminate information? Brain storm? Make a decision? • If the objective can be reached without a meetingtake care of the issue via phone, email or Skype • Ask yourself if all the people on your list need to attend gettingorganizedmagazine.com PREPARING FOR YOUR MEETING • Develop an agenda before the meeting • Your agenda should explain why, when, where, who and what • Ask participants to contribute items to the agenda • Distribute to participants at least a week in advance • Ask attendees to review the agenda and prepare questions • Confirm with attendees the day prior to the meeting • Decide on the ground rules before starting and list them on a board (may include: attentive listening, not interrupting, how to add comments, etc.) Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 23 RUNNING THE MEETING • Designate a recorder (other than the leader) to keep minutes • Designate a timekeeper to keep everyone on track • Stick to the agenda and assign a time limit to each agenda item • If the discussion gets off course, don’t be afraid to cut people off • Write down topics to be tabled for future discussion on a list (often called the parking lot) • Schedule a separate meeting to discuss those issues, if necessary TIMING IS EVERYTHING • Establish a firm start and ending time • Choose an odd time to begin — 11:05 AM — to improve punctuality • Schedule in advance to allow participants to plan their schedules • Schedule before lunch or quitting time to keep it short and focused • Reward those who arrive on time • Don’t wait for latecomers unless they are critical to starting 24 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 WHEN YOU ARE THE ATTENDEE • Question whether your attendance is necessary • Confirm the location and time the day before the meeting • Get directions, if necessary • Review the agenda and prepare any questions or concerns • Be on time and be prepared • Stay focused on the discussion at hand so you can get out on time WRAPPING UP YOUR MEETING • Establish clear wrap-up procedures • Ask for a signal from the time keeper at five minutes before the end • Leader should reach a conclusion and summarize group’s progress • Develop an action plan based on the meeting discussion • Assign follow-up items to specific members of the team • Set a deadline for reporting back • Ask for status reports prior to next meeting to include in agenda • State the next meeting time, date, place and adjourn gettingorganizedmagazine.com WHY I STILL USE A PAPER DAY PLANNER By Harold Taylor taylorintime.com A s far as I can tell, personal productivity has changed very little in the past 30 years in spite of the efficiencies of technology. One of the results of technology has been to speed up the pace of life. We are working faster, driving faster, communicating faster — in short, living faster. gettingorganizedmagazine.com But much of the time savings gained by technology has been offset by increases in complexity, choices, interruptions, expectations, stress, delays and errors. Our bodies are not designed to operate at warp speed. Sleep, in many cases is seen as an annoying necessity. Our executive function skills – those brain-based skills that allow us to execute tasks – including focus, working memory, sustained attention and goal-directed persistence are becoming weaker. Our free time is disappearing. Information overload, ADHD diagnosis, stress, inefficiency, and lack of balance are increasing. Perhaps we moved too quickly and too Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 25 completely into the digital world. It’s as though our goal were to increase speed rather than productivity. A UCLA study found that people who decreased the amount of time using their electronic devices and instead adopted a healthy lifestyle of exercise, good nutrition and some form of meditation, showed improvement in memory scores and reasoning within a matter of weeks. Balancing high-tech with high touch can actually strengthen “executive function skills.” It pays to limit technology and maintain balance in your life. I suggest this could be done by welcoming more paper back into your life – which to most people might think is a backward step. But technology writer Danny O’Brien interviewed top achievers and found one thing in common that may account for their increased productivity. They all used some sort low-tech tool, such as a written “To Do” list or a plain paper pad. Long after they were gone, my parents were alive again in my mind through their papers — meticulous notes of income and purchases, appointments and events. I could relive my own forgotten years…oblivious to the hardships that my parents must have endured. Using a paper day planner for instance serves to ground me in reality. I can touch it and feel it and see my scheduled projects the moment I open it. Writing down an appointment solidifies that meeting in my mind, while dictating it to a handheld device makes little impact, little commitment, and little chance I will even recall it the next morning without setting an alarm. A pen in hand generates focus, attention, commitment, and a “do it now” mindset – something many of us lack. Written down, a name or number stays in working memory longer and has a greater chance of making it into long-term memory for later recall. Fast is not necessarily better; it’s just faster. Similarly, I prefer to make handwritten notes while on the telephone and to jot ideas on a notepad instead of reaching for a handheld device. There is a place for digital devices. I do own a cell phone, an iPad, a netbook and a laptop. And like most people, I do online banking, make calls with Skype, shop online, have a 26 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 PayPal account, participate in social media, and correspond by email. But I also use a paper planner, a paper filing system, a telephone log booklet, paper checklists, note pads, sticky notes as well as read hard copy books. Paperwork adds structure to my life. Your day planner is the most important time management and life management tool, so choose it carefully. It’s not a case of just jotting down things to do. Any device can do that. Planning involves visualizing the future you want and then taking the necessary action in the present in order to make that vision a reality. Here are five things an effective planning calendar should include. • A place to record your goals since they are an integral part of the planning process. • A place to record your mission statement since it reminds you of why you your purpose in life and forms the launching pad for your goals. • Each day, including evenings and weekends, are broken into 15 minute increments • Daily follow-up sections to record deadlines for assignments due, birthdays and other special events. • Weekly and daily “To Do” sections to record non-priority items that should be done. One big advantage of using paper day planners is that you never lose sight of your past. You have a permanent record in your own unique handwriting – your dreams, goals, achievements, activities, and highlights of a lifetime. The purpose of the PDA is to get things done faster, not record them. Long after they were gone, my parents were alive again in my mind through their papers – meticulous notes of income and purchases, appointments and events. I could relive my own forgotten years, the youngest of five boys, oblivious to the hardships that my parents must have endured. None of that would have been revealed in an iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry or other PDA if one had been available at the time. I record events in my day planner after-the-fact as well. If we meet with someone spontaneously or decide at the spur of the moment to attend a movie or go to a restaurant, the first thing I do when we get home is jot the information in my planner – the time, place, and phone number of the restaurant. At the end of each year, I print that year on the spine of my planner and store them in chronological order in my bookcase. My life story is in those planners – from my teen years (little pocket calendars) through college, and my forty plus years as an entrepreneur, husband and father. As I get older and the threat of dementia looms, I take solace in the fact that I will never lose my memories; they are recorded for me as well as for my offspring. GO gettingorganizedmagazine.com 0 2 S Y T O SA A W Y NO By Ramona Creel ramonacreel.com S aying “no” is often very difficult for people, yet those same people are often the most stressed out and overbooked! Many times people don’t want to hurt the person who is coming to them with a request and that is polite, but you really should consider your own needs first. Helping someone out only half-way or with only some of your attention doesn’t benefit anyone. It is best to say “no” upfront. For those of you needing a little help, here are 20 ways to politely decline. gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 27 I CAN’T RIGHT NOW, BUT I CAN DO IT LATER • If you really want to help, but don’t have time, say so • Offer to help at a later time or date • If they can’t wait for you, they’ll find someone else I CAN’T, BUT I KNOW YOU WILL DO A WONDERFUL JOB YOURSELF • People often ask for help because they doubt their own abilities • Let them know that you have confidence they will succeed I CAN’T, BUT LET ME CONNECT YOU WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN • If you aren’t available to help out, offer another qualified resource • Helping to connect people is a valuable service to offer • Make sure the person you refer will represent you well I CAN’T, I DON’T HAVE ANY MORE ROOM IN MY CALENDAR • Be honest if your schedule is filled • “Filled” doesn’t have to mean really filled I CAN’T, I DON’T REALLY ENJOY THAT KIND OF WORK • Life isn’t about drudgery -- if you don’t enjoy it, why do it? • Don’t be afraid to let someone know you just don’t want to • Someone else is bound to enjoy the work you don’t I CAN’T, I HAVE ANOTHER COMMITMENT • It doesn’t matter what the commitment is • It can even simply be time to yourself or with friends or family • You don’t have to justify -- you simply aren’t available I CAN’T, I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH THAT • Volunteering shouldn’t mean learning an entirely new set of skills • Suggest that they find someone who has experience in that area • Offer to help out with something that you already know how to do I CAN’T, I NEED TO FOCUS ON MY CAREER RIGHT NOW • Often, you may need to focus your energies on a workrelated task • You may have to give up some civic or community duties for that to happen • If you don’t do it, it is ok- someone else will take on the task I CAN’T, I NEED TO FOCUS ON MY PERSONAL LIFE AT THIS TIME • Don’t be ashamed of wanting to spend time with your family • Having a strong family is an important priority in and of itself • Be willing to put your personal needs first 28 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 29 I CAN’T, I NEED TO FOCUS MY ATTENTION ON ONE PROJECT AT A TIME • Let people know that you want to do a good job for them, but you can’t when your focus is too divided or splintered • You will be more effective if you focus on one project at a time I CAN’T, I NEED TO LEAVE SOME FREE TIME FOR MYSELF • It’s okay to think of your own needs • Treat your personal time like any other appointment • Block off time in your calendar and guard it with your life I CAN’T, I WOULD RATHER DECLINE THAN DO A MEDIOCRE JOB • Know when you aren’t going to be able to deliver a quality product • The reason doesn’t matter -- not enough time, wrong skills, etc. I CAN’T, I WOULD RATHER HELP WITH A DIFFERENT TASK • Saying no doesn’t mean that you can’t help at all • If someone asks you to do something you really despise, refuse • Then offer to help with something you find more enjoyable I CAN’T, I’M ALREADY IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL PROJECTS • Let people know when you have accepted other responsibilities • No need to make excuses if you don’t have any free time • No one will fault you for having already filled your plate I CAN’T, I’M NOT COMFORTABLE DOING THAT • You might be uncomfortable for any of a number of reasons: the people involved, the type of work, the moral implications, etc. • This is a very respectful way to avoid a sticky situation I CAN’T, I’M NOT TAKING ON ANY NEW RESPONSIBILITIES RIGHT NOW • You aren’t saying that you will never help out again, just that you feel your schedule is as full as you would like now • Understanding your limits is something to value I CAN’T, I’M NOT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB • If you don’t feel that you have adequate skills, that’s okay • It’s better to admit your limitations up front • This is the best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed down the road 30 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 I CAN’T, SOME THINGS HAVE COME UP THAT NEED MY ATTENTION • Unexpected things happen that throw your schedule off • Accept that you may need to make a few adjustments • It is temporary and you will have more time when life stabilizes I CAN’T, THAT’S NOT REALLY MY STRONG SUIT • It’s okay to admit your limitations • Knowing what you can handle and what you can’t is a skill • Your time will be more efficiently spent on something you do well NO • Sometimes it’s okay to just say no! • Say it in a way that expresses respect and courtesy • Feel free to leave the door open for helping in the future gettingorganizedmagazine.com How to Dispose of Those Things You Know You’re Not Supposed to Throw in the Trash BATTERIES Many states have made it illegal to throw away rechargeable batteries, such as those found on power tools and cordless phones. Instead, take them to a home improvement store (Lowe’s or Home Depot) or an electronics stores (Best Buy and Radio Shack accept them) for recycling of their components and/or proper disposal. see if they will accept your packing peanuts and reuse them. The Peanut Hotline (800-828-2214) can also point you to the locations nationwide that will reuse the little buggers. CAR BATTERIES Car batteries are the most recycled product in the country with a 98 to 99 percent recycling rate. This one is a no-brainer as most automotive stores will accept your old battery for recycling when you buy the new one. Single use (alkaline) batteries may also be recycled, although it is not prohibited to throw them away (except in California). TAPES & DVDS Generally speaking, working media may be donated to charities or resale shops. DVDs and CDs (and their plastic cases) are not recyclable. Videotapes may be sent to greendisk.com (fee applies). AEROSOL CANS The container of products such as hair spray and spray paint may be placed in the recycling bin if they are empty. If they are even partially full they are considered “hazardous household waste” (HWW). Contact your local waste management company for proper disposal. FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS While more energy efficient, these new compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs contain mercury and are considered HWW. Both Lowe’s and Home Depot will accept used CFLs for proper disposal. PAINT Latex paint may be placed in the trash once it is completely dried out. Remove the lid and let the can sit for a few days until the contents are nice and dry. But dried latex paint may be recycled into things like cement (who knew?). Contact your local recycling management company to determine whether they collect latex paint for recycling. Oil-based paint, however, is considered HWW and may never be thrown in the trash, even if it’s dried out or hardened with another substance. Contact your local HWW facility and read the manufacturer’s instructions for disposal. MOTOR OIL For the auto DIYers out there, collect the used motor oil and take it to the nearest used oil collection center, such as a service station, automotive store or lube center. Look for the oil drop recycling logo. PESTICIDES Fluorescent tube light bulbs — You know, the long, thin light bulbs that cast such an inviting light in office buildings and garages around the country? These should not be thrown in the trash as they contain a small amount of mercury. They can be recycled, but not curbside. So, take them to your local Home Depot for recycling or proper disposal. PACKING PEANUTS Some of these peanuts are made from biodegradable materials like starch (they melt when exposed to water) but most are still polystyrene. Check with your neighborhood pack and ship store (such as the UPS Store) to If the container is empty, do not reuse it. Place it in the trash, unless the label specifies a different procedure. If any amount of pesticide remains in the container, ask your neighbors whether they have a similar pest control problem and can use it. Then, check with your local waste management company to find out whether they have a household hazardous waste collection program or a similar program. Do not pour leftover pesticides down the sink, into the toilet, or down a sewer or street drain, as they may interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems or pollute waterways, i.e. your water supply. For more information and to search for your local waste management and recycling operations, go to www.Earth911.com For more smart solutions for everyday living, please visit www.smartsolutionsforbusypeople.com ©2013 by Dsign Omnimedia, LLC gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 31 Ask the Experts By Jonda Beattie timepsaceorg.com Question: Can you offer any advice for my kitchen? I want to be able to cook for my family, but the kitchen is always a mess and I am often overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Answer: Before starting, take a long look at your current kitchen set up. What is bothering you? Are your counters crowded? Are your spices a jumble? Are some often used items hard to reach? Create a vision of how you would like your kitchen to look and feel by the end of this month. Make a brainstorm list of all that needs to happen to make this vision come true. Some items on your list might include: • De-clutter your surfaces - what items are not used daily? • Purge your cabinets - how many plastic containers or saucepans do you really need? • Organize for convenience - are your often used items easy to reach? • Set up zones - do you have a clear food preparation zone, cooking zone, dish zone, storage zone and serving zone? Now tackle the project. Divide your kitchen into four zones and tackle just one zone a week. This will keep the job from being overwhelming. Week 1 - Cooking Zone - Clean the stove, oven and microwave. Organize pots, pans, cooking utensils and bake-ware. If your space is crowded, consider giving away pots that are rarely used. If you have special cookware that is used only for a specific holiday, store that ware with the holiday decorations. Week 2 - Food Preparation Zone - Clean out the refrigerator as well as organize cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, spices, mixers, blenders, measuring cups and spoons. Get rid of duplicates. Toss foods and spices that are past their prime. Week 3 - Dish Zone - Clean your sink area and dishwasher. Organize your dishware, mugs, glasses and flatware. Discard items you don’t need or those that are broken. Week 4 - Food Serving Zone and Food Storage Zone - Look over placemats, napkins, trivets, large serving pieces, and any groups of items you have not already organized. When you go through your pantry, pull out any cans that you have been holding on to and are reaching expiration. Donate these to a food pantry. When you replace the food in your pantry, group the foods by type - all soups together, all pasta, all fruits, etc. GO 32 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 33 Quick Tips By Craig Jarrow timemanagementninja.com 10 Places to Find Time to Think 1. In Your Car – The next time you are driving in your car, try the following experiment: Turn off your radio. Put your cell phone out of reach. Then, listen to the silence. I bet you won’t be able to drive more than a quarter of a mile before you start to hear the thoughts in your head. 2. Before Everyone Wakes Up – OK, this is a time, not a place, but the early morning before the world gets up is a great time to think for yourself. Whether it is just you, or you are getting up before the morning kid chaos, find time for yourself before the day begins. 3. In Your Office – If you are fortunate enough to have an office for your job, shut the door and get some planning done. (Yes, you can shut the door.) Then when you are done, you can open the door and re-engage your team. 4. Go Outdoors – Going for a walk outside is a great way to get some peace. You don’t have to go deep into nature. (Although that can be great, too). Many workplaces have walking paths or simply sidewalks where you can go for a quick walk and recoup your thoughts. 5. At the Coffee Shop – Many people find isolation in the public noise of coffee shops. Find a table in a secluded corner and get some work done. (Or bring the coffee shop to you with an app like Coffitivity.) 6. In Your Headphones – Use your headphones to create your own privacy. Shut out the noise. Play your favorite music. Even silent headphones can bring privacy and the expectation that you are not to be disturbed. 7. In the Library – There is a reason why libraries have a “quiet rule.” Go there to find a silent place to think and plan. 8. The Unused Conference Room – If your workplace has unused meeting space, make a meeting with yourself. Take advantage of empty meeting space to get work done. 9. At Lunch – It’s nice to go out to lunch with the gang, but sometimes it’s helpful to book lunch with yourself. Feed your body and your mind with a lunch date alone to think and plan the rest of your day or week. 10. The Secret Place – Every workplace has one. The secret room, hidden nook, or unknown alcove that only a few people know. Find your own secret corner to hide away and get some quiet time GO 34 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 35 Latest and Greatest Sleek and Beautiful Bathroom Products G etting organized can often include purchasing products to help in the process. And while the products you choose don’t have to be anything but useful, sometimes it is fun to purchase beautifully designed products to help in your organizing quest. These sleek bathroom products will help keep any bathroom looking neat and stylish (from dispenser.com). FineLine 2 Tier Shower Basket | $50 These beautifully designed and generously sized baskets can be installed onto any surface without the use of tools, using waterproof silicone glue for a secure bond. The 2-tier basket includes optional accessory hooks for even more storage possibilities. Hands Free Touchless Automatic Soap Dispensers | $25-45 Sleek and stylish stainless steel design that offers hygienic no-touch operation. Select the volume of liquid with a quick press of a button. FLORA Vanity Organizers | Prices Vary These gorgeous countertop organizers are made of clear, durable resin with a decorative molded floral pattern. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and applications for vanity top or in-cabinet organization. Compact enough to keep your vanity clean and free from clutter or small enough to fit into a drawer. 36 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com HANDI Vanity Valet | $35 HANDI includes two multi-purpose divided organizers for your makeup brushes and comb, and a dispenser that holds your favorite make-up remover. Alternatively, use HANDI to store your toothbrushes and paste. Toilet Mate | $30 The Toilet Mate is a sleek toilet tissue dispenser and organizer all in one. A spacious magazine rack and storage for two extra tissue rolls, all conveniently at your side! SETTE Double Towel Stand | $42 Constructed of durable chrome plated steel, this unique towel stand is rust-proof and can be easily assembled within minutes. The arms can be adjusted to create a design that best suits your taste. gettingorganizedmagazine.com LINEA Luxury Double Dispenser | $49 Inspired by contemporary perfume bottles, these install in minutes without tools. Adhere to any wall surface with waterproof silicone glue and 2-way tape included. Crafted of crystal-like elements and completed with rust-proof metal features, LINEA is the definition of luxurious modern elegance. Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 37 Books Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness Finally, a way to get rid of the clutter — and keep it away — without making the process a full-time job! Organizing expert Donna Smallin shows you how to enjoy the happy, healthy, inviting home you long for with hundreds of time-saving tips and solutions to your clutter and cleaning problems. Her approach is manageable and simple, helping you focus on the things that will make the biggest difference with the least amount of time and effort. You’ll discover small, quick routines that will keep your spaces clean and clutter-free over time, as well as lots of things that you can do to introduce order and serenity in just one minute! Clear away the clutter once and for all, and enjoy the happiness you’ll find hiding underneath. Donna Smallin amazon.com $10.95 Make Room for Clarity takes you through the journey of how and why people accumulate so much stuff. Reading it will help you understand the wants and desires that fuel our buying, the reasons why people continue to buy beyond their needs, and why it’s so hard to let go of stuff even when we don’t want it or use it. Rick Woods reminds us that when our possessions don’t contribute to our lives or lifestyles, they are filling up the space between us and the life we could be living. His book invites us to make room for clarity in our lives by following his clear, concise, and realistic suggestions for de-cluttering and letting go without feeling guilty. With each step, you will be creating space in your home—and your life. The end results will be: • Having items you around you that make you feel good. • Possessions that serve you while meeting your needs. • A home you’re happy to have other people see. Rick Woods amazon.com $12.99 *For a full list of books we have featured in Getting Organized magazine visit our website: http://www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com/shop/books-we-have-featured/ 38 GettingOrganized | Summer 2015 gettingorganizedmagazine.com Take the GettingOrganized Challenge Our challenge to you is to find one drawer in your house/office and clean it out. Dump out all of the contents, sort through what you find, then toss/donate what you can. Put everything back in the drawer in a neat and organized fashion. It seems so simple- just one drawer. But you will be surprised the confidence and skill you can gain from just one small organizing project! How did you do? Visit our Facebook page and share with us. facebook.com/GettingOrganizedMagazine gettingorganizedmagazine.com Summer 2015 | GettingOrganized 39 VISIT GettingOrganizedMagazine.com FOR HELPFUL VIDEOS, TIPS AND MORE! Connect With Us! /GettingOrgMag /GettingOrganizedMag @gettingorgmag /GettingOrganizedMagazine @GettingOrgMag