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Cleanup Time
Professionals help cut through layers of clutter to get homes organized
...Getting organized is one of the top three New Year’s resolutions, accompanied by losing weight and exercising, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, which sponsors “Get Organized Month” in January. And no wonder. The average person accumulates about 4 1/2 tons of material goods, according to the Self Storage Association...
ORGANIZING AS INDUSTRY
Plenty of other people are in the same predicament. There are no exact figures, but the Texas-based National Association of Professional Organizers estimates that the organization business is a multibillion dollar industry. The association itself has grown from five members in 1985 to more than 2,000 last year, and 3,000 this year.
“The industry is exploding,” says Barry Izsak, NAPO president. “People are becoming more disorganized and that’s why we are in hot demand.”
We’re less organized for a lot of reasons, Izsak says. The technology that was supposed to simplify our lives has added clutter and made lives more hectic. We too often heed the media message to buy more stuff, with no idea where to put it. As our lives grow more frenetic and our “to do” lists get longer, organization falls into shambles...
Excerpt from Gazette Telegraph
December 30, 2004
By CAROL McGRAW
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Tips from the Pros
If you need help uncluttering and organizing for 2005, follow these pros’ favorite tips:
LOIS FISHER, owner, Avantí Organizing
“When I went through my grandparents’ things I actually found a box that said ‘strings too short to use.’ They had gone through the Depression and wouldn’t throw anything away. People who get organized say they didn’t realize how clutter had sucked energy from them.”
- Don’t buy something for “just in case” and then store it.
- Surround yourself with things that feel good and alive. If it harbors bad memories, get rid of it.
- It’s OK to let go of things that were given to you. Don’t feel guilty. Most people don’t remember what they have given you. If they do mention it, say you are rotating your things, or have one box that you call your sentimental box and keep the items there.
- Cars need organizing, too. Take everything out — the taco sauce packets, pens, crumpled business cards, empty water bottles. File boxes are good additions for the trunk if you are on the road a lot. A survival kit is another must. Keep coupons, items you are returning or need to get fixed, in the car, so you can complete the errand.
- Repair things that need it. Seeing it sitting there broken destroys peace. |
BARRY IZSAK, Austin, Texas., president, National Association of Professional Organizers
“There’s a myth that your organizing system has to be complex. Simple systems work better. You will stick to them. There is no right or wrong way.”
- Break organizing tasks into manageable pieces. Start with your desk, for example.
- Store items where you will look for them or near where you will use them.
- When you bring home a new purchase, find a place for it immediately.
DONNA CHADD, owner, Effectiveness Associates
“We’re wired to see clear horizons. Clutter and unfinished projects laying around erode energy. You can’t think clearly and there’s no energy left at end of day for personal things.”
- The biggest office space sin is using horizontal work surfaces for everything but work. Try to limit desk items to about seven, including your computer. But beautify your space; you don’t want to mess it up. Put out a recent family picture in an attractive frame, a piece of quality art, a plant (which actually helps clear toxins from air). But don’t go overboard.
- Leave your desktop clear at the end of the day. This gives a sense of satisfaction and closure, and the space is more welcoming when you arrive the next day.
- Beware of “for now,” and “later,” as in, “I’ll put this here for now and deal with it later.”
K.J. MCCORRY, owner, Officiency
“Delayed action and decision-making is a problem in most offices. With so much paperwork, e-mails and phone messages things pile up and we become overwhelmed.”
- When you read snail mail, e-mail, or listen to that phone message, act on it and move on.
- Most office workers have small cubicles with standard equipment. Make sure you consolidate and find a home for things you really need. Have what is most important in arm’s reach on prime real estate. Move the food drawer farther away so you can have your active files closer to you.
- Offices need to have consistent filing for e-mail, paper, and electronic documents, so things can be found easily.
- Take control of your data. Refrain from printing out so much paper. If you fear the company system will crash, back up your work using your personal secondary system.
CARI PEMBERTON, owner, The Clutter Cutters
- The first thing to do for the new year is to start a file labeled 2005 tax items, and use it.
- Store bedding in the same room it’s going to be used. Place the sheet sets in the matching pillowcase for storage.
- Keep packing boxes as long as the item is under warranty in case you have to mail it. Staple the receipt to the warranty and place in a “warranty” file.
- Place a photo of the items stored in a box, and paste it to the outside so you’ll know what’s inside. This works well with shoes.
- When purging, don’t place discarded items in a see-through bag. Put them in a black trash bag so you can’t see them and be tempted to put something back.
- Avoid bins and boxes as storage items if you tend to pile things in indiscriminately.
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