Buttoned Up » organization

Alicia — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:18:38 +0000

Take extra grocery bat with you next time you grocery shop! Most stores now have a bin for bags to be recycled! #organize #clutter #green

Guest Guru: Krista Green – Are you being served?

Anne Marie — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:00:21 +0000

Are you being served?

By Krista Green of www.kristagreen.com

Lots of people think or say “I should get organized”. That’s the first challenge. The idea of “getting organized” – with an “-ed” at the end – implies that it’s a onetime thing – that once you do it, you’ll be set (and organized) for life.

Recognizing that organization is a process, not an event, is the all-important first step in the journey toward becoming more organized.

And it’s in that word – becoming – where the magic really lives.

It’s a future tense of the verb “to be”.

Although subtle, that’s the key: it’s not about “getting” organized – someday, or even now – it’s about “being” organized.

It’s a way of being – where you continue to show up consistently in a manner that supports the desired end result – one that helps your life run more smoothly.

For that is truly at the heart of what organization achieves in your life: it helps you attain the blissful state known to many simply as “flow”.

Things just work better.

YOU work better.

Your LIFE works better.

“Being organized” isn’t an end in itself… just as “making money” or “losing weight” isn’t, either. All are merely ideas which are ideally positioned to be in service of the life you want. When those things become the goal(s), rather than the life you want, they become a chore or burden.

So step back and really think about the life you want.

Then ask yourself a simple question:

What would “being organized” make possible for you? More time with your kids? More joy having friends over? More fulfillment in your work?

However organized you need to be to give yourself what you want – that’s organized enough, whether it fits in with anyone else’s image of organization or not!

About the Author

Krista Green is a lifestyle expert in the fields of Organizing and Business. She is seen regularly on the platform speaking at conferences and corporate events, and providing training and management consulting for business owners and high performers. Named to the Top 40 Under 40 list of outstanding young business professionals, she is the author of the book “Get Noticed. Be Remembered: Creating a Personal Brand Strategy for Success” and the 4-Disc Audio Series “How to Brand, Sell, Market and Grow Your Business.” For more information on Krista, visit www.kristagreen.com.

Guest Guru: Marie Ruddock – My “Five Minute Bag”

Anne Marie — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:00:15 +0000

My “Five Minute Bag”

By Marie Ruddock of Contain It With Miss Marie

I am career woman whose husband works out of town all week. That leaves just me to take care of three children who are each involved in NUMEROUS school activities from band to baseball and many in between. Because of this, I have found that taking advantage of my so-called “down time” helps me to get through the day without losing sanity.

I have a very pretty “5-Minute Bag” that goes everywhere with me. As I walk in the house from a long day at work, I grab the mail out of the box and put it in the bag. Papers from the kids go into the bag. Magazines that I would like to read but can’t find the time go into the bag. I also have a few blank note cards to use as notes to friends or as that little thank you note you would otherwise forget to write. I have a small pocket sized digital camera to catch those special times which otherwise you would always have forgotten at home on the kitchen table, a small first aid kit, nail care set, clear nail polish, small umbrella (just in case), extra car key (I learned that the hard way), and a tiny mending kit.

My bag goes everywhere I go and this is why…

While I am at the Doctors office or at another appointment, I pull out that magazine, tear out anything that deserves being put back in the bag, and simply leave the now read magazine for the next person to enjoy.

When I am waiting to pickup one of the kids at the school after practice, I work on paying the bills that I put in the bag as I walked in the house earlier. I can do this because I have my bill paying materials including a pen, return address labels and stamps with me.

I write notes to friends or thank you notes for someone that did something special. I keep all of my favorite addresses in my cell phone for just those times. Because I have everything with me, I can drop all of the mail off at the post office on my way home.

As I left the house, I threw my cell phone in my bag so I can review appointments for the week. My cell phone also holds those important addresses which by the way I have already used for my notes. I will use it again in the next five minutes to call my mother and talk about the kids who are not yet in the car. While I am gabbing away I freshen up my nails. They should be dry before I got home.

When I get home, I have all that “5 minute stuff” done and can now sit down, put my feet up, and watch my favorite TV show…for the next five minutes.

About the Author

“Ms. Marie” Ruddock is the sole owner of Contain it with Ms. Marie, which evolved through years of advice given to others on how they too could become more organized. Her friends actually refused to not to pay her any more. Through individual consultations, she now turns chaos into a manageable organized system tailored specifically for the client.

She has an accounting degree through Cambria-Rowe Business College, and is continuing her education as a senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), majoring in Hospitality Management with a focus on Event Planning.

To learn more, go visit Contain It With Miss Marie

Cool Find & Special Offer: Get organized with Shoeboxed.com

Anne Marie — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:20 +0000

Do you have receipts all over the place or stored in a shoebox? You don’t have to live with the clutter of receipts. You can get organized with Shoeboxed.com – they will scan them and have them available for you online!

Simply mail your receipts, business cards, and other documents to Shoeboxed.com using their postage paid envelopes. Or you can send in photos of receipts and cards with your mobile phone or via their iPhone app. And they also take email receipts.

When Shoeboxed receives a document they scan it, human-verify the data that it contains, then categorize and organize the document online in a secure account. After your documents are processed into your Shoeboxed account, everything is ready to be viewed, printed, emailed, downloaded, or exported from your account in a wide variety of formats including PDF, Excel, CSV, QuickBooks, and Quicken file types. You can also integrate your Shoeboxed data with our growing number of partners including FreshBooks, Outright, Evernote, Bill.com, BatchBook, Constant Contact, and many more.

So you don’t have to live with the clutter anymore! Give Shoeboxed.com a try!

Special Offer:
Shoeboxed.com is offering a one month free trial to the first 5 Buttoned Up readers who call 888-369-4269 (ask for Justin) or email (justin@team.shoeboxed.com) and mention Buttoned Up – Hurry so you are one of the first 5!

Guest Guru: Brandie Kajino – Organizing with Technology: Know When It’s Right

Anne Marie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:00:46 +0000

Organizing with Technology: Know When It’s Right

By Brandie Kajino of www.sohosolutionist.com

Technology & gadgets are everywhere, and there are a lot of ways to use it to get organized. Sometimes paper will do, and other times a gadget or software will be better suited to the job. Here are some tips and things to think about if you are stuck on which way to go.

1. When paper just won’t do

I love a good notebook with a high quality pen in my hand. I love the feel of the pen gliding over paper and ideas flowing out. What I don’t love is leafing through the paper to find that one nugget of information I jotted down… somewhere.

Paper is great, except when it isn’t. Paper is a good way to brainstorm, but without a system to find things later it becomes another frustration. Argh. Try using paper to brainstorm, plan and process things out of your head. Then put it into action in a calendar, put an outline in a project folder, or outline it in a word processor. You can also use a tool like Evernote. Think of it like sticky notes to the third power. Organize your notes into “notebooks,” tag them and find it when you need it. Ordered bliss.

2. Beware the steep learning curve, and steer clear

Once in a while I work with a client who wants to use a techie tool, but is concerned about the time it takes to learn the tool. I’ve learned this will sometimes deter them from putting it into their routine and getting full use of it. Not good.

A tool is only helpful if you are willing to take time to learn it.
It’s a new skill, so give it some time. However, if you find yourself feeling stressed out by it, consider going with something simpler. It may just be a pen and paper that will get the job done.

3. When you want to take it with you

One fantastic thing about technology is it keeps getting smaller!

Manufacturers are finding ways to make phones, laptops and other gadgetry more portable than ever. That little package of technology goodness packs a lot of usefulness into one tiny space, and it will likely fit in your pocket. If you want an organizing Swiss army knife, consider using a multi-tasker gadget. Pick it up and go!

You know yourself better than anyone. If you love using technology and learning new things, there is no shortage of tools on the marketplace to help you. It’s like a big toy box full of tools you can use to make life a little bit easier.

Be aware whether technology is helping or just making things more difficult. Do your research, ask a friend or colleague or get some expert advice. Once you find the right tool, you’ll be on your way to organization.

Brandie Kajino, is a small business technology expert, consultant, author & dynamic speaker. Empowering clients with information, tools, technology and simple solutions is her specialty. For more information on her services, products, podcast & internet radio show and free blog articles, visit www.sohosolutionist.com

Three Organizational Projects Perfect for Summer

Sarah — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:00:21 +0000

Three Organizational Projects Perfect for Summer

Summer is a great time to kick back and enjoy the simple things in life. Capture fireflies, run after the ice cream truck, or simply pour a tall glass of lemonade and grab the latest bestseller. You can spend summer being as carefree as you want to be. While it’s definitely one of the best times of the year to relax, recharge, and renew, it doesn’t have to be defined by doing absolutely nothing. In fact, summer can be a great time to attack nagging projects that have been tabled for months or devise new ones. We tend to have more time and the energy without any of the interruptions of the school year, holidays, and other obligations. So, pour yourself some lemonade and get your organizer on.

Sarah on “maximizing the extra time”

“New Year’s and back-to-school times tend to be when most people think of getting organized and starting something new, but summer is actually a great time to undertake organizational projects. Even if you no longer attend elementary school and get three whole months off, summer still tends to be a slower time of the year at work and home. More people are on vacation, so there tend to be fewer social obligations too. The extra hours of sunlight and gentler pace give us more energy and time to get things accomplished, so it’s perfect for finally cleaning out the garage or figuring out what to do with that box of documents gathering dust in the cellar.”

Alicia on “spending it wisely”

“Summer is definitely my favorite time of the year. I love the laid-back feel and having the extra time with my friends and family. If, like me, it’s your favorite time of the year, maximize it by being organized and doing the things that you enjoy most. Figure out ahead of time how you want to spend your months. Do you want to take a vacation or spend time getting to know your own area a little bit better? Plan ahead to find out activities and events that are going on that you might want to attend. It goes so quickly, so I like to be ahead of the game.”

Top Three Projects for Summer:

1. Say cheese.

If you still haven’t downloaded your pictures from Christmas, it is time to find your power cord. Set aside some time and organize your pictures in your computer or make albums with your photos. If you have children, this is a great project to do with them on a rainy day. It’s a fun way to reminisce about the year before it all starts over again when school starts in September and the holidays creep up again soon after.

2. Build in Healthy Habits.

Forget New Year’s resolutions. They really should be summer resolutions. After all, this is the time of year when the sunlight lasts the longest, making it much easier to fit in after-work exercise or a post-dinner walk. Fresh produce is also abundant, so eating more fruits and vegetables is easier and more enjoyable. You don’t necessarily need to revamp your whole lifestyle…start by adding in a little more exercise or by cooking more at home with farm-fresh produce and go from there.

3. Prepare for Summer’s Wrath.

It’s easy to forget that while summer is a great time of the year, it can also wreak havoc in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, and fires in many parts of the country. Remember the not-so-nice side of summer by prepping your family for an emergency. Make sure your insurance is up to date and covers your needs and prepare an emergency plan. Visit www.getbuttonedup.com/LifeEssentials/EmergencyPlan for advice on setting up your action plan.

Alicia — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:37:09 +0000

Mount a paper-towel holder under the sink or on a cabinet door in the kitchen or bathroom. Spot-clean as soon as you notice a dirty area.

Alicia — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:09:01 +0000

Get moving, try taking a thirty minute walk when you are feeling tired instead of reaching for coffee. You will benefit from the fresh air as well as a break away from the computer

Overwhelmed By Clutter? These 5 Steps Will Help

Stephanie Dickison — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:25:19 +0000

These days, it’s easy to get bogged down by all that you have to do.

Life is so busy that you get home from work, throw off your coat, change out of your clothes and head to the kitchen to start dinner. After a week or two of this, combined with events and errands – you’ll have a pile of bills, clothes and clutter all over the house to deal with.

And that doesn’t include the things you’ve been holding on for all these years either or the stuff that’s piled up after the frenzy of the holidays.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate your way through the clutter:

1. Your own personal timeline

The thing I’ve learned about clutter is that you will eventually reach a threshold, where you can’t take it anymore and you’ve got to get rid of it – or else. People have different thresholds, so one person might throw out a birthday card as soon as they’ve read it, while others will keep each and every item they receive. Understanding that there may be things that you can get rid of before others is a good place to start.

2. A place to begin

If you’re under a lot of clutter, it can be so overwhelming that you might not know where to begin. The problem is that you’re seeing it as one big thing to tackle, whereas if you break it up into just looking at and assessing one thing at a time, you’ll get rid of that feeling of being immobilized. Just deal with one item whether it’s clothes, paper or decorative pieces. Assess whether you want to keep it, store it or donate it and move to the next item. Once you’ve done a few, you’ll get into the momentum and before you know it, you’ll have a box of things that you’ve decided to get rid of or pass on!

3. There’s too much

I have a friend who has a basement full of 30-40 years of stuff – everything from elementary school notes and books to comics and magazines that he may want to sell one day. He says that he wants to get rid of stuff, but he’s clearly stuck.

I say that if you have so much that you don’t know where anything is anyway, just put everything into file boxes and pile the boxes neatly along one wall. Visually it will so much less overwhelming, don’t you think? Then, take down ONE BOX AT A TIME and follow step 2 – ONE PIECE AT A TIME – and eventually you’ll get through the contents of each box and the contents of the room! You’re almost there!

4. Deciding what to keep

What makes getting rid of stuff difficult comes down to 2 things: Sentimental value and that fear that you might need it someday.

First of all, so much can be stored on your computer and found on the internet that many papers and magazines that you are holding onto can be accessed online. Secondly, I find that if I start to consider getting rid of something, it puts it in the back of my mind and by a certain point, I am absolutely ready to pass it on – it’s a process, not necessarily a rash decision, which helps. And I think it’s okay to donate items that have been given to you but that you can’t use or don’t want. Imagine if we kept everything people gave us?

5. Allow yourself room to change and grow

The great thing about getting rid of clutter is that it makes space for new things and experiences. Maybe after clearing out that middle room, you finally have the space to create your dream workspace. Perhaps it will transform you into a person that cares more about experiences than things and you’ll become a minimalist.

I am immensely grateful to have rid myself of old stuff. What’s so revolutionary is that the stuff I’ve kept means so very much and now stands out because it’s out where I can see and enjoy it. I have made room for other things in my life, like entertaining and cooking for friends, neighbours and family. And funnily enough, the girl who, as a teenager couldn’t close her bedroom door because of all the clothes, magazines and papers in the way, now has a place that people remark on how clean and tidy it is (And there’s nothing stuffed into the closets before they arrive either). It’s not perfect by any means, but I don’t want perfect.

I am so grateful to live an uncluttered life. And if I can do it, so can you!

Stephanie Dickison is the author of the recent book, The 30-Second Commute: A Non-Fiction Comedy About Writing & Working From Home, which covers her career as book, music and restaurant critic. She has been a journalist for over a decade and now spends much of her time writing about travel, food, beauty, style and celebrities for various publications and websites.

When she’s not writing, she’s eating, cooking, organizing, filing, making lists in sumptuous notebooks (you must use your beautiful journals) and colour-coding her ever evolving calendar.

She is one of the few writers still using technology AND paper. But at least her paper is organized into pretty file folders…

http://www.stephaniedickison.com

I Went On A Diet And Ate Everything I Wanted

Alicia — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:24:46 +0000

Got your attention now?

Yep, I went on a diet over the Christmas holidays no less and did not give up a single food I loved. Amazed? Well my diet was a bit of a different type. I didn’t give up food. Instead I gave up technology.

Some people cannot be near a bag of chips or a bowl of ice cream without digging in.

For me, if my iPhone is near or my computer is on (which it is 24/7) I want to be connected and plugged in. It is not always work that is the draw or just email. I want to know what the weather is going to be like in New York City, what’s going on on Facebook, and lets not forget my Bejeweled 2 app. And so it was, I was addicted to my technology and decided to take a break from it all while we went on our family vacation.

Here are my stats.

We were gone for 11 days. The iPhone was in airplane mode the entire time which means no access to data, the internet or email on my cell. I checked email just twice the whole time. And I managed for the first time in at least several years to really turn off and relax. It was WONDERFUL. I feel like a new person! Now of course, the fact that I was gone over the holidays where not much is going on anyways helped matters and since touching down at home on Friday, I am back on my technology feast. But…none of that matters. I had a break and it was amazing and I am now planning to make it an annual tradition.

I learned some great lessons during my diet.

I realized that I didn’t really miss anything by not always being on and reachable. Things that were important got taken care of and I wasted much less time looking at trivial things. I spent more time really listening and talking to my family and giving them my full attention. And my stress level went down significantly just by taking a break. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Buttoned Up » organization

Guest Guru: Krista Green – Are you being served?

Are you being served?

About the Author

Guest Guru: Marie Ruddock – My “Five Minute Bag”

My “Five Minute Bag”

About the Author

Cool Find & Special Offer: Get organized with Shoeboxed.com

Special Offer: Shoeboxed.com is offering a one month free trial to the first 5 Buttoned Up readers who call 888-369-4269 (ask for Justin) or email (justin@team.shoeboxed.com) and mention Buttoned Up – Hurry so you are one of the first 5!

Guest Guru: Brandie Kajino – Organizing with Technology: Know When It’s Right

Organizing with Technology: Know When It’s Right

1. When paper just won’t do

2. Beware the steep learning curve, and steer clear

3. When you want to take it with you

Three Organizational Projects Perfect for Summer

Three Organizational Projects Perfect for Summer

Sarah on “maximizing the extra time”

Alicia on “spending it wisely”

Top Three Projects for Summer:

1. Say cheese.

2. Build in Healthy Habits.

3. Prepare for Summer’s Wrath.

Overwhelmed By Clutter? These 5 Steps Will Help

I Went On A Diet And Ate Everything I Wanted

Got your attention now?

Some people cannot be near a bag of chips or a bowl of ice cream without digging in.

Here are my stats.

I learned some great lessons during my diet.

Special Offer:
Shoeboxed.com is offering a one month free trial to the first 5 Buttoned Up readers who call 888-369-4269 (ask for Justin) or email (justin@team.shoeboxed.com) and mention Buttoned Up – Hurry so you are one of the first 5!