http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php Tips and tools for everyone who needs organized spaces en-us Tue, 08 May 2012 20:39:06 -0700 Tue, 08 May 2012 20:39:06 -0700 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tracy Axcell Tracy Axcell Mom needed her pantry "tweeked" today; just needed a little more room and a little change in how things were stored.  We did simple things like: 1. Clear pull out drawers for Keurig coffee K-cups, tea bags, pasta bags/boxes, small snacks 2. moved the bottles (that fall over on those wire shelves) into open (non-lidded) containers on lower shelves for easy access 3. purged  - yes, purge those outdated and unwanted items (don't tell her I told you but ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1336534746&title=pantry-makeover Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1336534746&title=pantry-makeover http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1336534746&title=pantry-makeover&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1336534746&title=pantry-makeover Tue, 08 May 2012 20:32:00 -0700 What's Behind There? Spring Cleaning is a great time to ask yourself this question.   There are places in our homes and offices that truly need to be seen; behind thesmall file cabinet,behind the refrigerator, behind the bed and dresser.These are common placesthat wefail tolook behind so it's the perfectplace for "bunnies"(not the Easter kind) to hide. And you'd be amazed at who the bunniesinvite to join them in the recesses of their dark, ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780934&title=spring-cleaning-made-easier Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780934&title=spring-cleaning-made-easier http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780934&title=spring-cleaning-made-easier&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780934&title=spring-cleaning-made-easier Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:26:00 -0700 Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Garage   1. Utilize storage you already have before purchasing anything new. Old dressers are great for storing small tools, rags, etc.   2. Make separate areas for small tools, supplies, hardware, large tools, liquids etc.   3. Purchase multiples of the same size storage containers. They will stack easy and give the appearance of order.   4. Keep a small file box with numbered dividers. ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783114&title=tips-for-clutter-free-garage General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783114&title=tips-for-clutter-free-garage http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783114&title=tips-for-clutter-free-garage&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783114&title=tips-for-clutter-free-garage Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:04:00 -0700 Creative, disorganized, right-brained clients love Scansnap! (article written for Fujitsu)   As a CPO (Certified Professional Organizer), I've discovered a surprising pattern among my clutter-prone, disorganized clients; they love creating file systems! They tend to be right-brained and creative, which promotes the desire for an attractive file system. The problem comes after the system is implemented; they don't use it .   My clients stare every day at examples of their personal and professional failures; files and ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785020&title=scanning-for-right-brained Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785020&title=scanning-for-right-brained http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785020&title=scanning-for-right-brained&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785020&title=scanning-for-right-brained Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:35:00 -0700 Hoarding     Have you ever wondered whether you are a hoarder?   Does keeping 20 years of past Christmas cards constitute hoarding? Is there an acceptable expiration date by which you can still use food and not be considered a hoarder? How much trash has to pile up before you're labeled a hoarder? Does having extra sets of things mean you're a hoarder?   If you watched any of the Hoarding specials these past couple ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781480&title=do-you-hoard General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781480&title=do-you-hoard http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781480&title=do-you-hoard&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781480&title=do-you-hoard Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:56:00 -0700 10 Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Office   1. Decide what part of the day is your most productive. Reserve that time for you. Use it for the tasks that require the most detail.   2. Save the simplest tasks for the end of your day. You're more apt to finish simple tasks than difficult ones at that point.   3. Use a stacker file on or near your desk. Use only ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782943&title=tips-for-clutter-free-office Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782943&title=tips-for-clutter-free-office http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782943&title=tips-for-clutter-free-office&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782943&title=tips-for-clutter-free-office Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0700 National GET-ORGANIZED month January   Plan now to use January to get yourself organized and off on the right foot for 2012! What better month to focus on organizing than January? You've just cluttered the home with wonderful Holiday celebrations and have to figure out what to do with it all; it's the end of the year and you have to plan for that dreaded April 15 th date that approaches almost as fast as Christmas does; ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783799&title=national-get-organized-month General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783799&title=national-get-organized-month http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783799&title=national-get-organized-month&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783799&title=national-get-organized-month Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:14:00 -0700 As I look ahead to Christmas I know that many of you, like me, will fight off the overwhelming sense of stress. What is so stressful about this time? It's the disorganized tangle of lights, ornaments, wrapping paper and décor as well as the overloaded lists of food preparation, appointments, invitations and shopping. If you are naturally disorganized, this scene is capable of sending you into the "post Christmas crash”. So, let me encourage you ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784467&title=stress-less-christmas General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784467&title=stress-less-christmas http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784467&title=stress-less-christmas&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784467&title=stress-less-christmas Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:26:00 -0700 Tax benefits of a home-based business If you need to find more deductions for your taxes this year, a home based business may be your answer. Ask your accountant how your liability would be positively affected by having a home-based business.   I've added 2 businesses under the umbrella of Officially Organized.  Both help with the struggles of organizing in homes and offices.  Both provide me with additional tax benefits as businesses I run from home.  Feel ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780291&title=tax-benefits-of-home-businesses Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780291&title=tax-benefits-of-home-businesses http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780291&title=tax-benefits-of-home-businesses&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780291&title=tax-benefits-of-home-businesses Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:15:00 -0700 Purge Those Decorations! Decorate then donate   Do you hate throwing away the broken gingerbread house from your son's kindergarten class?   Does the thought of dragging out those boxes of decor cause your heart to race?   This year let's donate!   After you've decorated, don't put those half full boxes back in the attic; ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782368&title=purge-decorations Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782368&title=purge-decorations http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782368&title=purge-decorations&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782368&title=purge-decorations Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:51:00 -0700 WINTER TIPS FOR THE OFFICE   1. Holiday Scents and Flavors – just like your home, your office can promote more favorable image during the winter months. All you need is a wonderful scent to greet your clients. Try using the Russian Tea idea from the "Home Tips”. If you don't have a kitchen, bring a crock pot to keep the tea hot. Also, have a nice plate of cookies out for clients as they walk in. ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784072&title=winter-tips-for-the-office Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784072&title=winter-tips-for-the-office http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784072&title=winter-tips-for-the-office&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784072&title=winter-tips-for-the-office Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:20:00 -0700 Make a List CheckIt Twice Then Shop Online   Most Americans spend 3 times what theyplanned when they shopwithout a plan and a list. As a naturally disorganized but functionally organized person, I struggle with emotional purchases. In order to battle the desire to buy, I've found that it's easier if I keep a list of gift ideas throughout the year.   If you want to control shopping this year, make a list ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780722&title=holiday-controlled-shopping General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780722&title=holiday-controlled-shopping http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780722&title=holiday-controlled-shopping&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780722&title=holiday-controlled-shopping Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:23:00 -0700 Don't waste memory making moments   I was "busy" working on my laptop when my hubby asked me to come join him on the porch. I resisted at first. Then my own words echoed in my head, "don't waste memory making moments!" So, I turned off the laptop and joined him. Within a few ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781697&title=memory-making-moments General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781697&title=memory-making-moments http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781697&title=memory-making-moments&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781697&title=memory-making-moments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:38:00 -0700 Fall Tips for the Office   1. Drop the Ball! – Choose not to "juggle” so many jobs each day. Look at your schedule. Is there anything on your "to-do” list that can be accomplished by your assistant or another person in the office? Drop that Ball! Let another person, who isn't juggling, accomplish those things that you are tired of juggling.   2. Make a daily appointment with yourself! – Block out a ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783971&title=fall-tips-for-the-office Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783971&title=fall-tips-for-the-office http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783971&title=fall-tips-for-the-office&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783971&title=fall-tips-for-the-office Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:17:00 -0700 Backpacks and school papers are everywhere! "Drop Zones" solve the problem. Every student needs somewhere to drop their backpacks, school suppliesand personal itemswhen they come home from school. Whether you're dealing with a first grader or college student, you need to create a place for them to drop all that stuff they bring home - a"drop zone".   How do you create a drop zone? You ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782599&title=school-drop-zones Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782599&title=school-drop-zones http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782599&title=school-drop-zones&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782599&title=school-drop-zones Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:54:00 -0700 Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Kids Room   1. Make cleaning up a game. Ask each child to bring you something specific – Ex: "bring me 1 yellow item and 2 red items”. Or "bring me 2 soft toys” etc. Then you place the item where it belongs. If they are younger children it makes it much less frustrating for both of you!   2. Use lower dresser drawers for ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783227&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kids-rooms Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783227&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kids-rooms http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783227&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kids-rooms&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783227&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kids-rooms Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:06:00 -0700 Organizing Tips for a Clutter-free Kitchen   1. Separate your kitchen into 3 sections: baking, cooking and Serving. You'll have upper cabinet(s), lower cabinet(s) and drawer(s) for each section. Baking : Upper cabinets: baking spices, sugar, flour, shortening, etc. Lower cabinets: mixing bowls, baking dishes etc. Drawers: measuring cups/spoons, rubber spatulas, wooden spoons etc. Cooking : Upper cabinets: canned goods, cooking spices, spray oil, etc. Lower cabinets: pot and pans, casserole dishes, ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783330&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kitchen Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783330&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kitchen http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783330&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kitchen&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334783330&title=tips-for-clutter-free-kitchen Sun, 08 May 2011 09:07:00 -0700 Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 Review   The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 provides super fast and easy document scanning with "one-touch" operation. The scanner itself is sleek and compact, taking up very little physical space. Considering its benefits and reliable performance, the Fujitsu ScanSnap is an affordable device for any office. The ScanSnap immediately helps you realize these great benefits: De-clutter your office of hard-copy documents Free up valuable physical space by getting rid of large ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784860&title=scansnap-review Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784860&title=scansnap-review http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784860&title=scansnap-review&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784860&title=scansnap-review Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:33:00 -0700 Tag Teaming the Spring Cleaning   When my kids were young, I used to do my spring cleaningas a "tag team".  My friends and I would schedule spring cleaning at one of our homes each week. We all gathered there, kids in tow, and cleaned together.    It was amazing how much more fun and quick it was to get through the entire house. The kids got to play and we moms got the benefit of ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781041&title=tag-team-cleaning Home Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781041&title=tag-team-cleaning http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781041&title=tag-team-cleaning&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334781041&title=tag-team-cleaning Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:09:00 -0700 February 28, 2011 Helping during a disaster Having lived through a devastating earthquake as well as the affects of a Volcano and even a small Flood I feel like I at least have an emotional handle on the issues that arise after a natural disaster. And, can you believe I now live in Tornado Alley and have never actually seen a tornado?   My recommendations:   1. Realize they aren't thinking very rationally . They ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785277&title=help-during-a-disaster General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785277&title=help-during-a-disaster http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785277&title=help-during-a-disaster&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334785277&title=help-during-a-disaster Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:39:00 -0700 Preparation is always worth it ...at least that's what the Pros say     Sometimes I feel like Alicia in this picture, "Why am I not understanding what everyone else does?"   Preparation for an event is a struggle when you're naturally disorganized. We get caught up with the wrong list of "to-do's". We daydream about others perfect events. We spend countless hours reading up on how to make ours the "world's best". Yet ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782185&title=holiday-prep-by-the-pros General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782185&title=holiday-prep-by-the-pros http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782185&title=holiday-prep-by-the-pros&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334782185&title=holiday-prep-by-the-pros Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:43:00 -0700 Desk Dilemmas Does your workspace promote productivity? by Tracy Axcell "What can I do to work more efficiently in my office?”   This is the No. 1 question in the minds of many home-based business owners. Although many people struggle with creating an office atmosphere that promotes productivity, doing so doesn't have to be difficult. Use the following simple steps to create the stress-free home office you desire. ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784308&title=desk-dilemmas Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784308&title=desk-dilemmas http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784308&title=desk-dilemmas&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334784308&title=desk-dilemmas Mon, 11 Oct 2010 08:23:00 -0700 I wrote the following article for Fujitsu ScanSnap recently about the 3 things that steal your productivity in your office. I hope you'll find some tips or ideas to spur you on to a more productive office environment. *****************************   As a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) I consistently see the same three productivity issues in offices: paper, clutter and time. By implementing some simple changes, you will be able to enjoy a more organized, productive home office. ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780105&title=productivity-thieves Office Organizing http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780105&title=productivity-thieves http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780105&title=productivity-thieves&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780105&title=productivity-thieves Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:07:00 -0700 LISTS!   Creating Effective "To-Do" Lists There are thousands of programs, apps and opinions on how to handle your list of to-do's. Many are good,some are justtoo detailedanda fewactually work for those of us who are naturally disorganized. I want to show you how I've worked through this issue in my life and hope that it will help you tocomplete your list of to-do's.   First off, I don't have an ...

http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780581&title=get-to-do039s-done General Organizing Tips http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780581&title=get-to-do039s-done http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780581&title=get-to-do039s-done&action=rss 0 http://officiallyorganized.com/organizedblog.php?entry_id=1334780581&title=get-to-do039s-done Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:19:00 -0700