Your Life. Organized.

Improve Efficiency In Batches

 What do you think of when you hear the word BATCH? I think of brownies! So how can brownies improve your efficiency? Well, they can't, but BATCHING tasks surely can. Batching tasks means grouping like tasks together. Take your task list and group similar tasks together. Make all your follow-up calls at the same time, send emails at the same time. Write all your saved up blog posts at the same time. Pay bills at the same time.

The logic behind task-batching is simple --  you save time, you increase focus, and you get finished quicker. Because when you group similar tasks together, you get into a groove. You get on a roll, which means you avoid the constant mental shifting, re-focusing, and stop-and-start of different tasks. It's sort of like the difference between driving on the highway and driving in stop-and-go traffic. Sometimes you need to do city driving, but isn't it nice to just get on the highway and fly? 

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Quote of the Week: Live in the Present

Jump start your brain with the Quote of the Week! Each Wednesday, I share with you a quote that inspires me, in the hope that it will also inspire you.  Here is this week's quote:

"One day at a time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone: and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor
1820-1915, Author

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800 Organizers In One Hotel?

Yes friends, it's true. It's that time of year again when Professional Organizers of all stripes gather in one state, nay in one HOTEL even, to participate in the industry's annual national NAPO conference. Each year the National Association of Professional Organizers holds its annual event in a different city, and this year it's in Orlando, Florida.  Our keynote speakers are Scott McKain and Michael Port. I leave eeeeearly Tuesday morning, and although I will miss hanging out with Christmas Boy all week (he's staying home), I look forward to four full days of immersion in all things related to my industry. I'll be taking classes, networking and spending time with dear friends, meeting new friends, and even taking in a Cirque du Soleil show while I'm down there. So enjoy your week, readers, and don't be surprised if you see me Twittering whilst I'm away.

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Your Mom Deserves a Butler!

Holy Guacamole, Mother's Day is coming up quick! This year, instead of giving your the same old same old flowers and taking her to brunch, why not give her something that will last a lot longer and make her life much happier? Give her the gift of ORGANIZATION with the Butler Bag!

For a very limited time, (today through Monday April 27th!) you can get a whopping $30 off a Butler Bag. Buy TWO Butler Bags and get the $30 plus free shipping, which saves you ten more bucks! (This means gals, you can get mom and YOURSELF a Butler Bag, and guys get your mom and your wife each one!) Just use the promo code BB30 when you check out online!

If you've been living under a rock for the past few years and don't know what the heck a Butler Bag is, it's only the greatest handbag every created! (Oh, is that all??) If you're like me and you've bought handbag after handbag over the years...

How To Choose a Consignment Shop

These days more and more of my clients are looking to consign clothing rather than donate, to attempt to recoup some of their initial investment. I think consignment is a good idea, provided you do it fully informed before you commit. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you make the consignment leap...

Quote of the Week: Give to Receive

Jump start your brain with the Quote of the Week! Each Wednesday, I share with you a quote that inspires me, in the hope that it will also inspire you.  Here is this week's quote:

"The people who receive the most are the ones who give the most. This is true of individuals, but also for businesses. If the focus is on how can we give the absolute best service, then the profits will follow. If a company is only focused on profits, they miss the big picture and will always be scurrying for business instead of having clients chasing them."

Susan Bagyura
Author of the just released book, The Visionary Leader: How To Inspire Success From The Top Down

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The Check-Out Line: Win a Free Earbud Yo-Yo!

Welcome to The Check-Out Line, where I review products (and services) that are designed to make your life easier. I give you my opinion and my opinion only. You decide for yourself. You can see my past product reviews here. This week, I'm reviewing the Earbud Yo-Yo...

Strengthen Your Decision Muscle!

Decisions are part of life, and we each have our own way of approaching them. Some people make all decisions quickly, while others agonize over every decision no matter how small. Some people consult others on most of their decisions, while others keep strictly to their own counsel, trusting their own instincts. Some decisions are major, such as where to live, where to go to school, who to marry, whether or not to have children, and where to work. Others are minor -- they're somewhat important, but not at all what I'd call life-changing. These minor decisions could be choosing where to vacation, what shoes to buy for that fancy event, or what color to paint the kitchen. There's also a third kind of decision, one that I call micro...

Quote of the Week: Socialism

Jump start your brain with the Quote of the Week! Each Wednesday, I share with you a quote that inspires me, in the hope that it will also inspire you.  In light of the fact that today is tax day here in the United States, and on the heels of the signing of the biggest spending bill in our country's history, here is this week's quote:

"The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money."

Margaret Thatcher
UK Prime Minister, 1979 - 1990

Decluttering Means More Than Just Your Stuff

Have you ever met someone whose home looks really neat and organized, but their life is still in chaos? It might seem counter-intuitive, but it's not uncommon, because chaos and disorganization often live in realms other than the physical. Chaos can be mental, emotional, relational... essentially my definition is that it's anything that disrupts you, distracts you, or stands in your way of achieving the results you want in the realms of relationships, health, finances, time, or goals.

Getting organized and simplifying other areas of your life besides your home will only add to your mental well-being and peace of mind, which helps you to live a happier, more effective life. To that end, let's talk about some ways you can declutter your without discussing your home or work spaces. Along the way I'll share some things I've done recently in my own life in pursuit of the same...