 July is Purposeful Parenting Month. Make organizing a part of each day. Let kids know that the need to be responsible for their own possessions. Teach children how to pick up after themselves. It's important to show kids that every item they own has a "home" where it needs to return when they're done using it. Be consistent.
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Hitting the road this month? Whether for business or pleasure, any road trip requires fueling up - both your car and your stomach! A handy, free app called iExit tracks your current location and tells you all the restaurants, gas stations, and rest stops that are coming up at the next few exits. It can also find the nearest hospital, pharmacy, and vet office in case an emergency has unfortunate timing while you're on the road.
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Take Charge of Change Week is the first week of July.
What better place to start than by organizing your home? First, figure out how you - and your family - will benefit from an organized home. Come up with five ways your household will improve once you're more organized. Then, ponder what will happen if you decide not to change, and what will be different once you make some changes. Need a little help to make positive changes? Let us evaluate the problem areas in your home or office and suggest life-improving strategies to make you more efficient and less stressed. Your three-hour "ideas/take action session" is smartly priced at $195.00. Remember, if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  What exactly is clutter? Clutter is anything unnecessary and extraneous. It can be more than the physical clutter most of us think of. Getting organized means clearing out the clutter in your mind, heart, and life. As for the physical clutter, ask yourself the following three questions about each item in your home. If you can’t answer yes to at least one, it’s probably clutter!
1. Is it beautiful? A stunning piece of artwork enriches your life because it brings joy each time you see it. A gorgeous vase full of fresh flowers reduces stress and energizes your spirit. 2. Is it useful? You use your 12-cup coffee maker every day. You couldn’t make it through the week without it. (Don’t confuse this question with, “Will it be useful someday?”) 3. Is it loved? The antique pocket watch from your grandfather is a precious reminder of him. Your favorite cashmere sweater makes you feel fabulous. You’ll find that as you inventory your possessions, you may be able to answer “yes” to two or even three of the questions above. Those are the things that are most valuable to you. Remember, the goal of decluttering is not to get rid of everything. It’s simply to keep only things that you truly appreciate and use. To stop clutter, prevent it from accumulating in the first place. Don't give clutter a chance to form. As you've probably experienced, once clutter occupies a space, it has a way of multiplying. Always remember to place your emphasis on quality over quantity. In other words, it's not important to have a lot of things, many of which you never use. It's more beneficial to have fewer things, all of which you use and/or enjoy. Think before you buy. Try to look beyond the initial “thrill of the purchase” and see what provides deeper moments of meaning. Before you buy, think about the time you’ll spend in cleaning, storing, and maintaining that item after you bring it home. If you must buy, establish a “new item in, old item out” system where some purging takes place before shopping. Once you rid yourself of clutter and make space only for what's special, you'll find it's easier to get — and stay — organized! You’ll soon reap the benefits of a clutter-free life: more energy, happier relationships, a well-organized home or office, new opportunities, and a better outlook on life. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  According to Harris Interactive, 23% of adults say they pay bills late (and thus incur fees) because they lose them. Ouch! If you're one of these folks, you need a new system to organize, contain, and pay bills on time.
You might consider the "twice a month" payment system. Set aside two 6x9 envelopes. Label one "Due Second Half of the Month: Pay on the 10th" and, as you receive them, place inside all bills due between the 16th and last day of the month. Label one "Due First Half of the Month: Pay on the 25th" and, as you receive them, place inside all bills due between the 1st and 15th day of the month. As soon as a bill arrives, immediately open the envelope, and toss it out (along with any other sales literature that accompanies it). Next, circle the due date. Tuck the bill into the return-mail envelope and stick them into the appropriate 6x9 envelope. For example, if you receive a bill that is due June 20th, you'd put it in the "Due Second Half of the Month: Pay on the 10th" envelope. Then, on the 10th and 25th of each month, take out the 6x9 envelope, and pay your bills. To make this process a little easier, fill a small plastic supply box (or use an empty checkbook box) with office essentials such as pens, checkbook, stamps, stickie notes, envelopes, address labels, mini-stapler, and tape. You’ll never again have an excuse to pay late. After you pay your bills, give thoughtful consideration to the paperwork you decide to keep. If your expenses are business-related, file statements in a “paid bills” folder. If they are non-work related, you can probably get rid of much of your paperwork. Be realistic and ask yourself why you would need to keep them in the first place. (Remember, most statements are available online if you need them later.) If you really want to keep the statements, file them in a “paid bills” folder and empty it out (shred sensitive material) at year’s end, keeping only the past 12 months’ worth of paperwork. If you are computer savvy, you might consider paying some or all of your bills online. This eliminates paper and can save much time. Contact the companies from whom you receive bills and see if they offer online bill paying. You'll receive your statement via email, and payment can be deducted directly from your checking or savings account or charged to your credit card with your approval. You can access your past statements online at any time via your computer, keeping your home clear of paper clutter. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Q: Do you have a number of miscellaneous, small items that need a "home" in your garage or shed?
A: Tension rods placed in-between your garage studs create easily accessible, vertical storage for all of your small tools, gardening and recreational supplies. Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  "A simple life is a beautiful life."
"Simplicity is complexity resolved." "No matter how hard you can always begin again." "Go easy on yourself. What you do today, let it be enough." "Begin each day with optimism and end each day with forgiveness. Happiness in life begins and ends with your heart." Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  No matter if you purchase an expensive custom garage storage system or just hang a few hooks for your bikes, investing in your garage is a good idea. Hey, you might even fit your car in there once it’s organized!
• Think of your garage in terms of zones: automotive, gardening, sports, tools, toys, etc. Consolidate items for easy retrieval, placing items as close as possible to where they will be used. For example, keep gardening accoutrements in a large basket by the outside door. Set recycling bins right next to the interior door. Put tools near the workbench. • Install pegboard on one wall. Use hooks to hold tools and gardening equipment. Pop in brackets and you can install shelving as well. Then use labeled jars or a multi-drawer storage system to separate small pieces of hardware. • Get things off the floor and onto the walls and ceiling. Install inexpensive hooks to hold bikes, rakes, brooms, sleds, ladders, and hoses. Install cabinets and shelving along the back or side walls. • Make it easy for kids to access and put away their own stuff. A tall can will neatly hold hockey sticks, baseball bats, and other long items. Corral balls in a large bin. • Finally, keep a fire extinguisher handy, mounted on the wall. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Magazine file boxes can be found in a variety of price points to match any decor, from utilitarian cardboard to plastic to sophisticated bamboo or metal. These boxes can turn a pile of magazines, trade journals, or any periodicals into a unified collection. They can also corral school supplies like spiral notebooks and folders or be used in a Household Command Center. Use them in the home office, the living room, or even the bedroom to disguise paper clutter. © 2017 Post on Demand™
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  May is Moving Month! If you are selling your house, start packing seldom-used items right away. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. Keep your boxes organized by numbering each box and labeling which room it belongs in. Keep a separate list indicating the box number and its contents.
© 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  EXTERIOR & ENTRANCE
• Keep the driveway clear of cars, toys, etc. • Remove boat, camper, and old cars from property • Wash windows; power-wash exterior; plant flowers; keep lawn neat • Repair doorbell • Paint front door; buy simple, new doormat • Remove front screen door; add a welcoming bench, helpful for shoe removal during open houses BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS • Clear dresser tops, leaving only one to three decorative items per surface • Store away children’s toys, loose artwork, and posters • Replace shower curtain; lay out fresh towels • Remove tub mat and rug in front of toilet LIVING & FAMILY ROOMS • Replace old, worn carpet • Paint or touch up walls if needed • Arrange furniture into conversation groupings ALL ROOMS • Declutter entire house • Organize and tidy up contents of cupboards and closets (buyers will peek inside to check space!) • Clean all light fixtures (remove any bugs!) • Check for odors and remove them • Turn on all lights, using brightest bulbs possible; open all shades • Repair everything broken (even the little things) • Rearrange furniture into inviting settings; remove some furniture to create illusion of more space • Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit to tables © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Staging — a process of neutralizing, decluttering, organizing, and beautifying — allows potential buyers to picture themselves living in the house by tapping into their emotions. Staging also starts the “letting go” process for the sellers, as they transform their beloved home to a more neutral-looking home.
A staged home looks similar to a model home. For examples of how your home should look to get the best price, visit some local model homes during their open house periods. Staging will help you sell your home quickly, at the best possible price. Even if you’re just thinking about moving, it is never too early to start. You’ll have plenty of time to stage your home, and you’ll get to enjoy your improvements for a while, too! And remember: many improvements related to moving can be tax deductible, including the fees for staging your home! Check with your accountant for more details. Stagers also offer an objective view of a home — a fresh eye and perspective. Some stagers own and rent out furnishings if a homeowner needs higher-quality or more neutral decor. These professionals are called “full-service stagers.” Other stagers work with what you already own, making recommendations for purchases of only small-priced items when necessary — perhaps a new shower curtain to brighten a dingy bathroom, a beautiful vase full of fresh flowers to welcome visitors in the entryway, or a sparkling new kitchen faucet to add visual interest. Home stagers can tell you: • what buyers are looking for in a new home • how to give your home curb appeal • which inexpensive improvements will add value to your home • which expensive improvements could be poor investments • room-by-room staging suggestions Hiring a professional stager is a great investment, ensuring a quick and lucrative home sale. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day! Perhaps you'd enjoy taking a moment to explore Earth Day resources available on the Web including ... www.earthday.org and https://www.epa.gov (key word search: Earth Day). As you and your loved ones raise your awareness and do your part to sustain our precious planet, remember that Every Day is Earth Day!
One of the great benefits to living an organized life is the positive impact you can have on our environment. When you’re organized, you can buy less stuff (reduce), you can think of creative ways to reinvent old items (reuse), and you can thoughtfully dispose of your discards (recycle). Follow these tips to tackle the first “R.” You’ll earn key benefits like saving money, time, and natural resources, as well as feeling less cluttered and stressed at home and work.
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  The word “clutter” derives from the Middle English word “clotter,” which means coagulate. Think stagnant, accumulated... stuck! When clutter invades our homes and offices, it can make us disorganized. We lose things, forget to pay bills, procrastinate, and waste time. So stop contemplating your clutter and dedicate some time to conquering it!
• Define “clutter.” Clutter is anything unnecessary and extraneous. It can be more than the physical clutter most of us think of. Getting organized means clearing out the clutter in your mind, heart, and life. • Start the process of decluttering. Start small. Divide your desk or room into sections. Pick one section (like one drawer or cupboard) and begin decluttering. Try to touch things only once while going through this process — quickly make a decision to keep or toss! • Ask yourself if you consider each item beautiful, useful, or loved. If not, you can probably get rid of it! If you’re still not sure if you should get rid of an item, ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?” The answer may help give you the power to discard the clutter. • To stop clutter, prevent it from accumulating in the first place. Don't give clutter a chance to form. As you've probably experienced, once clutter occupies a space, it has a way of multiplying. Always remember to place your emphasis on quality over quantity. In other words, it's not important to have a lot of things, many of which you never use. It's more beneficial to have fewer things, all of which you use and/or enjoy. • Think before you buy. Try to look beyond the initial “thrill of the purchase” and see what provides deeper moments of meaning. Once you rid yourself of clutter and make space only for what's special, you'll find it's easier to get — and stay — organized! © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  "Seize this very minute - Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -Goethe Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Are you feeling stuck? There’s an app for that! Through a series of questions and answers, the free Unstuck app pinpoints your type of stuck moment. And then, you'll be given ideas to help you get "unstuck" and move forward. Whether you need to make a decision, set a goal, overcome obstacles, find the help you need, or discover purpose, this app will guide you there. Check it out at www.unstuck.com or search for "unstuck" on the App Store.
© 2017 Posts on Demand Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Owning or working in a small business often means wearing many hats. Being organized is the key to managing it all seamlessly. Following are some tips to help you organize many aspects of office life.
• Resist the urge to continually check e-mail or voicemail. Instead, set specific times — perhaps once in the morning and once after lunch — to do this. • Make a schedule. Make a to-do list at the beginning of each day or the evening before. Schedule your time so the most important tasks get done first. That way, if you get interrupted, at least your most urgent needs have been met. • Zone your space. Divide your office into zones. Think kindergarten-style: Walk into a classroom, and it will be divided into different areas to do crafts, eat, take a nap, listen to music, and read. Your office might have a main work zone (usually your desk area); a reference zone of bookcases or shelves; a creative work zone for drawing or writing; and a calling zone, including the phone, headset, and phone book. If you’re having trouble defining your zones, your professional organizer can help! • Make the most of limited space. Try to think vertically, rather than just horizontally. Use your wall space to mount a bulletin board to hang your to-do list and phone numbers. Install pegboard or a wire grid on the wall to hang supplies up and off your desk. Install shelving over your desk to hold books and reference materials. Mount your computer monitor on a swing arm from the wall. If you have a door, don’t forget to use the space behind it — hang a shoe bag, and fill it with office supplies. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  As you begin your spring organizing, don't forget to label your containers. It's an important, but often forgotten, step in the process.
Better Homes and Gardens offers some handy (and adorable) label templates in a variety of shapes and sizes. Download them for free at ... www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels © 2017 Post on Demand Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  As you swap out your winter clothing for your spring and summer duds, set a goal to reduce your wardrobe by a set percent depending upon how stuffed your drawers and closet look. Then, sort clothing by type and color, so you can easily see that you own 20 black t-shirts or a dozen pairs of flip flops. If you want to downsize by 25%, then five t-shirts and three pairs of shoes need to go!
© 2017 Post on Demand Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  It's difficult in today's society to not feel the pressure to buy more, be more, and have more. Just remember that the more we have, the more we have to maintain. Where do you want to spend your time, money and resources? Take a moment this weekend to figure out what truly makes you happy and you'll likely find that it's not the stuff, but the experiences and people that you love.
© 2017 Post on Demand Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  If your entire household or office feels clutter-covered, create some white space. Pick one surface - such as a bedside table, desk, shelf or end table - and remove everything. Toss, donate, recycle, or redistribute to its proper home as necessary. Wipe the surface clean and put just one lovely thing on that space to remind you to kept clear.
-© 2017 Post on Demand Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Frozen. That’s how we feel when we have a daunting task in front of us. We know we need to do it, but we don’t know where or how to start. So we put it off. We’ll get to it tomorrow, right? Then tomorrow comes, and we feel just as frozen, and even more panicked because another day has passed with no results or action. Why do we act like this, and how do we break this cycle?
The first step is to learn a bit about procrastination. First off, realize you’re not alone. According to the Wall Street Journal, 20 percent of American adults consider themselves procrastinators. And even the do-it-now go-getters occasionally delay. There are many reasons people put things off. • Perfectionism: Many procrastinators feel that if they can’t do something perfectly, then why bother. These thoughts will stall you out indefinitely because as hard as you try, you’ll never be perfect. • Unpleasantness: Do you put off eating ice cream or reading your favorite magazine? Of course not. Those are pleasurable things. But writing that 50-page report, organizing your tax receipts, or cleaning out the garage? Those things can be unpleasant. Recognize that while some tasks are lousy, they must be done. • Overwhelm: If your to-do list is ten pages long (or worse yet, not written down but cluttering your brain), it’s hard to figure out where to start. When the finish line is nowhere in sight, it’s often hard to find the beginning. Now that you know why you put things off, you can learn how to manage your procrastinating ways. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Set up a handy gift station at home. Whether it's a shelf in a closet or a box stashed under your bed, dedicate a space to gather perfect gifts for friends and family throughout the year. Log gifts in a notebook as you buy them. Stash gift wrap, ribbon, scissors, tape and cards together for easy wrapping. -Easy ETips
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Happy First Day of Spring! :-)  Multi-purpose photo boxes Photo storage boxes are great for organizing more than photos! These inexpensive, versatile tools can be used to store crafts, office supplies, jewelry, small toys, bathroom doo-dads, and so much more. For under $5 each, these boxes are an organizing best-buy. Label them clearly with a label maker or Sharpie pen. Vertical space-savers
Over-the-door pocket organizers — usually reserved for shoe storage — are wonderfully versatile. Choose clutter-hiding canvas or easy-to-see-through clear vinyl, depending upon your needs.
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com |
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