I am speaking on the topic of being organized for successful networking this week.  I equate networking to going on a blind date.  Just like a blind date, there are lots of unknowns at each networking event – who will be there, will I be able to find clients or strategic partners, how will the event flow?  It can be pretty scary.

But like a blind date, you do have a few things you can control.

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I recommend revamping your filing system, when you have time. Although this is not a high priority activity, revamping your file systems will help you save time in the long run. Many times we do not file things because:
o The drawer is jam packed with files and there’s no room.
o Once filed, you are not sure you can find it again.
o You don’t know what to name the file.
o The file cabinet itself is ancient and the drawers do not operate properly. READ MORE

Some may think that the kitchen is the obvious place to start with organization and maybe that’s true.  When you move in and first set up a kitchen, you are intentional about where you put things; you organize the pots, pans, dishes, and glasses as you put them in their new home.  However, once you begin to prepare meals and cook in the kitchen, there is usually a need to re-vamp your system.  It does not matter the size of your kitchen.  I have clients with galley kitchens and others with huge center islands and breakfast nooks.  The complaint is almost always the same – “There is not enough room” or “My kitchen doesn’t flow well.”  Some of what makes a kitchen work better in to have efficient storage containers inside of the drawers and doors.  These containers can be drawer organizers, bins, baskets, or canisters.

Today’s blog will focus on the use of canisters… and how you can win a set of canisters!

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Bradley House in Folsom CA

Just got back from a great weekend, filled with creativity.  At least once a year, I enjoy a 3 day binge on my papercrafting and scrapbooking. This weekend I stayed at the Bradley House B& B in Folsom, CA.  The innkeeper, Jerry, was great and the rose garden was in full bloom and beautiful.  As with anything, there is a lesson to be learned from this scrapbook retreat. READ MORE

Okay, so it doesn’t have to be a “closet”, it can be a drawer, shelf, or box.  In other words, do you have a stock of gifts that you have purchased in advance (or are going to re-gift)?  Having some gifts on hand is great for those last minute invites or the times when you forgot someone’s birthday.  Shopping for gifts this way can also save you money.  My sister-in-law, for example,  shops for Christmas all year long, and puts everything into the gift closet with a tag for the intended recipient.  She only shops sales and has plenty of time to wait for the perfect gift to be the perfect price.

Many of my friends have gifts that they have purchased in advance or plan to re-gift but the gifts never seem to leave.  Why?  Because they don’t remember what they have.  They purchase a gift, put it away in their gift closet and then add more and more and pretty soon, forget that they purchased the perfect gift for someone and it lays gathering dust in the back of the gift closet!

The solution: (you knew I had one)

As you purchase gifts, log them on a gift list.  This can be done on a handwritten page or on a spreadsheet in your computer.  Here’s an example:

Add things to the gift list as you add them to the gift closet.  If you purchase an item that does not have an intended recipient (yet) then just note what gender or age range it is for.  As you give these gifts be sure to cross them off the gift list.  Update your list annually after Christmas so you can start fresh.  If you begin to have things in the gift closet that never get given away, then consider using these items for hostess gifts or white elephant/secret santa gift exchanges.

And remember, shop in the gift closet before you leave home to shop!

Recently, I received some fabulous products made by Rubbermaid.  this set of drawer organizers come in many shapes and sizes. There are many ways to configure them to fit virtually any drawer in your home. They have an interlocking “lip” on one side to hold onto the next organizer, so no more separations where things are likely to disappear in the cracks!  They are black with a tan bottom.  Some of their components are featured in this photo. I used four different size organizers in my desk drawer and it fit perfectly. Really a well made product with great flexibility. I highly recommend them.

Using these organizers I was motivated to clean out my junk drawer…. See my next post for a blow by blow of that project.

Today I was frustrated with the time it is taking to get a refund from PacSun for something I ordered online for Christmas.  I have been following up on this issue for over 30 days! So I’m turning the energy of the frustration into a constructive blog post…..

How is your follow through?  Whether you have to follow up on projects, employees, homework, or refunds – do you have a system in place to remind you?  My all time favorite tool for this purpose is the tickler file!  I know you were expecting me to talk about some iPhone app but the tickler is a tried and true method, so I use it.  Even the GTD expert, David Allen, uses a tickler file.  Here’s a photo of his product:

In my example of following up with PacSun for a refund, here’s how I used the tickler:

• Jan 15th – called phone number on packing slip and was told it takes 2 weeks for refund.
• Put packing slip in the tickler under “27″
• Jan 27 – called customer service again and was promised an email in 48 hours
• Put packing slip in the tickler under “2″
• Feb 2nd – no email, called PacSun to find out refund was being processed
• Put packing slip back in the tickler under “5″
• Feb 5th – Called PacSun and demanded to speak to the President of the company (oh, yes I did!)
• Feb 5th – Received a personal phone call telling me the refund was processed and gave me a confirmation number.
• Puting packing slip in tickler under “9′  and on that day I will check my bank account for the credit to my account.

This was very easy to follow up because the packing slip was moved each time to the “next action” date and I just made a call every time I saw the packing slip.  Of course, you have to look in your tickler file once a day.  It’s called an organized habit!

Getting organized is usually at the top of everyone’s

New Year’s resolution list in January.

…and goes by the wayside in February.

You cannot get organized if you do not have a plan.  In conjunction with your personal planner, I have just released Organize for 2010 . This planner is for your organization projects!

Cool, I know… This planner lays out your organizing projects by month and and by theme.  It gives you a place to make notes and set due dates.  Best of all it’s simple to use and encourages rewarding yourself when you have accomplished the monthly projects!

You can order your electronic copy now for only $10.00.

The first 20 people who order will also receive an instructional video that I have recorded to show you how to use the Organize for 2010 planner.

January is National GO (get Organized) Month. I have declared each Friday in January to be Fantastic Fridays! We all need to be encouraged with our New Year resolutions. If one of your goals for the New Year is to simplify, pare down, or get more organized then this is the blog for you. For the 5 Fantastic Fridays of January, I will post an article here with a video for you.