This month is National Get Organized Month. Every January the National Association of Professional Organizers and it’s member chapters endeavor to publicize the benefits of organization and the services that are provided by our industry. There are many areas of specialty within the Professional Organizer industry – from home staging to business productivity to move managers. There are specialized training courses for many different populations - seniors, hoarders, people with disabilities, and children.  Getting organized helps people with time management, productivity, family management, and relieves stress and anxiety. Here are some of the reasons why professional organizers are hired and which areas are most often organized. This information is found on the National Association of Professional Organizers website, www.napo.net:
Top reasons professional organizers are hired

1. Too much clutter
2. General disorganization
3. Difficulty determining what to keep and/or discard
4. Difficulty finding things
5. Selling a home or moving

Top areas in a home where organizing services are most often requested

1. Home Office or Den
2. Kitchen
3. Closet
4. Master Bedroom
5. Garage/Attic/Basement

I’m not a huge fan of making resolutions anymore; most people do not take resolutions made on New Year’s Day very seriously.  However, if you are ready to take the first steps to getting organized this year, then download my ebook, Project Simplify. It includes monthly goal sheets to help you plan the first steps to getting your organizing projects done.

Receive your free gift today!  Just go to the top right of this page and submit your name and email.  Then check your email!  You will have the link for your free download!   It’s my gift to you this month as you begin to get organized!

 Linking to:

I was interviewed by the House Whisperer at KHSL and this segment aired today! It’s all about being organized and staying organized.  

Check out the video where I talk about computer (laptop) organization as well as how to organize your coupons.  Plus lots more!

These are just some of the cool products I carry with Clever Container.  On January 1st, more than 20 new products will be released so check that website again soon!

5 Tips for a More Organized Year:

• Create a written plan for each area you want to organize

• Use ONE calendar

• Make a weekly appointment with yourself to plan the upcoming weeks

• Spend 15 minutes a day putting things away around the house/office

• Review tomorrow the night before

Here are the 5 keys mentioned in the video above to help you organize a small space:

• Let go of the extras
• Be size conscious
• Go vertical
• Buy multifunction furniture
• Regular maintenance

Do you have a clever idea that you have implemented in a small space? If you do, please share it here!

Beginning February 28th thru March 4th , you can post your photo and link to your blog so that others can see how you successfully organized a small space.
If you would like to participate you will need to paste the code below at the top or bottom of your blog post to show you are participating in Organizing Small Spaces!
Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post.

Don’t have a blog or photo to contribute? That’s okay, just leave a comment below. We’d all love to hear your ideas!

Day 14.  Went up to the new house today with another load of boxes.  As I mentioned previously, this new place is close enough (90 minutes) to drive to and bring things up a little at time.  I have been loading my car (to the brim) every trip with boxes and then unpacking the boxes once I get there and bringing the boxes back with me.  No, I don’t need more boxes – I am just doing this so that I do not have a mountain of boxes and tons of unpacking to do later.  This strategy does not work with all moves, READ MORE

Day 12. My dear husband’s birthday is today and   I managed to convince him that we should spend the night in the new house.  Of course, we took a load of boxes with us – you know, I can’t be unproductive!  While we were gone, 2 couples came with their Realtors to look at our home. READ MORE

Day  11.  Oh my aching legs!  Today we took a large load to the new house.  My helpers today were another son, his wife and my best friend.  I was amazed at how quickly we unloaded a 16′ truck.  Luckily, this son used to work for a mover during the summer when he was in high school so he knew what he was doing!  The downside today was that the new place has steps no matter which door to the house you enter so needless to say, READ MORE

Day 9 & 10 – Yesterday was spent watching my dear granddaughter and having my old faithful dog’s portrait done.  A little off the move subject, but life is still happening around me…..  I did manage to pack more boxes and stage things near the door for loading.  I reserved a truck from Budget Rent A Car and hired a 2 man work crew- essentially one of my sons and his friend.  These days with work offerings so slim, I thought I would help them out by giving them a job for a day or two READ MORE

Here’s a video blog of the first weekend of beginning to move.
I’m trying hard not to look tired!

Day 5 – Today was a busy day for me. I was in work mode as well as move mode.  I opened a new business account at a bank that will be local in my new city.  The manager, Nick, was very friendly and I found it a huge relief to be able to not wait in a long time to speak to someone.  Nick was very interested in me and my business and even promised to follow up himself.  I love small community banks (this one took no federal bail out money, by the way).

Next, I went to an eWomen networking event and helped facilitate the monthly Elk Grove luncheon, where I won a gift!  Looks like a great housewarming gift for our new home, doesn’t it?!    I also was lucky enough to READ MORE

Day 4 -  Okay, so what tasks were completed today?  I think I’ll make a quick list:

1. Set date and time for this weekend to do walk thru and get keys
2. Decided which Realtor will list our house
3. Left message for insurance agent to obtain renter’s insurance
4. Assembled and packed 8 boxes (while granddaughter was sleeping)
5. Identified some furnishings with the dot system

Dot system??? – Are you curious? READ MORE