This weekend we are talking with our children to see what they want that we don’t need to take with us.  Things like landscaping materials/tools, extra cabinetry, chairs, bookcases and the like.  I had some positive response to what was being offered and even a few inquiries into things I wasn’t ready to part with!  Our children still seem to be processing the fact that we are moving away.  Perhaps they thought it would never happen?  I wonder how holidays will work now?  I am sure we will be coming to their homes and they will have the holiday meals and festivities to plan….. hmmm, that’s not such a bad thing, now is it?

Not only do I have to move the household but I am also moving my business. So I needed to start making a list of all those things running around in my head.  I affectionately call this activity a “brain dump” and if I don’t do this regularly I begin to feel like I am going crazy and/or losing my mind!  One thing at the top of my list was to start changing the address information I have out there for my business all over the internet.  You know things like my vendors: Go Daddy, merchant accounts, eWomen Network, etc.  Boy, do I have a lot out there and too many passwords!  Where’s the passwords to all this? Out comes the password book.

Here’s a tip:  If you don’t want your passwords in your computer then put them in an address book, writing them in alphabetically. Put it in a not-so-visible yet convenient place for you to get to. I’d tell you where I keep mine but then I might as well tell you my passwords!

… I digress…

So as not to spend the rest of my day (and week) updating all my internet connections, I decided that I would update 2-3 a day. I am placing a small red dot in the address book of passwords as I update each one so I know where I left off.

Now I can start tearing up the house.  By that I mean beginning to pull things out and pack.  I plan to start with some of the non-. I have some boxes given to me by a friend who is still unpacking (1 year later) from her move.  I purchased a 6 pack of tape and loaded my tape gun so that it is now at the ready.  This move will not be a one-day-load of the 18 wheeler type of move.  Initially, we will be trickling things up to our new location. What I want to do is take up some boxes to house B, unload them then bring the empty boxes back to house A and reload them with more items – rinse and repeat – you get the idea. I have the luxury of taking the next entire 4 weeks to move so I thought it would be nice, for a change, to get things settled in bit by bit instead of having a maze of boxes in every room of the house.

We’ll see ….”the best laid plans….”

Now I know that moving is a dreaded task for most but I am excited!  You see, I am a military brat who has moved many times in her life.  In fact, I went to 10 schools in my 12 years of basic education.  I guess I see moving as an adventure and I like change.  I like figuring out the best way to organize the move and how to set up the floor plan of the new space.

I am moving about 100 miles away from the Sacramento area and I thought it might be fun to journal about the journey.  So visit my blog often for the next 30 days or so and watch how the organizer does it! I also welcome your comments, insights and encouragement while this change is underway.

So what’s the first thing you do when you know you have to move?  Post your comment below.

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

You can do some planning:

• Decide how many networking events you will attend in a month.
• Plan follow up time on your calendar.
• Research the host and venue.

You can also do some preparation.  As a woman going on a blind date, you can spend hours in the preparation!  What to wear?!?? To prepare to network you can:

• Set some intentions, some outcomes you would like from the event.
• Have your business cards, flyers and raffle prizes ready to go.
• Prepare you commercial and decide on 1 product or service to feature.

And most importantly do the follow up.  Networking is not about passing out business cards and scooping up clients.  It is about building relationships.  Just like it is rare to have a marriage proposal on your blind date, it can be rare to close a sale when first meeting at a networking event. Follow-up can include:

• Emails (or better yet video emails*)
• Personal Notes
• Phone Calls
• Invitations to coffee or other events
• Giving a referral

Do you have a system for follow-up after your networking events?  For each hour of networking, you should plan an hour of time for follow-up.  This doesn’t have to be all done by you, get your staff or virtual assistant involved.  Be productive in your networking!

p.s. *Video emails are really awesome! And easy to do! I’ve discovered a great product for them.  Contact me for more info.

p.p.s.  Can blog posts even have a p.s.???

For the call in details, email me at info@organizedhabits.com.

Call in and get acquainted with the group even if you personally don’t have any questions.

Here’s some food for thought:

- How do you keep track of all the toys
- Keeping the car clean and organized
- Help! It’s laundry day!
- Where to put all my sewing/craft stuff

1. Before

This drawer is beneath my printer and has been a catch all place for office tools.

2. The Stuff

Here is what is in the drawer.  The top half of the photo shows the essential office supplies. The cords at the bottom left were also essential. The rest… how did that get in there?!

3. Bonus tip

If you have cords that sometimes need to go with you, store them in a zipper pouch for easy transport.  This pouch contains my cell phone and iPod chargers as well as a car adapter. When I am at the office they are in the desk, if I think I may need them, I just throw them in the bag that I am taking along.

4. The Configuration

For my drawer the six components fit like this.  I love that there are many ways to configure the interlocking pieces to fit any drawer!

5. The Result – ahhh, organization!

Now I bet that’s what you thought my junk drawer would look like!

Do you have a junk drawer that needs organization?  Rubbermaid has given me an extra set to give away.  There are 2 ways to enter to win:

1. Post a photo of your junk drawer or a comment about it on my blog. OR
2. Sign up to receive my monthly ezine by registering at www.organizedhabits.com.

Do this before midnight on March 5th and a winner will be selected at random and notified by email. (So be sure to include your email if you post a comment.)