Organization = Efficiency not Perfection

Do you set out to straighten up the entire house and get stuck in one drawer that needs perfecting before moving on to the next? If you tend to organize in this way, you may be inhibiting yourself from ever getting to that place of order that you desire. Here are some tips to help you accomplish what you set out to do:

• Use a timer. Decide how much time you have to organize a particular area.

• Set a goal. In that amount of time, decide how much of the space you can realistically get through, and commit to getting through all of it.

• Don't get caught in the "Chaos Circle". If the things you are making decisions about and putting away when you organize don't have a "home" you will get caught in the chaos circle, meaning that you'll just put it back down into another pile! Everything you organize needs a place to belong.

• Keep moving. Don't get caught in the details of perfect organization. When organizing a kitchen for example, you may not be able to alphabetize all of the spices (nor should you for that matter). Good enough organizing is better than no organizing at all.

Remember, organization is about efficiency, not perfection. Keep your eye on the big picture to maintain basic order, when time allows focus in on the details to bring your systems to a higher level.

Declare Independence From Your Clutter!

Are you spending the 4th of July weekend around the house? This could be the perfect long weekend to carve out some time to declutter. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Find that pile that's been bugging you, dig in to the hardest area when you're motivated.

• Set the timer and work without distraction for the entire time you've allowed.

• Have a plan for what you donate. Having someone or some cause to donate your unwanted items to will make you more likely to pass them along.

• Don't waste time moving things from one pile to the next. Put each item you plan to save in it's proper place as you go.

• Earn some cash. Sell your stuff on eBay Classifieds. It's an easy, local and safe way to turn your clutter into cash.

• Feel great at the end when you see how much progress you've made!

What Can You Do With 60 Seconds

My favorite video on time management. Don't waste a second...

Is Martha Stewart Slowing You Down?

As much as I love Martha Stewart and the wonderful things she does, I am certainly no Martha. As a person who is always trying to help people become more organized, I find that often times the easier, simpler way is often the better way, at least in my life. Yes, a homemade cake is delicious, but the ease of using a box cake and doing it quickly is a no-brainer. Don't be afraid to use shortcuts where you can. People often think that an organized person is bestowed with a special gift of order, but organization is a constant discipline - it has to be worked at and maintained all the time. We all have the same 24/7, so we need to make use of that time wisely so we can focus things we enjoy most. If Chaos To Order can help lighten your load by giving you tips and ideas for getting things done faster and easier, or come into your home or office and set up systems so that you can maintain a level of organization that works, we've done our job.

A Relaxation "Productivity" Tool: Tivo

It's time for me to blog about my favorite relaxation "productivity" tool. I am a huge fan of Tivo. This may seem like a commercial, but I believe that if you watch any television at all, the DVR is the way to go. As an organizational/time management expert, I find that people can waste so much time watching mundane television shows. I do understand the relaxation aspect of TV, but why sit there watching commercials or just surfing around when you can spend that time viewing what you really enjoy. Although I do not watch much TV, the few shows I do can be seen according to my schedule, without commercials, and forwarded to the points I'm most interested in. I feel informed every morning because I Tivo the news and watch the headline stories. I do not sit and wait for the stories that catch my interest, I forward to them, and if I didn't catch it all the first time, I can rewind, pause or slow it down. If I come home late and miss the news, I grab my Tivo remote and there it is! I also love the Tivo brand. Having tried other DVR's, I find Tivo to be the most user-friendly. We all have the same 24/7 and need to make the most out of all the time we have, especially when it comes to relaxation because we are so often deprived of restorative down-time. With Tivo I catch up on show's I like when there is laundry to fold, emails to glance through or when I just want to relax after a long day. The best part of Tivo is watching what I want, when I want to, and viewing exactly what I want to see. Don't waste another minute surfing with the remote, get Tivo and take control of your television time!

5 Steps to Efficiency

With the economy in a downward spiral, and at the urging of our new President, it's time for all of us to take responsibility and work towards being more efficient. At Chaos to Order we have spelled out 5 steps that can lead us to a more efficient and organized life.

1. Spend Wisely - Chaos to Order has developed a Home Efficiency Program (for more information call (847) 825-8400). It's guaranteed to help you cut costs on household expenses. There are so many ways to economize and now is the time to do it. Trim down on everything from storage locker space to cable bills, Chaos to Order has a step by step guide to help you get the best deal.

2. Cut The Clutter - When we were on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Suze Orman, she reinforced to us how much excess we all have. We helped weed out the home of her client, thus enabling them to be more efficient and streamlined. A good place to start: Arrange for a charitable donation to come once a month to pick up give-aways. Knowing you have a set date can motivate you to go through the house and regularly fill a bag for them. Bonus - you will get a tax deduction for getting rid of your clutter!

3. Create a Time Management System - Two items that are necessary in every household: calendar & filing system. Whatever type of calendar you use, make sure it's big enough for all tasks and appointments. A working filing system is the other absolute necessity. Have a place for everything, even if it's only temporary, and stop wasting time sifting through papers and mail.

4. Don't Overschedule - to avoid overscheduling, I suggest you actually schedule downtime. Our lives are moving at such a busy pace that unless we work to create time to balance out, we will continue to feel hurried and tired. Taking time out will actually make you more productive because you will be relaxed and focused.

5. Create Good Habits - I talk to clients who say that when our organizer arrives, they will finally start to get organized. I tell them not to wait, start right now creating good habits of putting away as you go. Chaos to Order is happy to help you get things organized, but to keep it organized is a constant process!