You know what I’m talking about.  Every summer you “talk” about all the things you’d like to do.  Before you know it summer is over and you didn’t do even a quarter of the things you “talked” about.  Well not this year.  Get organized, plan your summer and truly enjoy it.  Are you ready?  Let’s get started.

First thing to do is get some paper.  I prefer a fun notebook.  Now sit down with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and make a list.  This list will be everything you’d like to do with your beautiful summer.  You can even separate it into one page tasks and one page fun.  Tasks would be anything you need to do in the yard or around the house.  Fun of course is fun!  Camping, barbecues, walks in the morning, bike rides, going to festivals.  List everything. 

Next you will need your calendar.  Now, slot time in your calendar for those things on your list.  The only way we will accomplish the tasks and have the fun is to schedule time in our calendar.  Please do yourself a favor this year and follow through on this. 

I have already enjoyed the start of summer by sitting on my patio with the waterfall early in the morning, going for walks and doing some business writing outside on the patio.  My wish for you is to enjoy every minute you can this summer.  Even if it’s 20 minutes outside, make it happen.  You are worth it and summer is short!  I promise you won’t regret it.  In fact you may even thank me for putting you through this exercise.   I’d love to hear what summer plans you have scheduled.

Diane Konrath

262-271-0099      www.organized-transformations.com

I hope you enjoyed your Mothers day.  Now question for you.  What kinds of gifts do you like or want for Mothers day?  Does your family know what is important to you, what you love, what you don’t need more of?  I am trying to get people to understand no matter what the occasion it’s ok to let family know what you do and do not want as a gift.  It’s a good conversation to have.   I find many people spend a lot of time looking for gifts that really aren’t needed.  The gift then becomes clutter.  Put on a shelf in a closet or ends up in the dark basement until you move. 

Seriously, that is a time and money waster.  Be honest about what your current interests are.  Do you want a gift certificate to buy spring flowers when you have time for planting?  A dinner gift certificate for that night you just don’t feel like cooking.  Maybe no gift at all, just time with your family or a morning to read your favorite book without interruption.  Remember honesty is always the best policy!  You will get what you really want and NOT what you don’t want.  Everyone wins the gift giver and the receiver.  Keep this in mind when preparing for Fathers day – Be sure to ask what dad really wants.

Isn’t time the one thing we all wish we had more of?  How are your time management skills?  What do you always say “I wish I had time to…” but you never find that time?  Well I have a secret to share with you.  You are in charge of your time.  Yes you are.  You are in charge of how you spend your time and what you focus on.  It takes some effort and you must pay attention, but you can actually start having time for those “I wish” things on your list.

Isn’t that great news?  But now you are either shaking your head in disbelief or saying how.  First thing you need to do is track your time this week.  Make a page per day and write down everything you do and how long it takes you.  Everything, even the silliest things.  Now you are saying, but Diane THAT will take too much time.  Stick with me.  This is important.  After you track your time for a week you will be enlightened.

Enlightened as to where time is wasted.  Enlightened as to what takes longer than it should and could be made easier.  Enlightened as to what you felt you HAD to do.  Things you felt you had to do may not have even been important in the big picture.  Ask yourself, what do I want from my life.  What is really important to me.  What is the outcome I want from my day, my week, my year.  This is important to prioritizing the things you need to accomplish.  If you do not plan your week, you definately will have alot of wasted time.  It is critical that you start planning your week.  I know, you are saying but Diane that will take time.  Yes it will.  But planning saves you time because you  will start each day knowing what you are going to accomplish.  There is no more jumping from task to task and all the down time making decisions between tasks.  Did you know for every hour you spend planning you will save 3-4 hours?  Wow now that is a time saver.

First part of planning your week is to capture all your thoughts and to do’s.  No more to do lists.     Make a capture page where you write down all the things you feel you need to do.  This does two things.  It empties your head so all those things stop interrupting your focus.  Now you can look at that big list and prioritize.  This is where having your vision for your life is important as well as the outcomes you want.  Look at your capture list with this in mind.  Here is where you decide what you will spend your time on and where you choose to focus.

When reviewing the list ask yourself, do these items fit into my vision?  Will they move me forward to achieving my personal and professional goals?  If not, they may get crossed off.  Here is where you realize they really aren’t important.   There may be items that you can delegate to someone else.  Are they worth your time?  Is someone else better suited to take care of that item?  We always think WE have to do everything.  Not true.  You now have the power to choose what is important to you.

I hope this has been helpful in getting you started on a path to managing your time in a way that is in sync with your ideal life.  Please keep planning every week.  You will discover alot in the process and you will begin to love your life even more.

Greeting:

Happy New Year and Happy Get Organized Month.  I am so excited for the new year and for all of you working on your organizing projects this month!  But, I’d like you to stop for a moment.  Stop and really think about where to start.  Have you made note of what has been causing you frustration or wasting your time?  If not, that is your first assignment. 

To truly know what will make an instant difference, you need to know where to start.   Get out a cool notebook (something you will enjoy writing in) and make this your organizing notebook.  Take your notebook and enter each room of your home, and each area of your office.  Now… stop and look at everything.  Imagine yourself doing all the activities you like to do in that area.  How do you feel?  Are there images of piles that you have to look through to find what you need?  Are there things in your way that you bump into as you walk around the room?   Is there something you’d love to do in that room but can’t the way it is currently set up?

Give each room it’s own page.  Now list everything that you have encountered in the last year that has irritated you.  Be honest.  It can be small things like I hate baking because my tools for baking are scattered around the kitchen.   That is a project for the kitchen.  You want to enjoy your time in the kitchen as well as be efficient doing the tasks you want or need to do.   Rearranging the contents of the cabinets would take care of that frustration.   It will be a little work, but you will reap the benefits of a stream lined and organized kitchen immediately!  You are worth it, remember that.  I promise when you are done you will have a big smile on your face.

This is your year to get organized.  The year that you feel in control, inspired, focused and happy.  Complete your list for each room first.  Then, prioritize the tasks in each room by how much would it improve your life.  Prioritize the task, assemble helpers if you can and schedule time in your calendar to just get these projects done.  What better time to organize than the winter!  You’ll be so happy you did when spring comes.  Who doesn’t want to enjoy spring and summer coming.  I know I do.  That should be good incentive.  The more organized you get, the closer spring is. 

Enjoy the process and be proud of your accomplishments.  Determine what reward you will give yourself after you complete a room.  It can be big or small, but reward yourself.  Maybe it’s dinner out or a hot bath.  Whatever that reward is for you write it on the bottom of your list for each room.  Your reward awaits you.  If you get stuck or need ideas for a particular area, please feel free to contact me.  I am ready to help keep you going!  Let’s make 2010 the year we all rock and achieve great things!  Happy organizing.

Diane Konrath

Professional organizer, speaker & decorator                          262-271-0099    www.organized-transformations.com

I truly believe we all need to clear and “empty” our minds so we can regain focus.  At this time of year with the holidays only a week away, it’s time to do a brain dump.  It’s important to truly relax and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.  We are running so fast all year long.  Now is the time to slow down, reflect and enjoy!  You can’t do that with all those thoughts running around in your head.  This is what I call mental clutter!  So go for it.  Get out a notepad and start writing.  Everything that’s on your mind gets written down.  You can start writing at random, or you can come up with organized categories to dump into. 

Categories examples might be:

1.  Things to be done at home

2.  People I still need to call or e-mail (follow up)

3.  Projects and ideas for work or my business

4.  Goals for the upcoming new year

Anything that pops into your head should get written down.  This helps to stop the thoughts from bouncing around and making you even more stressed.   After you feel you’ve emptied your mind, sit down with your favorite beverage and the notepad.  Now take the time to reaffirm what is it you want from your life.  Write down your values and dreams in all areas of your life personal and professional.  It’s amazing how this exercise helps to get a clear picture of the outcome that you truly want for your life story. 

After you have that clear picture in your mind and words to express your dreams and values,  review your brain dump list.  Are there any items on that list that really don’t matter any more?  It’s easy to get caught on the fast track of life and give time and energy to things that don’t really matter.  Things that don’t fit with the values and picture of your ideal life.  But now, you can cross those things off the list and they are also out of your head.  Don’t you feel better, lighter, more free?  

Now back to enjoying the holiday with your family and friends.  I have to admit that I don’t stop myself nearly enough throughout the year.  Always going, thinking, learning and doing.  Let’s all make it a point to let go of our thoughts, the past, and focus on the here and now.  Be present with your loved ones and enjoy every moment of this holiday season.  After all that’s where the beautiful memories are made!   Don’t dread the holidays,  cherish them.       

     

I sincerely wish you a wonderful, love filled holiday season with many precious moments.  Reflect and be grateful for all the wonderful people in your life.  I look forward to helping you more in 2010 with ideas to get you organized.  When you are organized you will be more focused.  That in turn will help you to achieve the outcome you want for your ideal life story even faster!  All my best to you and yours.  Remember, be present and enjoy.

Diane Konrath

Professional organizer, speaker and decorator

www.organized-transformations.com

Keeping your family calendar organized can be a challenge.  I am a big fan of the pocket calendar from Current.  It has worked so well for my family for many years now.  The two pages per month gives you more area to write on.  It comes with fun stickers to mark special occasions like anniversary, first day of school, birthday, appointments etc.  The sticker makes that date really stand out.  I already have my 2010 calendar.  Don’t want to start the year without it. 

The pockets are so handy.  Here are just some of the things I put in the pockets ( I put them in the month that I will need the item):

• Tickets to an event
• Receipts I want to hang on to for a month in case of a return
• Doctor or dentist appointment reminders (besides marking on the calendar)
• Wedding or party invites so that date I can pull it out of the pocket for reference, directions etc.
• Field trip slips with info about what they need to take that day (event is marked on the calendar)

There are so many wonderful ways to use this calendar.  One year I actually tried to use a different calendar because I liked the theme on it, but after one month I switched back to my pocket calendar.  They are addicting!  The calendar hangers are also helpful in keeping you organized.  The bottom hooks are great for hanging keys.  In the basket I love to keep a highlighter and pen for the calendar, my coupon envelope, blockbuster card so the family knows where it is when they need it.   I recommend you personalize a system like this to fit your household.  The kitchen is the hub of the house and that is where our calendar gets hung.  You have a great vision of the family’s week right there for everyone to see.  Get the family in the habit of looking at it every night so they are prepared for tomorrow.  You can find these items at  http://www.currentcatalog.com/~Sale~Calendar+Sale.html . 

Now you only have 30 more days left to the year.  It’s time to get organized for 2010.  Be sure to set up a system you like and use it to help you keep track of your busy life!  Good luck and I’m always here to help.  Get organized and enjoy your life.

Diane Konrath

Professional organizer, speaker & decorator

Yes 2009 has been fabulous for me, I hope for you as well.  But now it’s time to think about the year coming to a close and getting ready and organized for the new year.  Hmmmm… what were your time managment tools this year?  Did they work as well as you wanted them to?   There is so much to consider.  Do I want ring bound (with a nice leather binder cover), wirebound,  a page a day, week at a glance wow so much to think about!  Sometimes, people just automatically reorder the same planner pages they had instead of taking the time to review how the system actually worked for them.  Did it? 

I encounter many clients who have empty planner pages we end up recycling and using as scrap paper.  It could be that you were not disciplined enough to use the system or it could also be that the system doesn’t jive with your style or way of thinking.  I myself am very visual and love a paper planner.  I have not changed over to an electronic calendar.  Planning and writing go hand in hand for me.  Love to see what I am shooting for. This year I am changing over to the RPM system from Tony Robbins.  Love the concept and thought that goes with his time managment planning system. 

 I urge you to google planners, time management planners etc.  Go shopping and look at the office supply stores.  Ask your friends or coworkers what they use and how they use it.  It could also be that you just never learned the proper way to use your system.  Planning your time is so important.  Whether you have a job outside the home or not.   Time is the one thing we can NEVER get back so don’t waste it.  Everyone feels they are so busy and never have time for fun or time to do something for themselves.  Well then you need to learn how to properly plan your time.  It is so worth it.  This includes time at work and time at home.  Are you spending enough time with your family and friends?  Are you accomplishing your most important goals?  Do you feel your life is balanced?  I know I struggle with this.  It takes cues and reminders to cover all the areas of your life not just work and cleaning! 

While you are thinking of what planning system to use think of all the areas of your life you need to plan for.  Does the planner you  want to use have areas for more than just work?  That’s perfect if it does.  You don’t want two planners, one work and one life, yikes.  Simple is key also.  If it’s too complicated you may not use it.  I can’t stress enough how important a topic this really is.  Don’t you find yourself asking where have the years gone?  Well with proper planning and organized time management you will fit in all the important areas of your life.  Love your life.  Don’t continue to stress over it and wonder day after day why don’t I get more done.

I hope this has been helpful and got you thinking.  Please feel free to review the sites I’ve listed  for you below to get  started.  I’d love your comments and feedback on what you have discovered works for you or how I might be able to help you plan properly.   2010 here we come!

My best to you all!

Diane Konrath

262-271-0099   www.organized-transformations.com

www.franklincovey.com,  www.daytimer.com, www.tonyrobbins.com/solutions/ProductsDetail.aspx?ProductID=619

You enjoyed the warm weather sitting out on the patio taking in the beauty of nature.  But now… it’s that time.  What time?  Time to put the yard to bed for the winter.  The more organized you make this process the better.  Taking the time to organize your seasonal gardening supplies now will make spring that much easier.  First empty all planters so they are ready for next year.  I actually bring in a few of my containers and enjoy the beauty all winter in my sunroom.  Some of my containers are 2 years old and they are coming in for the 3rd season!  Great way to save time and money, plus enjoy the benefits all winter long.  You really have nothing to lose.  So if you think something will survive the winter in your home bring it in and enjoy it.  Empty the rest. 

Outdoor living spaces are very popular these days.  We love to make beautiful outdoor living spaces to relax and entertain.  The problem can be having a place to store all the outdoor furniture we have added to our yard. Most garages do not have enough room for all the outdoor living furniture and supplies.   If you have room in your yard to put up a  shed they really come in handy for storing all these items.  Next comes wiping down the patio furniture to prepare it for storage.   If you must store your furniture outside, you will want to purchase the furniture covers that are available to protect them from the elements.

Collect all your garden statues, stepping stones and garden decorations that may crack in the cold weather.  Wipe them down and store them in plastic bins in your shed, garage or even your basement.  Label the bin so it is easy for you to identify in the spring.    Trim any plantings that require pruning before winter, wrap fragile bushes and flowers that need protecting from the cold winter winds.  One way I have organized myself to keep up with the care of all our different plants is a plant chart.  I just made an excel spreadsheet with the name of each plant, when to prune, when to stop watering for the season, when and what it needs in regards to feedings.  This has helped me tremendously.  I can even print it and give it to my husband if he wants to do some trimming.  It’s easy to update as you add more to your yard.

Lastly would be to clean your gardening tools and store until spring!  It’s kind of bitter sweet isn’t it.  You remember how exciting it was to get ready for the spring and summer season.  This time seems to go by so quickly.  Now it’s time to hunker down for the winter.  We prepare our yards for winter hibernation and prepare ourselves for the new season.   It’s time to think about your favorite things to do in the winter.  Do you love to read more?  Are you a snow bunny (I am not!).  But… winter is a good season to organize the inside of your home….. Have fun organizing your outdoor seasonal items now so you can be better prepared for the arrival of spring!

Great for containing magazines

 

Today, being organized is also like a decorating tool. We have so many beautiful containers and baskets available to us that really add to the feel of our decor. But I caution you. Each container or basket must have a purpose. Do not buy any containers until you have truly sorted through all the contents of the area you are organizing.  

magazines, dvd's etc.

Remember sorting consists of tossing, donating, belongs somewhere else and keep. Only then will you know exactly what size and type of container you need. There are many bargains out there so it doesn’t have to cost alot. Have fun. Don’t just reach for the plastic containers. There are rattan, leather, fabric, my head starts turning every which way when I get in those aisles at Marshalls, Home Goods, TJ Max and more. It’s alot of fun to decorate and organize at the same time.

Great bathroom storage adds to your decor

Again, shop with caution and only after you have sorted. Promise me you will not buy a container without a purpose in mind first. Otherwise what happens? You end up with a lot of containers that have junk in because you just threw things in there without a purpose. Many times on a consult I can ask clients, what is the purpose of this container and they will say “I can’t tell you – I don’t know”. They have no idea what is even in there. Or you will end up with a pile of containers collecting dust because they weren’t the right size or shape container. The biggest reason that happens is because the sorting process wasn’t done and there is no true purpose.

Now go get started and enjoy decorating and organizing your environment! I’d love to hear from you on how it changes the way you feel when you walk into that room.

Diane Konrath – professional organizer & decorator

diane@organized-transformations.com

It’s that time of year.  Beautiful colors, cooler weather, getting in the mode of preparing for the upcoming holidays.  Yes and you have to think about getting organized.  Since you will be changing over your wardrobe, it’s a great time to organize your entire closet.  What I want you to realize is that you can make your closet into an amazing storage space.  So many people feel that their closets are their closets.  What I mean by that is, how the closet looks when you moved in is the way it is.  No – you can change that very easily.  Your closet can be transformed into the functional space you deserve! 

 Do you like shelving because you prefer to fold your jeans or sweaters instead of hanging them?  Do you want drawers added to your closet so you can eliminate a dresser in a small bedroom?  Is there only one pole?  We call that long hanging space for dresses etc.  If you don’t need that much long hanging, transform part of the closet to be double hanging to of course double your space!  Now you’ve got the idea. 

You can go to places like Home Depot and Lowes if you are a do it yourselfer.  I help clients sort their closets contents, talk about what’s not working and what would be their ideal scenario if there were no limits.  You really need to go through the process of sorting and purging prior to making design decisions regarding your future closet.  There are closet companies that will remove your old closet and install the new.  It’s all a matter of your skills, budget and time frame.   One of my favorites is a family owned closet company that I love to use.   I helped one of my clients transform their walk in closet into a beautiful functional space.  That was their anniversary and christmas gift to each other.  Something they can enjoy for years to come.

I’d love to help you get started if you have questions or need some additional direction.  Why put up with closets that just annoy you because they lack function.  Improving the function of your closet will definately simplify your life.  I also feel it’s a great investment in your home.  Who wouldn’t say WOW when viewing a home with great closets.    Let me rephrase that – great ORGANIZED closets.  Enjoy your fall closet organizing projects. 

Diane Konrath – professional organizer & decorator

diane@organized-transformations.com