​Parents, are you dreading the start of the school year and its uncertainty? In this age of COVID-19, school districts struggle with their back-to-school plans. Who knows how these plans will work out in the long term?
 
Whatever the situation, it is likely that children will spend a good amount of time learning remotely this year. With that in mind, we can plan ahead to create a calm home atmosphere that’s conducive to learning. How to do this? 

(... with a coaching organizer.)
 
1. improve self-discovery and awareness
A coaching organizer uses coaching skills to help you learn about yourself. Through the transformative coaching process you realize your strengths, resources, goals and life values. You come to a new awareness of how to handle the issue at hand, whether it is a decision, problem, or roadblock, that keeps you from successfully decluttering.
 
2. ensure organizing tasks are aligned with life goals
The coaching organizer partners with you to ensure that your decluttering decisions align with your life goals and values. 
​(Click on Read More to continue)

We now offer the empowering techniques of coaching as part of our organizing services.
 
What is coaching?
Basically coaching is a guided conversation with the purpose of effecting change. According to the International Coach Federation website, coaching is the partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. A coach encourages clients' self-discovery, believes  clients are  experts in their own lives, and holds clients accountable. Some techniques that a coach uses are: partnering, active listening, powerful questioning, and endorsing a client’s strengths. The coach helps clients dig deeper to uncover their unique perspectives. Organizing coaching topics include: exploring goals, getting unstuck, working on motivation, resolving a decision or simply gaining clarity on an organizing issue. Coaching makes the difference!
 
How is coaching integrated into organizing?
Coaching is often used up front to clarify goals and to explore a client’s motivation for change. During a session, coaching ensures that  progress aligns with the client's goals. When a client reaches a roadblock during an organizing session, coaching is effective to explore and resolve the issue expeditiously. Following a session, coaching is used to evaluate progress, acknowledge success and establish future actions. Coaching is equally productive in the hands-on situation or in virtual sessions.
 
Is coaching for you?
​You never know until you try it. Inquire about our complimentary coaching call. You will be surprised at how empowering coaching can be!

(OR you can organize your basement!)
​

1. Think before you stash
2. Label and date boxes/bins
3. Declutter regularly
4. Purge things that can be borrowed
5. Use sturdy open shelves
6. Use clear bins
7. Create zones
8. Avoid storing cloth, paper and metal if basement is damp
9. Inventory and reevaluate annually

July is here already! The past few months have incongruously flown and crawled by at the same time. It seems the COVID-19 pandemic kept me in an extended holding pattern - like a really long snow day – where I ignored lots of household tasks. Can you identify? Is it time to take control and tidy up your home?
 
Initiate a first step to get back into the decluttering swing of things. Here are some (short and sweet) ideas:
 

• Organize your car.
• Declutter a closet, bookshelf or kitchen drawer.
• Shred the waiting pile of papers.
• Clean, freshen and air out blankets.
• Re-arrange a room.
• Tidy up your house plants.
• Declutter newspapers and magazines.
• Thin out a coat rack or shoe rack.
• Clean out the freezer.
• Take a bag of donations to a charity.
• Organize hobby materials.

 
Take control - One step leads to more!

Is getting organized your number one New Year’s resolution? Here’s how to achieve it: AWARENESS! How can awareness help to declutter and organize? And how do you become aware? (Click on Read More)

​Do these things well in advance (or even a little in advance) to gain control over the season. Then enjoy!
 
1. Clean out the fridge and pantry if not already done for the Thanksgiving holiday. Open up space to make it easier to store/find holiday ingredients. Find and clean special serving ware.
 
2. Take stock of  bills and important paperwork. Many a bill has gone overdue as a result of the frenzied “clean-it-up-by-putting-it-in-a-box” style of prepping for the holidays. Make special notes of due dates and replies required on the calendar as reminders.
 
3. For children, declutter clothes and toys prior to incoming gifts.
 
4. Prepare space for guests in advance. Make the guest bed, clear horizontal surfaces, and clean the bathroom. Anticipate supplies that guests might need and purchase in advance.
 
5. Inventory the logistics of entertaining. Count chairs and place settings. Select table coverings, linens and candles. Purchase extra take-home containers for giving leftovers/desserts. Make space for extra coats/boots in entryway or hall closet.
 
6. Set up a special envelope for Christmas receipts and use it religiously as the season progresses. 

Your checklist, that is.
 
If you have a tendency to forget critical items when you leave the home, here’s a solution. Create a checklist like the one below. Post it in a prominent location such as on the door, or in your vehicle.
 
My Checklist: 

• Phone
• Wallet/purse
• Glasses
• Keys
• Briefcase/Workbag

 
Other possibilities for the checklist: 

• Shopping List
• Reusable bags
• Lunch
• Directions
• Specific paperwork

 
Done! No more embarrassment, frustration, anger, or upset.

Embarrassed by losing the same things (phone, keys) over and over again? For people with ADHD this problem is all too common. For the rest of us, losing items becomes a reality when we’re stressed or tired. There are serious consequences for misplacing important items: we are delayed getting out of the house, we make a bad impression, we disappoint ourselves, we arrive late to appointments and jobs, and we appear to disrespect friends, family and coworkers! There are viable strategies to help even the most absentminded.
 
A basic principle of organizing is to assign homes for all our things: papers, shoes, tools, sports equipment, photos, clothes and so on. The same is true for crucial items like keys, phones or store/gift cards. Not only do these items need homes but we must be consistent about returning them to their rightful places. How to do this?
​(click on Read More)