This internationally-recognized holiday (the day after Thanksgiving) is an opportunity to challenge yourself, your family, and your friends to take a day off from shopping. Instead of hitting the malls, spend some time - rather than money - doing things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Here are a few tips to get you started.

* FOCUS ENERGY ELSEWHERE: Does your “to do” list have you constantly running, buying, doing and getting? Try simplifying your life by slowing down to appreciate the good around you. When do you find yourself smiling or happy? Pursue those activities that energize and revitalize you. Starting today, make a few conscious choices to spend your time and energy differently.

* AVOID TEMPTATION: Find yourself running to multiple stores each week to get all those great sale items? Make the decision to go a few weeks without reading the Sunday sale ads. Make a running list of the items that you absolutely cannot live without; pledge to purchase only items that are on that list. You’ll be amazed at the time and money you save!

* BE AWARE OF CLUTTER’S CURSE: When you spend money, you’re bound to accumulate clutter. Clutter takes up time, space, energy, and/or money without providing any tangible benefit. Consider the time and effort it takes to care for your belongings.  Could you think of better ways to spend your time?

* LOOK DEEPER: Before you buy, think about what’s truly important to you. What brings you joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment? Try to look beyond the initial “thrill of the purchase” and see what provides deeper moments of meaning.

© 2011 Articles on Demand(TM)

Thank you,

Christie Gelsomino

Quick Garage Organize Tips

No matter if you purchase an expensive custom garage storage system or just hang a few hooks for your bikes, investing in your garage is a good idea. Hey, you might even fit your car in there once it’s organized!

* Think of your garage in terms of zones: automotive, gardening, sports, tools, toys, etc. Consolidate items for easy retrieval, placing items as close as possible to where they will be used. For example, keep gardening accoutrements in a large basket by the outside door. Set recycling bins right next to the interior door. Put tools near the workbench.

* Install pegboard on one wall. Use hooks to hold tools and gardening equipment. Pop in brackets and you can install shelving as well. Then use labeled jars or a multi-drawer storage system to separate small pieces of hardware.

* Get things off the floor and onto the walls and ceiling. Install inexpensive hooks to hold bikes, rakes, brooms, sleds, ladders, and hoses. Install cabinets and shelving along the back or side walls.

* Make it easy for kids to access and put away their own stuff. A tall can will neatly hold hockey sticks, baseball bats, and other long items. Corral balls in a large bin.

* Finally, keep a fire extinguisher handy, mounted on the wall.

© 2011 Articles on DemandTM

Thank you,

Christie Gelsomino ]]> http://www.visiontobeorganized.com/v2/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=60 http://www.visiontobeorganized.com/v2/wordpress/?p=56 http://www.visiontobeorganized.com/v2/wordpress/?p=56#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:13:26 +0000 admin http://www.visiontobeorganized.com/v2/wordpress/?p=56 Getting Kids Organized For School

“Getting organized” is more than eliminating clutter and creating neat storage systems. One of the most important areas of organizing is task management. It’s never too early (or too late) to teach kids how to get and stay organized with schoolwork. The skills they learn now will carry over into high school, college, and ultimately, their careers and home management as adults.

• Establish a great homework routine. With your child, determine the best time for daily school work and stick with it. For some kids, it will be right after school. Others may need some downtime to play, and then it’s time to hit the books. The most important thing is to stick to the schedule so your child knows what’s expected.

• Set up the space. Have a designated study area, such as the kitchen table. But for unique assignments, allow for some flexibility such as moving to a rocking chair for reading chapter books. Create a school supply box and keep it well stocked with supplies (paper, pens, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, ruler, sticky notes, calculator, etc.) so kids don’t have an excuse to get up.

• Make sure you know what’s going on at school. Instruct children to unload their backpacks as soon as they come home. Have them hang up their bags in a designated area (try a coat rack, pegs on the wall, or a wicker laundry basket near the front door). This allows for easy access the next day. They should bring homework to the designated study area. Check in each day so you’re aware of their workload and take special care when they seem overwhelmed.

• Encourage the use of lists and planners. The older kids get, the more homework and activities they’ll have. Teach them to manage their tasks with the use of simple lists or a planner/calendar of some sort. Office supply stores sell ones with cute kid-friendly designs, or use computer lists (or even PDAs) for techie kids. When they learn of upcoming assignments, tests, or events, they should write them down in their planners.

• Encourage color coding. Color affects our mood and memory. Let kids pick the colors of their folders and notebooks to correspond to different classes. If green reminds them of science, then they’ll know instantly to grab the green notebook when looking for their science notes.

© 2011 Articles on Demand™

Developing a great landing area for the kid’s school supplies can be vital in helping your kids to have a successful school year.

First, designate an area that is close to the door where the child enters when returning home from school.

Second, place a bench, baskets, a cabinet, or even hooks on the wall, in this designated area that can store your child’s backpack and school supplies.

Third, have an “IN” and an “OUT” area for paperwork and/or homework.  Does your child need paperwork reviewed or homework completed daily? Label this area with your kids names while using variety of colors to make it exciting.

Fourth, work with your child so that they understand that this landing area is for them and their success at school. Be patient; it may take a few days or weeks for the child to get the understanding of this great system you have set up for them.

Fifth, a Great Landing Area means a Great School Year!

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, please go to www.organizingawards.com for details.  We’re down to the wire and we need your participation.  Please walk the red carpet with us next Saturday, January 30th at Historic Raleigh Studios Hollywood.

Along with Presenting Sponsor Avery Dennison, we’re celebrating the organizing industry where you’ll rub shoulders with colleagues, vendors and dignitaries from across the globe and our celebrity host, Kim Coles.  Enjoy dinner, photos, and a sense of community unique to us.  The event is open to the general public including NAPO LA Chapter members, NAPO National members and all guests.

Event sponsor Hornburg Jaguar of West Hollywood joins the Organizing Awards and will not only be displaying the XF mid-size luxury sedan alongside the red carpet, but we’ll be giving away a certificate valid for a full weekend’s use of the car.  In addition, the fabulous Hollywood Renaissance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland joins the fun by providing a two-day stay.  The prize package is valued at $2000. Here’s a great reason to return to Hollywood at your leisure and enjoy a very special weekend courtesy of our sponsors, special donators and the Organizing Awards!  Hope to see you there!

Hornburg Jaguar:
http://www.hornburgjaguar.com

Check out this video from cars.com on Jaguar XF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlLoBPHjBRY

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel:
http://renaissancehollywood.com

Tickets for the Awards are available on our website:
http://www.organizingawards.com

Click here for the Facebook event page for the Awards:
http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=101375717257&ref=ts

Developing a great landing area for the kids’ school supplies can be vital in helping your kids to have a successful school year.

First, designate an area that is close to the door where the child enters when returning home from school.

Second, place a bench, baskets, a cabinet, or hooks on the wall that can store your child’s backpack and school supplies.

Third, have an “IN” and “OUT” area for paperwork and/or homework.  Does your child need paperwork reviewed or homework completed daily? Label with your kids names
or with colorful fun shapes.

Fourth, work with your child so that they understand this “Landing Area.”  Be patient; it may take a few days or weeks for the child to get the understanding of this great
system you have set up for them.

Fifth, Great Landing Area’s = a Great School Year!