Get Organized!

How to Effectively and Efficiently Communicate at Work

2012-02-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

Communication can be a difficult skill to master because it requires an understanding of not just yourself and your own language but it also the language and behavior of those around you. To be an effective and efficient communicator at work, take a look at the following suggestions.

Beware Your Body Language
Communication is much more than what you say. As a matter of fact some would argue that effective communication is almost entirely about how the message is put across and not so much about the words you use. Body language is extremely integral to success, so to be taken seriously at work project the right image. Make eye contact with people you speak to, keep your hands out of pockets and stand firm on your feet. Appear too fidgety and people start wondering if you are worth listening to.

Get to the Point
If you have a tendency to be long-winded you risk losing your message along the way. People generally don’t need to know the entire story and they are not even as likely to be as interested as you might think. Get to the part that is pertinent to why you need their help and you’ll get the
right results every time.

Use Action Language
Passive phrases get you passive responses. If you want to get something done you need to ask in a way that gets the point across.

Be Open and Receptive
Communication is a two-way street so it is important to check that your message is being received in the way that is intended. To get the best results at work you should maintain an open-door policy by being available for questions and concerns. Your co-workers or subordinates should never wonder if it is alright to approach you for a discussion.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com

How to Organize Makeup and Beauty Products

2012-02-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

If you have makeup and beauty products in lots of different nooks and crannies chances are you don’t use everything you have because you simply can’t find it all. It can also be frustrating to rummage through piles of makeup just to find a particular shade of lipstick. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. You can organize your makeup and beauty products without spending a fortune on a fancy shelving system and it doesn’t have to take your entire weekend. Take a look at the tips below.

Evaluate Your Stock

The first step is to assess your stock. You may be holding on to expired products or shades that don’t work just because you don’t take the time to look at the labels or figure out when was the last time you used the item. Toss out anything that is old or that you no longer love and you’ll see that you don’t have as much to store as you may think.

Repurpose Glass Bottles and Containers

Empty jars and bottles can make great storage for makeup sponges and cotton balls that you want to keep clean but accessible. Wash a couple of jars and remove the label and you have instant chic storage for your basic tools.

Use a Toolkit for Make-Up and Beauty Products

A regular handyman toolkit is a great way to keep the bulk of your makeup supplies. If you have a number of eye-shadow colors and lipsticks you can keep them separate using the compartments in the kit but they are all in the same place. Simply slide the entire toolkit in a bathroom cupboard for storage.

Store Everyday Make-Up in Accessible Bag

Your everyday makeup should be easily accessible. You can keep the things you use on your face all the time in a neat bag on your countertop.

Purge Regularly

Finally, the key to keeping things under control is regular purging. Don’t allow your stock to spiral out of control. Whenever your makeup and beauty container starts to overflow it is your queue to start sifting through your products to find the things you really don’t need or won’t use.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

ADHD gadgets to help you get organized

2012-01-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

ADHD adults generally suffer from chronic lateness, forgetfulness and a level of overall disorganization that makes simple life tasks difficult to master. Luckily there are gadgets out there to help you to organize every aspect of your life, from remembering what to pick up in the morning before you leave the house to making it to meetings on time and prepared. Take a look at some of the ADHD gadgets that can help you to get organized.

Smartphones

Your Smartphone can become your best friend if you are an ADHD adult. There are tons on features that can make you appear focused and in control. Day planners, meeting reminders, lists and customizable alarm sounds for different tasks can keep you on track with very little effort.

Key-Finders

The great thing about key-finders is that you can use them to find much more than lost keys. You can attach them to almost anything and with the press of a button you’ll be able to locate the thing you’ve lost.

Doorganizer

The Doorganizer is a nifty gadget that holds everything from eyeglasses to smartphones and more. It attaches to the door knob so you can store everything that you want to take with you when you leave the house. You can get them at The Container Store for a fairly reasonable price.

Intelligent Watch

These watches are great because you can set reminders at 15 to 30 minute intervals so you are more aware of your time and they are water-resistant so you don’t have to remember to take them off and put them back on when you shower.

ADHD sufferers can get relief from these organization gadgets but these tools can also bring a sense of normalcy and calm to those you love because they will come to know that they can depend on you just a little bit more.

Design Tips: Accessorizing Your Home

2012-01-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

Think about how you dress. The perfect scarf, belt, shoes, or jewelry can transform the same outfit from casual to elegant, conservative to trendy, or frumpy to fun. The same can be said of the “extra” elements we add to the décor of our homes.

We can be content to live in “straight off the mannequin ” rooms……………….this goes with this, that goes with that…the colors in that picture match the couch, etc., but wouldn’t it be more interesting to live in space with a little personality…more specifically your personality?

Personal touches can be anything from private collections, to special photographs and artwork, to keepsakes from memorable trips, to flea market finds that catch your eye and bring a bit of whimsy or interest to a grouping.

A lady I worked with just loved a small side table that belonged to her father, but worried that it wouldn’t blend with her newly decorated home and thought she might need to have it refinished in order to make the grade. But once we talked about how the imperfections now showing after so many years of use actually gave the piece its personality, and then realized that its history is exactly why she liked it in the first place, she made the decision to leave it just as it is. It works perfectly as an eclectic addition to her décor, as did a cherished pine hope chest salvaged from the basement……she added a bench pillow, placed framed family photographs above it, and it is a well loved and perfect addition to her cottage look bedroom.

You can also be creative in the use of objects….that potting table might make a great desk or a bar for outdoor entertaining….those carvings or rocks could be used as bookends, that antique trunk or chest may be the perfect coffee table.

The point is…..use what you love and you’ll love where you live….flawless can be a bit

boring..create your own perfection.

How to Organize Your Finances

2012-01-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

When your finances are disorganized you can find yourself falling behind on bill payments or eating into savings because you don’t have a clue how much money you really have at your disposal and even occasionally running into overdraft. To avoid the financial messiness that comes from a lack of organization try implementing the following tips.

Choose a System that Works for You

The first step to organizing your finances is selecting a system that fits your lifestyle. There is no point spending a fortune on a software program to manage your money if you are inclined to pick up a pen and paper and getting on the computer always seems like a chore. Choose a system that you are sure to use whether it is a simple notebook with columns for expenses and income or a sophisticated program with the ability to forecast future savings.

Consolidate Accounts (Credit Cards)

Instead of having several small accounts to track, keep it simple and consolidate them in one place. This means you get only one statement and you can track your withdrawals and deposits to get a real picture of what you have and what you spent. The same approach works for your credit cards. Maintaining only one credit card; preferably one with a low finance cost and airline miles or cash back incentive, means you are less likely to go over your limit.

Take Advantage of Automatic Payments and Transfers

Automatic bill payments and account transfers can take the hassle out of staying on top of your monthly expenses. They usually cost only a minimal fee, so it may be well worth it if the alternative is paying hefty late fees and incurring interest costs.

Make Time to Update Records

The best designed system in the world will only get you so far. You need to make the time to actually use it, input the data and update your records so they make sense.

Be Ready for Tax Season

Finally, instead of going crazy at tax time keep a file with all the pertinent data throughout the year so it is easy to put together before the deadline. Whenever you collect a receipt that may be deductible it should go in your tax file so you won’t forget to claim.

Organizing your finances doesn’t have to be a gargantuan task. If you start with a well-planned system and simply follow-through you’ll get the results you want and it won’t be hard to stay organized throughout the year.

Key Components of an Organized Press Release

2012-01-17T17:45:00.000-08:00

If you have news you want to get out then a press release is a great way to go about it, but if you’re not organized your efforts may very well be wasted and your good news may end up being just a small blip on the industry radar. To avoid this fate take a look at some of the key components of an organized press release.

Make the Objective Clear

Without a stated objective your entire press release could fall flat and your audience might miss the point entirely. To be sure your message is clear try not to include too much information. Instead focus on the core reason for the communication so there is no chance that a reader could get lost on other details.

Proofread and Polish Your Text

One of the most common mistakes is neglecting to proofread your finished text. It only takes a little extra effort but giving your document a final check before you send can save you from making silly the errors that portray your image in a negative light.

Identify Your Target Distribution List

Your target distribution list should include all the names and contact information for the people with the power to spread your message. You may have editors, journalists or freelancers listed but you should also categorize your contacts according to priority and the frequency with which their material is published so you can send your press release at a time that is convenient for their next available deadline. Of course you should also make sure the journalists are a good fit for the information you want to distribute. Don’t simply forward your press kit because you have their name and contact information.

Have Stated Goals for Every Press Release to Measure Success

Your goals should be for your eyes only so they are not to be included in the press release that is sent out, but they are nevertheless integral to the organization of your material. These goals help to focus your efforts so your press release is concise, effective and timely.

After you have sent out your press release don’t forget to follow-up. Just because you’ve sent it doesn’t mean your job is done. You may need to give reporters and journalists reminders about your story, so developing a working relationship with these people can go a long way towards your success.

How can a timer keep me on task?

2011-12-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

A secret strategy for productivity management is the implementation of a simple timer to make your results more productive. Take a look at the following steps for information on how this is done.

Choose the Timer

You can use a stop watch, an ordinary alarm clock, or the alarm on your cell phone. The point is to get something that allows you to track a predetermined amount of time. The timer can count down or count up.

Choose the Type of Task Wisely

Not all tasks are conducive to timing. If you have to depend on others to provide essential information or input, it’s probably not a good task for using a timer. Use a timer for tasks and productivity you have control over.

Race the Timer

If you have a difficult time staying focused, set your timer and race it. This creates urgency and helps you to overcome outside interruptions.

Work For 25 Minutes

Research has shown that working in smaller blocks of time can actually increase productivity. By setting your timer to 25 minute intervals you give yourself a fairly short burst of time to concentrate on a project or task before taking a break.

Take a Short Break and Repeat

When you take a break it should be for no longer than about five minutes. You can use this time to stretch your legs, get something to drink or simply to clear your mind. When this time is over you should get back to your project and reset your timer.

Using a timer in this way can have a huge impact on your overall results.

Outsource and Delegate

2011-12-20T00:17:00.000-08:00

Today's news about Congress fighting over the Payroll Tax cut reminds me quickly why I choose to outsource and delegate some things.

As a business that has employees, we have to provide payroll regularly. And I am SO glad that I have an accountant that handles all our payroll. I don't want to keep up with all the ever changing payroll and IRS rules.

For instance, if this payroll tax cut is extended for just 2 months as proposed, I would have to remember to change the payroll tax deductions in 2 months. Or if the payroll tax cut is passed for one year, I would have to remember in one year to check to see if he payroll tax cut is still in place OR I would have to have payroll software that is ALWAYS current and up-to-date. Because failing to do so would cause big problems with the government!

Whew that's a lot to think about...when would I have time to actually work my job? While I have accounting that needs to be done in my business, I don't want to be an accountant...that's why I outsource that to the professionals and I can focus on being a professional organizer and not a professional accountant!

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/ http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com /; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

Total Money Makeover - Recommended Reading

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you are struggling with debt or tired of being stressed every time a bill comes due, I would encourage you to do a Total Money Makeover. Dave Ramsey is the ultimate guru of not only money management but the guru for digging yourself out of a financial mess! The Total Money Makeover is a great place to start getting your life back in financial order!

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

It's All Too Much - Recommended Book

2011-09-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

A few years back I had the opportunity to meet Peter Walsh, the original icon of the organizing industry. You might have seen him on Oprah over the years. He has some great books, but my all time best recommended book for those who struggle with letting things go, is his book "It's All Too Much".

CLICK BELOW ON THE BOOK
TO SEE INFO ABOUT IT

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

The Success Principles - Recommended Book

2011-08-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to move ahead in your career or just need a kick in the butt, The Success Principles by Jack Canfield is awesome. I heard Jack speak live a few years ago and what an inspiration! If you haven’t read this book, you should. It is one of my all time favorites.

CLICK BELOW ON THE BOOK

TO SEE INFO ABOUT IT

How to organize effective brainstorming sessions

2011-08-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Brainstorming sessions are used to generate creative fresh ideas but the format of a typical brainstorming session makes it easy to let the meeting get out of hand quite quickly. The following are a few tips to be organized and get the most out of your time.

Set an Agenda and Make It Known

When you create an agenda for the meeting and circulate it well in advance your attendees understand the reason for meeting and can come prepared. An agenda also highlights other participants and can underscore why each person is vital to the session’s success.

Designate a Coordinator or Session Leader

The session leader is responsible for documenting ideas, keeping time and steering the focus of the group. When someone is clearly at the helm of the brainstorming session it is easier to direct the other participants to stay on track and to make contributions.

Place a Time Limit on Sessions

Ideally a brainstorming session should last only about half an hour. This is because going for a longer time period distorts the result and participants start to rationalize and this can kill the creativity of more spontaneous responses. If your session has to extend beyond this time it is best to designate short breaks in between so participants can grab refreshments and come back revitalized.

Encourage Participation

The main objective of a brainstorming session is to get solutions that are not run of the mill. This can only happen if people feel free to say anything that comes to mind regardless of how ridiculous it might first appear. The key to achieving this is to suspend judgment and welcome wild ideas.

If you follow these simple tips you can improve the productivity of your brainstorming sessions and generate the results you really want to see.

How to organize mental clutter

2011-08-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

If you feel like you have a million things you want to do but you are unable to settle down to anything productive because you simply can’t clear your head for long enough to choose a direction, then you need take a look at the following tips for how to organize mental clutter.

Make a Detailed List
The first thing you need to do to organize mental clutter is to get everything down on paper. This simple step works wonders when it comes to getting organized. On your first attempt at writing everything down you should not worry too much about the order you put things on your list, or if the list appears to represent a logical group of items. The trick is to treat this exercise like a typical brainstorming session capturing everything and leaving nothing out.

Create Categories
When everything is down on paper you can start looking at your items and then group them into logical categories. You may end up with things you want to do around the house, trips you want to take or meetings you have been putting off for work.

Prioritize Within Categories
The next step is to prioritize all the items under their separate categories. After doing this you’ll start to see where you need to start because the things that are urgent will be placed at the top of your list.

Figure Out Your Time Constraints
Of course you don’t have unlimited time, which is part of the reason you may have found yourself in this predicament in the first place, so you need to budget time to get the urgent things done. Then you can move along the line until you have put a timeline on all your outstanding projects and goals.

Create a Schedule
You may be able to use this exercise as a starting point to create a schedule that you can use every week, or even every day. The recurring items can be put into a time slot so you will be better organized in the future.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

How To Organize Your Child's School Papers

2011-08-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

If your child’s school papers have managed to find their way onto every surface of your house it is time to take control and bring some order to the chaos. Organizing your child’s school papers will not only neaten your home but it will improve productivity as well.

Use the Keep/Toss Method
It might be heart-breaking to decide which of your child’s precious school papers you should keep and which you should toss, but it is simply not practical to hold on to everything. As your child progresses through the school system you will realize that the paper load is just too much and you will start to prune them out of pure necessity. A simple way to help cut back on what you keep is to hold on to all test papers and other graded school work for the length of the term in case any discrepancies arise after which time you can toss them away. If something is really sentimental you can take a picture of your child holding it up before you throw it away that way you can still hold on to the memory.

Set Aside Time to Organize
If you don’t make organizing school papers a part of your routine you will always have a build up. Instead of waiting for it to get overwhelming, you can sort your child’s school bag at the end of every day. Use the opportunity to check for homework, fill out consent forms and pull out things that can be tossed immediately.

Review Your Storage Bin After Every Term
At the end of the school term you can take a second look at your keep pile of papers. You should only keep those things that are really special to you or your child and get rid of the rest.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access http://www.theorganizingchoice.com/, http://www.secondgoaroundauctions.com/; http://www.itssimplyserendipity.com/; and http://www.outstandingseminars.com/

How to Recycle VHS Tapes

2011-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the Farmer's Market here in Cedar Rapids, someone asked how to recycle VHS tapes. This is a bit of a challenge because the older technology is in much less demand.

If the tapes are movies, the quickest and easiest solution is to donate them to an organization such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army who will resell them. From my experience, the only movies that you might be able to sell yourself are Disney movies. If you are having a garage sale anyway (don't have one just to sell these tapes), you could price them for sale. Craigs List is an option for selling or giving away. Freecycle. org is another option for giving away.

All the suggestions to this point involve reusing rather than recycling. If you have VHS tapes where you have taped programs or family movies on your own, these are more difficult to reuse and less people want them. Recyling them becomes the better option.

Upon some research, I have learned there is a company in Missouri that erases the tapes, sells the ones that are good and recycles the plastic of the others. You can send your tapes to them at ACT, 2200 Burlington, Columbia, Missouri 65202. Their website is www.ACTRecycling.org. If you go to their website, they do have a donation form and it appears the donations are tax deductible.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com, www.SecondGOAroundAuctions.com; www.ItsSimplySerendipity.com; and www.OutstandingSeminars.com

How to Organize a Family Reunion

2011-07-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Organizing a family reunion can take a lot of time and energy so it helps to formulate a strategy for getting started.

Decide Who is in Charge of Planning
You can decide to grab hold of the reigns to get your next family reunion off the ground or it may be more realistic to recruit a couple of your other family members to help. This all depends on the scale of the reunion you have in mind. A small gathering takes considerably less effort, so it may be possible for one person to do all the scheduling, but as long as you are trying to get a large group of people together you need to consider getting help.

Fix a Date and Location
Setting a date and location for your reunion is not as simple as it would first appear. This is especially the case if your family is scattered across the globe because everyone would need to take time off work and have money set aside to make the trip. The location should be centralized so all family members have an equal opportunity to attend and it should also be set for a time that is convenient to the largest number of people.

Think About Financing
There may be costs to be shared by the group. For instance, the rental of the location for the reunion is a factor to consider, although you may be able to find a place for free. You also need to think about the cost of refreshments or entertainment if you are planning to enlist outside acts to get momentum going.

Communicate with Attendees
It is the responsibility of the designated planners to communicate with all the potential attendees. Updating people on the issues as they arise and passing on the general consensus of the family members.

Activities
Sharing the family history and playing games should be fun for all, so when you are planning your itinerary remember to consider the different age groups that are likely to be present.
Organizing a family reunion doesn’t have to be a very difficult task. A bit of planning can ensure that your gathering is a great success and it just might turn into the first of many.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com; www.SecondGOAroundAuctions.com; www.ItsSimplySerendipity.com; www.OutstandingSeminars.com

How to Organize Computer Files

2011-07-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

When your computer files are disorganized you lose precious time and this can have a huge negative impact on your productivity. Instead of getting frustrated every time you sit down at your computer you can take steps to organize your files and folders so you can find the things you need in an instant.

Use the “Documents” Feature
If you use Windows XP you would recognize the “My Documents” feature, but if you have upgraded to Windows 7 you know that it is simply known as “Documents”. This is a powerful tool for organizing your computer because it is essentially home-base for all your files and folders. If you use it as the root folder for all your work then you simply have to figure out a cascading structure of folders that makes sense for your usage.

Store Like Things Together
Another tip is to store like things together. You might start out with the best intentions but somewhere along the line you may start saving documents in the wrong place. Giving in to this lazy approach to computer organization is a recipe for disaster. You will never be able to find your documents if you don’t consistently put things in the right place.

Choose Intuitive Names
It is important to come up with a standard naming convention for both your computer folders and files and of course to stick to it. This helps greatly when you have to remember where to look for a particular type of document.

Backup Your Data
Finally, you should backup data on some external device or on an online database. While it is perfectly acceptable to use an external hard drive for instance, it is much better to use Dropbox to store your data because then it can be accessed remotely and you don’t need to worry about it ever being contaminated.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com, www.SecondGOAroundAuctions.com; www.ItsSimplySerendipity.com; and www.OutstandingSeminars.com

Auctions 101 & FAQs

2011-06-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to an auction or sold items at an auction, auctions can be intimidating. My first experience with auctions that I remember was when I was about 6 or 7 years old. My dad enjoyed auctions. My mom went along from time to time. My parents found some great things at auctions over the years. While growing up, both of my sisters’ bedroom sets came from auctions. My dad liked the hunt of a great find.

As a consignor (one who sells items at an auction), it’s a pretty simple process. You give permission for your items to be auctioned off. Auctioned off means items will be sold to the highest bidder.

If you are like my dad and like the hunt of a great find, an auction is a super place. While bidding at first might seem scary but once you get the hang of it, it can be exciting and really fun! Yes, auctioneers do tend to speak fast, but if you observe a few bids, you will get the hang of what he or she is saying. Or better yet, go with or stand next to a veteran. They will be more than happy to help you with the bidding process.

When you arrive at an auction, you will want to get a bidding number. Even if you aren’t sure you will bid, get one anyway. That way you are prepared should something come up for bid that you want. Look for the signs that say “Bid Numbers Here” or “Numbers Here”. Sometimes, they are within a stand-alone camper or other times they are available at a table. Be prepared to give them your name, address, phone number and your driver’s license. Should you be successful with bidding and get an item, this is also the same place you usually pay for your items.

Once you receive your bid number, don’t go waving it around as it might be mistaken as a bid on your part. Also be careful about raising your arms or waving hello to someone across the way. This too can be mistaken as a bid.

If you bid on something and get it, be prepared to carry it or haul it out to your vehicle. You will have until the end of the auction to carry your items away. Therefore, if you plan on bidding on big items, you might want to bring along the appropriate transportation. For smaller items, bring along a box or basket. It makes it easy for keeping the items you won together and for carrying out.

How expensive are items at auctions? Well, this varies. Some things go for as little as $1 others like vehicles or lawn equipment can go for thousands. In most cases, personal property auctions, estate auctions or auctions with household, furniture and antiques (like the one we are having this Saturday June 25, 2011) tend to have a variety of items at all prices.

How long do auctions last? This varies depending upon the type and amount of items. However, in most cases 3-5 hours is not uncommon.

Is there a chance to preview items before the auction begins? Some auctions have specifically advertised preview times. For others, previewing is generally allowed 1-2 hours before the auction begins.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com, www.SecondGOAroundAuctions.com; www.ItsSimplySerendipity.com; and www.OutstandingSeminars.com

Does clutter cause you to be overweight?

2010-07-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

According to Venice Kichura, “De-cluttering your house could be the first step to shedding unwanted body fat.”

If your house is full of clutter, chances are you have not seen the top of your kitchen table in some time. If that is the case, well-thought out structured meals probably is not a part of your daily routine. This chaotic system leads to choosing fast and easy meals over healthy meals. Unfortunately, many fast and easy meals are full of fat, sodium, sugar and syrups. This combination often leads to obesity.

If your home is cluttered...

READ MORE HERE

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com .

How to organize healthy summer snacks for on the go

2010-07-06T09:01:00.001-07:00

Hunger pangs can come on suddenly and when you are busy rushing around during the summer with children in-tow, you may not have the time to think about what’s healthy. That’s why you need to think ahead! Planning to take a few easy to prepare snacks with you if you are going on the road, or even if you work from home but you can’t afford to break your momentum to prepare something that is good for you, can save you from popping unhealthy snacks into your mouth.

Take a look at a few of these ideas.

READ ON...

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

2010-05-25T14:58:00.001-07:00

Things r crazier! Am at hosp waitin 4 surgeon. Madison has appendicitis

Spring organizing and cleaning tricks

2010-05-10T23:36:00.000-07:00

I have started some of my spring cleaning and organizing. It always feel good to get some of that done. We are having new tile installed in our master bathroom and new tile in our shower. It has been a long process, but it is almost complete!

The newness of the project spurs motivation to clean up other areas of my home. I haven't mentioned it to my husband, but I think our master bedroom could use some updating too...maybe that will be our next project??

For some great tips on Spring Organizing and Cleaning, check out my article here at
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-33192-Cedar-Rapids-Personal-Organizer-Examiner~y2010m5d11-Spring-organizing-and-cleaning-tricks

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Criteria for Keeping Something

2010-04-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

We work with a variety of clients and it is not uncommon for us to unveil strange and unique items. Sometimes the items discovered are pieces that go to something else. If you no longer have the item the pieces go to, get rid of the piece.

If the piece is broken or damaged, it should probably be tossed.

Occasionally, we come across items or pieces of items that the client does not recognize nor knows what it is or what it belongs to. In this case, discard of the piece.

Our rule when working with clients is "If you don't know what it is, get rid of it!"

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Are you stronger than your stuff?

2010-03-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

Dealing with stuff day in and day out can push you to the limit. Do you have the strength to be stronger than your stuff? Can you overcome the feeling of overwhelm?

Being highly resilient to the crazy stuff life sends your way can lead to a much healthier life.

How can being more organized lead to to increased resiliency?

TO READ MORE AND TO TAKE A RESILIENCY TEST CLICK HERE

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Go with your gut when it comes to organizing

2010-03-09T23:31:00.000-08:00

I met with a new client today for a consultation. We focused on setting up systems to manage and streamline her paperwork in her home office.

She had several items that did not have "homes" created for them. One of the challenges for most folks is determining not only "where" away will be for items, but what to name/label the items.

For instance, she had a copy of her son's immunization record that was recently needed for enrollment into school. She wasn't sure what to do with it. Through our discussion, she did conclude it would be nice to keep it on hand for future reference. The question then was where and how.

I asked her "what do you think of when you look at this?" Her response "medical." So, we created a file folder and she named it "medical."

I always say to go with your gut feeling. Traditionally the gut instinct you initially have is the same gut instinct you will probably have in the future.

So, go with your gut!

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author a new organizing book. Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Mead Five Star Flex NoteBinder™

2010-02-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

Have you ever used this product or one similar? If so, feel free to share your thoughts.

I recently purchased this product to clean up the loose note paper I had covering my desk. As a result, I completed a product review on the Mead Five Star Flex NoteBinder™. To find out what I think about it, check my full product review at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-33192-Cedar-Rapids-Personal-Organizer-Examiner~y2010m2d13-Mead-Five-Star-Flex-NoteBinder.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of 2 Minutes to Organization: The simple way to get organized! Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Is the Roadshow a Scam?

2010-02-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

Since my recent post about the Treasure Hunter's Roadshow, I received an email from a news editor in Beaumont, Texas. Mr. Jordan shared with me he has been doing some investigative reporting on the Treasure Hunter's Roadshow. His key comment is that they are not affiliated with the widely known Antiques Roadshow.

For informational purposes, I am passing the following information along from Mr.Jordan:
"Using hidden video cameras on all but a couple of stops, I have visited seven of these shows in five states. State laws prevented the use of hidden cameras in some states. We were able to prove that this company is offering pennies on the dollar for people's items and none of the ones we interacted with were world renowned experts as some of the stories about them claim. The second part of my investigation into THR will be published in a couple of weeks. Just to give you an advance of what is to come, at the final location I visited, I was offered $5,500 for rare gold and silver coins and other jewelry that we had appraised to be worth more than $31,000."

You can read Mr. Jordan's article at http://www.theexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=61&ArticleID=3679

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of 2 Minutes to Organization: The simple way to get organized! Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

A Mountain of Stuff - My teenager's bedroom

2010-02-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

LOL, yes I had to laugh today!

Life has been a little crazy at our house the last few weeks. My high school sophomore has a huge school workload (two AP classes and an advanced math course) plus she has an off-season weight lifting program (she is a cross-country and track runner). My 10 year old son has started basketball and our family is going in all different directions.

So, needless to say we have found ourselves behind on household chores!

Today we actually found some time in our schedule to do some cleaning. Actually, I am paying my 15 year old daughter to clean the bathrooms and dust, but my husband has volunteered to vacuum our house free-of-charge. Delegation at its best!

But isn’t this picture a riot?

My daughter scooped up everything off her bedroom floor so my husband could vacuum! Clothes, baskets, bags, boxes, shoes, chairs and all.

When I do seminars on basic home organizing I always get a question about ‘how do I get my teenager to clean and organize his/her room?

Obviously, I can totally relate to that question!

My response is very simple. Getting your teenager to organize his/her bedroom is a challenge. Maybe the better question is ‘does my teenager KNOW how to organize his/her bedroom?

As easily identified from these photos, my teenage daughter’s room is usually a visual disaster. The floor is completely covered with little to no carpet showing. There is no clear cut rhyme or reason to conclude what clothes are dirty or clean and her drawers and hangers are usually void of clothing.

BUT, I know my daughter knows how to clean up and organize her room. As the daughter of a professional organizer, she has grown up in an environment where organizing skills have been taught and reinforced on a daily basis. Plus I HAVE seen her organize and clean up her room. When she wants to do it, she can do a spectacular job! But she doesn’t want to do it every day, no teenager does.

So, as a parent, the better question to ask is ‘have I taught my child the skill of organizing’ rather than ‘how can I get my child to keep his/her bedroom cleaned up and organized.

For more tips and ideas on the skills of organizing, you might want click here.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of 2 Minutes to Organization: The simple way to get organized! Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Treasure Hunters Roadshow

2010-01-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

I just saw an advertisement on television for the Treasure Hunters Roadshow. According to the advertisement, the roadshow is suppose to be here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 8 days beginning today January 29, 2010. I have never been to one of these events and have heard some skeptic talk about whether or not roadshows like these are legitimate. The advertisement gave the website of www.treasurehuntersroadshow.com.

When I went to the website to check out more information, I was not able to find Cedar Rapids listed under events going on right now or in the future. With this dead end search, I then googled "Cedar Rapids Iowa Treasure Hunters Roadshow" and nothing. So, I added "1/29/10" to the search keywords and still nothing.

Hmmm..... I had considered checking out the event and sharing my opinion about the roadshow with my clients and customers, but the lack of information and the fact I couldn't even find it listed as an event on the roadshow's own website forced me to shy away from that plan.

Maybe the roadshow is going on. If so, I am finding its credibility questionable.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of 2 Minutes Organization: The simple way to get organized! Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Get Organized: Use a calendar!

2010-01-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

If you have responsibilities and you have more than a couple things going on each day, you must have a calendar!

Having a calendar is not enough. You also need to use it! Input your appointments and reference your calendar each and every day. The two critical times for reviewing your calendar are right before you go to bed and once again first thing in the morning.

What type of calendar is best? That answer depends on you, how your brain works and what systems works best for you. For some a small pocket book calendar is the answer. For others, an electronic calendar such as Outlook or Google calendar works best. You can not overlook the extra large family calendar either. The type of calendar is not important as long as it works for you.

Make sure you access it regularly throughout the day so you do not miss an appointment. If you need an extra reminder, an electronic system might be the best choice for you as these systems can be programmed to send you reminders. For instance, if you use your calendar on your cell phone, you can also set the timer to go off to remind you of an appointment. Likewise, with Google Calendar, you can have a text message or email message sent as a reminder.

If your calendar systems is not working or you need a system, please set up a system that works. Overlooking a commitment is not good for you or the folks who depend on you.

Becky Esker is a certified professional organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! L.L.C., and the forthcoming author of 2 Minutes Organization: The simple way to get organized! Becky and her team provide hands-on services to those in the greater eastern Iowa area and also provide a wide array of products and service to businesses and individuals nationwide through their website. For more information access www.TheOrganizingChoice.com.

Getting Organized: A New Christmas Tradition?

2009-12-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

One of the many seminars I lead is called Balancing the Holiday Hustle and Bustle. The primary focus of the workshop is uncovering the true meaning of the holidays. The true meaning of the holidays in my life is not the crazy hustle and bustle, but rather enjoying time with my family.

So, this year when my son wanted to do something different with our Christmas tree, we did just that!!

Yes, take a look at the picture. Do you notice anything strange about it?

I know you might be thinking "Becky you uploaded the picture wrong way!"

Well, look again! The picture is the right way.

When my son and husband were getting the tree out and ready to assemble, my son came and asked me if we could put up our tree UPSIDE DOWN. My first instinct was 'no.' In fact, I first told him 'no.' But then remembering the true meaning of Christmas...who cares what our tree looks like as long as we enjoy it!

So, just because something has always been done one way doesn't mean we have to continue especially if there is an easier or more enjoyable way of doing it.

Prime example here! The kids had a really good time assembling the tree upside down and we all enjoyed putting on the ornaments. My 15 year old daughter was excited to put on the tree skirt. As with most teenagers, it is difficult to get them to participate in family stuff but this was an activity she not only participated in, but enjoyed. It was good to see her laugh and have a great time!

So to you and yours, do something different this season!

Enjoy the season!

-Becky Esker

Becky Esker is a Certified Professional Organizer, national speaker, owner of Get Organized! LLC and the forthcoming author of "2 Minutes to Organization: The Simplest Way to Get Organized." For free organizing tips, go to www.TotallyFreeOrganizingTips.com.

Get Organized: No More Late Bills!

2009-09-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Setting up systems that automatically work is the best way to go! With the internet today, technology allows you to set up auto-payment for most all of your bills.

There are generally two options for auto-pay. One is automatic payment from your bank account. The second option is to charge your bill to a credit card. Personally, I prefer the auto-withdrawal from my bank account because this transaction finalizes my payment. Whereas, if it is charged to my credit card, then I run the risk of interest and fees if I don't pay my bill off in full that month by the due date.

The more things you have on auto-payment or auto-pilot, the less you have to remember to do.

As for auto-pilot, I recommend you check out our new Home Operations Made Easy Organizer. It pretty much "tells" you what to do. You either fill in the blanks of forms or check off the checklists as you do them. It is a no-brainer! You will feel good when your home runs on its own and your kids will love you for it.
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9skxs4cab.0.0.7ckdvzbab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.getorganizedcr.com%2Fhome-operations-made-easy%2Feasy-organizer-manual-to-get-organized.html&id=preview

Now go set up some auto-payment accounts!

Becky Esker president and owner of Get Organized! LLC specializes in ADHD. Do you want to get organized? Get your F.R.e.e. "28 Tips to Organize Your Home & Business" brochure. Request your brochure from 319-395-7477 or access http://www.gogetorganizednow.com/.

Get Organized: Create systems and lists

2009-09-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I got organized today! I just spent 3 hours this morning expanding our companies reach on the internet. I updated, created, published and blogged in numerous places. All are places we should be visible on a regular basis but have been doing only sporadically.

The reason it has been sporadic is because I don't have a system in place. So, I created one today. I now have a list of all the websites where I need to be submitting articles, blogs and press releases. I also created a table that has the date and description of what was submitted.

And the final step in my system is to schedule time on my calendar (on a repeating basis) for me to submit information to the various websites.

The moral of the story... creating systems and setting up lists make implementation of getting organized much easier!

-Becky Esker is the president of Get Organized! LLC, a professional organizing service, serving the greater Cedar Rapids area. Do you want to get organized? Get your FREE “28 Tips for Organizing Your Home & Business” brochure. Request your brochure from 319-395-7477 or access www.GoGetOrganizedNow.com.

Delegation & Planning

2009-09-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend this year was full of lots of labor! Call me crazy, but we hosted my daughter's entire High School Cross Country team at our home for Pasta Dinner on Friday night... all 60+ of them!

To top it off, later that evening my sisters and their families arrived for a holiday weekend stay. We had 14 people eating, sleeping and playing in our house for 3 days!

Thanks to delegation and planning, all the festivities went off seamlessly.

Three weeks prior to the dinner, Renee Simon (another Cross Country mom) and I planned out the pasta meal and drafted a letter requesting food donations from the other cross country families. The coach distributed the letter and we had folks sign up to bring all the food we requested. I only had to make one phone call to twist someones arm to bring a dish of pasta. As the date approached, I sent out an email reminder or made telephone calls where we didn't have email addresses.

The food arrived as planned and the kids had a great time!

As for the rest of the weekend, my mom (who arrived on Wednesday) accompanied me to the grocery store on Thursday and we stockpiled food to feed the family that weekend. The weather was great, the kids played hard, the guys hit a round of golf and the girls got some shopping in.

The delegation and planning paid off, it was a great weekend. I even enjoyed a nap on Monday afternoon (the real labor day) after everyone left town!

Catching Up After Time Away

2009-08-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Being away from the office can be good...but the world continues to rotate and create more work and stuff while you are gone!

I have been out of the office and away from work for one week in June, one week in July and one week in August. I had limited computer and internet access each time. Two of the weeks out of the office was for holiday and one was for business. But regardless of the reason, the work piles up when I am gone!

I am trying to unbury myself. I have 700 extra emails in my inbox and 2 huge piles of paper on my desk to process plus I have my regular daily appointments. So, how am I going to get it all done?

I am going to put into action what I preach! I am doing some delegating (my daughter needs money and I need some administrative work done), I am going to update my Master List and schedule time for my to-do's on my calendar and I am going to take a few hours this weekend to sit in front of the TV and clean out the junk in my email inbox.

Hopefully, I will have my head above water by the beginning of September, just in time for me to take a few days off for the Labor Day holiday!!

How to Organize Receipts

2009-08-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

Check out a video tip of how to organize your receipts!

http://www.getorganizedcr.com/eblast/Receiptsvideoeblast.html

2009-05-17T22:08:00.001-07:00

Reviewing the HS Girls State Track Qualifiers. My daughter's 4x800 relay team made it by the skin of their teeth! Des Moines here we come.

2009-04-30T09:14:00.001-07:00

Does anyone out there take credit cards through Propay.com? If so, any idea what happened, they are not showing up on the internet anymore!

2009-04-29T23:15:00.001-07:00

Just uploaded the audio of the presentation I gave at Hills Banks' Administrative Luncheon today. Find it here www.GoGetOrganizedNow.com

2009-04-23T23:25:00.001-07:00

Finally going to bed after a long day... am a bit tired from the nippy weather at my daughters track meet tonight.

2009-04-22T16:21:00.001-07:00

I am enjoying a Social Media Marketing seminar at the Eastern Iowa Women Biz Owners. Heather Smith @ de novo marketing is doing a great job!

2009-04-16T13:35:00.001-07:00

Making plans to ring in 2010 with a trip to Ireland. Keeping my fingers crossed it all works out!

2009-04-16T12:52:00.001-07:00

I am loving the new app I just downloaded for my iPod touch. I love efficient technology!

2009-04-14T17:40:00.001-07:00

Just back from a run. Dang that felt good. Loving the 60 degree weather!

2009-04-13T17:14:00.001-07:00

Looking at my 1st nationally published article in "Tomorrow's Business Leader" magazine!

2009-04-08T22:32:00.001-07:00

Okay I am so proud of myself. I have all my social media sites organized through ping.fm!

How To Stop Accumulating Books

2009-03-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

How to Stop Accumulating Books

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Sometimes you’ll get a new book, glance through a few chapters, put it on the coffee table for later indulgence, and get back to whatever you were doing. You don’t have time to actually read your new book yet. You've got a lot of work to do, and you're already part way through a couple other ones, so it’ll have to wait.
But then a strange thing happens: Over the next couple weeks, you've done it again. You've bought another must-have book, and the last book, the one that was waiting for you on the coffee table, has silently migrated to your bookshelf, without ever getting read.
You're a book hoarder. How do you stop the insanity?

Steps

Cull your existing collection. Keep only particularly valuable books after reading. Donate the rest to your local library or charity, or trade them with other book lovers online. You can also sell your books:
- Look in the yellow pages of your local phone book under "Books - Used." Call the promising-looking stores and find out if they are buying books, if they give cash or trade credit, and if you need to make an appointment. Selling to a local used bookstore is the fastest way to downsize while getting something back, but they generally will take only the ones they think they can sell. The leftover books can then be donated to a thrift store; many libraries also accept donations for their used book sales and will give a donation receipt for tax purposes as well.
- Sites like Amazon.com and Half.com allow individuals to sell books; listing is free and a small commission is taken when the book sells. Current textbooks in particular sell well. However, you're then stuck with storing listed books until they sell (if they sell), as well as the hassle of packaging and mailing them. Decide how much your time is worth and how much you want to make per book; a book that you would sell for $5 may not be worth the effort to list, store, package, and mail, but it would be worth it for a book that could sell for $25. Set a time limit (say, two months), and if a particular book doesn't sell online by then, either reduce the price, "unlist" it and take it to a local bookstore, or give it away.
If a book has a few interesting gems of advice but it otherwise not worth keeping, make notes of the few interesting tidbits from the books, save those tidbits in a file for future reference and inspiration, then give away the book. This is probably a good time to organize your books as well. First, break your books up into the following piles, and decide which ones get to stay and which ones have got to go:
- Reference books. These are books like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other nonfiction sources that you come back to regularly for reliable information. If you haven't referred to a particular book for over a year, though, you should probably part with it. These days, you can find a lot of reference information online, and there's always the option of using the local library.
- Books you've already read, that you want to keep. Whether they're fiction or nonfiction, think carefully about why you're keeping them. Will you really be reading it again? Less than once a year, perhaps? If you can get your hands on a copy at the library, why keep a copy at home? Keeping books on hand "just in case" you want to read it again is a surefire way to watch your book collection invade your abode.
- Books you haven't read yet. These can be broken down into two other categories: books you haven't read because you haven't had time, and books you haven't read because you're not really interested in them (usually gifts). If you don't want to get rid of the books that you're not interested in, consider putting them into storage. For the other books you haven't read, follow the remaining steps in this article.
- Generally, if you haven't touched the book in the last 2 years, it's probably time for it to go!
Make a rule that you will read X number of books you currently own before buying another one. Set a "read-to-purchase ratio". This solution works well because it lets you control your book purchasing habits without requiring that you wait several years until you've read the entire existing selection. It also encourages you to read more, knowing that you can reward yourself with a new book soon enough, and not feel guilty about it. Choosing a ratio that’ll work for you involves finding that sweet spot between how much time you have to read, how quickly you read, and how many shelves you’ve still got to get through.
Make a “syllabus” of books to read. Look at your bookshelf, and pick out the next 10-14 books you want to read. The longer you've hoarded it, the better. Then write down the total pages in each book and add up the total. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to finish all the books, break the total pages down into a daily reading assignment, and tell yourself that you can’t buy a new book until you finish half the books on the syllabus.
Make a "to buy" list. Sometimes the urge to get a book can be satiated by writing it down on a list of books you would like to read or acquire "someday." Gardening your list can be a satisfying activity. Your list can be as simple as a piece of paper tucked into your library, or as elaborate as a computer database. There are even websites that allow you to keep and catalogue a virtual library.
To keep your book collection from growing any bigger: If you buy a book, immediately get rid of a book you already have. Either donate it or give it to a friend. This can make you more cautious about buying a book, because you'll have to part with one that's already on your bookshelf!
Use the library: most library systems will lend you books from anywhere in their system. They also have online resources so you can look up and reserve books.
Use the library for downloading ebooks: many libraries offer a service that allows you to download ebooks to your pc. Many titles can then be burned to a cd or transferred to another device.
Purchase and collect your books on an e-Book reader (like Kindle Wireless). No more piles of books!
If you have room for them and you still think "I'm going to read (or re-read) that someday", keep them. Some of the best post-retirement hours are spent with books that were selected years and years ago. Finding time to read is no longer an issue, no need to answer to anyone (including the library) about how long it's taking to get finished with a book, and keeping five books going in five different rooms at once is perfectly satisfactory. THEN, when you are satisfied you are really done with them (or you think you are not likely to live long enough to re-read all of them), they can go to someone else or to have the paper recycled.

Tips

Some people view their book collection as a reflection of their identity, such as if someone were to look at your books, they'd get an accurate impression of who you are (or who you want to be).[1] If this is the case for you, try to keep the most representative books, and give away the rest.
The novelist Jonathan Franzen limited the unread books on his shelves to less than half of the collection.[1]
Remember, the point of culling your book collection is to make yourself happier. If you're making yourself miserable getting rid of books, accept that sticking with your book hoarding ways is the better choice for you.
One of the best gifts that can be given is the sharing of knowledge. After reading a good book, immediately pass it on to someone else who may like it, and ask them to do the same.
If you are a person who likes to pen notes directly in a book, you might find it hard to find people who will buy or take a book that has been written in. Three things you can do: learn to make notes elsewhere so you can reference them without the book, jot things down on mini post-it notes and stick them in the pages, or just limit what books you write in and keep them. One thing you can do is scan the page and write your note on that and keep it in a file. Yes, there are laws against this, but only if you copy the entire book. Copying a page here and there isn't an issue especially if it is for personal use. There is nothing wrong with the practice of writing in a book so long as you understand that others will not want it afterward.

Warnings

If you are going for the e-Book reader solution make sure your favourite books are available in a supported format.
When you eventually decide to move on to another device, it may be illegal to convert the digital books to the new format if it has DRM.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

http://30sleeps.com/blog/2007/12/18/how-to-stop-hoarding-books/ - Original source, shared with permission.

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It's All Too Much

2009-02-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

How do you want to feel when you walk into your home? How does the "stuff" fit into your life?

Ask yourself this before you plan a decluttering project. Then, VISUALIZE. Literally close your eyes and visualize a room. What is it's purpose? How do your things fit into that vision? Sort, Weed and Purge those items that don't fit or are in the way of your vision. Use more logic, and less emotion when making these changes.

What do you feel is keeping you from ending your day feeling productive? Many times, it's not the "stuff," but the endless tasks that we are responsible for. Sit down and make a list of all the things you are involved in and those things that take up your time. There are probably more than you realized! Now, VISUALIZE your goals in life. How do all of these things fit? Of course, there are always those things that have (taxiing kids, shopping for groceries) to be done. But, usually, there are those that you forgot to say "no, thank you," to. Learn to say, "Thank You, but not right now." Now, work on removing some of those things from your list.

The ClutterLess Success Group is a tool used to help you change some of your thinking. With the power and support of others, investigate the true reasons behind your clutter frustrations. VISUALIZE together, and learn to think more logically, to simplify your home and life. contact http://www.gogetorganizednow.com/ for more.

ClutterLess Success Group

2009-02-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

Last night Anita and I met with six women who were interested in freeing themselves from their clutter. It was an informational meeting about a local group we offer to help individuals work through their clutter.

While the need to get organized is important, managing clutter is an integral component to organization. The purpose of the group is support, education and accountability. While clutter wasn't created overnight, it won't be cleaned up quickly either. Nevertheless, baby steps in the correct direction is a great way to start!

What's in those Piles of Paper on your desk?

2009-01-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

I’m rifling through, I mean, organizing the piles on my “under-sized” desk, precariously choosing the tasks that offer the least amount of decision-making. That IS the whole, entire summation of our paper/clutter jungles – unmade decisions. Why such hesitation? Many reasons come plummeting to my overburdened mind:

1) Perfectionism – can’t make it final, until it’s perfectly perfect;
2) Guilt – I really “should” attend that potentially yawn inducing event;
3) Yes-itis – the Inability to shape the lips and utter “no thank you, I don't have time for that right now;"
4) “For-Now” ism – I’ll just lay this right here, “for now.”

The reasons are plenty and, usually, emotionally charged. The solution is practical. Make a decision. Put it on the calendar, or not. Perfect is not a requirement – Good enough is acceptable. Just do it. How many times do you want to reexamine that paper pile anyway?

End of Year Organizing

2009-01-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

I spent the last day of 2008 weeding through my clothing closet. I purged more than 120 items!

I was ruthless!!

If I didn't wear it in the last year, it went.
If I didn't love it, it went.
If it didn't fit, it went.

I was careful to itemize each item and get a receipt from Goodwill. I have filed my receipt away in my 2008 personal tax folder so I will be able to find it when I start on our tax return.

While my closet wasn't overstuffed, it has breathing room now.

It feels good to eliminate the clutter in my closet!

Welcome to the Get Organized! Blog

2008-12-21T22:58:00.000-08:00

Get Organized! LLC is a rapidly growing professional organizing business. We have become the premier organizing business in the Cedar Rapids - Iowa City, Iowa area. In addition to the hands-on services we offer, we also provide assistance to those throughout the world via our website (www.GoGetOrganizedNow.com).

We specialize in residential and business services. Additionally, we are trained to help those that are Chronically Disorganized and those with ADD or ADHD.

We have membership in the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), the International Coach Federation (ICF), the Attention Deficit and Disorder Association (ADDA), Professional Women's Network (PWN), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and Iowa Professional Organizers (IPO).

We hope to use this blog as an avenue to not only share organizing tips and strategies but also as an "Ask The Organizer" venue. So, please feel free to make comments or post any organizing questions you might have.

Becky Esker
President, Get Organized! LLC
www.GoGetOrganizedNow.com