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.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
How to organize healthy summer snacks for on the go
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.
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.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Spring organizing and cleaning tricks
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.
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Criteria for Keeping Something
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Are you stronger than your stuff?
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Go with your gut when it comes to organizing
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.
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.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Mead Five Star Flex NoteBinder™
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.
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.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Is the Roadshow a Scam?
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Mountain of Stuff - My teenager's bedroom
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.
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.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Treasure Hunters Roadshow
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.
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.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Get Organized: Use a calendar!
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.
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.
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