I have a basket at the top of my steps and I have noticed that some people have theirs at the bottom of the steps.  We use it to pick up stray items that need to either go downstairs or come up.  The key is to get all family members involved in the plan….

Suffering from junk mail overload?  No surprise–over 40% of the mail we receive is junk mail!  Celebrate with me this month since it’s “GET ORGANIZED” month by setting up a free account with www.dmachoice.org to remove your household from direct marketing mailing lists.

photo credit: loop_oh

I would say that 9 out of 10 of my organizing clients always say that paper is what is driving them crazy.  Recycle newspapers on a daily basis after you are done reading them.  Get rid of the current magazine when you get the next one.  Either recycle it or pass it onto somebody else who may be able to enjoy it.  Pitch junk mail before it hits the counter in your house.

photo credit: mortsan

According to Ikea, women with shoe racks were seven times more likely to be on time for work than women without shoe racks.  Do you have a shoe rack?

photo credit: ritwikdey

The average Business Users spend about 19% of their work day using e-mail.  That can be up to two hours every day, so learn to use it effectively!  Stop scanning e-mails and leaving them to deal with “later.”  Read each message thoroughly, then act, file, delete or pass it along.  DONE!

photo credit: Casimusica

his proven system for letting go of emotional and physical clutter to create a happier, stress-free home and life.  Read his room-by-room tips to honestly assess what adds quality to your life and what’s holding you back.  A must read!

photo credit: SubvertAParadigm

everyone in your home or office knows where things should go.  Do it like a

pro (fessional organizer) with a label maker!  They come in a variety of styles, starting at about $25, and can be found at your local store in the office supplies.

If your kids are small and don’t read yet, cut out a photo and use that as your label.  My label maker is one of my best friends!

photo credit: Andy on Flickr

Don’t neglect the space under your bed!  It’s great for off-season clothing storage (such as for off-season clothes, hand-me-downs, extra blankets or a memory box).  If your bed is low, buy some inexpensive bed risers (about $10 a set).  This will raise the bed about 6 inches allowing under-bed plastic or cardboard storage boxes to slide in easily. 
photo credit: sirpecangum

Think before you buy!  Before you purchase another dry-clean-only sweater, bulky smoothie maker or dust-collecting trinket, think about the time you’ll spend cleaning, storing and maintaining that item after you bring it home.  Do you still really want/need it? 
photo credit: Aine D

I recently worked with a client and a reporter from the West Central Tribune did a story.  The article  was at the top of the”most read” list for the weekend!  A week later, I received a Facebook messagefrom a high school classmate stating that she read about me in the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, MN.  Later that afternoon, I received a Facebook message from another high school classmate telling me she read about me in the St. Cloud Times.  Later on in the week, I received another Facebook message from another classmate stating that she read about me in the Mankato Free Press!  Got a text message from my SIL in Moorhead and she said, “You made the Fargo Forum!”  My parents said that one of their friends read about it in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  It even made the Washington, DC newspaper!

The AP (Associated Press) had picked up the story.  If it is an article that is worthy of more coverage the local editors choose to submit it.   

Have you read it?  If not…..here it is… http://www.wctrib.com/event/article/id/82737/