My Organized Biz

(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Have you ever had to dig to find a piece of paper? (Who hasn’t?)
Generally speaking, the stuff on your desk is made up of projects in progress, things “to do” that aren’t urgent, and miscellaneous stuff you don’t have a home for. Beyond that, there are file cabinets and bookshelves and closets that contain storage. There’s a lot of stuff around!
One day it dawned on me that all of this paper – every last piece of it – was eventually going to end up in the trash can.
It could be tomorrow or it could be after your …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – This month I issued a challenge to readers (you) to create a spring cleaning goal for the month of April. Specifically:
1. Pick one thing you want to clean up this month.
2. Post what you’re going to do – here or on your own blog.
3. Then check in at the end of April and share how you did.
Here are some of the people who took the challenge:
Alyson at Art Biz Coach had a decluttering goal…
Kristen of BizChicksRule had an affectionately-named Box of Doom
Barbara had 3 closets to do (after completing her kitchen)
April was actually going to get rid …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – I’m talking about spring cleaning this month and it can be tempting to think that if you just get your paper under control, everything will be fine. But if you just deal with paper, you’re missing the point. The reality is that paper requires maintenance – and so do you.
You’ve probably heard the saying that a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind. I don’t agree with this notion because it’s an inherently unkind judgment. But I do think that physical clutter indicates a cluttered life – too full of unwanted obligations and acquiescence – and …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Feeling inspried to let go of some of your belongings? This week’s roundup will give you ideas and motivation!
Ariane Benefit has a great collection of thoughts and ideas about how to let go of clutter.
Lori Marrero from The Clutter Diet shares how to get the courage to throw away old manuals (and how to get backup if you ever need them).
Cynthia Ivie at Effortlessly Organized shares how getting rid of your clutter can help others by paying it forward.
Jennifer Chait at Declutter It

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Ready?
Move your chair – If you’re seated, you might be likely to check email or get distracted. So move your chair away from your desk. Stand in front of your desk and give yourself a big picture view.
Set?
Get a timer – Whether it’s lemon-shaped or on your phone, set it for 15 minutes.
Go!
Rev your engine and start moving. Only pick up one thing at a time and then make a decision about where it should go – recycling, garbage, files, mail, etc.

Toss (recycle) anything you haven’t looked at in over a month and/or “might need someday”. Chances are good you …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – You’ve been thinking about it… That little project in the corner that never quite got finished or dealt with? Yup. I have one (ahem), too.
My friends, April is here and it’s time.
I’ve never done the spring cleaning thing. It’s too Martha. Too cliche. But you know what? Something’s got to motivate me – and I need your help.
So I’m issuing a challenge – to you (and myself):

1. Pick one thing you want to clean up this month.
2. Post what you’re going to do – here or on your own blog.
3. Then check in at the …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – If you’ve ever struggled with a. having too much stuff on your computer that you never use or b. you can’t find the info you need when you need to use it, check out the latest from Adam Kayce of Viverati (formerly Monk at Work).
His 2 philosophies of storing files on your computer are simple and logical:
Arrange your files according to how you think, not how someone else thinks for you.
Arrange them with a usage mindset, not a storage mindset.
Read the whole article on Adam’s blog and get the info you need to handle your files – you’ll …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Have you found yourself grousing about email lately? It seems like everyone I talk to is overwhelmed with the volume and incessant nature of it.
If you’re bending under the load, beware of the lurking kind of email that you get and don’t even know it. It’s the kind of message that stays in your Inbox for weeks on end. You might have a star by it. And it. won’t. go. away.
Today’s tip of the week: Look out for “assignment emails.”
This type of message requires more than just a simple reply. Instead, you get an email that …read more

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Maggie hasn’t had her office for long, but it’s already giving her trouble. Some minor adjustments can help her create the calm, clean environment she needs.
Issue 1: Storage
“There are a bunch things stuck in cubbyholes that need to be filed or put somewhere else. There are things on my desk that are completely unrelated to working (like GPS and headphone accessories).
“When my desk was new, there was nothing on it. Now, it’s gotten to the point where there’s no place to set anything on my desk and I don’t know where anything is, or I have only a vague …read more

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(www.myorganizedbiz.com) – Recently, I happened on an article on Martha Stewart’s site about what kinds of things to do every day that make life easier.
So, my variation on this theme is to share a list of things that, if business owners did them every day, work and life would be less chaotic and more enjoyable.
10. Check your appointment calendar the night before.
9. Neaten your space at the end of the day.
8. Empty your email box before you leave.
7. Sort and process your mail after you retrieve it.
6. Connect with an ally and supporter who gives you ideas and really listens.
5. …read more

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