It has been enjoyable blogging here and getting to know so many of my readers.  As with  many opportunities in life, there comes a time to go on to something else.

I shall be activating two business blogs I established at Blogger some time ago and will publish future business and organizational tips there so that my readers will have information to refer to.  These are Baby Boomer Biz Notes and Blogging and Business.  Come join me there!

Post from: My Organized Biz

Getting organized image: sxc.hu

 I’ve been organizing throughout the year, but haven’t reached the ultimate solution.

I’ve resolved over the coming week, when one of my outside-the-home jobs (substitute teaching) is on vacation, to take that time and finish my clean up and organizational tasks.  Then I need to make sure I’ve developed, or am at least in the process of developing, organizational strategies that will be easy to follow throughout 2010.

• Some files I won’t be able to box up for storage until the taxes are done, but I can deal with those that don’t involve income and expense figures. 
• Close my eyes and throw out stuff I haven’t used for years and has no bearing on anything I’m doing now. 
• Although as a writer, some of my research comes in handy years later.  So I need to put this in our storage area where I can get at it readily. 
• Check out new organizational items that will make it easier for me to keep my desk, shelves and files in better order.
• Utilize computer storage of records more.  But I can’t rely on this entirely because the files can be lost…permanently.

How are you organizing for 2010?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Green image: sxc.hu

With so much emphasis on being “green” and environmentally conscious, you might want to consider how you can comply for 2010 without being excessively neurotic.  Some people get carried to the extreme with being “green,” that they’re not practical at all.

However, there are some things you can do.  Such as:

• Separate trash in office and home, especially if your city or town has separated collection containers or bins.
• Take separated materials to recycling areas.  Some of these even give you money for what you’ve collected, particularly in states where you must pay deposits on cans and containers.
• Reuse paper…for instance, we use the blank side of paper for making copies when we can.
• Purchase recycled materials, if it’s practical.  Sometimes recycled material isn’t as good for some projects.
• See if you can find ways to use items so they won’t go to waste.
• Take this as your slogan – Condense, conserve, and recirculate.

(Ask grandma or great grandma about reusing  and conserving materials.  They were good at this because there often wasn’t money for buying new.  The older generations didn’t grow up in the “throw-away” society.)

What are your “green” plans for 2010?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Making a List image: sxc.hu

Organization of time, work, goals and work space often seem challenging.  Even when we have good intentions, we sometimes go astray.

From Business Know How, we have Getting Organized: 5 Secrets to Help You Get Started by Maria Garcia.  Here Maria gives you five organizational tips, but breaks them down even further for ease in getting yourself started.  This could be a good way to start the New Year in your business.

How are you organizing for the New Year?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Home office image: sxc.hu

 What shall you use for an office?  There are many options. 

• Use a loft area as my daughter is doing for her fabric art studio.  One corner does have a bed, dresser and bookshelves for her daughter when home from college.
• Convert one corner or end of a bedroom, as I’ve often had to do.
• Use one section of a living room or dining room.  I’ve had to do this, too.  My daughter had her fabric art area at one end of our living room until the loft area became available.
• Convert a garage or storage building into a studio, work area or office.  My husband uses part of the garage for his workshop.
• Build a separate small building for this use.
• Convert a large closet into an office or writing area.
• Do you have dead space at the end of a hallway that can be used for an office.
• Use an extra room in your home.
• Finish an area of the basement.
• Share an office with another family member, as I’m doing now with my husband.

What are you doing for an office or studio?

Post from: My Organized Biz

Christmas image: sxc.hu

As the hours wind down toward Christmas Day, are you stressed out trying to meet business commitments, finish orders and get deliveries made, along with family holiday plans?  Or are you well organized so that everything is running smoothly?

If you still have much to do:

• Prioritize and decide what really needs to be done and in what order.
• Is there anything you don’t need to do until after Christmas Day…or even the holiday season?
• Can you get someone to help you with these commitments?
• Is there something else you can put off that you thought you needed to accomplish?
• Take a few minutes, here and there, to relax over a cup of tea. 
•  Even a 15 minute power nap may help revive your energy and help you see possibilities.

How do you get everything organized and accomplished?

Post from: My Organized Biz

• Decide on a date and time.
• What will you emphasize…new services, products, reintroduction of current ones (see list on Home Biz Notes post).
• Put up notice in your place of business.
• Tuck notices into purchases.
• Send out cards/announcements which you can make on the computer.
• Possibly plan a program.
• Do you need someone to help?
• Will you have special decorations?
• Whatwill you give as door prizes or hand-outs (keeping them within a reasonable price range)?

Post from: My Organized Biz

• Try to stay ahead of deadlines for orders and writing assignents.
• Have contingency plans “in the wings.”
• Is someone else trained to do what you do, even for a short time, such as a family member?
• Work even when you’re not feeling your best.
• Be flexible and creative.

Post from: My Organized Biz

Loft space image: sxc.hu

(One side will retain a bed and space for Kara.)  However, the sprawling sewing nook and storage in the living room will be moved to the loft.

This has become an extensive  project as the family:

• Repainted the walls, which involved looking at many paint chips.
• Finished the floor (there was only a subfloor before)
• Built permanent railings on either side of the chimney for the portion overlooking the living room.
• Decided to paint the remainder of the upper half floor which contains a bedroom, bath and hallway.
• Moved and reorganized

However, this will be a delightful studio for our daughter and give her the sewing and design space she’s desired, even though it’s not huge.  This also gives Kara her place when she’s home from school.

How have you reorganized to have a studio, office or work place?

(Of course, the loft space pictured is much larger than ours!)

Post from: My Organized Biz

Image: sxc.hu

How can you take advantage of everything?

• Get up extra early so that you can get the absolutely necessary work done before breakfast.
• Organize your “to do” list so that the priority items are on top.  When those are done, you can play, then get to the not so important items afterward.
• Before being lured away from work, make a commitment to stay up later that evening to make sure everything is done.  Then stick to it.
• If it’s an “at home” business, get family members to help you wherever possible so you all can…get the Christmas tree, go shopping, attend a party, wrap gifts, make the caramel corn.
• Work efficiently and don’t permit distractions when you are working, so your tasks will be accomplished faster.

(I must leave for the day at noon.  Thus, I’m up earlier than usual on my “sleep in” morning, so I can get this post written, along with others.)

How do you organize to get your necessary work done and have the rest of the day to do other things…with family, with colleagues, by yourself…on a lovely day?

What

Post from: My Organized Biz