In response to my post,  Using See-Through Containers & Holders, Jessica responded by sharing her experience with see-through bins and jars.
For a lot of things see thru bins are great, I love how even if they aren’t really
labeled, you can pretty much tell at a glance what’s in them…for things like my
origami collection, having a see thru bin inspires me to make more.
but there’s also exceptions, stuff that looks so cluttery, that even containerized you
don’t want to see it…the toolkit and cleaning supplies and whatnot, that I prefer to
keep in opaque containers.
I agree with Jessica.  There are times when see-through …read more

Frequently shelves are a great help in our organizing.  We can use them in the office for books and supplies, for containers and shelf organizers. 
They can be utilized in a work area to make the most use of wall space.  (Sometimes, rather than building shelves on a wall, we use shelving units.)
Fabric artists like to use shelves for their fabrics, often color coding them or organizing by type of material.  They also can place jars and other containers on shelves.
If you feel your shelves are too messy or can’t be arranged attractively, you might want to get units with doors …read more

One of the biggest distractions from good organization is neglecting to put items back in their proper place whether a shelf, a box, a container, a hanger or a jar.  We so often will use something, perhaps something in our office, something for production, or for performing a service, and won’t take the time to return it.
Then when we need it again, we don’t know where to look.  Or it gets moved to another place because it was left in the way of the next task. 
I’ve done this time and again.  I’ve finished a task but don’t take the time to return …read more

Do you search through drawers, boxes and containers for specific supplies?  Would taking time to label them help you and save time?
Too many times I’ve put items away, thinking I’d remember where they were because I didn’t want to take the time to label.  Or take the time to sort and organize items instead of stuffing them all together in one place.
Even a minimum amount of sorting and labeling would help me.
So label, label, label!  It wouldn’t matter whether you use a professional label maker or stick masking tape or sticky labels to the items, drawers, containers. 
Do you have a …read more

I often don’t get my postal mail sent out in a timely fashion because I don’t have addresses handy.  I get the letters and cards written, often when I’m traveling, away from home, and in various spare moments. 
Then they will sit in my tote bag, on my desk, or my stationery box waiting to be addressed.  I have some addresses in a file folders, others in an old address book, more in a schedule book I carry in my purse, others on business cards, and still more in my husband’s computer.
Why can’t I take the time and get them all together? 
I …read more

“Mary, you must be so well organized,” people often comment when they learn I have two outside-the-home jobs, have a writing home business and another business with my husband, along with being a mom and grandmother.
Sometimes I don’t feel organized as I go from task to task.  But I try to make every moment count, even those when I relax and read.  Basically I enjoy all my jobs, so that helps me keep working at them.
To fit all into my schedule:

I make “to do” lists for the various areas of my life
I carry notebook and pen with me to jot …read more

I saw another handy desk organizer today when I substitute taught in another teacher’s class.  On the table where she gave individual and small group reading instruction, was a four sided organizer, with each side about 18 x 18-inches.  In the middle was a well for storing notebooks, books, hanging folders, etc.  Beside each square side panel were holders for pencils, markers, highlighters and more.
This organizer rotated on a sort of “lazy Susan” base.  The teacher had each of the four sides organized for each of her four reading groups.  Everything was so well grouped that I had no trouble finding the materials …read more

In answer to the question, “What are you struggling with (in organizing)?” in a previous post, one reader responded:
I’m struggling with piles and piles of letters and other documents going back 8 months that need weeded, shredded, filed,….. ! I spend more energy agonising about getting it done – because I know it will demand a fairly full day of my life – that I likely would just doing it.
The reader mentioned she liked the suggestions mentioned here at My Organized Biz.  Hopefully by following some of them…what about 20 Minutes a Day of Organization…will help her make a dent …read more

I noticed a filing system on a teacher’s desk that looked as though it would be particularly helpful and neat.  These were upright wire organizers into which she had tucked manila folders with information for her various classes.  They seemed so handy and didn’t clutter her desk.  Yet the folders were at her fingertips.
As I browsed through an office supply catalog, I saw these in various sizes. (Hers held about a dozen folders.)  Also some were combined with horizontal boxes.  Then there were upright plastic and metal sorters of similar style that held folders.
I’ve used the horizontal files, but find …read more

Previously I wrote, Are You a Sticky Note Freak? and explained how I used sticky notes for organizing.  I also have this tendency to collect sticky notes.
So if you have a friend who likes to organize with sticky notes, perhaps you’ve discovered just the thing to give when you need a gift.  I’m forever on the lookout for unusual sticky notes, as well as note paper.  Then I have them on hand for my organizing, for attaching as an eye-catcher with my correspondence, and just for fun to brighten my day.
Some that have caught my eye:

Those in the shape of fruit …read more