Pea Organizing Services - organize clutter, simplify, Charlotte NC

Here are some practical tips to help you organize several areas of your space and life.
Remember to check back again for new tips.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH ALL MY CLUTTER?

When you are ready to let go of your clutter, we have compiled a comprehensive list of options for donating, recycling, selling and disposing of your clutter. Although we do not specifically endorse particular organizations, this list will certainly help you get started.

You can get this list (Word document - clutter.doc) by clicking here.

12 Pea Pointers - Tips for Organizing Your Time©

Time is a Container with Boundaries. The same principles apply as for managing your physical space:

Analyze

Strategize

Block out time periods for your activities; allow enough time for each activity Attack

No Late Arrivals. The stress of lateness takes a huge toll. When you make timeliness a habit, you often beat the rush, get a few items checked off your list, and may even get to leave early to enjoy the sunset.

Identify Time Thieves. Watch how much time you lose to unexpected interruptions, side trips and Internet searches. You may need to strictly limit these to cut out wasted time each day.

Do Not Disturb. It is good for you to tell others when you are available for them and when you are not. Post a schedule and then stick to it. Take a regular break from answering your phone(s) each day to start and finish an important task or have a much needed break.

Use Gadgets and Calendars Wisely. Be sure they actually save time and help you stay in balance. If you spend time fixing errors, learning unneeded skills or playing games, it is not a good time investment.

Look the Monster in the Eye. If there are items on your list you really do not like, do them first. Many precious moments are wasted worrying about having to do it later in the day.

Beware of Idle Time. Each day, ask yourself honestly, "Is this the best use of my time right now?" If it isn't, move on.

Communicate Well. We waste much time due to poor communication skills. A thing well said cuts through long explanations and demonstrates that you value the time of others as well. Multitasking while you talk to others means you are not listening or speaking well.

Begin Tomorrow Today. The time to plan for tomorrow is today. Spend a few minutes each evening looking over your schedule, making calendar changes or checking your to-do list to get your bearings and prepare the things you need.

Give Me a Break. When you check it all off your to-do list, don't add more. No one is supposed to be busy every minute of every day-and those that are usually have much less days on the earth.

Schedule Your Needs. The doctors are right: You need to get exercise and rest each day. Without them, you are not energized enough to work well, play hard and feel balanced.

Don't Let Paperwork Eat Up Your Time. Remember WASTE:

Worthwhile	Is this paper worthwhile?
Again	Will I need this paper again?
Someplace	Can I find this information easily someplace else?
Toss	What's the worst that will happen if I toss this?
Entire	Do I need the entire item?

10 Pea Pointers - Tips for Organizing Your Stuff©

Some Assembly Required. For any task you need certain items. Do not begin a task expecting to get a tool as you need it. This makes the job take longer and increases the chance of misplacing items along the way. Have items ready to start a project and put them away as soon as you are finished.

SPACE:

Sort items

Purge items

Assign a home to each item

Containerize

Equalize

Divide and Conquer. When cleaning and organizing, break rooms into four to six sections. Organize everything in one section before moving to the next. Create central locations for items to donate, sell, or dispose of, and calendar a time to do just that.

Labels Never Lie. Once you categorize your possessions in an area or container, label them clearly for yourself so others can support your efforts. Buy a labeler-it is worth it!

Use X-Ray Vision. Whenever possible, store your items in clear containers. Being able to see the items reduces the time spent searching for or worrying about where you put things. So does labeling (see above).

Go Vertical. Wherever possible, use all your vertical space. There is so much unused wall space in most rooms. For example, use cup holder hooks under shelving in the bathroom for your most worn jewelry. Use corner shelving for small commonly used items. The possibilities here are endless.

Shake Things Up. Walk through each room and think about your daily patterns. No doubt you can reduce wasted time each day and misplaced items if you move commonly used items to a better location or container in the room. Remember other household members' needs when you do this exercise.

Memory Madness. Go through boxes/piles of mementos each year and weed out the items that are no longer significant to you or may be more so for someone else. Commit to keeping only one or two boxes so you can preserve your memories but not at the cost of your useable living and storage space.

Share the Wealth. Magazines are one of our top space invaders. Go through them and cut out only the articles/pictures you want and file them. It saves the space used up by piles of magazines and also lets you quickly go through and read only what really interests you. Sharing subscriptions with neighbors and friends is another way to save the space and money magazines eat.

Visit Consignment Stores and Sales. Periodically check out used item stores, craft shows or yard sales with storage ideas in mind. You might find what you need that is also unique, attractive or even an antique.