Sunday 30 November 2008

Make Up your Mind Day Dec 31st 2008

There are some interesting 'DAY's' out there and this would have to be one of them. There are many of a simialar vein relating to Organizing Your Life and making the most of your potential.

This particular day and the date it is on is about Making Your Mind up about issues that you may have been procrastination about all year and for your own good should Make your mind up about before starting a New Year. So go on start the year with a clean slate and leave any baggage behind. What are you going to finally make a decison about and move forward?

Accidently Organised

Wendy Davie - New Zealand's Organizing Guru has written a fabulous book called "Accidentally Organised." It's a great read for those of us who aren't born Organized and need a little permission to get real and do the best we can with what we've got and enjoy life at the saame time. Here's a Review I wrote for the book.

"Accidentally Organised is the most 'real' advice about Organising I have read. Most of us can't maintain the 'perfect' looking house 24/7. Wendy lets you know that it's OK not to strive for this impossible goal, giving you permission to 'have a life,' while giving you countless and importantly easy organisational actions and solutions for your everyday life." Claire McFee Organize Your Life

Thursday 27 November 2008

Organizing Christmas Lunch - recipe ideas

Unlike my sisters and Mum - I am not a 'Foodie' by any stretch of the imagination. Don't get me wrong I love food, just not spending hours making things from scratch. I would love your recipes for some easy, yummy Salads as I am hosting Christmas this year on my own for my husbands family. A weblink to some good recipes would be great. Look forward to your feedback.

Wednesday 26 November 2008

You Tube footage of Professional Organizer in action

Having recently referred you to the website about an Organizing TV show Called Neat TV, I thought you may like to actually see some footage of Professional Organizers in action. There is lots you can view on You Tube. Here is a link I found simply typing in Professional Organizer Demo. Check it out at -http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=professional+organizer+demos&search_type=&aq=f

Organizing TV show called NEAT TV

I just heard about a Canadian TV show called 'Neat' hosted by Hellen Buttigeig, who is a Professional Organizer and Coach http://www.neattv.com/home.html

For those of you who haven't heard about Professional Organizers - they come into your home to help your re-organize and de-clutter your home. If in need of one you can go to http://www.napo.org/ or http://www.aapo.org.au/ to find one in your area.

The Neat TV Website has the best array of before and after organizing photos I have seen, so if you love a good home make-over like I do then go have a look.

If you need some more home, life, money or organizing inspiration check out all the organizational articles at our website.

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Author

International Buy Nothing Day

A Great International Organizing related 'DAY' is coming up on Sat 29th Nov called BUY NOTHING DAY to help people think about their usual, often excessive consumption of goods and 'stuff'. What a great idea!

There are lots of groups world wide getting together to promote it. To see what's going on in your area check out the official Website www.buynothingday.co.uk/

If you need to do some major organizing and de-cluttering at your house then you may like to read this Home Organizing Article below.


Six Good Reasons to Get on Top of Your Home Affairs

by Claire McFee Author of Organize Your Life

There are many reasons why it is a good idea to be better organized. Do not confuse being organized with being a perfectionist though, as most of us fit somewhere between perfectionism and total chaos!! The differences between us all have a lot to do with our personality types. This can be helpful when trying to understand our own behaviour, and the way we approach being organized. If you accept the fact that we are all very different, it helps to be more realistic with what we are capable of achieving and can help us not to be so hard on ourselves when we don't live up to our own expectations, or the expectations of others. Having said that, no matter what personality type we fit into, we are all vulnerable to problems if we let clutter get the better of us. It's good to be aware that there are some important life areas that can be negatively affected so that we can take control and do something about it. These include:

1. Health Problems

Living in chaos can be really stressful and all manner of medical problems can arise as a result. Whether it is annoying headaches or the beginnings of cancer, this reason alone is enough to stop making excuses!!

2. Weight Problems

Many of us fall into the trap of eating when things get on top of us. The concern is that if you never get around to controlling your clutter rather than it controlling you, then the overeating cycle may become a very serious issue.

3. Relationship Problems

When we are surrounded by stuff and can't sit down and look around even one room and see nice clear spaces with no junk, a feeling of unease can stay with us without even realising it. Our interactions with people can therefore be affected by this negative energy, within us and our homes. Get rid of the clutter and re-energise yourself and your home and get rid of all the draining forces within. You will be amazed by your attitude change and therefore the way you relate to others, particularly your partner and your children.

4. Wasting Time

Life is too short to constantly feel bogged down by clutter. If you live in chaos, then chances are you waste a lot of time searching for things (or the rest of your household does, even if you see it as organized chaos). Imagine how much more time you could have for yourself, or to spend on quality family time if you saved 5 mins here and 10 mins there on a regular basis. This really can equate to hours, believe me!

5. Poor Finances

If you are disorganized on the home-front, you are almost definitely disorganized when it comes to handling your money. Most of us put off working out our ins and outs every month or so, but having no system when it comes to a savings plan and debt repayment scheme means trouble with a capital T. Also, try to set a good example for your children by showing them how to look after their money wisely.

6. Depression

Depression can be caused by a number of different issues in your life, and not feeling in control is often one of them. The state of our household often directly relates to the state of our mind, so if your home is drowning in paperwork, half broken toys and clothes that no-one wears anymore, then your mind is more likely to feel overwhelmed as well. Depression can be debilitating, so be aware of it and do everything you can to prevent it, before it happens.

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Author

Monday 17 November 2008

Julie's Pole Dancing Birthday Surprise

Julie (my business partner) has a birthday coming up soon, and her gorgoues daughter Haley Organized a Surprise Get together for her last Saturday night - of all places at a (Learn H0w to) Pole Dance establishment. We had no idea what to expect having never taken a class before. Thoughts of a seedy, dark, sex focused place came to mind but we were all pleasantly surprized to find a light filled, airy, clean, fun filled environment to have a joint lesson in some pole dancing moves. It's more about excercise than sexing things up for your love life and was an absolute hoot. It was a credit to Haley for Organizing such a great night that will be remembered forever.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Organize Your Life to be Featured in New Organizational book

I had a call out of the blue a little while back from a published Author who is writing a book on....you guess it Organization. I will let you know Who, What and Where down the track. We had a great chat about all things Organizational, including the Psychology of Organizing and how different Organization is to all of us depending on your personality types. There are of course a lot of similarities but definitely lots of differences too. That's why it's important for you to find systems that work for you, which may mean one bit from one system and another from a different one. What ever works! What do you do that works well when it comes to your organization skills? Just remember to stick to only a few systems or you'll end up in one big dis-organized mess.

Julie, Deb and I have a book or two 'in us' for the future, but due to current demand for our new Interactive Organizer it may be a little while before we get a chance to put pen to paper! All in good time.

For more life Organizing tips and hints got to our website.

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Author