Friday's Declutter Challenge - 31 Oct & Christmas gifts

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start taking action so that you don't just fill up all the spaces you've already decluttered.


The Declutter Tip for the week ...

Re-think the types of gifts you give to others.

For Christmas this year, consider giving gifts of time or clutter-free gifts like experiences. Take a friend for coffee and a muffin, or take over a casserole that they can pop in the freezer.

Last year, my sister gave me a massage for Christmas. It was my best gift because not only do I love massages, but also nothing to schlep back to Joburg on the plane and find a place for in my house :)

This year for my birthday I asked my husband for a DVD of one of my favourite movies (The Holiday) and we spent time together watching a lovely romantic movie on the couch eating popcorn and chocolate. Divine!

Alternatively, give something that is consumable (like my easy oatmeal cookies) or that people will definitely use (not that think they should use, but that they will use)

What other ideas do you have for clutter-free gift giving?

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I bought two of these bags (yes, identical) because I couldn't decide which I'd rather have. I haven't used the red one at all so I'm decluttering the red one. No, I'm not throwing away a perfectly good (unused bag) - I'll sell it to someone.

What did you declutter this week?

Please link to the post on your blog where you show off your pictures or talk about the declutter. Or if you don't have a blog, tell me in the comments about ANYTHING you got rid of this week.

It can be anything - physical, electronic, mental clutter or even the need to be a certain way. Like perfectionism! :)

I want you to leave a comment telling me what you're going to declutter next week, just for accountability :)

Ask the organiser - finding the right handbag

Is it normal to want to switch purses about as much as you change your underwear because you can't find one that is "just right"?

Part of my problem is I can find a planner that I want to stick with. I feel comfy with a 3 ring binder planner, but I guess can't make up my mind what size. I don't really want to carry around a lot and I guess I try to be like the other moms around me but my situation is different; I sometimes would like to just have a pocket planner, but I like to see details, ya know?

I am a mom, wife, have a part-time Avon business, work overnights, and am the only driver, I keep track of all administrative aspects of the house and am just confused. Do you think I should just stop and analyse what I like and need and stop trying to adapt to other people...

Charity Wilt

It is absolutely normal to want to keep switching purses (I call them handbags). That's because either you haven't found what works for you, or you don't want to accept what is right for you and your situation. There's no point having a tiny bag if you have lots of stuff you need to carry around.

You are comfortable with your 3-ring binder and it's working for you, so EMBRACE that. Don't try and be like all "the other moms" because your situation and theirs is so different.

About the size, I understand you don't want to lug around a huge binder because a) it's unattractive and b) it's heavy so my suggestion is to experiment going to a slightly smaller size and see if that compromises much on how much detail you can see on the pages. You should be able to tell after about a week if it's working for you or if it's cramping your style, in which case, switch back :)

I think with the handbags there are two things that happen to me:

1. I get bored with using the same handbag day after day after day, which is why I have about 20 (tell your husband - he'll think you're great for only having 6!)
2. I do find that I can use one for a long time if it's really functional.

I bought this beauty a few weeks ago. I love this colour because I feel sassy whenever I wear red. Also, there are so many pockets which means everything has a place and I never have to hunt for anything in this bag. Which also means it stays neat and tidy, another bonus!

I've used this one for the last 3 weeks non-stop without getting irritated (which is big, for me).

So, Charity, getting back to your question... I think you'll keep changing bags until you find a really functional one that also looks good. Definitely make a list of what you're looking for so you can keep your eyes open, and also when you're in the store, repack your things and "fit on" the bag so you can see if it works for you.

Related posts
Organising my handbag
Organising my green handbag
Tackling my handbags

Working your menu plan around your life

Today I thought I'd give you some insight into how I do my menu planning around my weekly appointments.

My first responsibility is always to create a healthy home environment so I like to have a healthy supper prepared and ready to eat by 7pm.

I check the calendar to see when I have appointments in the evenings. I currently have a private platinum client permanently on Mondays, around supper prep time, so Mondays have to be super-quick (like a stir-fry) or freezer food.

If I'm doing teleseminars or group coaching calls, they're usually a little later in the evening, so those don't affect things too much, unless they follow normal coaching calls.

I note down all these appointments, including when we're going out for supper, maybe with friends.

Then I check the freezer to see if there are any ready meals that simply have to be heated. I'll use these on my "busy" days and only then will I have the luxury of "proper" cooking around all my appointments.

And that's how I do it.

How do you decide what to cook?

My menu for the week

Monday
Pasta carbonara

Tuesday
Stir-fried rice and veggies with chicken steaks

Wednesday
Grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and salad

Thursday
Out with friends to an Indian restaurant (Suzanne, I can't wait!)

Friday
Hot dogs and chips

Visit Laura for more menu ideas.

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up at 12am EST so get ready :)

P.S. Download your free menu planning form and grocery list here :)

Declutter challenge - 25 Oct 08

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start taking action so that you don't just fill up all the spaces you've already decluttered.


The Declutter Tip for the week ...

Return other people's stuff. Or better still, don't let it get into your house in the first place :)

Sometimes we get things from well-meaning friends and family that we really don't want, but because we don't want to hurt their feelings, we take the items.

Stop doing that.

Work out what to say beforehand so you're not taken unaware - "no thanks, we don't need one of those/ more glasses/ more mugs" so you're ready when it happens again, because it will :)

If you've borrowed something from a friend, return it as quickly as possible so it doesn't become your clutter.


This week, I decluttered bits and pieces around the house that were taking up space. The white thing is what goes on top of my broken kitchen scale.

Have you seen my GORGEOUS new red kitchen scale?

Some plastic containers, an old keyring and old chocolates - all out!




What did you declutter this week?


Please link to the post on your blog where you show off your pictures or talk about the declutter. Or if you don't have a blog, tell me in the comments about ANYTHING you got rid of this week.

It can be anything like physical, electronic, mental clutter or even the need to be a certain way. Like perfectionism! :)

I want you to leave a comment telling me what you're going to declutter next week, just for accountability :)

A launch pad saves you 5 hours a week

That's a picture of my handbag on my launch pad.

A launch pad enables you to hit the ground running every day.


In the office
Your launch pad is writing down your high priority items on your eat the frog form so you start off your day on the right note.

You can save TONS of time if you don't have to think about your priorities every morning.

How much time could you save if you immediately started each day on the most important tasks?


In the home
It's keeping all your stuff in one place so you don't run around looking for your keys, wallet, bag, etc. On the day the picture above was taken, that was all I needed.

This is the keyholder on that same wall

One hook for my house and car keys, one for my husband's and one for household stuff (keys to the pool, etc.). As you can see, Dion was out at the time so I spread my stuff around to make it look pretty :)

Every evening I leave my handbag and keys in a central place so that in the mornings all I do is grab and go. Once I leave the bedroom, I walk to the fridge to get my lunch, set the alarm, grab my stuff from my launch pad and I'm out of there. That's two minutes tops!

Time saved using both launch pads every week: 5 hours

This definitely works for me!


Do you use a home and office launch pad?

10-minute clutter hacks - COMPUTER

Don't get fooled by the Organising Myth that you have to have a block of 2 - 3 hours to get anything significant done.

Not true!

Here are some tasks that will literally take you only ten minutes. Set your timer for 10 minutes and see how many of each task you can do in the allotted time.

1. Delete emails from your Inbox and Sent Items
   
2. Compress some photos
3. Defrag your computer (do this before you have a break or go out on an errand because the computer takes longer than you will)
4. Back up your computer
5. Declutter your contacts
   
6. Delete bookmarked websites
7. Declutter some inactive blogs
8. Organise your documents into folders
   

And when you're done with a couple, remember to reward yourself.

If you're interested in more 10-minute hacks, click the label to see the whole series.

Frugality and my menu plan

I won't mention the R word but since I know a lot of you are watching your pennies, let me share some frugal organising posts with you:

1. Frugal organising with cereal boxes
2. Frugal labelling

How else can you be organised yet frugal?

And while we're talking free stuff, remember to download your free forms - menu planners, master to-do lists, shopping lists, etc.

So many forms; so little time :)

Look at this gorgeous beauty that now lives in my kitchen! Am I the only one who uses one of these every single day?



And now...my menu for the week

Monday
Stirfried veggies, noodles and beef

Tuesday
M - my year-end function
D - beef lasagne

Wednesday
Pineapple chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots

Thursday
Chicken steaks, rice and veggies

Friday
Hot dogs and chips

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up at 12am EST so get ready :)

Juicy goals!

How to set and achieve BIG, juicy goals that bring BIG, juicy results - teleclass/ webcast

Thursday 23 October 2008

Did you know that there are less than 100 days before the end of the year?

Last year, a friend and I participated in an online goals challenge at exactly this time of year. We set some goals and my "big thing" that resulted from the challenge was 7 easy steps to organise your office, which is now a bestselling product in my store.

That would never have happened had I not given it one last push before the end of the year.

You, too, can do your "big thing" before this year ends.

Do you want to plan your next overseas holiday, launch a new workshop or product, write an ebook, or get that ONE big thing sorted once and for all in your life?

I've already mapped out my one big thing for 2008 which I'll share with you on the goals teleclass, because my goal is to have it up and running by the end of November.

On this 75-minute teleclass, you’ll learn:

• how to set big, juicy goals to bring you big, juicy results
• how to break it down into monthly, weekly and daily planning so you don't get overwhelmed
• the EXACT process I use from "vague concept" to "nitty gritty"
• how to find the time to actually get your goals done
• the ONE thing that will propel you forward more than anything else
• how to (almost) magically attract the right help and resources to help you reach your goals
• And much, much more

Your investment for this valuable teleclass is only $47

Book your place now

This is the exact same system that I've personally used since 1998 to consistently achieve my goals every year.

What would it be worth to you to get that project off your list? Wouldn't you like to feel the relief and excitement of having it DONE?!


Date: Thursday 23 October
Time: 12 - 1:15pm EST/ 6 - 7:15pm South Africa time/ 5 - 6:15pm UK time
Format: Simulcast - either telephone or webcast - it's your choice

(don't worry if you can't make it live, you'll get the recording an hour later)

Book your place now

You’ll receive:

1. The live teaching and coaching with Marcia

2. MP3 audio recording of the call

3. 14-page handout with the EXACT same goals forms I use in my business

4. Free copy of How to set and achieve your goals (value $37)


You CAN finish this year strong!

Book your place now

Love and organising success
Marcia
Time Management & Business Organising Coach

P.S. You REALLY don't want to have that ONE thing on your list again next year :)

The Friday Declutter Challenge - 17 Oct 08 - get ready for Christmas

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start taking action so that you don't just fill up all the spaces you've already decluttered.

The Declutter Tip for the week ...

Communicate!

Communicate with your family and friends that you've chosen to live a simpler, decluttered lifestyle and if they really want to give you gifts, you'd prefer to receive consumable gifts instead of clutter.

Some of my favourite gifts are experiences - coffee and cake with a friend, massages, a wash and blow dry at the hairdresser, etc.

Start a wish list of books you REALLY want to read, etc.


This week, I decluttered about 20 bookmarked sites I'd been saving on my computer, about 5 documents and my usual 50 emails a day (at least).

Next week, I'll declutter something a bit more tangible so I can post a picture. But you know what? I l-o-v-e a nice organised computer, don't you?


What did you declutter this week?


Please link to the post on your blog where you show off your pictures or talk about the declutter. Or if you don't have a blog, tell me in the comments about ANYTHING you got rid of this week.

It can be anything like physical, electronic, mental clutter or even the need to be a certain way. Like perfectionism! :)

Oh my stars!

Edited to clarify something...

Suzanne asked...

How do you keep track of the other people's blog posts you want to link to in your own blog posts?

My love for Google Reader is well-documented all over this blog :) Just put Google Reader in that little search field up above my banner and you'll see what I mean. Scary stuff!

However, I don't use Google stars. If you do and you love it, please convince me...


My answer is...it depends.

1. There are some posts that I want to keep for quite some time. These are rare so I'll bookmark them on my computer by pressing Ctrl + D. Things that fall into this category are usually tutorial-type posts that have lots of steps or those "50 best productivity blogs"-type posts.

2. The other type of post that I just want to link to in my own blog posts I store in a document (if I'm in productive mode) or in an Outlook draft (if I'm feeling lazy).

I'll type something like this...

Suzanne's self-audit (I like to be very descriptive because after a few days, it's not always easy to remember why I want to keep track of it)
with the link underneath
http://letstalkorganizing.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-i-found-in-my-self-audit.html

Then when I actually sit down to write my posts, I'll do all my linking up and it's all easy-peasy!

This works for me.

What works for you?

I'm IT and I'm menu planning

I've been tagged by (if memory serves me correctly) 3 people - My Precious Pennies, Diane and I know there's someone else???

Are you SURE you want to know my weirdnesses, people???

Here we go:

1. I love singing along in my car (LOUD) and I really don't care WHAT people think of me.
2. Another love of mine besides handbags is Rod Stewart and guess what? He'll be in Johannesburg in December so we are DEFINITELY going. I'll also be able to cross another thing off my life list.
3. I'm highly productive yet have no problems kicking back and TOTALLY relaxing. You'll find me in bed until 11am most weekend mornings. I feel no shame whatsoever - in fact, I think I'm really blessed to be able to sleep, literally, like a baby!
   
4. I've never had a pedicure.
5. My favourite drink is water. Yes, really! And you can usually find me with an apple in my handbag.
6. I seriously love talking about goals. I was talking about goals to anything that would stand still and listen YEARS before it became popular :)
   
7. I am still utterly amazed by the internet. Every time I'm on a coaching call or teleseminar, I think "wow". Here I am in Jhb talking to people ALL over the world. I really get a kick out of that.
   

Okay, now it's my turn.

I tag Beth, Suzanne, Ariane, Megan, Janet, my wonder twin in computer organising, Laura and Laura Williams.


I had such a lot of lovely emails last week about posting links to older posts so I thought I'd do the same today.

Here are some posts to help you organise your blogging:

1. Declutter your feed reader
2. Saving time while blogging
3. Blogging smarter

Download the PDFs with tips from Organising Queen blog readers on decluttering and saving time.


So...my menu for the week


Monday
Stirfried veggies and rice with chicken

Tuesday
Wholewheat rolls with meatballs and salad

Wednesday
Pasta salad with kidney beans and chicken

Thursday
Pizza potatoes

Friday
Supper at our friends' house

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up at 12am EST so get ready :)

The Friday Declutter Challenge - 10 Oct 08

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to make space for all the stuff you'll inevitably get.

The Declutter Tip for the week ...

When something's decluttered, enjoy the space.

Often we feel like because we cleared space we need to fill it up again.

You don't have to do that.

Instead, enjoy the feeling of peace and tranquility that the space brings.

I have two quick examples:

Clothes
You've just switched your clothes around. While you did that, you threw out stuff that you didn't like or that didn't fit.

Don't go straight out and buy a whole lot of new clothes.

Enjoy the feeling of space in between your hangers, of being able to easily get clothes in and out of your wardrobe (closet).

Schedule
You find yourself with a cancelled appointment and some free time.

Don't immediately go into overdrive - what can I do? I'm sure there's work I need to do, etc, etc.

Enjoy that feeling and use it to do something fun, or use it for some big picture thinking. Brainstorm your next BIG business project.


As you saw yesterday...
I decluttered some vitamins and old medicines this week.

What did you declutter?

Please link to the post on your blog where you show off your pictures or talk about the declutter. Or if you don't have a blog, tell me in the comments about ANYTHING you got rid of this week.

It can be anything like physical, electronic, mental clutter or even the need to be a certain way. Like perfectionism! :)

Decluttering and organising your vitamins

Is it just me or does your kitchen counter also sometimes look like a pharmacy?

One day the vitamins are all organised. Then someone gets the flu, and someone else has to take other medication and before you know it, one little basket has grown to two.

So I took out all the stuff, packed everything neatly in the green basket shown above. And then I made this pile...

The pile on the left has to go back to the bathroom where I keep the main supply and the three tubs on the right get thrown away because they've expired.


And all of that took about 2 minutes, while I was waiting for the kettle to boil for my tea.

What do you do while you're waiting for the kettle to boil?

My mornings go so much quicker when I do this

Preparing my clothes the night before. By the way, I got that top in Scotland.

(Suzanne, that was the day we went shopping because we didn't want to do touristy things without you :))

Ask the organiser - YOU

Okay, this is a question for all you clever bloggers out there.

How do you get that whole line of social networking icons and links to appear automatically at the bottom of your posts?

Menu plan Monday - 6 October 08

I was having a look through my archives so I thought I'd post links to some of my old posts that could help you in the kitchen.

Easy grocery shopping
Organising your recipes
Tips for organised kitchen counters

And of course, get my menu planning form and grocery list here.

Monday
M - out with the girls :)
D - takeaways (he can't wait to get takeaways since I don't really go for unhealthy food :))

Tuesday
Stirfried veggies and rice with chicken steaks stuffed with spinach (yum!)

Wednesday
Macaroni cheese, salad and garlic rolls

Thursday
Mashed potato, carrots and pineapple chicken

Friday
Wholewheat rolls with meatballs and salad

Saturday
Out with friends

Don't forget to visit on Friday to show off what you declutter this week. The Mr Linky will be up so get ready :)

Friday Declutter Challenge - 3 Oct 2008

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to make space for all the stuff you'll inevitably get.


The Declutter Tip for the week ...

One in, one out

When you bring anything into your house, decide what's going.

• If you buy 3 t-shirts, try and declutter 3 t-shirts. I "demote" my t-shirts to gym t-shirts and after that, they go for real!
• If you buy some new mugs, declutter some old ones.
• And if you downloaded 2 new files this week, delete 2 old ones.

See? It's easy once you get the hang of it.


What I decluttered this week ...

on the right, a pair of pajamas and a sleepshirt
and on the left, a purple suit I have not worn this entire winter and an unworn shirt

notice the tag on the shirt from 3 or 4 months ago - it's going back for a refund

What have you decluttered this week?

Get ready for tomorrow's challenge

Please encourage all your blog friends to join us in decluttering by using the button on your sidebar. Christmas is just around the corner and you need to make space for all the stuff you'll inevitably get.

Mr Linky will be up at 8am South African time, waiting for you to show us what you decluttered this week.

See you tomorrow :)

Organise your computer

• Do you find yourself wasting time looking for files on your computer?
• Do you get frustrated because you just don't know where to start?
• Do you know when and how often to do a back up?
• Has your computer ever crashed and you lost everything?
• Do you know how to organise and contain all those free things you keep downloading off the internet?
• Do you know how to name and store files so they're easy to find?

Everything you EVER wanted to know about organising your computer is now ready for you.

On this 75-minute MP3, you’ll learn:

• Where to start organising your computer
• My DREAM method of organising your computer
• How to keep control of all the audios, PDFs and ebooks you get for free off the internet and how NOT to let it clutter up your hard drive
• Exactly how to label and store your documents and files so you can find them
• How to organise your contacts and all those business cards
• How to cut your computer time in half
• How to organise tasks and projects
• How and when to do a proper, thorough back up of your files and how to know when to do it so you don’t lose your work
• And much, much more

You’ll receive:

1. Recording of the live call as an MP3 audio download
2. Comprehensive handout

Get your copy now for only $37.

This happens when I file

because I contain my paper to only one household file binder