Contact: http://thecustomcloset.net
to help get your day and life organized
800-304-4848 or (201) 666-1717
Organizing Tip: 5 Things To Do Each Day to Keep Yourself Sane
1. Morning Planning Time: Take 5-10 minutes each morning to review your schedule, to-do's and get ready for your day.
WHY? Without a plan, the day can fly by without getting anything of priority accomplished. Don't waste another day... .PLAN!
2. What's for Dinner? Make dinner plans early in the day (whether it be home-cooked, take-out, or going out - have a plan)
WHY? Having a plan takes away the mystery and stress when dinnertime rolls around.
3. Write new things down: As new tasks, appointments, and reminders pop-up throughout the day, write them down!
WHY? By simply writing things down, you don't have the stress of trying to keep all these things in your head or forgetting something important. "Writing down" means whatever method works for you: a paper calendar/planner, on a central to-do list, or in an electronic device.
4. Enjoy a little 'Me' time: Make sure you take at least a few minutes each day to rejuvenate yourself, eat right, drink plenty of fluids, and get a little rest or exercise.
WHY? If you're go-go-go all day, without a little bit of rest or downtime for yourself, you'll tend to be both mentally and physically exhausted. Don't forget about taking care of YOU! You are more important than any other task on your to-do list.
5. Evening Recap/Planning Time: Take 5-10 minutes towards the end of each day to review your schedule from the day, check-off your to-do's, and plan the next day.
WHY?: You'll sleep more peacefully if you've done your review, knowing you accomplished what you intended to do, rescheduled things that weren't possible to do, and have a game-plan for the following day.
Until next time, wishing you an easier life by Organizing With EASE.
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Desk in a Closet
A customer uses her closet for her desk and loves it. Check out http://www.thecustomcloset.net or call (201) 666-1717 to get your custom designed and installed closet and desk systems.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Give Up Clutter for Lent
After you clear it all out, contact: http://thecustomcloset.net/ or call (201) 666-1717
So, last week, a friend of mine shared her own organizing tip with me. She told me that during the 40 days of Lent, instead of giving up 40 days of chocolate or coffee, she was giving up 40 bags! She is going through her closets, drawers and garage, and getting rid of a bag of stuff for each day of Lent. What a great idea! Imagine how she will feel after those 40 days! This inspired me to write this week's tip....
Organizing Tip: Declutter Your Life By Doing a Little Each Day OK, so you don't have to necessarily commit to a bag of stuff a day, but to begin to make some kind of progress to de-clutter your life, I would suggest you commit to doing SOMETHING each day. On a daily basis, that SOMETHING could be: Each day, pick a drawer and purge* any items not needed (*purge means: recycle, donate, trash, or relocate) Each day, review a folder in your home's filing system and get rid of any papers no longer needed for personal, legal or financial/tax purposes. (be sure to shred any document which contains personal information) Each day, review and purge a shelf in a closet. Each day, have your kids discard an older, unused, or broken toy Each day, review, purge, and clean a shelf of your fridge/freezer Each day, select an item from your wardrobe to donate. Each day, take action on 5 pieces of paper sitting on your counter, dining room table or other horizontal surface. Each day, scratch an item off your to-do list by either doing it, or deciding it's not necessarily important to do anymore. And so on.... So, if you want to make consistent progress to de-clutter, then commit to doing SOMETHING each day - whether it be some of my ideas above, or your own idea. If you commit to doing it, I promise you, before long, your life will be filled with a whole lot less clutter, making room for the people and things you really love and enjoy! Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer Organizing With EASE, LLC 201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
So, last week, a friend of mine shared her own organizing tip with me. She told me that during the 40 days of Lent, instead of giving up 40 days of chocolate or coffee, she was giving up 40 bags! She is going through her closets, drawers and garage, and getting rid of a bag of stuff for each day of Lent. What a great idea! Imagine how she will feel after those 40 days! This inspired me to write this week's tip....
Organizing Tip: Declutter Your Life By Doing a Little Each Day OK, so you don't have to necessarily commit to a bag of stuff a day, but to begin to make some kind of progress to de-clutter your life, I would suggest you commit to doing SOMETHING each day. On a daily basis, that SOMETHING could be: Each day, pick a drawer and purge* any items not needed (*purge means: recycle, donate, trash, or relocate) Each day, review a folder in your home's filing system and get rid of any papers no longer needed for personal, legal or financial/tax purposes. (be sure to shred any document which contains personal information) Each day, review and purge a shelf in a closet. Each day, have your kids discard an older, unused, or broken toy Each day, review, purge, and clean a shelf of your fridge/freezer Each day, select an item from your wardrobe to donate. Each day, take action on 5 pieces of paper sitting on your counter, dining room table or other horizontal surface. Each day, scratch an item off your to-do list by either doing it, or deciding it's not necessarily important to do anymore. And so on.... So, if you want to make consistent progress to de-clutter, then commit to doing SOMETHING each day - whether it be some of my ideas above, or your own idea. If you commit to doing it, I promise you, before long, your life will be filled with a whole lot less clutter, making room for the people and things you really love and enjoy! Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer Organizing With EASE, LLC 201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
"Weed" your Clutter Constantly
Organizing Tip: Weed Through Your Stuff, Constantly
Contact: http://thecustomcloset.net for creating the space you need after you "weed!"
Yes, weeding is not only something you do in a garden, but something you must do in your living spaces as well. Let's do a comparison, shall we?
In a garden, we must weed constantly so that the weeds don't overtake the garden and suffocate the plants we truly love and enjoy. If we never do the weeding, the weeds will quickly consume the garden. If we weed only occasionally, the garden will survive, but the weeds will still be quite prevalent, will interfere with the garden's ability to live and grow, and the weeds be tougher to pull if left too long. If we weed constantly, the weeds are easy to pull, the garden will thrive, and we will be able to fully enjoy the beauty and peace the garden can provide.
OK, so now, substitute the word 'clutter' for weeds, and the words 'home' and 'family' for garden. It now goes something like this:
In a home, we must weed constantly so that the clutter doesn't overtake the home and suffocate the people and possessions we truly love and enjoy. If we never do the weeding, the clutter will quickly consume the home and people in it. If we weed only occasionally, the home and family will survive, but the clutter will still be quite prevalent, will interfere with the family's ability to live and grow, and the clutter will be tougher to deal with if left too long. If we weed constantly, the clutter is easy to remove, the home and family will thrive, and we will be able to fully enjoy the beauty and peace our home can provide.
*The organizing phrase, 'Weed Constantly', comes from organizing expert, Kathy Waddill, author of 'The Organizing Sourcebook: Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Life'. Kathy explains that, "...aside from the personal reasons people hang on to things, our materialistic culture pressures us to have more than we need. Every day we’re barraged with paper, news, advertising and information. When you keep things you’re not actively using, they get in your way and create work for you. It requires constant vigilance to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed by the onslaught. Keep everything weeded down so you can retain a semblance of control over life."
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
Organizing With EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 | www.orgwithease.com | orgwithease@aol.com
Contact: http://thecustomcloset.net for creating the space you need after you "weed!"
Yes, weeding is not only something you do in a garden, but something you must do in your living spaces as well. Let's do a comparison, shall we?
In a garden, we must weed constantly so that the weeds don't overtake the garden and suffocate the plants we truly love and enjoy. If we never do the weeding, the weeds will quickly consume the garden. If we weed only occasionally, the garden will survive, but the weeds will still be quite prevalent, will interfere with the garden's ability to live and grow, and the weeds be tougher to pull if left too long. If we weed constantly, the weeds are easy to pull, the garden will thrive, and we will be able to fully enjoy the beauty and peace the garden can provide.
OK, so now, substitute the word 'clutter' for weeds, and the words 'home' and 'family' for garden. It now goes something like this:
In a home, we must weed constantly so that the clutter doesn't overtake the home and suffocate the people and possessions we truly love and enjoy. If we never do the weeding, the clutter will quickly consume the home and people in it. If we weed only occasionally, the home and family will survive, but the clutter will still be quite prevalent, will interfere with the family's ability to live and grow, and the clutter will be tougher to deal with if left too long. If we weed constantly, the clutter is easy to remove, the home and family will thrive, and we will be able to fully enjoy the beauty and peace our home can provide.
*The organizing phrase, 'Weed Constantly', comes from organizing expert, Kathy Waddill, author of 'The Organizing Sourcebook: Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Life'. Kathy explains that, "...aside from the personal reasons people hang on to things, our materialistic culture pressures us to have more than we need. Every day we’re barraged with paper, news, advertising and information. When you keep things you’re not actively using, they get in your way and create work for you. It requires constant vigilance to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed by the onslaught. Keep everything weeded down so you can retain a semblance of control over life."
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
Organizing With EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 | www.orgwithease.com | orgwithease@aol.com
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We Do Libraries!
The Custom Closet was contracted to do the library at a synagogue in River Edge, NJ
Contact: http://www.thecustomcloset/ for an estimate on closets, garages, libraries, home offices and other wall units. (201) 666-1717
Monday, February 28, 2011
What's Wrong With My Closet?
Organizing Tip: Closet Redesign - Start a "Need, Wish, Want List"
Then contact www.thecustomcloset.net or (201) 666-1717 or (800) 304-4848
Wish you had a better layout in your closet? Thinking about a closet makeover or redesign, but don't yet know what you need? Then start now by creating a "Need, Wish, Want List". Post a piece of paper on the door or wall of your closet, and keep a dedicated pen nearby. Every time you're using your closet and it's not working out for you, jot down what's bothering you, and, if possible, what you wish it was like instead. Write down things like:
"I Wish I had more room for my folded clothing"
"I Need a place to keep my suitcase easily accessible because I take frequent trips for business."
"I Want a place to sit down to put on my shoes"
"I Wish I had a better way to store my scarves and belts because they're always landing on the floor"
"I Need hangers that my clothes don't fall off of"
and so on...
Over time, this list will define your goals and tasks to make your closet function better for you. Then, you can either tackle these items one by one as time allows, or plan an entire closet makeover to get the closet of your dreams! Contact: www.thecustomcloset.net
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
O rganizing W ith EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
Then contact www.thecustomcloset.net or (201) 666-1717 or (800) 304-4848
Wish you had a better layout in your closet? Thinking about a closet makeover or redesign, but don't yet know what you need? Then start now by creating a "Need, Wish, Want List". Post a piece of paper on the door or wall of your closet, and keep a dedicated pen nearby. Every time you're using your closet and it's not working out for you, jot down what's bothering you, and, if possible, what you wish it was like instead. Write down things like:
"I Wish I had more room for my folded clothing"
"I Need a place to keep my suitcase easily accessible because I take frequent trips for business."
"I Want a place to sit down to put on my shoes"
"I Wish I had a better way to store my scarves and belts because they're always landing on the floor"
"I Need hangers that my clothes don't fall off of"
and so on...
Over time, this list will define your goals and tasks to make your closet function better for you. Then, you can either tackle these items one by one as time allows, or plan an entire closet makeover to get the closet of your dreams! Contact: www.thecustomcloset.net
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
O rganizing W ith EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Organize Your Weekend Activities
Organizing Tip: Planning your weekends with Post-Its
www.thecustomcloset.net
Does the weekend seem to just come and go each week for you, and you wonder why you got nothing done? Do you wish you had accomplished more around the house, or done something a bit more special with your family or friends? Here are a some tips to help you have a more fun and productive weekend (even if it means you just relaxed and took a nap!)
Use Post-It's to help plan your weekends:
Get 2 stacks of different colored Post-Its - use one color for HOUSEHOLD, and the other color for ACTIVITIES.
HOUSEHOLD is for things that you've been meaning to get done, like 'Repair faucet, 'Hang New Pictures', 'Change Light Bulbs', or 'Organize Closet'. ACTIVITIES are fun things you'd like to do on the weekend either by yourself, with friends, or with family, like 'Go Ice-Skating', 'Visit new baby', 'Take a nap', or 'Bake Cookies with the kids'
Put all these items on post-its, and put them somewhere in the hub of your home, such as the kitchen or mudroom, on the back of a cabinet or closet door, on the fridge, or right on a wall if you'd like! You can arrange them in priority order any way you'd like. Putting them up randomly will work too.
Now, if you're a real planner, get your calendar out, and see what you've got going on the next few months, and put the sticky-notes right on your calendar on the days you'd like to do them.
If you're more free-spirited, and like to do things when the mood strikes you, then, each weekend take a glance at your post-it collection, and pull off the ones you feel like doing.
The post-it method is an easy way to get all those ideas on paper, and easily see, move around, and plan what you'd like to do when. No more waking up Monday morning saying "I wish I hadn't wasted my weekend!"
Or, if your family likes to keep your options open:,
Do you like to wait until you find out the Weekend Events Not To Miss here in the Northern NJ area? Then sign up for the www.BergenMama.com email list. Each week you'll find out the latest, greatest things to do on the weekends, as well as find out the best places to eat and shop. BergenMama is a great source for all things cool and hip in Bergen County. Have fun!
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
O rganizing W ith EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
www.thecustomcloset.net
Does the weekend seem to just come and go each week for you, and you wonder why you got nothing done? Do you wish you had accomplished more around the house, or done something a bit more special with your family or friends? Here are a some tips to help you have a more fun and productive weekend (even if it means you just relaxed and took a nap!)
Use Post-It's to help plan your weekends:
Get 2 stacks of different colored Post-Its - use one color for HOUSEHOLD, and the other color for ACTIVITIES.
HOUSEHOLD is for things that you've been meaning to get done, like 'Repair faucet, 'Hang New Pictures', 'Change Light Bulbs', or 'Organize Closet'. ACTIVITIES are fun things you'd like to do on the weekend either by yourself, with friends, or with family, like 'Go Ice-Skating', 'Visit new baby', 'Take a nap', or 'Bake Cookies with the kids'
Put all these items on post-its, and put them somewhere in the hub of your home, such as the kitchen or mudroom, on the back of a cabinet or closet door, on the fridge, or right on a wall if you'd like! You can arrange them in priority order any way you'd like. Putting them up randomly will work too.
Now, if you're a real planner, get your calendar out, and see what you've got going on the next few months, and put the sticky-notes right on your calendar on the days you'd like to do them.
If you're more free-spirited, and like to do things when the mood strikes you, then, each weekend take a glance at your post-it collection, and pull off the ones you feel like doing.
The post-it method is an easy way to get all those ideas on paper, and easily see, move around, and plan what you'd like to do when. No more waking up Monday morning saying "I wish I hadn't wasted my weekend!"
Or, if your family likes to keep your options open:,
Do you like to wait until you find out the Weekend Events Not To Miss here in the Northern NJ area? Then sign up for the www.BergenMama.com email list. Each week you'll find out the latest, greatest things to do on the weekends, as well as find out the best places to eat and shop. BergenMama is a great source for all things cool and hip in Bergen County. Have fun!
Linda English - Owner/Professional Organizer
O rganizing W ith EASE, LLC
" Everything Arranged So Easily"
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
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