Wednesday
Friday
Last Minute Planning Now for Upcoming Events
Chances are you have already been invited to go somewhere or you are hoping to do many things to avoid some of those boring family get-togethers, hey not mad at you! Now is this time to get some last minute stuff on your calendar.
Take a moment to check local community events and start planning some outings with family members or friends. If you hope to leave the state, there are a number of airlines with special deals as low as $59 via Southwest. Also, if you plan to work around the holiday season, be sure to check for local restaurant deals on those holiday meals--why bother cooking?
Here's wishing you a great holiday season! Feel free to check around this blog on ways to organize your residence, office, events, and more. There is a lot on here to see! Be inspired!
Nicholl
After Move: 10 Tips on Unpacking
Recently moved or planning to move? Consider making the move easier by planning in advance. Know where your boxes and furniture are going in the new place. What are some features of your new environment that will help with organization?
Take note of what you need to keep during this move versus what is no longer necessary. Most of all, enlist help. Don't try to do everything on your own. Some people are able to adjust rather quickly to their new environments after a move, because they act fast on unpacking and have some idea on where to put things. They are also willing to replace or do away with those annoying things that just don't serve a purpose any longer.
When you unpack, think about the following:
1. Be sure all boxes are in designated rooms or pick one large room to store boxes. This makes it easier to spot your important things without having to look everywhere to find them.
2. Open boxes based on immediate need, rather than what you like/miss. Later, unpack boxes that aren't so important. For instance, if you plan to cook, you would open kitchen boxes first. By night, you will want to prepare for bed, so be sure linens, toiletries, towels and clothing are handy.
3. Organize items based on convenience. Take notice of the area. Ask yourself, "What is it that I will use most often, less often, and what might I not need for a long time or if at all?" Start sorting, shelving, and purging.
4. Set up garbage bags for items you no longer need (check those expiration dates on your perishables). Set aside some boxes for donated goods and label "DONATION."
5. Return items to your roommates that accidently or purposely got placed in your boxes. This eliminates future disputes.
6. Once your needed items are unpacked, consider helping others out with unpacking and organizing their spaces.
7. Don't give or throw away anything without permission.
8. Be sure you clean off all shelves, cabinets, countertops, and other places before unpacking goods. You never know what those spaces were used for. Think about having a few air fresheners around.
9. If necessary, before you unpack, use insect products to rid the place of any potential problems in the future. Better safe than sorry later.
10. Arrange furniture for comfort and not necessarily for style. Sometimes people waste good wall space placing furniture where a useful item would be better suited.
Unpacking doesn't have to be overwhelming, but it can be challenging when people don't label things, mix up items with other roommates, don't properly pack, and have so many lose items thrown in boxes. Save time by checking boxes for what is important while getting others to help with sorting. Best wishes!
NOTE: You can list in advance items you might need to help with organization. This way you can simply transfer items for instance, from box to bin. So if you know you are opening a cosmetic box, be sure you have a designated spot to take all items and place them neatly in bathroom cabinet or stored away in compartments inside a closet. Things to look out for in department or hardware stores to help with storage: plastic bins, decorative boxes, baskets, closet organizers and hangers, room dividers, wall shelves, dressers, and other similar items. These work great for all sorts of things including clothing collectibles and paper. Think of nontraditional items to organize things. For example, instead of purchasing a filing cabinet for paper, consider decorative boxes. Rather than, purchasing a foot rest for one function, consider one that has space for storing away items. The ideas for displaying and storing goods are endless, let your mind wander!
Nicholl McGuire, What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Take note of what you need to keep during this move versus what is no longer necessary. Most of all, enlist help. Don't try to do everything on your own. Some people are able to adjust rather quickly to their new environments after a move, because they act fast on unpacking and have some idea on where to put things. They are also willing to replace or do away with those annoying things that just don't serve a purpose any longer.
When you unpack, think about the following:
1. Be sure all boxes are in designated rooms or pick one large room to store boxes. This makes it easier to spot your important things without having to look everywhere to find them.
2. Open boxes based on immediate need, rather than what you like/miss. Later, unpack boxes that aren't so important. For instance, if you plan to cook, you would open kitchen boxes first. By night, you will want to prepare for bed, so be sure linens, toiletries, towels and clothing are handy.
3. Organize items based on convenience. Take notice of the area. Ask yourself, "What is it that I will use most often, less often, and what might I not need for a long time or if at all?" Start sorting, shelving, and purging.
4. Set up garbage bags for items you no longer need (check those expiration dates on your perishables). Set aside some boxes for donated goods and label "DONATION."
5. Return items to your roommates that accidently or purposely got placed in your boxes. This eliminates future disputes.
6. Once your needed items are unpacked, consider helping others out with unpacking and organizing their spaces.
7. Don't give or throw away anything without permission.
8. Be sure you clean off all shelves, cabinets, countertops, and other places before unpacking goods. You never know what those spaces were used for. Think about having a few air fresheners around.
9. If necessary, before you unpack, use insect products to rid the place of any potential problems in the future. Better safe than sorry later.
10. Arrange furniture for comfort and not necessarily for style. Sometimes people waste good wall space placing furniture where a useful item would be better suited.
Unpacking doesn't have to be overwhelming, but it can be challenging when people don't label things, mix up items with other roommates, don't properly pack, and have so many lose items thrown in boxes. Save time by checking boxes for what is important while getting others to help with sorting. Best wishes!
NOTE: You can list in advance items you might need to help with organization. This way you can simply transfer items for instance, from box to bin. So if you know you are opening a cosmetic box, be sure you have a designated spot to take all items and place them neatly in bathroom cabinet or stored away in compartments inside a closet. Things to look out for in department or hardware stores to help with storage: plastic bins, decorative boxes, baskets, closet organizers and hangers, room dividers, wall shelves, dressers, and other similar items. These work great for all sorts of things including clothing collectibles and paper. Think of nontraditional items to organize things. For example, instead of purchasing a filing cabinet for paper, consider decorative boxes. Rather than, purchasing a foot rest for one function, consider one that has space for storing away items. The ideas for displaying and storing goods are endless, let your mind wander!
Nicholl McGuire, What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Saturday
Monday
Organize the Thoughts in Your Head
As much as we don't want to admit it, but we forget things. We tell ourselves we are going to remember something, but we don't. The thoughts in our minds at times are endless and we lose our train of thought with the slightest distraction when we least expect it.
So those thoughts, the ones that show up and then fade away like the wind, pen them down. Note them in a journal. Call the notebook, "Thoughts" and list them. They don't have to be organized initially. You can always do that later especially if you start to notice some interesting patterns.
When the thoughts come to clean, cook, create, call, build, dream, quit something or whatever else. Be sure you are writing in detail why it needs your attention. The more you unleash what your inner spirit brings up, the less likely you won't go insane from keeping so much within.
1. List your thoughts. (When you notice a pattern, begin to sort and label your thoughts. For instance, if many thoughts are related to cooking, you would label the kinds of things you would like to cook and when as well as what might be needed to launch your ideas.)
2. Provide details as to why they must be tended to.
3. Add what tools/resources you might need to get certain things done.
4. Note the names of people who are impacted.
5. List what dates and times you intend to handle what comes up.
6. Praise yourself when you have started working on your list.
Nicholl McGuire
So those thoughts, the ones that show up and then fade away like the wind, pen them down. Note them in a journal. Call the notebook, "Thoughts" and list them. They don't have to be organized initially. You can always do that later especially if you start to notice some interesting patterns.
When the thoughts come to clean, cook, create, call, build, dream, quit something or whatever else. Be sure you are writing in detail why it needs your attention. The more you unleash what your inner spirit brings up, the less likely you won't go insane from keeping so much within.
1. List your thoughts. (When you notice a pattern, begin to sort and label your thoughts. For instance, if many thoughts are related to cooking, you would label the kinds of things you would like to cook and when as well as what might be needed to launch your ideas.)
2. Provide details as to why they must be tended to.
3. Add what tools/resources you might need to get certain things done.
4. Note the names of people who are impacted.
5. List what dates and times you intend to handle what comes up.
6. Praise yourself when you have started working on your list.
Nicholl McGuire
Saturday
On Organizing the Back to School Shopping Trip, Supplies
So here we are again planning for another back to school shopping trip. The weekends will be busy especially as it gets closer to mid-August when many students will arrive with backpacks and lunch boxes on that first day back. Below is a list of many items that will be needed as well as some tips
to make your shopping trip a bit easier.
1. Find out how much money you are willing to spend this year on back to school items by listing your important expenses and then redirecting money that would have spent on less important things into a back to school savings fund. You can also determine the budget amount by taking a look at what the children presently need (go in closets, drawers, under beds, etc.) Then researching online the cost of certain things. For instance, if new pencils is on your list, ask what style might they want as well as the school requirement which is typically Dixon or Ticonderoga pencil brands. Check for them and then note the cost. Do the same with other things.
2. When shopping for clothes, plan in advance what they will need to add to their wardrobe rather than overwhelming yourself with buying a lot of new items all at once. You can extend the back to school shopping season by taking care to pay attention to what items are currently on sale. For instance, many summer items will be heavily discounted and they can be paired with other things they might already have like: sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, and skirts. Check out my book Black Friday Cyber Monday Strategies to Use Year Round
3. Don't forget to ask relatives and friends to pitch in when they can. Rather than, buy gifts that have little to do with what your child needs, encourage them to give things that are beneficial to school. From a gift card to a favorite clothing store to a brand new pair of shoes, suggest things that not only benefit your child, but your wallet too!
Here are some popular back to school items for any grade:
1. Folder size backpack (There are schools that recommend not buying the backpacks with wheels).
2. Pocket folders (various types with brads, plastic, etc.)
3. Binders
4. Glue sticks and/or bottled glue
5. Student scissors
6. Personal pencil sharpeners
7. Glue sticks
8. Crayons
9. Highlighters
10. Washable markers
11. Flash drives
12. Erasers
13. Colored pencils
14. Spiral notebooks
15. Dry erase markers
16. Rulers
17. Home or laptop computer with Internet access
18. Pencils
19. Pencil top erasers
20. Composition book
Other supplies that parents and others typically donate:
1. Xerox paper
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Kleenex
4. Clorox wipes
5. Zip lock bags
Other supplies that parents and others typically donate:
1. Xerox paper
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Kleenex
4. Clorox wipes
5. Zip lock bags
Now organizing all these supplies can be simple if you do the following:
1. Designate a drawer, shelf or cabinet to your items.
2. Sort by category.
3. Label shelves, bins, or containers.
4. Separate the items that will be going to school and those that will be staying home. Place items going to school in backpack.
5. Be sure small items have an easy to find home.
6. Avoid the clutter, if you already have some items that no longer work, broken, or hasn't been used in years, rid yourself of them. Make room for the new!
7. Lastly, self-talk yourself out of buying more than you need. Do you really need a box of 50 glue sticks or a 100 plus pencils. If you should buy in bulk, consider sharing with other parents or teachers. If you should buy a lot of certain items, do consider that over time things like markers will go bad, glue will dry out, and sometimes cheap paper even starts to discolor. Try not to obtain more than you need.
Happy shopping!
Nicholl McGuire
Monday
Organizing Everything Today? Have Helpers? Direct Your Team
You need to take on a massive organizing project, but you don't have a clue where to start or what to do. Here are some useful tips to help you get started.
1. Assess how much stuff you need to get rid of. Break your helpers up into teams: sorters of kept goods, donated goods, and throw away goods (three groups). Direct them to rooms that will need there attendance. In each room, there should be three piles or areas of goods sorted. You might want to mark off those areas and post signs.
2. Help sort what you are keeping and assign tasks to first group of helpers.
3. Place items in separate area that are being donated and instruct helpers (second group) on what to look out for. If it helps, have them bag and mark all items as they go and move them out immediately before you change your mind. (Note: If someone is computer or app savvy you can have that person group like new items for sell online.)
4. Items you no longer need, assign tasks to helpers (third group). Have them make calls if necessary for someone to come and haul them away and/or bag them up for trash day.
5. You will need to have some idea how you will organize the things you plan on keeping. Once they are done helping you sort, instruct them on where things are going and also listen for input. Your workers can help you immensely when you have no clue what to do next.
6. Map out the area and discuss where furniture will be placed, needed organizational tools (like bins, shelf units, racks, etc.), and decorating with assistants.
7. Take a photo before and then when the rooms are complete after.
8. Always keep in mind that you may have to reorganize some things in order to get the most use out of them. So in your mind, you should be thinking what you want readily available and what is okay to be stored away and out of view.
Check out videos on this site and articles that provide tips on how to organize specific items like: clothes, shoes, cosmetics, bathroom items, outdoor tools, and more.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of many books including: What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
1. Assess how much stuff you need to get rid of. Break your helpers up into teams: sorters of kept goods, donated goods, and throw away goods (three groups). Direct them to rooms that will need there attendance. In each room, there should be three piles or areas of goods sorted. You might want to mark off those areas and post signs.
2. Help sort what you are keeping and assign tasks to first group of helpers.
3. Place items in separate area that are being donated and instruct helpers (second group) on what to look out for. If it helps, have them bag and mark all items as they go and move them out immediately before you change your mind. (Note: If someone is computer or app savvy you can have that person group like new items for sell online.)
4. Items you no longer need, assign tasks to helpers (third group). Have them make calls if necessary for someone to come and haul them away and/or bag them up for trash day.
6. Map out the area and discuss where furniture will be placed, needed organizational tools (like bins, shelf units, racks, etc.), and decorating with assistants.
7. Take a photo before and then when the rooms are complete after.
8. Always keep in mind that you may have to reorganize some things in order to get the most use out of them. So in your mind, you should be thinking what you want readily available and what is okay to be stored away and out of view.
Check out videos on this site and articles that provide tips on how to organize specific items like: clothes, shoes, cosmetics, bathroom items, outdoor tools, and more.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of many books including: What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
Saturday
Start Organizing Any Room in Your Home, Apartment, Work Today
What is next to organize? You have the piles of paper, the dust building up around your place, furniture that really serves no purpose, items that could be repurposed, and more! So what to do?
Let's begin with a plan. Your goal: to clean up ABC and to feel good doing it, right?
1. Start with a room, any room.
2. View your area. Thinking about what to give, what to keep and what to throw away.
3. Note what needs to be done.
4. Plan a day to do it. Check your calendar.
5. Enlist the help of family and friends.
6. Watch videos on how to do what you want to do but better.
7. Set aside time and money for the task.
8. Encourage yourself by listening to others talk about their projects.
9. Play your favorite music while you work.
10. Reward yourself with something special once the job is complete.
Nicholl McGuire completes all sorts of projects. Her biggest challenge is always getting rid of paper. She starts with the small pieces, works her way to the larger piles, and then organizes her keepsakes. Things that are most important get scanned and/or filed away. To learn more simple tips, please do subscribe to this blog. Have fun!
Sunday
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Checking in with my fellow organizers. Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Well if not, here is a list to help you get started.
1. Computer document, music, pictures, cookie, temp, and other stuff taking up hard drive space.
2. Phone storage --dumping useless stuff including apps you don't use.
3. Digital camera (for the old school) when do you plan on transferring or printing out photos from like 2010?
4. Vacuuming (and shampooing) all rooms (including vents, baseboards, ceilings, and light fixtures, behind and under furniture).
5. Wiping walls, doors, knobs and light switches.
6. Dusting all those dust collectors including shelf units.
7. Closets (removal of old clothes, useless shoes, etc.)
8. Cabinets (how many containers, cups, pots, etc. do you really need?)
9. Drawers (so that's where your stuff has been hiding?)
10. Paper files (wouldn't it be best just to scan them and then pitch?)
11. Tools (are you really using all that stuff?)
12. Books (someone can read those).
Thing of some more stuff you have yet to do...happy spring cleaning!
1. Computer document, music, pictures, cookie, temp, and other stuff taking up hard drive space.
2. Phone storage --dumping useless stuff including apps you don't use.
3. Digital camera (for the old school) when do you plan on transferring or printing out photos from like 2010?
4. Vacuuming (and shampooing) all rooms (including vents, baseboards, ceilings, and light fixtures, behind and under furniture).
5. Wiping walls, doors, knobs and light switches.
6. Dusting all those dust collectors including shelf units.
7. Closets (removal of old clothes, useless shoes, etc.)
8. Cabinets (how many containers, cups, pots, etc. do you really need?)
9. Drawers (so that's where your stuff has been hiding?)
10. Paper files (wouldn't it be best just to scan them and then pitch?)
11. Tools (are you really using all that stuff?)
12. Books (someone can read those).
Thing of some more stuff you have yet to do...happy spring cleaning!
Monday
Seeking Writers and Videomakers for this Organizing Blog
Do you organize, landscape, build, or decorate? If so, we would like to hear from you. We feature some of the best organizers around the web. Our audience is inspired by these awesome talents!
So if you feel like you have some great tips to share, send correspondence to nichollmcguire@gmail.com. We will feature your work on this site for others to enjoy! Connect with us today and happy organizing!
So if you feel like you have some great tips to share, send correspondence to nichollmcguire@gmail.com. We will feature your work on this site for others to enjoy! Connect with us today and happy organizing!
Thursday
How to Organize Just About Anything is on this Blog for Organizers and Builders
This blog features some of the best organizers around the web. Take a moment to scroll the labels at the bottom to find out what you need help organizing or search on this blog. From organizing something as simple as a kitchen drawer to coming up with ideas to declutter the entire household, you will find it on this site. All videos have been chosen by humans to be displayed on this site, so you will view just the right video for achieving your personal organizing goals. Feel free to check out their channels, subscribe to this blog and others' sites, share with a friend, or make a suggestion. To your organizing success!
Nicholl McGuire
Thursday
Consider Organizing Your Family History - A Personal Experience Putting Together Family History Tree
Researching family history can be
a bit spiritual at times. This was true for me. I felt as if it was
something I had to do for years before I actually started researching
and preparing items to share with other relatives. My desire started
when it was suggested I write a family book. Then the motivation
followed wanting to leave something special behind for my children.
Followed by more inspiration when I heard of "kissing cousins"
in the family, I didn't want my sons to encounter that issue in the
future since the family is very large with hundreds in one city
alone--that was enough for me to keep seeking family history.
If you are a spiritual believer, you might experience many emotions including feeling like it is your calling or duty to expose lies and share truth about relatives. Most likely, you or someone you know was moved to initiate the family project after any one of the following or something else like: a traumatic experience, much idle time, something you saw or read, or someone being a beacon of light for you. But whatever your reasons for wanting to learn more about your family, remember these three Ps, remain Positive, Pure, and Persistent.
1) Be positive. The good, bad
and ugly about the past might cause problems for the family. Keep
the love flowing for yourself and others even if you have to distance
yourself from negative kinfolk during your time of self-discovery and
family history exploration. Safeguard your heart and mind concerning
them and don't be discouraged by the naysayers and liars.
2) Stay pure. You work on your family history project like an innocent child seated at a table drawing a picture. He or she periodically says, "Look what I have drawn...Could you help me with...?" Like the youngster, you have no ill intent when you create and aren't trying to hurt anyone; therefore, don't be tempted to spread your own personal hate or revise family history, because you (or someone else) doesn't agree with something or don't like someone. Avoid the temptation to take what you have learned and destroy someone else with it.
3) Remain persistent. You just want answers to your questions--nothing wrong with that. Be like a child in your quest for understanding and truth about ancestors and other kin. Children won't always accept, "No" for an answer. So keep asking and searching until you find what you are looking for.
No one could have prepared me for the myriad of emotions I felt while preparing a fifth family book at the time during 2013. A particular family story left my head spinning because there were smaller stories that branched off of that one coming from so many relatives which provided details that were quite sad and also made me angry. Around the same time I was engrossed with those family stories, too many stored files and images caused my computer to crash (I had forgotten to free hard drive space, so you will want to remember to do this or hook up a backup server to your computer--mine had failed back then.) The questions I asked of relatives awakened the ghosts of the past and during that time; I saw my share of visions and received visitations. It might be hard for some skeptics to wrap their heads around spiritual experiences so I won't go any further, but for those who have experienced strange occurrences during the gathering and recording process of family documents and relics, I validate you.
Excerpt taken from Genealogy X: What to Do When Researching Family History by Nicholl McGuire
If you are a spiritual believer, you might experience many emotions including feeling like it is your calling or duty to expose lies and share truth about relatives. Most likely, you or someone you know was moved to initiate the family project after any one of the following or something else like: a traumatic experience, much idle time, something you saw or read, or someone being a beacon of light for you. But whatever your reasons for wanting to learn more about your family, remember these three Ps, remain Positive, Pure, and Persistent.
1) Be positive. The good, bad
and ugly about the past might cause problems for the family. Keep
the love flowing for yourself and others even if you have to distance
yourself from negative kinfolk during your time of self-discovery and
family history exploration. Safeguard your heart and mind concerning
them and don't be discouraged by the naysayers and liars.2) Stay pure. You work on your family history project like an innocent child seated at a table drawing a picture. He or she periodically says, "Look what I have drawn...Could you help me with...?" Like the youngster, you have no ill intent when you create and aren't trying to hurt anyone; therefore, don't be tempted to spread your own personal hate or revise family history, because you (or someone else) doesn't agree with something or don't like someone. Avoid the temptation to take what you have learned and destroy someone else with it.
3) Remain persistent. You just want answers to your questions--nothing wrong with that. Be like a child in your quest for understanding and truth about ancestors and other kin. Children won't always accept, "No" for an answer. So keep asking and searching until you find what you are looking for.
No one could have prepared me for the myriad of emotions I felt while preparing a fifth family book at the time during 2013. A particular family story left my head spinning because there were smaller stories that branched off of that one coming from so many relatives which provided details that were quite sad and also made me angry. Around the same time I was engrossed with those family stories, too many stored files and images caused my computer to crash (I had forgotten to free hard drive space, so you will want to remember to do this or hook up a backup server to your computer--mine had failed back then.) The questions I asked of relatives awakened the ghosts of the past and during that time; I saw my share of visions and received visitations. It might be hard for some skeptics to wrap their heads around spiritual experiences so I won't go any further, but for those who have experienced strange occurrences during the gathering and recording process of family documents and relics, I validate you.
Excerpt taken from Genealogy X: What to Do When Researching Family History by Nicholl McGuire
Monday
Sunday
Don't Let Messiness or Laziness Get the Best of You This Week - 7 Thoughts to Consider
When you have those unwilling participants at home, work or elsewhere that just don't want to keep anything organize and could care less about your feelings, you can do the following:
1. Stop cooking in a messy kitchen. They don't want to help, they don't eat.
2. Enlist the help of others and reward those who help for their efforts initially then gradually cut back. They need to learn to do things without expecting rewards.
3. Argue until you are blue in the face with Mr. or Ms. Lazy to the point that he or she moves out.
4. Face the fact that you might be over-the-top with your tidiness and begin to scale back.
5. Enjoy your dwelling the way it is and maintain it without complaint.
6. Maybe it isn't the mess that is the problem, but the person. How about re-evaluating the relationship.
7. Say a prayer and watch for signs that God is about to turn your residence upside down--order out of chaos. However, if you are not ready for change, then keep quiet.
Nicholl McGuire
Thursday
Tuesday
One of the Most Important Things You Need to Know about Organizing
If the container, box, furniture arrangement, or new tool isn't meeting your expectations, it's not a total lost (you can always use it for something else), but the plan is a fail. Always do what you can to appease your innate desire otherwise you won't ever feel like the space is truly organized. Rework your original plan or do away with it and come up with a new one. -- Nicholl McGuire
Thursday
Thoughts on Organizing
Without motivation nothing will get done. Without a plan you can only hope and pray all will go well as you go along. Get the job done, do it right the first time and then sit back and admire the results! You can do it! If you really want whatever task to get done, you will do something to ensure your goal is met. Envision what the future will look like after you have put the time in? Make what you most want to do a priority--right now, today! Don't let me, the Internet, and nothing else hold you up, just do it!
