Get Organized in 2016!

Happy New Year! This is the time of year that we begin to reflect on the past year and plan for the new year ahead. What are your goals for the new year? Some of the most popular include eating less and exercising more, getting organized, spending less and saving more, and enjoying life more.

The sad truth is that most news year's resolutions are forgotten before January is over. However, this year, we want to help you accomplish all of your goals. That's why we invite you to join us in the Simplify Challenge, a 40 day detox program to rid your life of excess clutter so that you can spend more time living life to the fullest. As with any challenge, this will not be easy, but we promise to provide you with the tools and support to be successful.

 We are kicking off our Simplify Challenge by hosting a day of workshops on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Redlands Community Senior Center. At the workshop, you will learn how to simplify your surroundings, paperwork, finances, and schedule so that you can find time for what matters most to you. We will take breaks to discuss our struggles and learn how to overcome them, as well as to enjoy a healthy lunch that will empower us to continue on with the day of learning. Support from our fabulous team of organizers will be offered at discounted rates to participants to ensure you don't go home and lose momentum. We will also be providing 40 days of support through email and social media.

Click here to learn more about the workshop and register. We hope you will join us!

Simplify Challenge

40 Day Detox

Rid your life of excess clutter

and start living life to the fullest

Saturday, January 9, 2016

10:00 A.M.—3:00 P.M.

Four brand new organizing seminars and

a delicious healthy lunch are included

Redlands Community Senior Center

Schedule for Saturday, January 9, 2016:

9:45 Check-in

10:00 Simplify Your Home

   Learn how to get serious about ridding you home

   of unwanted clutter and setting up space where

   you can easily function and enjoy life.

10:50 Break

11:00 Simplify Your Paper and Finances

Discover how to manage the extreme amount of

paperwork in your life and organize your finances

so that your focus shifts from stress and worry to

investing time and money in what really matters.

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Simplify Your Time

Evaluate where you spend your time, learn to

identify time wasters and find time for what is

important

1:50 Break

2:00  Live Life to the Fullest

Replace old habits with new ones that help you

reach your goals and live life to the fullest.

3:00 Dismiss to go Simplify

Kick-off WorKshops

Program includes:

· Kick-off event (4 workshops and lunch)

· Discounted organizing sessions

· Online Support

Cost: Only $50

  Bring a guest at no charge

(Contact Practical Solutions to add your guest after you register)

 We hope you will join us for this challenge to declutter and get organized. The workshops at this kick-off to the challenge will provide the motivation and tools you need to succeed. By joining us, you will be eligible for discounts on organizing sessions for hands-on help from one of our organizers and lots of great support during the 40 days via email and social media.

For more details and to register

CLICK HERE

Or call (909)307-4862

Practical Solutions Invites you to join us on this journey

Tired of the constant struggle with clutter?

Ready to start living a life with purpose?

Tragedy in San Bernardino

The tragedy this week hit close to home for all of us, but for those of us only a few miles away it has really hit hard. Most of know of someone who was affected, whether it be someone who worked in the building, some of the brave police force who went in to help the people left in the building to safety, or maybe even those who lost their life in the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

It's at times like this that we realize the value of life. In the midst of all of our hussle and bussle to get ready for the holidays, we pause and are grateful for our family and friends. Our focus shifts and we realize that life is short and all of the stuff we accumulate doesn't really bring meaning to our life, but it's the people who do.

In the wake of this tragedy, do not allow yourself to fear but to focus on what is really important in your life. Are their unfulfilled dreams you have? Set goals to reach them.. Are there people you wish to mend relationships with? Be the one to take the first step to reconcile. When you begin to feel bad about your life, go and help someone less fortunate. Investing in others brings more joy than any gift ever will.

Life is short and there is no need to spend it accumulating stuff that adds to our frustration, but spend it with people who inspire and encourage us.

Local Organizing Company Featured on Popular TV Show, Hoarders

REDLANDS, Calif. - Nov. 17, 2015 - 

You may have heard of Kathy Bates or seen her on screen in Misery, but this time a different Cathy Bates is stealing the spotlight. Last weekend Cathy Bates, owner of Redlands-based organizing company Practical Solutions, was featured on a taping of Hoarders, a popular A&E original show that helps people who chronically struggle with disorganization. The taping will air in March on Lifetime as the show's season finale.

During the taping Bates, along with Practical Solutions organizer Patii Eickhoff, assisted show host Matt Paxton clear clutter for a family who's struggled with hoarding for years.

This type of work is nothing out of the ordinary for Bates, who has been helping the local community get organized since 2003. Her clients range from slightly disorganized people to hoarders.

“When I first started, there weren't any shows on hoarding, and it wasn't even recognized by the psychological community as a true disorder,” she said.

First defined as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Society in 2013, hoarding is characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions. This chronic behavior often yields severe emotional, financial, social, and physical consequences for the sufferer and their family.

Although the show was filmed in about three days, Bates said in reality helping hoarders get organized often takes months or even years. Typically, clients are encouraged to work at a comfortable pace, and implement incremental changes into their habits and lifestyle.

Eickhoff, who has been professionally organizing throughout Southern California for seven years, noted that having a bigger support team enabled them to work more quickly than usual.

“This was the easiest hoarding job we have done because of the support of the Service Master crew, and because the client was ready for a life change,” said. “We are used to doing all of the heavy lifting as well as the sorting, but with their team behind us we barely lifted a finger, so we could concentrate on sorting with the client.”

Bates said that her Redlands-based team, albeit smaller than the TV support crew, also takes on challenging projects with aplomb.

“The ladies at Practical Solutions are the hardest working group of ladies you will ever meet,” she said. “Ask anyone who they have organized or moved. One client told me, 'I’ve never seen anyone work harder than this crew, yet they are always looking out for my emotional needs and helping me through the hurdles I face.'”

Ultimately, Bates said the biggest reward to both the Hoarders taping and the everyday organizing jobs she and her team tackle is the same – That is, witnessing the impact that letting go of unneeded possessions has on a client's life.

“Lives are changed when clients finally let go of the clutter, whether it takes three days or three years,” she said, “and make room for important relationships and experiences that last a lifetime.”

Stay tuned for more information on the season finale of Hoarders! In the meantime, learn more about Practical Solutions at www.psorganizing.com. They offer free consultations and always treat clients with care and respect.

Gifts that Keep Giving

I was so blessed to have my two college age kids home for Thanksgiving. We had such a nice time making memories and enjoying time together. On the afternoon of Black Friday, we were getting a little cabin fever so we decided to brave the crowds and hit a couple of stores to look for some some necessaries items like shoes and coats we felt we could get a good deal on. It didn't take long for us to realize that Black Friday was not for us. Waiting in line for a hour to save a couple of bucks wasn't our idea of fun.

When we got home, my 18 year old son said "we really don't need anything and I would rather just spend time together when I come home for Christmas rather than getting presents." My 20 year old daughter decided she would like the family to serve together at the homeless shelter rather than getting stuff. These are the things that will be remembered and make a lasting impact.

This holiday season, I encourage you to spend less time in stores and more time making memories. Here are some ideas of gifts that don't contribute to the clutter problem and will be treasured for a lifetime...

• Serve together at a local charity together.
• Donate to the recipient's favorite charity in their honor.
• Buy tickets to an event like a sporting event or concert and go together.
• Purchase season tickets or a membership for a year's worth of fun.
• Learn together by signing up for a class or workshop.
• Give a restaurant gift card to their favorite dining spot.
• Buy a subscription to a magazine they would enjoy.

This year give the gift that keeps giving.

Fall Donation Challenge

Clear the clutter and help those in need!

It is time to get your home ready for those holiday decorations, overnight guests and parties. To get ready, I am challenging you to go from room to room in your home with a bag or box, collecting items you no longer need and passing them along to those in need during this holiday season. 

In the kitchen, get rid of those appliances and gadgets that promised to make you the best cook in the world in half the time but you have never used. Go through your clothes and get rid of those you no longer wear or never wore (yes, even if the tags are still on them). Pull the linens out and get rid of the ones you have not used recently. Have the children pick out toys and games they no longer love to give to children who may not have toys. Pull books off of the shelf you will never read or refer to again. If you feel surfaces are too clutter, pull off items that no longer inspire you. 

You will feel so much lighter and it will make the memories of the season so much more enjoyable when you have less clutter to work around when getting the home ready for guests. In addition,  you will know you have helped those who consider your discards treasures!



Here are Cathy, the owner's, donation. This comes from an already organized house so we know you can find something to donate and probably easily top this. Post yours on social media (see links on our home page) or email it to info@psorganizing.com now through November 30, 2015. Everyone who submits a picture will received a free in-home consultation or $50 off a regularly priced 4-hour organizing session so share yours today. November 30, 2015 we will select the largest pile of donations and that lucky winner will win a 4-hour organizing session.

Simplify Dinner

Eating as a family is so important, but hard after a long, hard day. Sometimes it seems easier just to run by the local fast food restaurant and eat on the run. However, with a little advance planning on the weekend or slower day, dinner time can be easy and healthy. Here are a few tips to making dinner easier and definitely healthier:

• Buy meat in bulk and cook it all at once, freezing the extras to throw into a recipe during the week when things are busy.
• Buy precooked meat like rotisserie chicken or frozen grilled chicken strips or shrimp to save time when preparing your favorite dish.
• Chop veggies ahead or buy prepared veggies to throw into your favorite dish.
• When cooking something like rice or quinoa, double the recipe and use it in another dish later in the week.
• Double the entire recipe for whatever you are making and freeze the second portion for a night you know you will not have time to prepare a meal.

Here is a quick fall meal, that your family is sure to enjoy:

White Bean Chili

Rotisserie chicken shredded

2 cans white beans

8 ounces salsa

32 oz chicken broth

½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese

½ bag tortilla chips crushed

Mix it all together and cook on low heat until thickened.

Garnish with Sour Cream and eat with tortilla chips or garlic cheese biscuits.

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

2 cups bisquick

1 cup grated cheese

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 cup milk

Mix together and bake at 425 in muffin tins for about 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

1 can evaporated milk

3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

3 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 box yellow cake mix

1/2 cup melted butter

Combine first 6 ingredients with a whisk. Pour into greased 9x13 dish. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Cake should look set and top for golden brown. Cool completely.

With these recipes, you cannot go wrong. Invite family or friends over for a delicious meal and make some memories! 

The 10 Phases in Preparing For and Adjusting to College

It's that time of year...kids are headed off to college. As parents, we want to make their transition successful and have them enjoy this experience. I received this in the parents newsletter of the college my freshman is attending in Texas. I thought it might help other parents who are trying to figure out the best way to support their children as they transition. If you do not have a college student pass it along to those you know who do.

Phase 1: Early Summer Anticipation

High school senior graduates and looks to the future.  Mixed feelings of sadness, accomplishment, and anticipation.

Phase 2: Midsummer Anxiety

Realize they will soon leave home, family, and friends, and those feelings of security.

Phase 3: Late Summer Panic

Student is plunged into the college environment complete with roommate, university red tape, classes, and a foreign social world.

Phase 4:The Honeymoon

Student meets many new friends during Welcome Week and there are no tests for three weeks!  It’s play time! Or so it seems…

Phase 5: End of the Honeymoon

“Where did all of this work come from and where did the time go?”  Homesickness may appear at this stage as the student feels somewhat overwhelmed.

Phase 6: The Grass is Always Greener

“There’s no doubt I would do better somewhere else.  Can I transfer?”  These feelings are common and usually subside.

Phase 7: You Can’t Go Home Again

This happens the first time a student goes home.  They realize that life for the rest of the family goes on without them.

Phase 8: Primitive Coping Behavior

Well into the first semester, they have finally learned to use the library and hold a reasonably intelligent conversation.  They are excited about learning.

Phase 9: Realization

Usually right before finals, they see the great amount of study time ahead of them and realize their future depends on their academic success.

Phase 10: Putting It All Together

Sometime during the second semester (hopefully), they see college as a total experience.  They realize that hard work and fun can go together.

Finding the Kitchen Table in a Busy Home

Clutter seems to come into our home at such a rapid pace. When we get busy with work, family or just trying to manage life clutter can quickly and easily take over.

While helping a busy family regain control of their house, we decided to take advantage of a summer day where the kids were home from school and put them to work. Everyone was working on a corner of the room, clearing clutter while finding lost items they had been looking for in the dining room/living room. The daughter, who can not remember seeing the surface of the dining room table or eating a meal with her family there, came in as we were finishing up and excitedly said "Mom, that looks great. Can we actually eat dinner on that table tonight?" The family sat down to a meal at their dining room table that evening.

These are the moments that make all of the hard work worthwhile!

Want to bring back the family meal to your table? We would love the privilege of helping you clear the clutter and bring the fun back to your table.

Helping a Senior with Dementia Transition

Dementia is such an awful disease and almost every family I know has a loved one that is affected. Our family lost my husband's mom this year to dementia.

Each week we are moving clients who can no longer to live independently due to dementia. We like for everything to go smoothly and for the client to transition into a home they feel comfortable in. Here are some tips we have found to make the move easier:

• Use their favorite items from their home in the new apartment. They are familiar, making them feel at home and able to easily find what they need.
• Take attention to detail to set up a very similar environment in the new home, including furniture placement and the location of the things they will be looking for.
• Wait to pack boxes and change the environment until the last minute because seeing boxes will just confuse them.
• Have a family member or friend take the client out for the day so that they do not see all of the work that goes into their transition and bring them back when it is complete so they can just walk into a new home where they recognize their belongings.
• Label new spaces in the home so that they know where to find things because they will not remember if we just tell them.
• Make lists of daily processes, like what they need to do to get ready for the day or what they need to do to get ready, and post them in the apartment.
• Make notes on the door to remind them of things they need to do or take with them before leaving.
• Set up a calendar where they can keep track of what day it is (crossing off days as they are complete) and what they have scheduled for the day.
• Walk the client through the new apartment, orienting them to the new space, and have a loved one spend time with them in the new apartment for the first couple of days to help them get acquainted with their new space.

We would love the privileged of helping your loved one transition into their new home.

The Problem with Space for Hoarders

Recently we received a call from a frantic family member. Adult Protective Services had "red tagged" the client's home due to extreme clutter and they were being released from the hospital the following day. The home needed to be cleaned out before they could come home.

We scrambled to put together a plan and a crew to clear the home. We were unable to meet with the client and work with them as we normally would so we did the best we could do, getting his permission to remove certain things that were clearly trash/recycling. We had to box up remaining clutter in clearly labeled boxes he could see, hoping he would have the capacity to find what he is looking for.

We were able to meet all of the standards of Adult Protective Services and the hospital giving him what everyone thought would be a welcoming surprise. However, we knew it would not be.

I asked to meet with him upon arrival to give him a tour and assure him that we took care of his belongings, but the family did not think that was necessary. When he walked into his home, he told his family that this was not his home. He got very angry over the work done and felt we had taken his things (because he could not see them). Eventually, I was able to go in and reassure him that I have the same respect for his belongings as he does and that they were there but just in clearly labeled boxes. He was set at ease and is adjusting to the new environment.

When someone is used to a certain environment and struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder/Hoarding, a clear space is not something they are comfortable with. Someone may think they are doing them a favor, however it may not be a welcomed favor. The hoarder immediately feels they need to fill that space created.

Because of this, our most common practice in working with those who struggle with hoarding and chronic disorganization is to work directly with the client and move at a much slower pace, getting them used to the new cleared space and training them to maintain the clutter free environment one space at a time. It allows us to work through the emotional and psychological issues as well as the physical ones.

Every once in a while we do a quick clean up like this because Adult Protective Services has gotten involved or the client has passed away and the family just wants the house cleared out. If you or a loved one needs help gaining control of their surroundings, we hope you will let us share our expertise with them.

Never Lose Those Keys Again

Tired of spending time looking for your keys, cell phone, purse, wallet, remote, sunglasses or even a child? Clients are always saying they wish they could put a tracking device on some of these items. Well, their wish has come true.

There are many devices on the market now that you can use to quickly and easily find these lost or even stolen items using an app on your phone or if you have lost your phone, you can sign on to the app using a computer or someone else's phone.

Here are a few:

• thetileapp.com
• the trackr.com
• linquet.com
• kickstarter.com
• Smead also offers the stick N find available at most office supply stores

If you don't want to invest in an app or even spend the time it takes to use the app trying to locate them, it is always best to have one place where you always put that item. Whether it's a pocket in your purse you always put the phone, a hook at the door where you always hang your keys, or a spot in your car where you always put your sunglasses, having a standard place where items are stored just makes life easier. 

The Best Things in Life are NOT Things

I saw this sign last night and really like the saying. It is a great reminder to spend your time with the special people in your life rather than on the thing you own.  

Spend some time making memories today!

Simplify Your Travel

Save money and your back by traveling light.

With the high cost of checking a bag these days, everyone is looking for ways to travel lighter. Lugging around a huge suitcase can also give you a painful start to your vacation. Here are some tips for keeping your packing simple:

• Pack "must haves" and not "just in case" items. Most of us pack more than we need on a trip so try to be realistic about what you really need.
• If it is bulky, wear it. To save space in your suitcase, wear your bulkiest items like jeans, athletic shoes and coats.
• Mix and match using neutral colors. Pick a few pair of your favorite bottoms in neutral colors and mix and match with a different top each day. 
• Go basic on your toiletries. Pare your list of toiletries down to what you absolutely need and rely on the hotel for some of the items you know they will provide.
• Don't pack items you can easily and inexpensively purchase. If you have transportation and stores close, some items can be purchased when you get there for less than the cost to check a bag.
• Pack items you can donate along the way. This is a favorite tip provided by two of my clients who travel they world. They take items they planned to donate anyway and after wearing them, they donate them, leaving room for lots of souvenirs in their suitcase. 

I hope your summer travel plans bring lots of memories and no backaches!

Getting Started is the Hardest Part of Organizing

When clients call me in desperation, I hear things like "I don't know where to begin" and "I am overwhelmed." Once clutter gets out of control, it can be a little more than we can handle and that is why I started my business. I wanted to be able to help people live life to the fullest and hated seeing them paralyzed by their clutter. .

One bit of advise I have for tackling an overwhelming task is to just get started and then it all begins to look clearer. Don't over-complicate the task, but just do what you can. I like to encourage clients to get started by grabbing a trash bag and collecting anything they can quickly identify as trash - junk mail, newspapers, old magazines, fast food containers, broken items, etc. Then, grab another bag or box if fragile items and collect things that you no longer need to donate. Put that bag directly in your car and drive to the nearest donation center. Just doing those two simple tasks can create space and make organizing the things you are keeping easier. It begins to look clearer when the excess clutter is removed.

Each time you hit a road block, take a deep breath, relax and work your way through the road block - don't give up. If you continue to get hung up, that is when you need the help of a professional organizer. We have been able to organize a space in 4 hours that a client has struggled with for years. When a project is more than we can do our on own, we need someone to come beside us and enable us to accomplish our goals. We would be honored to be that person.

Holding onto Treasures

What are you holding onto that is hard to let go of?

I recently visited my parents in Orlando while at a conference. I was staying in my childhood room and in the closet was a box labeled "Cathy's Horses" (my mom is more organized than I am). I asked her why she still had those and she said "because they are yours and they are worth something." As sweet as she was to store them for me, I hated that she was feeling responsible for my things. After all, I am encouraging her to simplify!

I didn't think they were worth much, but I decided to check it out. I went on eBay and there were tons of Breyer Horses out there, most of which were not selling and if they did sell it was for a couple of dollars. I decided to take a picture, ask my daughter if she wanted anymore (she has picked out some for herself in the past) and put them in a box to donate. I took them straight to the donation center along with some other things my mom and I had sorted out while I was there.

It was sad getting rid of that collection that I loved so much. However, I did not need them any longer and I just imagined a little girl who loves horses like I did as a child walking in the thrift store excited about the treasure she had found. They are much better in her hands than in my mom's closet.

What are you holding onto that you need to let go of. Think it's worth something? Check it out to see if it is. If it is, you may want to sell it and pocket the cash while it is still worth something. If not, you may be discouraged but at least now you know. If you no longer want it, pass it along to someone who will enjoy it.

Selling Your Clutter - How to get some cash for your clutter

I am constantly being asked by clients how they can get some cash from the things they no longer want. The bad news is, the market is not what it used to be. That rug that was appraised at thousands may only be worth hundreds because things are only worth what the market will bear. The good news is there is a new way to sell things to make sure you get the best price for the items you no longer need.

Estate sales or yard sales can be effective tools for selling but sometimes the work involved to set up and price everything is not worth what you make. Practical Solutions is exploring a new local online auction option where items bring the most the market will bear using a company called Max Sold. It works especially well for those who are moving and have about two weeks after they vacate for us to stage and host the sale.

We are using Max Sold to host a trial sale to see if it is a good option for our clients. One of our long-time employees is retiring and downsizing her own home so she agreed to be our guinea pig. Here's how it works. Practical Solutions helps clients sort through their belongings and stages what the client chooses to sell. Max Sold's staff then comes in to photograph and list the items for the online auction. The auction opens and bidding begins. After the auction closes, those who won the bid are notified and have a window of time where they pick up the items they purchased. 

It seems to be a great way to empty out a house and make some cash while doing it. Those selling their items have the opportunity to preview the auction items before the sale goes live to make sure they approve each item in the sale and can watch online to see how their sale is going.

If this seems like something you might be interested in, take a chance to see how it works. We will be sending out a link to the site when it goes live next Friday, May 8, 2015 so make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter to receive up to date information. 

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One Step Away From Being Organized

My college-aged daughter sent me a text that said "Thanks so much for teaching me One Step Away From Being Organized. I just wish my roommate understood it." One Step Away From Being Organized was something my children heard a lot growing up when they got close to putting something away, but didn't make it all of the way. Each time I said it, I would get an sigh and their shoulders would slouch as they went back to put it away the right way. I am quite sure they didn't like hearing it so it is nice to know my first child is learning to appreciate those lessons.

Getting organized is difficult. Staying organized is even more difficult. Even when items have a home, they must always be put back there or soon chaos reigns again. It's so easy to just get close to putting it away because you are busy, saying that later you will somehow miraculously have more time and be able to put it away properly. It doesn't take but a few seconds to take the time to put something in it's place. However, if you don't take these seconds to put it away properly, you will spend minutes and maybe hours looking for something because it is not in it's place. You may even find it is easier going to the store to buy another, creating more clutter problems.

Take that extra step to stay organized!

Creating a Welcoming Environment

The Four F's of creating an environment where a senior can feel at home

Moving at any age is difficult, but the older we get the more difficult transitioning becomes. At Practical Solutions we like for the client to feel like we waved a magic wand and everything magically went from one house to the other and landed in exactly the spot where it had lived for years. Of course, it is never that easy and requires a lot of pictures, notes, boxes, paper, label, tape and sweat to make it happen. A client will never realize that we remembered to put the alarm clock on the same side of the bed that it was on in the new house, but they sure will realized it if we do not. All of this hard work is worth it all when they are able to walk into their new space and feel at home. 

The new home environment needs to be:

• Friendly - It is important that they move into a neighborhood or community with like-minded individuals that share similar interests. I have seen clients who have been home-bound for years thrive in community living and live a much more rich life.
• Familiar - If possible set up furniture in a similar way where their path to the bathroom at night is familiar and their dresser drawer are arranged as they were in the old house. Create familiar sights, sounds and smells as these also help the senior feel at home.
• Functional - After living for years in the same place one is on autopilot and functions without thinking. As you arrange and unpack, think of how the other person will function in the new environment. Ask where they will go to look for a certain item. This is especially important if memory issues are present.
• Forgiving - Things usually cannot be placed exactly where they were in the new home so make sure the new home is forgiving with soft corners, free of rugs to slip on, furniture without wheels and clear walkways. Most of all, family and friends need to be patient and forgiving as they may express frustration as they deal with change. If they get angry, sad or frustrated, do not take it personally but ask yourself what is causing it.

We love providing stress-free relocations and thrive on taking care of all of the details so that the person moving can relax and concentrate on taking care of themselves.  We would be honored to have the opportunity to quote you or a loved one on an upcoming move.

Clear the Clutter in Your Kitchen

Homes look much more organized when the surfaces are clear and clutter-free. It also makes preparing a meal much easier so that you are more likely to eat healthy and less likely to each convenience foods. Check out this video to learn how to organize your kitchen counter-tops so that they are clean and ready to prepare healthy food.

Good Enough! A Story of One Who Overcame Perfectionism

We last spoke about how perfectionism can hold us back from accomplishing all we would like. We had been working with a client who is in her late 70's and battles perfectionism and Attention Deficit Disorder. She has researched her entire career to write a book, but hasn't written a page yet because there's always more to read and study in preparation for writing. When working in her office, we were able to clear the clutter and create a space where she can focus on her work. We also taught her the concept we teach many of our clients -- "Good Enough." Perfectionists are hung up on having to do everything perfectly and "Good Enough" teaches them to do the best they possible can and get it done. Most importantly, they learn that things do not have to be perfect.

A week after our session, she shared with me that she had begun writing her book. She had the chapters mapped out and reorganized her research by chapter so that the writing would be easy. She is finally empowered to write her book so that now she can share all of her life's work with others. We are so excited for her and hope others will learn how to give up perfectionism and focus on reaching their goals.

We would love to hear your story about how you have overcome your organizing hurdles.

Is Perfectionism Keeping You From Your Organizing Goals?

Trying to do everything perfectly can be the greatest obstacle to reaching your organizing goals. Life is not perfect and nothing we do will every be done perfectly. Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to be content with the best we can do.  

Many of the compulsive hoarders we assist are perfectionists. Hard to believe, I know! However, when everything must be done perfectly, it can be paralyzing and a person gives up when things are not perfect which causes everything to pile up and become overwhelming. Some people are able to control everything in their life and work hard to keep things "perfect" but as life changes, other people enter their lives that do not do things "perfectly" like they do or they experience health issues where we are unable to keep up with all they must do things fall apart. Few people do have what seems to be a perfect home that is fully under their control. However, they and their family are usually perfectly miserable because they never get to relax and enjoy life.

As a person who has overcome perfectionism, I have learned to say "good enough" and just get things done so that I have time for the important relationships in my life. If my house had to be perfect before I could invite people into my home, I would never have anyone over. I have learned that having a home that is warm and welcoming, but not perfect is actually much more comfortable for people. They are not there to inspect our homes with a white glove, but to build relationships.

If perfectionism is a struggle for you, please allow us to help you get organized and enjoy life in an environment that is "good enough."

Paper Management for Tax Time

It is that time of year again. Tax documents are coming in the mail and April 15th is just around the corner. Time to find all of that important paperwork and make the most of those tax write-offs. Having disorganized paperwork can make tax time a nightmare. Here are some tips on organizing your paperwork to keep you in control at tax time:

• Go through all of your files and get rid of anything that you no longer need.
• Make sure any loose paper is sorted (keep, recycle, and shred) and the keepers are filed away.
• Take advantage of one of the Free Shred Days coming up if you have large quantities of shredding.
• Set up files for your tax paperwork that fit the categories you have for your specific tax return (ex. charitable contributions, property taxes, quarterly estimates, deductible business expenses, etc.) and keep these files in a separate section for taxes.

When tax time comes, this makes it easy to find exactly what you need to complete your taxes.  If you need some help getting your paperwork under control, we are always glad to help get you caught up and set up a system that is easy to use.