A new year means a new chance to get organized. But when you resolve to get “organized,” what does that really mean and where should you get started? Here are four simple areas of your life to organize for the new year:

1. Get your home in order: The beginning of the year is my favorite time of year to do a big house-wide cleaning. It’s much easier to maintain an organized space when you start with a clean slate  – and what time of year is better to get everything in order?

If the holidays brought a whole influx of new items into your home, I suggest getting rid of one item for every new item you got during the holidays. This will help you cut down on clutter. If you received gifts you don’t have space or a use for (or you simply don’t like), get rid of these items now, rather than holding onto them.

While you’re at it, also get rid of stuff around your house that you don’t use, you don’t care for, broken items, and any “just in case” stuff. For more New Year cleaning advice, read my last post 5 Post Holiday Cleaning Tips.

2. Get your schedule in order: I like to keep two calendars: a small planner that I keep in my purse and a large desk calendar. If you buy these after the New Year begins, they’ll probably be significantly discounted.

I write every date that needs to be remembered on both of these calendars, whether it’s an appointment, meeting, birthday, bill due date, etc. When I’m out and about, I use the small planner in my purse to record appointments I make when I’m away from home, and as soon as I get back to the house, I record them on the desk calendar.

My small planner keeps me personally organized, and the desk calendar helps my husband and me sync our schedules and know what’s going on. A lot of people rely on Google Calendars or electronic organization, but for me physically writing something down helps me remember things better.

Related to your calendar, the beginning of the year is a great time to reevaluate your schedule. If your life is hectic and there never seems to be a moment’s peace, perhaps you have too much on your plate and need to gracefully bow out of some activities.

In the same vein, it’s great to have children who are involved in activities, but if every night means running from piano to soccer to dance to basketball, a reevaluation of these activities might be in order. Deciding how many activities your children participate in is really a matter of personal choice, but a night with nothing to do will be welcomed by your whole family.   

3. Get your finances in order: Even if you’re not a money or number-minded person, you should know where all your money is going. The beginning of the year is a great time to sit down and write out what you’re spending your money on and how much.

If you’re pinching pennies, find out what areas you could cut back on and set a new budget for these areas. Areas to cut back on could include eating out, clothes and makeup, premium television channels, expensive extracurriculars, and even food if you find yourself buying more than you need.

As you write out your expenses, record on your calendar when each of your bills is due and when your paycheck[s] go through. Even if your bills are paid automatically, write down the dates the bills are processed so you know when exactly money is coming in and out of your home.

4. Get organized at work: When you get back from holiday vacation, use the New Year to get on top of everything at work.

• Start with your desk: go through all those papers sitting around and throw away what you don’t need (shred any documents with sensitive information). Set up your own little filing system for the papers that are left.

• Get a calendar (separate from your home desk calendar and planner) to record meeting dates and deadlines; also use this calendar to document your vacation time so you can keep track of how much you’ve used and have left.

• Get an organizer for your pens, sticky notes, paper clips, etc. You’d be surprised how such fixes can increase productivity.

So many people want to get organized for the New Year and January is Get Organized Month. …but if you are on a budget or don’t otherwise have access to hire a professional organizer, I wanted to share with you a great way for you to get on the organizing train at a reduced cost.

Many of you know that I’m one of the featured experts on The Clutter Diet (TCD) and I’m happy to announce a special deal being offered in January.  When you use the coupon code“2012win,” you will receive 25% off an Annual membership! This discount is the lowest possible price TCD offers.

Annual memberships are usually $143.40, but with this coupon code your price is 25% off, just $107. This offer expires, Monday, January 16th at midnight (CDT). In other words, it costs you only $8.92/month to have unlimited access to organizing experts for personal consultations online!

Get More Info | SIGN UP NOW!

I’m taking a sabbatical and have lined up a few posts ahead of time. I’ll also be re-sharing some of my fave OTR articles, like this one that offers great DIY organizing tips. Very helpful especially since January is Get Organized Month. Click on the link at the end to see all nine tips.

Allison Spitzer Carter of The Professional Organizer [Metro Atlanta]

“Get phone coaching or internet/webcam coaching with a professional organizer which can cost less, and will provide an accountability factor – someone to be accountable to. This will get you to make an appointment to organize. Making time to get organized is as important as getting the know-how.”

Monica Gaie Premo of Practically Perfect [Macon/Warner Robins, GA]

“The hard part for many people is deciding what to do with everything. Set boundaries to help you make decisions faster. Boundaries can be with your time, papers, and stuff. Set a timer and work until it goes off. Every bit of progress helps.”

Grace Brooke Banovich of Your Efficiency Specialist [Sonoma County, CA]

“One can also join a local support group. The groups can be at no-cost or fairly inexpensive. The support from others and knowing you are accountable to the other members can be great motivators. One could also coordinate a ‘sorting’ party. This would be similar to a ‘painting’ party. Friends could gather for drinks and munchies while sharing stories and sorting papers, toys, tupperware, and clothes. Split the duties up and have some fun!”

Check Out All 9 Tips

So many people want to get organized for the New Year and January is Get Organized Month. …but if you are on a budget or don’t otherwise have access to hire a professional organizer, I wanted to share with you a great way for you to get on the organizing train at a reduced cost.

Many of you know that I’m one of the featured experts on The Clutter Diet (TCD) and I’m happy to announce a special deal being offered in January.  When you use the coupon code “2012win,” you will receive 25% off an Annual membership! This discount is the lowest possible price TCD offers.

Annual memberships are usually $143.40, but with this coupon code your price is 25% off, just $107. This offer expires, Monday, January 16th at midnight (CDT). In other words, it costs you only $8.92/month to have unlimited access to organizing experts for personal consultations online!

If you’re concerned whether this program is right for you, no worries, because your first two weeks are free! You can sign up for the Annual membership with this coupon code and your card will not be charged until 2 weeks later, and you can cancel at any time. 

For comparison:
• Month-to-month Clutter Diet membership: $17.95/month ($215.40/yr)
• Normal price for annual membership: $11.95/month ($143.40/yr prepaid)
• Usual price PER HOUR with a professional organizer in person: $75.00+ per HOUR
• YOUR PRICE: $8.92/month ($107/yr prepaid)

So, what exactly do you get?

• Unlimited access, 7 days a week, to a team of Certified Professional Organizers® for personal consulting in the member area, including photo consultations

• Easy multimedia tutorials

• Searchable reference articles

• Your own customized reminder system

• and TCD exclusive weekly project plans

…all for about the price of a box of trash bags or a package of coffee.

Click here, choose “ANNUAL” option, and enter the coupon code 2012win to get started with your free two weeks and lock in this very special discount price. After January 16 at midnight, annual memberships will cost $143.40.

Your first week takes you through the TCD 7-Day Quickstart program program, a week of focused guidance to help you choose a project, plan it out, and get it DONE! Then you get an additional 7 days of full access and support at no charge before your special discount price is applied.

SIGN UP NOW!

**Don’t forget to choose ANNUAL and use the coupon code 2012win**

*Disclosure: OTR Blog is a Clutter Diet affiliate. The links shared in this post  give us a commission if you purchase from them.  As always, we promote products and services we believe in and getting a commission on them is just a smart bonus.

In honor of Get Organized (GO) Month 2011, we’re reposting a snippet of an article on motivation that we shared last year, GO Month Day 6: How to Stay Motivated. See below for two of the four tips we suggest and read the entire article to see all four. We hope you find them helpful this second time around.

Whether your goals are to eat healthier, manage your time better, or have a less cluttered home/office/car, staying motivated can be a challenge.  A certain pro organizer can relate as her home office is typically on her “to do” list…but more on that later.

Here are a few things you can do to keep the momentum going.

1. Jump to Conclusions. First, think about what end result you want to achieve.  What will success look like when it happens?  Will your desk be clear at the end of each day?  Will you fit into your high school cheerleading uniform?  Will you get your car in the garage?  Burn your “success picture” in your mind and hang on to it.  Put it on your bathroom mirror or fridge door, anywhere you’ll see it regularly.

4. Get “Appy.” Your app might be a spiral bound notebook or a digital notebook likeEvernote.  It really doesn’t matter, though, what you use, as long a you use it.  Apps will help you keep track of your successes and alert you to small changes you may need to make.  If you have a smartphone, take advantage of the myriad of productivity programs out there.

Click here to read the entire article

It’s day 27 of Get Organized Month.  GO Month is all about the possibilities – the potential for “what can be.”  Have you thought about your possibilities?  Can you see your future, a more streamlined future?  One without scavenger hunts for important papers?  ..without racing against the clock to get to meetings on time…without special navigation skills around paper piles and toy towers?

Visualize your success picture, remove your limits, and get some inspiration from self-proclaimed busy person and Possibilities Coach, Earl Mann.

Perspective is a huge thing. When your focus changes, what you do – and get in return – changes.

This past Saturday (and on January 9th), over 15 NAPO-WDC professional organizers gathered at IKEA (Woodbridge, VA). We shared tips with shoppers on how to organize their home office, children’s rooms, closets, and kitchens.  Since January is Get Organized Month (GO Month), it was the perfect time to give advice on how to keep clutter at bay.  Of course, IKEA was a great place to be because they have a variety organizing products priced to fit any budget.

It’s no coincidence that GO Month takes place every January.  It’s the time that almost everyone starts making resolutions.  This is when many people start thinking about the changes they want to make on both the personal and business fronts.  It’s a fresh start and a chance to make positive steps in the right direction.  For you self-starters out there, there are many books and resources you can use to help streamline your systems and to help you be more productive and efficient.

Here are a few of books I’ve read that you might helpful:

Want the help of a professional organizer?  Visit these websites to find the right organizer for you:

• NAPO · Throughout the U.S.
• NSGCD · Throughout the U.S. · Specialty: Chronic Disorganization
• POC · Canada
• AAPO · Australasia
  

Whether you’re self-motivated or need to call in a pro organizer, I hope you’ll use the few remaining days of January to start thinking about the changes you want to make.  Write them all down and then pick your top two goals.

Ok, now, G.O.

On day 20 of Get Organized Month, we have a treat for you!  Several professional organizers told us on Twitter (in only 140 characters) what their favorite organizing products and apps are.  Now, don’t go off on a buying frenzy – figure out what you really need before you buy.

Ok, now G.O.

____________________________________________________________________________

WendyDavie The weekly Planner and Meal planner from www.totallyorganised.co.nz are my fave’s

wicked_neat Has 2b (bside iPhone itself) the ‘groceries’ app. Costs a cpla $s but you can do a simple inventory of what you have/need & be ready 4 store

wicked_neat …in no time. Also, can email list to housemate/partner or keep multiple lists-awesome for parties…less wasted $, food, cluttered pantry

elaineshannon Outlook and specifically Outlook Tasks. I keep all my thoughts, ideas, to-dos in this all in one central at my fingertips place.

Smart_Spaces Hmmm. 1. Literature sorter. 2. Label maker. 3. Enthusiasm. 4. Magazine holders – for files ( big chunks, fast sorting)

MS_Simplicity The label maker is king for org products. Once something is labeled, everyone knows where it goes and can put the items in the right place!

TannaC My fav. organizing products are clear storage boxes from TCS, clear all around & straight sides to maximize space!

TexasOrganizer Loni Horizontal Tie & Belt Rack and Vinyl 80-Pocket Hanging Jewelry Organizer. I love these products for your closet to get you ready to go in the morning. Items are reasonably priced and available at The Container Store.

janinea Hi, Deb. I adore the Elfa file cart (for action files, project files, current client files, and financial files, [anything] within arms reach of my desk).  Also love Time Timer (allows you to stay focused on a task for a given period of time) and Freedom Filer (self maintaining [with] visual clues to weed files on an ongoing basis … attractive, customizable…]

Both @JanineA & @TexasOrganizer were the smart ones this time.  They sent  their product recommendations via e-mail. :-)

More Tips From the Pros

•  Great Advice From the Organizing Pros!
•  Free Organizing Tips From the Experts
•  More Free Tips From the Organizing Experts

On day 13 of Get Organized Month, we’re focusing on the Home Office.  Whether you’re a small business owner or a homeowner, it’s not unusual for the home office to get filled up with clutter.  Does this sound like you?

“It’s supposed to be my home office, but it’s more of a storage room.”

“I haven’t filed anything in a while and I have piles of paper everywhere.”

If you can relate to either of those two statements, it’s time to give your home office a shot in the arm.  Here are some things to consider:

•  Divide and Conquer. It’s time to draw the line in the sand.  Decide what will live in your office and what will get the boot.  Separate items by category – paper, books, office supplies, etc. and find a permanent location for those items to live.  Don’t forget – do a little bit every day and get your friends and family to help out when possible.

•  Make a Uni-purpose Room. Do only your work related tasks in this room.  Keep out clothing, shoes, toys, exercise equipment, etc.  If your children need to use your office, they can do homework or a specific “work” task.  Decide ahead of time what those activities will be and be sure they have enough supplies/materials.

•  Be a Dymo. Be a dynamo with your Dymo!  Use labels to remind you where things live.  This will encourage you to put them back where they belong and help your children to do the same, too.

•  Make a Splash. This might not be the first thing you think of when you decide to organize your office, but the room should feel good to you.  The color on the walls, the look and feel or your chair, the art on the wall – it all matters.  Add a splash of your favorite color or try hints of blue.  Did you know that people in blue rooms tend to be more productive?

Ok, now G.O.

Get Your Own Dymo

It’s only day six of Get Organized Month and life is still happening.  Though your children may be back at school, you’re also back at work with all – or more – of your usual responsibilities.  When life goes back to normal after the holidays, it’s easy to slip into “I’ll do it later” mode.

Whether your goals are to eat healthier, manage your time better, or have a less cluttered home/office/car, staying motivated can be a challenge.  A certain pro organizer can relate as her home office is typically on her “to do” list…but more on that later.

Here are a few things you can do to keep the momentum going.

•  Jump to Conclusions. First, think about what end result you want to achieve.  What will success look like when it happens?  Will your desk be clear at the end of each day?  Will you fit into your high school cheerleading uniform?  Will you get your car in the garage?  Burn your “success picture” in your mind and hang on to it.  Put it on your bathroom mirror or fridge door, anywhere you’ll see it regularly.

•  Be Stingy. While you might have many goals on your list, it’s impossible to achieve them all at once.  So, be frugal with the number tasks that you’re going to focus on – and with the amount of time each one deserves.  Pick one (or two) things you want to work on each day and be realistic with how long it will take to tackle them.

•  Become a Poet. Keep a rhyme or jingle in your head, a tune that makes you happy and keeps you going.  Though you may also need a swig of coffee or an energy drink, a little jingle before you start working on your goals – and during – will likely put you in the right frame of mind to keep up with your task.

•   Get “Appy.” Your app might be a spiral bound notebook or a digital notebook like Evernote.  It really doesn’t matter, though, what you use, as long a you use it.  Apps will help you keep track of your successes and alert you to small changes you may need to make.  If you have a smartphone, take advantage of the myriad of productivity programs out there.

Ok, now G.O.