*This contest is closed.

Wow! This is our third giveaway in just a couple of months! We hope you like getting FREE stuff that you can actually use to stay on top of things (read: not collect dust!). This time, we’re giving away a sample pack of Bindertek Signature Binders. As with the last giveaway, these products were sent to me free of charge so that I could test them out myself.

So, without further adieu, here’s my review of the binders. If you’re eager to get at your chance to win, scroll down for the rules. 

What I Like

Colors. There are LOTS of colors to choose from – 17 to be exact! The colors I have are black and blue, and I’ve got to tell you, the blue is really vibrant. Can you picture your favorite colors on your shelf? Nice, orderly, and pretty? Of course, you can always choose black or the classic Barrister colors. =)

Function. 

• Easy to Use. The binder lever (you know, the thingy you pull to open the rings) is not too stiff but is very sturdy. It opens the rings easily. The binder itself also opens easily without the papers flopping around or getting stuck.

• Spine Label. The label area on these binders are shorter than traditional binders, but that seems to be a plus. The label is easy to insert and remove, and I really hate wrestling with binder labels. It takes the fun out of labeling! =) You can write on the labels, type them, or put them in your printer. Use the custom templates to help you create the look you want (Windows users only).

• Durable. The binders are not flimsy and actually feel great. They have a wonderful linen texture and have reinforced bottom edges. So, when you’re pulling them off your shelf, they won’t get warped.

• Finger Hole. So, this binder has a hole in it. It might look a little weird, but it works. Just stick your finger in to pull it from the shelf. I could see this being really helpful if you have lots of binders on shelf. You wouldn’t have to pry the binder out. Instead, you’d simply use the finger hole to retrieve the one you want. Simple but very functional.

What Would Have Made Them Perfect

• Green. The binders I received are not made from recycled materials. The good news is that they do have a green line called EcoBound.

• Durability. So I’m not entirely sure whose fault this is, but I’m willing to take the blame. One of my binders has a small tear in the back. It is possible that I dropped the box or did some damage as it bounced about my office. The tear doesn’t stop the binder from working, but it’s there. I’m glad it’s not visible from the front.

• View Pocket. The binders I received do not have a viewing panel or pocket on the front so the only labeling area is on the spine. The folks at Bindertek did think about this and created the View Binders, but they only come in black and white.

What do you think? Would you give these binders a go? Here’s how you can enter to win a sample pack of Bindertek Signature Binders. 

*Disclosure:  We don’t give positive reviews for anything we do not believe in, and we’re always honest in our appraisal.  Our content was not edited or directed in any way by Bindertek nor were we compensated for this review.

I’ve been loving the NatGeo channel lately and watched The Animal Extractors (Episode: Polar Bears in Peril) a couple of weeks ago. One of the featured animals: Nine-banded Armadillos. It turns out that they’re loving a particular cemetery in sunny Orlando, Florida. Well, they don’t care about the sunshine since they only come out at night.

This is a one way love affair because the staff at the cemetery hate that the armadillos are digging up the cemetery grounds. The proverbial icing on the cake is that these critters are not native to Florida. They just like it there.

It occurred to me that the clutter in our lives can be just like these grave digging creatures. Both hang around places they don’t belong and are not wanted. You definitely want to avoid being like armadillos. Besides, they’re not very cute…rabbits are cute…these guys, not so much.

Ways to Avoid Being Like Ugly Night Creatures

1. Don’t dig for your stuff.

Have I mentioned that Armadillos are great diggers? Have you seen their claws? Fortunately for us humans, claws are not part of our body landscape, so why go through the trouble of digging? Put things where they belong after each use. Avoid the scavenger hunt – or clutter grave digging – and save yourself some time AND lots of frustration.

2. Don’t create dangerous situations.

Armadillos destroy the grave sites by tunneling through the soil. Can you say collapsing headstones and sinking caskets? You might not have caskets in your home (I hope), but leaving things hanging about can be hazardous to you and your family…and anyone who visits you. Are those stacks and piles of stuff complementing your decor? Or, just letting you practice getting up after you trip over them?

3. Don’t let your stuff get out of control.

Know what else armadillos are good at? Steady breeding. That means lots of them because they have no natural predators in the US. Don’t let your stuff grow and explode out of your space. If you have room for 10 things and you have 50 things, you have to become a natural predator and control the spread of clutter. You may have some hard decisions to make, BUT you’ll be happy in the long run and really start enjoying your space.

The contest ended on December 31, 2010.  Check back often for future contests!

Care to guess what I got in the mail on Saturday? Don’t worry, you don’t really have to guess because I’ll tell you. I got a copy of Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection, co-authored by OTR friend and guest blogger, Alicia Rockmore, and Sarah Welch. They’re also the wonderful ladies that founded Buttoned Up, Inc., a company that features lots of great organizing products to suit every day life.

I’m excited about getting this book for a couple of reasons. First, I’m curious to see if I’ll pick up a few new nuggets. This is good for you, too, because I’ll be sharing them with you.

Second, and even more exciting, is that you’ll get a chance to win $250. Who couldn’t use $250? Don’t worry, you don’t really have to answer…rhetorical question.

How to Enter to Win $250

All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite, most tried and true organizing tip or lifehack…the one thing that you do that comes through for you every time.  If it’s picked as the winner by Alicia and Sarah, get ready to spend that $250. You don’t even have to register or sign over your first born. Seriously. **UPDATE** Have several tips? Leave separate comments for each one to increase your chance of being selected! ~Deb, 11.23.10

Simply leave a comment with your fave tip by midnight on December 31st. Tell your friends to leave a comment. Tell your family members to leave a comment. Tell your boss, your child’s pre-school teacher, the guy at Jiffy Lube, your dog…you know, everyone you know…to leave their tip directly on this post.

Want a link you can e-mail?  Here you go: http://bit.ly/Win250.  Btw, if I get the most reader tips (out of all the bloggers running this contest), I get a shot at winning some cash, too. Not bad, huh? The winner will be announced on January 10, 2011.

What to Expect Over the Next Several Weeks

You can buy the book or just check back here over the next few weeks to decide if you want to buy it as I’ll be sharing a few “real life” tips Alicia & Sarah have for getting more organized. I may also throw in a few surprises – good ones – so you’ll definitely want to check back often. In the meantime, here’s an overview of Pretty Neat.

Overview of Pretty Neat

Have you ever heard of “org-porn?” Don’t worry, you don’t have to answer that, either. You will learn all about it when you read this book. Basically, it’s the glossy fantasy world where your life and everything in it is perfect, sorta like those airbrushed pics in Playboy. It’s this notion of impossible and unrealistic perfection that Alicia & Sarah tell you to kick to the curb. Who wants airbrushed and glossy anyway? …yes, rhetorical.

“The goal of getting organized isn’t necessarily to have everything picture-perfect, but rather to eliminate inefficiency so that you have more time to do what you actually want to do.”

They suggest that you stop “holding yourself to an impossible org-porn standard,” and first figure out your reasons for getting organized, and then find the right strategies that work for you. Good advice, I say.

The authors share specific tips and tricks across several areas, including how to organize a toy swap, be quicker in the kitchen, how to cut the virtual junk, and the 4-step cure to cluttertosis, to name a few.  There are also stories from and interviews with real people so you can see that you’re not alone and that not all situations and solutions are created equal. Each chapter (twelve in total) ends with a wrap-up for those of us that want the summary first.

About Sarah and Alicia

Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping busy people get organized sanely. The company offers tips and tools via their blog and has a line stationary products.

Sarah Welch identifies herself as a “yo-yo organizer.” She’s a seasoned entrepreneur who is used to juggling two or more jobs and a million details at once. Over the years she has learned that the secret to getting it all done is by focusing on maintaining on all fronts with the help of the 80/20 rule…and a good sense of humor.

Alicia Rockmore is a self-proclaimed organizational maniac who seamlessly juggles a fast-paced career and a full home life. Her friends and family describe her as over-the-top organized and call on her to help them get their lived buttoned up and pulled together. The 80/20 rule is also a life saver for her.

Leave a comment below with your favorite tip!

We’re always searching for “the secret” to solving life’s troubles.  Usually, we realize that no matter the solution, we still have to put in the work to see the results we want.  If we want to lose weight, we have to exercise and change our eating habits.  We can try the treadmill or take up boxing.  We can join Jenny Craig or just replace bad snacks with healthy ones.  What works for you might not work for me. You’ve heard all this before, yes?

Well, it’s the same with tackling clutter. There are some rules of thumb, but, generally, there’s no right or wrong way to attack clutter.  Whatever method you choose, you should implement a strategy that’s a good fit for your personality and learning style so that it will be easier for you to maintain in the long run.

Here’s a look at opposing ways of clearing clutter.  It’s a paradoxical perspective, and depending on your personality and specific circumstances, either option might work.

Where should you start?

1. Start with the hardest thing first.

Start with the most difficult organizing project and your efforts will pay off big.  That hard task will get smaller, not seem as daunting, and you’ll cross it off your list sooner.  This will be a huge relief since it’s probably been sitting on that list for some time.

2. Start with the easiest thing first.

Start with the easiest task and you’ll get instant gratification!  With a small, easy project, you’re likely to finish it on your first attempt AND you’ll cross it off your list immediately.  That great feeling of success will motivate you to move on to the next task.

How long should you spend attacking your clutter?

3. Do a little at a time.

This is one of the best methods for reducing clutter – just do ten minutes a day.  It may not sound like much, but those ten minutes can go a long way to chopping down the clutter giant.  You’ll feel accomplished because you acted on your commitment to getting organized, and still have time to do the things you love to do.

4. Do a lot at a time.

Another great way to manage mountainous clutter is to devote chunks of time to your project.  When you’re focused for 45-60 or more minutes, you can make a big dent and see results a lot more quickly.  You know yourself best, so be sure to pick a time frame that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Who is the best person to help you?  Someone you know or a professional organizer?

5. Get help from friends and family members.

Friends and family members can be very supportive and help you to physically clear an area, especially if you feed them!  They are almost always guaranteed to laugh at those old pictures of you or tease you about your Cabbage Patch Doll collection.J This can make the process less tedious, and actually, they may be interested in taking a few things off your hands. After you’re done working, you can go out to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished. As long as loved ones are non-judgmental and focused, the process can go smoothly.

6. Get help from a professional organizer.

Professional organizers, particularly those who adhere to NAPO’s Code of Ethics, will be non-judgmental and will not share details of your project with others (e.g., “Jane Doe’s home office was a super hot mess! It took hours to clean up.”).  They are also knowledgeable about strategies that complement your learning style and can give you a fresh, objective perspective on how to tackle that thorn in your side.  Some organizers may have a network of other professionals needed for the project (e.g., bookkeeper, junk hauler, maid service, etc.) and may help by dropping off donations for you.

Will playing music be helpful or distracting?

7. Play your favorite music.

Having lively music on can help you stay motivated or help you finish your task.  Have you noticed that gyms use this same method? When the spinning instructor wants you to go that extra mile, the music gets a bit more upbeat.  If you put on your favorite CD, you might be able to pull of #4.

8. Work in silence.

If playing music makes you get up and dance all day instead of organizing, then you may lose a few extra pounds. That’s also the signal that music is a bit too distracting.  If you’re at your best in pin-drop silence, then work sans audio – that includes turning off the TV, telephone, and e-mail notifications.  You’ll get a lot more done and feel darn good about it.

You probably already know that Rubbermaid makes great products for the kitchen.  I especially love their Easy Find Lids and my new favorite is their junk drawer organizing system.   I decided to test it out in my husband’s desk drawer and installed it on May 10th…then I checked back to see what it looked like on July 8th.

Take a look at the progression of our mini-project.  The before and after photos really tell the story. If you’re brave enough, I’d love to know what your junk drawer looks like.  Leave a comment and post your pic. =)

Step 1 – Open the Rubbermaid package & make sure the system will fit in the drawer…or select the pieces to be used

Step 2 – Open junk drawer, take everything out, and sort/purge/categorize

Step 3 – Decide where to put everything

Step 4 – Check back in 2 months (or minimum of 21 days) to see if the system is working

Buy @ Rubbermaid

*The nice folks at Rubbermaid sent me this junk drawer organizing  system to review free of cost.  Thanks, Rubbermaid!

How diligent are business professionals about keeping a clutter-free workspace?

· 30% of respondents report having lost an important document due to a messy desk

· Food (32%), old newspapers (32%), coffee cups (31%) and spare shoes (12%) were cited as the most likely items to cause workspace clutter

· Disorganization commonly leads to lost time (47%), meeting tardiness (16%) and missed deadlines (14%)

[Small Business Trends · Campaign Launched to Help Business Professionals Get Organized · Office Depot Survey · December 2009]

Get Your Work Space Organized

Once you’ve got your filing system down pat, create a master list (ML) of contents of your file cabinet or open file cart.  Why?

• Make it easy to find what you’re looking for when you’re short on time.
  

• Know what files you have already created so that you don’t create duplicates.

• Make it easy for someone who’s unfamiliar (e.g., a temp, your spouse, etc.) with your filing system to find a document.
  

List the files on your ML exactly as they are positioned in the file drawer. Be sure to update the ML each time you add or remove a file, and keep it inside the file drawer in front of all the files…or post it directly on the front of the file cabinet.

Have you ever thought that your “To Do” list could tell what your personality is like?  I have to admit, it’s not top of mind when I’m working with clients, but a couple of weeks ago, I spent some time chatting with the fabulous architects, interior designers, and human resources reps at Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (WRIT) about that very notion.  Though I have a degree in Psychology, I am by no means a psychologist – BUT is was super interesting to see how their personalities were revealed by how they wrote their “To Do’s” on paper.  Now, will I ask for a writing sample before working with a client?  Probably not.  Can it help to know a client’s tendencies and learning style in order to help them get more organized?  Absolutely.

This experience was a very interesting take on what we organizers focus on and I had tons of fun chatting with NBC reporter, Eun Yang (her cameraman was super nice, too!).  Take a look at what I had to say to the nice ladies at WRIT and let me know what you think.  Is this whole connection between “To Do” lists and personality hogwash or does it fly with you?