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DIY Device Cleanup

by Filed Under: Digital Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

DIY Device Cleanup

DIY Device CleanupDIY Device Cleanup doesn’t have to be a challenge but you can’t just ignore and hang onto everything digital forever! I’ve recently had conversations with friends, fellow organizers, and clients about cleaning off old electronic devices in order to recycle/donate or resell them.  This is something I am constantly addressing because people are intimidated or don’t know how to clear off their data.  Privacy is a critical issue to most of us these days and I’m not saying what anyone should or shouldn’t do.  Let me preface by saying that decisions about our privacy are very personal and so each of us has to make a decision based upon your personal level of comfort.

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Get organized in 2017 with these 9 Posts of 2016

by Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

As we close out the first month of 2017 I wanted to give you a quick review of some of the favorite posts of 2016.

It’s always helpful to review where you have been and close the door as you step into new directions!

2016 Artist Studio Round Up

Creative Posts

  • I consider every one of my artist interviews a Favorite so if you want to find them all in one spot check out this post.
  • Learn how to create a Capsule wardrobe for yourself or your kids.
  • The Three C’s of Getting Organized.

Capsule Wardrobe

Productivity Posts

 

Organized Home (& Car) Posts

I’m looking forward to sharing lots of great new organizing posts, ideas and tips this year! This isn’t all there was but this list highlights some of the most helpful and favorite posts from the past year. Is there a subject you would like to see me cover this year? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to cover it in an upcoming post!

Here’s to your most organized year ever!

Getting the Most out of Kid’s Consignments

by Filed Under: Closets, Organize, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Tips For Understanding Kids Consignments

Getting organized and deciding what and how to consign your children’s toys and clothes may feel overwhelming. But by following a few simple step and guidelines you can actually have fun and earn some extra cash! Here are some easy tips from Tiny Tadpoles to help you with your kids consignments.

First Step:  Save Time!

Go to a few children’s resale/consignment stores in your area. See what they sell. Look at sizes, brands, etc.  Ask what items they are currently accepting. Ask to subscribe to their email list. Most stores have a website &/or social media sites they update with items they need.  If it’s someplace you shop frequently, there is a good chance they will want to re-consign or purchase from you.

kids consignmentsSecond Step:  Get Organized!

Go through your children’s closets, drawers, toy boxes, and bookshelves.  Make 3 piles: 1. items that you want to keep (clothes still fit, toys are still being played with etc) 2. Items that you want to pass to friends or relatives, donate to a charity, yard sale, or toss.  3.  Items that you want to be considered for consignment.  Sometimes first timers aren’t sure what to put in this pile.

Here are helpful hints on what to consider consigning: only select items that you would want to buy yourself.  Consider what Season the store is currently taking. Preferred and designer brands are usually selected. Make sure these items are clean. Items that have been stored need to be freshly laundered. Button and snap everything. No excessive wrinkles. Make sure all toys are working and have all original parts.  Keep things current, toys and clothes over 5 years old aren’t usually selected.

kids consignmentsThird Step:  Start Consigning!

Bring your selections to the kid’s consignment store of your choice.  Most of them offer cash with an additional percentage to spend at the store. This is key when you have small children who grow so fast! Feel good about yourself. Your gently used item will be sold again at an affordable price and put a smile on another child’s (and mom or dad’s) face.

Most small consignment stores are locally owned by families in your community.

Bonus!! You’re keeping extra packaging and waste out of the landfill.

Kids ConsignmentsYes, consigning is a little more work than tossing everything in a bag for donation but by taking a little time to Understand Kids Consignments, it’s worth it!

The benefits of consigning include organizing your child’s room, making money, supporting local businesses, and reducing your carbon footprint etc!

Kelly Hartong

Owner

Tiny Tadpoles Children’s Resale Boutique

Kids Consignments

 

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Creative Filing Systems

by Filed Under: Digital Organizing, Organize, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Is your filing system in total chaos?

These creative filing systems may be just what you need to transform your paperwork (and digital files)!

Creative filing systems

“Filed Away” by Allison Koch (Charleston, SC- Installed at Artfields, 2016)

You’ve identified your filing mistakes, you’ve whittled down your paperwork to keep only what you need and your ready to set up your new creative filing system. Not every filing system has to be the same. Use your creativity to create a system that you’re more likely to maintain. If your files are digital rather than paper, many of these ideas will still work!

Creative Filing SystemGet a handle on volume! How much paperwork do you need to keep versus toss?

Do you have just the essentials or a whole cabinet full of paperwork? The first step is to find storage to suit your style and space needs. There are tons of beautiful and creative filing cabinets, boxes and more to choose from. Here’s my latest roundup.

In the organizing industry, we refer to “filers” and “pilers”.

If your not into a re-purposed or disguised file cabinet and are looking for something different, a binder filing system might be right for you. Some people can’t stand filing papers!

Someone who tends to “pile” papers might be more suited to a binder system. nstead of a drawers you use a series of binders. I’ve created lots of these systems, some color-coded (by  pereson or category), others with all the same color and labels.

Creative Filing SystemBroad filing categories should be broken down further by accounts, dates or sub-categories.

  • For example, “Investments 2016” might include several brokerage accounts.
  • Determine the volume you have for each category (this post might be helpful) and what you need to keep before purchasing and setting up your system.
  • Three-hole punch the paperwork individually or use clear sheet protectors to keep papers in place.
  • Use binders for visual things you reference but don’t need as often.
  • It’s a great system to use for files that need to be transported frequently or referenced by many! I recently learned about the Trio (3 in 1) Organizer by Samsill (while attending NAPO Conference) and love the idea of a binder and loose accordion pockets all in one. There are 7 sections which you could use as a modified “tickler” system (more below).  It’s a new product and I really like it, just wish it was a hardcover instead of the more flimsy plastic outer.

Have you ever heard of the tickler system? You’ve probably seen in use somewhere (& I don’t mean in the bedroom…;).

  • The original and most well-known is the 43-folders system includes 31 numbered “day” folders and 12 folders for the months of the year. This system is based on getting things done on time or at least on target.
  • A great system for someone working with projects, on deadlines or managing productivity and finances more tightly.
  • Simplified versions use 4 folders, one for each week of the month-use to keep on top of tasks that need to “get done”.
  • This system doesn’t really work for “archive” or files that need to be kept but not handled but it’s a great productivity system!
  • Think of it as a daily (weekly or monthly) “inbox” for all your to-do items.
  • As more and more of us get away from handling “paperwork” you might want to consider setting up a “digital tickler” system for your inbox. More can be found about the tickler system at Life Hack.

I can’t do a post on Creative filing systems without mentioning color coding!

Colors might be by category, person, project, date or any classification to help you to quickly identify what you’re looking for. I like to ask what colors people use to identify with each category. For example, if your home is yellow, you might use yellow folders for anything related to household. Likewise, financial papers might be in green folders or binders. You get the idea if your visual, color matters!

Creative Filing System“We are all primarily visual, color is first, symbols second, numbers are third… and words last.” Graphic Design USA

Using file indexes is another great creative tip that I don’t see a lot of people using these to their advantage. Indexes can be for either folders or binders and can include color coding, categories, sub-categories and more. It’s helpful to have an index with binders or file drawers (in the front). Keep a backup index with your essential documents so that you have a record of everything in case you ever need to recreate what you lost. I hope these creative ideas help you tackle your filing with renewed enthusiasm!

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Start to Finish, Manage Projects with Momentum

by Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

I didn’t set out as an organizer to find long-term, ongoing projects, but they seem magnetically attracted to me!

Maybe it’s my background in Project management that helps me to look at a big project and begin to break it down into the most “obvious” (to me;) steps to get started, create momentum and maintain.

I  know that when I’m not emotionally invested in something, it’s a lot easier to step back and be objective about where to start and how to break something big into smaller actionable steps. So let’s talk about that…

How to choose your starting point when you’re trying to achieve a big goal.

project management momentum

Get Started

Let me step back in time to my former days as a carpet designer where I managed design projects for entire hotels. I didn’t work alone, I always had a team that included sales, technical and creative interior designers and architects as well as other experts.

  • Ask yourself, who’s on my team? Who can I enlist to help me achieve my objectives?
  • Identify your strengths in the process and theirs. Do you have a friend who’s got a great sense of fashion who can help you clear out your wardrobe? Do you know a nutrition or health coach who you can enlist the help of to get your kitchen healthy? Keep them in mind but don’t reach out to them just yet!
  • What one small or big accomplishment is going to make you feel amazing? With that in mind, you will know where to start.

Get Inspired

  • Look for inspiration online, in magazines and as your going about your daily life. See something you like while taking a walk? Snap a photo and begin to create a Vision Board on Pinterest or on a poster board…
  • Collect ideas that will get you excited and keep you motivated when you slump.

Get Real

  • Setting and maintaining goals is really all about setting yourself up for Success!
  • Manage your expectations. Really ask yourself, is it realistic for me to think I can organize my entire house in a weekend? What about my garage?
  • Break your goals down into realistic objectives, take it one step at a time and think about how much time and what resources you will need to Succeed!

Get a Plan

  • List your objectives in order of priority.
  • Think “Domino” effect. Great project management is all about thinking a few steps ahead. If you buy supplies before knowing what you need then you’ve wasted resources!
  • Give yourself a timeline with some loose but realistic deadlines.
  • Does that pile of paperwork in the office make you cringe? Do you dread going into the garage?
  • Now’s the time to enlist help. Ask, interview, hire and schedule people to help with the bigger or more challenging phases of the project.
  • Schedule the time, block out hours, days or longer on your calendar to work on each phase of the project.

Get Going

  • Make a commitment to see this through to a specific point before you even consider quitting! Don’t give up before you get started, give yourself the best chance to succeed.
  • Reward yourself! Sometimes the accomplishment is the reward. But for certain phases of a project, you might just need to dangle a carrot out there.
  • Block off time. Get childcare, remove distractions, turn your phone off, don’t answer the door. Turn up the music and get moving!
  • Give yourself the support you need. This means getting the coach, friend, organizer or other expert to be on your side. It also means not over doing it. Do what you can to make it easier.

Get Happy!

  • Celebrate milestones along the way! Snap pictures to remind yourself of how great your accomplishment is! When the closet is clear and it’s easier to get dressed every day, you can’t help but start the day with a smile!
  • Give yourself room for backsliding.It’s okay if it doesn’t always look or feel like it did when you just finished. Remind yourself of that happy place and recommit!
  • Now that you finished your project, break down the small tasks needed to maintain by week, month or quarter.
  • Make time for maintenance. Schedule it in, just like you did getting started. Commit to the routine and it won’t get overwhelming.

What Big Ideas, Goals or Plans do you have for 2017? Please share them below.

Do you find it challenging to stay on track? Need an accountability coach? If so click here!

 

 

 

 

 

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