Productivity Archives

Essential College Organizing

August 16, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

Transitioning to or back to college can feel particularly overwhelming, whether in person or online. Staying organized can improve your study skills, lifestyle habits, and time management. These skills matter. The more we have at stake, the more important it is to stay organized. College is a time when we are asked to juggle building new relationships, living independently or with new extended families, and building knowledge.

Any of these on their own is a considerable undertaking, so approach this transition with a dose of strategy, support from people who care about your success, and a large heaping of self-care. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Be mindful of your emotions! It’s a big change in the midst of an already inconsistent and ever-changing world, so don’t dismiss how you feel!

This post shares helpful strategies for getting and staying organized for both new and returning students. Some of you may have eagerly planned, shopped, and packed over the summer and are settling in or getting ready to. Many folks are still preparing for the new school year, either in dorms or online. No matter where you are taking classes (in person or online), these Essential Organizing tips will help you plan for and transition into this experience!

By now you probably have the school year calendar and have the start of classes and moving to campus. The following categories can help make this a more mindful transition for life schedules and productivity.

Activities & Routines

Transportation-Will a car be available or will is it going to be transportation by bus or college shuttle? Is there a metro or other public transportation in their new city? Be sure to understand the best method of transportation and if cars are allowed on campus (not the case for many freshmen). Work out travel transportation arrangements ahead of time for upcoming school drop off, pick up and holidays (through the end of the year). This might include airfare so book ahead and know the rules and download any useful local apps for mass transit.
Activities, sports, and clubs (most will be transitioned to online or postponed this fall)-If your college planning to get involved in sports, clubs etc…get these activities booked on your master calendar along with the school schedule and decide on any necessary transportation. Cross-reference these activities with the school schedule and keep it all in one place. It’s great to get involved, but be sure there’s a sense of balance between schoolwork, activities, and “play” or free time to be with friends, socialize, relax, etc.

Schedules & Productivity

Planner or Calendar-Decide how to keep track of calendars so that everything needed is in one place, based on what works. Use either a digital or paper planner (there is a big trend to return to paper!) to keep track of important dates, orientation, move in, class schedule (and locations on campus), appointments, projects, finals, and holidays. Consider something like a whiteboard (in the dorm/room) to track schedules while adjusting to this new way of life. If possible, do this ahead of time before heading off to school where the tendency will be to get caught up in the excitement of new campus life! Planners are only helpful if they are with you so keep it where it’s needed (in a backpack or purse etc).
Productivity & study time– Think and Talk about to-do lists and schedule planning (daily, weekly, or monthly) to stay on top of important tasks, projects, classes, and dates. Consider what routines and systems have worked in the past and set up systems for successful and focused study time. This will be different from situation to situation but consistency is key, especially simple things like waking up at the same time daily, making your bed, weekly shopping & laundry, etc. When it comes to studying if you are easily distracted by other people being around, have a plan to seek out a quiet place on campus or at home (dorm or with family) that will enable successful focus.
Routines – Create a few simple rules and rituals; pick up daily (5 mins/day), keep your worksurface clear, empty/repack your bag frequently so you have what you need ready. Have a plan for note-taking, binders and folders by class (color code, etc), or other systems that have been successful. Find a routine for self-discipline. Get 6-8hrs of sleep a night, eating regularly, take necessary medications, self-regulate screen time (games, apps, etc), and general adulting! All the freedom is fun but when things spiral out of control have a plan to get back on track. Most of us thrive with routines and it’s even more important in transitions to implement them for our own success:)

Supplies & Shopping

This is always a big part of school preparation. If you need to order equipment, uniforms, supplies, books, etc you may already be in the process of doing so. If your state (or the one the college is in) has a Tax Free Weekend (usually in early August), plan accordingly so you can make major purchases over that weekend.

Supplies-Create a master list based upon all the supplies needed. “Shop” your house first, gathering anything on the list into one container (box or bag).
Budget-set a limit (realistic) on what you can and will spend so you don’t get sucked into extras.
Categorize-Break the shopping items into categories (see below). E.X. categories might include books, school/desk supplies, clothing, dorm room, meals, electronics, etc.
Shopping-Do a little preliminary research online and either make the purchases online or decide where you will go for what.

A-Z Dorm Essentials for Cleaning & Organizing

These are great resources to have on hand and will be helpful for a variety of uses in the dorm. I’ve created an Amazon Shopping list with suggested items here.

Backpack or bag
Bedside Caddy
Bed Risers (optional)
Hooks (a variety of sizes & types including command & over the door)
Hangers (check to see if you need to bring them but probably!)
Labels (a label maker or write on labels)
Laundry supplies (basket/bag, detergent)
Over the door or under bed shoe organizer
Overnight bag
Permanent markers
Poster Putty for hanging decorative things on the walls
Power Strip-surge protector
Small rolling Cart (with shelves or drawers)
Shelf &/or drawer dividers/organizers (assorted sizes)
Toiletry or shower caddy
Trash & recycling bins/bags (so many people don’t have them!)
Under-bed storage bins (will fit with bed risers-wait if you don’t know)
Zip bags in assorted sizes
Zip ties (assorted sizes for cables, hanging items, etc)

ABC’s of Dorm Packing Essentials

There are a ton of great resources and lists over on Pinterest, so I won’t recreate them but here are general packing categories. It’s best to wait on things like a mini-fridge, microwave, dishes (other than a cup/mug, plate and one set of silverware), Iron/Board (unless fashion is your thing!), vacuum (maybe a dust buster and mini broom), TV and Printer. These are all things that others or the school will have. Besides, you might not need it at all or you can get them later.

Bathroom-Toiletries
Cleaning Supplies (lots of extra or a plan to get more as needed)
Clothing
Cooking & Dining Supplies
Desk Supplies
Dorm Room
Food
First Aid Kit
Electronics
Furniture & Decorations
Medications (Supplements, cold & Rx)
Personal Items
School Supplies
Sports Equipment

This is a lot of info in one place! I hope these Off to College Essential Organizing Tips will help prepare for schedule and lifestyle changes, supplies, and shopping, and finally packing before this next adventure begins!

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Sorting & Storing Kids Stuff

May 28, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Collections, Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Create a system for sorting & storing kids’ stuff this summer. From schoolwork to your children’s school-year memories, use these simple tips.

Summer is perfect for getting a handle on all those sentimental school objects and creating a system for sorting & storing kids’ stuff, from papers and artwork to old school projects. Perhaps you have a designated spot where you dump things throughout the year? Before you sit down to sort through the sentimental savings, it helps to understand how sentimental you are. Do you want to keep everything, be detached, or be somewhere in between?

Being aware of what we learned from our upbringing will be a great guide for your decision-making process moving forward!

Reflect on your childhood and how your parents handled your memorabilia. Sometimes, the way our family “taught” us shapes how we respond; other times, we want to do the exact opposite. Did your parents keep everything and then hand it over to you after college or when you moved out? Or did they dump it in the trash? What did you do with your sentimental treasures from childhood? Do you still have those things? When was the last time you looked through your memory albums, boxes, etc.? Be aware that what you do today will affect your kids’ behavior tomorrow, and they may already have strong opinions about what they want to keep or discard (which might differ from yours).

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Practice makes progress

January 10, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Creative process, Planning & Goals 2 Comments

I’ve been reflecting on my word for 2025, Courage. Courage is a value, and living our values takes practice.

Practice has been on my mind for about a month now. Ever since a young lady (11 years old) shouted out, Practice makes Progress, during a community discussion about a creative film I’d just seen. I felt so encouraged and inspired to learn that this is the message she had learned from one of her teachers. Out with the adage that practice makes perfect, because we all know that is just not true!

So, as I danced with discovering my word for 2026, practice was at the top of my list of possibilities. In past years, I’ve explored quite a few methods for finding my word of the year (WOTY). This year, after over a decade of this practice, it’s become more intuitive. That is a perfectly cyclical example of practice making progress.

As I do when I am considering words that I want to focus my intentions and attention on, I look at how they are connected to other words. So I explored the visual thesaurus (below) and kept digging. Yes, some of these words are synonyms, some reflect aspects of practice and I’m sure I’ll dance around with all of them over the coming year.

More than any of the anything above, I realized that giving myself permission to practice means exploring failure, doing things imperfectly and allowing whatever will be to come to the surface. In this, I realized that ALLOW was also a word I wanted to explore this year. Carrying over from my exploration of courage, which sometimes felt heavy, as if I was lifting or pushing things, I am opening myself to something softer in practicing and allowing.

Finally, one additional word came to me as a gift. Generosity landed with me through a spontaneous and intuitive process of writing down words (values/intentions) and releasing them until only one remained. Generosity remained.

And so, this year I find myself working with a word sandwich, or salad of three: PRACTICE, ALLOW, GENEROSITY. I am excited to discover what I will learn about myself and the world around me through an exploration and application of these three words in 2026. Each word remains a part of me when I choose them. I explore them with curiosity, deep intentionality and intensity.

My previous words over the past DECADE of selecting a WOTY.

2011: CLARITY
2012: SOAR
2013: RADIANT
2014: PLAY
2015: CHOICE
2016: HARMONY
2017: ACCEPTANCE
2018: FEARLESS
2019: INTENTION
2020: INTEGRATION
2021: POSSIBILITY
2022: HOPE
2023: DELIGHT
2024: COMPASSION
2025: COURAGE

I would love your thoughts on the Word of the Year (WOTY) process. Please comment on this post to let me know your word (s).

Get Organized in ’26 with these posts from ’16

January 9, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

As we ease into the first month of 2026 otherwise known (for some) as GO (get organized) month, I want to share a review of some favorite posts from 2016. Yes, you read that right! I have been in business for over a decade (celebrating 15 years in MAY! and so much of the content I have written and shared is evergreen and as applicable today as it was when I wrote these posts, ten years ago!

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

The In The Studio Artist Interview Series has introduced to a spectrum of creatives in Charleston, Gatlinburg, New York and NC. These 15 artists work in a range of media from ceramics artists, painters, jewelry makers, and taxidermists to name only a handful. 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. Proportion, drape, body shape, size, lifestyle, profession and personal expression, social responsibility and seasonal attire are all factors to consider when creating your own Capsule Wardrobe.
The Three C’s of Getting Organized. It takes a bit of Curiosity, a bit of Creativity and a Commitment to make lasting changes. Want to be let in on a little secret, wink, wink…? Click here

Capsule Wardrobe

Productivity Posts

People often ask me what productivity Apps I use and recommend. It’s been a while since I’ve included a roundup on the blog so as requested, here are some useful Apps with a focus on Personal and Business Productivity. Check out these great Apps for business and personal Productivity.
Essential Documents everyone needs to have and be able to locate. Being prepared for the unexpected means having essential documents (and copies of them) in order and easy to find. Some people call these their Vital Documents. Whatever you call them they are really important!
A Quick tip on The Art of List making. I find that a lot of people’s idea of list making is to just keep one big ongoing “To Do”. Do you think about every single thing on your list as a “problem”? This seems to be the normal mindset around items that need to be done.

Organized Home (& Car) Posts

Helping Family members downsize with ease. We value our lives and those of others, including family members, especially as they age. Anyone at a crossroads in life facing the prospect of estate planning knows how stressful it can be. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to face your legacy and the perceived value of your life.
Maintaining order when saving sentimental items. Sentimental Saving can feel like a way to capture time in a bottle.
On the Go-On the Go-Car Organizing. Having a system for In Car Organizing means you’re more likely to keep your sanity on the road. This is especially true when you spend a ton of time in your car, to and from work, carpool, errands or before you head out for a road trip vacation! Before you hit the road, give your car a quick clean out with these In Car Organizing Tips.

I’m looking forward to sharing lots of great new organizing, appraisal and collections management ideas and tips this 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!

Fast and Slow Organizing

September 18, 2025 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

What does fast and slow organizing mean, and how can our approach improve our outcome?

This post has its roots in the systems thinking I became curious about when I read the book Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. It’s a great book, but somewhat technical. There are numerous excellent summaries available, a TED talk, and interviews with the author, Daniel, a Psychologist and Nobel Prize winner in economics.

First, I’ll provide a summary to serve as a starting point for exploring Fast and Slow Organizing. To preface this summary, I will share in the author’s own words that the origin of this book “…presents my current understanding of judgement and decision making…” (Kahneman, pg. 8). This is important to keep in mind because a lot of organizing involves decision-making. Understanding how we make decisions will give us greater insight into how successfully we get and stay organized.

System 1 Thinking=Fast Thinking

The premise behind this kind of thinking is that it’s automatic, intuitive, and effortless. It relies on skills or knowledge built over long periods of time. This allows us to make quick judgments based on skills, instincts, or easy-to-recognize patterns.

System 2 Thinking=Slow Thinking

The premise behind this kind of thinking is that it is deliberate, analytical, and requires effort. It kicks in when problems are complex, require logic, reasoning, or close calculations.

Many decision-making processes and everyday tasks are governed by fast thinking. If we had to slow way down to think about how to make a cup of coffee, tie our shoes, or think about changing car lanes, we would not be very productive; it could even be dangerous. If we know (or think we know) something about a subject, chances are that System 1 thinking will kick in quickly and give us an answer.

System 2 thinking is what we rely on when we are learning new skills, making significant and complex decisions, or are faced with anything that makes us vulnerable. It can be delightful to revel in this kind of ‘beginner’s mindset,’ where being curious and exploring topics from a range of perspectives is welcome.

From Thinking to Organizing-Fast and Slow

Since we use both systems of thinking for our day-to-day activities, it’s clear that we probably default to one system or the other based on our understanding of how to organize. Have you ever just gone about doing a task on autopilot, not really thinking about it, and doing it the way you have always done it? We all have.

When it comes to organizing, we all fall into these thinking habits. We continue to do the same thing, even though it no longer works for us. This is when fast thinking can become a hindrance or trap. We become so reliant on it that we don’t stop to question the impulsive but perhaps not efficient method behind our process.

Until we slow down and allow our slow-thinking system to kick in, we can become stuck in the system one rut.

Curiosity or frustration might be equal motivators that lead us to slow down and look at things more deliberately. This is one of the leading factors I see when I begin to work with someone who has become stuck with organizing. The process I employ involves helping people become more curious by asking questions and slowing down the ‘automatic’ processes so we can find the best solution, which might not be the quick solution.

Slow organizing might feel like a massive waste of time, a big headache, and a never-ending task, but I promise that is not the case. Slowing down and being deliberate allows us to identify what aspects of our organizing systems are already working effectively. With these, we can continue to employ our quick thinking responses. But it’s the things that are not working that involve more cognitive awareness so that we can navigate our path to a better solution.

The great news is that over time, and with practice, even solutions that are new to us will become routine, and eventually our fast thinking system one mind can take them over too.

It can be helpful for all of us to step back and pay attention to where we are relying on each system in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes, specific systems and solutions may require a bit of evaluation and tuning to run more efficiently.