Get Organized

CHADD Meeting, March 17th 2013

Facebook page for CHADD of Central Ohio is...
https://www.facebook.com/ChaddOfCentralOhio?fref=ts

Let Christine know if you want to help plan and gather information for the
Resource table for the September meeting and beyond.

Adult session speaker Birdie Brennan

Certified Professional Organizer
National Association or Organizers
birdie@getorganizedcolumbus.com
www.getorganizedcolumbus.com

• Being organized saves you time and money.  
• Give yourself a structured routine.   
• Plan and stay on task.  
• Plan only 50% of each day to start.  Then gradually add more, or subtract depending on your success.
• You also need to schedule time to relax
• Schedule your priorities, don't prioritize your schedule.

Birdie mentioned a book by author Julie Morgenstern, titled Organizing From The Inside Out
http://www.juliemorgenstern.com/Products_Books.php

Organizing Paper:

• The number one problem in organizing is paper
• How does it come into the house?
• Wherever you put your mail, setup a mail center.  But before you start, define your categories.
• Each category should have no more than 20 pieces of paper.  If it does, create a new category.
• 80% of the paper you save typically never gets looked again.
• Staple purchase receipts to instruction manuals

Organize your tasks:

• Starting a new project can be the hardest thing.  Just start with one baby step.
• Set a 20 minute timer for 30 minute tasks.  When the time goes off, you know you have 10 minutes to finish.  Or if you get off track the timer will remind you of what you should be doing.
• Set a time frame.  Try to avoid interruptions.  An interruption takes you off task and it can take 27 to 30 minutes to get back on task.

Organize your time:

• You really don't have time not to plan your time. Give yourself small rewards for planning.  Schedule the small action steps for big things.  If something takes 2 or more steps, it is a project.  Remember the feeling when you finish something.

Organize your media

• File DVDs and CD into 3-ring binders with disk holder inserts.  Throw away the cases.
• Photos can be organized with storage boxes 
• http://www.creativememories.com/Content/Shop/Product.aspx?pr=InspectOffering&s=644016&dpr=Search&ds=photo%20box

Birdie mentioned another author, Peter Walsh, and his book It’s All Too Much
http://www.peterwalshdesign.com