Thursday's Tips, tricks and time savers....

In my recent blog, I mentioned getting organized. I had a request to pass on some of my tips. They are nothing outstanding, but just little things that save a few minutes here and there.

1. Become a list maker. I bought a 5 x 7 notebook that is now my constant companion. Since I work from home, I keep it on my desk by the phone. Every morning when I get up, I sit down at my desk and make a list of the things I want to accomplish that day, no matter how big or small. That way, I know where I need to focus. As I complete the items on it, I mark a line through it. If something pops up that I need to do, I add it to the list. At the end of the day, I move the items that did not get accomplished (if there are any) to the next clean page and throw the old page away. If you keep the old page and just continue on until it is full, you will have all these items glaring at you even though they are marked through. A cluttered page will keep your mind cluttered.

2. Put off till tomorrow what doesn’t need done today. If it does NOT have to be done today, reschedule for another time so you do not stress all day because you haven’t gotten to it yet. I bought some pretty folders and wrote on each one of them a day of the week. In each folder, I place papers or notes of things I need to do that particular day. When I make my morning list, I pull out the folder for that day and add those items to my list. It is amazing how much clearer you can think if you don’t have your whole week’s worth of work in front of you. Out of site; out of mind. It works well. If you don’t need to do it until Thursday, don’t be looking at it every day and stressing over having to do it on Thursday. When it comes time to do that item, you will be refreshed and ready to tackle it.

3. A place for everything and everything in its place. I am big on baskets and storage. In my craft room, I have a basket for materials, baskets for yarn (well actually a whole chest devoted to yarn since it is a weakness of mine.) I have a big basket where I keep my pattern books. I color coordinate my yarn (spring colors, fall colors, winter colors, summer colors.) to find what I need faster. All my nail polish is in one basket along with polish remover, cuticle cream, manicure sets, etc. I can just grab the basket and WA-LAH! Manicure time. I don’t have to search the house for an emery board in one drawer and clippers in another. It’s the same with hair care, perfume and deodorant – all in one basket. When I get ready to go anywhere, I pull out the baskets and everything is at my fingertips. I can wash my hair, blow it, style it and put my makeup on in 9 minutes thanks to having everything right where I need it. 

4. Quickly un-clutter the house. I’m not a slob, but I’m not a neat freak so sometimes things in my house end up in a place they don’t belong. A book left on the table; a movie the kids forgot to put back in the cabinet. Once a day, grab an empty laundry basket and walk through the house gathering up the strays. Start at one end and work your way to the other, hitting each room as you. When you enter the next room, check the basket and put away whatever belongs in that room and pick up anything that doesn’t. When you get to the last room, take anything that is left over and do a reverse process and take those things where they belong. This not only keeps the house un-cluttered, you get in extra steps for exercise every morning.

5. Baskets and Bags. If you are a crafter, you probably have your craft room very organized, but what about your projects? I usually have a couple of different projects going at one time. I have a weakness for tote bags and baskets. So I use these for my projects. I place my current project in a tote bag along with scissors, needles, whatever I need. Then if I’m in the living room and want to work on my craft, I grab the “bag” and start crafting. If we are going to Knoxville and I want to craft in the car while hubby drives. I grab the bag and I’m ready to go. Projects that are next are sorted into baskets with all the items needed for that project. That way if I get bored with one, I can just grab a basket and work on the next one.