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Hiring help to create or re-establish order is becoming more popular, but there are a lot of people who are hesitating for a few reasons. If you find yourself stuck getting organized, and feel that any of the following comments resonate with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. If you’ve got a reason I haven’t thought of, then please let me know – I’m always trying to find ways to make better connections to those who wish to live a more organized lifestyle. Read More→
I’ve had the privilege of contributing to Staple Canada’s blog for the past few weeks on the topic of getting organized for back to school. We’re a few weeks into the school year now and if your house is like mine, there may have been a few kinks in the system that had to be worked out. Read More→
One of the most common frustrations in today’s work environment is the volume of email that requires processing. I commonly hear reports of between 100 – 200 emails a day, and inboxes with hundreds if not thousands of unread messages.
Simply staying on top of incoming requests is a challenge. Every piece of incoming mail needs to be assessed, sorted and acted upon – whether it be responded to immediately, filed for later action or reference, delegated or deleted.
The ability to access email on a portable devices creates the expectation of an immediate response. All in all, it’s a pressured system.
Here are 5 tips to help you take control of your inbox and boost your email efficiency:
Moving is one of the most stressful things you can go through. I know – I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve moved! Having lived in Birmingham, England before coming to Canada and growing up in London, Hamilton, Chatham, Waterloo, going to school back in Hamilton and Waterloo, and, oh yeah, a year back in England, and then working Toronto, Tokyo and Montreal, believe me I get it.
I have learned that preparation is key to reducing stress levels. Sometimes though, even with the best laid plans, things come up and you’ll have to react on the fly, but nothing beats having a plan to bring you some peace of mind during the process.
Here are two video clips with helpful tips on the topic of preparing for a move.
Here is a segment with Steven Sabados of The Steven and Chris Show. You’ll want to scroll to the 28:15 mark for the segment on Packing for a Move. That was my very first time on TV!
You’ll also find great tips in this episode of Downright Domestic for some solid advice on planning a move.
If you’re moving, good luck with your transition. If you know someone who is, please feel free to share these links.
I had the pleasure of being Canadian Tire’s online organizing expert, answering customers home organizing questions on their website. Those of you who have worked with me know that Canadian Tire has a rich selection of organizing products, some of which I consider staples.
Visit the “Ask Our Expert” section where you’ll find answers to more than 60 organizing questions on all areas of the home.
Here are some examples of questions I was asked:
How best do I organize my photo collections?
I’m downsizing my house and having a hard time getting rid of things. How should I start?
How to organize a lot of Lego so you can find all the special little pieces?
What is the best way to store my summer clothes for the winter, especially if you live in a small space?
I’m always interested to hear what organizing issues are on your mind. Post them here, or join me on Facebook for more tips and conversation.
I hadn’t planned on cleaning out the fridge during the last week of the summer – it was one of those things that once you start, spirals into a bigger project. I was cleaning out the vegetable and fruit drawers, which I do fairly often because, despite our best efforts, they sometimes suffer the effects of neglected produce, and really can’t be left on their own.
I decided to go one level down to the meat/cheese drawer. I didn’t think it would be so bad because everything in that drawer is pre-packaged in some form or another. Suffice it to say I didn’t think you would appreciate a ‘before’ photo. My daughter, 8, was helping me with the project and she noted that there were several colours on the bottom of the drawer, none of which were white.
Organizing tools are critical to create an efficient and effective workspace. Tools help us group like items together, identify and contain items for easy retrieval, and place items in the most comfortable position for use.
However, not all tools are created equal. It is important to consider how and where you will use an item to make sure you’re making the right investment. Sometimes a cheap solution can turn into an expensive one if it doesn’t solve the problem or hold up to use.
Although we know it’s coming, the rush of back to school seems to sneak up on us every year. We’re experiencing steamy summer weather and in just two or three weeks many will be heading back to school.
While many of us challenge ourselves with resolutions for the new year, September can be a period of greater transition. Children advance to the next grade requiring new clothes and supplies; older students may change locations or take up different areas of study, and people of all ages sign up for activities forcing new routines and a need to find homes for all the associated items. If not managed, we can pretty quickly become overwhelmed by too much stuff and the feeling of having not enough space or time.
So what better than this time of year to make a commitment to getting better organized? Read on for some simple tips to make heading back to school a little less stressful. Read More→
Simply tailoring your workspace to suit you and how you like to work will boost your productivity. People are different sizes and shapes and have different learning styles and responses to their environments. Some things in your office may be working well for you, but chances are your space could be further customized to suit your preferences and work style so you can work more efficiently. Worth exploring?
Clare and Downright Domestic host, Rebecca Webster
In an episode of Downright Domestic, a Canadian lifestyle list show, I had the pleasure of contributing to the top ten “Design Don’ts”. It’s easy to get excited about designing a space and forget about the practical side of housing all our possessions. This is especially tricky in a loft space where there are few walls to place furniture and equally difficult if you prefer a minimal aesthetic. So for my contribution to “Design Don’ts” I focused on smart storage solutions which make sure that your stuff doesn’t stifle the design. For the complete list of Design Don’ts, click here to view the show. The “Don’t Clutter” segment is at about the 3 minute mark during the tip-filled half hour show.
Hello, and welcome to the Streamlife blog. I get excited about taking the bumps out of life, both at home and at work, so life flows a little more smoothly. Please join me and invited guests in conversation...
