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Finding a Time & Place to Focus

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Finding a Time and Place to Focus

I have been working with some clients virtually on time management and productivity during the pandemic.  I’ve found that many people are having trouble finding focus and staying focused due to so many distractions.  With both spouses trying to work from home, and some children schooling at home, and the constant news, rules, and updates related to the pandemic being the norm, it is no wonder my clients are having a hard time focusing.  Finding both a time and a place to focus can often be a challenge, so here are some tips to help.

Finding time blocks in your schedule, free from distraction to focus, really depends on your the schedules and activities of yourself and those around you.  If you do have children in school or daycare, or if you have a family member who can watch them for a set amount of time, block that time out as your focus time.  Try to schedule these time blocks at the time of day when you have the most energy, so if you’re an early bird, schedule these times in the morning. Talk with the people you live with about your schedules, the many distractions you’re experiencing, and the ways to create time for each of you to focus.

Finding a place to focus is also very important.  Hopefully, by now you have a functional workspace set up at home.  Home renovations, such as adding doorways to open floor plans, can help to limit distractions.  If you have private spaces outside your house, such as a backyard, deck, or front porch, try working in those areas. 

If you’re able to leave your home workplace, you may be better able to focus outside the home without the interruptions from family members.  Finding a safe place such as a picnic table or bench in a park, an outdoor dining area, or even sitting in your car, may be a helpful alternative to your home office.  If you can find indoor areas that are safely reopened with social distancing, such as co-working spaces, libraries, or coffee shops, you could also try those spaces.  You could even book a night or two at a local hotel to have your own private space to get highly focused work done.

If you’d like personalized time management coaching (online or in-person), feel free to reach out to me to schedule a free consultation chat.  Having an experienced Certified Professional Organizer there to guide you in time management and provide accountability can greatly improve your productivity and lower overall stress.

The Life Transition After Full Vaccination

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The Life Transition After Full Vaccination

I often help my clients during life transitions such as moving, downsizing, or preparing for a new baby.  Now that COVID-19 vaccines are being widely distributed in the U.S., and some places are starting to open up, the entire country is in a new type of transition.  I’m sure “the life transition after full vaccination” will have a catchy name soon, since so many of us are about to experience it. Time management and stress management will be important as we step toward “normal”.

Personally, my family will be fully vaccinated by the end of April. We will be going through this strange transition of coming out of this hibernating time where we’ve avoided people outside our bubble and public events because it was safest for our health and the health of others.  This is a transition that none of us have gone through before, and I am interested to see how we’ll all manage it.

To reduce stress in any transition, the first step is to plan.  As I pre-plan to re-enter places like restaurants, movie theaters and client homes post-vaccination, I am using my family’s digital calendar to keep track of it all.  Although I hated being cut off socially from so many people, I also know that I’m going to need time to adjust.

I am scheduling down-time at home in between the busy times.  I feel that returning to constant travel, activities and in-person work will be overwhelming.  There are some things I really enjoyed during the pandemic time, such as daily morning walks, which I am keeping on my schedule.  As an introvert myself, being around too many people for too long can be draining, so I will carefully schedule my time at group activities.  

The pandemic has made me assess what is essential and what is not in my life, as I am sure it has for others. Spending time with my family and friends will always be important. Essential tasks like healthcare and grocery shopping will also be a top priority (as will be making sure I have enough back-stock of things like toilet paper!).  Meal planning, and eating at home often will continue, with the occasional restaurant trip.

With so much time spent at home, taking better care of my home and yard has become more of a priority.  I plan to spend more time at home than I did before the pandemic, enjoying time on my back deck, or in rooms that my family has decorated, organized, and made great use of during this time. 

I will recognize that this a transition time for myself and for others around me. I wonder how long this transition will take and when I’ll feel comfortable and feel like things are “back to normal.” I know this will be a stressful and confusing time for many, but also a joyful time. For those of us who made it through healthy, and are coming out the other side able to socialize and enjoy activities that we’ve been cut off from, this will be an exciting experience. I am looking forward to moving out of the Zoom world and back to real in-person life, and I hope you’ll all recognize that planning and patience are needed as we all adjust. 

Gain Control of Clutter with Virtual Home Organizing Via Zoom

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Gain Control of Clutter with Virtual Home Organizing Via Zoom

Due to the pandemic, many people are in their homes much more than before.  Since your home may now be used for work, school and leisure activities, your spaces may be feeling more cluttered or disorganized.  If you’re practicing social distancing, you may not feel comfortable hiring a personal service, such as professional organizer, to come inside your home.  As we’ve all discovered, videoconferencing technology such as Zoom is a great way to connect with others while social distancing.

As a Certified Professional Organizer, I am offering my home and office organizing expertise, guidance and assistance via Zoom.  Through virtual organizing, by using your phone, tablet, or computer, I can help you to declutter or better organize your home, office, or time. 

You can’t control everything that’s happening in the world right now, but you can gain control of clutter or disorganization in your own environment. Enlisting the help of a professional organizer will keep you on track, provide accountability, and give you a personalized plan based on your needs.

Here are ways virtual connections with me via Zoom can help:

Virtual Organizing Sessions  

If you’re overwhelmed by clutter or disorganization and you’d like to work in real-time with a professional organizer by your side via video chat to help transfer organizing skills to you, these 60 minute sessions provide a non-judgmental, supportive and encouraging way to keep you on task and hold you accountable so you can achieve your personal organizing goals.

Areas where virtual organizing services can be helpful:

  • Home Offices
  • Home Schooling or Study Spaces
  • Preparing your Home for Sale
  • Preparing to Downsize
  • Unpacking and Organizing in a New Home
  • Selecting Organizing and Storage Products
  • Managing Paper – systems for files, mail, finances, bill pay & budgeting
  • Preparing your Home for a New Baby
  • Decluttering your Entire Home
  • Kitchens
  • Pantries
  • Refrigerators
  • Bedroom Closets
  • Linen Closets
  • Coat Closets
  • Living Rooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Playrooms
  • Bonus Rooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundry Rooms
  • Craft Rooms
  • Mudrooms
  • Memorabilia
  • Garages
  • Attics
  • Basements
  • Sheds

Virtual DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Organizing Consultations

If there’s a home organizing project that you are ready to tackle on your own, but you’d just like expert guidance on planning, accountability, and storage product recommendations, this is a great option.

Virtual Time Management Consultations

If you’d like assistance from a productivity professional in organizing your time based on your priorities and goals, and tips for planning your schedule to reach those goals. Time management becomes especially important if you’re working from home and/or home schooling.

Virtual Presentations

If you have a group or class that meets virtually, and you’re looking for a speaker on the topics of home organizing, office organizing or time management, On Task Organizing’s signature presentations can be presented online. Custom presentations are also an option. Your group can meet with me on Zoom for a presentation or a Q&A session.

As you can see, even if you’re not ready or able to invite a professional organizer into your space, video chat gives you the benefit of having the support, knowledge and expertise of a professional organizer in a virtual manner. To learn more, please contact me for a free consultation call to discuss your goals.

How Vision Boards Can Help Organize Your Thoughts

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How Vision Boards Can Help Organize Your Thoughts

If you are a creative person, a written list of goals may not work so well for you.  Vision boarding is a good way for creative thinkers like you to declutter your mind, and better organize your thoughts, goals and aspirations.  It also assists you with motivation to work toward your dreams.

Vision board workshops are offered by many businesses, and it is a great activity to do on your own or with a group of friends.  Vision boards have helped my clients with both time management and home and office organization.

If you’d like to create a vision board on your own, here are some tips:

Brainstorm Your Goals & Dreams

Think about your goals and dreams, define your best self, determine what you want to do, or what you want to be known for doing in your life.

Write Down Your Goals

Write down your dreams, such as where you want to live, who you want surrounding you, etc. Then determine what actionable habits will support you in reaching your dreams.

Determine Your Core Values

Think about your core values, the ways you describe “your best self,” such as generous, adventurous, or compassionate.  Consider these core values to when choosing images for your vision board.

Choose a Topic

Decide on a topic for your vision board.  For example, your board topic could be goals for the next year, career goals, relationship goals, or goals for the space around you. 

Gather Images

Once the topic is selected, gather images that speak to you. These images can be printed words, photographs, artwork, patterns, or colors that appeal to you.  Often, images are gathered from magazines.  If you don’t have a magazine collection, you can do this by printing images you find online.  Select images that speak to you and your goals.

Arrange the Images

Your vision board can be on a poster board, a cork board, or a magnetic dry erase board.  If you prefer, you can make a vision binder or journal, taping or gluing these images by category onto the pages. Layer the images and words in a way that resonates with you.

Display Your Vision Board for Daily Motivation

Display this vision board in a prominent place that you will look at regularly. This will help you envision your goals.  Then take small steps toward your vision each day.

6 Tips for Organizing with Small Children

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6 Tips for Organizing with Small Children

Parents of small children often wonder how they can help their children to become better organized.  As children grow, it is easier for them to understand the processes involved in sorting, categorizing and organizing their belongings, but if you are a parent of a young child under the age of 5, these tips can help you to organize with your children.

6 Tips for Organizing with Small Children

Lead by Example

 If your child sees you organizing your own belongings and putting things away on a regular basis, he or she will be more likely to follow your lead.  Organize your own space first and then move on to your child’s space.

View Things From Your Child’s Perspective

Get on your knees to your child’s height, and look around the room you want to organize.  Ask yourself these questions:

  • What can my child see?
  • What can my child reach?
  • What needs to be moved so that my child can retrieve and put an item away on their own?

Involve Your Child in the Organizing Process

Depending on your child’s age, personality, and temperament, you could spend a short amount of time teaching them about ways to categorize their belongings.  Whether you’re working in a bedroom or playroom, you can explain that like items go with like items. Demonstrate to them that “all stuffed animals go on this shelf,” and “all action figures go in this container.” 

Use Labels with Images

You can create labels with pictures of the items being stored, and place them on the outside of each container, drawer or cabinet.  There are printables available online, or you can create your own digitally, using images of products found online, such as toys, or you can ask your child to draw a picture of an item such as a sock, hat,  or character of a toy, that goes in a specific place in the room.

Choose Organizing Products that Appeal to Your Child

Perhaps your child’s favorite color is pink, then you might use pink fabric bins to hold their belongings.  Perhaps they love elephants, and you can use a hamper with an image of an elephant on it to store some of their things.  If your child can relate in a positive way to the containers, they will be more likely to use the storage products.

Set Up Routines with Your Child

To stay organized, schedule a certain time each day or week to clean up and put things away.  You can make a game out of this by playing music, using a timer to beat the clock, or if you have more than one child, you can have a contest to see who can put things away faster.

Tips for Quicker Grocery Store Shopping Trips

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Tips for Quicker Grocery Store Trips

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, using time management skills, and being organized and planning prior to making a trip to the grocery store can help you to complete the grocery shopping errand more quickly.  Spending the least amount of time possible inside the grocery store is a health safety measure you can take at this time.

If you are in a high risk group, having groceries delivered will be the safest choice.  However, if you must go inside a grocery store, check out my tips below.

Tips for Quicker and Safer Grocery Store Shopping Trips:

Check the store’s operating hours before going to the grocery store.  If you are in a high risk group, such as a senior, many stores have shopping hours set aside for you.

If you’re not in a high risk group, plan to be at the store as soon as it opens on a weekday, as this is when it is emptiest, and will most likely be better stocked.

To save money, check the store’s sales online as you form your grocery list.

Write your grocery list on paper, so that you don’t need to touch your phone while shopping.

Make an inventory of the ingredients in your kitchen, and create a meal plan for as many days as possible.  If you can space out the time between grocery store trips, you’ll stay safer. 

Write your grocery list in order based on the layout of the grocery store.  For example, if the produce department is the first section you’ll be in, list all produce at the top of your list.  If dairy is the last section you’ll walk through, put dairy products at the bottom of your list.

Put on a mask and gloves while you’re in your vehicle, before you walk into the parking lot.

While shopping, shop with your eyes first, do not touch anything unless you are definitely buying it.

Try to keep 6 feet of distance from others while shopping, following the signs and safety regulations of the store. 

Have hand sanitizer in your purse or vehicle, and use it immediately after shopping.

I hope that with these time management tips, you will be able to minimize your time out in public, and quickly gather the food you need to stay healthy and safe during this time.

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On Task Organizing, LLC

On Task Organizing