|
|
|
Achieve Results at Home, At Work, and In Life
 |
|
Seasons Greetings! As 2008 comes to a close, I would like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, and thank you for your continued support and loyalty to LM Organizing Solutions.
 2008 was an exciting year for LMOS. I had the opportunity to speak to many groups throughout the year, most notably to peer professional organizers from all over the country (and some from other countries too!) at the NAPO Conference in Reno, NV in April. Participants then subsequently named me the No. 1 Speaker of the 2008 NAPO Conference, which was quite an honor. I became eligible for membership in the National Speakers Association, and attended my first NSA Conference, conveniently held in the Big Apple. I developed my trademark approach to organizing, DECIDE, and launched this E-zine. And on a less serious note, let's not forget that I was bestowed Most Talented at the NAPO Talent Show for my rendition of "All That Jazz." What a hoot that was!
I'm anticipating that 2009 will be a great year. I'm working on launching several new programs and services, including a series of teleclasses, the creation of DECIDE support groups, the launch of my new website, my first audio and print series, and a second E-zine for professional organizers and other similar small business owners. Details will follow in subsequent issues.
As we progress on our "DECIDE to be Organized journey," this month's feature article focuses on Step 3 of the DECIDE process - Categorize. For those of you just joining us, I encourage you to click on the link below to Past E-Zine Issues and review the DECIDE overview and steps 1 & 2 of the process.
Thank you for your participation as a member of the LMOS online community. I welcome your comments and suggestions on how to make LMOS' programs and services even better, and look forward to our continuing relationship in 2009!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
|
|
 |
| "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
 |
|
DECIDE™ to be Organized: Step 3 - Categorize
In September's feature article, I outlined the 6-step organizing process that I developed and use with my clients, DECIDE. In order to refresh your memory, here is an overview of the process:
This month, we will focus on Step 3, Categorize. Categorizing your possessions, while intuitive to some, does not often come naturally to others. Yet, categorizing is vitally important as it serves as the foundation of the organizing system. When items are stored by category, it is easier for the brain to process. The key is to "think" in categories so that you store like with like, making items easier to find, retrieve, and use. Usually the "homes" for such items are logical if they are stored by category, as the entire Universe of that particular type of item is in that one location, as opposed to being scattered in many different, and sometimes illogical, locations.
So, how do you categorize? Here are a few tools and tricks that I employ with my clients to assist them during the Categorize phase:
- Define and Gather the Entire "Universe" - When organizing by category, gather the entire group of like items together. This will assist you in 2 ways: 1) seeing how much of that particular type of item you really possess, and 2) deciding whether you need every item within the category or are willing to sacrifice some. Generally, until you physically gather the group of like items together, the enormity of that category does not fully impact you. Many people underestimate how many items of one category they actually possess. Seeing the truth in a pile staring back at you can be powerful!
 Choose a Common Characteristic - In order to define a category, you must choose a common characteristic that makes sense to you. For example, if you are categorizing paper into files for a home, you may create a category named financial, and store all of your banking, credit cards, retirement statements and taxes in that category. Other people may create separate categories for banking, credit cards, retirement and taxes respectively. In the workplace, I often see a category of files named Administrative, while other companies name the same category Operations. For clothing, some people create categories for eveningwear, casual/weekend, office/work, and gym/work out clothes. Other people categorize their clothing by color! There is no perfect way to create a category. (Although, unless you wake up and say, "This is a 'red' day," I do not recommend you organize your clothing by color alone, but rather, first by category and then by color.) The key is that the common characteristic must be intuitive, so that it is easy for you to recall.
 Zone it Out - Group like items together according to how you use them and set up zones for maximizing time and efficiency. Think of zones as an expanded version of categorizing, as it often involves grouping items of several categories together in order for them to be fully functional. For example, a coffee making station, a gift-wrap center, a bill-paying center. This technique can be employed at home and at work, and is often simple and efficient.
- Test the Categories - Once you have created your categories, test them to see if they make sense to you. Is anything missing? Are there categories that are unmanageably large? Are there stragglers that are left out of the loop, off by themselves in a category of one? Taking stock of the categories you have created will lead you to make even better decisions as you progress on your organizing journey.
 Build the Foundation - Categorizing becomes the foundation for many of the later steps employed in the organizing process, including implementing a system, and dedicating yourself to maintaining the system. The size of the category often defines the storage location (the "home"). In addition, if you implement the "one-in-one-out" rule, then the size of the category must remain fixed, which dictates subsequent behavior, including donating or purging items every time you add a new item to the mix. Therefore, even though categorizing may not seem vital, it is an important building block in the organizing process that cannot be overlooked.
I challenge you to Categorize as a way to simplify and move forward on the DECIDE™ journey. Next month, we will move onto Step 4, Implement.
Until next month,
Copyright 2008 Lisa Montanaro
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE?
You can, as long as you use this complete statement: Copyright 2008. Lisa Montanaro, "The Solutions Expert," is Principal of LM Organizing Solutions, LLC, a professional services firm created in 2002 that offers professional organizing, business and life coaching, and motivational speaking to individuals and organizations. Lisa publishes the monthly "DECIDE™ to be Organized" E-zine, which offers free tips, articles, and advice on how to be more organized. Sign up today at www.LMOrganizingSolutions.com. |
 | |
|
|
 |
From Declutter to Donate!
"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." ~ Maya Angelou
There is no question that we are in the midst of difficult financial times. Imagine how difficult it's becoming for people who already, or are about to, depend on the generosity of others for the things that only a donation can provide. If you are in a position to be able to donate items to those in need, the holidays is a perfect time.
Declutter your pantry . . . Donate to the local food bank
Declutter your closets . . . Donate to a local thrift shop or shelter
Declutter your bookcases . . . Donate to the library, a nursing home, or a used bookstore
Consider donating some of your clutter at the holidays. Chances are, you'll like the way it feels on many levels. And, don't forget to itemize for a tax deduction -- you may as well benefit from your organizing efforts and generosity!
Check out some of these organizations by clicking on the image:
 
 
|
 |
| Lisa Montanaro, "The Solutions Expert," is the founder of LM Organizing Solutions, LLC, a professional services firm created in 2002 that offers professional organizing, business and life coaching, and motivational speaking to individuals and organizations. If you enjoyed this E-zine, you will love Lisa's soon-to-be-launched audio and print series, From Here to There: The Path to Getting Organized. Pre-order your copy today! To explore how LMOS can improve your home or work environment, contact Lisa Montanaro at (845) 988-0183 or by e-mail at Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com. |
Contact Information
Lisa Montanaro
Certified Professional Organizer, Business & Life Coach, Motivational Speaker
LM Organizing Solutions, LLC ™
PO Box 113
Warwick, NY 10090
(845) 988-0183
www.LMOrganizingSolutions.com
Lisa@LMOrganizingSolutions.com |
You're receiving this email because of your relationship with LM Organizing Solutions, LLC. We respect your privacy and know you're busy. You may unsubscribe by clicking the link below if you no longer wish to receive this E-zine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
