Get Organized Now! Newsletter
by Maria Gracia
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Issue: May 4-10, 2008
Number of Subscribers: 181,999
============================================
Hello {!firstname_fix}
============================================
** Finally! An Affordable and Easy to Use Filing System
for Your Home **
Are you drowning in the paper flood that pours into your
home every day? You know...the endless stream of bills,
warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals,
bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers,
employment and medical information, school papers. Need
I go on?
How you deal with that paper determines whether you live
in an atmosphere of calm and control or clutter and
chaos. Along with chaos comes frustration, tension and
conflict--all because of the never-ending paper flood.
But have no fear. Now you can easily gain total control of
your vital paper information -- instantly, easily and
happily-- with My Oh-So-Organized Filing System (just
released and hot off the press!)
Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html
P.S. Find out how you can get a BONUS Tickler file system--
complimentary!
============================================
The Zen of Organizing:
Creating a Stress-Free, Relaxing Environment
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Zen refers
to 'a Japanese sect of Buddhism that aims at
enlightenment by direct intuition through meditation.'
As it relates to organizing, Zen basically means creating
awareness of your situation to change from a cluttered
and chaotic environment to a calm and inviting
environment thereby bringing balance and peace to your
life. Here are a few ideas to get you started toward
that end result.
1. The first step in achieving a more relaxed environment
is to become more aware of your surroundings. Spend some
time and take a good look around every room in your home.
Determine what areas are causing you the most stress and
evaluate the reasons why. Take notes as you go.
Document your feelings about what you see, the changes
you need to make, etc. Not only will this process be a
declutter of the house, it will be a declutter of your
mind.
2. Create a plan for each room you need to declutter and
organize. Visualize how you would like each room to look
when completed. Determine which room(s) you would like
to organize first and then take the plan step by step.
Set aside a certain amount of time each day to declutter
-- 15 minutes is a good place to start. Tackling an
entire room can be overwhelming which could cause you to
just put it off indefinitely. Keep in mind the room did
not get the way it did in one day, so you cannot expect
to get it organized in a day. Remember to take baby
steps.
3. One of the ways to create a stress-free environment is
to simplify. This means clearing the clutter and
eliminating unnecessary items. This is probably the most
painstaking part of the process because it involves
processing emotional clutter as well. It takes
discipline and determination, but the process and end
result are well worth the effort. If you find it very
difficult to part with an item, ask yourself why you are
holding onto it. Also ask yourself what is the worst
thing that could happen if I get rid of this item. As
you go through items, determine what to keep and what not
to keep. When it comes to clothing, if you have not worn
an item in a year, sell or donate it. Think about your
values as well. Realize that it is just material
possessions you are dealing with.
4. When beginning the process of organizing a room, start
at the doorway and move your way around the room. Sort
through piles and try to make quick decisions as you go.
Do I need this item or not? Finish a room before moving
on to another room. This initial room can then be
considered your 'motivation' room. You can go back to
this room and feel good about your progress as you are
working on other areas of your home.
-----
P.S. Get organized once and for all! You can be Finally
Organized, Finally Free. Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas
and techniques to help you organize your home, your time
and your life! Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html
P.P.S. You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free at the
office too! Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html
-----
5. Paper is a common clutter problem. If you are not
using a filing system, now is a good time to put one into
place. Not keeping the paper flow in control will cause
it to grow and get unmanageable. When it comes to mail,
open and handle it as soon as you receive it. Instead of
putting paper in various different places, designate one
area to keep all papers that you need to do something
with, i.e. bills, etc. Also designate an area to keep
papers that need to be filed. Regularly go through the
papers to file and determine if you need to keep the
papers or toss. In many instances, the information can
be found online.
6. You do not have to get rid of everything in order to
declutter a room. If you are an avid collector, consider
grouping together your collectibles into one arrangement
or grouping to create a more appealing visual versus
having collectibles all over the house in no particular
order.
7. In addition to decluttering, you may need to invest in
a few organizational products to help accomplish your
goals. This may include shelving, racks, dividers, etc.
to organize the belongings you use and plan on keeping
once you have gone through the room and finished
decluttering.
8. Do not forget to have fun and celebrate your
accomplishments along the way. Working toward completely
organizing your home and making it more comfortable
deserves rewards as goals are achieved. This keeps the
momentum going.
9. Maintenance is important to keep a good plan in place.
Once you create the environment you desire, you need to
keep it that way. That means creating a system to stop
clutter from accumulating. This involves regular
cleaning and purging, as well as tweaking of the plan.
One good rule of thumb is when you bring in a new
belonging, you need to get rid of two other belongings.
A quote from Albert Einstein sums it up: 'Three Rules of
Work: Out of clutter find simplicity, from discord find
harmony, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.'
============================================
New Stuff and Site Updates
Everything below is accessible by visiting:
http://www.getorganizednow.com
Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so
the new stuff and site updates below may only be available
for one week.
** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2
Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations
about getting and staying organized in today's hectic
world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries:
* 04/29 - It's worth it to ask
* 04/22 - Buckle Up - It's So Important
* 04/22 - TV TurnOff Week
* 04/15 - Send Them An E-Vite
* 04/13 - Advice on Philadelphia Hotels?
* 04/07 - Would You Like Paper or Plastic?
* 04/02 - A Cleaning Poem
* 03/28 - Spring Organizing and Cleaning: My 7 Day Agenda
http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/
** May Web Poll
Our featured multiple choice question is, 'Do you have
hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy?' Go to the following
link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your
opinion can be heard. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll
** May Monthly Checklist: Department 1
Dance happily into the month of May, organized and fancy-
free. Today is a great day to start with our NEW May
Monthly Checklist. Go to the link below and look for the
colorful flowers.
http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AOL Users Link
============================================
Goodies to help you get organized!
Tired of being disorganized? You can be Finally Organized,
Finally Free BOTH at home AND at the office. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html
JUST RELEASED! My Oh-So-Organized Filing System. You won't
believe how organized your papers are going to be. You'll
have a filing label for every category you can imagine,
ready to peel and stick on your file folders. It's
basically an awesome home filing system in a box!
Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html
The 2007 holiday season is behind us, but it's the perfect
time to start getting organized for holiday season 2008!
The earlier, the better. Plus, find out how you can get a
copy of Maria's latest e-book, 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas.
Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/holidayp.html
Are you looking for the perfect organizer that can help you
keep track of your schedule, birthdays, to do's, home
inventory, groceries, and more? If so, visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html
Discover how to start, manage and grow your very own
professional organizing business. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/ultimateguide.html
Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Visit our Give
to Get site and get your complimentary idea-kit. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/marketingsolution.html
Give your aching shoulder a break. TuffBaggs are super
tough, but light as feather. Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/tuffbaggs.html
Pay your bills on time, and have an organized place to put
your statements afterwards? Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezbill.html
Access details for all of our products by visiting:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/orderdet.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AOL Users Link
============================================
An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers
I have two small children that love to do crafts which
can become very messy and disorganized. I decided to
designate a lower cabinet as the 'Craft Supply Cabinet.'
In this cabinet, I have included everything that they
need to do their crafts. We also designated one area (our
kitchen table) as the only spot to work on crafts. This
way I can monitor use of the supplies (eg. markers that
could 'accidently' be used on my furniture). The cabinet
includes scissors, ink stamps with pad, construction
paper, watercolor paint and brushes, coloring books,
crayons, markers, play dough, and small puzzles. I also
included two plastic place mats.
Now the children can pull out their supplies and the
place mats, complete the craft and put everything back.
It helps keep the items neat and orderly and encourages
good habits for them in cleaning up after themselves.
We also put up a large cork board in our kitchen that is
on their level where they can display they creations!
We clean it off each Monday for a whole new week of art!
Mandi Smith
Birmingham, AL
* * * * *
Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AOL Users Link
============================================
A Few Words From Our Sponsors . . .
=====
** Discover Your True Purpose, Passions, and Path to
Lasting Happiness and Fulfillment **
Learn . . .
* The twenty specific areas of your life that can be
slightly adjusted or dramatically changed to provide you
with unending joy and happiness.
* How measuring your reaction to these 66 words can open
the door to dozens of goals proven to give you exactly what
you want.
* The six proven needs of every human being that must be
met in order to mentally and emotionally experience pride,
joy, and fulfillment.
and much more! Visit . . .
http://www.motivation123.com/cmd.php?ad=318491
=====
** Are You Tired Of Dieting? Then STOP . . . because
real people don't diet! **
'Real People Don't Diet' is the story of how one busy
couple lost over 60 pounds and 8 inches of waistline in one
year--without dieting! Learn how you can do the same and
still enjoy the foods you love.
It's simple, it's easy and it's NOT another 'fad' diet. No
counting, no special foods, no exercises and no busting
your grocery budget! Visit:
http://getorgnow1.budgexpert.hop.clickbank.net
=====
** Finally, You Can Pay Off All Your Bills . . .
Without Pinching Pennies or Cutting Your Spending **
Would you like to begin controlling your finances, once
and for all?
Did you know that you can pay off all your bills,
including your mortgage, in less than 10 years without
having to pinch pennies, get a second job or cut back
your spending in any way?
It's true, and it's easier than you think.
I highly encourage you to visit my friend Leo's web site
to find out how you can do just that. He offers the best
program I've seen to help you say goodbye to your money
worries--forever. Visit:
http://www.leoquinn.com/cmd.php?af=250440
============================================
An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers
I am the type of person that always feels like I have to
do everything. I have a busy life, I homeschool and teach
sunday school. I help care for my grandson so my oldest
daughter can work outside her home and I have a college
student as well. I have a large home and I am a neat
freak.
I was finding I just couldn't keep things the way I
wanted--and I was exhausted trying. So, I made a schedule
for myself which is kept it on the refrigerator. It goes
from Monday through Saturday. Sundays are for church and
rest.
I only do what it says on that particular day. For
instance, Mondays and Saturdays are for laundry,
Wednesdays and Fridays I check and answer my email
and so on.
If I have a large project, such as cleaning closets or
painting, I schedule them in on my calendar.
The system has helped me slow down. When I have extra
time, I read or just hang out with my family instead of
rushing to work, doing a task, or something else. I just
save it for the designated day. My life is much easier
now.
Missy Smith
Crestwood, KY
* * * * *
Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AOL Users Link
============================================
On the Calendar
* Monday, May 5th: Early Bank Holiday (United Kingdom): a
public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the
Republic of Ireland. Although there is no legal right to
time off on these days, the majority of the population
not employed in essential services (e.g. utilities, fire,
ambulance, police, health-care workers) receive them as
holidays; those employed in essential services usually
receive extra pay for working on these days. Bank
holidays are so called because they are days upon which
banks are shut and therefore (traditionally) no other
businesses could operate.
* Tuesday, May 6th: National Teacher's Day: a day that
thousands of communities will take time out to honor
their local educators and acknowledge the contributions
they make to our lives.
* May 11th: Mother's Day: a day honoring mothers,
celebrated on various days in many places around the
world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
============================================
Happy Customer!
At first I was skeptical. I mean, how could anyone else
make a filing system for me? How would they know what
categories I need?
But my husband, who already has and loves many of your
other products, urged me to give your new My Oh-So-
Organized Filing System a try.
This system is fantastic. The categories are well thought
out, and not only did you include ALL of the categories I
need, but so many more than I would have thought of. I've
finally said good-bye to my 'Miscellaneous' file, which
was stuffed with random papers.
I can find everything I need, quickly and easily. I hate
to admit that my husband was right, but he was so right!
Kudos to him and you!
Kathy Pinchett
Chicago, IL
For more information about My Oh-So-Organized Filing
System, visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html
*****
P.S. If you would like to share your very own 'Happy
Customer' comments, we'd love to include them in our
newsletter or web site. Just reply to this newsletter and
email us your thoughts. Optional: We'll even include a
photo of you if you'd like. Send that along too. Thank
you in advance for taking the time to do so.
*****
==========================================
Last Web Poll Results
Looking at your calendar, what time of year do you have
the most fun activities planned?
9% Spring
45% Summer
9% Fall
3% Winter
22% There's an even balance of fun activities throughout
all four seasons.
12% Fun activities? Are you kidding?! With me, it's all
work and no play.
Total Votes: 836
==========================================
In Closing
Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.
--Henry Ford
And remember . . . there's no better time
to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!
Warmly,
Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
http://www.getorganizednow.com
============================================
(c) Copyright 2008 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!
* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html
* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our
Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never
add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.
* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone.
You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as
a result of joining this list.
* To subscribe, visit:
http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html
* To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this
e-mail.
You are subscribed to our list as:
{!name}
{!email}
============================================