June 2012

Jun 24

Vacation Planning- A Checklist Template to Make it Easy

By Sherry Borsheim Blog, Free Articles, Home Organizing, Quick Organizing Tips No Comments

My Experience

For over 15 years my family has been going to the same time-share vacation where we relax by the pool reading books, golfing, bike rides, tennis, and having fun playing card games with the kids. Our family shares a tradition of daily ice-cream buffet after dinner. Yummy! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. The kids love this and there are all kinds of toppings, gummy bears, sprinkles, Oreo cookies and other treats to pile on the three different flavours of ice-cream. Using the whip cream maker, with real whip cream, to top off our sundaes is a favorite for the kids. In truth it is a fun treat for everyone. I could live on ice cream!

The AH-HA Checklist Moment

After a few years of packing too much stuff to take with us, planning the meals and buying groceries, I had an ah-ha moment. Hey, we take the same things every year, and I’m wasting a lot of time planning out the meals. Not to mention trying to find out what everyone likes to eat and who’s bringing what. Often times, there would be too much food and we would end up doubling up on purchasing some things. Finally, I decided to simplify the planning and packing process for this family vacation. I created a meal plan, grocery list and packing checklist. What a huge time saver these checklists were for us, and other family members. Not to mention a great way to help save money.

We keep the meals simple, healthy and easy to prepare. Then add in a few special treats. Creating the meal plan is now easy every year. All I need to do is find out how many are coming, any changes in food preferences, decide how many days we’ll be golfing and I can easily adjust the meal plan and grocery list accordingly. We bring several items from home and buy fresh produce when we arrive. You’ll also notice that there are columns to check off who’s going to bring what items on the checklist. It literally takes me 20 minutes each year to adjust the meal plan and grocery checklist. And get this, family members email me in advance asking for the packing checklist and grocery checklist so they can be organized. See, you can even organize your entire family with a few simple checklists (ha, ha, ha)!

Don’t reinvent the wheel, I’ve attached all three checklists for so that you can customize it for your unique summer vacation. You will see how simple these checklists are – no need to get super fancy here. This document was created in MS Excel and inside the document are three seperate “sheets” or “documents” – Menu, Groceries, and Packing List. I’ve done all the hard work for you by creating the document, now it’s your turn to tweak it for your summer vacation.

This summer, save time, reduce stress and relax knowing that you have a checklist and you’ve packed what you needed!

Get your checklist template now-

DOWNLOAD HERE

Jun 19

Love0

The Effect of Decluttering – An Interview

By Sherry Borsheim Quick Organizing Tips, Raving Fans, Uncategorized No Comments

Declutter time again? After a recent Clear Out Your Clutter Day event I’ve kept in touch with some of the participants, followed their organizing stories and watched as their lives have become increasingly more exciting for them. Among these participants – there always seems to be a small handful of people whose journey to be clutter free is worth retelling.

Kelly’s story is one of them. Her’s is truly inspirational. What she has accomplished and the difference it has made in her life motivates ME. If it wasn’t clear to me before, it is surely clear now that decluttering is not just about having a clean beautiful space, it’s about making more room for a better life. It’s an invitation to positive change! I know I am convinced! What about you? Why not hear it from Kelly too.

Decluttering Your Life is Important.

The difference getting organized can make in a person’s life is huge. Listen to how Kelly’s decluttering efforts have effected her!

You can find her interview here-

I want to hear from you! What has changed for you since Clear Out Your Clutter Day? What was your biggest decluttering success?

Jun 06

Love0

How to Declutter After Life Transitions Part 2

By Sherry Borsheim Blog, Business Organizing, Expert Articles, Free Articles, Home Office Organization, Home Organizing No Comments

Now that you know you are not alone- what do you do? What is the first step learning how to declutter?

How to Declutter- Change Habits One at a Time

One example of making an internal change that affects the external environment is changing a habit. Let’s start with something very simple here. If you’ve recently moved to a new home, you will need a new place to put your keys and hang your coat every time you come home. And here’s the skinny on habit changing. You can change a habit in a couple of days using the power of visualization. Athletes have used this technique for centuries and are masters at developing habits for success. Simply close your eyes take a few deep breaths and visualize yourself coming in the front door, hanging up your coat, setting your keys and/or glasses in the same place. Repeat this visualization another 2 times for a total of three times in less than 5 minutes. The next day, you might return to your old habit, but stop yourself, remember your visualization and go hang your coat up and set your keys in the new place. Repeat this the next day and within a few days, you’ll have developed a new habit for finding your keys, every time! Stop the clutter first and knowing how to declutter will be easier!

How does this all relate to transitions and organizing? Well, just about every client I’ve worked with over the years has been through some sort of transition. Transitions have ranged from learning new technology, making room for twins in a growing family, expanding a business, home or office renovations, divorce, to moving someone into assisted-living. Professional Organizers help people get organized so they can get on with their life. Those who do this, get to the other side of their piles faster and easier than if they did it on their own.

Recognize You’re In a Transition

When you are going through a transition, recognize that this too shall pass and that it’s temporary. Acknowledging this piece is critical as it gives you peace of mind that you are doing the best you can during the transition. Learn how to declutter because the faster you get your environment organized, the better. Embrace the new skills or what you learned through the transition. Helping others who may be going through a similar experience will make their life easier and assure them that they too are not alone.

Create Healthy Spaces

On a regular basis, at least 2 – 3 times a week, make sure that your environment is clean, put things away and that it’s pleasing and inspiring to you. This is not about perfection and comparing your home to picture-perfect rooms in a magazine. This is about regular maintenance and keeping your environment orderly to support your vision for your life. This is an important step in knowing how to declutter. The everyday work! Keeping your physical space clutter free also frees up your time and has a ripple affect into other areas of your life and those around you. Clearing out the clutter is part of the transition from one time in your life and into another.