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Free Organizing Styles Quiz

By Blog, Free Articles, Quick Organizing Tips, Resources No Comments

The Four Organizing Styles:
Who Are You?

 

Organizing is more than just pretty bins and containers… It’s about designing your dream organizing systems so that you can find what you want, when you need it – with EASE!

Tally your answers from the quiz below to get clear on exactly where to start, how to declutter, and the best ways for you to organize your spaces.

Experience more joy and freedom in your life today!

 

 

I can never find my keys, to-do lists, or phone charger.

  1. Every day
  2. Occasionally
  3. Often
  4. Rarely

 

I have a few things on my kitchen counter to put away, I’ll do it…

  1. Why do I need to put them away? They’re not in my way
  2. Later – probably after work tomorrow or when I have time this weekend
  3. Tonight – I like to tidy up before bed
  4. Right now – why wait?

 

I have a good system for planning, prioritizing, and achieving my goals.

  1. Not really and I don’t really know how
  2. I think so, but I struggle with following through
  3. Somewhat, yes
  4. Absolutely, I crush my goals

 

I delegate tasks to others whenever possible and I am able to let go once I have delegated a task.

  1. Not often, I prefer to do things myself
  2. Yes all the way, take it off my shoulders please!
  3. As long as they follow my directions precisely, then yes
  4. No way – I’m very specific in how I complete my tasks

 

When focusing on an activity or work task, I can work without getting distracted by other projects, people, clutter, etc…

  1. I don’t know the last time I was distraction-free
  2. Not very often
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I can restrict myself from spending too much time on social media.

  1. No and I don’t really want to, it’s a tool and how I stay connected
  2. If I realize I’m spending too much time I will usually log off for a few hours
  3. Yes, and it’s a very important thing to do
  4. I’m pretty good at it or I don’t use it much

 

I make my bed…

  1. Only if someone is coming over and they might see it
  2. Most days, but sometimes I’ve got to run if I’m busy!
  3. If I wake up feeling motivated in the morning
  4. Immaculately every morning, it’s the first thing I do!

 

Once I identify a habit that works against me, I adjust how I do things to improve my productivity.

  1. I do try, but I find I always end up back where I started
  2. I really want to but sometimes I don’t know where to start
  3. I try my best to change bad habits
  4. Totally, I am constantly improving and proud of it

 

Do you clean up your workspace often?

  1. It’s not perfect by any means, but it makes me comfortable
  2. I like to do it at the end of each work week
  3. I straighten things up when I’m finished for the day
  4. Yes! I appreciate a bright, fresh start each day

 

When I start a book, magazine, or other reading material, I am able to finish it in a timely manner.

  1. Sometimes
  2. Hardly ever
  3. Usually
  4. Always

 

I have a systematic method for naming electronic files, sorting digital photos, and organizing emails.

  1. Not really, I have too much to organize alone – but it’s all in one place does that count!?
  2. Kind of but I’m often too busy to categorize these things to where they belong
  3. Yes but it’s not as intricate as I’d like
  4. Yes and it is very specific – I can recall any information I need at a moment’s notice

 

I stick to a schedule for watering my plants, feeding my pets, meal prepping, etc.

  1. I’m happy with my consistency, it may not be perfect but it’s enough
  2. I get around to it eventually, I know I could be better though
  3. I do it when I remember, usually I group a bunch of tasks to do in a row
  4. All of the time, I love a routine and planning my whole day out

 

I can find anything I need in my home within 5 minutes.

  1. Hardly ever
  2. I know the general area
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I either immediately fix or get rid of things that are not in good working condition. My appliances and car work well.

  1. I usually just replace the thing right away – but I’ll keep the original to repair someday
  2. I’m the type to use something until it’s dead, and then replace it
  3. I want to do it immediately so I’ll put the item by the front door or the issue on my to-do list
  4. Absolutely – but I need to find the best price or place for it first

 

I enjoy my home environment and find it a relaxing and nurturing place to spend time.

  1. My home is a comfortable space that displays a lot about who I am
  2. I have a vision for what I’d like but I haven’t found the way I want to do it yet
  3. I do my best to achieve what I envision but it’s always a little off
  4. My home is my oasis and I organize/decorate to maintain exactly that

 

Everyone in my household knows where things belong and they put things away.

  1. Not really, we don’t have a designated place for each thing so sometimes items are in random spots
  2. Yes, but we don’t always get around to doing it as frequently as I’d like
  3. We don’t have many systems in place but the house is organized to some degree
  4. They do, however it’s never perfect unless I readjust it

 

I have gone through my closets and drawers within the past year and gotten rid of anything that does not fit me currently, or that I no longer like or want.

  1. No I like to keep clothes and items in case I change my mind and might need or want them in the future
  2. I’ve done this once or twice, but I struggle with distractions and end up with piles out for days instead
  3. I do this sometimes, but often the to-go items find their way back before they go out
  4. I do this often, I don’t have anything that isn’t useful to me in the present

 

To live a more balanced life where my physical, mental, spiritual, social needs are met, one area I’d like to improve in is…

  1. I would like to improve my perseverance
  2. I would like to improve my motivation
  3. I would like to improve my productivity
  4. I would like to improve my stress levels

 

Quiz Score

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How to Use the Snipping Tool for Windows Desktop

By Blog, Digital Organizing, Quick Organizing Tips No Comments

You’re in the right place to learn how to use the snipping tool for Windows desktop!

 

Have you ever found yourself wanting to capture just a portion of your desktop screen? Perhaps you want to highlight a specific section of a document, webpage, or image to share with someone or for future reference.

 

Enter the snipping tool – a handy feature built right into your desktop to make this task a breeze!

 

In this blog post, we’re looking at how you can harness the power of the snipping tool on a Windows desktop.Keep reading to learn how to use the snipping tool for Windows desktop!

 

 

How to Use the Snipping Tool for Windows Desktop

 

Before we dive into the exact how-to’s of using the snipping tool, let’s debunk a common misconception…

 

The Print Screen shortcut captures the entire screen. The snipping tool allows you to select only the portion of the screen you want to save. Which saves you from the hassle of a second step of cropping!

 

 

Finding the Snipping Tool

Locating the snipping tool is the first step. Simply type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar at the bottom of your computer’s screen, and if it’s available on your system, it will appear. To ensure easy access in the future, pin the Snipping Tool to your taskbar. If it didn’t come up for you, you can download it here.

 

The shortcut keys to pull it up instantly are Windows Key + Shift + S

 

 

Capturing Screenshots

Once you’ve launched the snipping tool, click on “New” to initiate a new snip. Here you have the flexibility to drag and choose the area of the screen you want to capture. This could be a section of a webpage, a photo, or anything else. The snipping tool also offers basic editing options like highlighting and annotating to further enhance your screenshots.

 

 

Saving and Sharing Snippets

After capturing the desired portion of your screen, it’s time to save or share your snippet. In the next step of how to use the snipping tool for Windows desktop, you have a few options. You can save it to your local drive for future reference or attach it directly to emails or tasks in project management tools like Asana, Monday, or Notion. The snipped screenshot is also now on your clipboard, so you can paste it somewhere as well. The versatility of the snipping tool allows you to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow, regardless of the application you’re using!

 

Screenshots made with the Snipping Tool will also auto-save to your “Screenshots” folder. Avoid digital clutter by clearing it out regularly

 

 

Learning how to use the snipping tool for Windows desktop and adding it to your daily routine will significantly streamline your workflow!

 

The Snipping Tool allows you to take precise screen snippets effortlessly. This is highly useful when you’re collaborating with colleagues, documenting tasks, or simply archiving important information.

 

Now you’ve mastered the art of how to use the snipping tool for Windows desktop. Stay tuned for our upcoming lesson on how to seamlessly save and utilize these snippets in a note reminder system!

 

With the right tools in your hands, you’ll be able to declutter your mind and enhance your productivity like never before.

 

Comment below your favourite ways to use the Snipping Tool, and happy snipping!

 

 

 

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How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

By Blog, Business Organizing, Checklists No Comments

As a business owner, you may experience mixed feelings when it comes time to get your small business ready for tax season.

 

Tax season is a stressful time for many of us personally, but add business to the mix? It’s a whole other world!

 

With receipts scattered, documents misplaced, and procrastination looming, it’s no wonder we avoid all tax-related tasks until the last minute.

 

In this blog post, I’m sharing my simple organizing strategies honed over two decades. With these systems in place, you can keep your taxes organized for both personal and business use year after year.

 

 

Let’s dive into the five best tips to kickstart a stress-free tax season!

 

How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

 

 

Centralized System for Receipts:

 

Organizing receipts is crucial for a smooth tax filing process. Designate a specific spot in your wallet, desk, or car for collecting receipts. Use durable zipper pouches labeled with categories like “Business Expenses” or “Medical Receipts” for easy sorting and retrieval. Regularly empty these pouches into your central tax folder to keep everything tidy and in one accessible place come tax season.

 

Digital Tax Folder:

Since we’re living in the digital age, it’s beneficial for you to digitize as many documents as you can to get your small business ready for tax season. Start by creating dedicated tax folders on your computer for both personal and business taxes. As you receive documents, scan or photograph them and file them directly into their respective folders. This ensures a well-organized digital archive for easy reference whenever you need something!

Personalized Tax Checklists:

 

Develop customized tax checklists for your specific needs. You can find free basic templates online to start with and just tweak them where needed. For business owners, maintain separate checklists for personal and business taxes. Customize these lists to streamline the gathering of required documents for tax season.

 

 

File Folders with Expanding Pockets:

If you haven’t already, choose a filing system that suits your needs. File folders work well for smaller amounts of documentation while folders with expanding pockets are ideal for larger volumes. To get your small business ready for tax season and beyond, prepare labels for upcoming years to save time in the future and recycle old folders as needed. This ensures a seamless transition from one tax year to the next!

 

Archive System:

 

Establish an archive system for past tax years. Keep only the current year and the two previous years in your immediate workspace for reference. Use labeled hanging files or expanding file pockets for each year to separate and store them in a designated area, such as a home office or storage space. Make sure these paper documents stay safe from damage by moisture or any other potential cause by using at least a banker’s box or even fire-proof storage.

 

 

Now you’re prepared to get your small business ready for tax season!

 

Implementing these organizing tips will transform your tax season experience from a last-minute scramble to a perfectly planned filing time!

 

From simply managing receipts to creating a digital archive, personalized checklists, and an efficient paper-to-digital filing system, you’ll be well-prepared for stress-free tax filing year after year.

 

Remember, the key is consistency. Find a system that works for you, customize it to your needs, and stick with it. The more you switch around your system the easier it is for pieces to fall through the cracks.

 

As tax season approaches, you’ll appreciate the ease and efficiency of having all your documents in order!

 

If you have secret tips of your own or more questions about how to get your small business ready for tax season, feel free to share them in the comments below!

 

 

 

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