By Jessica Hoelzel
When your desk and surface areas in your office are covered with clutter, you can experience:Lack of clear thinking
Difficulty focusing
Lack of creativity
Lack of productivity
Feelings of being scattered
Frustration and overwhelm
Some people say they thrive in a mess, but the fact is the energy of clutter is distracting and draining. Many different pieces of paper, notebooks, publications, binders and other materials all hold the energy of the information they hold and where they came from. They pull you in different directions according to what you are meant to do with them. Even if you are “ignoring” them, or “trying” to work around them, they are crying for your attention and weighing you down with their burden.
Spring is a great time to give yourself the gift of a fresh start. Dig into the clutter, sort it out and eliminate what you don’t need. Then, store what you do need in an efficient way. For example:
Set aside about three hours to start (it will probably take longer, depending on how much stuff there is to go through; papers typically take longer than you think – 100 papers can be condensed in just a short stack)
Gather a bag for recycling, a bag for shredding, a box for things to go elsewhere (that don’t belong in your office), and a box for storage
Sort through your papers and materials, putting them in one of the above receptacles, and in piles by category. Label the piles’ categories with brightly-colored sticky notes
Once you have eliminated what you don’t need, decide on a system for what you do (filing drawers or portable box, trays, decorative boxes)
Keep what you need most often the most accessible. Store records in bankers boxes outside the office, if you can
Shop a store with lots of organizing containers and ideas to fine tune your system over time (my favorites are www.containerstore.com and www.target.com)
Stick with it - clutter is not something you clear and are done with. Things are constantly accumulating. But, if we’re diligent on a day-to-day basis about keeping it functional, we can keep the energy positive and flowing.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Want to feel more in-control of your life? Set your office up for success.
By Jessica Hoelzel
Step 1: Make Sure Your Desk is in the Command Position
Often surprised by things? Burn yourself out by dealing with one crisis after another? Feeling helpless or excluded from decision-making?
Take a look at where is your desk situated in the room. When you sit at your desk you should have a view of the door, but not be too close to it or directly in line with it. Ideally, you should be diagonal from the door. This placement is called the command position. “Command” meaning YOU are in command of your work, time, commitments, planning, even attitude and energy levels.
Position your desk so that it is not “shoved” in a corner. (Thus, “backing you into a corner”, making you feel stuck or helpless.) Many office systems – desk, filing, shelving all in one – are designed this way to maximize functionality. However, these units can be limiting; usually there is only one way they work in the room.
If you are in a cubicle, or it is otherwise impossible for you to see the door, place a mirror on your desk so that you see the reflection of the door in the mirror. This way, you minimize surprises. Things aren’t sneaking up behind you or bowling you over, but instead you can see what is coming.
Doors or entrances are mouths of chi, and special attention needs to be paid so that you are able to receive the opportunities and good fortune that comes in, but protect yourself from being vulnerable to too much coming at you at one time.
Keep following for more to come!
Step 1: Make Sure Your Desk is in the Command Position
Often surprised by things? Burn yourself out by dealing with one crisis after another? Feeling helpless or excluded from decision-making?
Take a look at where is your desk situated in the room. When you sit at your desk you should have a view of the door, but not be too close to it or directly in line with it. Ideally, you should be diagonal from the door. This placement is called the command position. “Command” meaning YOU are in command of your work, time, commitments, planning, even attitude and energy levels.
Position your desk so that it is not “shoved” in a corner. (Thus, “backing you into a corner”, making you feel stuck or helpless.) Many office systems – desk, filing, shelving all in one – are designed this way to maximize functionality. However, these units can be limiting; usually there is only one way they work in the room.
If you are in a cubicle, or it is otherwise impossible for you to see the door, place a mirror on your desk so that you see the reflection of the door in the mirror. This way, you minimize surprises. Things aren’t sneaking up behind you or bowling you over, but instead you can see what is coming.
Doors or entrances are mouths of chi, and special attention needs to be paid so that you are able to receive the opportunities and good fortune that comes in, but protect yourself from being vulnerable to too much coming at you at one time.
Keep following for more to come!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Enhancing the Front Door in Springtime
By Jessica Hoelzel
It’s getting warmer…it’s time!
Lovely springtime. The birds are returning, and we feel revitalization. Their songs and their movements from tree to tree bring us delightful life force energy. The sunshine melting the snow thaws us on the inside. No longer do we cozy up, secure in stillness – now we must get up and DO! As creatures awaken, so do we, needing to get to work.
Take a good look at the front of your house. What do you see? If dead and decaying brown wreaths or garlands are amongst the view, get rid of them! They served their purpose during the holiday season to attract good chi to your space, when they were vibrant and still full of life. The energy of withering life absolutely needs to be cleared out and replaced with something fresh. It is a drain on your personal chi. Any dead flowers remaining from last summer certainly need to go.
Your front door is one of the most important places to put your love and attention towards. It represents a way for all of the abundance and opportunities you desire to enter into your life. Clearing out dead plants is necessary for attracting those things, and to protect yourself. The longer they linger, they pull your energy down with them, or block good chi, which can be detrimental to your health.
As you wait for just the right time of season to place pots of flowers near your door for decoration, clean and clear the front door, porch and stoop of your home. Sweep out dead leaves that may have blown in, the dirt carried in from the roads, or cobwebs that have formed. Wipe down your front door so it glistens.
As you are busy with this work, infuse your intentions into the area – for all that you hope to attract into your life. Your front door can be a beacon for this, if given the right amount of attention and sprucing. And doing so can also protect your energy and therefore your health.
Happy Spring!
Stay tuned for more on Spring Cleaning…
It’s getting warmer…it’s time!
Lovely springtime. The birds are returning, and we feel revitalization. Their songs and their movements from tree to tree bring us delightful life force energy. The sunshine melting the snow thaws us on the inside. No longer do we cozy up, secure in stillness – now we must get up and DO! As creatures awaken, so do we, needing to get to work.
Take a good look at the front of your house. What do you see? If dead and decaying brown wreaths or garlands are amongst the view, get rid of them! They served their purpose during the holiday season to attract good chi to your space, when they were vibrant and still full of life. The energy of withering life absolutely needs to be cleared out and replaced with something fresh. It is a drain on your personal chi. Any dead flowers remaining from last summer certainly need to go.
Your front door is one of the most important places to put your love and attention towards. It represents a way for all of the abundance and opportunities you desire to enter into your life. Clearing out dead plants is necessary for attracting those things, and to protect yourself. The longer they linger, they pull your energy down with them, or block good chi, which can be detrimental to your health.
As you wait for just the right time of season to place pots of flowers near your door for decoration, clean and clear the front door, porch and stoop of your home. Sweep out dead leaves that may have blown in, the dirt carried in from the roads, or cobwebs that have formed. Wipe down your front door so it glistens.
As you are busy with this work, infuse your intentions into the area – for all that you hope to attract into your life. Your front door can be a beacon for this, if given the right amount of attention and sprucing. And doing so can also protect your energy and therefore your health.
Happy Spring!
Stay tuned for more on Spring Cleaning…
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Gearing Up for Spring Cleaning
By Jessica Hoelzel
Who’s ready for spring? We get a lift in the springtime. Naturally it’s due to the increased warm sunshine and growth of new plants, budding leaves and flowers – all good chi! We need good chi, or life force energy, to enhance our vitality after the darkness and quiet of winter. In the spring we are moving from a more yin - a passive and introspective time, to a more yang time, which means being more active and busy in the world.
As winter comes to a close, the door to springtime promise opens…
Spring represents new life. After quieter, introspective times, we transition to taking all that was gained – restored energy and clarity – to start something new. As we soak up the beauty and the stirrings of the natural world around us, we are uplifted and inspired. We are ready.
The element of springtime is wood. It signifies taking initiative, starting something new and upward growth. As the season approaches, prepare yourself by reflecting on what that means to you. You can’t start something new if you are burdened by the old. How will you ensure a fresh start this spring?
Finish up old business
Remove to-do’s hanging over your head
Tie up loose ends and get closure
Pay off debts
Clear your clutter
Dedicate some time to looking at exactly what needs to be done, and plan times to make it happen.
Then dig in. Getting rid of clutter is the first step in Spring Cleaning. Cleaning around it just doesn’t do the trick. Clear out the old, unnecessary things you are holding onto, one-by-one, bit by bit. With your space clear and your load lightened, you can then proceed to giving your space some tender loving care.
Stay tuned for more to come on Spring Cleaning…
Who’s ready for spring? We get a lift in the springtime. Naturally it’s due to the increased warm sunshine and growth of new plants, budding leaves and flowers – all good chi! We need good chi, or life force energy, to enhance our vitality after the darkness and quiet of winter. In the spring we are moving from a more yin - a passive and introspective time, to a more yang time, which means being more active and busy in the world.
As winter comes to a close, the door to springtime promise opens…
Spring represents new life. After quieter, introspective times, we transition to taking all that was gained – restored energy and clarity – to start something new. As we soak up the beauty and the stirrings of the natural world around us, we are uplifted and inspired. We are ready.
The element of springtime is wood. It signifies taking initiative, starting something new and upward growth. As the season approaches, prepare yourself by reflecting on what that means to you. You can’t start something new if you are burdened by the old. How will you ensure a fresh start this spring?
Finish up old business
Remove to-do’s hanging over your head
Tie up loose ends and get closure
Pay off debts
Clear your clutter
Dedicate some time to looking at exactly what needs to be done, and plan times to make it happen.
Then dig in. Getting rid of clutter is the first step in Spring Cleaning. Cleaning around it just doesn’t do the trick. Clear out the old, unnecessary things you are holding onto, one-by-one, bit by bit. With your space clear and your load lightened, you can then proceed to giving your space some tender loving care.
Stay tuned for more to come on Spring Cleaning…
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Are you stuck?
By Jessica Hoelzel
If you are feeling bogged down, frozen, weighted down or stuck, chances are clutter may be to blame. We are connected to everything we own, tied to it with invisible strands of energy. This energy could be light or it might be heavier, depending on our experience and our emotional attachments to it. Like it or not, consciously or not, everything we own and surround ourselves with has an impact on us.
Too many sentimental possessions and general clutter can cause a feeling of oppression, preventing the occupants from moving forward in life.
- Lillian Too, author of 168 Feng Shui Ways to Declutterr Your Home
So if you are feeling stuck, you may want to check out what is going on in the environment around you. Take an inventory of the state of your affairs, feng shui-wise:
What does the environment around you look like?
What does it feel like?
Listen quietly – is it saying anything to you?
What needs your attention?
If you are feeling bogged down, frozen, weighted down or stuck, chances are clutter may be to blame. We are connected to everything we own, tied to it with invisible strands of energy. This energy could be light or it might be heavier, depending on our experience and our emotional attachments to it. Like it or not, consciously or not, everything we own and surround ourselves with has an impact on us.
Too many sentimental possessions and general clutter can cause a feeling of oppression, preventing the occupants from moving forward in life.
- Lillian Too, author of 168 Feng Shui Ways to Declutterr Your Home
So if you are feeling stuck, you may want to check out what is going on in the environment around you. Take an inventory of the state of your affairs, feng shui-wise:
What does the environment around you look like?
What does it feel like?
Listen quietly – is it saying anything to you?
What needs your attention?
Once you let go of some things that are no longer serving you, or deal with some things that may have been burdensome, you will feel lighter. You will feel like you can breathe easier, and have the space to move. Clearing clutter gives you the freedom to move again – in whatever direction you’d like to go.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Organizing Kids' Toys After the Holidays
By Jessica Hoelzel
Got kids? Well, then you’ve got stuff. Lots of stuff. Believe me, I know. I have two little sweeties of my own, and even though I am a Professional Organizer AND Feng Shui Consultant that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with kids’ clutter. The most important thing you can do to get full rein over the clutter? Purge. That’s right. I’m sure your kids got the latest and the greatest as gifts – so what about all that other stuff that they’ve forgotten about? You’ve got to let some go. Think about it this way – by age 10, your child will have been through (the math is easy) 10 holidays. That’s adding stuff into your home 10 times. It sure piles up – especially if you have more than one kid. (And we are not even talking about birthdays, toys as rewards for good behavior, or toys “just because”).
The point is, keep what your kids love (what they DO play with) and store or let go of the rest. If you don’t have a lot of storage, you are going to have to do a lot of the purging.
Use these handy tips to help make the job easier:
1. For every toy that comes in, donate an old one to a thrift store or shelter (when in good shape).
2. Get rid of things your children don’t play with, and toys that are broken, missing parts, or dingy. This will lighten the load incredibly.
3. Have children pick toys to pass on. They will be happy to have a stake in the process. Store them for the next youngest, or share with cousins (but only if they aren’t burdened by clutter!)
4. Store toys for future siblings or generations by age (i.e. 1 year, 2 years…). Keep in sturdy plastic tubs. They’ll be easily retrievable when company comes or when the next child is ready for them.
5. If putting toys in a garage sale, encourage children by letting them keep the money earned, or use it for a fun family outing.
6. If you are getting too many toys as gifts, encourage gift-givers to donate to the child’s college fund or towards an extracurricular activity instead of piling up material goods. The savings will be much more valuable, and it teaches children an important lesson.
And as far as corralling the new stuff – here are some helpful tips to keep things in good condition, and keep the pieces together:
1. Buy clear plastic bins for each “set”. Cut out part of the box it came in to label the outside and identify. Kids love making their own labels.
2. Help kids put things away. Teach them about sorting. A good activity for brain development!
3. Plastic dressers work great for storing dress-up, Barbies, action figures or Little People things. Kids can easily open and close the drawers. (And they fit in kids’ closets because their clothes don’t hang too low.)
4. Put small pieces in plastic storage bags or small food storage containers with lids.
5. Save warranties/instructions for toys in a plastic Velcro wallet. Label the front.
6. By all means, avoid dumping everything together, mixed up into a toy box or bins. You will regret it later!!!
Got kids? Well, then you’ve got stuff. Lots of stuff. Believe me, I know. I have two little sweeties of my own, and even though I am a Professional Organizer AND Feng Shui Consultant that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with kids’ clutter. The most important thing you can do to get full rein over the clutter? Purge. That’s right. I’m sure your kids got the latest and the greatest as gifts – so what about all that other stuff that they’ve forgotten about? You’ve got to let some go. Think about it this way – by age 10, your child will have been through (the math is easy) 10 holidays. That’s adding stuff into your home 10 times. It sure piles up – especially if you have more than one kid. (And we are not even talking about birthdays, toys as rewards for good behavior, or toys “just because”).
The point is, keep what your kids love (what they DO play with) and store or let go of the rest. If you don’t have a lot of storage, you are going to have to do a lot of the purging.
Use these handy tips to help make the job easier:
1. For every toy that comes in, donate an old one to a thrift store or shelter (when in good shape).
2. Get rid of things your children don’t play with, and toys that are broken, missing parts, or dingy. This will lighten the load incredibly.
3. Have children pick toys to pass on. They will be happy to have a stake in the process. Store them for the next youngest, or share with cousins (but only if they aren’t burdened by clutter!)
4. Store toys for future siblings or generations by age (i.e. 1 year, 2 years…). Keep in sturdy plastic tubs. They’ll be easily retrievable when company comes or when the next child is ready for them.
5. If putting toys in a garage sale, encourage children by letting them keep the money earned, or use it for a fun family outing.
6. If you are getting too many toys as gifts, encourage gift-givers to donate to the child’s college fund or towards an extracurricular activity instead of piling up material goods. The savings will be much more valuable, and it teaches children an important lesson.
And as far as corralling the new stuff – here are some helpful tips to keep things in good condition, and keep the pieces together:
1. Buy clear plastic bins for each “set”. Cut out part of the box it came in to label the outside and identify. Kids love making their own labels.
2. Help kids put things away. Teach them about sorting. A good activity for brain development!
3. Plastic dressers work great for storing dress-up, Barbies, action figures or Little People things. Kids can easily open and close the drawers. (And they fit in kids’ closets because their clothes don’t hang too low.)
4. Put small pieces in plastic storage bags or small food storage containers with lids.
5. Save warranties/instructions for toys in a plastic Velcro wallet. Label the front.
6. By all means, avoid dumping everything together, mixed up into a toy box or bins. You will regret it later!!!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Organizing for the New Year
By Jessica Hoelzel
When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.
Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”
Make it an organized new year!
When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?
Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?
Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.
Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?
Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?
Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!
Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.
Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”
Make it an organized new year!
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