Most of us make resolutions and, sadly, statistics show that 88% of them end up in failure.  Let us not become another statistic!  If you have committed to becoming more organized this year, I urge you to read on.  And even if you consider yourself sufficiently organized, get real!  There is always room for improvement and certainly the need for maintenance.

“What is an organizing boot camp?” you may ask.  Order Matters Boot Camp is a rigorous year-long organizing program that will guide and inspire you to organize your space, time, and life.  Drawer by drawer, closet by closet, room by room, together we will shed clutter, create systems, invite order, and find simplicity.

I do not believe in accelerated organizing programs, ones that promise to get you organized in 14 or even 30 days.  Just like an exercise routine or a diet, getting and being organized requires time and commitment.

Here is how it is going to work:

• At the beginning of each week, I will present you with an organizing project.
• I will break it down into small, manageable tasks and provide you with questions to consider, step-by-step instructions, organizing tips, inspiration, and storage solutions.
• You will have at least a week to complete the project and have the opportunity to go at your own speed.
• Throughout the year, we will work on establishing systems, acquiring new habits, and performing a lot of regular maintenance.
• Together we will become more productive, efficient, and committed to doing more of what matters to us most.

I don’t know about you, but I am excited because I am not just the facilitator of this program, I will be an active participant as well.

Who is on board?!  I really need to hear your voices here and now (i.e. please comment)!  On Monday, the first project will come your way.

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How do you set yourself up for an organized week?  I have a ritual of observing the following 7 C’s every week (almost).  They help me to anticipate my and my family’s needs, thus allowing me to make the coming week a bit less overwhelming.

1.     Calendar – always review your appointments, meetings, and events for the whole week and inform your partner or spouse of anything that might require his or her attention: a late night at work, exercise classes, a business trip, or client meetings.

2.     Checklist – make an I must, I should, I could to-do list.  There are always the items that are non-negotiable, they MUST get done.  Then, there are ones that you SHOULD do, but it would not be the end of the world if you did not get to them in the coming week.  Of course, there are always some COULD’s – it is good to get them on paper, even if it will be unrealistic for you to accomplish them this week.

3.     Carpool – ensure that you arrange carpools and/or divide responsibilities for child pick-ups with your partner or spouse.

4.     Childcare – professional development days, after-school activities, date nights, both you and your partner out at work, whatever the circumstances are for the coming week, ensure that you have proper coverage for your kiddies.

5.     Cooking – if you need to prioritize the C’s on this list to implement them more slowly, say one or two at a time to start, then make this one #1!  If you engage in meal planning ahead of the coming week and go into Monday with a clear plan, menus, and most of the ingredients at your disposal, it will make a world of difference in your week (and your wallet).  On Sundays, I actually get some cooking done in advance so I will have either some lunches and/or dinners prepared and a bit less to worry about during the work week.

6.     Clean – clean your fridge on the weekend! Say, Oksana, that’s all?  Just the fridge? No, but you must clean your fridge every week.  It will save you money because you will know what is in the fridge and save you the stress and aggravation of seeing that disorganized mess every time you open the door.  However, beyond the fridge, make a plan for 15-30 minutes of cleaning you can tackle every day in the coming week.  Tackling the cleaning project in smaller chunks will make the whole project much more manageable.

7.     Challenge – as I believe we should all do one scary thing each day, I implore you to do one scary thing every week.  Perhaps, it will be tackling your kids’ back-to-school shopping, or organizing your garage, or working on some other project you have handed over to your procrastination department to manage.   Challenge yourself, go the extra mile!

I am curious about how you prepare for the week ahead.  Please tell me about your routines.

Happy Friday,

Oksana

Do you keep losing your remote controls?  In my home, we have a designated spot where we put them each and every time we are finished watching TV.

Our television and related gadgets are hidden away in a secretary.  When it is closed, you would not even know that a TV is stored inside.  I like that.

Our remotes are kept in the corner on a shelf inside the secretary like this:

If you do not have a home for your remotes, explore the following options for storing them so that you will never lose sight of them again.

An over the sofa remote control pocket from IKEA:

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Find a beautiful box that can hold the remotes and place it on a coffee or side table:

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Store them in a caddy:

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How about a remote cushion?  So clever!

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You know about my love for trays.  Indeed, a tray is a perfect option for corralling remotes.

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How do you store your remotes?

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If you leave your house and household affairs in order prior to departing for your next vacation,  you will better enjoy your R&R and make your return from vacation a bit less stressful.  Build time into your pre-vacation planning to take care of the following five:

- FINANCES: Pay your bills and alert the credit card companies of travel locations. Prior to leaving for a break, I pay the bills I have already received and schedule additional payments and/or contact vendors from whom bills will be arriving during my absence so that I can submit payments in advance.  Many credit card companies now block transactions in locations in which you have not previously used your credit card.  To avoid potential issues, it is important to notify credit companies of your travel points and dates.

- TIDY: Tidy up your house before you depart.   I am not saying scrub and clean, but definitely tidy things up.  Take out garbage and recyclables, empty your fridge of perishable items and clean it (trust me, you do not want to return to mold and other nasty friends growing in your refrigerator), wash all the dishes or run your dishwasher, clean the food preparation areas, do all the laundry, clean all the bathrooms, and make all the beds.  I like changing the sheets before going away and then coming back to clean bed linens.

- MAIL, NEWSPAPERS, PLANTS: Put your mail and newspaper delivery on hold or ask a neighbor, family member, or friend to collect them for you. Ask the same people to water your plants.  Be sure to provide clear care instructions so you will not come back to dead plants.

- LAWN: Mow your lawn a little shorter than usual or continue your lawn service during your vacation. You do not want to come back to an overgrown lawn, which might also give the impression that no one is around your house – it is not a hint you want to leave for a potential intruder.

- SECURITY PRECAUTIONS: Contact your house alarm company and ensure that they have proper emergency contacts in place. Remind your alternate contacts that you will be away and ensure that they know how to reach you in an urgent situation.  Provide a set of keys to one of your alternate contacts.  Set up timers for lights throughout your house so that they will turn on automatically in your absence.  If you park your car outside your house, ask a family member or friend to take the car for occasional drives to create the illusion of someone being home.

Are you planning to go away this summer?  How do you prepare for a vacation? 

Are you equipped with these essentials?

Basic Sewing Kit: scissors, black and white thread (at least), an assortment of hand sewing needles, pin cushion, tape measure, and safety pins.  I also keep buttons and hemming tape in my sewing kit.  Every time you buy a new piece of clothing with spare buttons attached, remove them and store them in your sewing kit.

First Aid Kit: gloves, wipes, adhesive bandages in various sizes, thermometer, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, sterile dressings, eye wash solution, prescribed medical supplies, prescription medications, a pain reliever (and one appropriate for infants and kids), and anti-diarrhea medication.  These items do not necessarily need to be in a “kit.”  I recommend storing them in a medicine cabinet; make sure that all members of your home know the location.

Grab-and-Go Emergency Kit: in case of an emergency or an evacuation, each person in your household should have an easy to carry backpack with necessary supplies.  The kit should contain a flashlight and batteries, a radio, a small first aid kit, cash (small bills and coins), copies of IDs, contact information (for out-of-town emergency contacts), non-perishable health foods, bottled water, a pair of running shoes, hygiene supplies, emergency blanket, medication, a whistle, and emotional support items (books, religious items, games or colouring for kids, etc).

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Shoe Shine Kit: polish paste in black and brown, polish applicators, shoe shine brushes (one per colour), a piece of soft cloth for shining and clean up.  Take care of your shoe investments and they will last you for years.

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Tool Kit: hammer, wrench, pliers, bit screwdriver and bits for different screws heads, allen keys, an awl, a measuring tape, a level, nails, and hooks (for hanging pictures, etc).  My husband and I are not handy people, but we have these basics.

Ikea's Fixa 17-piece tool kit