On the Move

In preparation for an upcoming move I have been sorting through my things to see if there is any way to minimize the amount I have to drag with me to my new space. In my experience, moving is probably one of the most effective ways to eliminate clutter because of the pressure to make quick decisions in a short amount of time. When moving day arrives, it becomes much easier to figure out what was truly important to keep and what you can do without!

Even if you aren't planning to move in the near future you may want to take a good look at the things you reluctantly brought with you the last time you moved and ask yourself the following questions:

• What items I own now are really important to me?
• Is this item something I use or love? Or am I keeping it out of habit or guilt?
• Is this furniture comfortable? Is it easy to care for, or does it require special attention?
• Will I be moving this from one storage area to another or is it something I will actually use or display?

Believe me, when it comes time to move again, you'll be glad you took the time now to save your time and energy later!

Back up your Files!

Keeping your files organized on your computer is important to ensure that you can find things when you need them.  Even more important is to ensure that your files are backed up!

It is not a matter of IF but WHEN you suffer from a disaster.  This could be a hard drive crash, theft or deletion (accidental or malicious).  You should store a copy of your data files away from your computer.  You can back up your files every day, but if your only backup is plugged into your computer and someone steals your computer - then you've still lost everything.
 
There are many solutions for backing up your files depending on how much data you have and how valuable it is to you.  An ideal solution is to use an online backup program like www.datadepositbox.ca.  You select which folders you want to back up, and every time your computer is idle the files are automatically encrypted and copied to a remote system.  Regardless of which method you choose, the important thing is to ensure that you are backing up your files regularly. 

Kevin Roosdahl with Prestige Computer Services Inc. can help you to ensure that your files are properly backed up.  Kevin specializes in network security and data recovery.  If your computer has crashed, contact Kevin Roosdahl at kevin@prestigecomputers.ca or call 250-869-7353. 

More Time for...

As I was wandering through the library I came across an organizing book I thought was quite insightful.  It is called "More Time for Sex - the Organizing Guide for Busy Couples" by Harriet Schechter and Vicki T. Gibbs.  Now you might be wondering "What has sex got to do with organizing?".  Well, let me explain....

For most people, getting organized isn't really a lot of fun so it stands to reason that the motivation behind getting organized needs to be compelling enough that you are willing to go through the pain of doing the actual organizing to get to the pleasure part (or all the things you'd rather be doing with your time).  Alternatively, disorganization often causes undue stress and needlessly occupies your time and energy, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed and "not in the mood" for much else.

So, instead of dreading getting organized, start by deciding ahead of time what would make it worthwhile for you:

• First, make a list of all the reasons why you would like to be more organized and how you would use your extra time if you had it.
• Next, list the reasons why you haven't been able to get organized.  It could be a lack of time, lack of space, too much stuff, etc.  Be sure to list all your obstacles.
• Beside each obstacle, write at least one or two possible solutions that would help improve your situation.

With a little thought and some creativity, getting organized might just be easier than you first imagined.  Plus, if you have compelling enough reasons to begin with, the organizing part can actually be somewhat enjoyable (really!).

Organizing Challenge Teleclass

The next Organizing Challenge six week group teleclass begins on Tuesday, March 25th. Choose which time works with your schedule or take our one-on-one teleclass.  Click here for more information about the Organizing Challenge six week program or register online now!

Clip and Save!

Watch your mailbox for a special Organizing Help coupon in the Okanagan Sunshine Savings Coupon Book to SAVE $50 when you book your first organizing session!

NAPO Annual Conference & Organizing Expo - Reno, NV

Organizing Help and E-OrganizerPro team up at the National Association of Professional Organizers 20th Annual Conference and Vendor Expo held in Reno, NV to present E-OrganizerPro - The Client Management Software Solution - to Professional Organizers across North America. For more information or to get a FREE 30 day trial version of the program visit www.e-organizerpro.com.

Silk FM Mothers Day Contest - Give Mom the Gift of Time

101.5 Silk FM and Organizing Help join together to offer one deserving Mom "The Gift of Time" this Mother's Day. Enter online from April 28 to May 9, 2008 to win an amazing prize package of time saving indulgences, including a full day of professional organizing services, and show Mom just how much she's appreciated.  For full contest details go to www.silk.fm The winner will be announced on Silk FM's morning show on Friday May 9th!

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