September 2019

getting back to school...

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Let's talk about accomplishing goals & taking care of school business!  Back to school is the perfect time to start off the school year with focus & motivation.  I find that most often, we need some inspiration to get us started.  If you don't enjoy your work space, it can make you procrastinate or dread the tasks @ hand.  So let's start there...College bound kiddos & people with no dedicated office space, this is for you!

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DECORATING FOR back 
to School...

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A space plan to accommodate a study area within an average size bedroom.

Even if you don't have a whole room to be a dedicated office space, having a dedicated area in a room is just as effective with thoughtful planning!   Zoning spaces within a room will define the areas needed.   You can zone your areas in a variety of ways: color blocking, partitions, furniture, plants, etc.  All of which, create a literal or implied line for zoning.   For example, the room above uses color blocking, furniture, & lighting to create the different zones. 

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ORGANIZING back to school paperwork...​

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Organizing the overwhelming paperwork that constantly flows throughout the school year is exhausting, but having a plan in action helps to keep it all in check.
A few quick tips for mail & school papers:
           Mail-

• Have a place/area dedicated to put mail & important paperwork.
• Have a file, envelop, or container labeled In, Out, & Deal w/ later...or...Needs Action, Trash, & Undecided.  Simply an organized pile.
• Set aside a specific, dedicated time to accomplish going through the piles.

            School Papers-Deal with them immediately, don't procrastinate!

• Return papers that need action (permission slips, dues/fees, etc.), deal with it & put it in the out pile to be taken back immediately.  Don't underestimate the power of done & forget it; instead, lingering over you as the grey storm cloud turns to black (as items keep piling on), just thundering in the distance!  Overwhelm seems sudden, but it's brewing for a long time.
• Keep @ home papers or artwork- Have a portfolio to collect all that work & a dedicated space for it to be stored.  Portfolios can be online or in hardcover. An easy way to store more work is in digital form.  Create a folder in whichever storage you use, like your hard drive, one drive, google drive, icloud, etc..  Simply take a picture of the work, upload it to your folder, & BAM; you have a collection of your best work.  Another idea is to create a powerpoint or google slide to create a slideshow of your best work.  This takes more time, so having a quick hardcover portfolio to store it in temporarily is a good solution.​  Learn how to create one in the art section of my blog.
• Backpacks- contain a lot of paperwork.  Sometimes you see it & sometimes you don't...kind of like an Almond Joy or Mounds Bar!  Create a dedicated space to put backpacks so you know where to look for paperwork, & kiddos know where to put paperwork when you hand it back to them.

Dedicating the space, effort, & time it takes to make a system work is how you see results.  You don't get overnight results that last.  You create a system that has results that last by dedication!

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CREATING ART FOR back to school...

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Create a portfolio to put your kids paperwork in as it trickles home throughout the school year.  Then, @ the end of the school year, you can sort through it to keep the important items & toss the others. Hardcover portfolios can be purchased or created. This activity can give kids a way to express themselves & keep organized.  The easiest way to create a portfolio is to fold a poster board in half & staple or tape the edges.  This leaves the top open for papers & art to be slipped in easily. Decorating the outside is always a favorite project.  Design your name or incorporate your favorite activity. You can set guidelines or be wild & free!  

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