February 2019

2019
Making TIME FOR ACCOMPLISHing yOUR
​GOALS THIS WINTER...​

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Let's take your life back this year, together...Plan on it!

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My goal in this issue is to teach organizational skills & techniques that can lead you to a less stressful, more relaxing & enjoyable year!  Repetition is the key to an organizational system that works!!!

On average, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds for someone to get back on task once interrupted.  That's why accomplishing goals while "in the zone" are important to do quickly & efficiently!

The best time management starts with knowing what to accomplish, & when to get it done.  Let's start with a list of tasks to complete.   ​Jot down everything you can think of @ 1st...even the everyday tasks that have to be done like cooking dinner, making the beds, etc.  Marking off items that have been accomplished throughout the day give visual achievement & a sense of accomplishment!  When you don't add them to your list, you may look back @ the list & ask yourself, "What did I do today? or Where did the day go?"... 1 or 2 big tasks were marked off, but you actually did 10 small tasks that didn't make it onto the list.  That's where the day went! 

​Once you have listed all of the things you need to accomplish, then start to prioritize the list based on short & long term goals. ​  Day to day lists work well as short term goals for most people.  Having longer term goals written out & on a calendar or list is great for visualizing & keeping the goal in the forefront of everyday life.  Both remind us of what needs to be accomplished throughout the day, week, & month.

Trying to Hold onto or Stop Time?

Time Spiraling out of Control?

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You can use a variety of tools to help you stay organized & on point!  Calendars, sticky notes, file folders, & smartphones, just to name a few... 
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I know most of us use our phones to help us keep up & in the know...there's plenty of apps out there to choose from, & that in itself can be overwhelming!  Most smartphones have everything you need to be "in the know" already installed when you purchase them: alarms, notes, etc.  Apps can help streamline the different elements into 1 place or notification.   They can only help if you know how to use them!

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TIME FOR DECORATING IN WINTER...

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A Pop of Color for Winter & Spring, right into the Summer!

Color on a bleak day can brighten your day!  2019's color palette is inspiring... & 2019's color of the year is various shades & tints of coral according to Pantone!

Coral is an orangy-pink or melon color.  This range can vary between fiery red-orange to a dusty pastel of pinky-orange...

Coral Color Range

​The deeper the color, the more of an impact it will make.  Create a feature wall to showcase a collection, or faux finish the room to create a mood.  If the deep coral is a little too much of an impact, then calm it down with a lighter tint.  A lighter hue can create a great backdrop for contrasting colors in a darker or brighter hue.  Sprinkle about the contrasting color to bring the eye all throughout the space!

For more inspiration on how to decorate with Coral, click below on the Coral Value Range...

Click for February 2019 Newsletter

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​TIME FOR organizing IN WINTER...

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Clutter-Free Kitchen with Open Shelving

Take time to go through your stuff!  Gather some friends or family to help sort, discard, & donate.  Send everyone away for the day to really get down & dirty by yourself.  Or hire a professional to help you through the process more efficiently to make it a quick & less stressful experience.  No matter which way you work best, you have to dedicate some time to commit to the project @ hand!

​Break up the project into manageable time slots to accomplish the goals successfully.  If the goal is to move quickly with limited time, then bring in some help.  If the goal is to accomplish the goal as it fits into your schedule, then make sure you set a timeline to succeed (or you may lose interest & drive).  Set aside a few hours every weekend for a month for example!  A list of tasks to accomplish within the allotted time can guide the project on a successful path.  This way you can achieve mini goals, while achieving the big goal in a timely manner.

​Once you have the time set aside, then it's time to get started.  Map out the tasks to complete ahead of time to make the project efficient.  Assign tasks to helpers if you have recruited help.  Assembly line the process, if needed.  

Clutter before the Clear!

Sometimes it seems that the area becomes more of a mess throughout the process then when we start, but that is just the way it goes.  Don't let this stop you  or discourage you from accomplishing your goals of organization!  As you pull out all of the items to sort, they can be sorted by placing them in an open pile, a box, or a bag.  Sorting items into a container like a box or bag will make the bigger projects more manageable; especially if the project will take several days to complete!

​​After the sorting is complete, have a plan to put the items back into the space with a purpose.  Every item that you want to keep should have a place to call home.  Sometimes, the space may not be the best place to store the item; or there's just not enough space available to store the item in that particular space.  Items that you want to keep need to find a new home somewhere. 

​Being clutter-free, doesn't mean being minimalist.  It doesn't mean you can't have items on your counters either.  The example below shows how to have a spot for everything, but still have space.  Each item has a purpose in the kitchen, so it's placed in a spot that makes sense.

Kitchen Counters with Purposeful Items Placed

Clutter happens as a result of laziness, exhaustion, not having enough space, not having the most efficient space, having too many items, or a combination, & so on...  Organization only helps if the space & system installed are easily used on a daily basis!  Systems that are hard to incorporate into your daily lifestyle, maynot be the best system for you.  Implementing a new system will take repetition, consistency, & time to become efficient & routine.  So don't make the mistake of confusing the two. 

​Hard work is different than hard to implement!  Something that doesn't feel natural after practicing everyday for a few weeks, may need some adjustment.  What may be good for one person, may not be so much for another person.  Lifestyle has a lot to do with how & what type of organization is needed. Each personality makes a difference as well!  Some like to see their items, & some like to hide it away.  Once every item has a home, you can breathe easy & use your new space with pride!  

Kitchen with Color & Organization!

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TIME FOR cReATING IN WINTER...

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Often we long to get projects complete, but never set down to accomplish them.  This year make time by creating craft dates or "make & take" sessions.  This is a great way to spend quality time with loved ones & craft something really cool. 

​Get inspired by others.  Being around other people can help spark that inspiration when little is to be found.  You can make it a formal or informal get together.  Have everyone bring a snack or drink to nibble on while creating. 

Make sure to have all the items & materials that you will need to complete your projects.  Not having all of the materials can lead to never coming back to finish the project.  Then we end up with half done projects that sit in a pile waiting to be completed.  

​Once you complete a project, display the project or put it where it belongs.  Viewing the completed project will inspire you to complete more projects & more often, too!

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Thanks for stopping by to read the new issue of Art & Organization!  If you have any questions or comments, leave them below by clicking the comments or email me...Don't forget to like & share!

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