Simplify Your Business: Ideas to Help Streamline and Organize

[janetupnorth]

Well some of you have seen the pictures of my work desk on another thread...right now it is pitiful! I just added 2 servers to my desk top amongst a ton of other things. 3 monitors going right now. But hey, I can work on a server and type on here off and on!

 

[chefmeg]

Can you imagine how many of us can DESPERATELY use the show Clean Sweep to show up at our door!

I would LOVE to have them come take care of this mess for me.....it is all the decision making that goes with cleaning out stuff that just sets me off! I need a 3rd noninterested party to come do this~everything I touch is a memory!

 

[JAE]

Hey, Becky, leave the broom in the garage, and buy yourself a new one for the house. Don't forget to let everyone know there is an inside and outside broom now.
I know someone already commented about SAHM's and clean houses, but I have to say, most SAHM's are not home very much. If we are home it's because our kids are home, and that means no point in cleaning!

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Keep the ideas coming! I love the binder idea and I just got a bunch of free binders from my day job today. They were throwing them out! I'm very limited on space and have to get more organized!

I've been working on organizing my house and getting rid of things for the past 2 years, and it is getting there! I've given a lot of things away to my church. They have a huge garage sale every August. The first year a donated they had a record year (LOL)!! I donated so much kitchen stuff since I've gotten all new PC stuff!!

Jennifer - I don't have an office. I use a computer cabinet and a roll away file for my PC business. It works really nice cause I can roll it away to the closet when I'm not working or company comes over. I got it at Office Depot (I think). It is a very sturdy metal and is two layers so it holds a lot of files. It is right at my level to get into when I'm sitting down too! I LOVE it! It is the best thing I've ever gotten for my business. I label all the hanging file folders for easy access. I also have a 30 day follow-up system. I have a hanging file folder for each date. I create a folder for each show and will file them on the date I need to follow-up on in them.

Don't know if my ideas will help anyone, I still have a long way to go to get completely organized!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I have my PC well-organized. The teacher in me has a place for everything and everything in a place. I have a roll top desk, a small bulletin board, a layered file holder on the wall, and a file folder box next to the desk. Everything fits inside here. (including my lap top)

Wall holder- I have a hanging file which contains everything needed to fill host packets, (once a month- I make up). contains: files marked: Show planner, monthly host special, opportunity brochure, $1000 show, unable to attend (these are stickers I stick on the invites I send out with my web address)

PP receipt paper, catalog show information, also on wall.

The file box contains organized files for business receipts, recipes(by theme) and things I don't need access as often: wedding registry, fundraiser, cluster notes, etc.

I also keep an expansible file folder in my PC bag that I take with me in the car at all times. Labeled as follows: opportunity,gift certificate, monthly host special, order forms, host

2nd PC bag- always packed and organized for shows with guests' folders inside.

on desktop- postcards organized by order I send them out: reminders, etc.

business hours posted on my door, so my kids know when I am on the phone or working. I use the kids as much as possible for stickers, stamping, putting packets together, etc.

It's dark now, but I'll post pictures, so people can see how little space you really need to run a successful business. While we are searching for a house to buy, my husband's office (computer repair) is the large island in the kitchen!

 

[chefann]

I just remembered that Lyn Conway's email newsletter is sharing tips on this topic this month.

Yesterday, January 2:

Here's your Fresh Idea for Wednesday, January 2nd
"For entrepreneurs, ignorance is not bliss. It's fatal. It's costly. And it's for losers. You either get organized, or get crushed." ~Donald J. Trump

My friend, Kimberly Medlock, is a professional organizer. Kimberly shared that January is "National Get Organized" month. Every Thursday and Friday this month I'll be sharing one of Kimberly's tips on getting organized, both at home and at work. I've included information below about Kimberly so that you can visit her website and learn even more!

Kimberly Medlock CPO® is a work /life productivity and direct sales expert. She is a certified professional organizer and Microsoft Outlook Specialist. She shares with enthusiasm how achieve a higher peace of mind productivity in both work and life. Kimberly Medlock Productivity Training Co. - Get Organized

Today:

Here's your Fresh Idea for Thursday, January 3rd
Here is your first tip from Kimberly Medlock, CPO

"Ask yourself these three questions:

1. How do I/would I feel if I were more organized?

2. How would I be able to treat others if I were more organized?

3. How would others treat me if I were more organized?

Getting organized is about knowing what you want and being able to easily get what you want when you want it. Notice the first step here is knowing what you want. When you know what you want you are more easily able to say no to or rid yourself of things that you don't want in your life. Decide what makes you feel more organized and make that happen!"

Kimberly Medlock CPO® is a work /life productivity and direct sales expert. She is a certified professional organizer and Microsoft Outlook Specialist. She shares with enthusiasm how achieve a higher peace of mind peace of mind productivity in both work and life. Kimberly Medlock Productivity Training Co. - Get Organized

You can sign up for Lyn's newsletter at Sign Up for News & Announcements

 

[MORFIA]

great site under kimberly medlock----called screenit----to see a parents opinion of a pg13--

 

[janetupnorth]

Hey, Becky, leave the broom in the garage, and buy yourself a new one for the house. Don't forget to let everyone know there is an inside and outside broom now.
I know someone already commented about SAHM's and clean houses, but I have to say, most SAHM's are not home very much. If we are home it's because our kids are home, and that means no point in cleaning!

I would agree JAE, that was truly sarcasm on my part! I just like to dream about what it would be like NOT to work full-time. Of course, DH says I could never do it, I'd get bored. So I name all the things that need to be done around the house and he STILL says I'd get bored (mentally of course).

I never seem to get any cleaning done with the kids in tow...

 

[Bren706]

One thing I am going to try again to keep things simple, is to go back to using the OOF and flyers provided to us by PC, instead of taking the time to reinvent (borrowing from this site, and inserting my info).

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Hey, Becky, leave the broom in the garage, and buy yourself a new one for the house. Don't forget to let everyone know there is an inside and outside broom now.
I know someone already commented about SAHM's and clean houses, but I have to say, most SAHM's are not home very much. If we are home it's because our kids are home, and that means no point in cleaning!

There are already 2 outside brooms! - they were both in the front garage, and he said it was just easier and faster to grab my broom.

 

[genburk]

......Why is it since becoming a SAHM, my house is more of a mess, and I have a harder time keeping things clean? Of course, when I was working outside the home, we were DINKs, and the house stays cleaner when you are both gone all day, and there are no kids......

I wondered the same thing. You clean the house in the morning after breakfast, everyone plays, cleanup, then eat lunch, cleanup, then start dinner, cleanup, bathtime, then cleanup... cleaning all day long....

I went to my Grandmother's one day. Left the house at 8am. It was clean. Came home about 7pm. It was still clean. I was amazed. I got used to being home and USING the house during the day and it getting messy. I used to wonder how working women kept their house clean when they weren't home to clean it all day. DUHHHHH... They aren't home to make it messy either !!!!!!

However, now my kids are older and now I am working.. I am not home to make it messy, but now they are and my hubby. Now I can leave with it clean and come home to it used. How do I fix that? I know, I know, have them do it.......

 

[janetupnorth]

An article for everyone - kind of interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/01well.html?no_interstitial

 

[ChefBeckyD]

An article for everyone - kind of interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/health/01well.html?no_interstitial

Great - I'm not just disorganized, I'm screwed up too.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

I want to know where my weight loss is since I've been organizing and getting rid of things for 1 1/2 years!

 

[Chef Endora]

Where is Jillysue with all this talk of organization?

I think she should have her own show on DIY or HGTV

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Are simplifying and organizing the same thing?

I'll never be an organized person - too much organization, and I start feeling constricted and like I can't breath.:yuck:

De-cluttering will help me simplify, but I am under no illusions that I will become an organized person.

 

[janetupnorth]

I don't know but I just found someone to give all my son's 3T clothes to at our home church. I am doing some cleaning this weekend (after I address PC invitations of course). Hubby will be so proud I'm getting rid of stuff!!!!

 

[dianevill]

Great - I'm not just disorganized, I'm screwed up too.

I thought the same thing...not of you, Becky, but of me. LOL!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I don't know but I just found someone to give all my son's 3T clothes to at our home church. I am doing some cleaning this weekend (after I address PC invitations of course). Hubby will be so proud I'm getting rid of stuff!!!!

Micah wears a 3T!



I have a friend who blesses us with more clothes than he can wear - what an incredible gift!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I thought the same thing...not of you, Becky, but of me. LOL!

LOL! Glad it's not just me Diane!

 

[climbercanoe3]

That is my problem. Well it isn't really a problem, but it doesn't help me to get rid of things. I have people to hand down my kids clothes to, but I also have people that give me clothes for my kids. Great on the wallet, but not on the storage.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

That is my problem. Well it isn't really a problem, but it doesn't help me to get rid of things. I have people to hand down my kids clothes to, but I also have people that give me clothes for my kids. Great on the wallet, but not on the storage.

So true! I have several boxes of clothes that are of varying sizes.....

 

[janetupnorth]

Well, if you ever NEED anything Becky, yell. I'll ship a box to MI.

My girl stuff has been going to my niece. At first I saved...you know in case for another kid but now that we have 2 and are done...out it goes...it NEEDS to! I'm drowning in STUFF!

 

[JAE]

I wish everyone in my house would get on board with the getting rid of stuff. I throw things away pretty easily, especially clothes. Lately, if I really don't enjoy wearing something I've been taking it off the hanger and throwing it in a pile on the floor. It's been making it's way down the stairs to a bag, but I haven't taken the bags to Goodwill yet. I'm tired of holding onto shirts that don't stay tucked in or are just a bit off in my taste of color, etc. If it annoys me when I'm wearing it, it's out of here. If a shirt is too short in the sleeves for one of my sons, it gets passed down or put in a Goodwill bag. If a shirt is torn - into the garbage. Why are my guys so attached to clothes that they will wear them even if there is a hole or shreds? We aren't rich, but we sure aren't too poor to have "whole" clothing.
I just cleaned out some Christmas decor too. My biggest problem seems to be I don't like to throw things away if those things can be recycled. I hate the thought of my dislikes going to fill a landfill. But, I'm too lazy to do research. It ends up at Goodwill. I always toss broken things, recycle what I can, and then eventually donate.

 

[janetupnorth]

You are lucky JAE...I tend to hang onto things because I paid good money for them and MAY need them. I am trying VERY hard this year to start and keep getting rid of stuff!

 

[JAE]

I guess all money is good, but I paid even more good money for my house, and I dont' want it filled up with CRAP! (Sorry for using that word.)

 

[chefann]

Are simplifying and organizing the same thing?

Oops- I posted that organizing tip to the wrong thread. Sorry.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Oops- I posted that organizing tip to the wrong thread. Sorry.

No - don't be sorry.....I was just thinking out loud. Actually really wondering in my head if I have to be organized in order to simplify. Maybe I want to make things simple because I am disorganized.

 

[chefann]

I think they're related. Each helps the other. Simplifying is a form of organizing one's work, items, etc. And Organizing is a form of simplifying how things are stored.

 

[climbercanoe3]

I hate to get rid of anything! I am a former teacher/pack rat ugh! Everything can have a use if you think preschool! If I do get in the mood every so often to get rid of stuff it definitely has to go to a good home or even another home. I luckily live on a pretty busy street. So if the weather is nice or at least there is not a foot of snow on the ground, I can put it out by the road and put a free sign on it. Very little has made it to the trash can. Even some stuff that was meant for the trash has disappeared! So that helps when I want to finally get rid of something.
As for organizing, I do not have a failure proof plan for that. I have try to stay on task and keep organized after I do the initial organizing.