Did you have a chance to print out your complimentary 2022 monthly organizing calendar yet? It contains an organizing TO DO and motivation for every day of the year. PLUS, I have some surprise printables for you as well. Just visit my web site to get them! Enjoy!

I was at a client's house a few days ago consulting with her on an organizing project. She had an area in her kitchen that was a bit cluttered and disorganized that she wanted to get under control.

I looked around and there was no other clutter in sight and I commented several times on how beautiful her home was. Her decor was a light gray and white color scheme, and then she had beautiful pearl green accents. It was decorated for the holiday season and could easily have been a magazine photo.

But that one 'control center nook' of her kitchen, the area where she handles all of her paperwork, was in need of a bit of help. As we chatted, I could see she had a lot going on in her life. She is in the middle of helping to plan a wedding for her daughter, has a large family that keeps her on her toes (she is a foster mom), is involved in volunteer organizations, and keeps everything in order (cleaning, cooking, paperwork, etc.) at home.

On the surface of her desk area was a computer and a pile of papers. I know exactly what that pile of papers was. It was a pile of 'I don't have time for this. I don't know what to do with this. I'll handle it another day.' papers.

In the cabinets above were a) a sorter that held all of her bills, some paid and others unpaid (she's not ready to go paperless), b) papers in a tray that pertained to her husband's side business, and c) a number of binders...one for health, one for her daughter's wedding, another for decorating notes. The binders either had no papers in them, or very few. She told me that these were 'attempts' to get organized.

I get it. Life gets busy sometimes and staying organized, especially when it comes to paper, can seem overwhelming and challenging. Unfortunately, once a pile of papers begins, it almost always grows until it's insurmountable.

If you're in a similar situation, here are a few tips to get you started.

1) Project binder. For any projects you have going on that you are actively working on, meaning you're doing them right now, a project binder is a must. Your bills to be paid can go in here as well.

2) Reference binder. For anything you have to remember and reference, such as goals, recipes, family member birthdays, your cleaning schedule, your TO DO list, your computer passwords, notes for your child's babysitter, books you want to read, etc., a reference binder is a must.

3) Filing system. For anything you have to reference in the future that is too difficult to access online, or that you absolutely must keep for legal or financial reasons, every home should have a filing system. An organized filing system will allow you to find whatever you need in seconds.

4) Extra binders. For any very large projects that are too big to fit in your project binder, like if you're planning 'many aspects' of your daughter's wedding, or if you're building a home, these types of projects call for a binder of their own. Be careful though because you don't need a separate binder for every task you're doing. If you're only helping your daughter with the guest list for her wedding, for instance, that can be a folder in your general project binder, rather than using a binder exclusively for this purpose.

Finally, if you're serious about getting your papers in order, it's important to set time aside every single day to plow through it. I'm not talking an hour a night or anything that's way over-the-top, but 15 minutes a day minimum, preferably at the same exact time every day so it becomes part of your routine. At this time, invest a few moments going through paperwork that's coming into your home (mail, school papers, etc.), as well as a few moments weeding out and/or filing papers that have been sitting in your home in piles or stuffed into your filing cabinet.

Your goal each day: To be a little more organized today than you were yesterday.

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the JANUARY 2022 issue, 12-pages and all in full color. I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND ALL of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the JANUARY Issue...

Simplify Your Life Without Getting Rid of All Your Stuff
You don't have to be a minimalist to have organized, simplified spaces

Putting Away Christmas Until Next Year
It does not have to be the most dreaded job of the new year

Dressing for Happiness
You have to get dressed every day. Why not dress in clothes that make you feel wonderful?

Living a More Peaceful Life
10 doable ways to release stress and chaos and invite more peace into your everyday living

Make Everything You Read More Rewarding
14 ways to do so whether you're reading for entertainment, education, or your business/career

Shrimp Taco Bites
An easy appetizer that you, and your family and friends will love

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
If you're looking for a 'just-the-right-size to satisfy your sweet tooth' after-dinner treat, you'll love this!

Ending Your Day in a Positive Way
7 'good for you' ways to give yourself this daily gift

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

We have thousands of readers who LOVE it...and I'm certain you will too!

Maria

P.S. BONUS SPECIAL...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on JANUARY 7. When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

___ 1. Do today's task on my January Monthly Organizing Checklist. The January 3 TO DO focuses on tax paperwork. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my January Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Sort through a pile of papers. Sort through one small pile of papers, or one file folder. Weed out anything you no longer need.

___ 3. Start each day feeling great. Begin every day with a sense of accomplishment. To find out how I do that, visit: GetOrganizedNow.com to access my Dirty Little Secret on this topic.'

'Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.' (Thomas Carlyle)

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comments, suggestions, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2022 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this newsletter, or any of my communications, I may receive compensation. Still, I only recommend what I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* To subscribe, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html


* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal readers each week. You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month. Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. I'd be lost and lonely without you. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia