Sep 16 - Time is Precious. Use It Wisely. - GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter

Published: Tue, 09/16/25

Updated: Tue, 09/16/25

Get Organized Now!

In Less Than 5 Minutes!

by Maria Gracia

September 16, 2025

GetOrganizedNow.com

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Pick an upbeat song that's around 4 minutes long. Use it as your timer to tackle a small task you’ve been avoiding. While the music plays, clear off your desk, fold a load of laundry, or reply to that one email.

Time is Precious. Use It Wisely.

Have you ever reached the end of the day and wondered where all the hours went? Maybe you had good intentions, but somehow the most important things on your list didn’t get done. It can be frustrating.

The truth is, time is one of the most valuable resources we have. Unlike money, we can’t earn more of it once it’s gone. That’s why it’s so important to use our time intentionally, focusing on what matters most and letting go of what doesn’t. Here are some practical strategies to help you make the most of your days.

1. Track where your time goes: For a few days, keep a simple log of how you spend your hours. You might be surprised at the patterns you discover. Do your daily activities align with your priorities? If not, you’ll see where to make adjustments so your time reflects what’s truly important to you.

2. Plan your days with intention: A daily TO DO list can keep you on track and prevent wasted time trying to remember what needs to be done. A dedicated daily planner can make it easy to set priorities, block time for important tasks, and stay focused throughout the day.

3. Watch out for time traps: It’s easy to lose hours scrolling, watching TV, or playing games. These activities aren’t “bad,” but without limits, they steal time from your goals. Give yourself permission to enjoy them, but only within boundaries you set for yourself.

4. Keep meetings on track: Meetings can be one of the biggest time drains. Whether at work or in a community group, always use an agenda and stick to it. Appointing a facilitator helps ensure the discussion stays focused and wraps up on schedule.

5. Learn to say no: If you often find yourself overcommitted, practice saying no. You don’t have to accept every invitation or volunteer for every request. Setting boundaries is not selfish. It’s necessary for protecting your time and energy.

6. Prioritize rest: Staying up late to squeeze in extra tasks may feel productive, but lack of sleep usually leads to mistakes and burnout. A good night’s rest helps you work more efficiently and enjoy your time awake. A sunrise alarm clock can ease you into your day with gradual light, making mornings feel calmer and less rushed.

7. Get organized: Clutter doesn’t just take up space. It takes up time. Searching for misplaced items adds stress and steals minutes you could use elsewhere. A little organization upfront pays off with smoother days and fewer frustrations.

8. Delegate responsibilities: At home, ask family members to share the load...or hire some responsibilities out if it's within your budget. At work, let go of tasks that can be handled by others. Delegation isn’t about perfection. It’s rather about freeing up time for what only you can do.

9. Celebrate your wins: When you use your time wisely, acknowledge it. Treat yourself, share your progress with someone supportive, or simply pause to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. These small celebrations reinforce good habits and keep you motivated.

Time really is life’s most precious currency. Spend it with care, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed, more fulfilled, and more present in the moments that truly matter. When you look back at the end of the day, you’ll know those hours weren’t wasted. They were invested in what’s most important to you.

P.S. Halloween is just around the corner...here's some inspiration! Looking for fun, cozy, and not-so-spooky finds that add seasonal charm without the fright? Explore my handpicked idea list!:

Cozy and Cute Halloween Finds

Pet SuperPowers

Our pets may seem ordinary as they curl up on the couch or beg for a treat, but behind those sweet faces are some remarkable abilities that put humans to shame.

Take dogs, for example. Their sense of smell is up to 100,000 times stronger than ours. That’s why they can sniff out hidden treats, track missing people, or even detect changes in human health, like drops in blood sugar or the presence of certain cancers. To them, every walk is like reading an entire library of scents.

Cats have their own special talents too. Have you ever noticed your cat staring at a spot long before you notice a tiny insect? Their hearing range is so sharp they can pick up frequencies two octaves higher than what humans can hear. Add in their incredible night vision, and it’s no wonder they’re such skilled hunters, even in the dark.

Other animals bring their own unique “superpowers” to the table. Rabbits can rotate their ears nearly 270 degrees to pick up sounds from every direction.

Birds like homing pigeons use the Earth’s magnetic fields as a built-in GPS.

Even our smaller companions, like goldfish, can remember things for months, despite the myth that they forget everything in seconds.

The next time you watch your pet, take a moment to marvel at their hidden talents. They remind us that superpowers don’t always come with capes. They often come with fur, feathers, or floppy ears.

What is YOUR pet's superpower. Reply and let me know! I'll run a special edition with your responses in the near future.

Enjoying my newsletter? Please REPLY and let me know! Also, please forward this newsletter to 5 of your family members and/or friends and share the love!

Here's what just one GON reader had to say...

"Reading your September 11th newsletter brought back so many memories I thought I’d tucked away. I felt that familiar ache, but also a warmth, knowing we still remember the heroes, the unity, and the kindness that came after.

It was just what I needed: a gentle reminder that even on heavy days, compassion and connection still have power. Thank you for writing words that carry hope."

-- Julia D., Sioux Falls, SD

Say GOODBYE to Your CLUTTER

With My Most Complete,

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Clutter-Busting Resource Available

Goodbye Clutter

Plus, Get Over $144 in Complimentary Bonuses Only Until Friday, September 19th

For super quick details on how to get your very own copy right now...

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Goodbye Clutter

Everyone deals with clutter to some extent. Maybe you have just a little, or maybe you’re drowning in it. Most people fall somewhere in between.

But here’s the thing. Clutter doesn’t stay the same. It grows. Small piles turn into overwhelming messes before you even realize what’s happening.

And clutter is sneaky. It’s not just the overflowing closets, the file drawer bursting at the seams, or the stacks of boxes in the basement. Clutter shows up in all areas of life, including:

Physical Clutter – The stuff piling up in your home

Paper Clutter – Bills, mail, and endless paperwork

Digital Clutter – Overloaded inboxes, disorganized files, and too many apps

Emotional Clutter – Stress, overwhelm, and mental fatigue

Once clutter takes hold, it can wreak havoc on your space, time, and peace of mind.

But there’s good news. You don’t have to live with it! The secret of truly conquering clutter begins with a proven system that works. And I have just the thing to help you clear the chaos and reclaim your space.

Click Here for
Goodbye Clutter

P.S. Don't miss out...Fall Special!
Order Goodbye Clutter before FRIDAY, September 19th and receive $144 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

GON Member Bonus!

As a valued member of my GON in 5 Minutes Newsletter, you get exclusive bonuses, PLUS unlimited access to all of my previous ones. This month's featured bonus is my...

15-Minute Decluttering Projects Printable

Need a quick win? This free printable gives you 15 super-specific decluttering projects you can finish in just 15 minutes each. Print it out, hang it where you’ll see it, and check off one task every day or two. You’ll feel lighter, more organized, and instantly accomplished, one small space at a time.

Plus, my 2025 Monthly Organizing Calendar is always available for you to access...jump in this month and start tackling those organizing tasks with ease.

To access these free resources, click here

Results of Last Month's Web Poll: What phobias do you have? Access the results of this poll including a bunch of GON reader comments

September Monthly Mini-Challenges: Discover 30 inspiring self-care challenges to boost your physical health, emotional balance, and mental well-being. Simple daily habits, like gratitude journaling, mindful walks, meditation, and joyful routines, will help you feel calmer, happier, and more energized all month long

September Monthly Checklist: My September 2025 monthly checklist features 30 fresh, actionable tasks to help you manage household clutter, fine-tune schedules, refresh spaces, and embrace seasonal changes with intention

"She'd learned a lot about letting go that past year. About not holding on to the past and embracing what fate had in store. About taking pride in a hard day's work, but also taking time to rest and find peace in the quiet moments of the day.

Most of all, she'd learned the importance of spending time with those she loved. She now understood just how precious time was, and that it wasn't promised."

-- Farrah Rochon, Almost There

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comment, suggestion, 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
GetOrganizedNow.com

How to Use This Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will find stories, ideas, inspiration, links and more to help you live a less stressful, more organized, more fulfilling life.

We encourage you to apply these ideas to your own life AND share them liberally with your family, friends, and fan base via email, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, other social media outlets, and in person, of course!

When you share, please mention my name and web site - Maria Gracia - GetOrganizedNow.com as the source.

Thank you for helping to spread the gift of organizing far and wide!

-- Maria

Maria Gracia,

Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia

Get Organized Now!
611 Arlington Way
Watertown Wisconsin 53094
USA

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