Yes, you can perform your own magic to get organized...and it only takes 15 minutes. For instance, these are just some of the projects I started--and completed--this past week.

1. I organized the cabinet where my husband keeps all the light bulbs (yes, by wattage...he wasn't as giddy as I was, but happy-wife, happy life)...and 5 shelves in the laundry room as well

2. I helped my daughter weed out two-boxes worth of stuff she was no longer using, and donated those to a local charity. She's thrilled with her extra space.

3. I weeded out 50...yes, 50...file folders, of papers I no longer needed

4. I cleaned the refrigerator, inside and out

5. I made plans and reservations for a fall weekend trip for my family. We're going to Door County, WI soon to enjoy the fall foliage.

6. I took an inventory of my family's winter gear and made a list of a few items we need to pick up soon so we're ready for that first snowfall...which, inevitably happens early in Wisconsin

7. I created a carpooling schedule spreadsheet, so four families can share the driving when our kids go to swim practice

This may sound like a lot...but it was all done in just 15 minutes a day.

Years ago, I implemented this 'Organizing Magic in 15 Minutes a Day' concept, and it has worked like a charm ever since.

Here's how it works:

1) Pick. You pick a project you can complete in 15 minutes or less. (Any project, no matter how big, can be broken down into 15-minute blocks.)

2) Schedule. You schedule these 15 minutes on your calendar.

3) Do. You do this project, without fail and without interruption, on the scheduled date and time.

4) Enjoy. You bask in the glory of yet another project started and completed.

Just like magic! What organizing magic will you perform this week? Make it happen.

P.S. Speaking of creating your own magic, I have something special for you that will allow you to create gorgeous scrapbooking layouts, whether you've been scrapbooking for years, or if you're a newbie. It's an essential tool that takes the guesswork out, and puts the inspiration in. Trust me, everyone who scrapbooks, or plans to scrapbook, needs this...and all the COMPLIMENTARY bonuses that go with it. Visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-sb500.html

Scroll down to the bottom of this issue for full details.

A GON Reader Asks

Hi Maria!

Love the newsletter. I have an unique quandary.

I have back issues and severe arthritis in my hips and legs.

My husband has memory issues.

With that said, I am still very organized and can put my finger on just about anything in the house, with the exception of my husband's work room.

The main problem is, he likes to see everything, because he forgets where things are. I've implemented basket systems, etc. to help him as long as he remembers to put his keys in the basket, etc.

For me, I cannot run up and down the stairs like I once was able to. So, although organized, our house appears to be very cluttered with things stacked up in our living room, dining room, and bedroom.

The guest bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms, and foyer are clutter free. Ironically, my husband is disturbed by the appearance of clutter, but yet gets extremely agitated and frustrated if he can't find something that is stored properly where it has been for many years, like scissors in the kitchen drawer. He accuses me of 'moving' things, which I don't, but sometimes I put them away.

In his personal dressing area, he has his socks, t-shirts and undergarments in baskets on the floor, rather than in his dresser drawers, because he has the need to see them.

Needless to say, this causes a lot of unnecessary arguments and to top it off, he does not believe he has a problem and does not want me to discuss this with his doctor.

Any ideas as to a happy medium? Thanks.

--Debbie in Maryland

Maria Gracia Responds

Hi Debbie,

I definitely feel for both of you. From your note, it sounds like you're a lot like me...an 'everything in' type of person who doesn't like to see a whole bunch of stuff, even if it's organized. And it sounds like your husband, is an 'everything out' person...which appears to be memory-related, but could actually be a personal preference of his as well. I'm glad you asked me about some 'happy medium' ideas, because this is definitely the way to go when there are two very different organizing personalities at play. Here are some thoughts on the specific items you mentioned:

1) Socks, t-shirts, and undergarments in baskets on the floor: Without me even seeing this, I know this system is taking up unnecessary space and causing a cluttered look, especially if there is plenty of room in the dresser. That being said, sometimes, it's a pain to find what you're looking for in a drawer that's not 'divided.' For example, the drawer can divide dress socks into one compartment, sporty socks into another, underwear into a third, and so on. So, same concept as your husband's baskets, but now everything is in the dresser. Hopefully, either the dresser your husband is using contains only his items OR all the dresser drawers your husband uses are in one place...like two or three dresser drawers one on top of the other.

2) Scissors and Other Tools: Is the drawer where you keep the scissors nicely divided, or is it a multitude of tools and other items you have to 'rummage' for? I strongly recommend clear division, so it's easy to see what you're looking for when the drawer is opened. Another option for tools like this is a pegboard, for scissors, pots, pans, etc. It's an everything-out option, but it's still neat and organized.

3) Memory Helpers: It's both scary and frustrating when memory loss occurs, both for the person going through it and his or her family members. So, whatever can be done to help jog your husband's memory will help ease some of the tension. Some memory helpers include labels for cabinets, drawers, and shelves, a visible sign reminding your husband to place his keys in the basket, color coding and a color coding key (underwear in drawers with white dots, pjs in drawers with blue dots, etc.), and GPS devices. He can use these to help him find frequently mislaid items such as a wallet. You attach a small electronic tag to the item. If you mislay it, you click a button on the locator device to make the tag beep, and help him find what he's looking for.

4) Running up and down the stairs: Place one basket at the bottom of the staircase...and one at the top. When items have to go upstairs or downstairs, they go in one of the baskets. Those items can be brought up or down once a day, rather than in many trips. This all being said, items should be stored on the level (upstairs or downstairs) where they're used most of the time. In some cases, you may want to keep a duplicate item (like a flashlight for instance) on both levels.

5) Arguments: If this is, in fact, memory loss, that can be difficult for both of you. In this case, your hubby may feel so frustrated that he'd rather blame it on something or someone (unfortunately you, sometimes), rather than admit that he might be having an issue. Arguing, no matter how hurt or stressed you may be, is only going to add fuel to the fire. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and help him find whatever he's looking for. Yes, uber-frustrating. But double-frustrating when a fight develops in addition.

6) Seeking outside help: While many people go through memory loss as they age, privacy laws and medical ethics often restrict your ability to consult a doctor without the impaired person present. So, if your husband is against it, and the problem isn't that bad (not too much beyond getting touchy over not being able to find a pair of scissors), you can probably let it slide. However, if there are signs that the memory loss may be potentially dangerous, you may have to get other family members involved to convince your husband to seek medical assistance and/or speak to a professional memory center to express your concerns and determine your options for getting him help if it comes to that. It may not be a major concern at this point, and I hope it isn't, but definitely something to keep in mind in the future.

Hope this helps a bit. Hugs,

Maria

Organizing Article: Dispelling the top 7 myths about being organized
getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-organizing-myths.html



Organizing Technology: Want to find your files easily? Name them right
getorganizednow.com/organizing-technology-find-files.html



Dirty Little Secret 1: Find out how I save money while grocery shopping. Psssttt..it's not coupons!
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-save-money-groceries.html



Dirty Little Secret 2: Lots of T-shirts you don't wear taking up space in your drawer? How about this?
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-tshirts.html



Dirty Little Secret 3: Which electrical cord belongs to which device or appliance? Here's how to always know
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-electrical-cord-identify.html



Inspirational Quotes: Back-to-school inspiration for everyone, because learning doesn't end in school
getorganizednow.com/quotes-learning.html



Mini Challenges: Challenge yourself to get organized a little bit each day.and it will make a big difference in your life. Here are 5 mini challenges for this week...
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-little-bit-each-day.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: Doing this made life so much easier for my family at a recent festival we attended
getorganizednow.com



Colors: Women and men both prefer this one color...find out what it is, but both see colors in different ways...find out how so.
getorganizednow.com



September Checklist: Autumn is the perfect time of year to turn over a new leaf and get organized. Start today with our NEW September 2017 Organizing Checklist
getorganizednow.com



Theme of the Week: Boredom. Enjoy our home page quotes, that reflect our theme, for added inspiration and motivation this week
getorganizednow.com

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
--Roald Dahl




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

Create Gorgeous Scrapbooking Layouts
Whether You've Been Scrapbooking for Years
Or You're a Newbie
With This Essential Tool
That Takes the Guesswork Out
and Puts the Inspiration In

Every scrapbooker needs this. Fast forward to this resource and get it for yourself today. Visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-sb500.html

I love to scrapbook, enjoy doing so often, and am always looking for ideas to take my current creations to the next level. I like having ideas at my disposal, rather than staring at a blank page for hours, wishing and hoping that inspiration would arrive out of nowhere.

That's why I absolutely love the resource, '500 Scrapbooking Sketches.' When you have it, you can stop fussing over blank pages and start producing magazine quality pages, that even long-time scrapbookers will be envious of, even if you have never scrapped before.

You might be asking, 'What is a scrapbooking sketch?' I'm glad you asked. It's an already-thought-out-for-you outline to help you get started and give you an overview of your entire project. It allows you to see how your photos will be arranged and how the different elements of your page mesh together BEFORE you even start scrapping.

By using sketches, you will be able to 'test drive' your design, deciding whether you like it, before you crop a single photo allowing you to avoid procrastination, indecision, wasted time, and wasted supplies.

With these 500 pre-made, layout sketches, ideas and inspiration are at your fingertips. Plus, they're made for square layouts of any size including 12 x 12, 8 x 8 and 6 x 6, giving you the flexibility to use them for any project you want. In addition, with a special segment of "Secret Instructions,' you'll get to see how experienced scrappers take any single-page layout and morph it into a killer double page format...and how you can easily do the same.

No special skills are required to begin using these sketches properly. Even if you are a complete newcomer to scrapbooking, you can produce the same quality of pages as crafters with many years of experience.

Even better, this resource comes with 3 awesome eBook bonuses valued at $75...COMPLIMENTARY:

* Unlock The Secrets To Making The Most Of Your Scrapbooking
* Creative Card Making Ideas
* 60 Christmas Quotes for Your Layouts

Whether you've been scrapbooking for years, or just getting started, EVERY scrapbooker needs this resource. For even more information, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-sb500.html

(c) Copyright 2017 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 or any of my communications, its likely I'll receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, I only recommend stuff that 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 Weekly Tips, Reader Tips, Reader Clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month (some totaling hundreds of dollars). 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