You'll love my new, exclusive . . .
Get Organized Now! BINGO! Organizing Printable!

It's a new, quick, easy, fun way to get organized. Each GON Bingo! card lists 24 easy organizing tasks you or your family can accomplish. Get five in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally and you get to select a reward from the rewards list. Kids love to play too!

To access and print it, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-resources.html

Happy organizing and enjoy some GON BINGO! organizing fun!

Maria Gracia

P.S. Please forward this newsletter to friends and family so they, too, can access this resource. Thank you for spreading the love!

Pick up milk and bread. Drop off the dry cleaning. Make a deposit at the bank. Get fuel for the car. Mail a package at the post office. Before you know it, the entire morning has passed you by. Most people have to run errands. Thankfully, there are ways that can help you get everything done without wasting time.

1. Make it 'stick' in your mind. Whenever you think of an errand you have to run, jot it down immediately. If I just have one errand that I have to take care of, I'll often jot it down on a sticky note and stick that note to my exit door (the door that leads to my car in the garage). As I'm leaving the house, I'll immediately see it. I then remove that note from the door and put that same note on the passenger seat of my car, where I place my handbag while I'm driving, to jog my memory as well. So, when I'm done at the gym or after an appointment, I'll see the note and run that errand.

If I have more than one errand, I make a written list, stick it in my purse (my husband sticks it in his pocket), and I refer to it as I'm running my errands. If you're wondering, I much prefer a paper list to a 'list app' on my cell phone, but that's just me. If you prefer digital, that's fine. The important point is to make a list...don't try to remember it all in your head.

Also, don't carry that list around in your hands. You may accidentally drop it or leave it on a store counter...and then, no list. Unless you're using it at the moment, tuck it back into your purse or pocket. In fact, take a photo of your list with your cell phone before you leave. In the event it does get lost, you'll have a back-up.

2. Plan an efficient route. Look at your errand list before you leave, and decide what your most efficient route will be. The main idea is that you don't want to waste time backtracking, or going out of your way. Think of your destinations and plot your route. On your errand list, number the order in which your errands should be done.

When planning, I usually like to start at the farthest destination and work my way back home. However, this is going to depend on where you're going, of course. For instance, if the pharmacy where you're picking up your prescriptions doesn't open until 10:00 a.m., you may choose to start at your bank that opens earlier...or you may wait and do your pharmacy run at 10:00a and stop at your bank on the way back.

Take the time to think and plan. Use the Internet (or the telephone) to help you determine service days and hours.

3. Set up an errand station. Have you ever gone all the way to the dry cleaner, and discover you don't have the pick-up slip with you when you arrive? Maybe you were planning to stop at the library to return books, but you forgot to take those books with you when you left?

Stop forgetting these important things you need by setting up an errand station near your door. If you can hang a cork board, you'll be able to tack dry cleaner slips, shopping lists, fabric swatches, or anything you need to bring along on your errands.

You can also keep a tote bag by your exit door to collect library books that need to be returned, clothes that are ready to be dry cleaned, etc. This can be designated your 'grab and go' bag.

Alternately, you can stow these 'leaving items' in your vehicle if you prefer...as long as it's safe for you to leave those items in the car. Be sure they're not perishable, can sit in a hot or cold car, etc.

By the way, these days I always keep extra face masks in my vehicle...and at least one in my purse. It's easy to forget to take those along, and most establishments require that they are worn before you enter.

4. Always ask 'Can this be done in a better way?' No matter what you're doing, errands or otherwise, always keep the 'can it be done better' question in your mind. Do you really have to stand in a long line at the post office? Sometimes. But other times, you might be able to mail from your house, or order stamps online, etc. Do you really have to wait for your bank to open to deposit a check? I do this from a bank app on my cell phone...and you may be able to do the same. Many supermarkets deliver these days. Most of those that don't, offer pick-up service. Maybe you can borrow 'digital' books from your library if you don't mind reading online...that would eliminate library runs. Sometimes, it may be easier for someone else in your family to run the errand.

If saving time and fuel is important to you, like it is to most folks, always ask if something can be done in a better way. And, by the way, the answer to that question is often a big YES.

To fast-forward to Happy for Life, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-happy.html

Some people are eternally happy no matter what their situation. Others find it a constant struggle to find happiness. Most folks are somewhere in between both of these.

Throughout the years, I have determined that the happiest people in the world are not just happy 'by chance,' but because they've taken specific actions in their lives. Once you know and apply these actions, you'll be able to harness and release the happiness that is deep within you.

Whether you're looking for just a little more happiness or a whole lot, my Happy for Life resource includes the information you need to multiply your happiness levels. For more details, including the three factors that contribute most to increasing your level of happiness in your life, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-happy.html

P.S. As a loyal reader of my GON Newsletter, when you obtain your copy of Happy For Life BEFORE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH at 11:59PM Central Time, you will get over $100 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

___ 1. Do today's (Feb 25) Organizing TO DO focused on assisting school-age children. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my February Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Start planning your outdoor garden. Determine what you'd like to grow this spring and begin writing up a plan. If you start from seedlings, it may be time for you to 'get growing.'

___ 3. Read the results. GON readers recently voted on, `What do you enjoy most...reading, watching, or listening?' Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access the results of this poll.

"I try and keep busy with something, but I also give myself permission to be busy with something that is creative and rewarding, not just the errands to the dry cleaner."
(Eric Lange)

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 2021 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

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-- Maria Gracia