From the desk of The Organized Diva

Many a year I embark on the same resolutions, lose weight, get fit, spend more time with my family and maybe try to relax a bit. All these things have one thing in common…EXCUSES! Yes, even I the Organized Diva have trouble with accomplishing her new year’s resolutions. It’s not because I’m not organized, because I am at times insane, but it’s because, even I have created systems and routines that take up too much time. So, my new year’s resolution this year you ask? Well I can sum it up in one word “SIMPLICITY”. That’s right folks, no more spending hours filing, organizing and planning (some organizers are getting uncomfortable in their seats as we speak), no more TIME wasting!

How shall I accomplish this year’s miracle resolution, well its simple (mind the pun). I’m going to try to think like my toddler. I am sane most times by the way. My toddler knows that his toys get put away in the same spot every night. They’re not categorized by colour, shape or function; they’re just put away. This is going to be my thought process. So here are a few suggestions to simplify your lives just a little bit. If you’ve already done some of these - -great you were way ahead of even the DIVA!

• File paid bills in one file (i.e. 2009) instead of under each expense. Keep a file labeled contracts or pricing for information concerning those expenses (i.e.; gas rates, property tax). This way at the end of the year, you file away your year. After 7 years, no need to go through each expense file, just grab the year and shred!

• Keep an electronic budget. Total your expenses at the end of each month, itemizing your costs. You can keep this for as long as you wish, even longer than the 7 years. You can refer back each year or two to see how much a particular expense has gone up (or down for wishful thinkers!).

• Go to IKEA. Yes, shop. IKEA has some great storage boxes. They are inexpensive and they fit perfectly on shelves or in small spaces. Label the boxes and store away. Everything will be at your finger tips when you need them.

• Use a calendar. Bless those who keep it all in their head, but realistically if I did not have a calendar I simply would not show up to things. Whether the calendar is a written organizer, a blackberry or a phone, use something to track where you need to be and when.

• Do dedicate some time in your day to tidy up and put away things away that are lying around. Don’t let them accumulate. This is when you end up having to spend hours on a Saturday morning cleaning what feels like a mountain of trash.

• Involve someone other than you. If you’re married, get your spouse to take care of some of the things that drive you crazy (i.e. my dear hubby thinks the banister is a great place to hang a jacket!). If you’re alone, buddy up with a single relative or friend. Help them clean and tidy one day, then they can help you another day of the week.

• Do take time for you, whatever that is. If something must be left, so be it, it will still be there tomorrow, and if it means your sanity it can certainly wait a day!

So with these few things I wish you luck for whatever your resolution. May 2009 be a wonderfully healthy and successful year for you and yours!

Wow – time seems to just be slipping by! I try often to sit down and write something for my blog and behold, something always takes me away. So, anticipating that the next few weeks are going to go just as quickly as the last, I will take this opportunity to remind everyone that the holidays are just around the corner! Having said that – I’m sure you can assume I’ve started my holiday shopping. Your assumption would be correct, I’m almost done actually! So, here are some of my tips on getting through the next few weeks, sane and ahead of the game:

• Start your holiday shopping now; unless you like the stress of the malls on December 23rd; in that case wait

• For holiday shopping; go prepared with a list of who you have to buy for, with a few ideas of what you would like to get them. If you can, refer to last years’ list so that you don’t duplicate gifts (this is for the real Organized Diva!)

• Make a list of all the baking or cooking you will need to do. Make a separate shopping list for the items you’ll need. Prepare as much as possible and freeze what you can.

• Make a few dinners ahead. I’m a huge advocate of cooking ahead, having a few dinners in the freezer (soups, casseroles, marinated chicken), will help on a night the kids run late, or you’d like to squeeze in some weeknight shopping.

• Get writing! Start writing your holiday cards. You don’t need to mail them until early December, but no one says you have to wait to write them.

• Schedule a date to decorate. Try to decorate in one evening, or on a weekend. Dragging it out only leaves your house a mess, and that causes more stress.

• Relax…schedule some time to yourself. Selfish, yes; worth it – totally!

I’m hoping to be back writing before the holidays; if not….I’d like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, successful holiday season. May you be blessed with its splendor!

Today yours truly spent some time researching herself - something I do often and something I highly recommend; personally and professionally.

Well today was the day I have come to dread; to my dismay, I’ve located not one but two people “riding the coat tails” of The Organized Diva.  Without mentioning any names I was disheartened by the fact the only minor modification made to my name resulted in them being ranked right along side me, who has spent the last number years working on legitimately building a reputation and brand.  Ok, rant over. Still annoyed though….

So moral of the story…on a professional note, first is to know your rights.  When I registered my name I knew it would not protect me from others using a modified version of my name.  Something I really take seriously as I thought of many a name before arriving at my current one, but didn’t use it as I did not want to associate myself (good or bad) with another business trying to market them selves – this is something I happened to learn in Marketing.  Unfortunately for me there is nothing I can do right now, that’s not to say that I can’t do anything in the future.  This is now ironically on my extensively long list of things to do!

This little exercise of mine also reminded me about an article written sometime ago about potential employers “Googling” potential hires.  You never know what you can find out.  After “Googling” my business I “Googled” some names off the top of my head, and behold, up comes Facebook listings, forum posts and other things I now wish I didn’t know about some people (kidding!).  I’m sure I’m not the first to advise it, but if you’re in the market for a job, “Google” yourself.

So, if any of the “new” Organized Diva’s come across my blog, feel free to comment.  I’d love to hear about you.

Well it seems we’ve seen another summer come and go. Some will argue that it really wasn’t much of a summer here in Southern Ontario. I say any length of time without snow (sorry snow lovers); is great!

This next season, happens to be my favourite, personally and professionally. Personally, I find it a great time to rejuvenate and get things organized for the coming months ahead. The weekend chaos seems to slow down, and the cooler evenings’ bring a sense of renewal. And, professionally, it’s always a busy time. Entrepreneurs are “back to business” after a few months of slower activity and everyone is looking to give their business a boost for the last few months of the year.

Now is a great time to plan some of the following activities whether you’re a business owner or not:

• Set out any seasonal goals, write them down and plan a deadline. And, stick with it.

• Get your financials in order, budget for any upcoming expenses and file away the stack of paperwork you said “you’ll get to….”

• Plan for the holidays. They creep up quickly!

• Give everything a good clean (at work and at home). Open the windows, and pick some of your garden flowers!

Here’s wishing you a very successful September!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted something, life and work is busy….always a good thing!

Anyway, with summer now at our doorstep it seems there is a sense of renewal and inspiration in the air. The benefit of such feelings is that most times, we are invigorated to organize ourselves knowing that those dreary winter months will be back again! Here are a few tips to get you organizing your home this summer:

• Clear out all kitchen cupboards and pantries. Throw out any old/expired food. Put aside plates/serving pieces that you no longer like to sell in a garage sale or donate.

• If you are not in the practice of changing over your closet for the seasons, now is the time to start! Clear out all your winter wear and replace your closet with your summer clothes. Put your winter gear in a dresser or a spare closet if you have the space. This is also a good time to remove any clothing from your repertoire that you no longer like or don’t fit.

• Give the house a “super” clean. Vacuum/wash blinds and curtains. Steam clean the carpets, wash cupboards inside and out and wash windows.

• Tidy and spruce up the garden. Just a little bit of landscaping with brighten the look of your home. Plant some flowers and pull any unsightly weeds.

• Make a list of the projects that are best left for the fall, like painting. This way you have an idea of the projects you would like to tackle.

Enjoy the summer – it’s too short as it is, so relax and rejuvenate!

I have had the pleasure of being able to contribute to a wonderful new group geared to building relationships for those running Virtual Assistant businesses.  I’m very pleased to announce, along with founder Janet Barclay, the introduction of the Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistants Group.  Along with the launch of the group, the ghva.ca website has also been launched.  For interest, I have posted our latest press release on the launch of GHVA!

NEW  ASSOCIATION FORMED TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE

HAMILTON, ON –  After several meetings with her local colleagues during the past year, Janet Barclay saw the need to form an association for Virtual Assistants in the Golden Horseshoe area. She recognized that Virtual Assistants who attended could better serve their clients from ideas shared at the meetings. Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistants Group was formed and a web site launched. www.ghva.ca.  

The GHVA Group cross-promotes their skills and expertise to potential clients, and clients benefit by ensuring the right fit for their needs. Building relationships through the networking events can lead to referrals and sub-contracting opportunities for member VAs.

“We offer a solution that will make being a business owner the rewarding experience it should be, resulting in more freedom and less stress,” says GHVA member Erika Martlew.

On May 16 of this year, Virtual Assistants (VAs) throughout the world will celebrate International Virtual Assistants Day.

Since Virtual Assistants work remotely from anywhere in the world, they don’t often get a chance to meet face-to-face. In Toronto, a weekend long conference has been organized for VAs all over North America to network, attend workshops and share knowledge and experiences, as well as make friendships. The event runs from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4 at the Delta Toronto East Hotel.

Business owners are beginning to realize the advantages of retaining the services of a Virtual Assistant. The Virtual Assistant industry has been growing rapidly over the past ten years as companies begin to understand the benefits of retaining a VA. Each VA is an independent business owner offering his or her own unique skills and talents, but one thing they all have in common is caring for the clients they work with. Ideally, a VA develops a long term partnership-type relationship with their clients, becoming familiar with the client’s business and understanding their challenges and overall goals.

Previously, companies would need to hire part-time staff or temporary workers to fill short term needs. This would require the necessity of providing work space, equipment, and training. Through the versatility of a professional Virtual Assistant, who works from their own office environment, savings can be realized as the client does not cover any of these costs and only pays for the time to complete the project or task performed by the VA.  Business owners are taking a second look at this new outsourcing alternative which has recently been mentioned in:

National Post
The Wall Street Journal
CNN
Reader’s Digest May 2007 issue
NBC Today Show
Time
Dr. Phil Show
Plus numerous regional magazines and newspapers

“In today’s business environment, the pace of keeping up with information and trends, while maintaining an edge in the marketplace, requires new ideas.  Hiring a Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistant may just be that idea.”

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For more information and to see a listing of services offered, please visit www.ghva.ca or email janet@organizedassistant.com.

This morning I had the pleasure of attending the Toronto Mompreneur Spring Tradeshow.

Have been the first time I attended this event, I was pleasantly surprised by its relaxed and laid back atmosphere.  Held in the trendy Distillery District, it was a beautiful, sunny, crisp morning to walk the historic streets of the district. 

The show itself was smaller than the tradeshows I normally attend, but it wasn’t without inspiration.  Having attended alone, it was nice to walk in and see spouses and children of “mompreneurs” lingering with a cup of coffee and taking in the exhibitors.

I had the pleasure of speaking to a number of wonderfully, creative moms running home based businesses.  It was nice to speak to other business owners and be frank that I put my lipstick on in the car because I was rushed from four hours of sleep and my little guy was crying as I walked out the door!

I also had the honorable pleasure of meeting Erica Ehm.  For everyone in their late 20’s, early 30’s knows that Erica was a popular icon on Much Music.  Feeling like a little kid, it was wonderful to speak to someone so passionate about what they do. 

I would also like to mention that some of ladies I spoke to at Creative Memories, MOMpowered, Sweetpea Baby Food and Yoga Interlude were also a wonderful group to speak with.

Having had a wonderful time, I look forward to next years’ tradeshow!

Good job ladies!!

Well it’s taken some time, but we’re finally blogging!

For those who have never heard of The Organized Diva, well you’re going to love us; to say the least!  The Organized Diva is owned and operated by Angela Del Corpo.  We specialize in outsourced administrative support (some like to call it Virtual Assistance) for entrepreneurs and small businesses.  We offer a wide range of services, including general administrative support, desktop publishing, organizing and time management coaching as well as human resources support.

We are also pleased to offer a range of services to our residential clients.  Services include home/home office organization, time management coaching and employment readiness assistance.

We’ve decided to start blogging, not just to get our word out, but to hear yours.  We would love to hear from you – questions, concerns, thoughts, whatever is on your mind about staying organized for business or personally.

We are really looking forward to chatting!