Resolving Resolutions
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!
