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!

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!

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!