Welcome to Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April brings all of her advice from the past Tidy Thursdays together and empowers us to take control of the clutter in our lives. Thanks, April!
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Overwhelming Schedules
By April Welch
It’s about time to start winding down the Summer Campaign for Tidy Thursdays.
Over the summer we’ve covered:
- Avoiding Summer Brain Drain
- Cutting through Clutter After School & Major Projects
- Decluttering Kids Artwork ~ without tears
- Family Vacation Planning
- Organizing & De-Cluttering Your Car
- Battling Summer Clutter
- Age Appropriate Chores
- Laundry
- Getting Organized After Vacation
- Back-to-School Shopping
- Wading through Piles of Paperwork
- Lunch Time
And now, it’s time to bring all those things you’ve learned together. Yes, you’re ready to explore the concept of a "Communication Zone" for your life.
I’m sure you can imagine {based on the title} this is where the “grand central” of your life exists.
Where to begin:
Location, location, location.
All of the "Communication Zones" that I’ve helped clients create tend to have one thing in common. They’re located in the spot where everyone hangs out the most. Sometimes this is in the kitchen {break room} or a family room and sometimes it has been in a bonus room {storage area}.
Don’t be surprised, when you look around for your spot, if you find that your Zone is in need of some serious TLC. Actually, that probably means you’ve hit the jackpot!
Next:
Gather the supplies.
Anything that relates to the communication of your family {or group/team}.
- You’re looking for the:
- Calendar
- Black Hole Binder
- Mail
- Office and/or art supplies
- Phone
- {you get the idea}
Consider the system.
Are you
- think vertical solutions here {like the in-boxes in the picture}
- you’ll be safe with the document boxes {on the top shelf in the picture}
- an ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’?
- take note of the clear bins used for supplies {I can see it, but it has a home that’s put away}
Putting it all away:
Sit {or stand} where everything will eventually belong.
- Now imagine the chaos that could ensue
- the kids have arrived home {or the volunteer teams have all checked in at the end of the day at the same time}
- the phone is ringing
- there is someone at the door
- EVERYONE is cranky and has somewhere to be {5 minutes ago}
- Oh, and did I mention? You’re in charge of them all!
- Now answer this question:
How can everything be at the easiest spot possible?
- Try to avoid burying the phone base {maybe hang it on the wall}
- Utilize containers for a multitude of solutions
{note the tray, this is to give a visual boundary for where those office supplies belong}
- Store items that are needed less often in harder to access spots
- labeling clear bins helps you clarify a “home” and have a sense of direction when you’re trying to relocate items
- Using colors on the calendar {assigned by family member or event} helps you go straight to what you’re looking for
{the post it notes in the picture were events that might be happening}
Finally
Use the Zone!
This is where you can conquer the world eh-hem, I mean your life.
You know you’ve set up your area effectively the first time someone asks a question & you are able to turn to what’s needed & give them an answer right away.
So, how does this help with overwhelming schedules?
Well, take a look at the picture. When I propose the following what you see:
The doctor’s office has just called & they need to push Susie’s appointment for next Tuesday to Wednesday.
- Would you be able to check the family calendar? {on the wall}
- Would you have writing utensils to make the change with? {in the cup on the center of the desk}
- Would you then be able to grab the Ballet instructors phone number to let her know Susie may be a few minutes late to her lessons if the appointment runs over? {the black hole binder next to the drawer organizer on the middle shelf}
- And finally, would Susie know about this change? {when either of you look at the calendar}
In the course of that phone call so many questions can be answered and a task can be completed. How long does it usually take you to deal with a re-scheduled appointment? And how does that affect the chain of events surrounding such a disruption?
These are what I call “life’s little hiccups”. We all have them. You can’t avoid them. So, we may as well try & prepare for them by building a Command Central to act as a support system when we just don’t have the time for one.more.thing!
Remember, every system needs maintenance. So if things begin to get overwhelming be sure to take a few minutes & regroup the area.
I would love to hear about the efforts you’re making to improve your hectic schedules and the systems you’ve used {or tried} to accomplish that!
Next week we dive into “How to use the DreamSakes service” from receiving your empty box to sending those treasures in & what kind of clutter free gift ideas you can create for loved ones this holiday season.
Keepin’ it Tidy,
April
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April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.
While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter
