POs across the Globe

Whenever I can I like to meet up with other POs (Professional Organisers).  It’s great to share ideas with others in my field.  That’s one of the reasons I enjoy being a part of the AAPO committee.  While I was in London recently I got to meet up with Sue Kay, decluttering expert, director of No More Clutter, author, and a founding member of apdo-uk (the UK professional body for POs).  She’s an inspiring woman with a can-do attitude, which I admire.  She kindly gave me a signed copy of one of her books, no more clutter - how to clear your space and free your life.  It’ll be the next book of the month, so stay tuned.

Organising Reality

Have you ever watched a reality TV show about Organising and wondered how “real” it actually is?  Wendy Davie, New Zealand’s Organising Guru, tells it straight in her post, Reality Check - What Organising really takes.  I agree wholeheartedly with both her comments and her Organising philosophy.

Setting Up Filing Systems

While I was away Mark Shead at Productivity501 posted an interview in which I answered the question “Describe your paper filing system along with your advice for someone starting a filing system from scratch“.  As well as my response there are other great ideas, and you may find something for you.

I’m Back!

Did you even know I was gone?  Thanks to the wonders of WordPress and my wonderful assistant I was able to get away on a 7-week backpacking holiday through Europe, happy in the knowledge that my business and my blog were well taken care of.

just love Venice

It was a fabulous holiday and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Now I’m back I’m feeling energised and ready for action again.  In preparing for my departure I managed to streamline my systems, and while I was away I learned a lot more about small space living, procudtivity and efficiency, with both good and bad examples.  I’ll be sharing some of those insights with you over the next few weeks.  But for now I just wanted to say hello again.

Highlighting the Necessary

A handy little organising tool is the humble highlighter.  Use it to cut down on unnecessary re-reading.  When reading anything from professional journals to school newsletters, use a highlighter during your first read-through to mark the important points you want to return to.

Handy Caps

My husband and I like to travel, and we do it a lot, for both work and pleasure.  We always ignore the little soaps and shampoos in the hotel room.  Those freebies come at a cost and we don’t need them.  But there is one giveaway I always bring home.  It’s the shower cap.

I don’t use mine in the shower though.  They are great in the kitchen as covers for salad bowls and platters.  It saves me from struggling with the plastic cling wrap.

Simplicity…

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. - Author Unknown

More Simplicity can be found at The Calm Space.  If you haven’t visited The Calm Space yet, be sure to take a look this month.

Book of the Month

Saving Time: really simple solutions for really busy people by Lynne Wenig is a teeny tiny tome with big advice.  This handy, easy-to-read book may be small but it covers a lot of topics with some great tips.

How long?

How long does it take you to

1. Get ready for work?
2. Make lunch?
3. Write a blog post?

If you don’t know the answer, there’s a chance you’ll

1. Arrive late for work.
2. Skip making lunch because you think it’ll take too long.
3. Run late for your next commitment.

Being aware of time is half way to being on time.

I had a client once who was nearly always running late.  But she was never late to drop her kids at school.  Why?  Because she knew exactly how long it took every morning to get 3 kids breakfasted, dressed, teeth and hair brushed, bags packed, an occasional argument, trip to the toilet, into the car, buckled up and driven to school.  She was armed with the information she needed to make the right decisions to achieve her goal of arriving at school on time.

Once she applied the same self-awareness principles to the rest of her day, she wasn’t late any more (mostly).

Want to Become a Professional Organiser?

Are you thinking of starting a Professional Organiser business?  I have a workshop scheduled for August 2nd, when I’ll be sharing by knowledge and experience.  Here are the details…

Professional Organiser Training

When: Saturday, August 2nd, 9.30am to 3.30pm

Where: Blackburn

Cost: $50

You’ll learn about

• Starting your Organising business
• Promoting your Organising business
• Dealing with clients
• Making money from your Organising business

Bookings are essential, and can be made by phoning 0403 164 468, or emailing angela@creatingorder.com.au