The Secrets to Time Management

When I was in grade school  I had a best friend who use to time my every activity.  She used to time how long it took me to ride my bike to her house, how long it took us to finish baking a cake, play Monopoly etc.  I learned that it was important to keep track of my time.  I still do this practice daily.  It helps me be realistic about how long it takes me to finish a given task.  I would suggest this as a good time-management technique.  Get in the habit of timing yourself, choose your activities wisely and take responsibility for your actions.  If you are always late, stop blaming the traffic and your kids.  Plan ahead and time yourself.  Decide when to say "no" and which activities you want to take on. Time Management Essentials It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses.  Can you perform a task on short notice?  Do you need help to choose what is important to do each and every day.  Sit down and write out your most important and urgent task to do each day.  Which ones are realistic and manageable?.  Are you writing too many things on your to-do list?  Can you finish your task and errands on time?   Where should you delegate and when should you just say "no." Solutions and Suggestions for Good Time Management Number one solution is to identity your goals and priorities.  What is our mission statement?  What do you want your family to value and respect?  Do you need to de-clutter your space and organize your home in order to have good time management skills?  Is your clutter preventing you from being on time?  Are you wasting time using all the technology the world has set before you?  Should you be texting, answering emails and using social media throughout the day instead of getting things done?  Can you use a planner/calendar to schedule your activities and "to do's"  efficiently?  Start planning and scheduling what is important and meaningful for you each day.

Back to School

For many of us this is the last weekend before school starts.  Monday is the big day for my son and Wednesday for my grand daughter.  What's the difference before preparing for 11th grade or kindergartner?
Really not that much.  You are still excited but apprehensive.  Will my child like his teachers? friends? will they make a smooth transition.  Will they not be overwhelmed and exhausted ?  What can you do to prepare and organize before they enter the classroom.  Firstly have your alarm clock scheduled to wake yourself up before your kids.  The more you are prepared so will they be.  Lay out the uniform/clothes the night before, labeled and set out on a chair ( this includes their shoes).  Develop good habits right in the beginning.  Prepare a healthy breakfast, lunch and set their backpack near the door.  Be sure to put all the necessary school supplies, notebooks, pencils, paper, books in the backpack before hand.  Set the admission slip (if needed) right in the front pocket of the backpack.  Get a head start 10 minutes early out the door to beat traffic or any last minute needs before you lock the front door.  When you do get them to school safely take a deep breathe...you deserve it.

Everyone is talking about going back to school

My son just came back from surf camp and even he is talking about going back to school.
So I gather that everyone must be somewhat excited about the new school year.  How do you get ready?
First, try mapping out your schedule, shopping needs, meal planning and carpool schedule. How much can you do without leaving the house?  Can you order your supplies and clothes online?  Can you talk to your friends about sharing carpool or some of the school obligation using team work or combining your energy together.  There is alot of information to share on how to get ready for school.  Start by making lists, files and labeling school supplies.  I will start to blog regularly on each aspect of getting ready for school.  So keep watch.

Stay-cation

Sometimes your summer plans fall apart and you are forced to stay in your own home town.  This does not have to be a disappointment. You can pretend you are the tourist and make it fun for the whole family.  Have you ever thought of turning your home into a hotel? Think of what you like most of the hotel you usually go to. Perhaps you can switch rooms for the night  Rent a movie for the family, or order take-out and eat it on a smaller table.  You can also take a walk around your neighborhood and discover something new.  Other options include visiting the local museum or a market you never been too.  Try to be creative and positive.  You might have fun exploring!

Summer Fun Organizing

Summer is a great time to teach some home management skills.  I know you probably think I am crazy for saying this but what better time to involve your kids in cooking and organizing the house then the summer.
Planning BB Q's, car washes, baking, redecorating the house are great chores.  You would be surprised how fun you can make these activities if you just include the right incentive.

Think of the things  that you wish you know at a younger age.  Try to experiment and teach you kids some basic cooking and baking skills.  Invite a friend or two to join in the fun. Just last week I had my 8 year old grandson sleep over and we baked and cooked before bedtime and early in the morning.  He was so proud to present the delicious treats to his parents at the dinner table.

The time you invest in teaching and involving your kids in basic skills will help them for the rest of their life.

Organized Summer

Tune in to my summer radio interview
click on link and look for June 27th, learn about what you can do with your kids this summer

http://www.nachumsegal.com/jm-in-the-am/something-to-talk-about-with-randi-wartelsky/

Hear me on the Radio

Here is your chance to hear me on the radio.

 I was interviewed twice this month on organizing tips for the   home and my  famous Passover tips.

You can stream this on your computer by clicking on the site below and looking for my name.         Enjoy

http://www.nachumsegal.com/jm-in-the-am/

something-to-talk-about-with-randi-wartelsky/

Click on "something to talk about ".  March 21.  Preparing for Pesach

 and February 28. Organizing with Esther Simon

Getting Ready for Passover

It's just 11 days away...what will you do next?  My motto has always been begin with the end in mind.  On Monday night March 25, 2013 some of you wll be sitting down to a sedar.  For those of you making the sedar in your home think of the things you want to be doing last minute.  Perhaps setting the table, making the traditional sedar plate.  That means the other cooking and preparing has to be done prior to that night.  Will you be cooking on Sunday?  Did you get your car cleaned?  Did you prepare your menu for the week?  Did you get your grocery shopping done, did the clothes get to the cleaners and back?  Think of all the things you need to get done during the next 10 days and plan backwards so you will be sitting down to your sedar table looking like and feeling like a Queen!

What is home organizing?

Randi Wartelsky wanted to know what a home organizer does. So on February 28th 2013 I told her and her radio show.  Click on the link below and you can spend the next 55 minutes learning all about time saving tips and advise on how to be more efficient and effective in your home life.

> http://www.nachumsegal.com/jm-in-the-am/something-to-talk-about-with-randi-wartelsky/ > Click on February 28, 2013. Esther Simon. The organizer

How do you encourage a client to continue the work?

There has been much discussion among organizers lately about how their clients seem to give up after the first or second session of working with an organizer.  I know from my personal experience that working with someone who feels overwhelmed by their clutter or how much there needs to be done can seem exhausting and frustrating.    The key is to break it down into steps and give some homework so it doesn't feel like it has to be done all in one day. As often as I say it I try to really express that I am not making a value judgement or making them feel ashamed or inadequate.   We all have our weakness, and strengths, talents and deficit.  Just know that every effort you put into trying to get organized will prove to be worth the pain and difficulties.   Give yourself a chance to explore, work on changing you habits, and create space in your home.  The expense and time put in will definitely prove to be worth it.  Pick up the phone call to make another appointment and give it another chance.  You will be happy you did.

The 7th Annual Organizing Awards

This year the NAPO-LA 7th Annual Organzing Awards will be Saturday night at 6:30pm at the Sheraton Universal Hotel honoring the Greatest Professional Organizing Industry.  All the famous, accomplished organizers will be present.  It is truly a very inspriational evening filled with fun and entertainment.  This year I have been nominated for "Best Small Space Organzier" which actually took me by surprise since my speciality is large family homes.  But as I always tell my clients, you really don't need much! So simplify and de-clutter.  Live more with less!.  There are so many wonderful sponsor for the evening, the Container Store, City National Bank, Julie Morgenstern Enterprises, Getting Organzied Magazine, and Clever Container to mention a few.  There are many professional catagories that are being nomined for varies products and organziers.  (Check them out for yourself http://organizingawards.wordpress.com/
I'll let you know if I win, and if I don't I will be coming home with the best gift bag ever...filled with organizing supplies and products!!