Today I sat it on a wonderful meeting where we discussed goal-setting strategies for the upcoming year. It may be hard to think about the next year when we are right in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle, but now is a great time to start thinking about what you want the next year to look like.

Take a piece of paper out and write down one business and personal goal you want to reach in the next year. Over the next few weeks start making a list of all the little tasks that need to be done to fulfill that goal. When the new year rolls around start implementing a few of those tasks each week until you reach your goal.

Plan out your week ahead of time to see how these new tasks can fit in. Be aware of this procrastination pitfall: As your list starts getting marked off you may see there are a few tasks you keep skipping over because you just flat out don’t like to do that activity or it is not a strength of yours. Instead of avoiding it all together, ask yourself if the task is necessary to get the job done, if so can it be delegated? As mom’s we tend to see ourselves as a “one woman show” when in reality we have a multitude of friends that would be willing to share a specific skill set. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Break your goals into manageable bite sized tasks while keeping the big picture in mind! If you are connecting the dots, which dot is next in order to get the picture to look right?

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care… oh, wait we don’t have a fire place anymore! This year we have had to get a little creative with our Christmas decorations. Less space means less décor! We knew that going into this smaller house we would not have as much room for seasonal decorations.

Before the move we took the time to go through our Christmas decorations and weed out the excess.  In fact this is a good practice to do every year! When you are getting the decorations out there always seems to be a few you don’t put out but keep anyways.  If you don’t love it, why store it?

Every season weed out the decorations to keep your collection under control. Fix what needs broken and take note of things you need more of so you can shop the post-season sales! And, don’t forget Mabel’s Labels Bin Labels are just the thing you need to get your Christmas décor labeled and organized!

I think it’s funny that a holiday about giving thanks is surrounded by all these ads about Black Friday. You see more media about sales and stuff than being thankful for what we already have. Tis’ the season for giving and receiving.

As I join in on the hustle and bustle of the season I tend to want to go above and beyond with the gifts. “Just this one more thing” or “Oh, he will loooove this!” This year we decided to get the kids something big that they can share but then felt a tinge of guilt that they wouldn’t have more presents to open on the big day. But the gifts aren’t really what it is all about. And rest assured there will be plenty of gifts from the Grandparents!

As I shop now I think about all the things we have to be thankful for. By giving thanks I remember that our kids are very well off and they could care less about the number of gifts they received. What they remember the most is how the family spent that time together. Laughing, playing, giving thanks and just being together. It is much easier to keep the holiday shopping simple by remembering how much we have to be thankful for!

One of my favorite motto’s is “have guests, will clean.” I am so excited that Thanksgiving is next week because I have been so much more motivated to organize and clean. And apparently so are the new clients that have been calling me this week!

Tis’ the holidays to get the house in order. Not only is it the perfect time to weed out the old but to clean the house from top to bottom! Before the guests come next week I am completely doing a cleaning overhaul. I love giving the house a deep clean before a big day where the house will be full! You may be asking why bother if it is going to get messy again with so many people! The fact is, after everyone is gone there is minimal work to be done besides surface areas and vacuuming then it is time to rest!

We start getting out Christmas decorations shortly after Thanksgiving so the house is all ready to go. Clean, decluttered and ready for a new season!

For the past few months I have been collecting shoe’s from friends, family and clients for Soles4Souls, the organization I traveled to Haiti with. It is certainly a great time to start weeding out those shoes and summer clothes! I just had to pull out the winter clothes for the kids and I know some of you in the north have done that long ago.

Before the holidays are upon us let’s think about other things we can start weeding out. The maintenance part of staying organized is all about keeping on top of things that no longer have a purpose in the house. What about that ice-cream maker you bought five years ago and never touched? Unless you have made that a summer family tradition by now, it’s not likely to happen. Take a good look through cabinets and closets to see what needs to be weeded out.

What about spots equipment and pool toys? It’s easy to throw them in a big box when they are not in use. Remember the float that has a hole beyond repair. Or the helmet that the youngest has grown out of? If it’s broken let it go. Unless it can be handed down to another sibling let things like helmets and outgrown bikes go as well.

All of this stuff takes up space in our homes and lives. It’s time to weed! Don’t let these things lead to overwhelm.