Wanting to get organized this year once and for all? Don’t we all? I’m not big on setting resolutions; they tend to fade after a few weeks. We have the best intentions but really if you are going to do something you can just as easily do it now or in July. No matter when you get started the point is that you start!

Have you ever taken a step back and gotten a bird’s eye view of your home? This will certainly give you the motivation needed to get the ball rolling on an organizing project. Stop what you are doing and go take a picture of a random room in your home. What do you see??

Often we get so busy in our day-to-day lives that we don’t allow ourselves to see the big picture. We can easily let the clutter fade to the background as we go about our day. Once we get to the point of overwhelm we finally take notice.

If you are getting organized this year start by taking a picture of each space and taking note of those problem spots that stick out. The picture allows you to disassociate yourself from the space and for a moment you can pretend it is someone else’s clutter!

Are you taking on a big organizing project in 2012? Where will you start?

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?

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.

This organizer has a confession to make. I don’t like lists! (Gasp) You now, checklists. Now don’t get me wrong lists are good, I actually make a to do list every day. But it’s those chore lists and cleaning lists that I dislike so much. I have seen it time and time again with my clients and myself actually. Some of us and perhaps you too are perfectionists. There are others that use checklists religiously and I commend you for keeping up with it.

You would think that being a perfectionist means we get stuff done with ease but sometimes it is the complete opposite. See, every time I try to use a list, I focus more on the list itself. It has to be just right or the “system” has to be just right before I can get started. A client showed me the elaborate systems she had tried one day and I told her she was spending more time fussing over the lists than actually cleaning.

For us simplicity was key. I told her to stop with the lists and just make cleaning a habit. For instance, I bought a set of cleaning supplies for each bathroom. When I help kids get ready for bed my habit is now to do a quick clean up (because the supplies are right there) and I don’t have to do a deep clean nearly as often! These spaces almost maintain themselves. The laundry gets done because it is a habit wrapped in with our morning routine.

The kids have certain things they have to help out with each day, not as a chore to earn a reward, but as being part of this team. They have a list of things they can do for money, but they rarely opt to do that.

How about you? Are you a lover of checklists? Or not so much?

It’s true, organizing can SAVE you money! Disorganization causes us to waste time, money and energy on a daily basis. Here are 5 ways you can start saving now!

1. Don’t duplicate – Have you ever made a purchase and came home to find that you have one or even more of the same item at home? Maybe you just placed it in some random cabinet or closet and forgot about it. First and most importantly organize what you already have!
2. Make a list – If your intention is to go grocery shopping make a list and follow it to avoid making unnecessary purchases. A super Walmart can be a dangerous place if you are wandering around with out a plan. You need meals for this week, but you come home with a new outfit forgot two ingredients for tomorrow nights dinner. Now your making an extra trip to pick up the forgotten ingredients and you also grab a pair of pants you had your eye on the day before. It’s a viscous cycle, your wasting time, money and gas here!
3. Avoid late fees – We’re talking movie rentals, library books and yes, bills! Have you ever looked down at your calendar and realized… “Oh, not again! The credit card bill (or whatever it may be) was due yesterday!” Perhaps your kids misplaced a library book or you can’t find the movie you were supposed to return. Late fees are avoidable!
4. Save receipts for returns – Keep receipts until the store’s return policy or warranty expires. While I was organizing with a client we found a receipt that was expiring that day. She was so grateful because the receipt went to a bench she bought that was damaged. She returned the bench right after our session together and it saved her $250!
5. Tell your money where to go – Make a budget and stick to it. Sit down with your spouse and spell it out in black and white. Decide together what your future goals are and where you want to see yourselves financially. When you find yourself out shopping with no real objective in mind ask yourself, if you really need whatever it is you are desiring and how it fits into your long term goals. Make conscious choices about your spending!