What Cleaning Routine Works for You?

Cleaning the house. It's one of those jobs that is never done. NEVER. Just like laundry.

Are you looking for some ideas and tools to help you stay on top of this never-ending chore? There are so many different approaches to take. What will work for you will depend on your preferences, schedule and family.

Here some ideas that come to mind:

1. Routines: Create a schedule to tackle the various house cleaning chores. Do a little each day or all of it in one marathon cleaning spree.


2. Daily Maintenance: The clean-as-you go approach.


3. Get the Family Involved: Each member of the household is responsible for specific tasks. Here's a sample of a Simple Chore Chart for Kids - It's what I'm currently using.


4. Make it "Fun!": Here's an idea my mom used when I was growing up. She would make a list of chores, cut the list into strips of papers and each family member randomly picked a task from a hat. Of course my brother and I didn't think it was that fun. Put on some fun music and have a reward for the family when everything is done.

The theme for today over at We Are THAT Family is Cleaning Tips. Check out the other great ideas today!

Do You Have a Support System? What about a Mom's group?

Last night I had the privilege of presenting to the Janesville MOMS Club-East. What a great bunch of women! I shared my Prepared, Organized and Focused: 7 Great Back-to-School Tips for Moms to Start the Year off Right talk.

Here's a picture of me (looking very pregnant) with the moms.

Do you have a support group of other moms? Mom's groups are a great thing to be involved in. I've found that being connected with other moms has a great way to share ideas and information, to support one another and to just have fun!

Thanks ladies!

I Want to Help You Get Your Papers Organized!

Paper Organizing for Busy Moms
~A Virtual Workshop

This virtual workshop is for you if you:

• Have tried getting your papers organized before and failed
• Are a busy mom who is determined to spend more time doing those things you enjoy instead of searching through papers
• Have considered seeking the help of organizing expert
• Want to be free from the paper piles and mess in your home

When you register by Friday, September 11 you'll receive these special bonuses:

• Making Time for What's Important Home Study Program (manage your time, manage your life and create the balance you yearn for)
• A Mom's Guide to Organizing Children's School Papers and Artwork (the resource for maintaining, organizing and displaying your child's work)
• The Early Bird Special of only $97 (regular price of $137 after 9/11)
  Register Now!

You'll Learn:

• The steps to get rid of those invasive paper piles with my 3-T Plan
• How to set up your own Household Action Center so you can find what you need when you need it with no more piles
• What papers you should keep, for how long and where
• How to set up an easy-to-use filing system so you can have your important papers at your finger tips
• My five step Stuff System to help you get through those overwhelming stashes of paper, including the kids' papers and artwork.

How it Works:
Throughout the workshop there will be a series of four live teleclasses with me. I'll walk you through the exact steps of paper organization. After each teaching session you will then be able to apply what you have learned right away during your in-home organizing session. I'll be holding your hand all the way through. You'll also receive a 30 page workbook and products worth $98! Learn more here.

What one mom had to say after participating in my Paper Organizing for Busy Moms Virtual Workshop:

"Things are going well and I'm setting aside time each day to work through the rest of the paper piles. I LOVE the systems and it is motivating to see how much I have accomplished already! The day of the workshop I kept organizing until that night. I was amazed at how much I got done in one day. I've already had several times where I needed to locate something and I actually found it within seconds! No more wasting time searching. Thanks again!"

Find Out More and Register Now!

First Day of School

Well, my kids are off for their first day of school. My daughter is in second grade and my son is in Kindergarten. Both are excited to be going to school.

This is a new transition for us. Both of my children will be in school full-time 5 days a week. I'm excited for them and for me!

I've always felt blessed to be a work-at-home mom with my own business. It has given me the flexibility to be there for my kids and to work when it works for me and my family.

I've got my list of tasks I want to accomplish today, including putting the finishing touches on my free teleclass, Prepared, Organized and Focused:7 Great Back-to-School Tips for Moms to Start the Year off Right!. I also have a couple household tasks that need to get done like laundry (blah!).

Yes, I am so enjoying this time! In 9 weeks or so I will be starting another life transition as our third child will hopefully be arriving healthy and happy. I have to be honest with you, the thought of starting again with a baby scares me a bit. It's also exciting. What will this child be like? Where will this take us? I can't help but think that we can't even imagine the wonderful times and blessing that are in store for us.

How did your first day of school go? What emotions are you feeling?

When Do You Know You Need a Break?

Ever have one of THOSE days?

If we want to be the best we can be in our roles as moms, co-workers, spouses, friends and members of the community, we must take time for ourselves. This is something I really need to remind myself to do on a regular basis.

When my patience is low, I know I need a break. When I don't feel like communicating with my husband, I know I need a break. When I lock myself in the bathroom so my kids can't find me, I know I need a break.

Some of my favorite things to do when I need a break for me-time are:

1. Read a book in a quiet place.
2. Go for a walk by myself or with a friend and listen to why they need a break, too.
3. Go to the local coffee shop and order an iced Chai tea and work on a project.
4. Get a facial or massage or a pedicure.
5. Get together with friends for dinner or dessert.

How about you?

Making Time for What's Important

Are you feeling like you're super busy, but nothing gets done and you never have time for you really want to be doing? You're not alone.

What if you looked at time in a different way? Instead of starting with your schedule and trying to cram as much as you can into it, start with identifying your priorities first. What is it that you really want time for? What is most important to you and your family? What matters the most? Look at the big picture.

Make room for those priorities in your schedule FIRST. Making time for what's important works for me. For more Works-For-Me ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.

Distractions: Did You Know?

According to a recent study, it take an individual on average, 23 minutes to get back to a task after an interruption?

No wonder moms often feel like they are busy all day but don't always feel they get stuff done. Can you relate? What do you do to cut down on the interruptions?

How Other Moms Get Organized: Great Tips and Ideas!

I love checking out other Mom Blogs to see what organizing tips and ideas are out there. I've come across some that I wanted to share with you. Check them out for some inspiration.

Organizing hair clips and stuff: Heidi over at Blue Eyed Blessings shares some simple, but really cute ideas. I love her pictures!

Keeping Track of Stuff: Susan from Everything Mom has found organization with her new planner and turned her "everything drawer" into her personal command center.

Organizing Tool for Pot Lids: Kerry at Colored With Memories writes about how her kitchen gadgets have followed her through each of her 7 moves and she always has a home for her lids.

How to Enter Blog Contests and Giveaways: Thrifty Jinxy has an awesome post on what you need to know about giveaways and other social media tips. I know I can use all the help I can get this department!

P.S. Still time to enter my giveaway here!

Get Organized Month Giveaway #3: Busy Moms Get Organized Success Circle

For this #3 Get Organized Month Giveaway, I am offering 4 complementary two-month membership passes to my exclusive Busy Moms Get Organized Success Circle.

If you receive my newsletter, you read that I have lots of great stuff planned for my business in 2009! One of my goals is to offer BUSY MOMS and families an expanded range of cost-effective options to help make your daily life easier and less stressful. I'm so excited about the many new choices that will be available for you.

One of them is my BRAND NEW Busy Moms Get Organized Success Circle. I am so excited about this program designed to support those busy moms who are determined to get and STAY organized! So what's this all about?

When you are a part of my Success Circle, you'll get:

• Monthly teleclass calls with me or other experts, including "Ask the Organizer Q/A Connection". This is your chance to get access to experts to help make your daily life easier and less stressful!
  
• Access to the Busy Moms Get Organized private online forum so that you can connect with other moms who are determined to get AND stay organized. You'll get the support, resources and accountability that you need.


• Discounts to my events and extra goodies!


• Normally you would get this all this for just $19 a month! That's right! I am serious about helping as many busy moms and I can get organized and stay organized!

Will you be one the the four moms who will win a complementary two-month membership passes to my exclusive Busy Moms Get Organized Success Circle?

How to Enter

1. Post a question here asking me about your #1 organizing challenge: 1 point


2. Post this giveaway on your blog with a link back here to my giveaway post and please let me know you've posted it: 3 extra points


3. This giveaway starts today and ends on Friday, January 23 at 2pm central time.

Paper Organization: Tips to End the Paper Clutter

Dealing with paper on a daily basis works for me! For more Works-For-Me Wednesday Ideas, stop by Rocks In My Dryer.

Paper just seems to multiply. You get more in the mail and the kids bring home even more every day. Pretty soon the piles grow and take over your counter tops.

You must deal with the paper that comes into your home on a daily basis. Make a point to make a decision those papers every day by asking yourself:

• Do I need to act on this? If the answer is yes, pick a date and do it.


• Do I need to refer to this on a later date?


• Do I need to give this to someone else?

If you answered no to all three questions, most likely you don't need to keep it. Make this part of your daily routine and you will put an end to paper clutter before it even starts.

Are you ready to put an end the paper piles? Join me on January 31, 2009 for Paper Organizing for Busy Moms ~A Virtual Workshop~ and learn the systems to eliminate those piles.

Get Organized Month First Giveaway Winner is...

Michelle from Eight Helping Hands! Congrats Michelle!


If you you are totally upset that you didn't win the Paper Organizing for Busy Moms Workshop giveaway. No worries! You still have time to register and join me for this awesome event!

You'll Learn:

• The steps to get rid of those invasive paper piles with my 3-T Plan™
• How to set up your own Household Action Center so you can find what you need when you need it with no more piles
• What papers you should keep, for how long and where
• How to set up an easy-to-use filing system so you can have your important papers at your finger tips
• My five-step Stuff System™ to help you get through those overwhelming stashes of papers, including kid's papers and artwork
• The secrets to help you stop procrastination for before it starts so you can reach your paper organization goals

You'll Get:

• The Busy Mom’s Paper Survival Kit You will be sent my favorite paper organizing tools including the Tickler File and the HomeFile Filing System. I will teach you how to use these tools during the Virtual Workshop. ($69 value)
• Paper Organization for Busy Moms 30+ page Workbook and Reference Guide The Workbook and Reference guide is a valuable resource for you to use during (and after) the Virtual workshop. It includes helpful worksheets, forms, and articles, all designed to help you take control and get your papers organized. ($29 value)
• 2 Months of Complementary Membership in the Busy Moms Get Organized Success Circle As soon as you register for the Virtual Workshop, you will be able to connect with other moms who are working towards organization, too. This is a great place to share information, ideas and support one another. ($38 value)

Find Out More About This Unique Virtual Workshop and Register Now!

P.S. There are just two bonuses left! You must register by January 16, 2009 to receive these!

• Making Time for What’s Important Home Study Program Keep learning with this downloadable recording and valuable tools and forms to help you manage your time and create the balance in your life you yearn for. ($29 value)
• Maintaining Childhood Treasures: A Mom’s Guide to Organizing Children’s School Papers and Artwork Learn the steps to keep all those completed school papers and projects in check. With my easy-to-use systems, I teach you how to handle all the papers and artwork your kids bring home, simple and creative ways to organize them, and the storage methods for those items you want to keep so the memories can be easily enjoyed. ($29 value)

Busy Moms Don’t Need Resolutions, They Need Action Steps!

As you know, declaring a New Year's resolution doesn't automatically make it so, but many times we seem to act that way.
Picture this --

I am so ready for a fresh start. This year is going to be different, I can feel it. I want to set and reach new goals in my career and I want to make sure I have more quality family time. So, I work extra hard on a new project and institute a family fun day. After about the first week or two, reality sets in, distractions occur here and there. I start to feel out of control again and frustrated. I know I want things to change but I don't know what else to do. I've already tried setting goals and that doesn't seem to work.

So why does this happen? There can be many reasons, but I firmly believe one key reason is that we usually fail to break our goals down into actions steps. We fail to develop a plan that we can follow step-by-step until we reach our goal. Actions steps work for me at home and in my business. For more For more Works-For-Me Wednesday Ideas, stop by Rocks In My Dryer.

Here are the steps you can take to transform your goals into actions steps and commitments so you can achieve excellent results!

Step 1: Designate a notebook that you can use. It doesn't have to be anything fancy but it does help to choose one that you can easily carry with you. You never know when an idea will strike you. Yes, it's OK to use a computer for this or even a voice recorder.

Step 2: Take some time to look back to 2008 even if it's just for 15 minutes. Write down your excitements, accomplishments, your frustrations and your letdowns.

Step 3: Now make a list of everything you would like to do or improve upon in 2009. There is no wrong answer here; allow your thoughts to spill out onto your paper (or computer screen).

Step 4: Pick two or three of the most important areas you would like to work on in the coming year. These will be your main goals.

Step 5: Choose one main goal at a time and write it on the top of a fresh page. Be specific and very clear on what you want to accomplish and when it will happen. You can even describe how you will feel-this really helps paint a picture and make it more real for you.

Example: I will have a system in place by March 1 to keep my papers, bills and mail organized so I can find what I need when I need it and eliminate the piles on the kitchen counter. I will feel less stressed and great in my space!

Step 6: Now break the main goal into small projects or tasks. Write down the action steps you have to take to accomplish your projects. These actions steps help you climb closer to your goal. It might take a bit of practice to get your mind to look at things in a new way, but the more you do it, the easier it will get.

Example Project: I will seek out the help of professional organizer so I can learn how to set up and maintain a system for my papers that will work for me.

1. Search for possible organizers or classes via the Internet and get referrals from friends.



2. Contact at least 3 organizers by January 10 and decide who I will work with by January 15.
   


3. etc......

Step 7: Now grab your calendar and start setting appointments with yourself to get it done.

Step 8: Repeat steps 4-6 with your remaining goals. You most likely will not get through every step in one sitting. It may work best for you to focus on one goal at a time or you might prefer to work your goals simultaneously.

When you hit a tough spot or you get thrown off your path, look back through your notebook, make changes if necessary and keep going.

Now picture this --

It's the start of New Year. You are so inspired by what you have accomplished in the last 12 months. There were some trying times but you definitely are not were you started! What's next?

If getting your papers finally organized is on the top of your list, join me on Saturday, January 31, 2009 for the Paper Organizing for Busy Moms Virtual Workshop. I've got the steps all laid out for you!

Challenge: What Can You do for Yourself?

Organization gives you back your time.

Today's thought: When is the last time you took some time just for you? Do you make a point to do something special for yourself every once in a while? I enjoyed reading about my friend's day out here.

Many time Moms will say, "I would like to, but I just don't have the time." We have to make time for certain things and that might mean scheduling down time or "me time".

I have to admit that this is an area that I have neglected at times. Because I am a work-at-home-mom, it's so easy to let the boundaries blur. My business coach asks me every week, "It's important to take time for yourself so you can give to your business. What is one fun thing you're going to do for yourself in the upcoming week?" My answer this week is "Schedule and have a date night with my husband."

What would you do with time for yourself?

Your Challenge:

1. Choose an activity that you can do for yourself in the upcoming week.
2. Pick a date and write it on your calendar.
3. Do it!
4. Share it with us! Some of us might need some ideas and encouragement to get going on this. (many of you share on my follow-up post here -thanks!)