Organizing and utilizing are processes and can be accomplished even in challenging situations IF you commit to doing something everyday!

I often get messages and calls asking, "How can I get organized when I am....
.(sick alot,
unable to lift stuff,
have SO MUCH clutter,
have health issues,
have ADD/ADHD and just can't stay focused,
and the all time defeated statement:  
              "No one else in my office or home will help and keep it organized???????????

All of these situations are challenges and obstacles to being organized but they cannot prevent it, unless you give up.

Perspective and expectations are the real threats to any plan or desire to accomplish a goal.

We see pictures all over the internet of these spaces and file systems that are streamlined and pretty and when our system or space doesn't look like that we feel unorganized.

Organization is more about the functionality of usage and storage.  Arrangement helps with the appearance of the system or space.  Having a few items makes it easier to look organized than if there are a lot of items.  More care is necessary to the planning and arranging of the storage when there is a lot of stuff to be used and stored but it is still possible. **(Cleanliness is a separate issue, if the space needs cleaning that is a health concern and is a basic task that has to be done first before other activities are done, if this is an issue time management needs to be looked at and cleaning needs to be put as the first thing, these services can be done but are separate and conditions apply, if needed mention that in your message).

DIVIDE and CONQUER are key elements of dealing with space and stuff.

Think about the activity, purpose and usage of the space being used.  Our magic key elements come into play here also, (Who, When, What, Why and How is the space used.)  Where does the particular activities take place is also important to consider.  Think about door swing, traffic pattern and electrical outlets.

If the printer has to be connected to the computer by a cable you must locate it within the range of the cord for the most efficient use.  Also if the electrical outlet is full and only has 1 socket available that is an issue since you have 2 items needing power.  If you have to move things to use them, that effects your efficiency and effectiveness of your work.  You are likely to get interrupted or distracted and unable to "clean up" the setup area and that is the beginning of clutter and disorganization.

Very simply the secret of organization is EVERYTHING has a place to be used and stored and is returned to the designed storage area when not in use.

It is that simple no matter what limitations and challenges you have, there is a way for you to be able to do what you need to (want to do), be efficient and purposefully productive with your items and space.  If you need more specific ideas to your situation send me a picture of your space, and give me some information about how you want it to work for you.  I will give you a suggestion.  OR schedule a 30 minute Consult and lets see what we can do together.

See the website "What We Do" tab for the photo gallery, for ideas of simple QUICK fixes to accomplish functionality & productivity.Click here to go to the website

Use the "Contact US" tab to send me a question or to ask for a consult either by appointment or via email.
Click here to go to the website tab

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your challenges! 

Remember "Where there is a WILL, there is a way!"

Dot Wiggins, Uniquely Organized and Utilized

919-219-2650

http://uniquelyorganizedandutilized.com

Holidays are Here!!! Order and Thoughtful Arrangement Will Make You Jolly!

December 1st! Did someone hear "Ready, Set, GO!" 
this month seems like it gets busier and more hectic every year and this year has more "challenges and joy steelers" than usual, however with Determination, planning and a little creativity this season can be just as enjoyable and memorable regardless of the budget, it can still have the special things, or new things that are special. 

Three simple things can make decorating enjoyable and easy for everyone  to keep things in order.

 

 1) as you are beginning to decorate, get an empty box or laundry baskets work great! to place the "everyday" items that you are moving to make room for the Christmas or Holiday decorations.

2) Unpack the decorations, one box at a time... (if you haven't already made lists of what is contained in the box and which compartment it goes in (if they need a special placement) make it NOW, it will make repacking when you undecorate much faster and easier for whomever does it. Tape the list inside the lid or on a flap, also label the outside of the box (Tree decorations- Top or whatever is applicable). This set also helps when you take your decorations to another location! :)

3.) place the everyday items in the box for the decorations you just replace them with. This accomplishes two things... keeps the items safe and in a place that will not get in the way during the holidays, the boxes were full of the decorations and you have to store them somewhere, so 2 for 1 effort. Also when you undecorate you get the boxes out and you have all the stuff to put in place with one motion. Efficient use of space & time!

                                                             ~&~ Joy to All! ~~~~

 If you have a challenge or something that stumps you on how to organize (Order, arrangement) and/or Utilize (Usage/display) post or message me if you want to remain anonymous just state that are the end of your post and I will reply "Dear Anonymous" :) Looking forward to your questions...
Want help getting things done, call me, 919-219-2650 for an appointment or email me.. dotwigg@gmail.com

Does your plan and organizational arrangement work in an emergency situation or without power?

With all the natural disasters and more and more reports of fires, lengthy power and/or internet outages and unplanned changes I began thinking and looking at my plans and organization and found several changes, adjustments, and new solutions needed to achieve and maintain my productivity goals.

Most of the work and play activities I do depend on a computer.  I have spent countless hours inputting, scanning, upload and downloading information and resources into my computer, so much so that my family calls it my "magic box".  Whenever they ask me something or to do something they pause to see if I am going to open the "magic box"..  So I have to say watching the reports of the devastation of the Northeast from Hurricane Sandy have put me into a bit of a panicked confused state.  I had done alot of soul searching and reorganizing after the Tornado that hit her last April, it had totally unsettled my plans and ways of doing things.  I feverishly started scanning documents and pictures and storing them on an external hard-drive had and thought that was going to protect my treasures and keep me productive and efficient no matter where I was working.  Never, thought about not being able to pack up my stuff and/or not having power.  What if a sudden storm hit without warning or if we were told to evacuate from a fire with only 15 minutes to get out...???

As the days have dragged on the people up North are not worrying about their work, they are struggling to just survive in the cold weather with water everywhere STILL, and without power, low food supplies and water.  Alot of the things I thought would happen to help them haven't and after seeing how the emergency response process worked during the tornado I noticed several things people had not planned for or worse had assumed would be available and they aren't so they don't have anything available.

The basics need to be on hand no matter what.. 
 Shelter & Clothing (what if the house was damaged?)
Drinking Water (2-4 quarts per person, per day for a week or more)
Food (able to be prepared without power, (hot water)
water for washing hands & flushing toliets
Heat
Gas/fuel for cooking stoves, heat, & car
alternative transportation
 First Aid kit

Then, there are the other "necessary items" 
tarps
work gloves
tools
plywood to cover windows
wood for fire
matches or fire starter stick
food producing/gathering tools 

How do you store all this stuff?  Where do you put it so its not in the way until it is needed but is accessible and ready to go when needed?

Well, Kits is one efficient and effective way to handle this need. http://uniquelyorganizedandutilized.blogspot.com/2012/11/kits-or-keep-it-together-somewhere-are.html
Included is our preparedness plan and contact list.

Do you have a preparedness plan?  Do you have your supplies stored somewhere convenient and accessible?

Want one?  Contact me through the website http://uniquelyorganizedandutilized.com and lets schedule an appointment to start preparing your preparedness plan and organized other activities so they can be enjoyed during any hardship to adjustment (moving, traveling, having company long-term, etc)

KITS or Keep It Together Somewhere... are very efficient and effective in protecting productivity.

KITS or Keep It Together Somewhere bags or boxes are so effective and efficient for activities, projects and survival.  These can be store bought or for most effective and money saving benefits they can be homemade or personalized.

Examples of popular KITS:

Exercise & Sports bags that have all the necessary items contained in a portable bag.
Sewing Kits containing needles, thread, buttons, scissors, etc...
Writing Kits containing paper, pens, stamps, etc.
Baking Kits containing flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, sugar, etc.
Nail care Kits, containing nail clippers, emmoryboards,  base coat or clear nail polish, nail polish remover
Car Care Kits, containing flares, jumper cables, water, windshield wipe fluid, antifreeze, defrost spray, small bottle or gas can.

Tool boxes

Well you get the idea.  KITS contain necessary items in a portable container for easy use wherever the activity is needed.  Being able grab numerous items at one time, have everything necessary for the task and then be able to cleanup and return all the items to one place and put away quickly for the next use is a HUGE time saver and helps with time management and organizing work spaces.

I personally love and use kits to overcome some health issues and memory issues.  For some activities like First Aid, Writing business letters, and Packing in general I also include a packing list and instructions to use as reference or checklists to increase the efficiency and quality of my work.

Kits can be purchased already made and then, customized for you and your needs. Some kits like First Aid, are actually cheaper to purchase and then customize, whereas, others are better to create completely yourself.  For example, Office tasks like writing letters and cards will be more efficient if you created the kits yourself so you don't have to work with less than ideal items like letterhead, stationary or unwanted items.    Then when you start using them you will want to inventory the items and replace as needed so that the kit is always complete and ready for the task.  Getting the kit out to perform a task and discovering you need to refill or replace an item cuts into the time allotted for that task and can totally throw off a schedule and force an easily completed task into the uncompleted category which lowers your productivity and can jeopardize goals and the highly desired completed to-do list.


Do you need some KITS to help organize some of your necessary items for activities?  Call me this is another service I offer.  I can look at your task/activity make the list of items, gather the items and arrange them in a kit you will be effective and efficient using.

Use the contact form on the website, http://uniquelyorganizedandutilized.com to get more information or to schedule an appointment to get started.

Calendar Panic!! November 1st is upon us, and the holidays too!

 I was working on a few projects that needed some timing and a few appointments scheduled and got the shock of my life!!! Tomorrow is....
 November 1st.  

 Wow!!!  Mind started racing, heart pumping...Election Day, Veteran's Day, Festivals and shows, THANKSGIVING!!!, Black Friday & Saturday, CHRISTMAS Shopping, decorating, and Baking...

Time to take a break, update my progress sheets and make any notes necessary and put a few things away to get ready to pull out the Holiday plans and schedule. 




Are you ready for all the holiday happenings...????  Need to review and plot your activities in your schedule or do you need to make a schedule and form a plan.

Make a list of what you have to get done, anything already scheduled, a calendar and the phone!  CALL ME and let's figure out a plan and help you enjoy your holidays.  Remember the building blocks of organizing answer the questions What, Where, When, Who, Why, and How  and soon you will be ready for anything.

Need a hand in packing up things to make room for holiday decorations?
Need to get guest rooms cleaned up and ready?
Remember the College Kids will be home for the holidays, is their room ready?

Call today to schedule an appointment. ~~~~~~~~~~ 919-219-2650  see the contact form on the Website www.uniquelyorganizedandutilized.com and send me a message and I can email you a starter sheet to have ready for the consult.

Want to dig in and get started...  $30.00 for 2hrs.  We will do a quick 30 min consult to review the plan, sign the contract and away we go....Larger projects are easy too... We will prioritize the tasks and get a small one done and start something you can work on until I come back.  If schedule allows we can book 2-3 days at a time with a deposit.

The Shape of Strategy and Organization

The Shape of Strategy and Organization-SQUARE! It is "hip to be square".  Squares give us visual balance, security and a natural organization that is the start of an expandable system.

Think of all the square in our life.  Pictures, calendars, screens, notepads, books, shelves, closets.  Squares give us a nice visual starting point.  We can sort a chaotic room, file or computer by dividing a square and moving in a grid pattern.

The basic "blocks" of organization. 

One of the main focuses of management & utilization is accessing the components of the plan., in the simplest form, What, Why and When is to be accomplished and with what property or resources.  Boxes are great ways to visualize organization and arrangement without having to physically move a thing.  If you walk into a room, and see utter chaos what are you seeing?  Where does the stuff go?  Why is it there (if you didn't put it there, never mind!) 

The Grid system works with scheduling to!  and helps make the tough decisions, there are boundaries and limitations that cannot be ignored or mitigated.  You are not Superman or Superwoman, you cannot fly, or freeze time so you must "COMPLY" with the limitations of a 24 hour day, time and distance.  Planning properly helps mitigate the ill effects of under preparing for the time required to complete a task.  If you have a meeting that will last 30 minutes and it takes 20 minutes to get to the next appointment, you CANNOT be somewhere it 15 minutes, without skipping your meeting and defying safe driving practices.  

Control your buying by using the grid system to inventory your closet.  Listing what you have will show you that you own 12 pairs of black flats. In addition, it will show you have no brown, tan or white shoes and want them to go with several cute outfits you haven't worn because you lack shoes that match. Your closet is only so tall and so wide, and in most cases only 1/2 of it is for your use.  Unless you hire someone to raise the roof or remove a wall you can only fit so much in there.  Being able to arrange and organize anything requires it to be manageable and inventoried.  Many places we visit can be seen in a grid system.  Restaurants, libraries, grocery stores, clothing departments, many offices that control and manage resources and meeting spaces.

Uniquely Organized and Utilized,  uses the grid as the foundation that everything is assembled on.  Goal setting, Planning, Scheduling, Organizing files and physically arranging things.  The grid system is  two actions for one benefit and helps you see progress quickly!.   

Call today and get on the grid

Uniquely Organized and Utilized

919-219-2650

To Utilize space and some items requires relocation of others, my loss your gain.

Well when unpacking treasures of the past and attempting to find a place of utilization for everything sometimes becomes a futile act.  Everything treasured from multiple people rarely share themes, usages or even common sizes. Too many individualized interests leads to clutter and disorganization which results in waste, loss of space and function.  This will not "work itself out" or "be tolerated" in our Home of designed utilization and functionality.  Having items just because and keeping them in boxes or just stacked up is not good for the valued item or our home.  SO... we are relocating some items and while packing up and moving things into better utilized spaces I found some amazing finds and was instantly moved by the lost time these items have spent on a shelf unused and unappreciated.

Our "extra room/former homeschool room/Office/Home Gym with amazing storage shelves built by my husband has challenged me to the inth degree to make it pleasing to all and yet make it function appropriately.  I have moved and redecorated, repurposed items and purchased new (used) items to make this room work and I am still working to achieve the perfect room.  It is so worth it though when you get serious about the House and Life you are managing.  Why own a home and all the responsibilities if you are not going to reap benefits of ownership?  Why have THINGS if they are just items stuffed in corners, closets and baskets all over the house. 

If you spend hour (s) moving and switching out items. Or moving items out of the way to use other items or areas it could show a need for redefining your spaces, their purpose, desired function and holding to those refreshed priorities and goals.  It doesn't have to take long or involve alot of people; and may have to be all your stuff that is sacraficed for the functionality of all. But, it will be worth it.. as it is only stuff... take pictures to remember the treasured times with the items and enjoy the space their removal makes.

I did it from my bed, after taking some pictures of the room and its current arrangement, the available storage and items as they are currently and then thinking for a few minutes of what I wanted this valuable space to do.

Take a tour of your home.  Look at all the areas and "sections or stations" for activity.

What happens in these areas? (No Judging...) If you don't like the activities could rearranging the area change the enjoyment in that area?  Could removing an item create a new activity or focus?  Where would the item go?  Move the item!  Now take a picture of the empty space. :) ah that felt good didn't it!. 

Next.  Rearrange the room.  Is it working? If not keep going to get the result you invisioned.  It is important to have the space in working order and for it to be easy to explain and see the benefits.  (Be prepared for "skeptics and cool responses.... discuss the need for the change in a calm manner and then if over ruled.. accept it and move on..).

Enjoy the time with the changes and make sure you have everything neat and organized for the "reveal".

Did your first rearrangement work?? yeah me neither. But it did get the stuff out from under the furniture. My mind got to see and feel my idea and know it looked good and would have worked but the family needs to like it and agree to the new functions.  So I am awaiting the "next" arrangement but at least I made changes and some of them will last, cause it was my gift to our improved household efficiency and functioning.

As a result of moving things around and changing areas I will be getting rid of a desk and my skeletons ; ( and with that money I will get myself something for ME :).

The desk "closed" it is "raised and open" at the bottom.as to not block the vents in the floors.  It is 32'' wide.  Nice wood.  Dark brown (Mahogany) finish.

Inside view with "writing surface open.  Lots of cubbys and file holders. a "Wake Forest" phone book will fit in the opening to the left. and the smaller one fits in the ones on the right.    The small drawer above the opening in the center is perfect for stamps.

Drawers are "duck tailed" and spacious.

View with the drawers open. Top drawer is "full" the 2 smaller drawers split the length with the "closet storage area that will hold a hang file organizer box. and has a small drawer enclosed within the solid door.    $100.00

And my trust study aids.. Skelton in a bottle has a book about the skelton with it, the bones snap together like a puzzle to make the skeleton.  There is a "Key".  The parts have been numbered.  "Gently Used"   $10.00

this is my favorite, it is a "Minature of the Medical school (Anatomy) skeleton (dummy) the arms and legs articulate and the jaw and skull open and can be taken off.  One of the screws rolled away and has been replaced with a slightly large one. but it works well.  The stand unscrews from the base. and the legs could be folded if need be.  I purchased this from a medical school bookstore.    $25.00

The Year is over, How Can I Organize and Utilize a Years worth of memories?

Time and Space are precious, having your treasures and loved ones nearby is priceless.
The items around your house and living spaces say alot about you. What does your house and space say about you?

Well, another year of life has passed. Pictures, souvenirs, school projects, papers, all the things accumulated through out the year that hold so much meaning are stacked up, shoved in a box or sitting on a shelf. What can you do with these memories and special items that you can share them, use them and see them easily and frequently?
Scan pictures and documents and store on DVD's, use them in slideshows, and digital photo albums.
Slideshows made into DVD's
Video your kids looking at the stuff and remembering the events and trips.
Albums and scrapbooks
Digital scrapbooks
Take Pictures of your items that are not absolutely necessary, but that you treasure.
Use "shadowbox" frames to make items into "art" and hang it on the wall.
Make treasured items into useful items, placemats, artwork, books, ect.
Some pictures and papers and things can be donated to teachers or schools to use in lessons.

Have things that you want to get rid of but do not know what to do with them, do not want to just throw them in the land fill like trash? Have a bon-fire. It is like a ceremony, you can clear boxes and boxes of paper, pictures that are not wanted anymore, most things can be disposed of. and you can enjoy the warmth of the fire, the dancing flames and the empty boxes or shelves to have room for other treasures that do not have a place of honor in your home.

Need help doing these things? Call or email me or comment here. I barter too and will work "with you like a friend" to get your projects started.

Newest Storage Solutions that really work!!!!

Have you noticed it seems your house is shrinking??? Storage space is at a premium for the necessities, like blankets, spare pillows and linens. Well here are a few inexpensive solutions that are simple but yet provide great returns on the investment.

The first one, I saw at a friends house and thought, "what a genius". These are almost priceless, for about $9.99 per box of 4. If you have a king size bed you need 2 boxes and then you end up with 2 left over. However, it is worth every penny to gain the storage space lost under the bed. This creates about 2 inches of more space under the bed and opens up all kinds of possibilities. For us, it created a bed for our dog, and eliminated the unsightly doggy bed that took up valuable space.

Second find is almost as benefical. zipper closing Jumbo Storage bags!!!! you get a box of 3 for about 6.99. Hefty has coupons all the time and I found mine at Walmart. I have also seen them at BJ's. The possibilities for condensing bulky items and storing items in shed and outside storage units without risking moisture or bug damage.

Hefty bag with a King size bed spread in it!!! the blue blob is a king size comforter, folded.

Close up of the bag, they are reuseable, resealable, it has the zipper closure and built in handles for sturdy easy handling. They also have a "label" area where you could write what is in there, Who it belongs too, whatever..