Friday, March 29, 2013

Keep that cleaning space ready to go

In terms of storing cleaning supplies (which usually leads to cleaning, something we never want to think about!), there are a few great ways to keep supplies off of the ground and neatly packed:
  • Store your cleaning supplies under your sink? Consider using a tension rod to hang cleaning bottles by their squeeze grip in order to “float” the bottles up off of the ground. This technique allows for more storage and discourages the growth of mold and the harboring of pests.
  • Fasten hanging buckets to cupboard doors to store sponges, towels, and other cleaning products in an accessible way. Remember, the farther items are stored off of the ground, the less bending your back has to do in order to retrieve them...maybe that'll make cleaning less of a pain!
 

 
    Now...go forth and Spring Clean!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Seasons they are a-changin'!


The seasons are changing and so is your wardrobe! What a wonderful opportunity to organize your closet space to accommodate spring styles. We all have our favorite pair of boots that kept our feet warm and dry for the winter months. Now (today!) is the perfect time to designate a nice box for those boots, affix a picture of the precious commodities outside, and store those cumbersome boots elsewhere. Also consider including other shoes that are worn for special occasions to a designated winter shoe storage space. By freeing your closet of clutter, you are providing new space to add other favorites and may even find a hint of surprise and excitement when looking through your winter storage space for special occasion items.  Try it!
 
 


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Kitchen Sanity...Everyday!

Looking to optimize space in your kitchen? Look no further! A fantastic way to take advantage of refrigerator space is by placing a wire shelf or stackable see-thorugh bins in spots that offer precarious storage heights. Additionally, adding a turn table that can be removed and cleaned or a Lazy Susan on a cluttered fridge shelf permits easy access to foods that might otherwise hide on a too-large shelf. These two items also deter guests from moving or misplacing items that might have a designated place in your space.  You'll never have to hunt for the spicy mustard again! 
 

 


Friday, March 1, 2013

Time management and all that jazz...


Not enough time in a day? One of the most difficult challenges to overcome when meeting with colleagues, clients, and everyone in between is managing your time. To avoid continuous conversations when facing a jam-packed day, try creating appointments and meetings with distinct beginning and ending times.  Set your phone alarm for 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment time is up to remind yourself and your visitor of how much time you have left before the meeting has to end. As creatures of habit, we are inclined to get "to-the-point" when we are faced with deadlines. Remember, tomorrow is another day! If your meeting must continue, reschedule for a future date. Keep noting specific points that need to be revisited at your next talk in order to stay on task.

Beginning a work day can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially on a Monday morning. It is easy to get discouraged when your to-do list is full and important documents are infiltrating your inbox. One of the best proactive ways to end your busy day is to prepare for the following workday. Consider placing tomorrow's vital assignment(s) at the center of your desk before you leave the office...you will begin tomorrow with a focused mind and a sigh of relief when the task is accomplished, and feel motivated to check more projects off of that list.
 
Go do!