For many clients organizing seems impossible. That’s why they call me. I have never been presented with a challenge I felt was impossible, but I have felt overwhelmed. Focus. Plan. Start. Somewhere. Anywhere. Pick it up and make a decision. Keep. Donate. Toss. It will snowball. You’ll get quicker with your decisions. Before you know it, you’ll be done. You will have conquered what you thought was impossible.

“When will you get to it?” “Someday!” Put a date on it and make it happen!

According to Wikipedia, procrastination refers to the act of replacing high-priority or important actions with tasks of lower priority, or doing something from which one brings enjoyment, and thus putting off important tasks to a later time. Psychology Today estimates 20 percent of people chronically avoid difficult tasks and deliberately look for distractions.

Do you put off organizing? If so, why? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not know where or how to start? Does it make you anxious, nervous or upset?  

I often compare professional organizing to personal training. Sometimes to get the job done, you just need the support of another. To guide you. Walk you through it. Show you the ways. Make it fun. Whether you call on a buddy or need a professional organizer, commit to making organizing a priority. There are oh so many benefits!

You know I’m a professional organizer. What else do you know? I bet you don’t know that…

1} I have more followers on Pinterest than Twitter or Facebook, but spend the least amount of time “pinning” photos.

2} I spend 30 – 60 minutes a day on my own home maintenance. I never waste time watching commercials.

3} No two days are the same. My schedule is not consistent.

4} I’m most productive at night. 

5} I update my calendar on a daily basis so I never overschedule, but I maximize each day.

6} I’ve learned when to say no.

7} My husband says I need to turn off my “on switch” once in awhile, but I never really do.

8} I’m not as spontaneous as I should be.

9} Sometimes client ideas come from my home. Sometimes I apply client ideas to my own home.

10} My favorite color is navy blue, but it’s not the color reflected in my own home.

11} I love vintage and industrial design, but only a portion of my home reflects it.

12} I have a lot of resources because I work with a lot of people. One client refers to me as a yellow page book. Another calls me the restaurant guru.

13} I love shopping for containers.

14} Organizing is not my only passion. I love travel, adventure, geocaching, photography, design, crafting, cooking, hiking, biking, drawing, writing and reading. Before all else is my family.

Using slender book storage will make any room more spacious. Get creative! Build your own by re-purposing wood, crates, shutters and rain gutters. They take up minimal space and can be mounted at varying heights to accommodate all family members.

A bedroom should be a place of rest. Reduce clutter, limit colors and choose furniture wisely.

How often do you hear family, friends + co-workers making excuses? How often do you make excuses? We all make excuses for different reasons. I have clients who make excuses. Most of the excuses are over doing ‘organizing’ homework. The most common excuse? “I didn’t have time.” Indeed, you do have time. We all have 24 hours a day to work with so it just comes down to prioritizing. If something is important to you, you will make it happen!

Hooks make hanging anything - towels, backpacks, coats, dog leashes, hats, belts + clothing faster to put away. No more floor piles! Hooks come in thousands of options and can be found almost anywhere. I love to use glass knobs for hooks. ETSY and Restoration Hardware are my go to stores.

Other glass options:

Pottery Barn

Anthropologie

This Old World

April Bradley Designs