Today’s post is brought to you by Helena Alkhas! Helena is an amazing personal organizer that happens to live near me in San Diego. I asked her to share some tips for getting organized this year!
Be sure to check out her website A Personal Organizer
Be sure to check out her website A Personal Organizer
Hello Style Your Life readers!
It’s a joy to start the new year with you and I hope these
organizing tips help you get organized for the new year!
organizing tips help you get organized for the new year!
Most of us see the New Year as a great starting point for
those things we haven’t accomplished yet. It’s when we set new goals, establish
fresh starts and are filled with energy to tackle any battle ahead of us.
However, as time passes our will power weakens and before spring arrives we have
already given up on our goals.
those things we haven’t accomplished yet. It’s when we set new goals, establish
fresh starts and are filled with energy to tackle any battle ahead of us.
However, as time passes our will power weakens and before spring arrives we have
already given up on our goals.
To help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions for 2014
here are some simple organizing tips that will create an environment that
supports your goals, no matter what they are:
here are some simple organizing tips that will create an environment that
supports your goals, no matter what they are:
1. Clear The Decks
Look at your bedroom and closet and make a quick assessment
of how it’s looking. Do you have
last week’s clothes over the chair? Can you see your closet floor? Do you know
where all your jewelry is?
of how it’s looking. Do you have
last week’s clothes over the chair? Can you see your closet floor? Do you know
where all your jewelry is?
Set a timer for 30 minutes and clear ALL clutter from your
bedroom and closet.
bedroom and closet.
Place dirty clothes in the hamper, hang unused items back
where they belong, clear your desk and make your bed.
where they belong, clear your desk and make your bed.
Having a clear slate will give you a clear mind!
2. Out With The Old,
In With The New
In With The New
Clean up time is over and now that your room and closet are
clutter-free, let’s remove what can go out.
clutter-free, let’s remove what can go out.
Those jeans that don’t look good, the sweater that’s
scratchy, the shoes that hurt your toes – everything you don’t like, don’t use,
don’t want anymore, no matter how expensive they were, let them go.
scratchy, the shoes that hurt your toes – everything you don’t like, don’t use,
don’t want anymore, no matter how expensive they were, let them go.
Holding to old items “just because” is preventing you from
receiving more, from doing more, from having the energy to look for new things
in your life.
receiving more, from doing more, from having the energy to look for new things
in your life.
When our space is overflowing we’re constantly being
reminded of “unfinished business” and that we don’t have space for anything
new.
reminded of “unfinished business” and that we don’t have space for anything
new.
Grab several trash bags and with a Sharpie label them
“donate” or “trash”. Scan every single item in your closet and drawers and
leave in them only what you use and LOVE.
“donate” or “trash”. Scan every single item in your closet and drawers and
leave in them only what you use and LOVE.
Don’t be afraid of being left with very little in them. Remember
that if you’re pulling those items out is because you either don’t like or
never, ever use them.
that if you’re pulling those items out is because you either don’t like or
never, ever use them.
3. Make a List And
Check It Twice
Check It Twice
It’s so much easier to work on a space that’s clear of
clutter and that only holds what you love. Time to create a list!
clutter and that only holds what you love. Time to create a list!
Write no more than 5 goals that you have for the new
year. Five is a pretty good number for
major goals like saving, dieting, running a marathon, exercising (that’s me! J) graduating with
honors, eliminating debt.
year. Five is a pretty good number for
major goals like saving, dieting, running a marathon, exercising (that’s me! J) graduating with
honors, eliminating debt.
I like to write my goals and establish some “benchmarks” by
scheduling 4 or 6 times a year when I’ll check how far I’m on them.
scheduling 4 or 6 times a year when I’ll check how far I’m on them.
I write my goals on my calendar on Jan 1st, then
on March, June, September and then finally on December, when I’ll write my
results.
on March, June, September and then finally on December, when I’ll write my
results.
4. Don’t Change Too
Much
Much
Creating new habits require a LOT of will power, so I always
tell my clients “let’s work on one new habit at a time”.
tell my clients “let’s work on one new habit at a time”.
We all have routines and habits set and in place, many of
them going back to childhood. Don’t try to establish 3-5 new routines at once.
Decide on one that will bring the most positive impact in your life and stick
to it.
them going back to childhood. Don’t try to establish 3-5 new routines at once.
Decide on one that will bring the most positive impact in your life and stick
to it.
Once that has been practiced for 3 months and beyond and it
has in fact become a new habit, then tackle the next one.
has in fact become a new habit, then tackle the next one.
It’s best to keep a slower but steady pace on everything you
do, than to sprint on a mad rush and give up after a week or two.
do, than to sprint on a mad rush and give up after a week or two.
5. Reward Yourself
Sometimes just achieving your goal won’t be enough for us to
feel rewarded. In that case is nice to give yourself a treat or a gift for your
hard work.
feel rewarded. In that case is nice to give yourself a treat or a gift for your
hard work.
What would mean the world to you that would motivate you to
work hard to achieve your goals? That is your “carrot”!
work hard to achieve your goals? That is your “carrot”!
Some people can wait a full year for their prize, others
need it NOW –and that’s OK. What is really important is to know that about
yourself so you can create strategies to work with.
need it NOW –and that’s OK. What is really important is to know that about
yourself so you can create strategies to work with.
If you are a “need rewards NOW” type of person, determine
what those small rewards will be. A day at the spa? Dinner at your favorite
restaurant with your best friend? Only you know what works best for you, so be
honest and stick with it.
what those small rewards will be. A day at the spa? Dinner at your favorite
restaurant with your best friend? Only you know what works best for you, so be
honest and stick with it.
These are tips that work for myself and my clients when
getting organized and establishing goals. I hope they help you have a fabulous
2014!
getting organized and establishing goals. I hope they help you have a fabulous
2014!
What are your New Years’ Resolutions?