Simplified Living Solutions - Blog

Make a plan

Sue Anderson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:02:27 GMT

If you take the time this morning to map out a plan for the week, you’ll be amazed at how much more productive you’ll be. It will only take you about 15 minutes. Think about what goals you want to (need to) accomplish this week. Then schedule or plan time in your calendar to get those things done. You will be the most successful if you tackle the toughest things first. It’s also good to plan a reward for yourself such as telling yourself after I work on this project for 2 hours, I will get my favorite coffee from Starbucks. Let me know how you do.

SLS Named Best Professional Organizing Co

Sue Anderson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:14:57 GMT

What an honor! What a thrill! Simplified Living Solutions has been chosen as the best professional organizing company in St Louis by the St Louis At Home magazine.

Mom's are human....it's OK

Sue Anderson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT

As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, I have the opportunity to chat and learn from other Professional Organizers all over the country. This recent post by Robin Harisis of Room Service Personal Organizing in New York really caught my attention. She was able to capture exactly what I try to share with Moms in such a perfect way. With her permission, I am copying it here.

So many times, Moms to small children feel so much pressure, that they should be able to get out the door in 5 minutes. It is just the opposite. They CAN’T get out the door in 5 minutes! Giving them the license to say that will go a long way. I have 2 kids (ages 4 and 21 months) and giving myself the permission to forget the 5 minute rule was one of the best things I have ever done for myself and my children. I always thought that, since I was an organizer, I should be able to get out the door in nothing flat…until I realized that my kids were not aware of this rule. Now I pad my schedule with what I like to call “wiggle room.” That allows my kids to kiss the dogs bye-bye, my son to try and put my winter boots on me even when it’s 80 degrees out, and my daughter to choose which coat she feels like wearing today. These are all things that make my kids completely precious. I want to leave time for it…most of the time. :)

Everything takes longer as a mom, even getting out the door. We just have to get used to it and learn to plan for it. That is what being organized is all about.

Why live an organized life?

Sue Anderson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:07 GMT

I live an organized life because I like a sense of calm. I want to feel comfortable if guests drop by unannounced. I want to find my phone and my keys instantly. I want to put my hands on a much-needed document at a moment’s notice. I want to locate the perfect outfit in my closet. I want to grab all of the ingredients for my dinner recipe. And I want to do all of these things (and more) easily, quickly and in a relaxed manner.

I want to breathe easy and smile and have lots of enthusiasm and motivation for doing truly happy things in my life. Plus, I am a true believer that staying organized and controlling clutter gives you the freedom and power to be all that you were created to be.

Simplify the holidays

Sue Anderson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:13:20 GMT

It’s not too early to begin preparing for the holidays. As a matter of fact, it’s a fantastic idea to get started now before the stress and rush of the holidays is upon us. Here are a few things you can do in advance to get a head start on things:

Get copies made of this year’s Christmas picture if you will be including one in your Christmas cards.
Buy, address, sign and stamp Christmas cards so all you’ll have to do later is drop them in the mail.
Pull out Christmas decorations and determine if you need to purchase anything. Purge whatever you no longer use and donate to a young family.
Bake and freeze several batches of cookies.