Rowena List, Author at Getting it Together

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So far Rowena List has created 159 blog entries.

How to Organize a Home Office: Find What You Are Looking For in 20 Seconds or Less

Are you a solopreneur? Does your home office become a dumping ground for all the family projects, junk, and homeless items? Has your home office been neglected?

How many hours a day are you in your office? Do you share it with your kids?

How do you feel when you walk into your office? Do you close the door and go do laundry? This is probably not good for business.

A home office will naturally get disorganized from time to time however what is important is to be able to get it back in working order in 15 minutes or less.

Take a minute and think of 5 keywords you would use to describe your office. For example, you might want to describe it as inviting, relaxing, tidy, creative and organized. Keep these 5 keywords in mind when purging and organizing your office.

To find what you are looking for in 20 seconds or less, I am going to share my secret with you. Below are my 5 simple tips to having an organized workspace and keeping your sanity.

Tip #1 Clear the top of your desk

It is important to have a clear working surface. This also helps with keeping your mind clear. Start by clearing off the top of your desk except for your computer and phone. Put everything in a box (you’ll use this box later so keep it handy!). Wipe your desk down. Put one or two personal items on your desk. A family photo or a souvenir.

Tip #2 Have a working system in place

Do you share your office with other family members? Is your office a makeshift room in the house? Whether you have a small working space or large one it is important to have systems in place. Ask yourself these key questions.

Do you need:

An area for files?
A place to take care of family business like bill paying or kids school stuff.
A place for incoming phone messages and “to-do’s”? (I use www.1to31.com)
A working area that’s bigger? How big?
An area for being creative?

Now set up these different “areas or places” on the top of your desk or in a file cabinet. Before you file a piece of paper ask yourself this question “do I really need this paper or could I find it on the computer the next time I need it?” The key is to have “zones” in your office. A computer zone, a working space zone, a reading zone etc.

Tip # 3 Think outside of the box (LITERALLY!)

Go back to the box you used in Tip #1 and take out one item at a time. Put that item in its ‘new’ place. Keep in mind YOUR 5 keywords you have used to describe your office space. File items that need to be filed, toss items that are no longer needed and delegate anything you can. All non- office items need to be put away in their proper place within your home.

Tip # 4 Conquer email clutter

Was life better before email? Do you wish your inbox was cleared out by the end of the day?

Take 15 minutes to organize and purge your inbox. Set up folders for areas and subject matter you use most often. If you can, your email folders should correspond with the names of your paper files. This will save you time trying to find things later. Delete emails you no longer need. Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read. Be ruthless.

Check emails only once or twice a day if your business can handle this. Turn your email indicator off. The little bell is like a dog with a bone. It rings and you get distracted.

Tip # 5 Take 15 minutes at the end of your office time

Take 15 minutes at the end of each work day to clear off your desk, put things back and set-up for the next morning. Make this a habit. Even schedule it in your datebook if you have to. You’ll be so excited to get to work each morning knowing everything is in its place and that there is a place for everything.

Don’t let your office become a dumping ground for you or others. Keep those 5 keywords handy. Watch how much more productive you will be.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00January 6th, 2014|Home Organization, Organizer|2 Comments

Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas: Part 2

How did you do with downsizing your Christmas decorations from last year?

Did you have the best of intentions?

Did you get stumped on what to give away?

The sentimental decorations are one of the hardest to deal with. Aren’t they?

What I find is that no matter how hard I try I still end up with one or two new decorations. People make me things or buy me something. As much as I appreciate the thought from the gifter it still leaves me with the dilemma of how am I going to store these added items.

Once again I am faced with pairing down my decorations so they can all fit in my 3 boxes. Remember part one easy Christmas decorating ideas?

I also promised you in that first video I would share my secret about the type of Christmas tree I have.

Check out this short video on easy Christmas decorating ideas to see it.

So many apartments and condos do not allow “real” Christmas trees. Many of you are wanting to be environmentally friendly and do not want to support trees being cut down. Then there are the people that simply do not have the room to put up a tree, or maybe you are going away for part of the holidays and do not want to fuss with too many decorations.

I’ll bet you are liking the idea of my Christmas tree more and more. IKEA liked my idea so much they started selling fabric trees. 🙂

They are not as fancy as mine but then again this piece of fabric did not start out looking like this.

By the way, did you take advantage of your free session? No need to wait. It is only 20 minutes. Grab a coffee and give me a call.

We can discuss how you can have easy Christmas decorating ideas. I also have a fabulous idea to share with you. What to do with the Christmas decorations you no longer want and where they will go.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00December 23rd, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Time Management|0 Comments

Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas: Part 1

Every year do you vow to downsize your Christmas decorations? To keep things simple and stress free.

Do you vow to be more organized?

Do you vow to start early, to avoid the rush?

You are not alone.

Please take a moment to watch this short video on easy Christmas Decorating Ideas.

I think you will agree that these tips will help you to have a stress-free AND merry Holiday Season.

Did you decide on your limit?

That is the first thing you need to do. How many boxes are right for you and your storage capacity?

BOX 1

The contents of this box is for all of your Christmas cards, wrap, ribbons, gift bags and spare Christmas light bulbs.

Now if you are really downsizing, you may have given up the gift giving trend. If you have, you no longer need to store gift wrap, ribbons or gift bags. Instead of gifts you might choose to do a memory making outing. For example, going to a live play, baking cookies together or going out looking at all the Christmas lights followed by a gourmet dinner.

Many people have also given up the tradition of sending Christmas cards. Instead they take the money saved from buying cards and postage and donate it to a charity of their choice. If you are like me and still like to mail cards you might want to shop right after Christmas to get your cards for the following year. You cannot beat the sales!

BOX 2

Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas Part 1 This box contains all of your decorations. Do you have a collection? When are too many Santa’s too many?

Fortunately I have a small area for my collection of Santa’s. Once I run out of room I am at my limit. No more Santa decorations for me unless I am willing to part with some of the older ones or least favorite ones.

BOX 3

The contents of this box contains all of your holiday linens such as placemats, table cloths, napkins, seasonal napkin rings, and any Christmas music CD’s.

Now I am sure you are wondering about a tree.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of easy Christmas Decorating Ideas to find out more organizing tips.

By the way, did you take advantage of your free session?

No need to wait. It is only 20 minutes. Grab a coffee and give me a call.

We can discuss how you can have easy Christmas decorating ideas. I also have a fabulous idea to share with you. What to do with the Christmas decorations you longer want and where they will go.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00December 9th, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer|0 Comments

After School Organizing Tips – you and your kids will love this one!

Do you feel like the time from after school until bed just flies by?

Do you dream of a stress free after school time frame?

Do you ever wonder how your mother did it all?

Gone are the days of walking home from school alone and then staying home alone until your parents got in from work. I guess there are the exclusive cases where this still happens, however in general I think most parents are so concerned with their child’s safety that they have them well looked after. Not to mention that there are so many more activities for kids to do these days.

When I was a kid…do you hate that saying as much as most people do? 🙂

Sorry, but when I was a kid we were allowed to attend one after school activity per week. I picked ballet and my sister picked baseball. Then one year I recall my sister picking horseback riding. That was exciting as being the youngest I got to tag along on the Saturday morning outing. I was afraid that the horses would kick me so I stayed far away and just watched.

I digress.

Please check out this short video on after school organizing tips to help get you started.

SNACKS: Did you know that between 2-3 pm is one of the universal learning times? Our bodies are at a peak which also means it is a great time for a snack. In order to be ready for this time of day you will want to be prepared and organized.

Some of the easiest snacks to have on hand are: single serving yogurts, fresh cut up fruit or vegetables, a block of cheese that you have cut up into cubes and wrapped in packages of say 4-5 cubes, little packages of crackers, protein bars (be sure to check the ingredients as some of the protein bars on the market are just glorified chocolate bars, this is not an ideal after school snack as the sugar high might get your kids fired up), pre-portioned dried fruit and nuts are one of my favorite afternoon snacks, and air popped popcorn is also a fun alternative.

Do you have any other favorite ready to go snacks for your kids? If so please share in the comment box below.

ACTIVITIES: Did you know most kids these days feel overwhelmed by how busy their schedules are? When surveyed they commented on how they wished they had more down time. Keeping that in mind, you will want to try as best as possible to plan after school activities that require the least amount of running around. For example; if you can have all of your children attend the same swimming pool for lessons all at the same time. I know this is not always possible.

What about painting classes or pottery? Volunteering at a senior’s home or the local soup kitchen. Activities that do not require as much thinking or the computer are a nice break not only for us but for kids too! This will help save some brain power for the next item on the list…

HOMEWORK: I recall having to do all of my homework before anything else. I liked that idea because the school brain was still “on” before I made room for the “play” brain. Plus I was not tired. Being tired brings on procrastination.

I think we would all agree kids have way more homework these days which requires more time. In order to have your kids organized and happy you will want to make time for homework where they do not feel rushed.

15 minutes to freedom bonus tip: Make lunches and snacks the night before. Get backpacks also ready with all school notices signed.

Have you taken advantage of your FREE session yet? Give me a call and we can discuss your organizing needs. I’ll share with you my number one saying in order to get and stay organized.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00November 25th, 2013|Organizer, Time Management|4 Comments

How to organize a large dinner party

Do you dread the holiday season and all of the large dinner parties that come with it?

Do you wish you had a magic wand and voila…dinner was on the table?

Have you changed your entertaining style over the years?

Somehow my home has become the place where all of the large dinner parties happen. This could be self induced or it could be because I have the space. Or is it habit? You know people do get use to tradition and routine. That being said, I have had to change up some of the ways in which I entertain.

There are ways to have a stress-free large dinner party. Check out this video and Getting It Together’s tips to see how.

Tip #1: Make a guest list.

Know your limit. How many people comfortably can fit around your dining room table? How many people do you feel comfortable cooking for? 6 people may be large for one person whereas 20 may not seem that large to another. I usually have between 12-14 at significant holidays. In general however, I really enjoy intimate dinner parties for 4-6.

Tip #2 Select your date and time.

Tip#3 Contact your guests with a personal invitation. Email or phone, whichever works best for you.

This is a great task to delegate to children if they are old enough.

Tip #4: Make your menu.

I like to write mine out as opposed to keeping it in my head. I keep in mind menu items that are easy and can be made in bulk. For example Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, baked beans, etc.

Tip#5: Write out your shopping list.

I wish I could get everything in one place however that does not work for the type of cooking I do, so I create a list for each of the stores I shop at. Having a list really helps with staying on course and not over shopping.

Tip #6: Make an action plan.

Take all the things you need to do and divide them up over the few days before your large dinner party. 2 days before you can do all of the grocery shopping. As you know from previous blogs I highly suggest cleaning all of your produce as soon as you bring it home and before you put it away. This is a huge time saver.

2 days before you can set your dining room table (another great task to delegate to older children).

One day before you can do all of the prep work, make desserts, etc. For example when I host Thanksgiving dinner I cook all the ingredients for the stuffing one day before putting it all together with the dried bread crumbs. I cut up all the vegetables and get all the big pots and pans out.

On the day of the large dinner party the turkey went in the oven, the stuffing went in the slow cooker, the potatoes went into the big pot and the vegetables went into the steamer.

I even had time for a nice long walk in the beautiful Vancouver sun shine and a relaxing cup of coffee out on a deck!

In the past I have done it all myself. If anyone offered to help I would say “thank you but I have it all covered”. Now when someone offers to help I jump on it.

If they would like to bring something I happily agree and give them an item that I feel would be best suited to them. For example, if one of your guests is always late you will want to delegate dessert to them. If they are the type of guest who is always on time then asking them to bring an appetizer works well.

If one of your guests is not particularly fond of cooking then give them the task of bringing fresh bread.

I have come to realize that everyone likes to contribute and that also means when it is time for clean up.

Tip #7: If no one offers to help or bring anything then it is time to delegate.

This past Thanksgiving the step granddaughters were over. They are not accustomed to offering to help yet. This is the perfect opportunity to practice delegation. They love to help and to feel important. This year Harper was so helpful with putting the cut flowers in a vase, cutting up the garlic and smashing the skore bars in preparation for Sundae Sunday. Harper is taking home economics this year and was very excited to help out.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00November 11th, 2013|Organizer, Self Care Organization, Time Management|2 Comments

How to Organize Your Passwords

Fess up! How often do you forget a password?

Do you have several different passwords you use for several different sites?

Can you imagine having just ONE password for everything?

Have you ever wished there was one secure place to store all of your passwords?

Well there is.

Check out this short video on How to Organize your Passwords for the latest Getting It Together tips.

Now that you have watched this video it is time to organize and set up all of your passwords.

Here are the four simple steps:

1. You will want to make a list of all the passwords you have and what company they are attached to.

2. Then you will want to double check that the passwords you have still works and that you still really want to be a part of that site or company. You may have set up passwords for site that you needed at one time and have since found that you no longer require that site.

I found that I had passwords set up for things I no longer needed or used. DELETE! There is no need keeping records of things you no longer need or use.

3. Next, you will want to set up your account with http://www.1password.com.

4. Lastly you input all of your passwords into http://www.1password.com

Once all your passwords are inputted you can lock it up.

The best thing about 1password.com is you can access your passwords from anywhere in the world as long as you remember your ONE and only master password.

If you feel you might forget that one master password then you will want to write it down in a secure, safe place. You might even want to write it out backwards so only you know what it means. Look how successful Oprah has been using her name backwards. Her production company is Harpo. 😀

As part of my estate organizing services I am recommending my clients write out their passwords on a piece of paper and keep it in their safety deposit box. This is helpful information that your executor might need.

What did you think of the way I use to keep my passwords?

Looking forward to hearing your comments on storing passwords. Please leave them in the box below.

Have you had your FREE session yet? If not then please pick up the phone and take full advantage of your FREE 20 minute session. We can discuss any password dilemmas you might have and or any other de-cluttering questions.

Call, text or Facetime: 604-520-9550 PST

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00October 28th, 2013|Organizer|0 Comments

What is a professional organizer?

Have you ever wondered what exactly is a professional organizer?

Have you ever wondered what does a professional organizer do?

Have you ever wondered how a professional organizer got started in the profession? (This is the question I get asked the most.)

Sign up for your FREE session here.

If you sign up for your complimentary session with me, I will share my story with you…only if you are really curious. If not, no worries we will just dive right into your challenges and how to solve them. 😀

Check out this short video on what is a professional organizer.

A Professional organizer supports, empowers and encourages their clients through the non-judgmental process of sorting, purging and storing of unwanted and wanted items. A Professional organizer provides hands-on services. A professional organizer coaches and transfers organizing skills to help clients develop appropriate and lasting solutions for their individual needs. A professional organizer follows up and is always there for you….on time.

Some of the services I specialize in are:

Residential Hands-On Organizing: De-cluttering and organizing garages, storage lockers, closets, bedrooms, kitchens, kids rooms and home offices just to name a few. I can also support and encourage you with space planning, closet design and storage solutions. And then there are the projects of sorting and organizing memorabilia and photos. Basically if it has anything to do with organizing, I do it.

Other services I provide are: time management, goal setting, packing and moving and productivity coaching.

I also conduct seminars, workshops and keynote speaking engagements.

Do you belong to a networking group, a women’s business group, business professional organization or any other association that you feel might enjoy hearing top organizing tips?

If so, please fill in the comment box below or send me an email at rowena@gettingittogether.ca. Let me know who you would like me to speak to. We can discuss topics that would best suit your organizations needs.

If you are not in the “Getting it Together” community, add your email address to the right. You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:42+00:00October 14th, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Self Care Organization, Time Management|2 Comments

Email Productivity Tips

Imagine if everyone followed the same email productivity tips.

What would our inboxes look like?

Can you imagine how much more time you would have?

How things would not be lost in translation?

Check out this short video on one of my favorite tips. Please share the love by sharing the link.

Until these top email productivity tips became a universal law we can all start be using them and sharing them.

Tip #1: The 2-3 cc law.

What this means is limit the number of people you send an email to. For example if you are in an office and the whole office needs to be in the loop of the email send it to the group. However, if the email is really designed for only a few people in the office limit it to 2 or 3 people max.

Address the “to” box to the person who needs to reply.

Address the CC to the ones who need to be in the loop but does not need to reply. (CC’s never replies.)

You may have 2 names in the “to” box and one in the “cc” or you may have one name in the “to” and 2 in the ‘cc”.

Either way, the idea is to limit the number of people you send it to and who is responsible for relying.

Tip #2: 2 pass and call.

In other words if an email gets sent to you and you do not understand it you send back an inquiry. If you still do not understand it, pick up the phone and talk to the person. This avoids a lot of miss communication and misunderstanding.

Most importantly, never discuss things of high emotional content over email. This is sure to get lost in translation.

Tip#3: Subject Line.

Be as specific as you can in the subject line. Follow this:

TIQ:

T: Topic. For example, Golf or dinner party or business meeting.

I: Issue. You are invited, or Tuesday at 3, or to discuss upcoming employment.

Q: Qualifier. Please confirm, or RSVP, or full-time employment starting Friday.

Example of what a subject line would look like: Golf on Tuesday at 3pm, please confirm if you are playing. Or,

Company business meeting on Tuesday at 3 pm to discuss full –time employment, are you available?

Tip#4: One subject per email.

Do you ever get those emails that have several questions in them for you to answer?

You start off reading it and you are thinking about answering the first question when all of a sudden your mind is in overwhelm because there are so many questions and things to think about. You end up answering only one of the questions and it usually is the last one. This makes it frustrating for the person who sent it to you.

It is better to send several emails to one person with each one only containing one subject and one or 2 questions regarding that subject.

Tip#5: Change the subject line each time you change the subject.

Don’t you hate it when you have sent an email to a person about let’s say golf and they reply. Then a day or two later they use that same email to send you a question or invite about something totally different. If this email needs to be filed it now has the wrong subject line in order for you to properly file it.

If it is sitting in your inbox you might even ignore it if the subject line is not pertaining to the subject of the email.

I would love it if this became a universal law!

Tip#6: Point form.

This tip is really helpful when sending business emails.

Have 3 points.

Point #1: Email content. Spill your heart out on whatever it is you need the person to know.

For example: I require your approval for xyz.

Point #2: Explain the issue at hand. Give more details.

For example: I would like to budget for xyz because…

Point #3: Qualify. For example: Please let me know if you approve and when I can get the funding. My deadline is… So your immediate attention would be greatly appreciated.

The person replying to the email replies under each one of your points. I like this one a lot. That way everything “should” be clear!

By using these tips I’ll bet you find your email sending and receiving will be far more productive. Please let me know your progress in the comment box below. In the meantime you will want to share these tips with all of your coworkers, friends and family so we are all on the same page when it comes to sending and receiving emails.

Just think of the time you will save and how you will spend it!

Have you signed up for your instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less? If not, enter your name and email in the box to the right.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00September 30th, 2013|Organizer, Time Management|0 Comments

A Cluttered Life – how is it affecting your relationships?

Have you ever been out with a friend or been in a business meeting and known that the other person is not giving you their undivided attention?

Or you were talking to someone on the phone and you know darn well they are not paying attention.

How does this make you feel? Have you ever been caught on the other end of the stick?

Multitasking does not pay off.

How can you stay engaged and focused when you have a cluttered mind or a cluttered life?

Check out this short video:

Did you know the mind can only focus on one thought at a time?

I was having a big meeting the other day. The person I was with had their phone on the table. Each time it buzzed beeped moved or shook she looked. These little interruptions make our would- have-been 30 minute meeting into 45 minutes. You think not so bad only an extra 15 minutes however, that all adds up. Not to mention I did not feel important or special. I was wanting to hire this person for one of my clients. Would they give my client their undivided attention?

Could this multitasking cost you a job? Could this multitasking be costing you a loving relationship? Could this multitasking be giving you a cluttered mind or a cluttered life?

A doctor was telling me that her nine year old daughter will ask her “mommy where did you just go” when she sees her mom lose attention or disengage. Imagine a nine-year-old being tuned into that. Her precious nine year old mind is not cluttered and hopefully she does not have a cluttered life.

Why not give these top 5 tips on a cluttered life a try.

Tip #1: Start by dedicating your full attention. Relationships are built on trust and you earn trust by listening and proving you are interested. If you cannot do this then rebook your time with them.

Tip#2: Turn off your phone, computer, etc. when you are in the company of others. Especially business meetings and family time.

Tip #3: Focus by really concentrating on the other person’s words. Listen to them instead of thinking about what you might say next.

Tip #4: Clear your mind of other thoughts prior to a meeting or prior to family time, by taking a few deep breaths or listening to your favorite tunes.

Tip #5: Don’t answer your phone unless you can give your full attention to the person on the other end.

Is a cluttered life hurting your relationships? Are you able to give your full attention to the person you are with? Are you able to turn off work when you get home and hang out with your kids?

Do you need to take a few minutes to change “hats?” If so, you will want to take those few minutes.

In the long run people remember how you made them feel. They do not always remember your words or actions.

Everyone has an invisible sign hanging around their neck that reads “make me feel important”…even you.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00September 13th, 2013|Organizer, Self Care Organization, Time Management|3 Comments

A Cluttered Life – what is hiding in your box?

Has this ever happened to you?

You moved from one home to another.

Prior to the move, you decide to downsize, purge and toss. You have the best of intentions. You start off in one room. Before long you are getting distracted and losing focus. All of a sudden the phone rings with a better offer on the other end. You know what I mean. You decide the better idea would be to just simply pack everything and toss/clear out the clutter when you unpack in your new pad.

Check out this short video on a cluttered life:

Fast forward.

You are in your new living space. Time goes by.

There is a box or two sitting on the sidelines. What are your thoughts each time you pass that box? Maybe you even kick it out of the way. Are you saying “I must empty the box.” “What is in that box anyway?” These thoughts are causing mind clutter.

The other day I was working with a client and such a box appeared. It had been neatly, well actually not so neatly, packed 26 years ago. One of those last-minute tossing in and go boxes. Upon opening the box we discovered unopened greeting cards from her second wedding anniversary. Inside one card was a crisp new 26 year old $20 bill. Bingo!! Let’s open all the cards. Another envelope had a cheque from her grandmother for $75. How come the grandma never questioned her out of balance bank account for 26 years? Conscious or subconscious, this box has been weighing heavy on my clients mind. Thinking about it and worrying about it takes up precious time. Not to mention paying to have it moved and storing it in the garage.

Here are my top 3 tips to helping you with a cluttered life and how to de-clutter it.

Tip #1: Take the 15 minutes to do it right. Instead of tossing things into a box simply take the 15 minutes to deal with the stuff you are about to dump into that box. Book those 15 minutes with yourself like it is a client appointment. Put this appointment right in your calendar. It is a date with yourself and the box.

Tip#2: Set up piles for keep, shred, toss, recycle or donate. Handle each piece of paper once or each item once. Putting it in one of those piles. The key factor here is to stay focused on that one task for 15 minutes. That one box. Turn off the phone, email indicator, close the door, do whatever it takes. Just think how clear your mind will feel once you have emptied that box.

Do you have more than one such box? If so, handle one box at a time in 15 minute increments.

Tip#3: Once you have your piles, you need to deal with them. The toss and recycle piles are the easiest. Donate is easy if you remember to put the items in your car and drop them off at your local charity. Shred is straight forward. Get your kids to do that for you if they are old enough or you can do it while watching TV. The keep pile is where the rubber meets the road. Take each item and deal with that item. Does it need to be filed? Does it need to be put away? Do you need to set up a system for some items?

You will be surprised at how fast you move if you have the 15 minute timer on and stay focused.

We are humans and take the path of least resistance. You do not want to do this when it comes to your boxes. In the long run it will save you so much grief and stress. Kiss a cluttered life goodbye.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00September 2nd, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments

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