Get Organized: Your High-Tech Self

Do you feel like technology changes faster then you can change your underwear? How is a person to keep up and keep it all “together”? Take a ‘byte’ out of personal systems overload – try these 5 simple tips.

Getting It Together’s Top 5 Tips for the High-Tech Self

TIP #1 – Do not and I repeat – do not – answer your phone unless you can talk and/or fulfill any tasks that might come from the conversation. That means if you are in the shower, bathroom, having dinner or in a coffee line – the calls can wait. Voice mail is your friend. People everywhere feel like they’re working harder and achieving less. The discipline of checking voice mail can therefore give you the boundaries you need to put some personal sanity back into your harried day. So savor that meal. Enjoy that conversation. Respect your family. The personal dividends repaid for not answering every call far out weigh the ‘just in time’ panic cultivated by a cluttered life.

TIP #2 – Text or DM (or IM or whatever!) when you’re in private. Enjoy the moment and the people you are with while you are with them. I know what you are thinking, “yeah, but what does she know about my life and business? I have to answer all calls and texts.” That’s fine. But do it in private. Make the people you are with feel important and special. Business is about relationships. If you can’t respect the time of the people you’re with, how can they respect you?

TIP #3 – Be selective as to what you forward. You might think the email is funny but will the recipient? Ask in advance if they would like to receive jokes etc. Your friends, family and co workers might be trying to cut down on the clutter in their inboxes, too!

TIP #4 – Spell check was invented for a reason. Use it even if the email is to a friend or family member and especially in all work related correspondence.

TIP #5 – Turn off all electronic messaging devices in meetings, movies or public places. I bet you would hate for the phone to ring if you were a guest speaker at an event or trying to watch a movie while on a date. While you’re at it, use a “normal” ring tone. Nothing is more annoying than a quirky ring tone and hearing several of them at once.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond.  Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you get more organized today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

By |2024-06-24T17:44:15+00:00June 24th, 2024|Organization Tips, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Decision Fatigue by Professional Organizer Rowena List

Did you know we wake up every day with a certain number of decision neurons in our brain?

Can you believe we make approximately 35,000 conscious decisions a day?

This applies to all decisions whether they are big or small. Important or not. Try to make major decisions first thing in the day.

Are you wasting these precious neurons on trying to decide what to wear, what to eat, where is my phone, where is that important document?

These simple decisions are robbing you of precious time, energy and the ability to make bigger decisions later in the day.

Causes of decision fatigue. Stress. Clutter. Overcommitted. Workload.

Signs of decision fatigue. Tired. Brain fog. Drained. Procrastination.

The number one way to combat decision fatigue. Clear the clutter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another way to combat decision fatigue is to stay focused.

A simple way to combat decision fatigue is to simplify meals.

Did you know we make about 226 decisions just on food each day? Keeping your meals simple and healthy are key.

Keeping clothing decision simple will also help with decision fatigue.

Check out this fact filled podcast with Kim Acedo and myself on Decision Fatigue

Kim Acedo, MS, CHWC
Midlife Women’s Wellness Coach
Transformation Wellness For Women
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Podcast

P.S. Are you still feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? Contact Rowena for a free 15-minute consultation.

By |2022-03-23T19:09:02+00:00March 23rd, 2022|Self Care Organization, Uncategorized|0 Comments

How to attend a charity event in style

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADo you find yourself in the position of attending formal events?

Is it once in a lifetime? Or is it part of your norm?

If you do not attend charity events very often it can be a challenge as to how to act, what to wear, etc.

These tips could work for attending a charity event, a fancy dinner party, or work related event.

Here are my Top 5 tips on How to attend a charity event in style.

Tip#1: Know the exact time and location of the event.

Since I was a guest to this event I did not see the tickets in advanced. I relied totally on my girlfriend. I was her “date”. I picked her up and followed her instructions of going to the Bayshore Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Once we arrived I gave the valet the valet ticket. After some time he came back to us and asked if we were at the right hotel. I thought we were because of my friends instructions. To make sure, I checked the tickets. This is what any organized person would do. Ah, we were not at the right hotel. Good thing the hotel we needed was right around the corner. With a good laugh we headed off to the correct hotel. (My friend mentioned that this mix-up would make a good story one day.)

Tip#2: Arrive early, stay late.

The thing about attending a charity event is that there is usually so much going on. By the time we arrived we did not have much time to scan the silent auction items. Some of the silent auction areas had already been closed. This was fine for us however, if you want to bid on certain items it is best to get there early. Staying right to the end is the polite thing to do. Hundreds of man-hours, effort and organizing went into planning the event. It is a nice gesture to stay to the end. Plus, it makes for great people watching.

Tip#3: What to wear.

At an event of this magnitude it is always better to be overdressed. Not to worry if you do not have such an outfit in your wardrobe. Here are some fun ways to get “the look”. Anything sparkly will do. If you have a long dress this is the time to wear it. Jazz up a basic black dress with fun jewelry. If you do not have these items can you borrow from a friend or see what your local consignment store has to offer. What about hair and make-up? This is the time when you can really go all out. What fun to have an up-do or false eyelashes, etc?

See if you can score a deal with your hairdresser to not charge you for doing your hair that day. Take the money you would have paid her and donate it to the fundraiser. Same goes with getting your make-up done. I’ll bet these people would gladly go for it. ASK. They may even give you a little extra cash to toss in to the donate pot. The thing is you might want to go and buy a whole new outfit. Would you wear it again? If not, then that means you are bringing more items into your home. Plus, the money you would spend on a whole new outfit could be money you could donate to the charity event you are attending.

Tip#4: No mobile devices.

Most of the people attending a charity event are very serious about the cause. There are speakers, live actions and loads of activity going on. Not to mention the fun band. The last thing anyone wants is to hear a mobile device going off. That also includes texting. Ya, I know we live in a world of instant communication but this is not the time or place for it. I’m an old fashion kind of gal when it comes to this. I left my phone in the car.

Tip#5: Know your limit.

When attending an event like this it is always good to go with a goal in mind. How much money would you like to donate to this cause? It is so easy to get caught up in all of the excitement. You might end up with items you never intended to get. So, be very clear as to how much you would like to spend and what you would like to spend it on. The best items are the consumable ones. That way you are not bringing more stuff in to your home. The hotel packages, food baskets and spa treatments are some of my all time favorites. These also make great gifts for family and friends. Consumable gifts are the best!!

The event I attended was so glamorous. It was a fun night. The dinner was yummy and the dessert was divine. With a Paris theme you can only imagine. I was thrilled to be there and very grateful. Watching the live action was amazing. The room was filled with excitement. Hearing the heartfelt presentations was warming. I know it was a huge success for all of those who participated.

Need help with knowing what to wear, what fork is the right one to use, or which glass is yours? Please contact me for a FREE 30 minute coaching call on how to get the most form the charity event you are attending.

By |2020-06-07T20:52:39+00:00January 12th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments

How To Slow Down And Savour Your Food

How often do you stand in the kitchen and eat your meals?

How often do you miss a meal? “I’m too busy to eat.”

How often do you get indigestion?

This is all crazy making. The fact that we are too busy, too rushed or maybe to disorganized to eat properly is crazy. Eating is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies next to proper sleep and shelter. Yes it takes time, planning and preparation in order to be prepared for meal time. These ideas take just a little time and a little organization. Your body is worth it. Isn’t it?

Check out this short video on how to slow down and savor your food.

Next time you are getting ready for a meal please try these top Getting it Together’s 5 tips.

Tip#1 Stop. For just a moment and really appreciate what is on your plate. Be grateful for what you are about to eat. (Hopefully it is something really healthy and yummy.)

Tip#2 Breathe. Take a moment and really examine your breath. Are you breathing short shallow breaths or are they long deep ones. If they are short, take a minute and do 3-5 really deep breaths. This will help you to slow down and enjoy your meal.

Tip#3 Chew. Chewing slowly encourages proper digestion. Chewing slowly allows you to really savour the flavours of the food you are eating. If you are a dinner guest chewing slowly shows your host or hostess that you are appreciating the tastes and effort it took them to make the meal.

Tip#4 Sit. Even if you are dinning alone sitting at the table is so very important.

You are important so set a place for yourself. No more eating in the car, eating on the run, eating standing up or worse yet eating in front of the TV. The experts say that sitting down to meals increases your chances of losing weight. (If indeed you need/want to lose weight.)

Tip#5 Set the stage. Get yourself a nice placemat, light the candles, turn on some nice music. Turn OFF the TV. And above all please do not answer the phone unless you are expecting an emergency call.

So often I will call a home and the person claims on the other end of the phone that they are right in the middle of dinner. I have never understood why people answer their phones when they cannot talk. (That is a whole different article). I was in a home the other day and they have a big sign on the fridge: “No phones one hour prior to dinner or during.” What I love about this message is that it was written by the young daughter. Do you think she might have been frustrated by the lack of communication at her family dinner table?

Whether you are dinning with yourself or your whole family these tips are a great way to slow down, connect, savour and enjoy your food and meals.

Give these TIPS a try and let me know some of your most favourite dinning experiences.

By |2020-06-07T20:52:40+00:00September 1st, 2014|Uncategorized|0 Comments

And the lucky winner of the Getting it Together survey is…

Thank you once again to all of you who took the time to answer the Getting It Together survey!

It was so interesting reading your responses. 😀

Most everyone has the same challenges when it comes to getting and staying organized…where do I start first?

Staying focused was a big one for maximizing your productivity. This is where I can come in handy.

And if you had a magic wand, most of you would like to see your paper, paper and more paper in order.

It is so interesting how we are all so different, yet all so much the same.

Drumroll please…the lucky winner of our draw is:

Congratulations!

By |2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00August 28th, 2013|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Clearing the Clutter in your Mental/Emotional House

clearing the clutter in your mental/emotional houseBillion dollar industries have sprung from our obsessive compulsion to hold onto stuff. New services such as Professional Organizing and U-Store It facilities are making big profits helping us deal with all the things we amass, but they’re doing nothing to help us eliminate the core cause of this behavior.

Brian Tracy, a leading personal empowerment expert says that our outer world is a reflection of our inner world. If our outer world is filled to overflowing with stuff, it’s reflecting the mental and emotional baggage we hold inside. Before we can effectively and permanently clear the clutter in our physical space, we need to clear the inner clutter.

Every negative thought or feeling we have about this stuff zaps our energy, lowers our self-esteem, erodes our self-confidence and leads to ineffectiveness. Let’s take a walk through our mental and emotional house and look for ways to clear this clutter.

The Living Room: Unfinished Business

These are all the commitments we’ve made and haven’t completed on. They could be related to you making a living, or personal in nature. Start by listing all your incompletes. Next decide which ones still offer some form of gain when completed. Now re-commit to completing these and begin scheduling time to chip away at them. The remaining items, the ones you feel have low or no value to you now, must be let go. Bless them for reminding you to be discerning with your  commitments and then burn the list. Affirm your freedom to choose what you will and will not do.

The Kitchen: Indecision

We might try to fool ourselves by saying these are ‘Food for Thought’, however, indecision in the mind is like indigestion in the body. It blocks up our flow and creates tremendous stress. Open all those junk drawers exposing the things you’ve been thinking about doing but haven’t taken action on. Turn your thoughts toward what you want to achieve and make a decision to act from where you are now. Are you afraid of making a mistake? Statistics say that roughly 80% of our daily decisions turn out to be not the best we could have made. Remind yourself of this and simply make a new decision knowing there is always something to be gained in every experience.

The Bathroom: Fear, Insecurity, Blame, Shame and Guilt

These are the thoughts and feelings that really stink and are creating grime and slime that’s hard to live with. Examine your thoughts and beliefs to discover the underlying cause of such feelings. What are you afraid of exposing? Where are you not being responsible for what shows up in your life? Whose moral code have you violated – yours or someone else’s? What do you need to do differently to release these offensive thoughts? Answering these questions will go a long way toward clearing away the scum that has you feeling low.

The Master Bedroom: Regrets and Withheld Apologies

How can you get a good night’s rest when thoughts of regrets or withheld apologies are stressing your mind? There is no peace, no rest. I’m reminded of the saying “You’ve made your bed now lie in it.” I’d like to change the last bit to read “now truth in it.” Tell yourself the truth. What has caused you to feel disappointed, to regret your actions or inactions? Do you want to make things right? If so, giving apologies are a great way to put clean sheets on the bed. Regretted inactions can be cleared, even if the people involved are no longer in your life. Choose someone else who could appreciate the gesture and take the action with them.

The Spare Room: Resentment and Grudges

These accumulate in the spare room because we’ve decided the relationship we’ve had with the person involved is dispensable, but we’re keeping them as spares. To clear these emotional energy blocks begin by forgiving yourself and the others. Love is For Giving and when we resent, the love is quite literally sent back; not received. Examine each grudge or resentment for any lessons that will serve going forward. Ask yourself what you’ve lost and/or gained from holding onto these. Are you willing to accept this person, or is it time to cut the ties, setting yourself and them free? I find it helps to write all my thoughts about these in a letter. If I want to recommit to the relationship, I communicate what I’ve written. If I do not, I burn the letter, allowing the Universe to set us both free.

The Workshop: Broken Promises

Go into the workshop to repair damage done by broken promises. These could be promises made to you or to others. Recall what motivated you to make the promise and what occurred that stopped you from keeping it. Are you willing to make amends and can you do it? What would the benefit of keeping this promise have given you or the other person? Is there still a way you can create this, or an equally valuable benefit now? If so, make a plan and do it. If not, offer an apology as soon as possible by communicating your feelings and the reasons behind them to the people involved – it’s never too late to ask for another chance. Again, remember to offer forgiveness and to express your gratitude for receiving forgiveness when you get it.

Doing the work of clearing the clutter in your mental/emotional house will bring you an amazing sense of freedom, power and grace.

You will begin feeling  light, happy, calm and confident. All efforts build your self esteem and create an aura of attractive energy for you that will be felt by others in your presence. Not only will your physical space be more naturally cleaned up, you may even find you’ll shed extra body weight as well as chronic health conditions or pain.

Your Clearing Toolbox:

There are many more tools and techniques you can use to make this work a little easier. Consider having your physical space cleared of energetic toxic waste left
over from conflicts, accidents, illnesses and injuries. Take sea salt baths regularly. Meditate either silently or with music designed to help you release any of the stagnant, heavy or dark energy within you. Keep a journal of you daily thoughts, feelings, awareness’s & celebrations.

Energy healing sessions are a great way to help you feel grounded, relaxed and confident while you do the decluttering. Ask for help and expect to receive it.
This is great work you’re doing and I would love to help you clean up the mess you’re in. Please do not hesitate to call me if you feel I could be of service to you, or someone you know.

Love blessings to you, Debra Taylor – Transformation Coach, Drum Reiki Master
www.walkingyourtalk.ca

By |2020-06-07T20:52:44+00:00April 29th, 2013|Uncategorized|2 Comments

Best Bran Muffin Recipe

How would you like to have 6 weeks’ worth of bran muffin mixture in your fridge?

How would your family like hot, fresh muffins in the morning?

We all know that one of the best organizing tips is to cook or bake in bulk. It takes no more time to make a huge pot of soup as it does a small one. You still have to cut up the veggies, etc. Each time I make this best bran muffin recipe ever I think of you, my readers. You might have seen this recipe in the past or maybe you are seeing it for the first time. Either way, I have updated it, made it healthier and added a twist. My mom says “she thinks she could sing after eating one because of all the nuts and seeds.”

Try this simple recipe and be ready to make it again and again. It is LOW fat and no added sugar.

Best Bran Muffin recipe ever

2 cups All bran cereal

2 cups Boiling water

1 tsp Salt

Bran muffin recipeCombine in a large bowl or plastic tub (remember it needs to fit in the fridge for up to 6 weeks)

Next

In a mixing bowl cream together:

1 cup Cooking oil

4 Eggs

4 1/3 cups Buttermilk (equals the 1 liter container) I use the low fat kind.

Add this mixture to the above cereal mixture

Lastly

Add these remaining ingredients to your above big bowl of mixture

5 cups flour (I use spelt or whole wheat)

4 cups Natural Bran

3 tbsp Baking soda

Let this mixture stand overnight in the fridge.

When you are ready to bake some muffins, simply put a small amount of the mixture in a bowl (the large batch might separate while in the fridge. Not to worry just give it a good stir).  Add whatever you like. For example: cinnamon, dried fruit, hemp hearts, flax seeds, nuts, applesauce. Get creative. No two batches need to be the same. Make sure it is muffin recipe consistency. Not too moist and runny. Bake filled greased muffin cups ¾ full at 400 F (200 C) for about 20-30 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean.

Bran muffin recipeI love the new silicone muffin cups. You do not need the grease or the paper liners. They are the best invention.

I would love to hear what you put in your muffins. Please leave me a comment below.

For quicker, great bulk cooking ideas please contact me for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation. I will give you ideas and suggestions on how to move forward in a more organized bulk-cooking way.

 

By |2020-06-07T20:52:45+00:00September 10th, 2012|Uncategorized|0 Comments

5 Simple Steps to Get Your New Year Organized: Stick with Those Resolutions!

Do you make resolutions each year?

How long do you stick with these new plans?

You can have New Year’s Resolutions and stick with them! In order to reach your specific goals it is vital to have an organized plan in mind. Did you know the number 2 resolution is to get more organized? I love it!

Below are 5 simple steps on how to get your New Year Organized and off to a fresh start.  Make this New Year your best one yet.

Step #1: Schedule an appointment with yourself and set aside an hour one afternoon or evening. Go to a location that makes you feel inspired. This could be your own living room or maybe it is someplace near the ocean or even the library. Make sure it is quiet.

Get your favorite holiday beverage, nice pen and paper. I like doing this activity long before Jan 1st. That way I have time to digest the changes, dreams, and goals I am going to plan on.

Step #2: Begin by writing or drawing your thoughts and ideas. You do not have to be an artist. It can even be stick people.

Write and/or draw all the things in your mind that you would like to see for yourself. Dreams and goals you would like to see for your personal life, health, career, and spiritually. I like to use lots of colour as it inspires me, give it a try. Why not use a different colour for each area of your life?

Step #3: Put some dates next to each drawing or word that you have written down. For example, the number one New Year’s resolution is health, including weight loss, quitting smoking, or an exercise plan.

If this is on your sheet of paper put a date beside when you would like to lose that extra ten pounds (just make sure you are realistic with your goal date!). Focus on what you can have, not on what you cannot.

Step #4: Tell a friend or trusted resolution partner. One of the best ways to stay accountable is to have an accountability buddy.  You can keep each other on track with your goals and resolutions.

You can help each other out with ideas and suggestions on how to reach your dreams, goals and resolutions. Make a list of what you have accomplished so far to date.

Step #5: Keep it simple. If you set too many resolutions at one time you may find it challenging to reach them all. Take one goal from your list and work on that one. Once you are in the new habit (exercising or stopped smoking, for example) then you can work on the next one from your list.

Your resolutions need to be yours, not what you think other people want for you. They need to be very specific. They need to be realistic to you and your lifestyle. Just because the person sitting beside you can run a marathon, does not mean you can or want to. You have to consider your own lifestyle, your body and your time commitment.

This summer I had set a goal (I do not always wait till Jan 1st to set all my goals, I set some during the year as well) to start training for a half marathon. I thought this would be a cool thing to do for my 50th Birthday in July. Well my body is saying no way, no how are you going to be a runner. The pain is not worth it. Time to set a new accomplishment for my 50th. I’ll keep you posted.

How would you like a FREE 30 minute coaching call on how to move forward with your dreams, goals and resolutions? We will discuss systems and strategies that will help you move forward. Please contact me and we will set up a phone date.  www.gettingittogether.ca

Here’s to your success!

Rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

www.gettingittogether.ca

By |2020-06-07T20:52:50+00:00December 27th, 2011|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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