Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Find a Shredding Event

If you're looking for local paper shredding events, visit FileStoreShred.com.

On the right-hand side, scroll down and click on "Mid-Atlantic." Then scroll down to find shredding events in PA, DE, and NJ.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Great Book for "Creative Types"

Another great organizing book is Organizing for the Creative Person (Crown) by Dorothy Lehmkuhl and Dolores Cotter Lamping. Alongside their insightful text, the authors add quizzes, exercises, cartoons, and illustrations, furthering the interactivity and visual learning style of their creative readers.

One of the most useful tools is their 12-question quiz to determine if the reader is right-brained-dominant (R.B. or "Arbie") or left-brain-dominant (L.B. or "Elbie"). Nobel Prize winner Dr. Roger W. Sperry’s studies of the brain found that most people naturally depend more on one hemisphere of the brain than the other. The left hemisphere thinks in sequential order, handling logic, language, and time orientation. The right hemisphere deals with nonverbal, abstract, and holistic thoughts. Elbies may be predisposed towards linear thought and compartmentalizing, making them natural organizers, while Arbies may have trouble keeping organized.

The book begins by asking the reader to identify his/her goals. After Arbies identify goals and roadblocks, it’s just a matter of coming up with systems and learning skills that work for them.

copyright Sara Long 2009

Summer Reading

Clients and friends often ask me for suggestions on the best books to help get them organized. There are thousands out there! Here is a list of some helpful (and fun) books to add to your summer reading list.

Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern (Holt Paperbacks)
Professional Organizer Julie Morgenstern’s book is one of the most comprehensive organizing books you’ll ever read. She delves into clutter management dilemmas with wisdom and understanding. Then she takes you through space management systems room by room. This is a great first organizing book to read, especially if you are really ready to turn over a new leaf.

Taming the Paper Tiger at Home by Barbara Hemphill (Kaplan Business)
Hemphill is a renowned Professional Organizer who addresses common problems in paper management and gives you various organizing options depending on your style. Hemphill has even produced software to help you create file indexes and track paperwork. This book will revolutionize how you use your filing system. Also, to organize your work life, try Hemphill’s Taming the Paper Tiger at Work.

Time Management from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern (Holt Paperbacks)
Another great read by the great Morgenstern! This book takes you through solutions to the challenges of over-scheduling, procrastination, motivation, prioritizing, and more. For more time management solutions, read any of Harold Taylor’s books. He’s been an expert in the field for decades.

Absolutely Organized: A Mom's Guide to a No-Stress Schedule and Clutter-Free Home by Debbie Lillard (North Light Books)
Local Professional Organizer Debbie Lillard wrote a comprehensive and fun book about how to organize your family life. She offers time management and space management tips for parents of children of all ages.

Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini (Berkley)
If you feel like some lighter “beach reading” this summer, pick up Maffini’s murder mystery. Join lead character Charlotte Adams as she stumbles upon crimes during her life as a Professional Organizer. Also try Maffini’s The Cluttered Corpse and Death Loves a Messy Desk.

copyright Sara Long 2009