When Can I Stop Organizing?

I get this question A LOT. Someone writes to me and wonders when they are done organizing? When are they finally considered organized?

The truth is that organizing is like a lot of other things in life. For example, once you work out several times a week are you considered healthy and in shape? Possibly. But does that mean that you can stop working out. Probably not.

The trick, if you want to call it that, to getting organized for life is to do it 'right' the first time.  Now, by 'right,' I mean in a way that works for you and the life you live.  It is really important to organize to your own style (as I mentioned last week).

I'm sure you will always be adding new things to your life and hopefully removing things you no longer need as well.  That being said, the actual act of organizing can come to an end, but the process never does.

Things may get messy and out of control from time to time. But when everything has a place where it belongs, clean up is quick and easy. You just need to put it away, not decide where it goes. The deciding is the time consuming part. If you do that right the first time then the hard part has been done.

The systems you put in place when you organize will also need to be maintained.  This maintenance and the addition of new items is the never-ending part of organizing.

You can have the most incredible filing system in the world.  You can always find what you're looking for.  It is easy to put things away.  It is absolutely perfect for you in every way.  However, if you keep using it and filing into it, eventually the drawers will become stuffed.  That's when the piling begins!  That's when it feels like it's not working.

The thing you have to realize is when you set up systems in your office or anywhere else you need to maintain them.

More on maintenance later... 

Happy Organizing!

Way Too Many Business Cards

I’ll bet you do a lot of networking and have piles and piles of business cards. Rubberbanded stacks in every drawer and on every surface in your office. Yet when you need one you can never find it, right?

How do you get them under control and keep them that way?

The first thing to do is to decide is if you really need to keep the cards.  There are only three reasons to keep a card:

1.        You want to use their services.

2.        You want to refer them business.

3.        You want to call on them for some reason or other.

Once you have decided which cards you will keep the next step is to sort them.

In order to sort the cards you need to figure out what criteria you use when you go looking for a card.  Do you remember people by their name, their business type, their business name, what color they wore or perhaps where you met them?  Whatever method it is you use to remember them is how you need to sort them.

Once they are all sorted the next step is to store them.  There are several ways that you can store the cards:

• You can store them in the box you received your business cards.
• You can store them in the box top from your personal sized checks.
• You can use a Rolodex or other card file.
• You can type them into a database on your computer.  Note: if you use a database you really can throw the cards away. (Unless you need them to give away when you refer).
• You can scan them into your computer with one of the many business card scanners on the market.
• If you need to carry them with you, you can put them in a business card book or a three-ring binder with business card pages in it.
• The Container Store has a business card box with dividers. (see below)

You will need to make dividers or categories for whichever method you choose.  Use the criteria you decided upon in the previous step to come up with the names for the dividers or categories.  This is very important because that is how you will know where to look for them when you need them!  Usually it is most efficient to alphabetize them behind their dividers.

If you use one of the box methods for storage you can use Post-Its to divide the sections.  Use them upside down and leave a part sticking out to write your category name on it.  You could also cut an index card to fit the box so it sticks up a little for a divider.

Once you have your system set up be sure to schedule time periodically to file your new cards and purge the old ones.

Happy Organizing!

WANT TO USE THIS IN YOUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE OR BLOG?  

You can, as long as you use it in its entirety and include this info: Beth Sharkey Flarida is the owner of Get It Together. She is a Productivity Consultant, Efficiency Expert and Professional Organizer for business. Being productive is not one size fits all! Beth has helped 1000s businesses find the systems that work for them and she can do the same for you! Visit http://www.GetBeth.com. 

MEGA Secrets Revealed!

Last week it was my pleasure to tell you about IAWBO's Birthday celebration and invite you to be one of the 10,000+ women to benefit from the Virtual Gift Bag the organization put together for Women in business online... (and men, feel free to share this with the women in your life). 1000s have claimed their gift bags. Help us reach our goal of 10,000+!

Did you get yours? Click here now!

This week, I want you to know there is more, beyond the gift bag
... and time is running out!

We've gone the extra mile to give you and your business every possible chance to realize success quickly!

In addition to the free virtual gift bag we have co-created a MEGA Online Success Package ...

It's an exclusive bundle of thirty (30) best-selling products. A MEGA package at a MINI price!

You've got to see what's inside!

Here's a tiny peek at just 8 of the 30 products you'll have access to:

* Heather Dominick's EnergyRICH Prospects to Profit Process™
* How to Ask for Money Quick Start Program from Barbara Bellissimo
* How to do your own PR from Elena Verlee
* Get Clear System from Debbie LaChusa
* 14 Step Getting Clients System from Jennifer Davey
* Big Self Series from Laura West
* Online Marketing & Organic SEO Acceleration Course from Jennifer Bourn
* Your Personal Wealthy Mindset Blueprint from Linda P. Jones

And this is just scratching the surface! There are 22 more products included.

Just imagine how access to this valuable information will impact your business. You'll be able to dip into the package whenever you're stuck or want to leap to the next level.

Now, if you were to purchase each item separately it would cost more than $5000.00

But that's not what you'll pay. Not even close to that...

For the month of September only you'll get the whole kit and caboodle for just $297.00 (Yes, all 30 products!)

And it gets better... (I know, how is that even possible right?!)

When you get the MEGA Package before September 15th you can save an additional $100 when you use the Coupon Code: ACTION

The deal of the century is waiting for you: click here.

Are you ready to achieve more online in record time? Run - don't walk - and get your MEGA package now!

WANT TO USE THIS IN YOUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE OR BLOG?  

You can, as long as you use it in its entirety and include this info: Beth Sharkey Flarida is the owner of Get It Together. She is a Productivity Consultant, Efficiency Expert and Professional Organizer for business. Being productive is not one size fits all! Beth has helped 1000s businesses find the systems that work for them and she can do the same for you! Visit http://www.GetBeth.com.