Skip to content

A TV Spot I hadn’t Seen Gave me my Future

Twenty years ago, November 2000, I founded An Organized Approach. In tech terms, that’s like the Stone Age! Most people I knew didn’t have home computers. Social media popularity was still a few years away. As November 2020 ends, I…

Read more

5 Habits of Highly Organized People

We’re living in an unprecedented time due to Covid-19. We’re nearing the end of a contentious presidential election. We’ve lost control over parts of our lives. Things keep changing. Working from home. Kids being home schooled. Tempers may be shorter…

Read more

Why Do We HATE Doing Laundry?

Why is doing laundry such a third-rail issue, especially for busy moms? Some people hate doing laundry so much that dirty (or clean) clothes are scattered on floors. Yes, they get walked on. This is just a symptom of a…

Read more

Tips to Stay Positive During COVID-19

COVID-19. Coronavirus. Pandemic. Scary Words. A very scary time. But there’s an upside. Keep reading for tips to help you stay positive during COVID-19. We’re hunkered down at home. We’re worried about catching a deadly disease at the grocery store…

Read more

Make 2019 YOUR Year to Get Organized

Happy New Year! Organizing has come a long, long way since 2000 when I started An Organized Approach – most people didn’t even have home computers! According to MarketWatch.com (12.27.18): Wanting to get organized is the second of the top…

Read more

Junk Drawer: Organize it in Just 15 Minutes

Junk drawer—love it or hate it The holiday season is here. Lots to do. Too little time. You’re wrapping gifts and preparing goodie bags with name tags. But you can’t find scissors, tape or stapler in your junk drawer. Next…

Read more

6 Top Excuses for Not Getting Organized

“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Ryan Blair Entering my 19th year as an organizing consultant, I’ve heard many excuses for not getting organized. Some are legitimate reasons…

Read more

5 Mistakes That Reduce Productivity

Michael was overwhelmed when he contacted me for help to organize his office. He wasn’t satisfied with his productivity and couldn’t figure out what to do. I heard the frustration in his voice as we spoke. Having helped many people…

Read more

The Truth About OHIO

Clients have often asked me about the OHIO (Only Handle it Once) rule while organizing their papers during my 18 years as a professional organizer. When they handle papers more than once, they believe they’re doing something wrong. Thinking OHIO…

Read more

What Causes You Stress?

April is Stress Awareness Month. Do we really need to select a month to make us aware that we’re stressed? Of course not. But calling attention to stress may prompt us to make some positive changes. What is one cause…

Read more

How Well Do You Maintain Life Balance?

If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a tightrope walker, you’re not alone. When we have many demands on our time and energy, life balance can get out of control. Quickly! Take this quiz to…

Read more

Conquering Clutter Chaos Creates Calm

January is a time of beginnings – new year, new resolutions, new choices. Make 2018 YOUR year to conquer clutter chaos and gain control of your house! I define clutter as anything that takes up space without serving any real…

Read more

Is a Capsule Wardrobe Right for You?

Is rotating seasonal clothes on your to-do list? The change of seasons is a perfect time to get rid of everything that is outdated, stained, doesn’t fit or you just don’t wear. A trend called capsule wardrobe considerably decreases the…

Read more

When is Enough Stuff Enough?

I had a life-changing epiphany. It was on May 27, 1978 in the wee hours following opening day of Atlantic City’s first casino, Resorts. My then-boyfriend and I were there until the casino closed (pre-24-hour operation). We drove around Atlantic…

Read more

From Dorm to Apartment—10 Essential Tips

Guest post by Lisa S. Griffith, CPO [Here are] some hard-learned lessons from parents who have moved our millennial kids from dorms to apartments multiple times (to date: 2 kids/7 apartments over the past 6 years). And yes, when I…

Read more

17 Clever Uses For Ziploc Bags

When I was a new professional organizer in 2000 in a new industry (National Association of Professional Organizers started in 1985; a name change is about to become public), there were challenges. Lots of them. The main one? No one…

Read more

Planning on Having an Accident?

Of course not, but... You’re driving to the grocery store, a trip you’ve made a thousand times. Out of nowhere comes a car running the red light at the intersection you’re crossing – heading straight toward you! Crash!! You’re hurt,…

Read more

Is Your Kitchen Making You Fat?

Spring started March 20. Ahhh, the glorious colors and delightful smells of spring flowers. This time of year, thoughts turn to warm-weather activities, which then may turn to extra pounds gained over the winter. Maybe it’s because we’re indoors without…

Read more

Get Happy: Organize a Closet

“I feel happier, lighter, less stressed and more in control,” my clients exclaim after we organize a space. They have a sense of accomplishing something important. I literally see relief in their faces as we make progress. Spring starts on…

Read more

What’s Your Favorite Indoor Activity?

Brrrr...usually it’s cold in most of the country so we spend most of our time indoors. What’s your favorite indoor activity? I bet “reading” immediately sprang to mind. Is your book collection organized so you can find just the right…

Read more

Make 2017 YOUR Year To Get Organized-FOR GOOD!

Being disorganized is a HUGE time and money waster. It’s also stressful and exhausting. Aren’t you tired of not being able to find what you need when you need it? Being late? Forgetting things? Last-minute errands? Piles of papers, books,…

Read more

9 Sure-Fire Tips to Simplify Thanksgiving

Is Thanksgiving one of your favorite holidays? It’s definitely one of mine. When else is it OK to pile food on our plates and stuff ourselves until we can’t move? Thanksgiving is one week from today. To simplify entertaining, here…

Read more

OMG, What Do I Do First?

The first day of Fall is September 22. Work and school are back in full swing. Managing your to-dos effectively is essential to maximizing your productivity at home and work. A while back I gave a presentation called "Stop Mumbling,…

Read more

Here’s How to Rock the Rest of Your Summer

I’m a little sad. I always feel this way as summer winds down. Even though we had some scorching hot days this month, I’ll take them every time over the coldest winter days. When it’s hot, you can go out…

Read more

Do You Know What’s In Your Wallet?

My aunt’s friend Lee was driving home after having dinner with The Girls. All of a sudden she realized she didn’t have her handbag! She frantically tried to remember what was in it, especially in her wallet, but her mind went blank. Panicked,…

Read more

What Are You Really Teaching Your Kids?

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.  ~Ann Landers When I work with parents to get organized, I notice that some…

Read more

I Organized But It Didn’t Last…Why?

Today, May 17, is Pack Rat Day. To properly honor this day, you should not discard anything because it may be valuable, justify to yourself why you keep everything and go to some garage sales to get even more stuff!…

Read more

If I Only Had Spare Time, I’d…

How many times have you said that? Has it ever worked? As a professional organizer, people often tell me they don’t need professional help – they’ll clear their clutter or organize their paperwork on their own in their spare time…

Read more

Letting Go Of Sentimental Items (02.12.16)

Sunday is Valentine’s Day. Even if it is a Hallmark-created holiday, what’s the harm if it brings together people to celebrate romance? Whether or not you celebrate, Valentine’s Day tends to evoke sentimental memories—some joyful, some painful. Taking a broader…

Read more

What’s the Secret to Getting Things Done? (10-29-15)

Why can some people accomplish so much every day while others struggle to get anything done? In our I-need-everything-right-now world, we struggle with too much to do and too many demands on our time. People without effective time management skills…

Read more

Stop Saving Stuff For Your Kids

Possessions curated over a lifetime are displayed with pride around baby boomers’ homes. With their parents’ Great Depression values instilled in them, boomers are a generation of savers. Things in basements, garages, attics, closets and cabinets overflow into living spaces…

Read more

Avoid Back-To-School Chaos (08.18.15)

Transitioning from the less structured days of summer to a school routine can be challenging. But there are many ways to ease into the first days of school. Getting off to a positive start can influence confidence, attitude and aptitude. Here…

Read more

10 Top Spring Organizing Tips (05.20.15)

Here in the northeast the forecast is for a beautiful few days leading into the Memorial Day weekend. Yay! We earned it after suffering through the polar vortex last winter! Here are 10 top spring organizing tips, some or all…

Read more

Protect Your Medical Records (Feb. 24, 2015)

February is American Heart Month. That got me thinking about health in general, then about medical records. How accurate are they? Shockingly, not enough! Years ago I needed the baseline x-ray of my lumbar spine from my hospital’s radiology department…

Read more

Tired of Running Late? (November 21, 2014)

You're late—again. You should have been at the doctor's office 20 minutes ago but you were delayed by rush-hour traffic picking up your son at school. That means you'll be late getting him to the babysitter's house and meeting your…

Read more

Secrets of Success in the Kitchen (July 2014)

Did you know that July 25 is Culinarians Day? It’s a day dedicated to chefs – or anyone who cooks.  Speaking of food, I’m proud to share with you that a previous blog post (July 18, 2013) on food clutter…

Read more

Pro’s Picks for Products to Sort Papers

Paper Sorters In response to last month's post, a reader asked: "Have you seen any monthly sorters for papers?" Of course! Following are some product suggestions. This colorful, expanding desktop file sorter by Pendaflex has a slot for each day…

Read more

Dinner Without Robocalls?

Happy new year!  All my best for a happy, healthy and organized 2014! I'm celebrating the new year with a new Web site, logo and tagline. Also, my Timely Tips™ e-newsletter has morphed into a Timely Tips™ blog. I hope…

Read more
Back To Top