Try using these simple ideas for extra storage space next time you wish you had more space in your home!
1. Under all beds – there are several options for storing items in plastic storage compartments that slide under the beds in the house. Use this space – no one will ever know it’s there but you.
2. Pocketed bed skirts - new on the market and the inside of the bed skirt has pockets which don’t show on the outside. Find these useful for lightweight storage materials, such as socks, ribbons, hosiery, etc.
3. Doors - All pantry, linen, utility, coat and bedroom closet doors can have additional space inside closet with elpha shelving products or nail clear plastic shoe hangers ($5 at Target) inside door to store additional items, including medicine, accessories, jewelry, scarves, gloves and wraps, belts, hair and body products, toys, etc. Pay lower prices for elpha like products at Home Depot or Lowe's, rather than Container Store. Also check out Ikea for great bargains on storage material.
4. China hutch – if you are not using the bottom cabinets for storing extra kitchen items, this is a great place to use.
5. File Cabinets – these days, there are a variety of decorative filing cabinets that can serve dual purposes such as end tables, desk extensions or bedside tables.
6. Shoe boxes – decorate a shoe box with your child as a fun art project on a rainy day and use this to store mail, writing cards, photos, or any loose paper item that needs a home. Label each box and categorize similar items for even more organization.
7. Tables – if you have a sofa table or buffet table that is used for decorative purposes, try storing items under the table, then making a floor length table cover with material that is affixed to the top of the table using Velcro strips on all sides to hide the contents under the table. Use this concept for messy shelving units that you want to cover.
8. Baskets – there is a variety of ways to use decorative baskets in all sizes and shapes to store all sorts of items. These can be put in clever areas for decoration and no one will know they have storage items in them. Wicker trunks serving dual coffee table purposes can also be useful.
9. Ottomans – several ottomans in all different shapes now have lids on them so they can be used for both an ottoman, side table and storage. Find these at Pier One, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
10. Shelving – find an area in your home to install economical shelving to store books, magazines, and other items. Shelves can be built with inexpensive plywood and painted a nice color. Use trim pieces for decorative flair.
Storage can be found in some very creative places in one's home. Use items for multiple purposes. Happy hunting!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sometimes there is no process....
In light of Easter weekend upon us, I thought I would share from the heart today. There is simplicity and then there is complexity. Sometimes, in our pursuit of developing a process, we make it complex, rather than simple.
As some of you know, I have been looking for a job during the last few months. All the while, I have been following advice, researching methods, and doing what appears to be the “guidelines” for this process which we'll call job seeking. As you job seekers know, there are a ton of guidelines published on the matter. Guidelines on resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, negotiation, etc. It’s overwhelming to be on the Internet or in a networking group, or in a job seeking seminar to hear the ever so many strategic moves and guidelines needed to land a job these days.
Through my networking efforts, I have met many, many new people. And during my search for doing just the right thing that everyone suggests, I have come to realize a few simple things. There is no real process to be followed by any one person in landing a job. What works for one person, will not work for another. A cover letter that is taught by the experts may not work for some. And the reason why is very simple. Until you really know yourself, what you want and what your real value is to a company, the search is impossible. Now you might think, that’s easy. “I know I want to be a salesperson because of my relationship building skills and sales records which are top notch in this industry.” But that’s just it. If we follow the standard process and standard buzz words, and maintain the corporate mentality expected of us or given to us through experience, we may fail at what the real heart of the situation may be. Our true and authentic self. Yes, we have all contributed in a major way, but so has the next person.
Finding what the true simple ingredients are that make you just the right person for this company or for God’s purpose is the key to success. Knowledge of what those ingredients are is powerful. For some it’s easy. For others it’s difficult due to their wiring, their experiences, and the way they were made by God. How do we get this knowledge? Sometimes it takes some work . But for those of you who have been in the market, have you noticed there is nothing in print about how to get this knowledge? It’s all about the other processes and procedures and “guidelines." And for someone who likes to follow, develop and write processes and procedures, this exercise may be difficult at best. But during my pursuit of following the “networking guidelines,” I met with 3 people all in this past week who have truly made a difference in my thinking on this subject. And what I received from these people is knowledge and wisdom about myself which are true gifts , better than the gift of company contacts, job leads, and help with your resume. These three people were all acting in the power of God to give me the gift of wisdom. And they were very gracious with their gifts. Now it’s my turn to act on it and to know my key ingredients and where and how they will best be served and of course to give gifts to others.
My point is this. Sometimes we can make something so complex in our search to find answers on how to do something. Process driven people want to follow and develop processes. But sometimes, it’s not about a process. It’s about ourselves.
Happy reflections on this Easter weekend!
As some of you know, I have been looking for a job during the last few months. All the while, I have been following advice, researching methods, and doing what appears to be the “guidelines” for this process which we'll call job seeking. As you job seekers know, there are a ton of guidelines published on the matter. Guidelines on resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, negotiation, etc. It’s overwhelming to be on the Internet or in a networking group, or in a job seeking seminar to hear the ever so many strategic moves and guidelines needed to land a job these days.
Through my networking efforts, I have met many, many new people. And during my search for doing just the right thing that everyone suggests, I have come to realize a few simple things. There is no real process to be followed by any one person in landing a job. What works for one person, will not work for another. A cover letter that is taught by the experts may not work for some. And the reason why is very simple. Until you really know yourself, what you want and what your real value is to a company, the search is impossible. Now you might think, that’s easy. “I know I want to be a salesperson because of my relationship building skills and sales records which are top notch in this industry.” But that’s just it. If we follow the standard process and standard buzz words, and maintain the corporate mentality expected of us or given to us through experience, we may fail at what the real heart of the situation may be. Our true and authentic self. Yes, we have all contributed in a major way, but so has the next person.
Finding what the true simple ingredients are that make you just the right person for this company or for God’s purpose is the key to success. Knowledge of what those ingredients are is powerful. For some it’s easy. For others it’s difficult due to their wiring, their experiences, and the way they were made by God. How do we get this knowledge? Sometimes it takes some work . But for those of you who have been in the market, have you noticed there is nothing in print about how to get this knowledge? It’s all about the other processes and procedures and “guidelines." And for someone who likes to follow, develop and write processes and procedures, this exercise may be difficult at best. But during my pursuit of following the “networking guidelines,” I met with 3 people all in this past week who have truly made a difference in my thinking on this subject. And what I received from these people is knowledge and wisdom about myself which are true gifts , better than the gift of company contacts, job leads, and help with your resume. These three people were all acting in the power of God to give me the gift of wisdom. And they were very gracious with their gifts. Now it’s my turn to act on it and to know my key ingredients and where and how they will best be served and of course to give gifts to others.
My point is this. Sometimes we can make something so complex in our search to find answers on how to do something. Process driven people want to follow and develop processes. But sometimes, it’s not about a process. It’s about ourselves.
Happy reflections on this Easter weekend!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Home “In-Box”
Household paperwork can add up on a daily basis. Before you know it, your kitchen table has become a gigantic in-box of paperwork and clutter. This includes kid’s school stuff, bills, catalogues, invitations, coupons, statements, church, PTA stuff, and more. Here’s how to manage the household paperwork.
1. Create a central area in your home for dealing with your mail and incoming paperwork. This “mail center” should include an in box (tray, basket, etc.), your tools for paying bills (checkbook, envelopes, stamps, etc.), a small filing system (find these at Wal-Mart or Target…could be plastic), some folders with labels to be kept in a drawer or small filing system and a trash can or shredder (the most important tool for this).
2. All paperwork such as mail, school papers, etc. goes in the in-tray. Remove mail from envelopes immediately and toss these in the trash along with all junk mail.
3. Pay bills immediately on line or with checkbook or put bills in separate file by future bill pay date.
4. For papers that contain due dates, enter into your calendar such as outlook, Google, Gmail or Covey. Kid’s events, meetings, other important dates should be recorded on a calendar. Invites can be tossed once dates are recorded. For items that need to be delegated to someone else in the household, give it to them.
5. File items into your simple filing system. Folders are labeled by categories that work for you. Keep a stack of unused folders in your mail center for adding a new category when needed. File quickly and don’t let it pile up. Toss unneeded papers. File folders could be placed in a tall basket as an option to the file cabinet. Be creative.
6. If you think you need to keep statements, file away, but be sure to toss prior month statement. Most of this information can be found on-line so toss.
7. Follow my earlier post for dealing with magazines.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Too Much Social Networking? That Depends...
Facebook, My Space, Linkedin, Twitter are all popular social networking tools. There seems to be no end to this growing trend. Some people think it's too much and could be keeping us away from other important activities. My opinion is each serves a unique purpose that can lead to relationship building, continuous learning, a good laugh and even some efficiency. But like all good things, it too can be abused and take people away from what's important like their families. Here are some reasons I believe they are good tools.
Linkedin - Everyone that knows me understands I am an avid user and fan of Linkedin. I view this tool as a way to stay in touch with professional colleagues, to advertise yourself or your business, to find business contacts, and to find answers to business related questions through the numerous professional groups found on this network. You can also look for jobs on Linkedin.
Facebook is a great tool to stay in touch with long lost friends. Simply create a profile, and your high school reunion committee will find you. This tool is dependant on an invitation being accepted by the other before the relationship begins just like Linkedin. Facebook is efficient for posting family information such as vacation pictures or your children's accomplishments. This is far more efficient than sending eMails and managing e:mail addresses. Facebook also contains professional profile information and groups that can be joined. Facebook is likely to replace Linkedin in the far future due to the higher number of users especially with the younger population.
Twitter is somewhat new to the social networking scene and very different from the others. It's not dependant on acceptance of invitations. Anyone can follow anyone. It's limited to a tag line of 140 spaces in each post. Businesses are now creating profiles which you can follow and read their headlines. You choose to follow those who you wish to follow whether this be friends, organizations, subject matter experts in any field, publishers or like minded individuals who share comments of interest to you. For instance I follow news publications and process improvement groups and individuals who are publishing articles, comments, blogs, etc. of interest to me. Interesting way to find information. Google...watch out!
Learning and keeping in touch are my primary reasons for using these tools. I find value in them because they are free, easy to use, and have huge payoffs. Once you are connected you will eliminate wasteful activities of maintaining contact lists and searching for people you use to know or work with. Not to mention, reading some of your friends' posts are a great way to laugh a little at the end of a stressful day. And we all need more laughter!
Linkedin - Everyone that knows me understands I am an avid user and fan of Linkedin. I view this tool as a way to stay in touch with professional colleagues, to advertise yourself or your business, to find business contacts, and to find answers to business related questions through the numerous professional groups found on this network. You can also look for jobs on Linkedin.
Facebook is a great tool to stay in touch with long lost friends. Simply create a profile, and your high school reunion committee will find you. This tool is dependant on an invitation being accepted by the other before the relationship begins just like Linkedin. Facebook is efficient for posting family information such as vacation pictures or your children's accomplishments. This is far more efficient than sending eMails and managing e:mail addresses. Facebook also contains professional profile information and groups that can be joined. Facebook is likely to replace Linkedin in the far future due to the higher number of users especially with the younger population.
Twitter is somewhat new to the social networking scene and very different from the others. It's not dependant on acceptance of invitations. Anyone can follow anyone. It's limited to a tag line of 140 spaces in each post. Businesses are now creating profiles which you can follow and read their headlines. You choose to follow those who you wish to follow whether this be friends, organizations, subject matter experts in any field, publishers or like minded individuals who share comments of interest to you. For instance I follow news publications and process improvement groups and individuals who are publishing articles, comments, blogs, etc. of interest to me. Interesting way to find information. Google...watch out!
Learning and keeping in touch are my primary reasons for using these tools. I find value in them because they are free, easy to use, and have huge payoffs. Once you are connected you will eliminate wasteful activities of maintaining contact lists and searching for people you use to know or work with. Not to mention, reading some of your friends' posts are a great way to laugh a little at the end of a stressful day. And we all need more laughter!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Recycle Tip 101
Who likes to take the trash out? Wouldn't it be great if we could do it less often? The answer is simple. Recycle. I was recently speaking to a friend of mine about this concept and after discussing a plan that would work in her home, she suggested I post it on my blog.
First, all paper products should be placed in a plastic tub placed in the garage or other conspicuous location. Newspapers, magazines, envelopes from opened mail, junk mail, cereal boxes, cookie boxes, etc. are all candidates for paper recycling. Flatten out your boxes to create more space in your recycle tub. Take the tub to the neighborhood recycle bins once a week.
For paper, such as mail, letters, bills, etc. that has sensitive information on it, you might consider investing in a high quality shredder which is also placed in the garage and empties into your plastic tub for recycled paper.
Plastic containers and canned items, once rinsed out, can go into a garbage can stored in your pantry or other enclosed area. Most neighborhoods will pick this up weekly outside your home if placed in the recycle trash bags purchased at the grocery stores.
Once you start practicing these great recycle habits, you will be happy about the reduced number of trips to the outside garbage can! Plus you're helping to save the environment.
First, all paper products should be placed in a plastic tub placed in the garage or other conspicuous location. Newspapers, magazines, envelopes from opened mail, junk mail, cereal boxes, cookie boxes, etc. are all candidates for paper recycling. Flatten out your boxes to create more space in your recycle tub. Take the tub to the neighborhood recycle bins once a week.
For paper, such as mail, letters, bills, etc. that has sensitive information on it, you might consider investing in a high quality shredder which is also placed in the garage and empties into your plastic tub for recycled paper.
Plastic containers and canned items, once rinsed out, can go into a garbage can stored in your pantry or other enclosed area. Most neighborhoods will pick this up weekly outside your home if placed in the recycle trash bags purchased at the grocery stores.
Once you start practicing these great recycle habits, you will be happy about the reduced number of trips to the outside garbage can! Plus you're helping to save the environment.
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