OverHall IT!
Vol. 3 Issue 7
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OverHall IT!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life
Circulation 3,217
Vol. 3, Issue 7
Publisher: Janet L. Hall
janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
( C ) OverHall Consulting 2002
Administration information located at end of newsletter.
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Help Me Help Others - Please pass my newsletter on to
those you know who might need or like OverHall IT!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Welcome and Happenings
2. OverHalling your Office and Home
3. Space Clearing Tip
4. Ask the OverHaller
5. Special Guest Article
6. Readers Comments
7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
9. Tips for Professional Organizers
10. Workshops
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1. Welcome and Happenings
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A special hello and welcome to those that attended my
workshop at the annual Friends of Family conference in
Ocean City! I had a wonderful time meeting you all and I
know you all had FUN!
This month we celebrate National Moving Month and we
have a wonderful article that was written by my virtual
assistant, so be sure to check it out.
Our special guest article deals with time and saying NO! A
most to read if you can't say no.
Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing Wizard
***** Do Your Employees Need Organized? *****
Call the Organizing Wizard and let her cast her "spells" on
their clutter! Janet delivers a one-of-a-kind, customized
workshop or speech. Call 800/687-3040 and book her
today!
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2. How to Have a Successful and Organized Move
By: Melissa Ott
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During the month of February, I moved from MD to NC. We
are talking about a major move. My husband and I decided
to take this task on our own.
To start we wanted to try and make this as painless on our
wallets as possible. We discovered that renting a truck in the
middle of the month and week was the most economical way
to go. We researched truck companies and found the lowest
rates. Also, reserving your truck online with some companies
will save up to an additional 20%.
So now we have our means of transporting all of our "stuff."
As we were packing we discovered an excellent way to get
rid of our "clutter." If we hadn't used it or even seen it in over
a year, away it went.
I have moved too many times and not known where anything
was the next day. This is the most frustrating thing to go
through. Not only is it frustrating, it is also a waste of time.
This time around I decided I wasn't going to put myself
through all of that unnecessary pain. I want to give you some
tips on how to move organized.
Try to find boxes that are as close to the same shape and
size as possible. This helps when packing the truck. Also, try
to get smaller boxes. These boxes will not get as heavy if
you can't put as much in them. If you are planning to do this
move on your own this will cause less stress on your back.
When you are ready to get your boxes, it is best to get them
from local grocery stores or even liquor stores. You can buy
boxes from your local moving companies as well, but these
can get expensive. I have found that boxes from liquor
stores are most helpful when packing glassware. They have
dividers in the boxes that will separate your glasses without
having to use packing material.
As for packing material, I cannot stand using newspaper. I
don't like having black newsprint on all of my dishes as well
as my hands when I am packing. I like to go to the craft store
and buy a roll of craft paper. This may not be the most
economical way, but it saves a lot of time at the new home
you are moving to. I know I certainly don't enjoy scrubbing
black newsprint off of my dishes or glassware. You can also
purchase bubble wrap or even "peanuts" but I find the craft
paper takes up less room.
You will need some colored markers. One color for each
room of the house. This helps in the unpacking stage. For
each room choose a color and use only that color for
marking the boxes that come out of that particular room.
When marking boxes all you will need to write is a number.
Instead of writing the contents on the actual box.
When you mark the boxes, keep a pen and paper handy.
This is for your master list. Keeping a master list of all your
boxes takes the confusion out of searching for what you
need. On your master list you will then list what is in each
numbered box. To give an example we will use the kitchen:
1. Glasses
2. Pots and pans
3. Plates (salad and dinner)
This will give you an idea of how to implement the master
list.
You will need to make copies of this list for the person
driving the truck in case you get separated during the drive.
When loading the truck it helps to put the boxes in order
from highest number to lowest number. This way when it's
time to unload the truck you can start at the beginning of
your list without any confusion and having to search for the
correct number.
When unloading your truck get the beds out first and set
them up.
Do this before anything else. As you are unloading the boxes
take them to the room they belong in. Don't worry about
where you set them, just as long as they are in the room
they belong in. The same goes for the furniture. Just make
sure it is in the room it is going to live in. There will be plenty
of time to set up and decorate later.
Another time and sanity saver is packing a bag. I find it best
to pack as if you are going on vacation. Pack for at least a
couple of days. Include in your bag: forks, knives, spoons,
glassware, plates, and bowls for everyone in the household.
To save a little extra money while unpacking your kitchen,
you could also pack cooking supplies if room allows.
During the process of moving you will be making a lot of
purchases relating to your move, remember to keep all of
your receipts. Some of you may even donate some of your
unwanted things to charities. If this is the case, make a list
and ask for a receipt from your chosen charity. Some, if not
all, of your moving expenses can be deducted when filing
your taxes. For more information about this, contact a tax
advisor or visit the IRS web site at
http://www.irs.gov
.
----
Melissa Ott, Virtual Assistant and
founder of Assistant For
Hire, specializes in audiotape transcribing, data entry, and
editing. Melissa is 'THE' virtual assistant to call when you or
your organization needs help maintaining harmony in your
workday.
Please visit
http://www.assistantforhire.com
or
mailto:melissa@assistantforhire.com
to see how Melissa
can help you.
Copyright © 2002 by Assistant For Hire
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce,
copy, or distribute so long as article is kept intact, this
copyright notice and full information about contacting the
author is attached.
***** Have You Gotten Your * Tickle * For The Day? *****
Check out the secret organizing tool that ALL organized
families and successful people use on a daily basis at
http://www.overhall.com/tickler_file.htm
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3. Space Clearing Tip
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In her book, "Sacred Space: Clearing and Enhancing the
Energy of Your Home," Denise Linn has this to say about
moving into your new home:
"Before you move in give your home a complete cleaning.
Wash the windows. Mop the floors. Wash down the walls.
Completely clean everything. Not only are you cleaning dirt
but you are also cleaning residual energy emanations from
the previous tenants."
To order this book, Click
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/034539769X/overhallconsulti
*****Would You Like to Be a Professional Organizer? *****
Secrets of a Professional Organizer and How-To Become
One is now available as a downloadable ebook. If you'd like
to become a professional organizer and learn what it takes
to be a business owner, then check out my new book. You
can get it TODAY as a downloadable ebook and start
working on becoming a business owner and a professional
organizer. Check it out at:
http://www.overhall.com/become_an_organizer.htm
Read what veteran organizer Kathy Paauw had to say
about this ebook:
Janet,
Wow! I just reviewed your eBook, and it is
packed with some great
information. I have not seen a more comprehensive and helpful
resource anywhere else for those who are getting an organizing
business established. Your eBook is so comprehensive that I may
recommend it to some of my non-organizer clients who are starting
a business. Congratulations on a job well done! You've obviously put
a lot into this.
I'll be recommending your eBook to the
Professional Organizers I am
coaching in their start-up businesses.
Best wishes,
Kathy Paauw, Paauwerfully Organized
Organizing/Productivity Consultant & Certified Professional Coach
www.orgcoach.net
orgcoach@gte.net
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4. Ask the OverHaller
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Dear OverHaller,
I don't know where to start. I live in Naples, Florida and my
husband won't lift a finger to help. He thinks I am being
mellow dramatic and that things aren't as bad as they look.
Well, I have completely moved out of what was supposed to
be "our bedroom" and am crammed in a small guest room
with my own clutter. His room is full of dust and cat hair and I
can't breath in there and he won't throw out piles and piles of
magazines, papers, books, boxes and clutter that he mail
ordered years ago. The bed is itchy and the closet is stuffed
to the gills. It has been this way for 8 to 9 years and it makes
for a lack of intimacy and dignity. I can't stand to live like this
and he couldn't care less about it. He said he would throw
out a stack a day, but, he has made this promise every time
we have this argument.
I hope you can suggest who I can call and trust to come in to
help me/us, (although he is in denial about needing the help)
I don't want to bring someone in who will talk about our
house or steal from us. Can you suggest anyone or anything
to help?
Signed,
Desperately Seeking Sanity
Dear Desperately Seeking Sanity,
Please know that you are not alone, this is the case in many
relationships when one grows or changes while the other is
perfectly happy with the way things are. Hopefully once you
start de-cluttering and lightening the load of the stuff you
have, your husband might see how much nicer and lighter
things are around the home. And the change in the
atmosphere and attitudes will slowly begin to change.
First, let me give you some articles to read I believe you both
can benefit from:
Awakening is a great article with exercises for the bedroom.
You can read this at http://www.overhall.com/feb2801.htm
You can do the exercises a little at a time or jump right in
and do all at once. You can also box up all your husbands
things he is not willing to part with and put in storage (or
throw them out when he is not home). Open the windows,
and vacuum and dust everything, including the bed!
Lightening the Load: Time to Stop Living With the Past can
be read at http://www.overhall.com/aug00.htm
Seven Strategies for Eliminating Clutter in Your Home can
be found at http://www.overhall.com/clutter.htm
This is an
excellent article for you both to read together.
Sober From Clutter talks about change and can be read at
http://www.overhall.com/overhall_it_issue_8.htm
And last but not least read the article When was the Last
Time at http://www.overhall.com/dec00.htm
Smiles, not Piles, Janet
*****Know WHO, Know WHEN, Know WHERE *****
Our little Red WHO, WHEN, and WHERE Home
Management Booklet is now available as a download. You
can get it RIGHT NOW on your computer by clicking
http://www.overhall.com/wwwh1.htm
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5. Guest Article:
Just Say "No"
By Dr. Donald E. Wetmore
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I used to put everyone else's requests and needs first and
if there was any time left over at the end of the day for what I
needed and wanted to do, that was acceptable. That is until I
began to realize that if you and I are going to be effective
time managers, we have to stay away from allocating our
time solely on the basis of those who demand it. Instead,
if you and I are going to be effective time managers, we
have to allocate our time on the basis of those who deserve
it.
I don't mean this in any negative or arrogant way. It's just
you have limits to the amount of time you have to spend and
so one of the most powerful words in your Time
Management vocabulary is the word, "no".
Almost everyone you encounter will think they have a better
idea about how you should be spending your time. It doesn't
make others bad. It's just the way the world works. If there is
a void in your Time Management life, someone, or many for
that matter, will jump in to fill that spot. The problem is that
they do not have the full understanding of where you
are taking your life and if you keep saying "yes", they will
continue to take up your time, possibly keeping you from
accomplishing what you really want to do.
"No" is sometimes difficult to say because you have been
taught differently. You have been taught to say, "yes", to
please, to serve, and to accommodate. There is nothing
wrong with saying "yes" most of the time, but occasionally
there is a line you choose not to cross, when saying "yes" is
really not the best use of your time to get you to where
you need and want to be.
If you had unlimited amounts of time, you could "yes" all
the time to everyone. But you don't. You have 24 hours each
day, 7 days a week for a total of 168 hours. And you get to
spend that time only once, so you have to spend it wisely.
I have listed seventeen ways here to say "no". Don't let me
put the words in your mouth. Take the ones you like, change
them around and you use the words that are comfortable for
you. The point is, if you are ever in a position when you can
never say "no", then you are always saying "yes", and like
the song says, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall
for everything".
Try these:
"I'm sorry. That's not a priority for me right now."
"I can't help you on this now, but I can get to it next
week. Would that be okay?"
"I have so much on my plate now I don't know when I can
get to it. But I do know someone over here who can help you
now."
"Before I take this on for you, let me show you a few things
so that you might be able to do it yourself."
"I have made so many commitments to others, it would be
unfair to them and you if I took on anything more at this
point."
"If I can't give you a ride to the school dance on Friday,
how else would you get there safely?"
"I don't know how soon I can help you on this, but I will
get back to you as soon as I am free to help you."
"I'm sure we're close enough that when I say "no" you'll
understand it's for a good reason."
"Sure I can help you with your request as long as we both
agree and understand that the item I agreed to do for you
yesterday is going to have to wait."
"Before I take this over from you, what do you think we
ought to do about it?"
"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I sure
can do that for you. The bad news is, I'm so overloaded with
everything else, I've become delirious and have been lying
about my commitments."
"When I get overwhelmed like I am now, I remove every third
person who asks me for something, from my "Good Friends
List" and the second person just left."
"No."
"Thanks for thinking to ask me, but, no thanks."
"I would like to help you out on this but you understand I
don't have the resources available to do the right job for
you."
"Now that's the type of thing I would love to help you on if
only I had the time."
"Just like you, I get overloaded sometimes and have to tell
some very special people, "no". This is one of those times."
And as you speak, smile.
--------
Want some easy tips to help you to get more
from your boss
without having to say "no"? Get your free copy now of "The Boss
Question". Email your request for "boss" to: mailto:ctsem@msn.com
Receive your free Timely Time Management Tips on a regular basis to
increase your personal productivity and get more out of every day? Sign
up now for your free "TIMELY TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS". Just go to:
http://www.topica.com/lists/timemanagement
and select
"subscribe".
Dr. Donald E. Wetmore-Professional Speaker
Productivity Institute-Time Management Seminars
127 Jefferson St., Stratford, CT 06615
(203) 386-8062 (800) 969-3773
fax: (203) 386-8064
email: ctsem@msn.com
Free Timely Time Management Tips:
Visit our Time Management Supersite:
http://www.balancetime.com/
Copyright 2001 You may re-print the above information in its
entirety in your publication, newsletter, or on your webpage. For
permission, please email your request for "reprint" to:
mailto:ctsem@msn.com
*********** Clean Up Your Computer TODAY***********
Running out of space on your hard drive?
Don't know how to do backups?
Want to save your documents to a different media?
Get the ebook everyone is talking about:
How-To Clean and Organize Your Computer is
available at http://www.overhall.com/clean_computer.htm
52 Pages with Screen Shots so you can easily see where
to click.
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6. Readers Comments
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Janet,
In your newsletter (vol. 3, issue 6), someone asked about
disposing of CDs audiotapes, and videotapes.
Most public libraries will accept these items (except for AOL
CDs). (My wife is a librarian at a public library, and they are
happy to accept these items. Books, too!)
If they can't use them in their collection, they'll sell them at
their next used book sale.
Regards, Ed Gold
Thanks Ed, great tip! Another place that will sometimes
take these items are used book stores.
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7. Products, Books, and Web Site Reviews
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Books:
Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an E-Book, "Winning the Fight
Between You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend.
This inexpensive ebook is filled with humor; Are you a
Pilamaniac? to step-by-step instructions on Creating Master
Lists, Master Files, and Your Master File Drawer. I urge you
all to download this inexpensive but very informative ebook
at:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
Web Sites:
FREE Pre-printed moving labels, Tips, Glossary of moving
terms, how to move with kids and pets, and more!
http://www.moving.com/guide/moving/guide.asp
Moving Time Line:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/moving_on/Edit/chart.asp
Great Information!
http://www.mayflower.com
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8. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
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>> I'm moving out/ Me and my best friend Louise got it all
figured out/ She's got the car and I've got the stereo/ I'm
saving my dollars that used to be dimes/ Getting ready,
ready for the time/ That this girl's gonna move out.
--Amie Comeaux
>> The great thing in this world is not so much where we
stand as in what direction we are moving.
--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
>> The journey of life is like a man riding a bicycle. We know
he got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at
some point he will stop and get off. We know that if he stops
moving and does not get off he will fall off.
--William Golding
>> We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing
new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps
leading us down new paths.
--Walt Disney
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9. Tips for Professional Organizers
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Attention Professional Organizers with web sites:
June 13-16, 2002 the annual Internet Marketing Super
Conference will be held in Las Vegas and featuring the
TOP Internet Marketing Experts:
Tom Antion, Terry Dean, Armand Morin, Joel Christopher,
Marlon Sanders, Robert Allen, Ted Ciuba, Jimmy Brown,
Bob Silber, Wayne Yeager, Raleigh Pinskey, ,
Frank Garon, Lori Prokop, Janet Switzer, Andrew Fox,
Lawrence Pryor, Brad Antin, Yanik Silver, Fred Gleeck,
Ted Thomas, David Ledoux,David DaVinci, Kirt
Christensen and Carl Galletti...
If your web site is just sitting there, not making you any money
or getting you any business this is the ONE and ONLY
conference you should attend this year! Check it out at:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=34921
I'll be there and hope to see you there!
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10. May Workshop
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"The Energy of Your Space
and How-to Make it Powerful":
Awaken the Energy, Power and Spirit in your home,
office, or in your life by discovering how to declutter
and organize your spaces using Professional
Organizers tips, Space Clearing and Purification,
Feng Shui, and Meditation. Learning and using these
four principles will help you live the life of your
dreams!
May 28, 2002 (7-10 PM)
The Sharing Space in Calvert County, MD
Cost $25/person
Register at
http://www.overhall.com/seminars.htm
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***** Learn How to Get FREE Publicity *****
My friend and associates Tom Antion and Joan Stewart have
put together a GREAT publicity ebook, "How to Be a Kick
Butt Publicity Hound." Learn how to get all the free publicity
you can handle with this Giant new reference training
manual. Tom and Joan reveal all their tricks and techniques
to get millions of dollars worth of free publicity. 29 Chapters
PACKED with how to's and such things as "How to Define
Your Publicity Goals, What the Media Want, Identify Story
Ideas, and much much more. Anyone that needs publicity
needs to invest in this ebook! To learn more about this or to
order, Click:
http://www.antion.com/t.cgi/123221/publicityhound.htm
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We want your Organizing, Space Clearing, Feng Shui, and
Computer tips, techniques, products to review, and
jokes in 2002, mailto:janet@overhall.com
or send to address
below.
===========================================
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall
The Organizing Wizard
http://www.overhall.com
"If your current systems aren't working for you... get an
"OverHall"!"
Janet L. Hall is the owner of OverHall Consulting, and
Organizing By Phone, which is based out of Southern
Maryland and can be reached at 800-687-3040 or
410-586-9440, or e-mail her at
mailto:janet@overhall.com
Janet can "OverHall" your office, home, and computer
clutter and can deliver a customized speech or seminar
for your next event.
Copyright (c) 2002 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263,
Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce,
copy, or distribute OverHall IT! or any articles by Janet L.
Hall so long as article(s) is kept intact, this copyright
notice, and full information about the author is attached.
ISSN # 1533-0702.
OverHall Consulting is proud to send you the bi-monthly
organizing newsletter that you have subscribed to OR
that someone has forwarded to you. If you are receiving
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free subscription, visit
http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm
Here in OverHall IT! it is my hope to help you stop
juggling areas in your life around and help you "OverHall"
the areas that might have become cluttered, ignored, or
put on the back burner. I want to help you bring back into
focus the things that are important to you. I want the
chaos to stop for you and help bring you some structure
and hopefully some useful advice and systems so you
can accomplish the most important task...running your
life!
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