OverHall IT!
Vol. 5 Issue 2
Just reading this newsletter won't get you organized...
YOU must take some action!
Welcome new subscribers!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life - OverHall IT!
Circulation 5,999
Vol. 5 Issue 2
Publisher: Janet L. Hall
mailto:janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
(c) OverHall Consulting 2004
Administration information located at end of newsletter
Help Me Help Others Heal Their Environments and Get
Organized - Please forward my newsletter onto those you know
who might need or like OverHall IT!
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome and Happenings
2. OverHalling and Balance
3. Guest Article
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
6. Tips for Professional Organizers
7. Events
1. Welcome and Happenings
Spring is finally in the air and last Friday I got the urge to do
some cleaning and organizing in my home office. I thought, why
not write a step by step article for my readers and that's exactly
what I did. If you don't have a home office you can still benefit
from reading my article in the OverHalling and Balance column.
Important Notice: Thanks to all that re-subscribed again at my
web site. I did my best to take you off the old list so I hope you
don't get the newsletter twice. If you do, just let me know and I'll
take care of right away.
LAST CALL! I still have some bargain basement phone
coaching slots open so hurry and sign up for one, two, or three
before March 12th. We can do the phone sessions anytime;
however to get coaching with me at these ridiculously low prices
you must sign up before March 12th.
Go to
http://www.overhall.com/Consulting.htm NOW to sign up
and then come back and finish reading the newsletter.
Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Now, on to the articles!
2. How-To Put Some Spring Back Into Your Office:
Seven Steps to Creating a Clean and Organized Home Office
by: Janet L. Hall
Step 1: Make an Appointment With Yourself
Decide what day, evening and time you will do your clean and
organize AND how long you will work on your office.
I decided to clean and organize my office until it was completed.
It took me about 2-3 hours. Your might not have a full 2-3 hours
at one time, or yours might take longer then mine, so work one
area or wall a day until completed.
I highly recommend that you make the time to do as much as you
can in one day. If you don't you will probably never finish....until
next time.
Step 2: Prepare and Gather Your Tools
Gather up your cleaning tools: broom (good for reaching
cobwebs), feather duster, polish and polish rag, window cleaner
and paper towels, vacuum cleaner or mop and pail, garbage,
recycling, and donate containers.
Step 3: Set the Mood
Select music to play while you're cleaning and organizing. I like
to play different types of music and sometimes will select music
that I haven't listened to in awhile.
Select some incense or a scented candle to burn while you are
working.
=>Two great scents to evoke a clean feeling is orange or
lemon.
=>Some scents to help reduce any stress or overwhelm you
might feel while doing these tasks are mint, lavender, marjoram,
melissa, rosemary, and eucalyptus.
=>Lime will help elevate your mood and basil will help cheer
you.
Try different ones, find the one that suits you and enjoy.
Step 4: Where and How to Start Cleaning
Stand at the threshold of your room and start on the left hand
wall. You'll be working your away around the room in a
'productive' clockwise motion.
==>Cobwebs, Bugs and Dust
I believe cobwebs can represent your thoughts being so
wrapped up in different tasks, like the spider wrapping it's prey,
that you become disfoucsed on what's important and unable to
move toward your goals. You're stuck like the spider's prey.
For myself I generally will not kill bugs. I will either take them
outside, usually a lady bug or spider unless they become real
annoying, like a fly. If I can't manage to shoo them out the door
then I use my friend Paula's saying, "Fly, if you haven't met Jesus
yet you're about to." Swat.
Dust can hold the chaos of your yesterdays and serve as a
reminder that you haven't dusted in awhile. Some look at having
dust as a sign of laziness and uncaring. Some, like myself, have
more important things to do <LOL>. I always tell people they
can drop in and visit me anytime; however if they want to visit
my house make an appointment because I'm not a duster. I do
dust; however not daily or weekly.
Okay. Ready? Let's get rid of all the cobwebs, bugs, and dust!
=>Sweep your broom against the ceiling from corner to corner
and don't forget to sweep down the corners, real good, because
fuzzy little cobwebs like to live in those dark corners.
=>If you have a closet in your office don't forget to sweep inside
that ceiling space and corners.
=>Sweep or feather dust the walls, around all your window
casements and sills, under your furniture, especially your desk
and chair, and all four baseboards.
=>If you have ceiling beams don't forget to sweep on each side
of them and in their corners.
=>If you have a ceiling fan don't forget to sweep/dust the fan
blades.
=>Remove window screens and wash to remove cobwebs,
bugs, dust, or nicotine, if you are a smoker.
=>Take all window coverings, cushions, pillows, and throw
carpets outside. Shake out or beat them with your hands or
broom (make sure you have gotten all the cobwebs and bugs off
your broom before you do this). Set them out in the sun to bring
some Yang energy back into your office. If any of the above
items need to be washed (have they ever been washed?) throw
them in your washer now.
=>Dust and polish all your furniture. Clean all your surface
areas, lamps and lighting, and under the furniture. Don't forget to
dust the light bulbs and while you're at it add a drop or two of
the scent you are using. For awhile, each time you have the light
on, the heat from the light bulb will act as a diffuser, causing the
scent to be dispelled throughout your office.
=>Clean your computer. Don't forget to dust off your
keyboard, monitor, and CPU. You can purchase special little
dust blowers or vacuums for around the keys and fans.
==>Plants and Fountains
=>If you have plants in your home office, trim and prune, making
sure you remove all dead leaves, flowers, and limbs. Give your
plants a healthy drink of water with a growth enhancer mixed in.
=>If you have a fountain, empty all the water and give the
fountain, stones, and pump a good soaking in hot soapy water. If
you have hard water build up place these items in the sink.
Sprinkle baking powder all over and then pour on white vinegar.
The solution will start to bubble, yet it's safe, no fumes. Rinse
completely before using again. Don't forget to clean that little
filter inside your pump.
==>Vacuum, sweep, and/or mop your office floor.
Tip: I highly recommend you do all the above tasks at least every
other week so you and your space don't become stuck and
stagnant.
Step 5: Where and How to Start Organizing
==>Desk and Drawers
=>I recommend that you start with my desk top. Take
everything off your desk top and only put back what you use
daily. Don't forget to dust if you haven't already.
=>Empty a drawer at a time. Only put back what you use or
refer to on a daily or weekly basis, storing like items with like
items. Make sure you wipe the inside of your desk drawers to
remove any dust or grime.
==>Cords and Wires
Bundle up and organize your computer cords or wires,
phone lines, and any other electrical wires. You can either use a
wire tie or a tube to keep your wires neat, safe, and organized.
Check out
http://www.overhall.com/organize_living_space.htm
for the one I recommend.
==>Computer CD and Disks
For all your computer disks or CD's I recommend making a
computer notebook to store them in. Toss out all the boxes you
might have saved from your software programs. Get a three-
ringed notebook and purchase three ringed CD or Disk Sheets.
Don't forget to store any key codes or pass codes with the CD
or Disk. You can also store instructions and manuals in this
notebook. Your local office supply store should carry CD and
disk sheets that hold 2 to four to a sheet.
==>Bookcases
If you have bookcases remove all the books and dust off
the shelves. Place like books with like books back on the
shelves. This way you can easily and effortlessly find what you
need when needed. Only put books back that you use, refer to,
or are reading. Donate the rest to your local library or a shelter.
Step 6: Look Outside
This task I decided to do when the weather warmed up;
however I wanted to mention it now. After all it might be nice
and warm where you are...wish I was there!
=>Look out your windows. What do you see? Can you even
see clearly out your windows. Wash your windows inside and
out.
=>Do you see any overgrowth? Cut it back or down.
=>Do you see garbage, garbage can or recycling? Pick it up,
remove it, or move to a different location where it's not visible to
you.
=>Do you see cobwebs or dead bugs? I have an extension off
my back windows so I have an overhang where I can see all the
cobwebs and spider sacs plus some old bees nests, which I'll
save and give to my grand children. Let's water spray or knock
them down with your broom on the outside of the house.
Don't neglect what you can see and don't like looking at. Take
care of those items as soon as possible.
Step 7: Organizing Your Papers and Files
The one thing I didn't touch on yet is your paper files. If you
would like help with your office paper, files, and other office
related organizing then please check out my 3 set audio tape,
How to OverHall Your Office so You Can Make More Money
and workbook at:
http://www.overhall.com/Overhall_Your_Office.htm
This normally sells for $34.95; however until April 15th you can
get $10 off so I can help you get your office more organized for
spring.
I'm also in the process of putting together an e-mail course for
sorting and organizing your home papers and files. If you would
like to be notified or would like more information about this
upcoming e-mail course, please e-mail me and let me know at
janet@overhall.com
3. Goals for an Orderly Home
by: Inez Haythorn
Do you find yourself like most moms today, so busy and driven
that your life seems to be snowballing towards a crash? Most of
us either work at home, or outside the home, or maybe even
both. On top of that we have housework, laundry, meals to
prepare, and dishes to wash. In addition, there is the awesome
responsibility of raising good kids. We teach, train, help with
homework, take them to ball games, music, and dance lessons.
Oh, how could I forget - time with husbands, too!
Several years ago, I found myself very much caught up in the
busyness of all this. My family and I needed more order in our
lives, but couldn't seem to accomplish it. So I decided that I
would write out a list of goals that were truly important to the
welfare - spiritual, physical, and emotional - of my family. This
enabled me to set up priorities, and it gave my children more of
the structure they needed at home.
This was the list of goals for my home:
1. A calm, structured household.
2. A place of warmth, love, and kindness.
3. A "reasonably" clean, neat house.
4. Good, nutritious meals at regular times.
5. Regular schedules and routines for homework and chores.
6. Regular bedtimes. This is a hard one. We are all night owls!
7. Daily reading together, when my children were young.
8. A time of family prayer and Bible reading before bed.
I can't say that we have always achieved all these goals.
Sometimes the meals and bedtimes still get a little off schedule,
or the laundry piles up. Yet an orderly home can result in an
orderly life, making the whole family healthier, happier, and more
productive.
=============
Inez Haythorn is a Christian wife, mother, elementary school
teacher, pianist, and freelance writer. Her main writing interests
are Christian writing, and writing about lifestyles and memoirs of
the past. She is the publisher of Christian Family Treasures,
Heirloom Memories, and Cherished Collections. Her goal is to
glorify and honor God, and bless and help others. Copyright
2003. All rights reserved.
http://www.christianfamilytreasures.com
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
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
Web Sites:
Professional Organizer, Kathy Schlegel of
http://www.organizedenough.com helps parents of children with
ADD/ADHD with time management, study skills and homework
help. Connect With Kathy Today!
Professional Organizer, Shirley Green of Personal Records
Organizer, has the BEST product I've seen in a long time, Pink
Sheet. This easy to use one page, double sided emergency
medical sheet is a MUST have for any age. Check it out at:
http://tinyurl.com/3g735
I offer Feng Shui consultations via phone and email; however if
you are looking for a Feng Shui practitioner to come to your
home or business outside of the DC Metro area then check out
The Feng Shui Institute International web site at:
http://www.fengshui-ii.org to locate a practitioner in your area.
E-books and Books:
Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an ebook, "Winning the Fight Against
You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend. This inexpensive
52 page ebook is jammed packed with time saving tips so you
can get more done in less time. I urge you all to download this at
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
>>Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience.
Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.
--Hal Borland
>>Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be
unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood
summer beside a lake in the mountains...
--Diane Ackerman
>>It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to
save the environment.
--Ansel Adams
>>People from a planet without flowers would think we must be
mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.
--Iris Murdoch
So you want to be a Professional Organizer?
Check out my one-of-a-kind system, The Wizard's Professional
Organizers System that will give you a jump-start on your
organizing career at
http://www.overhall.com/professional_organizers_system.htm
6. Tips for Professional Organizers
Are you getting the education, training, or coaching you need for
your professional organizing business offline and online to be
successful?
Did you know:
A. The National Association of Professional Organizers holds an
annual conference, generally the first week of May. Have you
ever attended? You do not need to be a member of NAPO to
attend. Check it out at
http://www.napo.net
B. Many NAPO chapters offer mini one day conferences and
continued education at their chapter meetings. Have you ever
attended one? Check out
http://napo.net/member/form.html to
locate a NAPO chapter in your area.
The end of this month I'll be presenting at the DC Metro
Chapters Spring Conference. Check it out at:
http://www.dcorganizers.org
C. Many professional organizers hire veteran organizers to help
them set up their business and/or grow their business. Have you?
Check us out at:
http://www.overhall.com/organizers_tools.htm
D. Many professional organizers forget about or neglect doing
PR for their business. My friend and associate, Joan Stewart of
The Publicity Hound, has 47 Digital Special Reports regarding
PR for only $9 each! Each report is at least 5 pages single-
spaced and packed with dozens of valuable tips compiled from
Joan Stewart's newsletters, workshops and consulting business.
Download the reports as soon as you order and be reading them
within minutes. Check them out at:
http://www.marketerschoice.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=88380
and click on Special Reports.
E. Many professional organizers either 1) do not have a web
site, 2) pay someone a lot of money to design, create, and
update their web site or 3) aren't interested in having their
business on the Internet. Did you know that in the search engine,
overture.com, for the month of January 9,464 people searched
for the phrase professional organizer?
Today I want to focus on E and you need to also to help you
create a more valuable and successful business.
I've had my web site since 1999. I created and designed my site
by myself, with a little help when needed, and have COMPLETE
control over my web site. I can add events, products, and pages
to my web site and make changes whenever I want to, even in
the middle of the night.
I've been trained by and continue to be trained by some of the
best in the field of Internet Marketing: Tom Antion, Corey Rudl,
and Mark Joyner. I purchase and study everything they put out. I
invest in myself and my online organizing business because that's
where people are looking for an organizer, on the Internet.
Remember, in January alone in the search engine, overture.com,
9,464 people searched for the phrase professional organizer.
Did they find you? Not if you don't have a web site OR not if
your web site doesn't get good rankings.
If you're ready to take back control of your web site or start a
web site then you're in luck. I offer coaching and training to
jump-start your Internet business. When you work with me I
pass down to you everything I learn and pay thousands and
thousands of dollars for at a very reasonable cost to you.
If your interested in professional training and learning what works
and doesn't, please visit my sister web site
http://www.gurusofinternetmarketing.com I offer 1-2 hour
FrontPage training, sell domain and hosting, and offer a six
month and one year program for your offline and online
organizing business.
In this day and age running your organizing business completely
offline is foolish and you are losing money! Call me today if
you're ready to go online at 1-800-687-3040 or visit
http://www.gurusofinternetmarketing.com
7. Events-Hear me or See me:
Saturday, March 27, 2004 8:30 a.m.— 4:00 p.m. (EST)
Greenbelt Marriott Greenbelt, Maryland
Putting the “Professional ” in Professional Organizing
Fee and Open to Public
http://www.dcorganizers.org
Monday, March 29, 2004 9:00 a.m.--10:00 a.m. (PST)
Radio interview with host, Bridget Beck of Get Wise-Get
Organized, on http://worldtalkradio.com The interview will be
archived in case you can't listen in that day. Topic: My
revolutionary system, 5 W's of Organizing, a Teaser, and a
Tickle
NEED a speaker for your next event? Download my speaking
packet at:
http://overhall.com/Seminars.htm
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall, FSII
The Organizing & Feng Shui Wizard
OverHalling Your Life and Spaces
FSII President and FSIA Faculty Member
Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner
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) 2004 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-weekly
organizing newsletter that you have subscribed to OR that
someone has forwarded to you. If you are receiving this issue as
a forward, and would like to get your own free subscription,
visit
http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm to subscribe.
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!
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute, rent, or sell
your Email Address to anyone. Period.
|
