OverHall IT!
Vol. 6 Issue 9
OverHall IT! - Organizing Newsletter for Your Life
Vol. 6 Issue 9
Just reading this newsletter won't get you organized...
YOU must take some action!
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. OverHalling and Balance
2. Events
3. Tips for Organizers & Feng Shui Consultants
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
If Something Happens to Me...Get Prepared NOW!
A must have for every home! Check it out at:
http://www.overhall.com/if_something_happens_to_me.htm
1. OverHalling and Balance
Top Ten Organizing and Time Challenges People Face
Part 8
By: Janet L. Hall
1. Paper. Includes mail, reading material and files
2. Bedroom. Includes laundry, clothes, drawers and closets
3. Children. Includes their schedules and their bedroom and toys
4. Shopping. Includes food, gifts and cards
5. Kitchen. Includes organizing, meal planning and cooking
6. Spending time with family, children, friends and self
7. Appointments. Includes medical, school, parties and events
8. Tools
9. Car
10. Maintaining home systems and cleaning
Today we'll be addressing the number eight challenge,
tools (ever if you don't have a tool problem, read this to discover
what person type you are):
Tools come in many forms: organizing tools, kitchen tools,
cleaning tools, craft tools, repair tools, and so on.
Today we'll be discussing some 'ordinary tools' most of you have
around your home: hammers, screwdrivers, indoor/outdoor tools
and so on.
Whether you're a woman or a man, whether you use your tools
occasionally, like to hang a picture, or use regularly on
outdoor/indoor maintenance, or are a craft person, when
needed it helps if your tools are organized.
First let's determine what 'type' of person you are. (By the way
this is great to determine in any area of your life, not just your
tools).
=> Are you a visual person or concealer?
Most creative or right-brained people are very visual and need
their tools (or other items) out where they can see them. If you
can't see it you don't know you have it.
A concealer might be a person that prefers to have stuff 'out of
sight' although their stuff might not be organized yet thrown into a
shed, closet, or drawer.
=> Are you an accumulator or a collector?
Do you accumulate two's, three's and four's of the same item,
perhaps because you don't recall if you already own the item or
can't find the item?
Do you collect items that are similar? For instance, my husband
has nine hammer types in one drawer, one in his car toolbox and
I have one in my toolbox. We have wooden hammers, rubber
mallets, ball-ping hammers, hammers with rubber handles, etc.
=> Are you a returner or dropper?
I think this is self describing: a returner returns items to their
place after using and a dropper just drops the item where ever
they were using it last and let's it live there until needed again.
Discovering the 'person type' you are will assist you in
determining where your storage for your tools (or other items)
should be and what type of storage you might need.
If you are a visual type you would look for open storage,
perhaps open shelves (labeled and organized of course), open
bins and containers, or a tool caddy or belt. A peg board which
you would hang your tools on and you could trace around the
tool onto the peg board so you or some else always knows
where to return it. A concealer should look at drawers, closed
shelving and/or cabinets, again labeled and organized. You might
even add an inventory sheet to the inside of the cabinet or
shelves so you always know what you have and where it lives.
Perhaps closed containers or bins. You can label or hot glue a
picture or sample (great for different nails and screws) to the
front of the container.
If you are an accumulator you should consider going through the
house, garage and sheds and pool everything together to see
exactly what you do own and decide from there what to keep or
not. If you are a collector it's time to be honest with yourself,
such as which is my favorite, the one you always use, which ones
you never use and keep only the ones you use on a regular basis.
If you are a returner, GOOD for you. To assist others that might
use your tools, label shelves, containers, etc. so they return to the
proper place. If a dropper you are then you would want to work
on that habit and practice returning things when finished using. Or
perhaps look at were you are "trying" to store your tools.
Perhaps you need to change storage locations so it's easier to get
things returned. For instance, I have my own small tool box that
lives in a kitchen cabinet, easily available when needed and oh so
easy to return the items when finished.
Other tool storage tips:
If you find you have vintage tools you can show them off!
Display
them in or outside the workshop or the shed, like art pieces.
Don't forget to look for overhead storage. Great for lumber and
piping.
Use heavy duty magnetic strips to "attach" your tools to.
See what types of containers you might already have around,
such as baby food jars, baby wipes containers (holds up to
5 pounds of nails), empty prescription bottles, or clear hanging
shoe bag. These are great helpers for nails, screws, bolts, etc.
Instead of purchasing shelving you can use milk crates (or attach
these to the wall with shoulder hooks). Store like items with like
items.
Create Project containers, storing the tools you are currently
using for the project you might be working on. 5 - gallon buckets
are great for this.
Extension cords: Wrap them around a hose hanger.
Rolls of tape and/or cord: Install a toilet paper holder to hold the
rolls and unwind rolls.
If you're Pressed for space use one of these to store your tools
in:
portable tool box (rent large tools when needed)
tool belt
tool caddie
back of door
back pack
For tools and gardening storage please check out some of the
products we've found that might assist you in finally getting
organized at:
http://www.overhall.com/organize_garage.htm
While you're sorting and taking inventory you might come across
some items that could be dangerous and you really should not
keep, such as frayed cords, items that don't work properly, or
it's broken or rusty.
For the tools that are still in good use that you might have several
of you can always donate them. Places that you might consider
are: Habitat for Humanity, High School Vocational Classes,
Theater Groups (schools or neighborhood), Boys or Girls
Scouts or 4-H Clubs.
============
Janet Hall is a Certified Professional Organizer,
Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author
and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your
stuff, and your environment. Organizing By Phone and in person
at http://www.overhall.com
Copyright (c) 2005 OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy,
or distribute so long as this copyright notice and full information
about contacting the author is attached.
We are affiliated with Barnes and Noble and I've found some
great finds for you to check out at
http://www.overhall.com/books.htm
2. Events
November 1, 2005-- Tuesday 7 - 9 PM
Solomon's Island, MD
Giving Thanks Through Space Clearing ($20)
Click
http://overhall.com/harmony_balance.htm or call us.
Discover how to clear out the negative energies in your home
through simple step-by-step space clearing techniques and once
implemented you WILL feel the change..for the better.
November 4-6, 2005 FSII Conference (open to all). Feng Shui
and the Power of Intention, St. Augustine, FL. Please visit
http://fengshui-ii.org/fengshuiconference.htm
Got clutter and debt?
Check out my ebook I co-authored with
Paula Langguth Ryan, Effortless Freedom From Clutter and
Debt: Your 20 minute Roadmap for Creating a Perfectly
Balanced Life, at:
http://www.clutteranddebt.com
3. Tips for Organizers & Feng Shui Consultants
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
Paper paper everywhere? Check out my email course at
http://www.paperclutter.com
Got bedroom clutter?
Check out my newest web site
http://www.bedroom-clutter.com
This site is dedicated to Master Bedrooms that contains tips,
articles and products to help you get your most sacred place
finally organized.
Software and Downloads:
Get this inexpensive Spam Filter at
http://spamarrest.com/affl?930907
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
Harmony and Balance to all,
Janet L. Hall, CPO/CRMS (tm), FSII/FSIA
The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Let me work my "magic" on your Clutter, Life, and Environment!
http://www.overhall.com
"If your current life isn't working for you... get an
"OverHall"!"
ISSN # 1533-0702.
Circulation 7, 585
Publisher: Janet L. Hall mailto:janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
Copyright (c) 2005 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263,
Port Republic, MD 20676
410-586-9440
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.
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute, rent, or sell
your Email Address to anyone. Period. |
