tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293303592009-11-01T16:53:05.608-05:00Welcome to the blog for www.Sort-Things-Out.com. We'll put into practice the STO System for getting organized, issue Eva's Edict 5 Minutes assignments, share organizing tips and advice, provide resources and much more, to help you organize your home, office, career, and life, one step at a time.Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-89192046777198074082009-05-14T06:56:00.006-04:002009-05-14T07:11:19.562-04:00

Easier said than done.Why are we holding on to certain things? This is a lamp. A tacky lamp. I got it from a family member who got it from someone else who didn't want it. No sentimental value here.The lamp shade is made of glass panels with scenes from Paris. I've never been to Paris, have no connection to Paris. One of the panels is missing because it shattered.I tried giving it away once on

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-32774718699391596572009-03-20T23:18:00.013-04:002009-03-21T00:02:38.336-04:00

This post was inspired by a tweet that I sent out on Twitter tonight.I needed to do one of two things, but was undecided about which one to do. Both would take about the same amount of time.Blogging requires brain power; doing dishes require physical action (and not a lot of brain power).I opted for the dishes, since my brain was tired. Plus, I needed the exercise too. Bend, stretch, reach to put

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-49882885472974731052009-02-04T02:50:00.015-05:002009-02-04T04:17:49.207-05:00

The Story Behind the Video:When there's a snowy day in New Jersey and I'm stuck in the house, I go a little stir crazy. Cabin fever, I think it's called. Then I get this urge to make videos. Of Top 5 lists. All while trying to keep the regular routines at home.And this is going against all that I teach, which is Focus on One Thing.When I created and edited the video below, it was around 4:00pm in

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-42342959522291603622009-02-01T03:01:00.012-05:002009-02-03T04:45:11.394-05:00

The STO System - Make it a HabitEva's Edict 5 Minutes / 21 Days This month, focus on doing ONE thing at a time. Leave the multi-tasking to machines for now.Let's get started:Assess The ExcessWhat are your areas of clutter? Figure out where your clutter zones are.Pick One Area / 21 DaysZoom in and focus on just one area to sort through for the next 21 days (experts say it takes 21 day to make /

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-18773324894777208192009-01-01T09:34:00.001-05:002009-01-08T15:02:55.681-05:00

Welcome to the New Year!Let's Make it a Fun Time in Two-Thousand-and-Nine!And kicking it off in January is Get Organized MonthCan organizing be fun? Sure it can!There's lots of neat stuff planned for this month to help keep you motivated and primed to do some serious and not-so-serious organizing, such as...A new desk calendar, Eva's Edict 5 Minutes Organizing Calendar, memo cube style, tear off

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-89491658054010024122008-12-08T12:00:00.009-05:002008-12-08T13:14:58.404-05:00

In the spirit of the season, as they say: "It's Better To Give, Than To Receive"......let's do an Eva's Edict 5 Minutes: Purge a Pile to Donate.Go ahead and choose from one of the following categories:- Clothes- Books- Toys- Food (see previous post on Pantry Purge)- Other - your choiceAm I hearing choruses of , "...but I have no time, especially this time of year!"?I say: Give it a try, 5 minutes

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-86390387775717470112008-11-05T15:10:00.012-05:002008-11-06T00:00:59.789-05:00

Do you have your lists prepared for the holidays yet? If not, that's OK! We'll be working on lists today.Today's Eva's Edict: take 5 Minutes to plan your Holiday Lists.OK, ready? We're going to List Your Lists.First, let's focus on which Holiday that you're working on (Thanksgiving, or Winter Holiday).What lists would be helpful to you? Let's mention a few here.(Note: You don't have to start

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-77107657685797405462008-11-04T10:06:00.011-05:002008-11-04T11:26:52.443-05:00

Today, take 5 minutes to do some Holiday planning. Yes, just 5 minutes, that's it.Your choice of Holiday:- Thanksgiving- Christmas- Hanukkah- Kwanzaa- Other: Your ChoiceFirst thing to get started, (for non-techie's) grab something to write with (pen, pencil, crayon, whatever's handy)...and something to write on (dayplanner, notebook, 3 ring binder, or recycle some paper and re-use the back of the

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-82212052933564003852008-10-31T06:30:00.004-04:002008-11-04T10:05:23.281-05:00

It's the end of the month again... Let's roll out another one of Eva's Edict!Want to be in the game? GREAT! I'll post your story in my next blog.OK, let's GO!Today, I'd like you to choose ONE area of paperwork to focus on, to Clean Out, Clear Out, Close Out.Even though you might have piles of papers all around you, we're going to ZOOM in and focus on ONE thing to work on.We want to make the most

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-73165921527546517072008-10-19T16:24:00.017-04:002008-10-19T17:29:20.678-04:00

Sometimes, we need a fresh perspective of things, to step out... or step away from it all, to see things through new eyes.The most recent book that I reviewed as host of a monthly Barnes & Noble book group gave me that fresh perspective this week.The title: The Power of Vastu Living: Welcoming Your Soul Into Your Home and Workplace, by Kathleen Cox (Simon & Schuster) is not the typical organizing

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-69383987565983173862008-10-11T11:44:00.006-04:002008-10-11T12:09:06.541-04:00

I attended a wedding last night at a first-rate catering hall that had a thoughtful, well-stocked basket in the ladies room on the sink counter. Included was hairspray, a sewing kit, safety pins, small first aid kit, and assorted supplies that a lady-in- distress would be grateful in finding.It's been quite a while since I last attended a wedding and I thought to jot down a short list of things

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-27553293362202040902008-10-07T09:31:00.006-04:002008-10-07T10:42:59.984-04:00

This post was inspired by today's news report about local food banks looking to increase their donations of food items.The new economy gives us an opportunity to re-examine what we have in our lives and release what we no longer use.Let's focus on our pantry, where we store our canned and boxed foods. (Perhaps you have a cabinet, cupboard, or shelf, rather than a pantry.Or, you simply use your

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-12972976811709368442008-10-03T10:04:00.011-04:002008-10-03T10:42:05.079-04:00

Friday is here! Eva's Edict for today: 5 Minutes / 5 Things for FridayPhoto by Brian J. GeraghtyYour choice: (choose 1 today, or, if you want to mix it up, do both! ...you choose)A. Take 5 Minutes to clear an area that you've been avoiding.Perfectionists beware, I'm going to tell you to give yourself permission to stop after 5 minutes. If you're so inclined, keep going for another 5 minutes at a

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-62674891375193501102008-10-01T14:31:00.011-04:002008-10-01T14:59:50.957-04:00

Congratulations to Jim Deitzel of Rubbermaid who took on the challenge yesterday of Eva's Edict: End-of-Month Clean Out!Within minutes after seeing my post on Twitter, he had completed the assignment within 15 minutes and cleared out a bunch of old files to the recycle bin.Jim says, "When you have a pile of old files/papers, it's not too hard to get rid of them. They were all in one nice tidy

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-18835014865108338712008-09-30T10:33:00.011-04:002008-09-30T11:17:08.878-04:00

It's the end of the month, end of Q3 (third quarter of the year), end of the summer season.Perfect time to roll out another one of Eva's Edict!Today, I'd like you to choose ONE area to focus on, to Clean Out, Clear Out, Close Out.Photo by Jon Sullivan, www.public-domain-photos.comLike I say in my presentations, even though the whole house may be in need of help, we're going to ZOOM in and focus

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-33298742266333596512008-08-24T01:29:00.007-04:002008-08-24T03:07:54.260-04:00

In the next few days, college students will begin their trek back to college campuses across the country in preparation for The Big Move. It's an exciting, nerve-wracking, hectic, and emotional rite of passage for students, staff and parents alike, as boxes, totes and belongings are unloaded curbside and transported to dorm rooms.Colleges have different ways of handling the move-in process. A

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-71892302117475995722008-08-22T14:06:00.003-04:002008-08-26T16:05:47.737-04:00

Here's a press release for a new mastermind networking group that I'm forming. Hope you can make it! Thanks ~Eva***********************************************************************************A new weekly business mastermind group will meet for lunch every Monday at 12:00 noon, beginning September 8, 2008 at IHOP Restaurant, 1340 Centennial Ave, Piscataway, New Jersey. The fee is $15 in

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-33882208599175337352008-08-12T14:08:00.006-04:002008-08-13T07:11:22.876-04:00

A friend of mine is planning a trip to Baltimore (Maryland) Inner Harbor so I decided to offer up my Top Picks of where to go and what to see while on vacation there. (Note, the info below is just my own personal opinion; I'm not compensated in any way).Feel free to add your Top Picks in comments as well.VISIT INNER HARBORBarnes & Noble, built inside historic Baltimore Power PlantVery cool place

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-69009669386311163592008-08-12T02:25:00.006-04:002008-08-12T03:43:29.067-04:00

It's August; summer is winding down. Perhaps you're looking forward to taking one last day trip with the kids before heading back to school.(Photo by: Chance Agrella)Here are a few tips, from my own mental notes, after spending a Sunday afternoon at the local county fair. I'm sure you'll have a few tips of your own to share as well!1. Eat a meal before you head out.Otherwise, you may find

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-62516011140887295462008-08-05T14:24:00.006-04:002008-08-05T15:14:17.252-04:00

Here are some quick tips for traveling by car with your kids on vacation:1. Pack a nightlight.2. Bring a kiddie port-a-potty (believe me, it's worth the extra investment to have one just dedicated for the car).3. Pack a full box of tissues, paper towels, napkins, and baby wipes.4. Stock up before you go: bottled water & juice boxes (freeze a few hours before you leave so it stays cold), granola

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-25278640283519595612008-08-05T14:00:00.006-04:002008-08-06T01:58:20.481-04:00

I have a couple of blogs that I write, including this one you're reading right now and another blog featuring stories about the things we keep.Here are some reasons why I like blogging as a tool to help me stay organized:1. Too many ideas swimming in my head and I need to have a place to do a brain drain, where it might also benefit someone who happens to be reading it.2. My typing is much neater

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-21538673980995079292008-07-25T10:53:00.002-04:002008-07-25T11:03:36.619-04:00

Today, we're continuing to work on Eva's Edicts from last week.Today, take 5 minutes to clean out another section of your car.5 minutes, then stop.If your whole car needs help and you want to keep going, go ahead and do another 5 minutes. Rinse & repeat as needed. Do just enough, but just don't get burned-out.If you don't have the time to go on another 5 minutes, simply stop. Pick it up at

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-10034321584779610722008-07-22T01:38:00.003-04:002008-07-22T01:58:07.491-04:00

Here's a TV segment that I did recently on the topic of "Helping Your Child Get Organized".Summertime is a great time to get started on developing good habits for getting organized. And, we can make it fun for the child, rather than being a battle.For many children, they need structure and a sense of routine. I know I personally need this for myself as well, ESPECIALLY during the summer!With the

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-4950548471905641462008-07-18T13:47:00.011-04:002008-07-18T16:24:11.193-04:00

OK, I'm hereby declaring the official roll-out of "Eva's Edicts" on Organizing, as of today.First, let's define, 'what's an edict?' An edict is a decree or proclamation, a formal pronouncement or command.I'm introducing Eva's Edicts in order to get you better organized and to Sort Things Out, one step at a time.I'm directing this for those of you who need someone to "tell" you what to do, in

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29330359.post-6229175105357063462008-07-05T10:26:00.003-04:002008-07-05T14:03:58.454-04:00

Here's a hint for the kitchen:Keep a large jar in the kitchen for pencils, pens, etc. I like using a spare mug (you know the kind that you collect from trade shows, or given to you as a gift?) or spare plastic promotional cup, recycled glass jar, or whatever you have on hand that'll do the job.Line the bottom with a folded up paper towel, in case of a pen malfunction.Gather up all lost pens,

Evahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425530758292206681info@sort-things-out.com0